I must admit this is one of my favourite times of the year, with it’s lights and music, gift giving and good will, bringing hope and renewal to us all from pagan times to Christianity. I have fallen behind in blogging with all the work that has needed doing in the new place but also other more serious family matters that have distracted me this last while. Snow is on it’s way to the island and I’m one of those strange birds who love snow and think that there is never enough of it at this time of year. I know, I know, “move back east and see how you like it!” they tell me! But I know there is snow in the highlands of Scotland right now and there is snow on our mountains here as well. This is the Great White North after all ( though I am south in the great north). There is a peacefulness and purity when snow falls that even the spinning of tires and transportation lags cannot diminish for me.
This year has had it’s up and downs, major changes and a frightening near tragedy. I know how important family is and how faith can transform, no matter the style of your belief. When a voice calls in the night, you answer. Sometimes, paradoxically, you have to be lost and surrender before you at last find light and the path through the forest. In fact redemption and grace mean nothing without light and shadow, joy and sorrow, hope and despair, yin and yang. Sometimes as the song says, ‘it’s a broken hallelujah.” We must embrace it all. I am hanging in there and I am thankful!
It’s not a cry we hear at night
It’s not someone who’s seen the light
It’s a cold and it’s a broken hallelujah
the runes of the gatekeeper's daughter- dedicated to Nick 
Yes, snowfall = silence. Is that you in the last photo there?
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alas no, I’m not that young! But she is lovely! thanks for your visit!!
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I love your magical view of things, my friend. A
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thanks for that lovely compliment Adrian!
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Thank you for this magical post, Hannah. I am sorry to hear of the difficulties of the past year. I hope the coming year is a peaceful one.
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thank you Pam, I’m a bit slow with blogging these days but things are hopefully improving! I wish you the best of the Christmas season too!
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Precious words, month of December bring us together. Thank you Cybele.
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thank you dear Della!
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Loved your post and pics and thank you for the audio. I have heard her before and find her youth so full of grace humbling. Hope you are well and getting settled in at last.
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thank you and blessings of the season to you Renee.
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To you as well. 🙂
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Leonard was a fellow Canadian who i also will greatly miss. I grew up on his music, and I’m pretty sure I’ve read most of his poetry collections and other works. But I keep hoping that another will yet turn up. I must have missed something. The beauty of your page today is something I feel certain he would have appreciated.
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Thank you so much for stopping by again and for your lovely comment!
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: )
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Hang in there , girl! I have been out of contact with you but think of you often. I have had a whopper of a cold . I pray that all is going well for your family & you. No matter what happens you somehow create beauty in your posts. What a heroine!
Hugs, DG >
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thanks muchly DG. Will be in contact soon!!
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Hannah, this must be one of your more beautiful images and yes to surrendering, as I discovered last year.
Now, about this snow ‘thing’ you have going on…… 😀
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thanks so much Robert, I’m glad you understand! And yes, we have had our first snowfall!! 😀
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exceptional… as usually!!! ❤ here's a super-bonus: 🙂
http://writical.com/fireflies-surreal-photos-japan-awesome/
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thank you Melanie!! and wow to your link!! Thank you for sharing that!
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many thanks Andrew!
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Deeply touching to me personally and very beautiful. Thank you for walking along with all of us (your readers). P.S I also love Leonard Cohen💕
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I’m so glad we can share these thoughts and be in sync!! Thank you Landa!!
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I’ve always loved how you can transform your photos into a fairy fantasy land. Absolutely beautiful! 😀
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you gave me a lift with your compliment today!! Thanks Nic!
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I am totally absorbed into this image. Wow!
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thank you so much Debbie!!
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❤
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Such a beautifully worded and illustrated post, Cybele.As a relatively recent follower, I hadn’t realised that this year had been such a trial for you. I really thought the move had been your major obstacle to overcome. I’m glad it’s coming to an end for you, and I hope you get the snow you love so much. Your words in your last paragraph are deeply moving and meaningful and give heart to anyone facing difficult or traumatic times.
I have loved Leonard Cohen since the 1970s when I bought my first LP of his. His voice and the lyrics of his songs always moved me to tears. The little girl, Rhema, singing Hallelujah is quite amazing, too. Who would have thought an eight-year-old could have such a vocal range?
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so pleased this touched you too Millie, -my words and the lovely little video. Things are slowly settling as they do but it’s been hard and I’ve been battling to keep joy within reach even when it seemed impossible.
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Sorry to hear about the upheavals, Cybele. (I agree, even the ‘almost’ ones can be frightening.) May you emerge stronger from it.
