Claim our Light

I'm ending 2022 cozied up in my warm living room with my fur niece, Sunshine, and feeling like the luckiest girl alive. I have a home, I have my family, I'm retired and loving every minute, I have friends. It feels like the world is returning to normal after two years of chaos. Life is good. So good that sometimes, if I close my eyes and ears to it all, I can imagine that this world we live in is perfect. 

Those pictures creep in, though, of children, parents, grandparents, fleeing their country as their homes and cities are shattered from missiles and bombs. The war in Ukraine rages on, and lives are forever changed. I have a personal connection to some of those affected. I had two classes of students from Ukraine in my online teaching job. Right after the war began, they stopped coming to class, and I didn't hear from them for a month. I prayed for them daily. Just when I thought I would never hear their voices, they came back. Most of them were now in other countries--Poland, The Czech Republic, Scandinavia--in exile with relatives or friends. All 20 were safe and ready to return to school. Prayers answered.

Marianne Williamson, one of my favorite inspirational writers, always has the words to put things in perspective. She said, 

If the tragedy unfolding in Ukraine proves anything, 

it’s that a light is missing in the world

 or so much darkness could not have gotten in. 

Part of that light is who we used to be. 

For the sake of literally everyone, may we claim our light again. 

I'm claiming my light in 2023! I'm shining a big spotlight on any darkness from the past year and turning it to light. 

The 4th of July fire across the street from my house that almost crossed the street? Shining a light on that. And thank you, superhero firemen, for keeping my house safe.

Sad goodbyes and teary reminders of world figures? Let your light shine on all of us. Remembering Princess Diana on the 25th anniversary of her tragic death followed so closely by Queen Elizabeth's passing was heartbreaking. I revisited all my Diana books and collectibles on August 30 and even dug out my black sheep sweatshirt from the 80s patterned after Diana's red sweater. Mom and I watched all the ceremonies for Queen Elizabeth. What a role model and leader. And may I just add, can we be done with the constant "news" about this Royal family? Buckingham Palace and all the Royals--stop being racists. And Harry, stop selling out your brother. Find your light, Royal Family.

2022 was already filled with light despite the darkness. So many of us jumped on the Wordle train this year. It has become a morning routine for my mom and me, We sit at the kitchen table, Mom with her iPad and coffee, me with my iPad and tea, and work together to solve the day's puzzle. It's always interesting to see if Mom is going to find Wordle . No Mom, you're on Facebook. Wordle is in Safari. No, that's messenger. Safari is blue. And on and on. It's hilarious. I really should record us sometime. But, wow, is she good. Often times it is Mom who gets the word, not me. 

We needed a little help from Sunshine.

My online teaching job is often the highlight of my day. I absolutely love teaching English! When I retired in 2017, I worried what I would be if not an English teacher. Here I am, almost six years later, still an English teacher. I work less than ten hours a week, all from home, with students all over the world. I have my best friend to thank for shining a light on this opportunity. Thanks, Eileen!

There is no brighter light in my life than my family. I got to see almost everyone in person this past year and definitely spent lots of time FaceTiming. Here are picture highlights:

TEA PARTIES!

VACATION!

(I hadn't been in an airport since 2019)

Fort Lauderdale 

The start of 2023 feels good. I'm claiming my light, day by day. Cheers to you and your light.

Happy New Year!

Ringing in 2023 with Sunny

Books snd Bubbles

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A New Year's Miracle

 So much heaviness hangs over my city as 2021 comes to a close. Mother Nature showed her monstrous side, sending hurricane-force winds to turn sparks into flames and flames into a destructive inferno that ravaged the Denver suburbs of Superior and Louisville. I have a pit in my stomach thinking about the six hundred homes burned to the ground, the families left with nothing. Where's the good? Where's the hope? I was glued to local news channels all night looking for something. It wasn't there. Until the morning dawned. As videos and pictures of destruction filled tv screens and social media sites, there it was. Hope. Families gathering together expressing gratitude that they were alive, vowing to rebuild. Communities coming together offering housing, clothing, food, money, comfort. The governor and local authorities announcing everyone was accounted for, no lives were lost, calling this a New Year's miracle. 

