Family

So here we are, nine days in to the new year. I've been thinking about family a lot these days. How important it is, how lucky I am. I've really been blessed by knowing such love, and all I can hope for is to pass on some of that Light to my own kids. 

Even when we're far away, even when we only see each other sporadically, that influence is there. The stories about where we came from, the habits and the games, and the ways things become traditions. I'm thankful for it.  

P.S. These beautiful photos were taken by my talented photographer brother. All credit goes to him. 

End of December

                               

     We just returned from the loveliest trip to Chicago. My parents were very generous hosts and we had a week full of relatives and old friends, cousins, dogs, favorite books, wearing heritage outfits, amazing light displays, and just a fantastic Christmas.

I'm so thankful we had this chance to be together and relish this time, of light coming back, of family gathering, of familiar places.

and still more

Millennium

Chicago/ Forest Park

Four generations!

 

 

 

We are having a blast visiting with Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Bill, going on lots of adventures and just enjoying spending this time together.

 

Yarn along- Chicago scarf

I took this photo last week when we were in Chicago. One of the many great things about visiting family is the ability to have more reading and knitting time. I was in-between projects so I just started a basic scarf with some lovely varigated yarn. I'm a total sucker for the effortless color changes.

I read J.K. Rowling's new book Casual Vacancy. It's good, but very dark and definitely not for kids.

Linking with Ginny for Yarn Along.

sweet Ella

One of the best things, ok really the absolute best thing, about visiting Chicago is seeing our dear ones that we don't often get to hang out with. This trip we got to meet a new friend, my dear Thea and Justin's daughter Ella.

 

 

We are all totally smitten.

Double Vision

We just got back from a lovely trip to celebrate Brixton's birthday with family and friends. And the whole time we were in Chicago I was seeing things with double vision. Seeing my kids play with the toys I grew up loving. Seeing the people who knew me as a child. It's so strange but since I moved to Seattle when I was 22, there's a very clear line. One city holds my childhood and my past. One city holds my young adulthood and my present.

But the places we leave never just stay there do they? Buildings are torn down and new businesses open. The park I used to hang out in after school is being renoved. People are growing and changing jobs and getting new glasses and having babies. But I can't help but see it all through the pantina of my memories.  A layer of what used to be on top of the layer of how it is.

Children are like this too. When you see the face of a child, you see them, of course, but you also see the echoes of your own childhood, you feel the ripples of other children you have loved. I'm sure that when my own kids are grown, I will still see traces of their baby selves in other faces.

Four Generations!



Hanging with the second cousins, Bella and James.

One night while we were there, I had a splitting headache. I went downstairs and my mom rubbed my back. The feel of my mother's hands soothing away my pain is such an ancient and deep reassuarance. And afterwords, she told me she was channeling the sense of her own mother's soothing hands.

This is the way we pass it on.

visitors

The top of the library, looking down.

Unity was thrilled to borrow Thea's shoes.

They don't have hills like this in Chicago!



We are excited to spend some time with Thea and Justin, my good friends from high school who are in town for a quick visit. We took them to the fabulous downtown Public Library (really, you must see it sometime) and along the waterfront. It's been really nice to show them around our stomping grounds- three cheers for visitors.