" Give thanks for the unknown blessings already on their way"
~ Native American Prayer
This quote was in my email inbox (just in the nick of time). You know when you need that little reminder to "hang in there" things will look/feel better soon? Well, that's where I was the past couple of days. Not one thing in particular, well ok ....some were "in particular" and some not so much. For me it was just your basic, "what the heck is going on? what were YOU thinking? and boy the glass is really half empty today" !
Here's what I did......I validated those feelings!! Wallowed in them for a bit and then was ready to "snap out of it", put on my "big girl panties" and get back in the game.
The thing is this, I know I missed appreciating a whole lot of blessings during that time, but thankfully as the quote reminded me this morning....."there are more already on their way"..........Give thanks....indeed I did!
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Monday, April 16, 2012
And Now We're Four..................
15 years ago, at 11:17pm, I gave birth to an amazing 8lb 14oz, beautiful baby boy. The truly beautiful part is that when I held him that first moment, looked in his eyes and whispered promises from the depths of my soul, I honestly had no idea how truly amazing the next 15 years would be.
Tribute here to my second born, and his many amazing qualities that still make me smile and remind me how glad I am we are a family of four!
Your creative ~ artsy energy and all that you accomplish with it is just outstanding
The way you listen to a song and ask if I "hear" all the instrument distinctions...once you explain it to me, I CAN hear it the way it was "meant to be heard"
Your easy going personality, along with kindness and willingness towards others.. ESPECIALLY your older brother
Your adventurous side that wants to "do it all"
Your determination when you REALLY want to accomplish something...usually when trying to convince me of something
Your humor and one liners that have been known to "lighten the mood" many times over the years
Your patience with me when you have to repeat "how to" instructions..again and again
The fact that we spent your birthday day together today and when we got home you thanked me for a fun day....not sure many 15 year old sons would feel that way, but it sure did warm my heart
And I must include that you are courteous...which when you were little, you would say it is because your middle name is Curtis
I am so proud to be your Mom and thank God each and everyday for all the amazing pieces you bring to our family!
Happy Birthday B.......I love you !
Friday, April 6, 2012
Easter Thoughts/Memories.......
 |
| Easter 1968...Me and my big sista' |
Wondering if it was my year to wear pink or yellow
Tiny foil wrapped chocolate eggs
Trying to balance my hat by making no sudden moves
Should I take off the white gloves to eat the chocolate
Wondering what my sister had in her pocketbook
Mom polishing our shoes with Vaseline for an extra shine
Leotards feeling just that bit too short
Sweet Bread with drizzled frosting and colorful sprinkles
Monday, April 2, 2012
Wonderful Memories......
While finally tackling a closet that had been calling my name for quite some time to clean, which had clearly been landing on deaf ears....I found something that tossed me back in time. Back to a time when I was a new Mom. A harried "am I doing everything right" kind of Mom (gee so glad that that has eased....yeah right)
Take the journey with me won't you....about 17 years. My son was 11 months old. He and I were out on errands when I heard the DJ on the radio broadcasting from a local craft store, that they had a table set up for children to come in and make Father's Day t-shirts.
Sounded like fun to me. It was going to be "First Father's Day" in our house and what better for an artsy Dad, than to receive a t-shirt decorated by his first born.
Well, looking at the supplies available on the craft table, I realized there wasn't really anything that an 11 month old could actually "do". So we scooted down the "stamping" aisle and I searched for a fun color ink pad. Teal blue would do. It was the early 90's, a very "in" color.
Back at the table I stretched out his pudgy little hands, inked them up and facilitated teal hand prints on a white t shirt....clearly one of a kind.
I began getting a little anxious when the project started turning messier than I anticipated and my restless "artist" had really had enough. I did have a little rush that this was still a very sweet gift (even if not quite all five fingers were represented).
With wet wipes, a wet inked t-shirt, and a hungry, wet child I dashed out of the store. I was feeling confident in my choice to take on such a project, until I looked in the rear view mirror and saw my dear child with his hands in his mouth and teal blue covering that precious grin.
Now, I know I made sure it was non toxic ink, but it still felt poisonous to this new Mom. I tried to calm and reassure myself that it was all fine.
With confidence back in check, all was good... until I turned on the radio and the DJs were saying "did you see that Mom using ink on her kids hands to decorate the t-shirt...don't know how safe THAT was"!
I love that finding that teal ink pad almost 20 years later, brought it all rushing back. Serving as a reminder that Life is a journey and mine has been truly Blessed!
