Back at La Gaia Retreat, my beautiful home in The Jalon Valley, the Xmas lights are still twinkling around the fireplace that has now gone out. Boxing day clear up following festivities always brings me back down to earth. There is silence in the sunshine outside. Are people still sleeping? Not even the birds are making a sound.
There is nothing like planning an event and seeing people come together, especially if it is your family. We have been planning this day for a couple of months but sadly for many of us, we have learned to wait with bated breath, dreading the last-minute changes.
We remember last year, the people who left us, the people restricted by lockdowns, and the ones who did not make it. This year has been no different. It is hard not to compare the past to now. My Christmas day was beautiful. The weeks leading up, the expectations, and the uncertainties were not so easy to deal with.
We must never stop planning though, all the beautiful memories gathered up over the years were created by planning or allowing ourselves to be spontaneous. nothing happens by thinking it will not happen, we need to stay in the belief that it will.
Christmas adds to the box of memories you place in a photo album stored in the attic. I now flick through my phone and Facebook decides which memories I want to be reminded of. Wherever you store them you will never re-create them in the exact same way, however, it is always nice to remember..
This silence has an appeal. I want to sit and look at the garden without thinking there is so much to do. It does not last long. My creative brain starts bubbling, I embrace the thoughts of creativity, they remind me I am still living. I take a slow breath and blow, long and slow like blowing on a hot coffee before taking a sip. This is a beautiful place just sit and look at the blue sky and be conscious of the pine trees swaying in the breeze. The light is amazing. I have a blank canvas and some new brushes calling me but first I must finish this piece of writing and say………..
To all the people who have visited La Gaia, I hope your memories are stored somewhere safe.
If you need to retreat, the doors are open to you
If you need to refresh, The air is clean, there is calm and creativity
If you need to reflect, there is deep conversation, thoughts, and plenty of pens and notepaper.
I have two newly decorated rooms available from mid-January and February 2022.
La Gaia is the perfect place for remote workers, walkers, writers, artists, creatives, poets, musicians, and travelers.
La Gaia sits nestled in the Jalon Valley, Costa Blanca. It is known for having the most healthiest climate in Europe.
There is much to do if you want to be active, walking, cycling, rock climbing etc. Village is a fifteen minute walk to restaurants and shops. 15 minute drive to beaches.