As survival stories begin to replace the horrific images, true miracles become clear--the page of a prayer book in the midst of rubble, a horse running to safety propelled by pure instinct, the understanding that nothing is more precious than family.

A horse runs through Grasso Park in Superior as smoke and fires approach. Photo: Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via Getty Images

Thankfully, family was front and center for me this year. Having gone through almost all of 2020 without being with most of my family members, it felt like Heaven seeing everyone this year. I was able to road trip to Nebraska, and Nebraska and Minnesota family came to Colorado. 

Nebraska fam

Mom and Roger

Colorado fam

Colorado and Nebraska fam

Family truly is everything!

Also front and center this past year was being retired.  Well sort of. I'm doing some online teaching again this year. I can't help myself! I teach several high school English classes for Hudson Global Scholars.  I can design my own schedule and choose which classes I want. We have students and teachers all over the world, and I love getting to know all of them. My family asks why I can't just be retired. I tell them this doesn't feel like work. When it does, I'll stop.

My schedule

Although not enough, I did find time to knit. My big accomplishment this year was a sweater for our Violet. It took me forever, and I almost quit several times, but  I finished! It was challenging but fun, and seeing Violet snuggled inside was everything.

Oh Violet!

I can't end without applauding our Jessica for taking a huge leap of faith and moving to England to work on her Masters degree. Not knowing a soul and never having seen the college, she packed up last September, hopped on a jet plane, and despite some drama with flight delays and lost baggage, she is now well into her program and taking Durham University by storm. We all miss her dreadfully, but we are so proud of her.

Miss you, Jess!

2021, although not perfect, brought back some of the normalcy that was missing from my life, and there's hope in that. As I get ready to toast a new year, my heart is with the resilient people of Boulder County who lost so much. May 2022 bring you peace, and may Mother Nature be kinder.

Happy New Year!

New books and a Christmas Coke (champagne doesn't feel right)

2021 Is a Star in the Sky

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn' 

 "O Holy Night"

I hope you saw the Christmas Star last week.  How our dark world needed the light of that Star of Wonder. Let me be about the 200 millionth person to say good riddance to 2020 and all the woe it bestowed upon the universe.

I could see The Star right from my back patio.  Mom and I wrapped up in blankets as we gazed in wonder at the brightness of Jupiter and Saturn aligned so closely they appeared as one.  I sat in absolute awe, thinking that this very celestial alignment might have been followed by the Wise Men all the way to Bethlehem to witness a miracle. That thought filled me with so much hope, and I vowed right then and there to leave all the darkness behind as the year nears its end.  I'm taking nothing but light into 2021, leaving all negativity behind, looking for love and miracles to abound.

Not that 2020 didn't have any of that.  It did.  For one thing, when I realized the pandemic was going to last longer than any of us wanted, I kicked it in gear.  I found new avenues to explore to take my mind off missing my brunches and happy hours and trips and family and friends. I got busy.

I taught myself how to knit! Something possessed me to order a knitting kit--a simple cup cozy. The only thing, though, is it came with just the yarn, needles, and pattern but no instructions on how to actually knit.  Cast on? Knit? Bind off? i was clueless.  I turned to YouTube for help, and sure enough, there are thousands of videos about knitting.  I learned how to cast on (easy!) and the basic knit stitch (easy!) and the bind off (not that easy). I completed the cup cozy, and in the process, I found other beginner projects to try.

Like these HEART FACE SCRUBBIES 💖. I already learned how to cast on and knit (sort of) and I just needed to learn how to purl.  YouTube didn't let me down. These heart face scrubbies were easy, quick, and fun to make.

I kept seeing patterns for DISHRAGS, so I gave them a try. I could cast on and knit, but I had to consult YouTube again to learn how to yarn over (easy) and knit 2 together (not easy). And voila, I made a dishrag! I made a lot of dishrags--ask my family--they got them for Christmas😀

I got kind of addicted to knitting and kept looking for easy patterns. I came across these LEG WARMERS!!  They were so adorable, but was I ready for them? I gave them a try--I cast on, knit and purled. YouTube rescued me again when I needed to make one right, make one left, and bind off in pattern. These leg warmers were more challenging than face scrubbies and dishrags, but after starting over many times and conquering that flower, I did it. And it was fun! 