As a brief side note.....After finding the ink pad I wrapped it in a plastic bag and tucked it back in the closet. So when I clean it out again, in another 20 years, I can have the same wonderful memory all over again!
Take the journey with me won't you....about 17 years. My son was 11 months old. He and I were out on errands when I heard the DJ on the radio broadcasting from a local craft store, that they had a table set up for children to come in and make Father's Day t-shirts.
Sounded like fun to me. It was going to be "First Father's Day" in our house and what better for an artsy Dad, than to receive a t-shirt decorated by his first born.
Well, looking at the supplies available on the craft table, I realized there wasn't really anything that an 11 month old could actually "do". So we scooted down the "stamping" aisle and I searched for a fun color ink pad. Teal blue would do. It was the early 90's, a very "in" color.
Back at the table I stretched out his pudgy little hands, inked them up and facilitated teal hand prints on a white t shirt....clearly one of a kind.
I began getting a little anxious when the project started turning messier than I anticipated and my restless "artist" had really had enough. I did have a little rush that this was still a very sweet gift (even if not quite all five fingers were represented).
With wet wipes, a wet inked t-shirt, and a hungry, wet child I dashed out of the store. I was feeling confident in my choice to take on such a project, until I looked in the rear view mirror and saw my dear child with his hands in his mouth and teal blue covering that precious grin.
Now, I know I made sure it was non toxic ink, but it still felt poisonous to this new Mom. I tried to calm and reassure myself that it was all fine.
With confidence back in check, all was good... until I turned on the radio and the DJs were saying "did you see that Mom using ink on her kids hands to decorate the t-shirt...don't know how safe THAT was"!
I love that finding that teal ink pad almost 20 years later, brought it all rushing back. Serving as a reminder that Life is a journey and mine has been truly Blessed!
As a brief side note.....After finding the ink pad I wrapped it in a plastic bag and tucked it back in the closet. So when I clean it out again, in another 20 years, I can have the same wonderful memory all over again!
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Oh The Joy...............
One of the joys of "putting myself out there" with a blog is people sharing with me their own Acts Of Kindness. There is a kinship among us that gravitates us towards sharing our stories because we know the person we are talking to will "get it". It's not about acknowledgement or recognition, it is about sharing in that inner rush that feels so good when we brighten the days of others. It builds momentum!
Today I share with you two Acts of Kindness told to me.
The first took place at a local store that sends out "Family and Friends" coupons. My friend "Jane" was at the check out and aware of a young man, in his early 20's, ahead of her. He was buying a pair of shoes. When asked by the cashier if he had a coupon he replied "No and if my Mom finds out she'll kill me". "Jane" then offered him a discount coupon and replied "us Moms have to stick together". He gratefully accepted the coupon, thanked her and happily walked off, clearly with a story to tell when he got home.
The truly fun part came the next day when "Jane" was at a wedding. She looked across the room and saw the same young man sitting at a table with his family. She went over and said hello. He beamed and said "these are the shoes I bought yesterday...thanks again"!
The next story was shared with me just the other day. "Theresa" walked into a laundromat and asked the attendant if she wanted to take part in an Act of Kindness. The young woman lit up and quickly agreed. She was then asked if she knew of a regular customer that was having financial struggles. The young woman knew right away of an older woman who repeatedly comes in, having to take a taxi and bus to get there from a neighboring city.
"Theresa" then came back when the older woman was expected to return. She walked up to her and said "I'd like to pay for your laundry today". The woman's eyes filled with tears and she said "Thank You but I can't accept". "Theresa" insisted and put the money into the woman's pocket. They hugged, now both with tears in their eyes, the older woman whispered "you don't know how much this means to me...Thank You"!
Both of these stories touched me because they involve people making someones day a little brighter...and my hope always is that the recipients will then be moved to perform their own Acts Of Kindness in some little way....... Together we can build momentum!
Go ahead and share your Acts Of Kindness in the comment section below
*disclaimer...names have been changed to protect the guilty
Today I share with you two Acts of Kindness told to me.
The first took place at a local store that sends out "Family and Friends" coupons. My friend "Jane" was at the check out and aware of a young man, in his early 20's, ahead of her. He was buying a pair of shoes. When asked by the cashier if he had a coupon he replied "No and if my Mom finds out she'll kill me". "Jane" then offered him a discount coupon and replied "us Moms have to stick together". He gratefully accepted the coupon, thanked her and happily walked off, clearly with a story to tell when he got home.
