Thursday, June 17, 2010

 
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I know, I've been missing. It’s taken me awhile to find my way back.

While I realize we are well on our way through 2010, I'm still thinking about the year that passed. 2009 was a year of great gifts and great loss. That’s where I have been. Living opposite ends of the spectrum of life.

The gift was, quite literally, the gift of life. Stella has brought us joy when we needed it most and soothed our souls with humor and love when we least expected it. Nothing compares to sweet baby love bundled up with tiny fingers and tiny toes.

The loss was the death of my father, something I didn’t think would happen for many more years. I now understand the weight of grief, something that never goes entirely away. People tell me that it lessons with time.

But life, is funny like that.

You never know how precious it is until you see it grow and also watch someone drift away. I never thought I would do both at the same time.

What have I learned from all this? (In no particular order because how I look at it changes each day)

Life is short. Sink into it. LIVE it, feel it from the tips of your toes to the top of your head.

Love is unconditional.

Support is the greatest gift of all.



What I do, each and every day, having learned these lessons?

Love fiercely like each day my last.

Tell my people I love them, a lot. Kiss them, hug them as much as I can. Thank them for being “them” with a smile.

Tell people I appreciate them. And mean it.

Never, ever take things for granted. Small things like “Thanks for taking out the garbage Honey. I’m so glad you do this.” means everyone in my family knows the small things they do are important, and mean big things to others.

Enjoy the sunrise, even if I’m tired.

Reflect on each day.

Take the time to ask my girls what they liked best that day. Give them my undivided attention, individually for a few minutes(and sometimes it literally is only a few minutes!). I hope they will remember this.

So now what?

I don’t know.

I think we’ll jump around a bit. We may have to go back before we can go forward.