In case you're alone...

Holidays are hard

Hi friends,

I’ve scheduled this tiny little newsletter to go out on Christmas Eve, purely to send out a few nice things to anyone who might be alone and doesn’t want to be, who might be keeping vigil around illness or painful situations, who might be in grief or who, for whatever reason, might just be searching for glimmers of light. Maybe some of these things will accompany you over the next few days.

‘Hello across the darkness, friend-

I’ve heard you crying in the night,

I see the pain you barely hide and

how you’re giving up the fight,

But just for now, let darkness bring

the loving silky moon’s embrace,

And know how much I love and miss you,

Wish you joy and endless grace.’

-G.E.O.

For a reminder on seeing the beauty of the world, I’ve always loved this conversation with the poet Mary Oliver, which you can listen to here.

And here is her poem ‘Don’t Hesitate’

For thoughts on the beauty to be found in the inner landscape, I love this conversation with the poet John O’Donohue.

The music of ‘The Lost Words: Spell Songs’ is bound to soothe your soul, and I particularly love the live performances from The Natural History Museum. There are two whole Spells Songs albums to get you through the day.

For a story to offer some warmth, here is something that happened close to home. For those of us lucky enough to enjoy the privileges of a warm safe home and a full fridge, it’s worth remembering those around us who aren’t experiencing that, and the many good good people who work to close the gap. There are many such wonderful people working quietly in my community, and I loved this story of the goodness coming back around.

And finally, here is a blessing written by my friend, Kim Edgar:

I wish you warmth, attention, comfort, peace

A loving light to shine right where you are

Some great reward, some wondrous feast

A sense that nothing and no one is too far

Grace and peace, love and hope, comfort and joy…may all these things be yours this week.

Love, Gill x