Reflection on the Year
As the year ahead unfolds, it carries with it a promise of vast landscapes yet to be explored, of moments both fleeting and eternal. The pages of time will turn slowly, as though hesitant to hurry through the seasons, for there is much to be savored. Like the snow that falls gently, blanketing the earth in quiet purity, we will witness the rhythm of life unfolding before us—small wonders woven into the fabric of our days. We will be still in the presence of it, allowing ourselves to be lost in the simple beauty of a snowfall, each flake a fleeting gesture of grace. And just as the snow will melt away, so too will the moments that seemed so permanent pass into the currents of time, leaving behind only their traces in our hearts.
Throughout the year, we will return to the stories that have shaped us, those sacred texts we have read and reread, finding new meaning in their familiar words. Our hearts will find solace in the wisdom they offer, and we will discover that these stories have their own seasons—times when they speak to us more loudly, when their lessons find deeper roots in our souls. The familiar illustrations, those simple drawings of life and love, will once again evoke in us the wonder of what has already been and the possibility of what is yet to come. These images, whether drawn on paper or etched in memory, are gifts we hold close, for they carry with them something beyond the ink on a page—a language of the heart that transcends time and space.
There will be new friendships to make, new faces to greet, and old ones to cherish. We will meet strangers who will leave an imprint on our lives, their stories mingling with our own, adding threads to the intricate tapestry of our shared humanity. And in those quiet moments when we are alone, we will feel their presence, as though they are walking beside us, guiding us toward the light. For every new connection holds within it the potential to change the course of our journey, to open us up to unseen paths and unspoken truths. And yet, we will also return to the old friendships, to those we have known for years, whose faces have become landmarks in our lives. The familiarity of their voices, their laughter, their sorrow—these too will be a source of comfort and grounding, for we find in them not just companions, but mirrors to our own soul.
In gardens, both literal and metaphorical, we will plant seeds of hope and love, nurturing them with care, watching as they grow into something new and unexpected. There will be moments when the earth is barren, when the soil feels dry and unyielding, but in time, it will soften, and the flowers will bloom, bringing color to our lives. And even as the flowers fade, their beauty will not be lost, for in their fading, we will find a deeper understanding of the nature of all things—how every bloom, no matter how brief, is a testament to the vitality of life itself. And so, we will tend to our gardens, both within and around us, with patience and tenderness, knowing that each season, no matter how long or short, has its own purpose.
We will celebrate the birthdays of those we love, marking the passage of time with joy and gratitude for the gift of their presence in our lives. There will be cake and laughter, hugs and stories shared, but there will also be quiet moments of reflection, when we pause to honor the journey that has brought us to this place, to look back at the road we have traveled and give thanks for the lessons we have learned along the way. The years may change us, but they also reveal the truth of who we are, in all our complexity and grace. And in those moments of stillness, we will feel the sacredness of the time we share with others, and we will know that we have been truly blessed.
And as the year unfolds, we will ship seeds around the country, sending tiny fragments of life to distant lands, trusting that they will find fertile soil and bloom in ways we cannot predict. We will send our love, our care, our hope, wrapped in small packages, and in doing so, we will remind ourselves that there is always more to give. The gifts we share, no matter how small, will ripple out into the world, touching lives in ways we may never see. Yet in our hearts, we will trust that the seeds we plant today will grow into something beautiful, something that will continue to bloom long after we have moved on to the next season.
There will be hardship, as there always is. There will be days when the weight of the world seems too much to bear, when disappointment and heartache fill the air like a storm that will not pass. But in these moments, we will be reminded that hardship, too, has its place. For it is through the cracks in our hearts that the light of understanding enters, and it is in the shadow of grief that we learn to treasure the light of joy. In these dark moments, we will find that even as we struggle, we are not alone. We will reach out to those who have known the same pain, and in their eyes, we will see the strength to carry on.
And so, too, there will be joy. Even in the midst of loss, there will be joy. It will come unexpectedly, like a breath of fresh air after a long, stifling summer. It will rise from the depths of our being, lifting us up, reminding us that life is not defined by the pain we endure but by the love we give and receive. Joy will find us in the smallest moments, in the quiet of the morning, in the laughter of a friend, in the beauty of the world around us. It will not erase the hurt, but it will give us the strength to carry on, to hold both sorrow and joy together, and to continue walking the path with grace.
