Greetings, all. I hope the weekend has been peaceful and thankful for you. The HaQ blog is coming to you from a new home this week! You can find it at heresaquarter.com, as well as the WordPress link. I had a topic in mind for the end of November and, as happens, I’ve ditched it for something that speaking to me louder. I’ve learned to listen to that voice, so here we go.

Since this was Thanksgiving week, I was, and I’m sure many of you were, fortunate enough to spend a day or two with your family, near and far, those you are close to and those you see occasionally. It struck me, looking around, and looking at my sister-in-law’s beautiful table setting, that family is like a mixed bouquet.

Here’s why that thought came to me: In a bouquet, there are many flowers, they all have their own shapes and colors. Some will stand out and demand your attention; some will hang back and glow quietly in the background. Some appear perfect; others have bent stems or a few bruised petals, or a few spots. Some of the blooms may even look like they don’t belong, but as part of the group, they become integral to a harmonious whole. Every flower brings something and the bouquet wouldn’t be the same without them. It’s not formal, it’s not stuffy, it may be a jumble – but it’s lovely and it’s yours.

All the flowers in the bouquet play a part. Every one is different. Every one has its peculiarities. Every one has its particular way of looking out from wherever it is in the whole bunch. And none of them would be where they are without the rest to hold them up.   I am grateful for the buds next to me in the vase.

NaNoWriMo update: Day 27 – 35,831 words. Given that there are three days left, this puts me in “world of hurt” territory, but I’m still working on it!

Stay tuned for more on the Here’s a Quarter blog next week! As always, your thoughts and comments are always welcome – they are moderated (I know – adulting again), so they may take a little while to appear, but I read them all and appreciate that you were here. Thank you!