What's Another Year?
For years, I made a calendar of family photographs. The first one was in 2008, and I made it especially for my grandmother, making copies for my folks and my uncle. Sadly, my grandmother died suddenly the very morning the calendar arrived by post - she never got to see it. I’ve long wished I’d sent it just one day earlier - I know she would have been amazed at the new technology that made it possible to personalise a calendar with family photographs.
December 2016
My folks loved the calendar though, and so it became an annual tradition. Each November I’d compile a selection of good memories from the year just gone, especially for them to enjoy over the coming year. After the folks passed away last year though, I didn’t have the heart for compiling the annual calendar of happy family memories - it just wouldn’t be the same without the folks to share it with. Mum was a great artist, and over the years she’d created a collection of paintings and drawings more than worthy of their own calendar. So, for one last time, 2019’s calendar was for Mum – a collection of her paintings and the odd photograph, a tribute to her as an artist, and our lovely mother. I gave a copy to each of my siblings, Mum’s brother and some of her close friends and family members to help us through the difficult months of 2019.
And now, as I head into 2020, life is different for sure. I have wonderful memories, so much to be grateful for this year and lots to look forward to into the future. So this year, I made a calendar just for our house - a collection of some of my photographs coupled with some favourite poems, quotes and words. January’s is a photograph from the Beara Penisula, with the words of John O’Donohue. Sharing with you here, with best wishes for a peaceful and fulfilling year ahead. xxJ
“May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
may the clarity of light be yours,
may the fluency of the ocean be yours,
may the protection of the ancestors be yours.
And so may a slow
wind work these words
of love around you,
an invisible cloak
to mind your life.”From ‘Beannacht’ by John O’Donohue