The year ahead is a vast, uncharted landscape, full of all that we cannot yet see. It is a year of possibilities—of new beginnings and old endings, of growth and change, of love and loss. And as we move through it, we will do so with the knowledge that all of it—the joys, the sorrows, the seasons, the discoveries—is part of the sacred dance of life. There will be moments when we feel lost, moments when we wonder if we are strong enough to face what lies ahead, but even in those moments, we will remember that we are never truly alone. The year, like every year, will be a journey of both challenges and blessings, and through it all, we will learn to live fully, with open hearts and open hands, trusting that each step we take is part of a larger unfolding, a story yet to be written.
BLESSING
As this year begins its quiet journey around the circle of time, may it greet you with a gentleness that calls forth all that is good and beautiful in your life. May the days ahead unfold like soft petals, inviting you to witness the transformation of all things, to see the wonder in the smallest details, and to honor the mysteries that will reveal themselves along the way. May you be present to the snow as it falls, the earth beneath your feet as it shifts, and the changes that come with each passing season. May you have the courage to look upon each new day as an opportunity to begin again, knowing that within the spaces between moments, there is always room for something new to emerge.
In the coming months, may you be blessed with a deep sense of connection to the stories that shape your heart and soul. May the books you open, the words you read, and the illustrations you return to offer you not just comfort, but clarity and insight. May they guide you in ways that surprise you, helping you to see your own journey reflected in their pages, and may you find the courage to write your own story with honesty, love, and wisdom. As new friendships appear on the horizon, may you welcome them with an open heart, understanding that in every person there is a lesson, a gift, a reflection of yourself. May your old friends remain steadfast by your side, their presence a reminder that some bonds are formed in the deepest places, transcending time and distance.
May the gardens you tend—whether they be of earth or spirit—flourish under your care. May the seeds you plant this year take root in the soil of your intentions, and may they grow into something beautiful, even when you cannot see how. In the moments of waiting, when the soil feels barren and the leaves are slow to come, may you remember that growth takes time and that patience is a form of love. When flowers bloom, may their colors remind you of the richness of life and the fleeting nature of all things, and when they fade, may you find in their passing a lesson in impermanence and grace.
May you celebrate the birthdays of those who walk with you on this journey. In the laughter, the candles, and the shared stories, may you remember that time, though it carries us swiftly, is a gift to be cherished. May you honor each life for the wisdom it holds and the light it brings into the world. And when it is your own day to celebrate, may you take a moment to reflect on the path that has brought you here, the lessons you have learned, and the gifts you have received. May you know that every year, every day, every breath is a blessing in itself, a reminder of the beauty and fragility of life.
As you ship your seeds across the country, sending bits of life into the world, may you remember that your own heart is a garden in need of care. The love and hope you send out are reflected in the love and hope that you also need to nurture within yourself. May you trust that the gifts you give, no matter how small, ripple out far beyond what you can see, touching lives in ways that go unnoticed, but never unappreciated. May you find joy in giving, not only because of what it brings to others but because of what it brings to your own heart.
In moments of hardship, may you find the strength to embrace the fullness of your humanity. May you acknowledge the deep sorrow that sometimes sits with you, but may you also know that this sorrow is not the end of the story. It is simply a chapter that will eventually pass, leaving behind the wisdom it has taught you. In the quiet ache of loss, may you discover the grace of patience, knowing that healing is a process, and that every step, however small, leads you toward a place of renewal. May you feel supported in your struggle, and may you always remember that you are not alone, even when the path feels dark.
And as joy enters your life, sometimes unexpectedly, may you let it fill you completely. May you embrace the light that comes after the storm, the laughter that rises even in sorrow, and the peace that flows through you when you allow yourself to rest. May you find joy in the moments that seem ordinary, in the stillness, in the sunrise, in the simple act of being. And may that joy be a reminder that life is both fragile and magnificent, fleeting and eternal, and that there is always something to be grateful for, even in the hardest of times.
As this year moves forward, may you walk through it with the quiet assurance that every step is a step toward wholeness. May you remember that both the hardships and the joys are necessary parts of the journey, that each experience carries with it something to teach you. May you learn to trust the unfolding of your life, knowing that everything, in its own time, will reveal its meaning. May you find peace in the knowledge that the year ahead, with all its possibilities, memories, seasons, and joys, is a gift—one that invites you to live fully, love deeply, and walk with grace.
I love You,
Alma
