Friday, December 30, 2011

Quietude...

As the year end approaches,

I find myself in a quiet place...

a state of rumination,
reflecting and letting go.


Quietude

Gosh, what a year.

2011 has been the hardest year of my life.

Hands down, the hardest.


Web

Hope and heartbreak has been the recurring theme,

with December bringing more heartbreak than I thought I could possibly bear.

But if there is anything I have learnt this year,

it is that no matter how tattered your soul may feel,

there is always a chance to heal...

if you allow this of yourself.


Sprout

~*~

This week Anthony and I clocked up six years of wedded bliss...
(and I can say, without an ounce of doubt, that we will still be blissfully married in 60 years time...the health Gods willing!)


Bliss

Despite the turmoil around us this past year
(and really, just about every year of our marriage)

we are stronger,
more in love,
more devoted

than ever.


Roses

When you marry the man who has a heart as expansive as the sky,
and as warm as the sun...

the man who knows just what to say,
just when you need to hear it...
(or when to just be silent)


the man who worships you for all your shortcomings,
yet never makes you feel as though you are anything less than perfect...

the man who takes the heart you have entrusted him with,
and cradles it away in his own stronghold of flesh and blood...
(where you know it will be safe, cherished, always...)

the man who tells you that you are beautiful,
when you are feeling anything but...

the man who makes you feel like a queen,
every day,
yet who you would still be utterly content to spend the rest of your days with should you ever become paupers...

...then you will never, ever spend a day unhappy in your married life.


Roses

If you know a man like this, ladies,
grab him and never let him go!

But sorry, this one is already taken ;-)


Love Note
(Of all the anniversary gifts I received this year, I cherish this one the most...)

~*~


In other news,


India is still a princess...


India


and Jett still loves dirt...


Jett


Jett


*le sigh*


Such a girl.


Such a boy.


India & Jett


Oh, and let me introduce you to Bruce...


Bruce - The Water Dragon


He is our resident water dragon...


he hangs around in the yard (or the pool),
and jumps up on the window sill outside the lounge room when he wants some dinner...


Bruce - The Water Dragon


I love his armour...


Bruce - The Water Dragon


And if you ask India, Bruce would make the best pet *ever*...


~*~


And finally, in studio news...


My Etsy shop has been closed for a few weeks,


though I hope to re-open sometime in January.


I won't be accepting any custom orders,
at least not in the immediate future.


I just don't have the heart for custom work.
(Nurturing my family and caring for the terminally ill is just about all my heart can bear right now)


Though these two hands of mine cannot remain idle,


so there will be new work...


...soon.


Ring Preview


~*~


Good bye, 2011...


...see you on the other side, my friends!


Much love,


19 comments:

  1. Belinda, what a wonderful post! 2011 has been one of the hardest years for me, too, but also one of the happiest in some cases. So not all bad. I wish you and your family a Happy New Year !

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  2. beautiful post Belinda and what a special card from your hubby! may your family know only love, joy and good health in the future! oxox

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  3. Lovely ... Good luck and may you have a very very Happy and peaceful New Year.

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  4. Such a beautiful post, Belinda...you are always an inspiration by the way you find beauty and the positive side of things even in the hardest of times. Sending you love and wishing you all the best in the New Year. xoxo

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  5. You truly are blessed with a loving family and let us not forget Bruce. I am sorry that you are going through so much. I know the ups and downs of it. With your strong devotion to family and your loving heart you will come through this and be blessed even more.
    Hugs and wishing you a wonderful 2012
    Nicole/Beadwright

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  6. i love everything about this post:
    your words and the sentiment therein.
    the photos.
    your lesson on letting go.
    a peaceful and blessed turning toward 2012 to you....
    xx

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  7. What a beautiful post, I normally do not comment on posts, but with this beautiful written post I had to response.

    You are very lucky when you find a husband and 2 gorgeous children like you have, but I understand this has been a really hard year for you all. So I wish you all the best for 2012 and I hope it will be a better year for you.

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  8. ..........Belinda, I'm lost for words, what words that remain lie static but so very humble to your emotion, & soothing but powerful words of love, compassion & hope. My heart [with a tear drop] lost a beat reading this post. The greatest love is that of total acceptance to all, & being in a family that has that, will overcome all. Hope to see your magic in the new year.
    For you & your family a wee Maori blessing,

    "Kia hora te marino, kia whakapapa pounamu te moana,
    Kia tere karohirohi i mua i tou huarahi.

    May calm be spread around you,
    may the sea glisten like greenstone and the shimmer of summer dance across your path."

    Kia kaha-forever strong, Belinda

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  9. Sending support and adoration from afar: you are doing good things, luminous woman.

    xoxox,
    Allison

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  10. Such a beautiful post Belinda, *hugs* to you. I hope 2012 is a wonderful nurturing year for you. xxx

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  11. Thanks for sharing this with us, Belinda. Enjoy your down time and time with family. ;-)

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  12. Happy New Year Belinda, I hope 2012 is a wonderful year!
    Hugs!
    Anna

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  13. Beautiful post...here's wishing 2012 is better for us all.

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  14. Oh, girl. I have one of those men, and I know exactly what you mean. The love just keeps on growing, and can get you through some of the toughest times you've ever known. Happy Anniversary!

    I hope this new year aids the healing of your heart and soul. Take time for yourself. It takes time.

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  15. Talk about bringing a tear to a girl's eye! You are SO lucky to have such a wonderful husband but then again he is a very lucky man to have such a gorgeous wife. Hang in there matey.


    Happy 2012! xx

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  16. Hi Bellinda,
    Yeah! 2001 has been the worst!! Ever!! At least for some of us. I can also easily say that this has been the worst year of my entire life.
    But as you, I have had someone by my side helping me through out. My husband might not be the most romantic one, but he has been my side, even when I was totally out of my mind.(Pain and meds make you go totally nuts. Hang in there as 2012 HAS to be better.
    A big hug from the other side of the world!

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  17. Hi Belinda,
    you truly grow more beautiful every year.
    Love and Hugs.

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