“It is when we are confronted with poignant reminders of mortality that we become most aware of the strangeness and wonder of our brief life on Earth.” ~ Kathleen Basford
As I sit on my screened porch, looking out across the garden on this quiet, gray, end- of-June morning, it feels hard to break the stillness with words, even those I might write here. Over these last strange, sad months, as so much in our world has unraveled, writing blog posts about ordinary moments began to feel like an indulgence from a bygone era. There are so many wise, urgent voices that need to be heard right now. At the same time, there’s too much devastating news to absorb, too many losses to comprehend, and too many conversations swirling through the ether that do nothing to improve upon silence.
And so, for me anyway, this summer hasn’t seemed a time to be in the business of creating or posting, but rather a time to turn inward, to show up for my life and for my loved ones in a different way, to be saying less and listening more. It’s also been a time of deep immersion in the here and now. Perhaps it’s the stark truth of uncertainty, of loss, and of knowing we have no idea what tomorrow might bring, that inspires an even deeper devotion to the present moment. Or maybe it’s simply that staying home, staying put, and staying quiet creates more and more space in which to notice, and in the noticing we become more and more aware of just how precious and fleeting life really is.
I’ve spent a lifetime paying attention to the little things. And yet not until now has a cucumber’s slow progress from seed to salad, or a poppy’s sudden splendor, or the simple acts of taking a walk or sitting down to dinner with the family, filled my heart with such wonder, gratitude, and humility. Have the clouds always been so magnificent? Did greens from the garden always explode with such flavor on the tongue? Have there always been so many fireflies in June? Has my husband always been such a comforting presence as we turn out the lights at night, curl our bodies into each other, and slide into sleep? Would I have taken so much delight in the daily company of a bluebird at our kitchen window had I been racing to get to someplace else? Would I have wept so many tears when, after weeks of his constant presence, we found his bright, lifeless body underneath a peony bush?
Grief in one hand, joy in the other – this is our life now, isn’t it? As I struggle to comprehend the immeasurable suffering of so many at this moment, and, at the same time, as I find myself cherishing even more the moments we’re blessed to live, I’m reminded over and over again that attention is love. That love is always intertwined with loss. That there are no guarantees. And that, as long as I can soften, and open my heart to life as it is, guarantees aren’t really necessary. We’re here so briefly. How can we fail to be conscious of our treasures?
Over these last months, we haven’t strayed from home, except to spend the last two weekends at my parent’s house by the sea in Maine. Our lives have been both completely full and utterly simple, rooted in place. Steve goes into his office most mornings and has been able to shift a portion of his business online. Henry has been with us since early March, when his university closed down and he began teaching remotely from his old bedroom upstairs. At the end of May, my soul daughter Lauren left her home in Atlanta and drove 922 miles straight through to New Hampshire, where we welcomed her into our bubble with open arms. Slowly, carefully, our little group expanded when my parents, both in their mid-80s, determined they felt safe enough to visit and to enjoy meals with us. We’ve grown intimate here, sharing sunrises and sunsets, walks and talks, birthdays, the news of the day, the gardening chores, the laundry, the cooking, the dishes, happy reports at dinner, and the deep satisfactions and occasional challenges of living in such close and constant contact with each other and with nature, an unfailing source of solace, wonder, and awe.
To fully inhabit a home, a place, a life, a relationship is to discover that there are many forms of engagement, many ways to care for one another, and many ways to bring more love and compassion into a world desperately in need of tenderness.
I hope today’s short video, a gathering of small moments from the last couple of weeks, feels like a thread of love unspooling from me to you and bringing a bit of sweetness to your day. Inspired by the lyrics of JJ Heller’s lovely song “Big Love, Small Moments,” I wanted to create it simply as a reminder that sometimes just paying attention to the beauty at hand is the soul’s true calling. And I share it with you as a way of saying hello after these weeks of quiet, reweaving our connection in the knowledge that we’re all doing our best every day to be kind, to be present, and to cherish this fleeting, lovely life, right here, right now. Big thanks to Lauren for so artfully combining our photos with the music. May we all continue to walk this path together, unified by compassion and reverence for our wounded, wondrous world. This indeed could be the most creative work of all.
Just the solace my heart needed today. What a beautiful song and gorgeous images to go along with it. Thank you for sharing this…a reminder that when everything seems too much, too overwhelming we can focus on the small moments to center ourselves.
Thank you so much for sharing this beauty of both words and pictures. Both were much needed and so comforting. Sending love and continued good health to your family.
Yes
Thank you for returning to your blog. Beautiful post. Uplifting and peaceful. Peace to all and may we all listen and be brave enough to stay put and care for one another.
You made my whole day posting this! Thank you for always being such a calming presence, especially now in such uncertain times.
💕
Jeannette
Thank you, dear Katrina.
One of my favorite memories from our summer together has been noticing everything with you by my side. Whether we’re admiring the garden, the birds taking a bath, or finding something to pay attention to on our walks, it’s so much fun to know we’re looking for wonder together. Thank you for writing this blog and for allowing me to collaborate on it with you. Love you so!
Thank you, Katrina. You always seem to touch me when I need it most.
The most beautiful thing I’ve seen , read or heard in a long time. It was very calming and peaceful.
That was beautiful. Thankyou for sharing.
