Happy New Year's Eve everyone!
What a year 2011 has been. For me, personally, it will forever remain the toughest year for me personally for the loss of my dear mom is something I will feel every day for the rest of my life. Losing her has taught me so much about life. She leaves me not with tears but with smiles..that is one of her lessons.
I'm not going to be lengthy in my post here, but I want to end the year with this....
...there is a start to every end. It's interesting how an ending can endure for a short or long time. Once the end comes, there is inevitably a new beginning. Tomorrow is a new beginning and I welcome it with open arms. I will squish my family, pet my dog, call/email/blog to my friends and family and wish them a happy and healthy new year ahead. Our world is so complex..politics, environment, relationships, economics, safety and health issues can burden us with stress and worry each day. Each year we have the yin and yang/ups and downs..it is the way it is. I wish for you a year of more ups than downs, more smiles than frowns, more time to enjoy what you do than worry over worries, and lots and lots of laughter and fun. Wishing you this for 2012 my friends and above all peace. ~ with many thanks for your wonderful visits, a very happy new year! Shirley
Beautiful post and one that I can relate to. Wishing you the very best this coming year. One filled with unexpected blessings and joy. Hugs
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post Shirley! I wish all of the same for you. 2011 was a tough year for me personally and I am so happy to see it go. Hooray for 2012! A year full of possibilities! Best wishes, peace :) Loni
ReplyDeleteSending you hopes for lots of smiles in 2012, and thanking you for the smiles you gave to us through your blog in 2011.
ReplyDeleteI too, am glad to be moving into a new year, and fresh hopes.
Awwwww, love this Shirley the post, the wishes and the illustration. The skiing dragonfly is the best, well I like the cheese flag too :) Oh, it's all wonderful, bright and energetic, just like you my friend. Happy New Year :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful post...thank you so very much, Shirley. I am hopeful that the New Year brings magic and happiness to everyone. xoxo
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and thank you for the message =)
ReplyDeleteWell said my dear Shirley . I could not agree more. I also would like to wish you a year with more ups than downs as we ride this fun roller coaster called life. With love to you and your family .
ReplyDeleteJane x
Gorgeous illo and an incredible post!
ReplyDeleteI am touched by your words...
Happy New Year, Shirley:)))
Let's hope 2012 is a goodie! xx
ReplyDeleteWishing you a wonderful and blessed 2012 Shirley! A year filled with love, joy and peace...sincerely! xoxox Ant
ReplyDeleteI love this piece. Great colors and action. Wishing you the best in the new year!
ReplyDeleteWonderful illustration,it looks fun and bright!! Lovely positive post!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year dearest Shirley! Thanyou for being a bright stop here in blogland and for your wonderful friendship. The best for 2012! Tsup!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Shirley! What a lovely post and a beautiful illustration. :) x
ReplyDeleteSorry about your mom... unfortunately we have that in common. There is a lot to live for though, we have a brand new year for family squishing and puppy petting! I'm so glad to have gotten to know you.
ReplyDeleteHappiest New Year to you!
Hey Shirley! I love that waterskiing dragonfly! This illustration is so delightful! You rock! I have enjoyed getting to know your better this year. Thank you for all your comments and for your concern. You have been a blessing to me and my wife. We want to wish you a very Happy New Year. May your 2012 be filled with blessings upon blessings for you and all your loved ones!
ReplyDeleteShirley, what a beatiful post! And that illustration! The dragonfly cracked me up! I love, love, love it! I couldn't agree with your sentiments more. This is the second holiday season without my father, and the loss and pain are still raw. I know he's in a better place but it's the human condition to be a bit selfish and wish our loved ones were still with us. I can only admire and respect your attitude about your mother's passing. I hope someday, I too will have that kind of emotional intelligence. I hope 2012 will bring your joy, happiness, and above all, laughter. Because laughter always seems to make everything better! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Shirley! There is a really bittersweet flavor to the holidays as we get older, isn't there? It is impossible to experience the traditions without missing those who are no longer with us. Maybe that's why it's such a joy to focus on the children this time of year, with their sense of joy and wonder. You convey that childlike joy so well in your work; I'm sure your mom's spirit is lifted with every brushtroke!
ReplyDeleteOh, and I forgot to mention: I love that Monseur Olivet sent treats to his friends back home! Adorable.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post:) I love the new illo :)
ReplyDeleteHAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!
ReplyDeletethank you for being the sweetest Shirley ♥
i hope my love Monsieur still loves me :(
ReplyDeleteLovely post. I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. What a wonderful thing to say to honor her! I hope your year and many others are filled with more ups then downs too. Gorgeous illo too!
ReplyDelete"ello :) Wwippee!! Yes that's like 'Yippee' but with a little bit more zist.
ReplyDeleteSo Wippee Shirley. Happy New Year!
That's a beautiful thought provoking post, I'm truly sorry about your mum. I'm sure she'd be proud to have such a wonderful loving and talented daughter as yourself.
Did I say 'talented'? I meant "Talented' with a capital "T".
Have a wonderous 2012.
By the way, this illustration made me smile. You tap into the 'smile' muscle so nichely with your illustrations. :) (Thats a new word niche as an adjective - you heard it here first :) )
A very happy new year to you, Shirley. I'm so very sorry about your mother. What a a truly lovely tribute you have given her here. Your lovely watercolor echoes the sentiment in your words.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful message, Shirley. I'm so sorry about your mom. I'm sure this 2012 will bring lots of renewal and exciting new things for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post, Shirley. My sympathies are out to you about your dear mum. I hope this year gives you abouding joys and exciting opportunites.*big hugs*
ReplyDeleteShirley,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your heartfelt words. I'm so sorry about your Mom. You seem to be in a good place and are such an inspiration but, such a loss, is still so utterly significant. You are a beautiful soul who I always am inspired by. Thinking of you and wishing you a Happy 2012. xxxx
Lovely post and wonderful illustration
ReplyDeleteHappy 2012!
How awesome Shirley is this wonderful message. Mom must be smiling down you right now. It's never easy I know, but each day you smile a little bit more. I know that your Mom is proud of you and so is your family. There are such good things in store for you Shirley!!! Oh my goodness YES! Great things in store for you this year. Much expression and creative flow to do things that will bring joy to your heart and that you will share with others. I see you sitting at a book signing smiling and having a ball. I see that an more. Keep loving your family and hugging the dog and doing your thing! You are about to BLOW UP GIRLY!!! Sending you a massive hugs with hope, healing, joy and much love
ReplyDeleteme
Beautiful wishes - and I wish you the same (and if possible more/better).
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