I began writing this series in May of 2022, not intending to make it a tradition. But it stayed, and so did you. Thank you for showing up each month.
Over time, I’ve realized these posts are really my own practice of the art of noticing. This idea has become more common lately, but the heart of it is simple: paying attention to the small moments that might otherwise pass by unnoticed. These posts are me noticing life, keeping those little moments in my phone, and sharing them with all of you.
This made me smile. I saw the graphic above on TikTok this month and imagined all of us!
Then, a few nights later, this drawing appeared in my Pinterest feed:
I’m not mad. I have questions.
Did Donna even give it to Gina? Or did Gina return it? Did they ever get together??
I can’t believe I didn’t share this plant (a prayer/zebra plant) in my plant post! It is one of my favorites. Every night, its leaves move upward from their coiled position. Here it is in all its nighttime glory. 💚
Much better for our nervous systems than true crime. 😂
This month, I held space in my heart for two people walking through one of life’s hardest goodbyes.
One is a dear blogging friend who said goodbye to her mom after a long journey. The other is someone I’ll likely never meet, a woman whose TikTok videos documented her dad’s cancer until the end. She has no idea who I am, but her family’s story stayed with me.
Grief has a way of changing us. For me, it has meant quietly holding space for people I’ve never met, simply because I recognize the road they’re walking.
But I’ve also realized that holding space isn’t only for grief.
This week, I’ve been holding space for Mike, too.
Today he graduated from cardiac rehab after 36 weeks of showing up three days a week. It was hard work, and I’m so proud of him for sticking with it. Tomorrow he turns 57. His grandfather died of a heart attack at 56, so it’s been an emotional week for both of us. Mostly, I think we’re just grateful.
As part of cardiac rehab, each graduate creates a playlist that reflects their journey. I’m sharing Mike’s because I love the idea of telling part of your story through music.
Mike cardiac rehab – Spotify
Mike cardiac rehab – Apple music
I’m also sharing the song Lisa used in a photo collage of her dad. It has become one of my favorite songs, and now every time I hear it, I think of him. And now, I think of Jill and her mom, too. And I think about Mike and the journey we’ve been on this past year—the fear, the uncertainty, the healing, and the gratitude I feel for where we are today.
I’m also sharing links to both Jill and Lisa’s spaces on the internet. If you’re so inclined, maybe you’ll visit, read their stories, or simply hold a little space for them, too.
Gratitude: Open Space Practice
The Thin Place: Lisa Joy Christman
Timmer on the Internet (her TikTok account)
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A Grace Full Life 
Who knew last summer that a neighbors homegrown lettuce would be such a wonderful gift?
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So much beauty and goodness this month! Your prayer plant is stunning, and love the repeat messaging about gathering and sharing a meal around a large table. Finally, a big congrats to Mike!
Isn’t is interesting how much life and death, improvement and decline, and hope and helplessness seem to coexist and intertwine? Sometimes, in the noticing, the beauty and the tragedy are one and the same. 💜
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So beautiful as always, Kari. These little bits always give me a boost of positive energy. How wonderful that Mike graduated from Cardiac rehab. I’d say that’s a huge thing to celebrate! I’m so happy for both of you!
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Congratulations to Mike for reaching such an important milestone. My paternal grandfather died at 47, before I was even born. I think about that sometimes and reflect upon how lucky I am to have had 10 more years (and counting…hopefully counting a lot). Life is truly random and unfair, but at least that has fostered an appreciation in me.
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Now I have that Chicago song stuck in my head, but I kinda like that. It’s better than so many other songs that hang out there, and it reminds me of childhood summer. For me, this summer has been about taking care of myself. Some health numbers changed, and that was enough to finally get myself to take my well-being seriously. Or I was just in a place to be ready, who knows? The more I read to figure out what I need to do to get back to a better place, the more I kept seeing what your book says: diet, movement, sleep. (Also, relationships and purpose) I’m so glad to hear that Mike and you have reached such a significant milestone in his recovery. It’s so true that we can’t really care for others if we don’t care for ourselves. As I’ve been practicing that this summer, I can see the ways in which I can be more present for everyone I care about. I see these ideas all through your collection for July.
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I love that Chicago is stuck in your head now. Honestly, there are worse songs to carry around, especially when they bring back memories of summer and childhood.
I’m so glad you’re taking care of yourself and noticing how that changes the way you show up for the people you love.
