coverartist
letterfrompublisher
My first Christmas away from parents, siblings and clos-
est friends was an eye-opener. My husband and I and
our two-year-old son, Ziven, were living in Taos, New
Mexico. Work was sparse and we were flat broke.
But, I was determined to continue my favorite holiday
tradition of sending family members the Christmas cook-
ies they love and look for. After burning the first batches
in the wood-burning stove of our charming hand built
eco-home, the cookies began rolling off the presses. Eat-
ing some worked wonders in getting me into the holiday
Angel dove
spirit.
by lynn Bywaters
Next, our family set about coming up with gifts from Santa for the little one. My
handy husband built lovely wooden toys from lumber he found in the yard. How
much more care went into these than plastic doodads carried home from a super-
From her home overlooking the store.
Glastonbury meadow and Con-
On Christmas day, we walked to the tiny pueblo church down the road, where we
necticut River, artist Lynn Bywaters
joined our neighbors in singing beautiful holiday hymns. Then, we returned home
finds inspiration in the abundant
to enjoy a modest festive meal for just the three of us.
wildlife she observes and often
includes the creatures in her paint-
That Christmas still lives in memory as the simplest I’ve ever experienced. No run-
ning around to shopping malls, trading off precious presence with loved ones for
ings. Other favorite subjects depict
presents we couldn’t afford. Although I grew up on energetic holidays with seven
angels, and even Santa.
scrabbling siblings around the tree and missed them dearly, I’ll never forget the
sacred connection our small family made with one another that holy day.
Bywaters’ art is rich in detail and
Both my son and his father have left this world now, his father just recently. My
renowned for its depth and lumi-
daughter and I will do our best to stay in the blessing of the time we had together
nous qualities. Angel Dove, like
as a family (extended—after our divorce), and carve out yet another new niche for
much of her work, transcends its the two of us.
confines to achieve a dimensional
The holidays have a way of reminding all of us who or what is missing; yet I’ve
reality infused with spiritual peace.
learned that every holiday brings new opportunities to see and embrace its special
blessings. This month, Natural Awakenings is filled with a surfeit of resources for
Whimsy and color also inform the creating a meaningful and heart-filled season.
artist’s imagination, and her Santas
This year, I plan to draw from the Christly simplicity I still hold dearly from all
and snowmen are singular ambas-
those years ago. I plan to give a helping hand to someone who needs it and stay
sadors of cheer and good will. “I
close to loved ones with me still. Maybe I’ll start by baking some cookies and gift-
enjoy creating scenes of simple, ing a child or two a wooden toy.
uncomplicated happiness,” Bywa-
I also love the idea of pausing for “minute meditations” throughout the holidays—
ters says.
60 seconds to shift beyond busyness into a present state of gratitude. From here,
we can visualize peace in our global community, in our families and in our hearts.
Responding to an inner calling
known to her since childhood,
May your holidays blend meaningful old traditions and sparkling new facets that
allow you to truly tap into and revel in the best gifts of the season.
the artist has created a successful
career as an illustrator. Her spe-
Happy Holidays from all of us on the Natural Awakenings staff to you and yours,
cial love is children’s books; she
recently illustrated a retelling of
Shakespeare’s The Tempest, pub-
lished by Chronicle Books. Sharon Bruckman
 Collier / Lee Counties
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72