The Royal Nieces wear their leg warmers well💖

I'm looking for my next knitting project.  If you have any ideas, send them my way.

Oh, and I got a job! I didn't intend to--it just sort of fell into my lap.  My best friend actually dropped it in my lap and suggested, several times, I should look into it.  On the last day, I completed the online application and put together a resume.  The job was for an online teaching position with the Archdiocese of Denver.  In order to meet the needs of those students who couldn't attend in-person Catholic schools, they created St. Isidore Online School. It's a wonderful opportunity for families, and I'm thrilled to be a part of it.  I work with twenty 8th graders in the humanities area--language arts, history, and theology.  I see them (on Zoom) three days a week for two hours.  I absolutely love these kids.  I didn't realize how much I missed teaching.  Being called Miss Thompson again makes me smile even now as I think of it! 

I also took a graduate class from the University of Denver. They offer graduate creative nonfiction writing classes, and the timing couldn't have been better to try one. I had to learn how to be a student in the online world. I struggled navigating Campus, DU's online platform. I almost dropped the class--I had no idea how to post discussions or submit assignments. I didn't, though, and figured things out. The class was challenging and the teacher was not always helpful. I found myself wondering why I put myself through the stress, but I finished. And in the end, I learned so much. And, I'm taking another class this semester! 

After three years living in a do-as-I-please-retired-English-teacher world, it feels good to be busy. And if it took a pandemic to get there, then there is good to be found in that. I'll take that with me into 2021.

I'll also take all the light and energy of that Christmas Star, following it as the clock nears midnight (New York time), believing that it leads to a new, miraculous year.

my humble iPhone photo that stops me in my tracks each time I look at it


Happy New Year, my friends.
Cheers to a brighter 2021.

Champagne and new books--first miracles of the year

2018 and Those Hidden Messages

I'm taking time during this lull between Christmas and New Years to reflect on my first full year as a retired English teacher.  I promised myself that I would take a year before I even thought about what life after lesson planning and essay grading would look like for me.  I wanted/needed to just have some time to breathe.  And that's exactly what I've done.  Some pretty clear themes emerged over this past year (and a half 😊) that give me a glimpse into where my heart gravitates and perhaps are messages just waiting for me to hear.  I noticed them as I put together my Christmas letter and summarized my year in the shape of a Christmas tree.

or as Instagram would put it

Here are the themes that popped out at me.

Wanderlust

I love to travel!  I always have.  Whether road trips back to Nebraska or leaving on a jet plane to Minnesota or big cities or warm beaches, just say the word, and I'm gone.  This year my travels took me to Nebraska twice--to celebrate birthdays, to see Jackson Browne, and most importantly to be with family.  I also got to go to Christmas Lake twice, too--to spend Easter with my family and back again to celebrate Mom's 90th birthday.  2018 also brought me my first ever trip to New York City--to see Springsteen on Broadway and to explore Manhattan.  I've had the Big Apple on my bucket list for a very long time, and how fun it was to check this one off.  And oh how wonderful it was to return to San Diego.  My sister Kerri and nephew Gabe were the best traveling buddies for Mom and me as we continued Mom's 90th birthday celebration at the Pacific Terrace Hotel on Pacific Beach.  We stayed there five years ago, and we were delighted to find that the hotel is as fabulous as it was back then, and many of our favorite restaurants are still there.  My wanderlust definitely was satisfied this year.