And yes… diet, movement, sleep, relationships, and purpose. The unglamorous but powerful things. I’m still learning this too. Mike’s journey has been such a reminder that caring for ourselves isn’t selfish.
Thank you for seeing those threads in my July collection. It means so much that you notice. 💜
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Congratulations to your husband. My husband graduates tomorrow after three months of PT for his knee replacement. It’s not as big of deal as cardiac rehab, but he’s happy his knee is no longer the worst they’ve ever seen! You had so many special moments to share this month.
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Congratulations to your husband! That is definitely a big deal! 💜
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Thanks!
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Congrats to Mike on his recovery, I like that idea of getting together for dinner…all of us 😁. I was saddened by that quote by Marjane Sartrapi who it seems after who husband died of cancer at age 53, she went into deep depression and died of a broken heart 😔 I read and saw the film adaptation of her graphic memoir Persepolis and read her additional graphic memoirs.
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So sad about Marjane. She was a lovely human. 😔
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Btw The link to the Spotify list brings up page not found
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I fixed it – thank you for the heads up!
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Happy Birthday to Mike! So glad to hear his recovery has been going so well. I’d love to have dinner together! I’m curious about the book inscription too.
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Thank you, friend! I would love that dinner too. 😘💜
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Such beautiful nuggets of gold. I was thinking as I was reading that I feel like I savor your posts, viewing each thing slowly so as not to miss a thing, and then when I got to the thoughts on holding space, I realized that’s what your posts do … they hold space for the reader to feel, breathe, connect, and reflect on your observations. It feels reciprocal and like your energy is flowing through it. Thank you.🙏💞
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Oh my goodness, thank you for this beautiful comment. 💜
I love the way you described savoring a post, because that is exactly how I hope people feel when they visit here.
I never thought about my writing as holding space, but I really love that. Thank you for sharing that with me. I think the connection we create through these little corners of the internet is special. 💞
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Happy birthday to Mike. What a milestone to graduate from cardiac rehab. I hope this means he is feeling well and doing well? What a road to walk, I am sure there were so many hard emotions involved, my friend. Sending all the love on his special day.
I think the art of noticing is really an important one. Too often we can just zip through our days and not remember or notice a thing. It’s so important to look around once in a while, like Ferris Bueller. I know you’ll love that reference.
I’m so curious about Donna and Gina. I hope they didn’t have a falling-out!
As always, I love all these snippets of your life, and right now I’m thinking I want a zebra plant! xoxoxo
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Thank you! Yes, he is doing really well. He will actually be able to stop taking two of his medications this month, which is such wonderful news. It has been quite a journey, and we are so grateful for how far he has come. 💜
I love that you mentioned Ferris Bueller because YES! That is exactly what I mean by the art of noticing. There is so much beauty in the ordinary moments if we just slow down enough to see them.
Right? I’m rooting for Donna and Gina!
Also, I highly recommend a zebra plant! They are such fun little plants. 🌿 Thank you for always reading and caring about all these little pieces of my life. xoxo
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It’s 7.30 in the morning here in the UK and, as is my way, I’m catching up on emails, Facebook n Instagram. I only do this once a day before my day starts properly.
Without referring to specific content in this post I just want to say a heartfelt thank you for letting my day begin in such a special, thoughtful, warm and reflective way.
I’m still reading your past posts ( from the beginning)to catch up on your blog and am enjoying how you make them so inclusive 🙏
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Oh my goodness, thank you so much for this beautiful comment. It means a lot to know that my words are part of the beginning of your day. 💜
I’m so touched that you are taking the time to read through my older posts too. That is quite the journey! I love that blogs allow us to connect across miles and share pieces of our lives with each other.
Thank you for being here and for your kindness. I’m so glad you found your way to my little corner of the internet. 🙏
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I never knew the title of that song, nor did I knew Chicago sang it. That was a nice surprise.
Holding space. I like the concept. I need to be better at this. Thank you for sharing this.
It is so good to hear of Mike reaching an important milestone. I like the idea of creating specific playlists for different journeys of one’s life.
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I love that the song was a little surprise for you!
I’m still learning about holding space too. It sounds simple, but it’s something I’m continually practicing.
And thank you for celebrating Mike’s milestone with us. 💜
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Congratulations to you and Mike for reaching such a profound milestone. It’s wonderful news.
You shared some terrific poems in this post. They’re beautiful and vast in their simplicity.
I hope August treats you well.
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Thank you, Nance. I hope August treats you well too! 😘
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