Day 164/365 It’s time to go to Italy

    I’m off to Italy for the month of September. All I’m taking is a small suitcase of clothing and a backpack with my computer and Nook. Not letting go of a thing but I’m hoping that I’ll be ready to let go of lots of stuff when I return.

At Logan Airport

Day 128/365 It’s time to go, Cousin Don

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    My cousin Don died earlier this week in California. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a few days before his eightieth birthday and died five weeks later under hospice care with his children tending to him. A good death, as the saying goes.

Day 116/365 It’s time to go, shortest day of the year

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    This morning the earliest winter since 1896 arrived with the solstice at 6:12. It was completely dark, except for the street lights across the bay.

Here at the cottage I lit candle and celebrated with a cup of coffee and a sticky bun.

The sun rose at precisely 7:11—at least I have faith that that was what was happening behind those clouds.

When I return here in early January, the sun will be rising a little more to the north, and daylight hours will be a little longer. This shortest day will be no more, but come June 21st, I’ll have to let go of the longest day of the year. Will it ever end?

Day 110/365 It’s time to let go of a friend

    

    Today a dear friend died at the very hospice residence that she founded ten or so years ago. It is hard for her many friends to let her go. Perhaps the rich memories of friendship will help us.