HAPPY NEW YEAR! May your wishes find wings and your heart’s desires be fulfilled in 2012.
Our dreams took flight last night, in the embrace of beautiful sky lanterns that breathed enchantment towards the stars. Mine couldn’t seem to wait to take off and floated first with a prayer for our beloved Jina, who disappeared inexplicably again almost three weeks ago. Hope burns silently for her safe return.
Sky Lanterns taking off on New Year
Here’s more of Dave’s photography from our garden:
Sky Lanterns sailing away
Sky Lanterns leaving hands
New Year's Eve Sky Lantern Celebrations
Sky Lantern about to fly
Sky Lantern in flight
New Year Celebrations - Johannesburg, South Africa
Warmest thanks to our wonderful friends who shared this New Year celebration with us – and also to the Faces of Hope Foundation, on whose behalf Dave bought these sky lanterns in July (at a travel lunch auction described in my post Beware: Balloons Can Be Addictive).
If ever there was proof of the fact that giving is receiving, this is it. What a treasure we were granted through his spontaneous gift. Thank you, my love, for everything!
For more photo’s, here’s a link to my Facebook album: New Year Sky Lanterns – and to order lanterns (for delivery in South Africa) visit www.lightalantern.co.za (“Don’t light a rocket, Light a Lantern”).
Finally, thanks to www.appleseed.org for this special inspiration and life philosophy:
“I am the new year. I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.
All that you sought and didn’t find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search it but with more determination.
All that you dreamed but didn’t dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will, all the faith that you claimed but did not have — these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose.”
Here’s to the most magical year imaginable, for us all!
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
that was a lovely way to greet the new year
Agreed, Sidey, thank you
Beautiful post, Naomi. I do hope Jina appears soon. I shall cross everything.
Have a happy new year, you and yours
Kate Shrewsday recently posted..The Last Trek of the Year
Thank you, Kate, I appreciate it…and warmest wishes to all of you too!
Happy New Year, Naomi!!
And what a very cool thing – the paper lanterns, and the gift of this light you shared (with these lanterns, and always…)
Hoping for a safe return for Jina…
Lance recently posted..Focus and Succeed
Thanks so much, Lance – for your wonderful comment and such kind thoughts, as always
I really appreciate your fabulous friendship, support and inspiration…and Happy New Year to you and yours too!
Beautiful sight . . .
They are planning to ban or regulate Sky Lanterns here because “what goes up, must come down.” They’ve had issues with the wire caging littering the runways at airports . . . and there are concerns about sea turtles getting tangled up in the wire.
I hope that Jina reappears. Soon.
nrhatch recently posted..Rebirth . . . Renewal . . . Reincarnation
And . . . Happy NOW Year!
nrhatch recently posted..Rebirth . . . Renewal . . . Reincarnation
THANKS, and to you!
Thank you, Nancy…and OMG, that didn’t cross my mind about the wire. I just took in the non-flammable, bio-degradable part about the paper. Not good.
This is a beautiful post. What a great way to welcome in the new year. I would like to see how and when the lanterns come down though. Love the quote that you finished with.
Tammy recently posted..Starting Fresh
Thank you, Tammy
I spoke with Kerrin today, from Faces of Hope, who we got the lanterns from, and she says that these particular ones are biodegradable and don’t have any wire in them, which makes sense because they had no form at all until filled with hot air (and I must say, I didn’t notice anything like wire) – so hopefully they’re kind enough to the environment.
Those lanterns are fab, I love setting them free. Happy new year, Naomi. xxx
Cindy recently posted..DECORATION OR MISGUIDED DESECRATION?
Thanks so much Cindy, and all the best to you and yours! xo
What a blast! Beautiful!
I’m sure there were some UFO sightings reported ; -)
I hope Jina has returned by this time ;-(
Tokeloshe recently posted..Waiparous camp in winter
Thanks, Tok, it was stunning!
So sorry to say that there’s been no sign of Jina
Wow, those hot air balloons are beautiful…Much more beautiful than the one Lady Gaga stuck her head in on New York national TV…
Bless You
paul
LOL! Thanks for that, Paul. I’ll have to check out Lady Gaga’s stunt
Blessings to you and yours for a special 2012!
Gorgeous, Naomi.
With full respect for your newer blog objectives, I still wanted to say a thank you to you with an award. You’ll see what I’m talking about on my blog. http://souldipper.wordpress.com/2012/01/07/awards-accepted-with-gratitude-passed-on-with-love/
Amy@SoulDipper recently posted..Awards: Accepted with Gratitude – Passed On with Love
Oh Amy, what a darling you are…THANK YOU from the heart for such a beautiful tribute, which I shall most definitely treasure and pay forward
Also, CONGRATS on your deeply deserved blogging awards and on your second anniversary – you’re a true gift to the blogosphere! Warmest wishes and a great big New Year hug and kiss from Dave and I…XOXO
Good Morning.
The lanterns are a lovely idea….no frightened animals(though my silly dog used to freak out at kites!)
Thanks so much for your comment, Granny, and for stopping by my blog – much appreciated! A quick look at yours reveals plenty of wit and many beautiful photo’s of one of my favourite things: a Cape Town beach
I shall be over lots more to soak it all up!
these lanterns are absolutely brilliant, so colourful and brilliant.. a wonderful idea.. c
ceciliag recently posted..“You’ve strangled me?” I said to the nice man, moving Moaning Mia out of the way with my hip.
Thank you so much for your comment and for visiting my blog, Cecilia…and what an absolute delight to discover yours! I love your writing and photography, so will be over to enjoy it often
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