Travels near and far

Royal Babies 

I don't know where I would be without our Royal Babies--all ten of them!  Being an aunt, and now a great aunt, has been my greatest joy in life, and now that I'm retired, I get to experience so many of their events and celebrations.  This year, two more sweet babies joined our family--Nora Marie (Nate and Lindsey) in June and Atlas Thompson (Amy and Austin) in October.  I met Nora when we were in Minnesota in August, and I fell immediately under her spell.  She is a little doll!  Since Atlas was born right here in the Denver area, I got to meet him when he was 36 hours old.  I didn't want to stop holding him then, and i still can't get enough of him.  They join Ethan, now 8 and a big, happy 3rd grader.  Three of The Royals started kindergarten this year--Drake, Max, and Madi.  These 5 year olds love being in school and are learning so much.  Lucy Mae is 4 and loves dresses , Barbies, and singing.  Quinn, 3, is our animal lover and Little Miss Smiley Face.  Archer is 3 and in pre-school and loves being Atlas's big brother.  And finally Russell turned 2 in November and has everyone under his thumb, especially his grandparents Kerri and Marty and his three uncles.  How grateful I am to be their great aunt.

The Royals

Family

Always the clearest theme in my life is this big, beautiful Thompson family of mine.  I am happiest in the midst of them, especially when all 35 of us are together.  That happened this summer as we all gathered to celebrate our Mom/Grams for her 90th birthday.  We spent the Christmas Lake weekend boating and swimming and tubing and eating and laughing and celebrating Mom, and despite the unique personalities, that Thompson blood runs strong through all 35 of us and binds us together, forever.  And speaking of my Mom, at 90 years and 4 months, she is vibrant, smart as a tack, happy and as loving as ever.  We are all so grateful to have her in our lives.

The Thompsons

The Writer in Me

Although not an obvious theme, I do continue to enjoy writing.  I wrote blog posts for most of the major happenings in 2018.  If you're interested, you can click on any of the red words, and you will be directed to a post on that subject.  I also branched out a bit and wrote a few articles for Cavalier Rescue USA, a non-profit rescue group for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.  Several of these articles took me out of my comfort zone, but I learned so much while researching and writing.  I adore this group--it helps me fill a hole in my heart.

Which brings me to the elephant in the blog post.  2018 had barely started when I lost my Sweet Juliet.  I was so unprepared for the sorrow her death brought--my heart was broken, and the sorrow shadowed most of my year.  I felt it most in the fall.  Jewel and I loved our walks around our neighborhood, and we especially loved crunching through fall leaves and stopping to enjoy the colors and smells of autumn.  I couldn't bring myself to take walks without her, but I made myself go in the fall.  I needed to see the beauty again, and so off I went, searching for color.  But it just wasn't there.  I thought maybe I went too early, and so I made myself go a few weeks later, but the leaves were already dropping, leaving trees almost bare.  Even my favorite spots lacked the reds and golds I love so much.  This fall was disappointing, to say the least.  Maybe it had something to do with the weather we had, or maybe my timing was off, or maybe it was that shadow dulling my view.  Whatever it was, I truly hope next fall is better.

Shadows aren't ever permanent, and it took a baby to shine a light through this one.  Our little Atlas entered this world in the most miraculous way, a story for his mom and dad to share, but his strength and will ushered him in on his terms.  When I held him for the first time, 36 hours after his birth, I felt the light shine all the way through my heart.  That feeling of emptiness was gone, and I finally felt a true sense of happiness.  I'll always miss my girl, but I smile and have a warm feeling now when I think of her.

A baby changes everything

I'm smiling now as I get ready to bid adieu to 2018, thinking about Jewel and Royal Babies and family and hidden messages just waiting to be discovered.  I'm watching the ball getting ready to drop in Times Square (hey--I was there!).  

My champagne glass and heart are full as I toast to Jewel and see her tail wagging, her big brown eyes shining, and hear her softly snoring.

And here's to our Royal Babies and all the big, beautiful Thompson family as I carry your laughter and love with me into 2019.

And here's to travels near and far as I dream of home and beaches and sunshine.

And here's to retirement as I piece together themes and messages and look forward to discovering a new direction.

And to you, my friends, as I reflect on the joy of kindred spirits and soul sisters.

Wishing you all a new year full of love and happiness--Happy 2019!

