From these, a beautiful chain of gratitude was created, for all to see, read and reflect upon.
We touched many themes! Food, of course. Our community, love, family and friends. Our companion animals. Life surrounded by the beauty of nature. Our spiritual paths. Awareness of political and social change. And of course a few random offerings!
Starting with food, of course:
Peanut butter fudge (recently prepared by Mary for the community to celebrate national fudge day)
Good food (we do miss our regular potluck dinners)
Eggplant and sweet potatoes (sweet potatoes were mentioned twice, due in part to a great harvest by the garden goddesses)
Craft beer
Snickers candy bars (written with gratitude to Mary Kay for this year’s Halloween candy bowl in the Hive)
Our community, love, family and friends:
All the “berries” were mentioned by name, including Dick (who passed away earlier this year) and Miles, our six year old neighbor! Our former members were also remembered.
Our goodnight tradition
Someone with whom I share the journey
Laughter with friends
This community
My sister
Volunteers of the community
Great parents
Grandkids
My family
Our companion animals:
Cats (I might add several who like to make zoom appearances)
All the love from community dogs
Four-legged berries
All the Elderberry dogs and cats, past and present
My four-legged friends
The beauty of nature:
Night stars (another drawing - our artists have been busy)
Winter stars
Rainbows (no words, simply a drawing in color!)
Butterflies (another lovely drawing and tribute to Jacquie, our Monarch mother)
Woods & trails
Zinnias (with drawing)
Early morning walks when no-one is around or up yet
Stillness in woods
Yellow bellied sapsuckers
Bird songs in the garden (some of us bird “by ear”)
Cardinals
Fire
Our spiritual paths:
Any open heart/my open heart
All the combinations of random events that have favored me
God’s blessings
The examples set by others that challenge me
My guides
Forgiveness
Faith
All the times my mis-steps have not been fatal
Good luck
Life
My health (mentioned twice)
Awareness of political and social change:
Joe Biden
Women’s movement
Our new president
America, a second chance
Trump lost
And a few random ones!
For worms to help the trees grow (contribution from Miles!)
Artists
Finding lost tools (this is a funny story — I’ll tell you in person if you ask)
Bug repellent!