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Thanks for such a thoughtful comment Anita, So true!! Thanks for visiting!
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May the broken Hallelujah be mended soon xx That 8 year year old girl’s voice is so beautiful!! Thank you for sharing that video ❤
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many thanks Christy!! So glad you liked the video too!
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Keep the faith!
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thanks Robert!!
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Oh wow, ‘the path in the forest’ is absolutely magical Cybele. I’m with you on the snow, I long for some to arrive! I’m sorry that you’ve had to face some family challenges this year, but I hope that things are better now and that your new home will bring some peace for this season.
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oh just when you think all is well again life decides to shake it up. We are still finding our way through it. Thank you so much for your good wishes Andrea! and back to you as well. I hope you got to listen to that angel sing- that Leonard Cohen song really resonated!
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It’s one of my favourite songs ever 🙂
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I hope your troubles are all in the past now, Cybele, and you get to enjoy Christmas with everyone you love. That is a beautiful version of a wonderful song. I too grew up listening to Leonard Cohen, and love all his music. My Mum has always been a fan – much to my dad’s disgust. He describes it as music to slash your wrists to!
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true, there is an element of that too as your dad says. But oh a brilliant poet!! Thanks so much for the good wishes, we are finding our way out of the woods!
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beautiful. thank you so much for sharing this. it fills the heart 🙂
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I am so glad! I just love sharing something that others find inspiring or can relate to as well!
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🙂 may be listening again today after work! cheers, Debi
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🙂 oh do!! She has others too that are wonderful!
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amazing big voice!
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Indeed!!
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Hang in there, Hannah!
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I am I am!! Thanks Sue!!
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😀
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Dearest Dune Mouse, hang on in there and may Christmas be a time of renewal for you. We all have times like these and we are always the better for them. We can’t know what it is to be found unless we know what it is to be lost. Lovely post. Sending you snowy hugs. x
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Oh I wish I was in Scotland!! Thanks for the snow hugs. yes next year has to be better. This year was a challenge and very emotionally tiring. But we didn’t lose anybody in the physical sense. It’s so important to embrace each day. The song by that amazing child is by Leonard Cohen, a wonderful, eccentric, brilliant Canadian poet and songwriter who died this year. For some reason that song spoke to me and I had to post it.!! My muse is on a break it seems but hopefully will be back in the new year!!
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Oh I love that song. Your muse will come back. Don’t sweat that one. It is important to embrace each day. It’s also important to be kind to YOURSELF. Moves are never easy, believe me I do know that one. I have had two and a bit years now of hard slog on this run down house we bought. I long for the day when I get up and I am not having to tear something to bits, or open another paint tin and all these things. Family matters can be totally distracting. Peace will come. Embrace the Christmas magic and take some time to you xx
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I certainly will Shehanne. Things are slowly settling! Old houses have such character and history but yes I hear you as to upgrades! Blessings my dear Lass!!
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That was a terrific rendition of my favorite Leonard Cohen song!
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Yay!! I loved Leonard Cohen! I grew up listening to him in our house. That child was phenomenal. Thanks for visiting Crow!
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i’m happy knowing that you’re there, dune mouse
having survived the difficulties with the support
of loved ones and inner faith.
such a wonderful song
lingers still in my heart 🙂
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so glad you listened to it. It’s by our late and brilliant Canadian poet songwriter, Leonard Cohen. ( just in case you didn’t know!) Thank you so much for your lovely comment and good wishes!
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There is something about snow and this time of the year, or so I hear, not that I have ever experienced it. I can imagine Christmas would be magical with it.
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I think it is Leanne, When will we talk on Skype. what days are good for you!
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I’m so sorry to hear you had a near tragedy but am so happy it was near and total!
That little 8 year old has the voice of someone much older! WOW! I loved it!
Take care Dear Hana! xx
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thank you Deb! yes it was a tough year and we have had a lot of sorrows in a short time. Next year has to be better! The song is by Canadian Leonard Cohen who died this year. I was such a fan of his music and poetry.
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Beautiful post both words and images.
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thank you so much Maverick! did you get a chance to listen to Rhema singing Leonard Cohen’s Allelujah. I loved that man. What a poet. So sad he’s gone!
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You have done the same for me
That’s what’s friends are for
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I wish you all good things this season and beyond my friend.
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Great to see you cybele
I hear you loud and clear
I know your a fighter
And don’t ask me how I know
It’s just the Sheldon in me
Your waiting for the next great push
Like I am
Hang in there
Stay thirsty
The Sheldon Perspective
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thank you so much for your perspective Sheldon! and your support!
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