The love we give away...is the only love we keep~ Sisterhood: Part I

Love only grows by sharing...

I woke up this morning, with such a feeling of reverence.

It's blustery outside...fall is here, with winter

nipping at her heals.

Despite the cold in the air, my heart is warm.

Music is playing faintly in the background, and my favorite scented candle is lit.

A fire is stoked and the cabin is cozy.

Sitting here at the computer the rain has begun to fall, I notice that there are a few white flecks amongst the wet...we will have snow, before the day is out.

I was reviewing some posts on FB, and noticed that my sister had carried off her Halloween party to perfection.

She is definitely carrying on in our

Mother's tradition.

Mom, lived to throw a party, and when there was not a 

holiday around the corner to celebrate...well she simply created one.

She was happiest when making

memories. 

This led me down the lane of thoughts cherished.

I am in awe of the relationships that women share, whether family or friend.

How we mange to always find the time to be there for each other no matter what is on our plate and needing attention.

 

I ran into a close friend from my younger years last week while babysitting some of my grand babies.  It was a beautiful day and they were out in the yard chasing each other around.

I was perched on a step off the front porch.  I noticed this adventurous woman, out on a scooter, pass by, and then stop and turn around.  I had been thinking of someone else, when she happened by and called out the wrong name.

Anyway, long story short, here is my best friend that I grew up with, climbed the apple trees with,

had sleepovers every single weekend together,

thought I would grow up and marry one of her handsome brothers...ya, you know the scene

It was like we had not lost 50 plus years.  We picked up immediately and shared what you can in 30 minutes, with promises to call, or find the time to really sit down together, some day soon.

If we do or don't it will be okay, because we have this unspoken bond that will always keep our hearts close.

Caused me to reflect on the relationships I have with so many kindred spirits, the ones that have been there in the glory days...and the ones who stood silently by, when my heart was broken...knowing there was nothing they could do to reverse the grief, but they would be there to help put me back together.

Made me realize that those of us, who are blessed in friendships, chosen or born into, are fortunate...and if you aren't...well choose to be.  

Go and find someone to bless in your goodness.

Don't wait for that person, standing alone, to approach you..make the first gesture yourself.

Smile, it is the universal language, that breaks all barriers down.

What I want to leave with you, before we get together again, is that it's so important to make an investment of relationships.

It's the ONLY thing we can take with us when we leave this earthly life.  Won't matter a tiddler's tink how much money you have in the bank, what schools your kids went to,

of how big your home is.

A society grows great when "old men, or women" plant trees whose shade they know they will never sit in.

Invest in yourself, by sharing your goodness.

 

 

The love we give away...is the only love we keep~

Begin with YES!

Everyone is trying to accomplish something Big, not realizing that life is made up of an array of 

little things... 



I just returned from a quick trip to Utah.
Went down to spend a little time with siblings and to babysit
for a son and daughter in law who were celebrating
an anniversary!

It was four days of jam packed adventure.
A pumpkin patch walk about...
then coming home to dig out the guts, plant random seeds,
and carve lopsided grins with scary eyes.

Walks in the leaves, and rides looking for Halloween decorations set out by others. 
McDonalds, was the choice for treats!

Bed time stories,
paper jets,
 football games...
and just hanging out with 'Nanna.


Every time I show up with out Pap, though
it is a let down for these precious babies.
They love their grandpa...and so do I!

It is amazing to me, how the world around us is always scrambling
to find something bigger and better to occupy their time,
their wish lists, their accomplishments.

There is nothing wrong with that.  Goals and reached goals are mandatory for society to continue on.  

BUT
it is so important along the way
to find a balance.

Notice the
little things, the simple things,
the transformation of
leaves in fall...
The miracle of a harvest in and of itself.
The sudden air formations
as geese, trumpeter swans and other fowl
find their way south.

The disappearance of bats, and mosquitoes, when the temperatures get cooler, and in the same breath...the sudden visits of
those little four legged creatures, mice...who are trying to find a warmer place to roost with the winter months coming up.

At our cabin...UNLUCKY for them...because, well
I don't like how they startle
the daylights out of me, so I have an abundance of traps
strategically placed to end any trespassers life.

I think the word is getting out.
The traps have began to lie dormant ~ but ever waiting.
***

Today, as I was loading up the cardboard, left over from all of the equipment, my husband purchases for our business,
I was stopped in my tracks, 
caught up in the delight of diamonds that
sparkled in a cobweb off the eaves of our front porch.

I have left it alone, hoping to share it with loved ones who are coming to visit this weekend.


The smell of cinnamon and cloves entrap all of my senses.
I want to bake, or simmer my own potpourri,
or create sachets for drawers, 
or just dip myself in their oils and relive the memories of
sticking cloves in oranges as a school project  
The one that
we would bring home and wrap ever so carefully and present
as a gift for our Mother or Grandmother...or auntie,
or hide it away for our self.


I bought myself a new box of markers.
I love to color, and I am making plans for another illustration
project.


I have always been a "barefoot" type of girl, and wear flip flops way past the time of being sensible.
So today, I slipped on my wool slippers, and realized it is ok
to admit, that I like that all encompassing feeling
of warm toes.

The fire is stoked.

Chinese take-out is awaiting the return 
of my man.

Down filled quilts are on the beds, just waiting for the arrival
of family tonight.

An ordinary  miracle awaits you today, wrapped up like it's 

nothing new...you almost pass it by again,

and then there it is, 

right before your eyes.

Rejoice in the ordinary~

"All we have to do, is decide what to do with the time given us." Tolkein

There are moments that'll
last forever
etched in our memories
written on our souls...



I've been away for a while.

Sometimes life just gets in the way of really 
doing the things your heart wants to.

The summer came, and the summer is gone.

Worked, worked...and worked some more.
My guy, has been gone so much 
I jokingly told him we needed to buy a fifth wheel so I could travel with him, just so I won't  forget what he looks like.

That being said, we are here at the threshold of 
my favorite season of the year...fall.

October is the years last loveliest smile.
It heralds all the things I love....spice candles,
the flash of bright orange and reds and burnished gold in the leaves, the pumpkins,
the festive lights dangled from the porch as a welcome to all who pass by, or actually stop in for a hello.
Hearty soups, baked breads and pies, cookies galore.
Walks through the woods...and entrapment
for kids who love a good ghost story, at the knees of Nana. 

It welcomes in all of the wonderful holidays~

***

We've had some family affected in this marathon called life.

Death of a beloved grandmother.

Sister fighting a valiant battle of cancer.

Career moves, and more moves.

An Ultra marathon
50 miles of mountain trails, and the triumph in that completion.
(No, it was not me, but a beloved daughter-in-law.)

Witnessing my man, fall with a ladder, 20 feet up
crashing
onto a woodpile!
(He walked away with bruises only and a minor cut, but wounded pride because his woman saw it happen!) 


A wonderful Family Reunion, where all hearts were reunited!

Grandbabies getting a year older...
and deciding
that I can choose to look good in "gray"
or still keep touching up with a little blonde  highlighting.
For right now, I choose a little gold, mixed in with the silver.

I turned 60, this year.

I've learned to take the good with the bad, but more importantly learned to see everything that happens along the way
as something  I can use to better myself.

Be good!
Do good...share your goodness~