“A feeling of excitement, happiness, or elation.” There was dabbling in blogging in 2020. Now it’s time to take it a step further, to write about how I truly feel, more often. Though the day is gray, and cold, there’s a warm fire in our newly cleaned 80 year old fireplace. Our house is 80 years old, and it has the character to prove it, from the wooden oak flooring to the living room built-ins to the shelf in the corner of our dining room. It is small, quaint, cozy, and carries the vibes of family gatherings, time spent alone, hurried days of work and family living. Another night leading into a new year. 2020 was unlike no other year ever in any way. Losing my cousin Dana to pancreatic cancer in March, she was the same age as me. Every year of my life, every Christmas Eve, always so eager to catch up with her.
Then, immediatey after she was gone, Covid hit the world. Staying put, learning how to teach through being remote, hunkering down and wearing masks. Sewing masks became the trademark skill. Yard signs of appreciation to our front line workers, graduates who never got to walk, black lives that matter, each sprung up on front lawns.
Summer was still hot but vacation was not the same. At the beach in Cape Cod and Ocean City Maryland, mask wearing was still encouraged. Eating in was more welcomed.
The fall took my dear Aunt Maureen, twin of my mom. Few words to describe the enormous loss. Admiration for her daughters, my cousins, who cared for her until the end. A very tiny funeral.
In Winter I repurposed some old bells I found by tying them to a birch log and having them hang in different lengths in front of the fireplace. The fireplace I sit in front of now while trying to think of a new word that I hope will describe the year ahead: 2021. Exhiliration. Taking new risks with blogging and antiquing. Being more business minded. Fully enjoying vacations that were so limited this past year. Deepening relationships. I also dream of a bigger and better garden. Yes, Exhiliration will be my word. What will be yours?
Karas Cottage Thoughts 