Last January, when we encouraged the world to slow down, take a pause, and snuggle on the sofa with a loved one, a cup of tea, or a good book, we had no idea exactly how much we would need our Sofa Snugglers to tackle 2020.
What a year it was!!
Personally, 2020 was rollercoaster ride of difficult lows that revealed triumphant truths…
A total knee replacement surgery took me down about as far as I’ve ever been, but it also proved that I am much stronger and determined than I imagined.
My husband and children being sent away from the college campus where he works and the kids live and study broke my heart for them, but it also gave our family incredible time together that was a wonderful gift.
We felt physically ill when quarantining forced us apart from our football family – especially our players – as racial injustice and social tensions across the country made us want to hold and protect and be there for one another. The misery felt in that distance taught me to be present and cherish our time together, to tell my loved ones exactly how important they are to me over and over again and every chance I get.
Losing my mother-in-law to Alzheimer’s disease in August was terribly sad and difficult, yet celebrating her life and her incredible impact with family was a tremendous blessing.
2020 showed me that my faith, my family, my friends, and my community are what keep me going when times are tough. It is to them that I turn when I need to be lifted up and encouraged. I rely on them in so many ways.
They are beautiful!
My slice of the world is made up of people from all across the country and from all kinds of backgrounds. They practice a variety of religions and work various jobs. The things and people they love are very diverse from person to person; their hobbies and activities and thoughts and perspectives are unique across the board. They live in different colors of houses in different sizes of cities. They wear different colors of clothes in all kinds of styles. Their hair, their eyes, their skin are all different colors.
And they are beautiful!
Whether it be paint, flowers, dishes, cars, clothes, yarn, fabric, hair, eyes, or skin, color is beautiful.
It adds vibrance and richness all around us. There is abundant beauty in color, and we are a better world for the color in it.
So, that is our theme for 2021:
Beauty in Color
I can’t wait to see where it takes us!
Thank you for being part of my world –
With love and hugs,
Ashli
I was very moved by your family’s loss due to Alzheimer’s disease. A few years ago, I lost my Mother-in-law to Alzheimer’s as well. She was a second mother and I miss her to this day. It is a horrible disease and was happy to read the report you included in your blog. There are so many families effected by this disease and every positive advance they have on helping those with it provides us hope. I hope you have healed from you knee replacement. The quarantining and tensions in this country is heartbreaking. I do appreciate the 2021 Theme of the Year you have chosen. I don’t think there could have been a more appropriate one. I hope you have a wonderful year and look forward to seeing your quilt. Take care.
Robin, your sweet comments brought tears to my eyes. I think it is so important that everyone knows they are not alone, and your kind words reminded me of that. Thank you so much for reaching out! xoxox – Ashli