Ringing in 2019 with books and bubbles

Ready to Remember the Song Birds in 2018

Each new year is a surprise to us.  We find that we had virtually forgotten the note of each bird, and when we hear it again, it is remembered like a dream . . .  Thoreau

There were so many times during 2017 that I really did forget the note of each bird.  All too often the resonance of the beauty of this world was muffled by National tragedies, instability in our government, scandals, sexual assault coming from those in positions of trust, and the loss of so much talent (again), especially one of my favorites, Gregg Allman. But it only took gentle reminders of all the goodness in this life to bring back the music.

I realized that when I sat down to write my Christmas letter.  I always try to highlight my year with words and phrases in the shape of a Christmas tree.  This year's looked like this--

The contents of this little tree drowned the cacophony coming from the outside world, starting with

OUR ROYAL BABIES

Getting to see all eight of these pumpkins made my heart sing throughout 2017.  Ethan, Drake, Max, Madi, Lucy, Quinn, Archer, and Russell all have that Thompson blood running through them yet are unique and amazing in their own way.  They are the song birds of our family.

great nieces and nephews

THEIR PARENTS ARE PRETTY AMAZING, TOO.

Getting to see all nine of my nieces and nephews and their honeys brought more music to 2017.  Amy, Andy, Jill, Kyle, Micki, Adam, Jake, Nathan, and Gabe all have grown into beautiful and compassionate adults, and this aunt couldn't be prouder.

nieces and nephews

OF COURSE, THEIR PARENTS ARE AWESOME AS WELL!

My brothers and sisters and their sweeties are the best siblings/friends a girl could have.  Seeing their gorgeous faces often during 2017 brought melodious harmony to my world,  always when I needed it most.

Brothers and sisters

AND MY MOM, WHO STARTED IT ALL!

We are so grateful to have our mom with us.  She brings strength and love to all of us, and constantly reminds us that in the midst of confusion, there is always a melody.  We can't wait to celebrate her 90 years of life in 2018.

Mamacita

SUMMER OF LOVE

Yes. it truly was!  For many reasons, like--

My niece Amy moved back to Colorado after living in San Francisco for the past twenty years, and having her and her sweet family just around the corner gives us all a sense of peace and harmony.  Welcome home, Ames!

Amy's home :)

And, my nephew Nathan and his bride celebrated their marriage with a weekend full of family, music, lots of dancing, and so much love!!

Christmas Lake Love

Lake time before the reception

We danced.  And danced.  And danced!

You can read more about the weekend here.

SOLAR ECLIPSE OF THE HEARTLAND

Crickets chirping at noon, darkness when it should be light, Venus bright and visible in the middle of the day, solar flares and coronas--all these things and more as I witnessed my first total solar eclipse.  Nothing else mattered that day.  Absolutely nothing.  You can read about this magical experience here.

LIVING THE RETIRED LIFE

With the support of my family, I made the decision to retire after 32 years as an English teacher.  Although the decision itself was easy, telling my students and colleagues was tough.  I waited until March to do it, and my announcement was met with gasps, questions, tears (tons from me!), memories, and finally hugs and good wishes.  I will write about all that in 2018, but for now, even though I miss teaching and all those incredible students, my dreamers,  I don't regret my decision one bit.  The time was right.  At times, I still feel like I am on an extended summer break and that I'll have to go back on a Monday morning, but the reality is that I don't!  I love Sunday nights without lesson planning and the dread of Monday mornings.  I love leisurely drinking my tea in the morning and reading the paper or emails before getting dressed for the day.  I love being available to go to dance recitals and school programs in the middle of the work week.  I love having much less stress in my life.  Yes, I love being retired!!

Announcements and parties

and more parties

There really was so much to be grateful for this year, and now I'm getting ready to bid adieu to 2017 and am eagerly looking forward to remembering, like a dream, the note of each bird in 2018.

Happy New Year, everyone!

and with my newly acquired low-stress status, my biggest decision to make as the clock approaches midnight is

Which book should I read next???

Perfect Christmas gifts 

Hey 2016 . . . Can We Take Our Seat Belts Off Yet?

With all the highs and lows of 2016, I feel like I have been on the craziest roller coaster ride ever.  The Cyclone?  Nothing like 2016.  The MindEraser?  Not even close.  The Chipmunk?  Nope.  Right from the start, 2016 presented us with tragic news, amazing opportunities, devastating losses, and joyous moments.  How in the world does anyone handle that?  Well, we fasten our seat belts and hold on for dear life.  

