Kindness

 

I received this quote from Elaine a few weeks ago, and it meant so much to me.

So I’m using it together with a photo I took today during our walk through a picture-perfect valley in the Julian Alps.

 

I didn't give up, I let go. How I came to terms with not having children

 

First of all, a very happy New Year to all my readers!

I came across a beautiful article on BBC News and wanted to share it with you.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgj8x7e12ko 

How I wish there had been more articles like this during the darkest years of my infertility!

 

PS:I had a lovely December, with plenty of long walks, including one around a beautiful alpine lake, as well as several New Year parties and get-togethers with friends and colleagues. It felt good to be able to truly enjoy December again.

 

My Christmas Wish

 

I have the same Christmas wish as I’ve had for the past ten years.

I would like to receive an email from you.

To know who you are.

Where you come from.

Why you read my blog.

What my blog means to you.

Has it helped you in any way?

I promise I will not publish your email or misuse it in any way.

And I promise to write back!

My email: klara.soncek (at) gmail.com

I’m looking forward to Christmas :)

 

PS: In the photo: Brixen/Bressanone, Bozen/Bolzano

When Life Gives You Little Moments—Take the Apfelstrudel

 

I returned from another work trip, this time to the beautiful region in northern Italy, Südtirol / Trentino–Alto Adige. I was traveling with a coworker a few years younger than I am, and we talked about many things. It turned out that we both used to love watching Dr. Gregory House. She told me her favourite quote of his:

“People don’t get what they deserve. They just get what they get. There’s nothing any of us can do about it.”

So very true.

What we can do, however, is fill our days—whenever the occasion appears—with something special. Like eating the most delicious Apfelstrudel you can imagine.

 

On the Road with Those Who Get It

 

We spent an amazing road trip with Pamela and her husband in October. I’m sharing a few photos from the Pula Roman Amphitheatre and from Rovinj, Croatia.

It’s just wonderful to be with friends who truly get you — who understand without words and would never say anything that could hurt. There’s such comfort in that kind of connection, where you can simply be yourself and feel completely at ease.

Travelling together reminded me how precious it is to have people in your life who share not just experiences, but understanding — the quiet kind that comes from having walked a similar path.

                                                                   *****

I’m sharing Pamela’s latest interview. I feel honoured to be mentioned in it.

https://www.populationbalance.org/beyond-pronatalism-podcast/pamela

 

 

 

Just priceless

 

We’ve got everything ready for our friends who are coming to stay with us for a few days.

Fresh vegetables from the garden are picked, and I’ve baked a (hopefully) delicious traditional walnut potica.

It’s such a joy when penfriends from our life-after-infertility community turn into real friends.

Just priceless!

Mirabelle Plums and Memories: The Strength of Friendship

 

I enjoyed picking mirabelle plums for a friend of mine; I have known her since we were seven. She loves them.

She has an autoimmune disease and has already lost the ability to walk and move her hands.

I visited her yesterday, and we were talking about all the exciting road trips we took together (with two other friends) in our late teens and twenties. She said that all those memories help her get through her long days – she visualises the things we did together.

She often says to me and our other two friends: “Girls, you must walk as much as you can! Walk also for me.”

I have learnt so much from her. And I am grateful that I can, in small ways, brighten her moments and bring a little joy to her days.