Posted on by PurplePumpernickel

The Changing Seasons: May 2018

This feature photo is taken outside the The St Regis Singapore. The frontage of this hotel is a treasure trove of sculptures by Botero, Li Chen, and this one by Singapore’s own Anthony Poon, called Sense Surround. It captures for me the vibrance of life, the twists and turns of the startling red metal against the building and the shrubbery.

Despite living in a fast-paced city, I have spent much of May in contemplation. Time spent in the nature parks have given me ample time & space to think on the cycle of life, how beginnings are so very exciting, but endings tend to fizzle out and lack lustre. Fairy-tales end with “They lived happily ever after”, but never quite tells us what happens at the real end;  there is a reason most sequels don’t often do well – we don’t tend to like to get into the nitty-grittys of our heroes living their lives out.

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Southern Loop at Chestnut Nature Park

If we really believe an end is just a start of another beginning, then there is a great deal to look forward to.  This is what I’ve been contemplating. On 4 June 2018, it will be a year since I woke up from my coma; it has been a season of recovery, rejuvenation & resting. The question on my mind now is, What’s Next?  I look forward to My Sequel with eagerness and excitement as I celebrate my 1st RebirthDay with friends & family.

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Growing things (Singapore Botanic Gardens)

May is the month we Catholics honour Mother Mary. I love this version of the Ave Maria – I hope you do too!

About The Changing Seasons

The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge hosted by Su at Zimmerbitch. If you would like to join in, here are the guidelines:

The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic):

  • Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
  • Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
  • Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them

The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):

  • Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
  • Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
  • Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them. 

 

Feature Photo: Sense Surround by Anthony Poon, outside the St Regis Hotel

29 Replies to “The Changing Seasons: May 2018”

  4. Ju-Lyn, this is a truly lovely post. Your images are beautiful, the Ave Maria is gentle and sweet, and your words are powerful and moving. I especially like your very perceptive observation about fairy tale and sequels. I suspect that could be a problem in many marriages, if the size and cost of some weddings is anything to by. 🙂

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    1. I am so glad you enjoyed this post, Su, and particularly the Ave Maria.

      You have just echoed my often unspoken thoughts when young couples talk about this day being the best day of their lives. I can’t help but shudder. It is rightly a wonderful day for celebration, but my unspoken hope for them is that they soon realise it is just the beginning of an exciting journey together.

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      1. Sadly, in these days of instant gratification and the need to become social media celebrities in our lives, I suspect that many couples haven’t thought too far beyond the wedding. But I guess, as so many people live together beforehand anyway, maybe marriage doesn’t seem like such a big shift for them. 🙂

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  5. Pingback: The Changing Seasons, May 2018 | Zimmerbitch
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  8. It sounds like there is a back story here that I don’t know … and the link you provided went to a 2016 post and didn’t provide any illumination.

    Reading between the lines, the past year has been very significant for you in terms of rediscovery. I hope that sense of wonder continues into this next year of your “rebirth” 💕

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    1. Thank you Joanne – if not for your comment, I would not have realised that I had linked to the wrong post. Have corrected it now.

      Thank you for the best wishes for the year ahead: I look forward to it as I look forward to sharing it with you all, my WP community!

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      1. Thanks for fixing the link so I could refresh my memory – I had actually read this post before. I guess I hadn’t realized it was so recent an event in your life. I can’t imagine how life-changing that is to your perception and attitudes and general overall view of the world. I would imagine that EVERYTHING is special.
        You’ve been given a very special gift that few have experienced! 💕

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        1. Thank you for taking time to read and catchup, Joanne. I am grateful for each day I have, and for the friendships forged in this forum – you are such a support & encouragement! and a constant reminder that we have a community of like-minded people who are just trying to make a difference in this world!

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  9. I love Ave Maria! One of my favorites. I love that Singapore is so lush- I really do not know all that much about it and it’s so fun for me to get a peak through your blog. Just love it!

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  10. I enjoyed this post on many levels, but, oh, Ju-Lyn, my deepest reaction centered on the words “On 4 June 2018, it will be a year since I woke up from my coma” and I couldn’t stop thinking how grateful I am that you woke up and continued to bless your readers with your thought and photographs.

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  11. Beautiful post, Ju-Lyn! I love Ave Maria and it always gives me pleasurable goosebumps. Spending time with contemplation is a wonderful thing to do and I’m glad you used this month to do it. And I also want to gratulate you to your very special Birthday! 💕

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