The sky was a beautiful clear blue this morning, full of light.
A benign beginning and much appreciated.
However twisted the branch, the buds still push through the dried veins of dead leaves.
Much of the past year has been dark and difficult, so much so that the brighter bits (and there have been some) have often been obscured. But I think, I hope, there has been a process underway, a form of progress however painful.
frizzyLogic 
(o)
Happy New Year, Rachel! Thank you for (among other things) letting me see with your eyes, by way of the camera. All that beauty, and I would have walked right past it.
there has been a process underway, a form of progress however painful Let’s hope! (And can I just second what Dale said?)
Yes, beautiful stuff, and I wish you all good things for the coming year, with all my heart.
The image in the second photo looks like a crown to me. Thank you for the gift of your art of photography and words, for sharing your highs and lows and your friendship. May 2007 bring you continued creative abundance and more joys and a happy heart, with less of the painful stuff!