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Reflections on Life and Lavender

Christmas letter 2017

12/24/2017

5 Comments

 
Greetings friends!  Wishing you the peace, love, and joy of this holiday season!

As this year comes to a close, it provides a time for reflection about what this year has held for us.  And it’s been a doozy.  There are been times of great joy and excitement, but there have also been times of great heartbreak and sadness.  I guess let’s start with the bad first...
As some of you know, the world lost a beautiful, kind, gracious woman in February: my mom Felice McLane.  If you knew my mom, you know what a huge loss this was not just for me personally, but also for the rest of her family and friends, and indeed the world.  As much as my mom always looked for the silver lining in every situation, there is no silver lining on this one. It’s just been tough. But my mom also instilled in us a “pick yourself up off the floor and get going because there is so much great stuff out there to do and to enjoy” mentality.  So that’s what I and my siblings have done because we are our mother’s children.  And we try to honor her memory every day in how we treat each other and those around us, continuing the love and kindness she put out into the world.  We sure do miss her though.

So in true Felice McLane style, here’s a recap of some of this year’s “great stuff”...

Mark and I bought our dream house in the beautiful hills of Dundee, Oregon, planted rows and rows of lavender (and laid rows and rows of weed cloth and irrigation), reconnected with old friends, made some wonderful new friends, and got to know our great neighbors, read lots books to our sweet neighbor children (and got lots of hugs in return!), started new jobs (DW Fritz for Mark and Portland Community College for me), celebrated Mark’s mom’s successful battle against cancer and his father’s successful bypass surgery, got to know our goats Laverne and Shirley, hiked Silver Falls 4 times because it’s awesome, went wine-tasting or explored our new community with anyone who visited, learned a little about permaculture and food forests, watched our children learn and grow as they explore the world, and were thrilled when our daughter Lauren decided to move to Dundee.

Though this year gave me whiplash with all of the extreme highs and lows, in the end, I have learned to be grateful for every experience in life, both good and bad, because there are always  lessons to be had:
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  • This year reminded me to slow down, to cherish each moment, and to be present. To find comfort in the beauty of the natural world, and to notice the little miracles around me every day: the white daisies in our field or the roses hidden in the blackberry bushes or the birds forming patterns overhead as I am working outside.
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  • This year I realized that the thing that gives me the most joy is watching my husband or children chase after their dreams and that I am happiest when I am able to put a little beauty or kindness out into the world. I’ve learned to focus on making a difference where I can make a difference and not let the noise of our world eat at my soul.
 
  • This year I learned that just when you think you’ve got things figured out, life can throw a curveball that dispels that illusion. But even though the world changed for me in many significant ways this year, the love of my husband and my friends and family was strong enough to steady me. I am eternally grateful for the texts, the photos, and the words of encouragement that seemed to arrive just when I needed them most.

  • And this year impressed upon me how important it is to cherish the relationships in my life and not take them for granted.

So thank you friends for being in our lives and for the love and encouragement that you have shown us over the years. Our hope is that we will see you sometime in the next year and that you will experience lots of the “great stuff” in the days and months to come.

With much love,

Pam and Mark (and family)


5 Comments
Sandy Ruggiero
12/29/2017 07:00:53 pm

We sure do miss you in San Diego, but know that Oregonians are benefiting from the wonder that is you. You put so much love out there, and I want you to know it has multiplied and is blanketing so many, (yes, me too). Love you so much, Pam. Happy New Year.

Reply
pam
12/29/2017 08:58:51 pm

Aw thank you Sandy! What a kind thing to say! I miss you too...but every time I hear a John Denver song I think of you and our incredible singing/harmonizing so that helps keep you present in my life :) You bring so much laughter and joy into any place that you are and those memories are so cherished. I hope we can see each other sometime this year!! Love you!!

Reply
Allan J
12/30/2017 06:16:51 am

The great stuff certainly is great - as far as you insights go, I am happy you are in this space - it's a daily chore and a welcome chore - I especially like "just when you think you’ve got things figured out..." - amen, sister - I treasure the times when things are sorted and find my true strength when having to deal with the un-sorted - love and miss you, Pam - peace and love to you and your lovely family

Reply
Pam
12/30/2017 01:46:38 pm

Thank you friend! Love and miss you too Allan! Hoping you have a wonderful 2018!

Reply
Kim M link
1/12/2021 03:37:44 am

Greatt reading your blog post

Reply



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    Categories

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    *Birth Days And Determination
    *Chasing Dreams And Letting Go
    *Christmas Letter 2017
    *Indelible Mark Of Kindness
    *On Sisterhood
    *Opening A Lavender Shop
    *Rain
    *Reflections On Difference
    *Reflections On Family
    *Reflections On Home
    *The Light We Lost
    *The Little Things
    *The Optimist
    *The Table
    *The Village It Took
    *Uncle Jimmy
    *Winnie And Bit

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    Hello! My name is Pam Reynolds Baker and I am a mom/wife /English teacher and lavender farmer located in Dundee, Oregon.  

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Little Lavender Shop
108 S College Ste C
Newberg, OR 97132
Hours: Thurs-Sat 12-5

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Little Lavender Farm
11011 NE Paren Springs Rd
Dundee, Oregon 97115
(Farm is open by appointment and for Exclusive Events Only)

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  • Home
  • Lavender 101
    • Our Lavender
    • A Brief History of Lavender
    • The Many Uses of Lavender Essential Oil
    • What is Hydrosol anyway?
    • Lavender and Anxiety
    • Lavender and Weddings
    • A Lavender Home
    • Lavender and Soil Amendment
    • Growing Lavender in Containers
    • When to harvest lavender
    • Pruning
  • Shop
  • Recipes
    • Culinary Lavender
    • Basics
    • Drinks
    • Appetizers
    • Side Dishes
    • Main Dishes
    • Desserts
  • Writing
    • Around the farm
    • Reflections on Life and Lavender
    • Newsletters
  • Lavender Crafts
  • Gallery
  • About Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy