We Are In!

So if the previous week brought a message of waiting—this one brings a message of gratitude.

After months of temporary housing, and well over a year of hard graft and instability, we have finally landed. Woooo hooooo!

WE ARE IN!

At long last, we’ve purchased our real home here in the community and now have our own bedroom, a John-Malkovich-inspired (temporary!) kids’ room, a lovely living room, a dining room, and a bathroom. Half of the house still needs renovation, but by some sort of grace it’s a completely different section, and there are shared facilities all over—so by our standards, it’s a cakewalk from here on out.

The kids screamed with joy. Ben and I had a few long days of moving furniture and finding places for things (quite reminiscent of one of those little games where you have one square free and have to un-jumble a picture). It already looks beautiful. I’ve started hanging art and pondering where pot plants will go—it is literally a dream come true.

COMMUNITY FUN

There is always something going on here. While we moved all our worldly belongings from one space to another, the kids participated in a Ceilidh held in one of the many community rooms. They danced the day away and came back happy, bursting with stories of their adventures.

There was also a Wassail a few weeks ago. (Pictured above with Angelina & the Green Man.) Some dear friends from the river came to stay, a band popped up out of nowhere, and we gave thanks to the earth and blessed our apple trees for an abundant year of growth ahead. I was pleased to join in for at least four reasons:

1. It was extremely fun and included some hilarious moments of haphazardly leading a community friend through the fruit trees, while he wore a giant head that kept catching the wind, like a sail, and getting stuck in branches.

2. It’s always good to bless the land and give thanks.

3. It has a strong history of social justice and rebellion—traditionally a time when the people could rise up, bang on the doors of the manor house, and collect apples and hospitality from the aristocracy.

4. It is extremely rare to find a new-age happening I’ve never attended- let alone even heard of! I’m very happy to add this to my collection of weird and wonderful experiences!

REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS

1. What are you most grateful for that you might usually overlook or take for granted?

2. As you dream in to the year ahead- what would you most like to cultivate- and What is the one, small next step to move towards that?  

3. How will you celebrate your next win? (Whether it is big or small!)