As a follow up, to my wish to keep growing and sprouting in the “off season”, I present these camellias. They are common in Portugal and it’s normal that they bloom in Winter. They caught my eye walking home from the metro the other day.

I’m familiar with these bright green tips on evergreen trees. I remember with clarity the first time a friend of mine pointed them out to me in Seattle.

“Look! New growth!” she said.

Ever since, I’m always on the lookout for when the new growth starts to appear. There’s something magical about it.

I think in Seattle, the new growth is most prominent in Spring. But here in Portugal, maybe it’s common in December? I was running thru Parque da Cidade the other day and kept seeing it everywhere.

What season is it again?

That question sums up my current state 9 months into this adventure.

I’ve never been a fan of winter time, not really.  Some cozy time by the Christmas tree, okay. Popcorn and movies on rainy days, okay. These are some perks of Winter that I embrace but really I could do without the season.

Especially here. Where we don’t have heat! And, even though it’s not THAT cold. It feels SO COLD. ALL . THE . TIME.

But new growth…

In a sense I’ve been growing so much these past months that I can’t imagine anymore growth spurts till next Summer.

In another sense, I’m still ready to keep moving forward, to keep realizing these decisions and dreams. It doesn’t feel like the time to embrace hibernation.

Maybe Winter this year is about continued, steady new growth? New spurts and stretches so that a few of my deepest desires can bloom?

Growth can happen as one settles, commits, rests and also pursues right? I sure hope so, because there are some things I care about that I’m hoping will continue to sprout even if its the “off season.”