Aslaug's Axe Shed

It’s that time of year again. Time to look back on a whole year of events and developments. For the world, for our families, for our loved ones, for ourselves.

Needless to say, this year has been … dramatic for me. In more ways than one. I have moved to another country, gotten myself a steady job and grown within that job to a point where my boss (not my daily Supervisor, but the floor-manager) told me today that she doesn’t want to lose me from the team. Talk about me growing an inch or two. When I told her what I wanted to do within the company, her interest was clearly and immediately awakened, so let us see what 2012 might bring with it?

Personally, things have developed for me as well. I have a social life I couldn’t dream of just a year ago, back in Denmark, and that is not meant as a gripe against people back there … but only as a statement of fact about myself. I feel better. Liberated. Free.

There is much to be grateful for, as I also said during my solstice rite yesterday evening.

But at the same time, it is a year where many sad things have happened as well. To people I love and care about. To friends and family alike. One of my uncles died, not long after I arrived in Ireland. My best friend’s mother was diagnosed with double-sided breast cancer. People I care about have experienced fear, pain, grief and personal anguish, and it saddens me whenever that happens.

You are all out there. Erica, SC, Kellan, Tigermark, Niki, Aramis … all of you, and many, many more. Too many to name. Please know that I think of you, and that for what it is worth, I pray for you all, for your happiness, for your families and for all that is important to you.

This time of year, as far away from my family and loved ones as I am, I know the true value of kinship, and I know I have it, across oceans and internetcables, with a lot of you.

I value it. In fact, I treasure it.

You are my friends. Even those of you who just read this, but never go to my forum to comment. Even those of you who just happen to drop in once in a rare while. You are important, each and every one of you. To me as well as to others.

A happy yuletide to you all. I wish you all the best.

Good year and peace.

Joan