Sunday, November 29, 2009

It's almost that time again...

I had a ball last December...and the December before that too.

Not because it's my boy child's birthday although that part is always fun.

Not because it's hat & scarf weather although I adore busting those fuzzy bits of love out of their summer hiding places.

Not because of trees or lights or ornaments or any of the holiday trappings although those things contain their own magic.

It's because of a little girl named Laura who two years ago helped me stop hating December. She introduced me to the idea of doing for others...spending the 25 days leading up to Christmas making a difference...even a small difference...every day.

It turned out that the difference I was making was in me. That finding out the season could be about crossing lines, breaking boundaries and learning that most people out there cherish connections more than just about anything else. That December could be guilt-free...not about obligations or facades or pretending to believe in all the confusion and contradiction that made my head spin every year. That being a parent didn't have to mean I had to continue traditions that made no sense to me just to give my kids normalcy. This felt so much more REAL to me...a tradition that I could be proud to introduce my family to. A tradition about giving back and acknowledging the blessings we forget about on a day-to-day basis. Our true Thanksgiving now starts on December 1st.

I don't know what little Laura is doing these days, but I know that her influence on this grown-up continues and her legacy grows with each moment, each person, each act and each smile...that's a mighty big change she's made...and a legacy to be proud of.

December is only days away...and instead of dreading it, I'm waiting with the same excitement I used to get waiting for Santa...what a lovely difference.

Friday, November 27, 2009

Just a peek...

at all the lovely 'round here...

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and that's only one little bitty glimpse...SO much to be thankful for!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Grateful for...reminders, selflessness, and surprises.

♥Being reminded that the little box that I tend to think things "should" fit into limits the love, adventure and promise that lays ahead each day with each person in each moment.

♥Small gestures that make GREAT BIG impressions.

♥A soul sister letting me sit in her living room and work through what I needed to work through while knowing exactly what was going on before I even opened my mouth. Safe space. Time. Love. Patience. Understanding. No judgment. No big deal. Forgiveness and selflessness. An example to emulate.

♥An unexpected plan from an unexpected source that rocked my socks and reminded me to not think small. Not be small minded...not expect small mindedness no matter what, no matter what, NO MATTER WHAT.

♥Three straight days of being surrounded by fun Fun FUN!!!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Surprise, surprise and SURPRISE!!!

♥ A bright sunshine-y day that started out with Ugs, tights and a scarf but quickly became spaghetti straps, sunglasses and the top down on the convertible.

♥ Smooth transitions full of love and learning, understanding and patience...where only recently there had been competition and resentment.

♥ My girl, in her postop state...showing her astounding self-assurance, confidence, trust in those she loves and comfort in her own skin...even now when it's not quite exactly who she is. It is who she is RIGHT NOW and she's cool with that. She teaches me...daily...if I'm smart enough to pay attention to the lesson.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Lazy, music and possibilities...

♥ A three day weekend of home cooking, movies, hanging with my four legged family members and eating potato chips in bed!
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♥ Floater. ~sigh~
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♥ Reaching out...and being reached back for. Hope.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Fuzzy ears, diagreeing and clean floors...

three beautiful things about this weekend...

♥ Wearing black fuzzy cat ears to work all day on Halloween...then forgetting and only remembering when people who logically shouldn't be smiling due to subject matter were grinning while we spoke. If only I could wear small smile makers EVERY day...

♥ Holding back my tears and holding my heart in check while I told the teenager "No" and stuck by it...and her tears as she realized that the world didn't end...I just hope someday she appreciates me slowing down the growing up part every now and then.

♥ After a weekend that contained a house FULL of teenagers, asking that they pick up their messes...and coming home to vacuumed floors. A little slice of heaven. :)