*blog*

Lauren, you are pure loveliness and have been an absolute lighthouse in my life.  You've got a big shining path in front of you-- may you enjoy every step on the journey.

so much beauty. so much love. and a blessing from Leonie Wise.

I don't want to overwhelm you with goodness.  But then again, the question I love to ask . . . how much pleasure can you take?

Honestly, if this is a sign of where the next generation will be leading us-- I'm gonna sit back and have a rum drink by the pool because oh my, the future is bright.

This month is really special for me and our islands as the current issue of National Geographic Magazine features our little sandbar - in a visual love letter written and photographed by my father-in-love David Alan Harvey.

...the vistas were extraordinary, but what filled their hearts most were the people
that welcomed them into this beautiful part of the world with so much grace and kindness

Honestly-- a reverence for the land, gardens, home & family-- life-- it just doesn't get any better than this!

sometimes, it doesn't matter what the language-- there are no words enough

There are many stories within stories about the squam experience, but one lesser known tale is that quietly woven through the wild weekend gatherings are the mamas who have come with babies (in their arms or in their bellies).

Exactly-- the pressure is on. But here's the thing--- even if I had the time to make really cool things, I don't have that special ju-ju that makes things extra pretty, extra lovely. It's just not one of the gifts I have to bring to the world.

I knew these two pieces still had a lot of life left in them and I knew Lauren was just the person to whip these puppies into shape. And damn, if the girl didn't do just fine.

What I like are family gatherings that have nothing to do with exchanging presents or fulfilling obligations.  What I like is the opportunity to be together in an emotionally stripped down sort of way where an extraordinary opportunity for open, honest emotional exchange is created.  What I like is being called to the mat to pay attention, wake up, snap out of dull daily routines that keep us from feeling alive, awake, and engaged.

If you have never had the good fortune to be in a class or a conversation with Maya, I hope one or the other is in your future as she is, most assuredly-- as she readily admits below-- so good at the loving thing.

However, what strikes me most was how my mom responded.  She didn't send all her energy to everything that was wrong, she immediately got us all to focus on how lucky we were with what had gone right.  This is one of the many ways in which my life has been blessed: attitude. (thanks, mom!)

I don't know when she brought back the angel from Mexico.  All I know is that our Christmas tree always had her at the top.