May the peace and joy of the season be yours -my last gasp before “Yes, it’s finally Christmas!!! A touch of colour for Leanne and Laura’s Monochrome Madness.
2014 – My retrospect
It’s been an eventful year, full of joys and sorrow, and it’s been hard gathering my thoughts lately. Yet I have been thinking a lot which probably reflects in my posts!
I took another wonderful trip back to Scotland and Ireland, my daughter got married, I won the lottery!! kidding! I just wanted to get your attention! If I did win the lottery I now think or hope I would give it all away.
I have been given so much, and I have lost much. We lost Robin which has made me realize once again how fragile life is. Yet strangely, even the losses are a gift and love is never lost.
We struggle, triumph, fail, win and lose, and we let go!! “Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional” What a concept- so hard to practice but when we do it sets us free. We feel alone and yet we are not.
I think our whole lives can be lived as a sacred ritual, in wonder, and in humble praise and gratitude. We can live like warriors courageously welcoming a New Year of challenges and dreams. We can open our hearts to love knowing that it can open us to pain as well. Yin and Yang, happiness and tears,and as George Harrison said “Simple words of wisdom, let it be. “
So, Blessed Be, Namaste, and God bless us everyone. I will light a candle and raise a glass to our sweet girl Robin, and my dear brother Dean – how we all miss your laughter and music!
I raise a toast to my beautiful parents, grandparents, relatives and friends, and all who helped make me who I am today, to those gone and to all of us here now. We are on this journey together awhile. It’s not always easy. But let’s each hear the music – offer a hand- and travel breathlessly!!
a rocking horse dreams of jumping over a candle
pensive at the ice rink
He’s coming!!
Froggy ‘s ready to go courting- where’s the driver?
Theotokos
moi
The little Drummer Boy
Merry Christmas!!! and play on!!
the runes of the gatekeeper's daughter- dedicated to Nick 
Wonderful, wonderful images Cybele!
(It’s a little late, but I still want to tell you that your “The Road to Awe” was as powerful as it was sad.)
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I appreciate your comments very much!! Thank you!
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What a stunning photo Cybele.
Every year at Christmas, my step father says a few words before Christmas lunch in which he remembers those who should be around the table but aren’t. This year we had a new family member to add to the list. I think that is one tradition that we will keep going in years to come.
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a good tradition!! Thank you Suz!!
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Perfectly lovely, Cybele. So much to think about. Heartfelt wishes for a Happy New Year. ♥
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and to you as well Debbie!! Thank you!
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Beautiful words, beautiful photo’s….I’m a little late, but Merry (belated) Christmas to you too, Cybele.
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Thank you Tracey. I hope yours was grand!!
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It was quiet, but lovely 🙂
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Merry Christmas to you my friend! Wishing you the joy of the holidays and a wonderful 2015.
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and to you Arl!! Thank you!
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Lovely, romantic images. Merry Christmas.
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thank you Six and all the best of the season!!!
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May you have a blessed and peaceful Christmas filled with happiness too Cybele. It’s been lovely getting to know you a little more through your beautiful blog recently …. Love the little drummer boy … and one I’ve not heard very much this year .
Once again… Happy Christmas Cybele x
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Sending you the same Poppy!! Thank you for your wishes and for being part of my blogging world!! Merry Christmas!
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All fabulous and festive Cybele! Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas xxx
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thank you Sarah!! Blessings of the season to you!!
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Reblogged this on The World in Twilight and commented:
A wonderful Christmas collection after my own heart! Do check out Cybele’s blog, home of a very talented photographer.
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I am so very honoured!! I love your images. Thank you R.C. and blessings of the season to you!!!
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Likewise, Cybele. You deserve recognition for your fine work. 🙂
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Lovely words Cybele and I love the colourful monochrome. Have a wonderful Christmas.
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Thanks so much Andrea!! I’m glad you’re back on the blog! Your post was beautiful and poetic!! All the blessings of the season and for the new year!!
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What an emotive and moving retrospection under this masterful Christmas photo! You have so pleasantly unfolded sweet and bitter memories dear Cybele ! Love the photo collage,as well and especially the icon of Theotokos !