Thank you, Katrina. I lost my mom to Covid-19 a month ago. This broke me open.
Sending love, and hope that in time you find peace and healing .
Big love, small moments. A short title, but such a big message. It should be the title of a new book that you might consider writing. Beautiful photos and a heartfelt song. Thank you for your thoughts. My father always told me, “No matter when I roam, I find my treasures at home. “ Sometimes it takes something big to make us appreciate what we have. You help to remind us to be thankful.
This is lovely….the music complements the images perfectly.and speaks to my soul as nature sends it’s messages of love, comfort, peace and hope during this difficult time. Some of the most beautiful June days in New England this month have been a blessing that you captured perfectly. 🙏
Oh my! So lovely and just what my heart needed at the end of this day. I too have been noticing every detail in my own backyard and the wonder of each day with growing gardens, our new feather friends of hummingbirds, bluebirds, and orioles, deer in the meadow, and muskrats in the creek. My daughter is home with my husband and I because of being furloughed from her employment at a university. It has its challenges, but I so love having this time with her. Thank you for making this video and giving us a window into your world. It shows us how really connected we are and it is our job to care for one another.
Thanks Katrina for your words combined with Lauren’s talent of presenting this beautiful blog. These comforting moments are my focus for today in these troubling times.
Absolutely beautiful Katrina, a lovely compilation of thoughts and moments, I loved watching the video. A soothing balm amidst a restless summer of uncertainty. The video has Lauren’s magic touch. It’s obvious your hearts sang with the joy of creating it. A big Happy 40th Birthday wish to Lauren, hugs to you both. Jeanne xx
I enjoyed this thoroughly.
Such a Good early morning it is now.
Time for coffee and a blueberry muffin and
then it’s outside to tend to my garden.
Enjoy it while it’s here.
Thank you, a lovely way to start another day of wonder. Simple and forever beautiful.
Thank you for your words, pictures and love.
Just the most beautiful gift your writing, your eye capturing that video…Blessing you are. Namaste.
Thank you for this <3 Your words and lovely video have settled deeply into my heart and unfolded into peace.
Thank you so much for the encouraging words this morning. So beautifully stated. Words are such a blessing. Words from the heart and soul.
Thank you! This is all such a beautiful gift and a wonderful way to start my day. I am drawn to your words, thoughts, images, and choice of music. So soothing and comforting. Thank you.
Your much needed uplifting message and beautiful imagery filled my heart with joy this morning! Thank you for sharing your bright light.
That was truly lovely Katrina! I so enjoyed it ❤️❤️❤️. I love this song, I had never heard it before and will definitely look her up. It was also really nice to see moments from your life captured. The bluebird, the front porch decorated for dinner that I have read about so often in your book, The Gift of an Ordinary Day, the view from your yard, as well as the other moments you so spectacularly captured.
As for me, I am focusing my attention on things I have to be grateful for: better relationships with my neighbors, asking for help and receiving it, lovely summer weather and now rain! And YOU!!! Namaste 🙏
Your words /pictures have power and meaning to address this time of pandemic. We need to slow down and look – nature’s joyous pleasures are there for all to see.
Take joy in life each day. Life is a true gift.
Gratitude to you Kristina and your family for sharing.
Take good care,
What a beautiful way to capture your sweet memories together. So glad you’ve both enjoyed a lovely time together. Enjoy these last few weeks.
Thank you, Katrina. Your words meant a lot and are ones
so many need to hear right now. I have missed hearing from
you. Glad to be back in touch. The video was most lovely..
Blessings on you!
This brought me hope
Thank you Katrina. Beautiful words, song and pictures. I needed this reminder of what’s really impact in life:)
Just beautiful!
I watched this right before heading to bed. What a delightful way to end my day. Visually gorgeous and I had never heard this song before but it touched my heart. Thank you so much!
Thank you Katrina 🙏🥰
So, beautiful! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for this peaceful and beautiful gift 😊
Like Mary Poppins — practically perfect in every way.
Katrina, your post perfectly speaks to how I’ve been feeling too, with everything feeling more beautiful, more dear, more fragile, and more meaningful than I ever remember. The video you and Lauren created brings the little/big things into focus in such a tender and lovely way. I loved the video AND the song! Thank you both for this collaboration of love, combining both of your sensitivities with such tenderness to bring beauty and comfort to me/us.
Simply Beautiful!
What beautiful writing and what a gorgeous video – so many small moments to treasure in there. Thank you for always, always reminding us of what truly matters.
i don’t know how I found your book but i’m in absolute Aww!!! you put my thoughts and feeling so eloquantely, I’m nodding my head constantly as I go through the pages, marking them down and even putting them in my journal (first time in my life!). Thank you thank you thank you!!! i’m so grateful to have found you.
just wrote it in my blog: https://newjourneystarts.home.blog/2020/10/11/day-208-oh-oh-oh/
Morning Katrina,
I’ve been thinking of you and hoping you and your family are keeping well❤️
Sending love from Michigan🍂🍁🍄
I so appreciate what you observe and write about, Katrina. I was savoring your words over my morning coffee and agree whole-heartedly with each one. You are a treasure to all of us, because you are relatable, loving and wisely express what some of the rest of us cannot with your beautiful writing. Thank you and bless you!