Taking a moment

To count my blessings today.

I’m reading reports of folks who sadly, perished in the cold of the blizzard and arctic bomb weather.

It’s about 1:30am and thoughts are swirling through my mind like a blizzard. Thoughts of those who left home for one last Christmas gift or a quick trip to the grocery store. Folks who were hoping for help that never came. My heart is sore from it all.

Is it just me or does life seem extra fragile these days?

Jeremy and I took time today with this photo shoot. Time to get reacquainted with the camera, with each other, with shooting post op. It’s been a long while since we have had the ability to shoot on the real camera, normally opting for the quick and easy option of the I phone. It felt good to use the camera this time. There’s something to getting back into the swing of living life more fully with more intention.

So, much intention went into this shoot yet it came together so naturally. This is the dress I wore home from the hospital after surgery. It’s so soft and easy to get in and out of. It’s a beautiful dress that I purchased because I wanted to have something to heal in that felt beautiful, was easy to get in and out of by myself and gave me confidence. They say “dress for the job you want, not the job you have”. My only job through this last few months has been healing and finding comfort where I can. This dress has afforded me the benefit of feeling a bit more comfort and beauty in a time when those things are hard to find for myself. Since I want my primary job to be healing right now, my normal jeans and t shirt I wear for pickers won’t work for the job of healing.

This is also my bedroom that I spent most of my time healing in. It’s homey and warm and drenched in calming color. I splash lavender essential oil on my bed every night to add to the relaxation. Often times after surgery I would wake up from intense stress dreams and nightmares and the lavender serves to relax me back to sleep. I have always loved the fragrance of lavender. I used it in both of my births and still splash lavender on my burlesque costumes to calm me before I hit the stage. It goes with me all around the world, I never leave home without it because it’s such a relaxing scent for me in not so relaxing situations. I even took it to the hospital with me. The nurses would comment on the nice fragrance each time they came into my hospital room.

There were many nights that I didn’t think I could make it through, but I did. I went into my healing process with very clear intentions to create a beautiful space, on a dime so that I woulld look forward to waking up to push through another day.

These little comforts certainly have kept my spirits up through this complex healing process.

So, tonight I lay in bed thinking of how fortunate I am to have this relaxing space, warm home and soft comfortable dress to chill out in. I’m reminded of how lucky I am to have a full life ahead of me. The fact that we got through the holiday season with full bellies, wonderful memories, our family in tact, with nobody in the hospital or in jail is something to celebrate indeed.

So, I suppose this photo set is a celebration of life. Making it through the tough times but still celebrating the the beautiful moments with intention is about the best thing we can do right now. Staying positive and thankful for each moment is my new job for the next couple of months. Of course I do still have my pickers job to return to in time but for now, my job is to stay thankful, comfortable and look for the beauty in each moment of life I’m given.

I’m not normally one for prayer but I find myself doing a lot of it lately. I’m not even sure who I’m praying to but Tonight my heart is praying to something greater than me that the families of those who passed on from this world, over the holidays, will find some comfort in their community and find beautiful moments again eventually.

Life is precious.

What are the little things or incredible people that comfort you the most during uncertain times? What about them brings you peace?