Bless you for the work you have done and for opening your heart to share all those overwhelming feelings ! Eventful your 2014,soon Christmas is approaching and our hearts will open to receive elation !
Merry Christmas ! Sending Love & Peace your way , Doda 🙂
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Your words as always move me too. Thank you for your compassion and eloquence and for your lovely comments. Peace and joy to you this season!!
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So lovely, your words and images, Cybele. You’re what I’d call an ancient and wise soul in a still-youthful body. I do hope that 2015 brings you many blessings 🙂 xxxx
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Not so youthful Sarah!! I just look that way and am a late bloomer!! 😀 Pain is often our teacher. So much happened in our family in quite a short time. I wish you all the best for the season and thank you so much for your encouragement! It was such a thrill being a guest story teller on your wonderful blog!!
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It was lovely having you as a guest story teller, Cybele. Perhaps sometimes next year you would like to make a return visit.
I agree totally with you about pain often being our teacher, and you’ve definitely had more than your fair share of it lately. But you are a great inspiration the way you radiate so much light, despite your tragic loss of people who meant so much to you.
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I’m honoured! As for pain, I have good and bad days! Thanks again for all your encouragement and positive light!
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Simply beautiful thoughts you have shared with us. Your photos are wonderful! Merry Christmas, Cybele.
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Thank you so much Angeline!! Blessings of the season to you!!
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Merry Christmas to you! These are all such glorious images. I love your work and look forward to more in 2015!
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and the feeling is mutual of course!! Thank you Laura for all your encouragement and for introducing me to the real WordPress!!!! Merry Christmas!!
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:)))). Youre welcome! Im so glad youre here!
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🙂
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Heartfelt message. Thank you, Cybele, for being friends and for your indelible imprint on my life. Merry Christmas to you!
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Thank you dear Peter!! It has been wonderful reading your stories and I did say it reminded me of South American writers and voila, there you are on the Kenyan Fantasy list of writers. I have downloaded this hopefully and will get to it soon!! Many congratulations and wishing you a Merry Christmas and much joy and success in the new year!!
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Lovely images, as ever, Cybele. Lovely, thoughtful post – you’ve certainly had an eventful year, but you appear to remain positive despite all. I wish you a peaceful Christmas and hope 2015 is a good year for you. Also, thank you for being part of my blogosphere of great people! Xx
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thank you Sue!! I’m a bit up and down!! Smiles and tears together. I wish you the same and so happy you are a blogging friend. We learn a lot from each other!! Merry Christmas!!
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Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 🙂
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and to you!!
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What motivational writing and images, same to you Cybele!
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thank you Maria!!! Blessings my friend!
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Thank you for the amazing post!! Merry Christmas to you and your, Cybele!
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and to you Amy!!!! thank you and blessings!!
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I’m sorry for your loss. It seems you have had a very eventful year. Yet you seem so positive, and still counting your blessings, instead of dwelling on the sorrows. I admire you for that. I wish I could be more like that. Letting go is so hard…
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oh it is!! Thank you Ali. It always helps when someone offers a kind word or helping hand!! Rumi says ” a wound is a place that lets in the light.” I try to think of it that way but I have my moments of sorrow (anger, regret etc)for sure. I hope the season blesses you!!
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Thank you very much for being part of my life this year. I know you have had a difficult time recently, and i just wanted to say your work is inspiring and shows such feeling and depth of emotion and has certainly encouraged me and what i am doing. Keep going, there is certainly calm and peace in what you produce. I hope you have a lovely Christmas and a nice new year
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thank you so much for being in my blogosphere of wonderful people!! I am so honoured by your praise and encouragement!! I feel the same way about the special people I follow! You have such a beautiful blog. I wish you a happy Christmas and new year too!!
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Beautiful sentiments and images Cybele. Merriest of holiday wishes to you and a peace filled New Year, too. Enjoy!!
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Thank you so much for you lovely comments Carrie and peace and joy to you this holiday!!
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Lovely post Cybele, I even played the music. I love the images. Merry Christmas.
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oh I’m pleased you like it Leanne. Thank you so much my friend.
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