The Year of Living Quietly

Gardening
Originally uploaded by GraceD

I love my blog. I love the blogs. I love bloggers. I love it all.

But, I've intentionally kept my blog-mouth shut for most of the time this year, as if you dollins who are still around haven't noticed.

Let me tell you, that's been a good thing, especially during this nasty election season, the most ill mannered and mean spirited I've seen in my lifetime. I participated in some comment exchanges here and there, mostly to confront the lies about President Elect Obama and to challenge neocons on the unabashed ignorance of new passport holder and intellectually deficient Governor Sarah Palin. There's catharsis in slamming the racists and holding neocon feet to the fire for promoting Palin's redneck rants as "leadership", but afterwards? I always felt like I dipped my hands into slime.

Instead, for the past six months, I dipped my hands and dug my shovel into plant nourishing compost. You'll see me demonstrating my shoveling skills in the image.

It was counter-intuitive for any politically aware blogger to beg off this election year, but I did. I didn't have the heart for it. I also lacked the necessary objective reporting skills because I was offended on a daily basis by the McCain/Palin campaign . My reticence was also due to the rigors of undergoing heavy duty psychotherapy. I'm taking a break from therapy right now, but when I was actively involved in the work, everything else except immediate family matters was low priority.

So, while I watched my dear writer friends make blogging history by creating superb political forums on MOMocrats and BlogHer then earn media credentials to both conventions, I sat happily on the sidelines, cheering them on. If I had put my nose to the keyboard grindstone and hustled lots of political content, I might have had a chance to join them on the convention floor. But, I really, truly have no regrets.

What I do have is a sense of peace and contentment resulting from deliciously long periods of quiet contemplation. It turns out that I, normally a noisy sort, have thrived very nicely in this year of living quietly. I even recommend it as a lifestyle, though it can be tough with our kids around. But, the kids notice when Mom is self-contained and serene and all that serenity may inspire them to listen more and heighten their awareness.

Now, I hope to take all that I've written above to heart as I have to sign off and get ready for the MRI that includes a contrast dye study of my right hip. This was originally to take place two weeks ago, but was rescheduled for today. I'm not looking forward to having a big ass needle injected into my hip joint, but I am armed with valium and accompanied by my husband who took the day off to hold my sweaty palm in his cool and gentle hands.

Will report back on the hip and I have some cool landscaping pics to show you. In the meantime, I send quiet love and blessings to all.

Comments

[Divina]

Thoughts and prayers are with you, Grace. You are a strong lady, surrounded by love.

Your fans await!
xoxo
D

[Kelsi]

And love and blessings back to you. May you hold positive thoughts in your mind and heart during your procedure.

[Kalyn]

Quiet love and blessings to you too Grace. Really hope that hip things will turn out okay.

[nina]

Hope it all went well. Love that shot of you in your garden. Love to you.

[gwendomama]

YOU are a better person than I am.

FAR more patient, as well.

[Lynn]

Just catching up on my reading in the wee hours of the morning... my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Courageous on so many levels. I truly admire your heart, patience, wisdom and intelligence. You inspire me.

Many blessings to you and all you love.

[Lynn]

Just catching up on my reading in the wee hours of the morning... my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Courageous on so many levels. I truly admire your heart, patience, wisdom and intelligence. You inspire me.

Many blessings to you and all you love.

[Katie]

Hi Grace!

I've been reading you for a few years now. I think you're awesome, and you inspire me. A while back, you had a gathering of bloggers at your home, and I was so close to contacting you to ask if I could come. I chickened out. I wish I'd gone.

Be well.

[shaunna]

be well, grace. you have a multitude of positive thoughts going your way.

(katie, i went. it was awesome.)

[Jenn]

Namaste

[mamadaisy]

i miss you and your writing. enjoy the gardening peace and quiet, but do come back soon.

[Americaneocon]

Well, enjoy the holidays!

[Marie]

I miss seeing your writing more frequently, but the internet pales when one has other Work To Do. :)

[ozma]

You're looking pretty good.

I don't do political blogging even though I am very passionate about that issue--probably because I'm on all these websites arguing with people and don't have the time.

Have a great holiday...and I hope your hip thing will turn out OK. And that it doesn't hurt.

Someday I wish you or someone would write about their psychotherapy and if it works and how it worked and why it works. I know it is horribly personal but I have this skepticism about it all but--as I'm sure you can tell from reading my blog--I'm very nuts.