FEWWWWW, Am I glad this year has come to an end. My Mother died the end of June after 10 months of illness. My partner of 10 years decided I no longer fit into his life. (okay, it was a bit more complicated then that BUT, he did say those exact words to me.)

What else? On a happier note my daughter Joanie got married in September, she is due to make me a GRANDMA in mid February. I have a beautiful, Great Nephew that makes a great distraction from anything else in life. 

I should have it all together..... I just had five weeks at Esalan learning how to communicate using Non Violent Communication. I am what is now called a BABY Giraffe. It is like learning to talk all over again. It does not come naturally but I know it is exactly what I need to be learning in my life right now. I will continue to learn over the next six month with my instructor Jean Morrison in Santa Cruz. She is offering a Six month immersion class. I cant recommend Jean enough, she lives and breaths her work. Join me in the class??? http://nvcsantacruz.org/integration2012.html There are HEAPS of You Tube Videos with Marshall Rosenburg  (the man who started NVC) to check out as well. One of my favorites is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqEVI07WmzM&feature=related = slobs and neats! Verry funny.

Prior to Esalen, I spent 2 months at www.Kalani.com and Ocean Side Retreat Center on the Big Island of Hawaii. I did a Work Exchange program at both retreat centers. I got a lot of experience in the kitchen! My focus at Kalani was doing Yoga and taking care of myself. Funny that after 3 months of self care I have been sick in bed for the last FIVE days! There was a bug going around the kitchen that I finally succumbed to a few days before I left Esalen. Poor Me. Thank goodness Dad had an extra bed for me to get well in.

Transitional time, I keep telling myself "My life will unfold effortlessly and gracefully" 
It always has. I'm moving through the GRIEF, amazing how much is in me to get out. I think I'm good, then another wave comes rolling through me.

This may be too REAL for some of you, if so DONT read it. It is for ME. My process. Life has it;s ups and downs, Unfortunately I am in a down. I know from my 47 years of living that it wont last, I will start the climb up again and will be FLYING HIGH before I know it. OH The Places You'll Go, from Dr. Suess One of my FAVORITE BOOKS!

I'm now attempting to do more on facebook, if were not friends, friend me. I have fun photos of life as it unfolds and will attempt to add more in 2012.

PLEASE!!! Keep in touch and have a HAPPPY HEALTHY NEW YEAR!!!!

xxoo
cg
cheryle gail

PS My THEME for the year is to be OPEN HEARTED, through all the pain of the past, I don't want to shield my heart, I want to OPEN IT WIDE, allow others in, make room for people, feel from it, see through it and keep all the loving memories flowing through it.