Those lows were tough.  How many entertainers did we lose this year?  It seemed like I had just processed the death of David Bowie and the next thing I heard about Glen Frey, The Hag, and Prince.  And on and on and on and on . . . 

It continued right up to the end, too.  Hitting me hardest was losing Leon (blog to come soon about his place in my life).  My good friend Monroe, who has accompanied me to many Leon concerts, snapped me out of my despair like only Monroe can with "Well he didn't just 'hang out' for 74 years.  He LIVED.  Dying is a part of it.  Don't waste the living part."  Thank you, Monroe, and thank you Leon Russell.

Leon the last two times I saw him--2014 and 2015

There were other lows, of course--terrorist attacks in our country and abroad, disappointing football seasons for Nebraska (will we ever be a championship team again??) and the Broncos (why couldn't they end the year like the Super Bowl Champs they were at the beginning??), and that election that seemed to bring out the worst in people.  My heart still hurts from all the hate that infiltrated our lives, mostly through social media.  

I cried with family members and friends as they lost loved ones to cancer and heart disease and organ failure, and I pray they find peace in the new year.

Those lows--I'm sending them off to the universe with a kiss and hoping their light shines down on all those who miss them--because there were highs.

Oh those highs!!!!

In no particular order (well, maybe the last two would be at the top!) 2016 brought me:

BACK TO THE ISLAND

My sister Kerri enjoys taking Mom and me on trips, and I'm so glad she does.  We returned to Maui, my favorite vacation destination, where we stayed at the Westin Maui Resort.  Sunny, warm days, sparkling blue water, pineappley cocktails, and beautiful traveling company transformed this weary teacher in a way that nothing else could  Paradise.  Thank you, Kerri and Nathan and Lindsey and Mom!

Maui Love

THE BEST FRIENDS A GIRL COULD HAVE

Somehow, I am surrounded by the most amazing friends--angels--whose hearts are as big as the sky.  Their support and genuine love shines in my heart always, and I am grateful for each one.  I love our conversations, our lunches, our cocktails, our movie and theatre dates, our happy hours, our book talks, our laughter, and our tears.  They make me say "Yay friends!"

Yay friends!

ROYAL BABIES

We welcomed a new royal baby this year, Russell Lee Hawk.  Nathan and Lindsey, my new niece!, are beautiful new parents, and I can't wait to meet Russell next month. The other seven Royals continue to bring so much light to our family.  Ethan 6, Drake, 3, Max, 3, Madi 3, Lucy 2, Quinn 1, and Archer 1 made 2016 beautiful.

Royal Babies

BRUCE!!!!!!

Bruce Springsteen came to Denver in 2016 and I got tickets!!  I have seen him many times, but this--The River Tour--was my favorite.  He just gets better and better.

That's my Bruce

Did I mention Bruce?  Because 2016 really could be called The Year of Bruce.  Not only did I see him in concert, but in case you somehow missed it, I MET HIM, TOO!!  I will write about that as soon as I can calm myself down enough to come up with sentences rather than #HEKISSEDME or #HECALLEDMEDARLING, but for now, just know that Bruce is real, he is sweet, and he is gorgeous.  #HighlightOfMyYear!  

*Update*  Blog finished!  Read it HERE!

FAMILY

The highest high this year and every year is my family.  At one time or other, whether in Nebraska, Minnesota, or Colorado, I got to see everyone, and there is nothing that will ever top that.  

Family over Everything

I'm really, really hoping we can all unbuckle our seat belts, at least for a bit, as we begin 2017.  For those of you who are ready to kick 2016 to the curb, I hope 2017 is better.  It will be, I know it.  And for those of you who are clinging to 2016, thinking how can it get any better, it can.  I know it, too.

I hope you are all ringing in 2017, this New Year, in whatever way brings you joy.  May you all meet your Bruce in 2017!

Happy New Year!

(my New Year's kiss!!!!)