Greetings Friends,
I chose this image for this month's newsletter because I saw it as a sign of hope. Summer is over, and autumn has arrived but the joy of living on the Connecticut shoreline nurtures an appreciation of its beauty all year long. In Old Saybrook, access to its two beaches is very limited or non-existent unless you are a resident, so from Memorial Day to Labor Day, you're out of luck. But after Labor Day it is gorgeous, empty, and very accessible.
While this photo looks more like it might be mid-July, it was in fact, mid-September. and for me, it represented a sign of hope. That there is still enjoyment to be had. I loved the variety of colors and how they were all lined up, just waiting for family and friends to arrive.
Personally, that stop at the beach was a solitary one, my first since Labor Day and it felt magical. There are certainly times when I enjoy the company of others, but in the brilliant words of my writer friend Joanne Moore, "solitude is delicious." And indeed it was that day. I feel so blessed to live near the water.
It has been a reflective time as my family has endured great loss recently, first with the loss of my niece and just two weeks ago, the loss of my Mom after 3 1/2 long weeks in the hospital. We have also had great joys with my nephew's wedding and the birth of a new grandson, Lucius, just hours after my mother left us.
And there is new life with Seastar as well. In the coming weeks, Seastar will be transitioning to a new model where I'll be working from my home office in Groton and will be doing more programming virtually, and in person at various locations, as well as by contract with groups/organizations. Spiritual Direction will be offered virtually and in person at my home, but I also hope to secure an alternate location to meet closer to the Old Saybrook-Madison areas as an option. It was a difficult decision, but I am letting go of the beautiful Seastar space in Old Saybrook.
Thank you for your support during this exciting transition and feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions. My website, newsletter, and work continue.
Blessings and peace on your journey,
Patty
