The second thing I learned again in 2025

Victoria (Art Group Sketch)

Acrylic on canvas

16 x 20 inches

Barbara Muir © 2025

(Not bad for 35 minutes
total.  A beautiful model.

I wish I'd had more time.
Thank you to Victoria's
mother too, who was

a complete sweetheart.

I like the concept I learned from Howard Wolinsky of using the last month
of the year to write about what you learned in that year.  So I think I'll do
it again for 2025. Here's what I wrote last year on December 2nd (slightly
edited).  The same lesson applies this year:

"My friend, Howard Wolinsky, who I met via the phone and Skype when
he introduced me to the Skype community as a Skype Sketcher, recommended

writing a list of things you learned in the year during the month of December.

I like what I wrote last year.

The second thing (really the first thing) I learned again in 2025

I wrote a piece in 2015 to explain why I sign so many of
my letters with XOXOXOXOXO, and it resonated with me again
today.  I miss all of the things we did without thinking before
COVID.  Now we still have to think about gatherings, and vaccines,
for COVID, Flu and RSV, when and where to wear a mask. Fewer
people are bothering to wear a mask in public, but many of my
friends are sick. Here's what I said back in 2015, and I still
feel the same way.

"To all my friends and family who cannot be in
Toronto this year for the holidays, please know
that I love you and you are in my heart.

I learned the strong power of love when I held
my mother's hand as she lay dying 12 years ago.  It was
not about regret, although of course I wish I
could have spent more time with her.  My sadness
was about knowing I couldn't see her, hug her
and speak with her again.

After she died I knew I had to live to the fullest,
not for her, but because she would want me to.
And I understood in the most intense way
possible that however many years I had left on
the planet, they would not be enough to give
out enough love to the people I care about,
and to the world.

I don't mean to overpower people with the
XOXOXOXOXO.  I just mean to say I know
without question that however many X's and
O's I can put at the end of a note they will never
convey how important the concept of being
loving, and kind is to me, or how much I care
for the recipient.

Many friends at this time of year are sharing
ideas about beliefs and ceremonies they
enjoy.  But the common thread in everyone's
background is the importance of love and kindness.

Thank you for yours in 2025, and thank you
to all my friends and family for helping us to
enjoy yet another year of happiness. 

XOXOXOXOXO to all of my friends and family
everywhere!"

Have a loving your life day.