Happy Holidays!

December 10, 2015

Dear Friends and Family,

I hate to admit this but every year around this time I find myself a bit crabby. I am almost the antithesis of "in the happy holiday spirit".  Since holiday cards are one of the things that adds to my "angry elf” demeanor I wanted to switch it up and write to let you know how much you are loved and appreciated always!  Friends and family, near and far, I treasure my relationships and am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have you in my life.

This is very real to me! Each day we live in this beautiful, imperfect, scary, at times world and it is important that we hold those we love close to our hearts and let them know they are loved, whatever form that may take; face to face, a facebook post, an email, phone call, hug or just a thought.

Sending lots of love and light and wishing everyone the happiest of holidays!

Please know that our family is well. Our dynamics are changing quickly with two young adults, Stiles (Freshman at Gettysburg College) and Saige (Junior in High School) both finding their way, two crazy dogs (Baloo and Zoey) continuing to be crazy, Curt (starting a new company) and I (holding on for the ride). We are all getting older and maybe wiser. All is good!

 xo Lynn (now feeling much better about the holidays)

A day of celebration!

Celebration Team 2015
 Susan Stiles, Joanne Wolfe, Curt Stiles, Me, Curt and Andrea Mahoney

Last Sunday, September 20th was my own crazy concocted celebration of the day everything changed. As many of you know 9/19/12 I was diagnosed with breast cancer, the next day I took off work, climbed Camel's Hump and tried to process the news I had been given. I vowed to myself that day, I would hike Camel's Hump the very next year and every year thereafter to honor this journey.

This year the 20th snuck up on me as we were planning a wonderful event for Audubon Vermont. Saturday night we celebrated birds and Sunday morning we celebrated life! This wonderful life we have been given, that I am so grateful for every single day! But this journey could not be done without my family and friends and to whom I am deeply appreciative of their love and support!

The day was extremely meaningful because my Mom and Dad were able to join us. My Dad has been ill and has been courageously living life to the fullest after a stem cell transplant two years ago. This summer had been particularly rough and we never really spoke of whether he would be able to join us this year.

This picture is of the two of us on the mountain top! This man who could barely go up and down to the lake this summer, climbed a 4,000 foot mountain! Let me tell you I am from some strong stock!
Dad, Sunday was such a gift! Thank you!

Each year we climb up in silence and I hold each and everyone of you in my thoughts. If I had huge arms that I could wrap around all of you at once I would! Not only did we celebrate the gifts of life, family and friends but we celebrated the light that exists even in the darkest of times. We all have it! Thank you all for sharing it with me!

xoxo

Time for Camel's Hump! Sunday, September 20,2015

It's that time of year again! As always the invitation is open to join me to climb Camel's Hump, September 20th to honor the journey of being diagnosed with cancer, celebrating friendships and family, and reflecting on the light that comes with the darkness.

Here are the details:

3rd Annual Camel's Hump Hike
Date: Sunday, September 20th
Time : 9am rain or shine
Where: Camel's Hump Burrows Trail

We hike silent on the way up, celebrate at the top and talk all the way down! Let me know if you are coming so we can wait for you in the parking lot.

Love to all,
Lynn