The truly fun part came the next day when "Jane" was at a wedding. She looked across the room and saw the same young man sitting at a table with his family. She went over and said hello. He beamed and said "these are the shoes I bought yesterday...thanks again"!
The next story was shared with me just the other day. "Theresa" walked into a laundromat and asked the attendant if she wanted to take part in an Act of Kindness. The young woman lit up and quickly agreed. She was then asked if she knew of a regular customer that was having financial struggles. The young woman knew right away of an older woman who repeatedly comes in, having to take a taxi and bus to get there from a neighboring city.
"Theresa" then came back when the older woman was expected to return. She walked up to her and said "I'd like to pay for your laundry today". The woman's eyes filled with tears and she said "Thank You but I can't accept". "Theresa" insisted and put the money into the woman's pocket. They hugged, now both with tears in their eyes, the older woman whispered "you don't know how much this means to me...Thank You"!
Both of these stories touched me because they involve people making someones day a little brighter...and my hope always is that the recipients will then be moved to perform their own Acts Of Kindness in some little way....... Together we can build momentum!
Go ahead and share your Acts Of Kindness in the comment section below
*disclaimer...names have been changed to protect the guilty
Monday, March 26, 2012
Time To Bloom...............
It seems only fitting that as we welcome a change in seasons, there is a vibration that can be felt in the air. The feeling of coming to Life both in the gardens and percolating in my thoughts.
There is this feeling of "new" and wanting to make changes, this energy/desire to make a difference. My mind is whirling and the possibilities are many.
I need to define one of these ideas and run with it. Reminding myself that not all changes have to be large and cumbersome with details (that tends to slow me down, ok sometimes to a creeping halt). I will ponder and listen to my inner whisper of choices, as I continue to be intrigued with what is presented before me...or what I make up along the way!
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Bits and Pieces......
As I sit to write this post, I contemplate the thoughts I want to share. It has been my belief from the start of my blog, that I would let it take it's own direction.
Not to think too much and simply capture what is on my mind at the moment and call it a post. Sharing a part of me.....
Well, that method is feeling a bit trickier today as I find myself thinking....too much and questioning too much...will it be interesting? will people stop back and read it again? do I have to be chipper all the time? do people want to hear that it delights me to see a purple crocus? will my post have substance? will my oldest son cringe yet again at my grammatical errors? will it confirm to others that I am "out there"?
And then it hit me that my predicament is similar to when I ask my almost 15 year old son to help me with a computer "how to" question. My go to tech guy...his response is pretty much the same each time... "try what you think....don't be afraid to make a mistake, Mom, your options are there".
He is right, I'll say that again for his benefit (even though he assures me he means to read my blog at some point... ) but he is right! The apprehension that holds me back from downloading something to my mp3 player or trying a new software on my own, is the same that prevents me today.....being concerned I'll make a mistake.
So here's my thoughts for today. A bit jumbled, but it's making sense in my head...Some days we are more confident then others (and by others I mean days and people). That's why some situations are smoother than others. One is not right or wrong they are simply different and effect our responses accordingly.
And as my son said "our options are there" and ready for our use. Today, I have chosen to share my scattered thoughts, with the foundation of my blog in place......to share a part of me!
Not to think too much and simply capture what is on my mind at the moment and call it a post. Sharing a part of me.....
Well, that method is feeling a bit trickier today as I find myself thinking....too much and questioning too much...will it be interesting? will people stop back and read it again? do I have to be chipper all the time? do people want to hear that it delights me to see a purple crocus? will my post have substance? will my oldest son cringe yet again at my grammatical errors? will it confirm to others that I am "out there"?
And then it hit me that my predicament is similar to when I ask my almost 15 year old son to help me with a computer "how to" question. My go to tech guy...his response is pretty much the same each time... "try what you think....don't be afraid to make a mistake, Mom, your options are there".
He is right, I'll say that again for his benefit (even though he assures me he means to read my blog at some point... ) but he is right! The apprehension that holds me back from downloading something to my mp3 player or trying a new software on my own, is the same that prevents me today.....being concerned I'll make a mistake.
So here's my thoughts for today. A bit jumbled, but it's making sense in my head...Some days we are more confident then others (and by others I mean days and people). That's why some situations are smoother than others. One is not right or wrong they are simply different and effect our responses accordingly.
And as my son said "our options are there" and ready for our use. Today, I have chosen to share my scattered thoughts, with the foundation of my blog in place......to share a part of me!
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