Once again, I’m borrowing Vicki’s idea (Thank you, Vicki!) for an end of year post. The idea is to share the first line (or two) of the first blog post of each month* and a favorite photo (or two) from that month’s posts. The words and photos are most likely not related.

January
This last weekend looked a lot like the one before. except without the worry of Sara traveling.

February
When Anne (Modern Mrs. Darcy) alerted us last week that today was the annual day to share about what’s saving us right now, I started drafting my list.

March
I added a whopping 13 books to my Read shelf (Goodreads link) last month! one 5-star, ten 4-star, and two 3-star.

April
Looking back at last month’s Hello post, I’m almost gob-smacked by the difference that JUST four weeks can make. almost. because I still remember the difference that four weeks made last spring. and that four weeks (four hours … four minutes … four seconds) can cause a seismic shift in any of our lives.

May
Marc and I passed the 14-day mark on Friday (coincident with Sara’s second shot) … I knew this weekend was gonna be different, but in so many ways it was just the same as the last how-many-has-it-been?!

June
I’ve been dithering these last few days about how to greet June here at mere-et-filles. In past years I’ve riffed the TGIF format, crafted a summer bucket list, said a simple “hello”, and some years, said a lot more.

July
Last month I greeted June and this new season with a few intentions. All of that (with the exception of porch time!) is still a work in progress.

August
I love greeting my day from this spot … smiles from my favorite family (and those boys are not so little any more – Charlie started first grade yesterday and Sam is in Pre-K!), the warm, softly scented, glow of a candle, a cup of coffee, and my journal.

September
Hello friends and happy Friday! Today I’m delighted to share that promised frozen watermelon cocktail.

October
TGIF and Happy October! The morning walks continue to provide plenty of inspiration to simply pause, gaze, and snap a photo.

November
Last November, I wrote a post about Choosing Thanks that was part of of my decision to choose this year’s OLW and the intention of “more gratitude”.

December
TGIF and Hello December! There’s a whole different feel to the holidays this year – all good! – for the first time since 2013 our plans don’t include airports, we have plans to gather indoors (with food!) with family, church is live-streaming Lessons and Carols on Christmas Eve, and my mom gifted us waxed amaryllis bulbs (pictured above – so far, I’m a fan!).

This post is such a treat to compile – not only because it’s easy (I love how WordPress neatly organizes things by month), but also because it’s such a great reminder for me of what transpired. I didn’t even remember some of it … and some of it is much better than I remember right now. I’m especially grateful to all the family and friends who are part of my story. thank you.

and finally – thank you all for your kind words of healing and encouragement for my mom (and us)! Yesterday was a million times better than the day before (and not only because we didn’t need to cross a busy parking lot and a street to use the bathroom). We have an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon next Thursday. Until then my sister is covering nights, I’m covering days, and my brother is there for moral support (and installing raised toilet seats – God bless him!)

*apparently many of my “first posts” were about last month (photos, books, whatever) … I’ve used some discretion here and mostly shared the first line of a post that was actually about the current month.