Let’s not be fooled by a calendar date or the “onslaught” of a season into forgetting. That there is a light within us, at the very center, beyond personalities and temporary concerns, that pumps our life, in and out, through the valves of our heart to the extremities of our ears, our toes. We breathe it. That light.
And yet, at this time of year – a beginning, no less! – so many of us focus away, towards what they want to change, what they promise will happen within them this year as if there was something that was, fundamentally, wrong. There isn’t.
No promises then, nor resolutions. Not for me. More likely I feel and certainly did under the kind glow of last nights motherly moon, that it is time to remember. I have light – call it love if your prefer – and I want to live it. It is time to move beyond the pale and appreciate all the good that resides within, even when it lies unbeckoned from sallying forth.
And so a celebration is in order, the likes of which are buoyantly sprayed across Menton’s walls, because its residents chose to paint it so. Let’s do the same.
So maybe you can sing again even though you were once told that you do so too loudly (or off-key), maybe you can dare to trust in connecting with another, even if you were called needy or strange. Our so-called weaknesses are our strengths, I am sure of it, and only in disguise because we think that they ought to be.
I want to be me, now. Turning in, I want to turn up the lights.
These photos were taken on a truly happy day…and I gleefully surrendered to it!
I hope that they bring you a bit of that feeling too. My friends, you have overwhelmed me once again with your unbelievable kindness in regards to my previous post. I was so moved – my family and friends have remarked upon how amazing you all are – and was unable to keep up in responding, as I usually like to do. For that I apologize, but I most certainly took it in and will return to your good wishes and faith when needed. Thank you, yet once again, from my sensitive yet strongly beating heart.
With much Love and Gratitude as we dive into the big blue of 2017 together,
Heather
PS. You can see my previous posts on Menton here and here. They are quite different aren’t they? Eh oui, that is the power of light. 😉 I shot like a madwoman this trip so hopefully there is more to come…
Let there be light. Let us be the light.
Heather, Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures!!!!
Ah, the incredible lightness of being! You've captured it all and sent it over the airways to our open hearts! Mille mercis!
Aaaah! Menton! Thank you for these timeless photographs.
In 1967, barely 21 years old and on spring break from a German university, I made a memorable solo trip to Menton. I don't know why, but I began to climb a hill, which turned into a cliff. Using foot- and hand-holds, growing increasingly concerned for my life, I eventually managed to haul my ass over the back wall of a hillside estate to safety. No Himalayan climber ever felt more exhilarated than I did that day. After sneaking around a sideyard and scaling the front wall I made my way back to streets and, eventually, to my Nice hotel. Thank you for spurring this Menton memory. If I'm ever back in Menton, I'll try to find that cliff again. Not sure I'll try to climb it again. 😉
Beautiful photos filled with light and joy, Heather! Wishing you the same…live the light! T xx
enveloped in colors and light. thank you.
THE SPOTLIGHT is WAITING!!!!!!!!!!
I am giving you a standing ovation! xoxoxo
… Heather was strolling down "Rue something or other" when a gentleman holding a pack of cigarettes in his hand approached her, asking "Pardon me Miss, can I get a light" … and she smiled, and smiled, and smiled … and we smiled with her. Happy 2017 to you, Heather, and all who read you!
Thank you for the wonderful photo memories. I can still smell the air.
Heather, you give to us such beauty. We give back to you our respect and faith that you are able to survive all that the universe throws at you.
We all need each other….
Ali