And now it is time to dance

Welcome everyone. There comes a time when circumstances dictate that it is time to dance.  
You will, perhaps, be aware that there has been too much sadness in my life this year and, especially, most recently. Well my dear friend Jude, who I was talking about in my last journal, sadly died a couple of weeks ago. She knew her time on this earth was running out as did we all but it was still an awful moment when I got the news. Her funeral was a great celebration of her life. There were so many people there. She had touched so many people's lives in a way that means she will never be forgotten. Her memory will live on. She burned so brightly all her short life but now that light is gone. It lives on in my heart and in my head and ever will. 
But now it is time to dance. 

"This is the Hour of Lead -
Remembered, if outlived,
As freezing persons, recollect the Snow -
First-Chill-then Stupor- then the letting go-"

Emily Dickinson

I have let go of three people in the last month. Jude was the third, and, to me, the biggest loss. Let that not diminish the feeling for the other two. We all knew each other and they would also be grieving for Jude had they outlived her. Letting go is the hardest thing. You would think it was easy enough but it's not. I liked having these people in my life and, maybe  selfishly, I didn't want to let them go. But let them go I must and let them go I am. 
Which brings me back to the dance. 

I have always enjoyed the New Orleans way to conduct a funeral (if enjoy is the right word). You enter full of sadness and you come out partying like it is your last day on earth. I have now left the funeral in every sense and put it behind me. I am ready to dance again after a few months of sadness. I hope you will all join me in dancing in celebration of life and all the happiness and beauty it can hold.

To this end I am going to my spiritual home next weekend. You might guess that I mean the Isle Of Skye. I am going to dance with nature and dance with my camera. I am going to revel in the wildness that Scotland can throw at you. I am going to wet from the waves on the shore, cold from the penetrating wind on the mountains, soaked by the cold rain and dazzled by the shining sun. I am going to fill my senses.

"And death shall have no dominion.
No more may gulls cry at their ears
Or waves break loud on the seashores;
Where blew a flower may a flower no more
Lift its head to the blows of the rain;
Though they be mad and dead as nails,
Heads of the characters hammer through daisies;
Break in the sun till the sun breaks down,
And death shall have no dominion."

Dylan Thomas

So please, all of you........will you join me in my dance?

And now I would like to share with you some of my favourites from the last two months. During the past year you have all given me more than you will ever know with your friendship and your art. You all have a place in my heart. Please enjoy these pictures and, as always, it would be great if you can find time to let the artist know you have liked what they have created. Sit back and soak it up now.

                                

                      
                   
                           

              

             

                 

                 

               

                    

             

                  

               

         

              

           

                     

                     

                  

               

         

               

                               

                                    

Thank you for reading this journal and for looking at the pictures I love them all and I love you all.
Love hurts, love lifts, love entoxicates, love starves, love feeds, love........is............everything.

Please take care of yourselves and each other. Make this world a better place.