Two Visual Meditation Reprises for this day: The first, Happy Birthday to my dear friend, this one is for you. The second, in loving memory of the terrible loss of 8 years ago.

Photos taken at Golden Gardens beach in Seattle. Photos © Christine Valters Paintner at Abbey of the Arts: Transformative Living through Contemplative & Expressive Arts

Floating on the wind, What do I resemble? A solitary gull Between the heavens and the earth -Du Fu Photos taken at Golden Gardens in Seattle in honor of my father’s 77th birthday.

A series of images celebrating embodied prayer. © Christine Valters Paintner at Abbey of the Arts: Transformative Living through Contemplative & Expressive Arts

I have had the gift of spending the last week by the sea, a time of retreat, rich reflection, and abundant blessing.  Today is my birthday and we head back home.  I take with me a gathering of gifts, some of which you will find below here. All photos taken this last week on the Sunshine Coast in British Columbia. © Christine Valters Paintner at Abbey of the Arts: Transformative Living through Contemplative & Expressive Arts Become a fan of the Abbey on Facebook, follow this blog on Facebook, friend me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter

  ** Make sure you visit this week’s Poetry Party  on Shadow & Light (these are a few more of the images from my photographic journey last week)** ______________________________________________ © Christine Valters Paintner at Abbey of the Arts: Transformative Living through Contemplative & Expressive Arts Become a fan of the Abbey on Facebook, follow this blog on Facebook, friend me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter