The Unexpected Journey...

One month ago today, I got a call that has changed my life and the lives of my family. My sister called to tell me that my beautiful, healthy, kind, vibrant, elegant mother had a massive stroke and would not live..Now, I had been through this 3 years ago with my sweet step mother and it was such a shock. This time was no different, my mom had been this healthy woman, whom at almost 73 did not look a day over 60. She did not drink, smoke and she exercised daily as a Yoga instructor and as a student of Yoga. It threw me and my entire family into shock and horror to lose this special person in our lives.

I was blessed to have been able to fly with my cousin to be there with my step dad, and siblings to be by my mom's side when she passed the next day. I will never regret the opportunity to hold her hand, kiss her face, and tell her how much I loved her, tell her how special a mom she was to me and finally say goodbye. It was so difficult, but the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. She truly looked gorgeous when she passed away.

Now, a month later, I still miss her and long for those daily calls to her, but I also feel grateful that she will never know the angst of growing old, never see the lines of age in her face, and never lose that beautiful smile that lit up a room. How blessed she was to have God take her up in the prime of her life, still full of her love for life, still thankful for every day. She will never fear what old age will do to her mind and body, never suffer a long grueling illness. For all these things, I thank God.

                                                When I come to the end of the road,
                                                       and the sun has set for me.
                                                I want no rites in a gloom-filled room.
                                                      Why cry for a soul set free?
                                                  Miss me a little—but not too long,
                                                 and not with your head bowed low.
                                             Remember the love that was once shared.
                                                          Miss me, but let me go.

                                 For this is a journey we all must take, and each must go alone.
                                  It’s all a part of the master’s plan, a step on the road to home.
                               When you are lonely and sick of heart, go to the friends we know.
                                        Bear your sorrow in good deeds. Miss me, but let me go

 

I want to finish this by saying, today, I am without my mother, but I will never be without the memories or pictures that shaped my life. I will always have her brown eyes and I will always remember the words she repeated to me so many times when I was sad or angry. "Acknowledge it and let it go, Krissy". So today,  I will feel sad, but tomorrow I will let it go and live my life. I will try to learn from her example and will hope to pass these lessons onto my own children. 

"Mom, I will see you again one day soon, and I can't wait for you to welcome me with open arms". I love you..

Happy LOVE Day....

Happy Love Day....So today is supposed to be all about LOVE. This is great, but how about the other 364 days of the year. Shouldn't we be showing the important people in our lives how special they are by reaching out and calling those who are alone, by writing (yes, with and actual pen and paper) notes that we stick in lunch boxes, letters to our special Honey hidden in a brief case, or a letter to our parents letting them know how blessed we are to be their children. This is how we should show our LOVE every day.

Remember, every day is a chance to make someone's day special..Don't forget the people that help us daily, the cashiers, the teachers, the bagboy, the pizza delivery person, the mailman. So many times I am hit with shock when I hear a person speak rudely to these people and show so little patience. How about asking a question or two when you see them, ask about their day, their family, just something that lets you into their lives. Maybe they need a kind word today. When we have a vested interest in someone we tend to value them more. I bet they will be more inclined to smile more the next time they see you..Why not, try it??

For me, today, I want to let my family and friends know that they are the light in life, they are the skip in my step, the cherry on a  hot fudge sundae, the fizz in my soda, the love in my heart and even the pain in my @%$, but always I am grateful and blessed beyond words to have them in my life.

                                                                      A note to my children.........

                                                              To my Hubby..... I LOVE YOU




Happy Day to you..  I wish you lots of love and a day filled with some yummy chocolate..

A Cherry Blossom Sunday

Today was one beautiful but cold day. It was a great day for a walk, so I did just that this afternoon. As I huffed and puffed my way around the walk trail I remembered how around this time last year we had snow. Not a flake of snow so far this year, I would be lying if I said I wasn't a bit disappointed in this lack of weather.

The seldom used sled remains in the attic, the boots go unused by the children except for the big ones that wear them with their shorts. The house remains mud free, and the dog, well, even he seems a bit depressed about the whole situation. So with February quickly passing us by, I plan to do my snow dance tonight after the kids are all tucked away in their beds. Don't judge, this is necessary. I can't bear to look at those sad little puppy dog eyes asking "Mom, where is the snow?" Then I will be forced to pet and console the poor dog all day, this will lead to a lack of laundry getting done, no dusting, no mopping floors, no making dinner and no help with homework. Can you see how life might fall apart, now?

To get by for now, I leave you with this picture I took last year of my favorite tree, with my favorite snow...I feel happier already, don't you?

10 on 10 February

I have admiring all the 10 on 10 blogs that I have been viewing, one of my favorites is the very talented Molly Flanagan. Her lifestyle photography is filled with such joy and true to life images. I decided to attempt my first 10 on 10. 10 pictures on the 10th of the month, so goes here folks.

Please go check out Molly Flanagan's 10 on 10

Pink ...

Today I spent the day with my bestie, getting wigs fitted and styled.NOT, the thing we should be doing today.No one should have to face the reality of losing their hair. Sitting and waiting and wondering," how will I look in this new do", "will anyone notice", "does this wig look like me"" and more importantly, "does this wig make my butt look big?"

My friend Bonnie is forced to go through this as she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer last month and is getting ready to go through surgery, chemo and radiation. It breaks my heart to see her or any woman going through this. The scary part of this was that she did everything right, she found a lump, she got the mammogram and surprise the Mammogram came back clear. Now, IMAGINE  if she had believed this inaccurate reading. Bonnie, stood up for herself and  told her Dr the mammogram had to be wrong.Her doctor listened and unfortunately a biopsy confirmed her fears.. As a woman, man, or parent we have to be our best advocate for our medical care.

My suggestions, don't let a Dr or test tell you are okay if you hear that little voice that says that tells you differently. Be strong, be brave and bold when it comes to matters of health. Nuff said.

I want to end this by saying, I am so proud of my friends bravery. I know that she is scared and full of angst for her future. I know she would like to take away the pain and fear this has caused her husband, children, family and friends. She talks more about how this has affected others and not herself. She finds herself comforting others when she is the one that needs warm arms wrapped around her. She needs a soft place to land when things seem unbearable, but she would never admit it.That's just the type of lady she is, one tough cookie.

I hope you will take a minute out of your day to say a little prayer for her and her wonderful family. Remember, one day you may need the prayers, the warm hugs and someone to make you laugh. Cancer affects every family and does not care how beautiful, wealthy, poor, kind or loving you are. One day it affects us all. I guarantee you, when it does I will say my prayers for you. We are all God's children and he wants us to look out for each other. Especially as women, we need to stand together and kick some butt.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, thank you for caring and thank you for praying. I send you my grateful heart..

A Winter's Day

I am the first to admit, I love a cold winter's day. I do however dislike cloudy, gray days that can linger during the winter months. Now, throw in some snow and then we're talking about some fun. I try to surround myself with flowers during this time of year, it always brightens my day. So be prepared to look at a LOT of flowers over the next couple months..

Thanks for your patience..Hope you are all blessed with beautiful sun shiny days and if not, I hope you are surrounded by beautiful flowers..

The Fog

“One day you will ask me which is more important? My life or yours? I will say mine and you will walk away not knowing that you are my life.”
― Kahlil Gibran