Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Mother's Day

My Mother's Day was spent hiking by a stunning waterfall, soaking in the sunshine and giggling with my children.

As I sat on the deck that evening sipping a glass of wine and reflecting on a perfect day, it dawned on me that as a mother, sometimes the days are long, but, ultimately, the years are short.

Friday, May 6, 2011

A Lovely Little List...

It's a funny thing when you've so much to say that you don't even know where to start, so I figured some random thoughts might be in order.

1. I love lists. To do lists, itemized lists, shopping lists...

2. I used to never cry. Now I find I cry easily. I can't decide if this is a bad thing (have I become overly emotional?) or a good one (do I feel more passionately now?). I'm leaning towards good, though it is mildly inconvenient.

3. It's entirely possible to feel utterly alone while surrounded by other people.

4. I am just me. And I am just me to you, no matter who you are. If you are the love of my life, I am just me. If you are a stranger on the street, I am just me. If you are my co-worker, my child's teacher, my neighbor, my client... I am just me. Why is it that so many people behave differently depending upon their audience or circumstances? The world would be a better place if we could all remember that it's the people we hold dearest that we need to treat the best and then use that as a model for how to behave amongst the rest of the people we encounter.

5. Good kids are the result of good parenting. "Luck" has little to do with it.

6. There is no item number six.

7. My animals bring me joy and teach me about unconditional love. I can't imagine a home or a life without them.

8. A long time ago I was told to "never go to bed angry". It's good advice.

9. In little things, there is happiness. The problem is that most people are too caught up in themselves or in their daily grind or maybe even their half-empty negativity to recognize all the little things. I'm grateful that I'm not "most people". Today I find happiness in snuggles from Exhibit C, the fact that Exhibit B played capture the flag at school, Exhibit A's prospects at auditions tomorrow, and having found a hauntingly beautiful new song to listen to when the mood strikes.

10. The world is best viewed from atop a bicycle... for we travel at the perfect pace to not only reach our destinations but to enjoy the scenery along the way. I suppose this works, metaphorically, for a few other things but I won't point that out. Surely you know that already... :)