There is an undercurrent of truth seekers in the river of life. Continue reading →
Posts Tagged: love
24
Jan 12
You Can’t See Me Until I Do
20
Jan 12
Practicing What I Preach
It wasn’t because I was on my second glass of liquid courage.
It wasn’t because my kids were milling about and I was trying to lead by example. Continue reading →
2
Jan 12
A Whisper In The Trees
I stop at the top of the hill and yell for them to keep going. I want to watch them. Continue reading →
24
Dec 11
A Different Sort of Christmas List
Dear Santa,
I hope this letter finds you and Mrs. Claus feeling healthy, happy and optimistic about the New Year. Please know how much I appreciate the way you spread good cheer and lighten the mood in our little home.
I bought myself boots this year, Santa, so I’m covered. I’m being presumptuous, I know, but I wonder if you could see to it that our friends on the blog get some good things this year.
I’m sure you’ve noticed that they always put their own needs and wants last. Perhaps you could put them at the top of your list this year.
Christmas List
- Three foot snow drifts for those who love snow.
- Sunny skies, 70 degree temps and gentle breezes for those who can do without the white stuff.
- Enough time during the holiday to enjoy a movie or a good book with loved ones, without worrying about what ought to be done, or what needs to be done.
- Total reign over the remote, a full bag of Cheetos, and no interruptions for the length of an entire movie.
- Cards and calls from dear friends, without the pressure of having to schedule one more party or luncheon.
- Eggnog with the perfect pinch of nutmeg.
- Enough calm, quiet, peaceful moments to appreciate the good things they have.
- Excited squeals and genuine appreciation from kids who get “just what they always wanted” on Christmas morning.
- A warm conversation void of cynicism and sarcasm.
- Enough wine to add to the merriment, but not so much that they forget when to shut up.
- All their favorite foods, and the discipline to recognize when they’ve enjoyed enough.
- A cozy bed, no need to set an alarm clock, and dreams filled with all good possibilities for 2012.
- A genuine pat on the back and acknowledgement for all they’ve accomplished in 2011.
- A healthy dose of unconditional love.
- Resolution to at least one of the troubles that keep them awake at night, and the wisdom to see where they could resolve more issues.
- The perfect bite of chocolate when they think there isn’t a bite left in the house.
- Sleighs full of laughter to last the whole year through.
- A surprise in the stocking of the ones who always make sure to fill all the other stockings.
Thank you, Santa. I don’t have to tell you how deserving they are. Best wishes to you and Mrs. Claus.
__________
Merry Christmas friends.
Thanks for all your kind wishes this year.
21
Dec 11
When Mom Is Santa
With their pinkies pointing at my face, they backed me up against the kitchen counter saying, “Pinky swear you aren’t the one bringing us presents on Christmas morning! Pinky swear to it!” Continue reading →
16
Dec 11
Chocolate Pillows
It would be the closest I’d get to being a real Santa Elf. I was thirteen and my brother eleven. Through the family grapevine, we were selected to help the Cookie Lady. Continue reading →
24
Nov 11
Appreciation for Blessings
Call it gratitude, thanks, or appreciation.
Blessings come in many shapes and sizes.
I am grateful for many things every day, but today I am especially grateful for these blessings.
- A safe, cozy home – free of judgment and negative energy.
- Family and friends who infuse our lives with love, humor, skill saws, plumbing knowledge and free labor.
- A cat who knows when we need extra attention, and doesn’t get too mad at us when we take occasional road trips.
- The opportunity to let kids be kids in all their exuberance, sweet messiness, and enthusiastically curious selves.
- The ability to let the kids pick the menu for today’s feast. (Pot roast, buttery noodles, lasagna, macaroni and cheese and Cheetos – cuz it’s about the getting together and not about forcing kids to eat stuffing made with chunks of gizzard. Sorry, mom. But I will miss your stuffing.)
- The chance to start a new day with grace and integrity even though I blew all my grace and integrity out of the water with Mark a couple days ago.
- The deep understanding that I am perfect in my whole unique self. I may have a long way to go, but it’s okay if I mess up, and the important thing is that I keep trying.
- The insightful, often funny, warm and encouraging comments from all the caring individuals who read this blog.
- Two amazing kids – one tucked under each arm – who chose to make this journey with me.
- That look in the eye of someone who knows you, understands you, and loves you anyway.
- Second chances.
- The quiet moment to sit down with a fresh cup of coffee and laugh, after the mountain of holiday dishes are done.
- Leftover lasagna instead of leftover turkey.
Happy Thanksgiving, dear friends!
3
Oct 11
Serendipity in a Story
Through tears she asked, “How come he says other kids do things well, but he can’t say that about me? How come he doesn’t think I’m great? What do I have to do to get him to say those things about me?” Continue reading →
28
Sep 11
Sound Advice
For what it’s worth, the following is a list of pearls – advice I’ve received over the last so many years.
Some was delivered by a caring family member or a dear friend.
Some was gleaned from a magazine article or a self-help book.
Some was uncovered while searching the internet in the wee hours.
Some was initially ignored.
These are the most useful words that I turn to when I don’t know where else to turn. These aren’t direct quotes, but paraphrases of helpful bits that have gotten us through.
- If it’s hard to get, it’s hard to keep.
- If you find yourself in a relationship with a narcissist, run screaming in the other direction.
- Your gut always tells the truth.
- If you have to ask him to listen, he’s not interested.
- If she says she doesn’t have time, what she’s really saying is that she doesn’t want to.
- Respect is not a given, it should be earned.
- Respect has nothing to do with age.
- It doesn’t need to be this hard.
- If you want mail, you’ve got to send mail.
- If you want friends, you have to be a friend.
- It’s okay if everyone doesn’t like you.
- It’s okay to not like everyone.
- If you aren’t feeling good about yourself, it might be that you are surrounded by assholes.
- Good sleep is better than all the makeup in the world.
- Humor can be found in almost every situation; find the funny part and quit dwelling on the negative.
- They can treat me whatever way they choose; I can choose to accept that treatment or not.
- Keep talking until you find someone who understands and believes you – they are out there.
- Kids are wise old souls in new bodies – treat them accordingly.
- There’s no point in talking the talk if you aren’t planning to take some action.
- There’s nothing wrong with going to bed early. (See above on sleep and makeup.)
- Many things can be fixed with a hug and good music.
- We cross paths for a reason – it’s okay if we don’t stay on the same path forever.
*Share your favorite advice in the comments below. Let’s compile a fabulous list.
23
Sep 11
To Parents of Daughters
We need to teach our daughters to distinguish between a man who flatters her and a man who compliments her ~ a man who spends money on her and a man who invests in her ~ a man who views her as property and a man who views her properly ~ a man who lusts after her and a man who loves her ~ a man who believes he is God’s gift to women and a man who remembers a woman was God’s gift to man.
– Unknown *Thank you, Kate.
– Unknown *Thank you, Kate.
