Gratitude Practice 2024 April 24: Lighting of the Backyard Cauldron

Spring has sprung in Salt Lake City and I could not be more grateful. My cancer diagnosis occurred in early January and I directly went into a strategic lockdown limited only to my house and the hospital. To say it was a long cold dark dreary winter would be an understatement. It was bleak and cold and riddled with worries and an absolute blur. Much to my delight these days the sun sets well past 8pm, the grass is very green, the temperature is down right delightful, our windows are open and I am in absolute awe of spring time in Salt Lake City. I feel more alive and liberated with every passing day and each time I walk outside I sound like a drippy Hallmark card as I gush over the vibrant colors, the warmth, and the life giving light. 

Last night, we started putting our backyard patio furniture together for the season and lit our fire pit. It was ceremonial for sure as it seemed to officially open the backyard season…cue the Olympic anthem and all of the associated pomp and circumstance…as this spring seems to mean so much more to all of us. We love our backyard patio and I can't wait to fill it up with family and friends over the next several months. 

Grateful that last night, once the bedtime routine was complete, a small handful of besties sat around our propane cauldron in sweatshirts, with favorite drinks and yummy treats in hand, and we loved on each other like only girl friends can. I love these women deeply. I'm grateful for the belly laughs and the wisdom and tears and the safety and the comfort and love all exchanged under a beautiful April night sky and carefully nestled around our fire pit. Grateful to be able to host the people I love in our safe space. Grateful to be supported by such incredible people over the last few months. Grateful we can start to reconnect more frequently in person and face to face. Grateful to begin the backyard season and excited for many more evenings and many more gatherings