Sisters

"Sisters" come to us... 

     in many different ways.

There are those "sisters"...

who we can talk to for hours...

and who bring out our silly side.

There are those "sisters"
who shared our childhood,
who have gone through our ups and downs,
and have known us longer than anyone.

 

 

There are those "sisters"...

who shared our teenage years.

 

There are those "sisters"...
who are no longer with us...
but live in our hearts forever.

My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry;
to get my work done
and try to love somebody

and have the courage

to accept the love in return.

~ Maya Angelou ~

****

"I'm so grateful for all the beautiful, talented, courageous women who have shared my journey. Thank you!"

Father's Day

Dad and my grandparents (mom's family)

*****

I want to write about my dad today, seeing that it's Father's Day, but I'm groping for words...

trying to find my truest feelings...so here goes...

Dad died 17 years ago...he played a huge part in my life. When he died, I thought 

I would die too...at least, the little girl in me thought so...I felt abandoned, afraid...

it took me a long time to work through the grief.

My last memory of dad, that I will always cherish, is holding his hand as he lay dying.

As a little girl, I dearly wanted to hold hands, but that wasn't dad's way of showing affection...

he was more apt to rub my shoulders...or playfully tease me...so it meant the world to me

 (and my little girl) to finally get my wish.

The old, longing ache to have my dad back has long since healed, as well as,

my abandonment issues. My feelings today are those of gratitude. I'm grateful for the years

I had...the memories we made...there were much laughter, many tears, and some good

arguments (we could both be stubborn).

Thank you dad, for being my father, teacher, friend...

****

When I was looking for a picture of dad, I came across this old picture of me.

It was taken a few years after dad was gone.

****

If you want to feel rich,
just count all of the things you have that money can't buy.

 Anonymous

***

"I chose love, forgiveness, and gratitude so that I may know peace and happiness"

What matters most

One day when you are very old…

When your life is almost over…

What will matter most are the people you love...

and who love you back.

It's not going to matter...

What kind of car you drove..

Where you traveled to...

Or what you career was.

 Don't wait until later...

Before you recognize the value

Of your relationships.

Let your loved ones know...

How important they are to you...

Treat them kindly...

Be generous with your HEART.

****

“Your task is not to seek for love,

but merely to seek and find all the barriers

within yourself that you have built against it.”  

Rumi 

"My heart is open"

Things my mom taught me

Had fun yesterday creating some new pieces!

*****

My relationship with my mom was complex. Part of me rebelled against her and another part of me wanted to be like her in some ways.We had our share of differences yet shared many things in common (cooking, crafts, cutting coupons, yard sales...).

Growing up, I was angry at her for not being there for me in the ways I needed her. Yet after I had my first child, we became friends and continued to be until the last year or so of her life. It was after my daughter died that I felt my mom pull far away from me. That hurt! I felt abandoned! But I understand now!  

She too, had gone through the heartache of losing a child (my brother) and then her beloved granddaughter (my daughter). Whatever her reason for pulling away from me was, I'm certain it had to do with her own self-preservation.

Mom died from lung cancer a few years ago. I think of her often and smile! She was a character!

 My son and I still laugh when we talk about some of the things she's did over the years (like the time she insisted we were going to have Kentucky Fried Chicken for Christmas dinner. Yuck! We had quite a disagreement over that one. She won though!  We had chicken. And it was so awful that even my mom couldn't eat one piece. Oh yeah, did I mention that she bought it two days in advance so it was soggy by the time it got to my house?)

Even though we had our differences, I'm grateful that she was my mom.

She was a good person. Over the years, she taught me some valuable things.

She taught me how to be responsible and independent.

She taught me how to manage money; pay bills on time and save for the future.

She taught me good manners; to treat others respectfully.

She taught to take good care of my things and appreciate having them.

And she taught me to keep a clean organized home...

These skills have given me a good foundation for living. Thanks mom!

******

Mom with her Tina Turner wig. She always took pride in her long blond hair but when she got cancer, her hair was falling out so my sister got her this wig. I think she looks cute!

*****

We can do no great things,
only small things with great love.

~ Mother Teresa ~

*****

"My heart is filled with gratitude"