Stillness (after the frenzy)

Gathered with family yesterday evening to celebrate the Season; many hours of good conversation, cooking together, and eating. Spent the entire time counting blessings, and losing count over and over.It was a culmination of sorts: a time to put aside the busy-ness of the last many weeks for all of us, to stop for a bit and share some laughter, catch up with one another, and leave the frenzied part of this Season on the other side of the door.So very welcome, that.And today, I was blessed with a truly quiet and peaceful day.Took a walk with my best friend and partner late in the afternoon, and brought our cameras along to see what we found ...SO quiet. Almost no traffic, even on the busy streets; almost no one (save us) out walking.Fingers wound up fighting with the cold and working our camera controls after a short time, so found a place for coffee - and found it surprisingly busy, but even so, people seemed still - reading, journalling, talking with friends.As we walked home and the last of the day's light faded, I was able to catch a few shots that seemed to sum it all up rather well:It is my sincere hope for everyone that you might all find some time to-stop-today, or over the next little while, and have the opportunity to enjoy a little peace and silence in your day.May all of us find the world we share a little bit kinder, a little bit gentler, a little more compassionate than it was this past year.May we all be part of making it a better place to live (in however small a way) each day, and carry that spark with us, and let it infuse our actions with the best that humanity can offer to each other and to the planet.All the very best to you all.~sydney