And thank you for a house full of people I love. Amen.
~Terri Guillemets
My 3 Grits |
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I had an entire blog entry written and decided to forgo. Sometimes less is best. Today (and always) I am thankful for my husband. He is my rock and I adore him more each day. We have been together for almost 16 years and married for almost 13 years. He is the most kind hearted person I know. He has this amazing quality of making me laugh even in those moments I want to scream. I love him and I am so blessed to call him mine.
Sometimes the shortest distance between two points is a winding path walked arm in arm. ~Robert Brault Today I am so very thankful for a quick and speedy healing for my oldest daughter. She had surgery a few days ago and is doing wonderful. I am thankful for her doctors and nurses that took such good care of her. She is a trooper and has proven to be so much stronger than I thought she would be.
It's been a busy few days and this week is going to be the same. Can you believe it is Thanksgiving already? I am not sure I am ready for the holiday season. I absolutely love it, but I feel like I am going to blink my eyes and it will be over....I try each year to be organized and have gifts bought in time, not so much this year....I know I'll get there I just don't even want to think about it yet. I want to enjoy Thanksgiving. I really love Thanksgiving....it is one of my favorite holidays. I love the cooler weather, the colors of fall and of course the smell of pumpkin pie baking in the oven or at least the yankee candle pumpkin pie!!! This holiday is always a bit difficult for me. The year my Mom passed away we all had just spent Thanksgiving together at the beach. Not even a week later and we were flying to NJ to unknown circumstances. I feel as if I have a constant lump in my throat during Thanksgiving week and the first week of December. People tell you when you lose a loved one that time heals....I honestly don't know. Yes, I think it gets a little easier to accept and easier to find peace on most days. Although, holidays and anniversaries and even sometimes just something so simple makes the lump in my throat appear. It brings a smile to my face to remember our last Thanksgiving together because my Mom (and my Dad) were so happy that holiday. We were all together and they were having the time of their life spending it with their granddaughter. She was the only grandchild. She was the center of my parents' universe. I vividly remember my Mom, my daughter and I doing the chicken dance that Thanksgiving. For some reason, my daughter loved it and so we did it A LOT. I remember watching her and my Mom out on the balcony and laughing so hard because my Mom did not care who may have been walking out on the beach, she was with her grandbaby and she was content. I remember saying good-bye at the airport and hugging my Mom so tight. I realize we never know when it is going to be our last hug...but oh I wish I would have had a clue because I would have hugged a little bit longer that day. I can remember what she was wearing...I don't remember what I was wearing but I can picture her white sweater so clearly in my head. That was the last time I held my Mom when she was alert and happy. The next time I saw her, she was in the hospital and of course I held her hand but it wasn't the same. It will never be the same. So, for me personally this holiday holds special meaning. I somehow seem to get through it each year. When things get busy and I feel like I need a break; I close my eyes and imagine my Mom with my daughter doing their dance. That is all I need. Memories will never fade. I know we are going to have a wonderful holiday this year. We have family in town and we are so blessed to have them with us. My heart may feel heavy at times, but I know that my parents and all of our loved ones are watching over us and celebrating right along with us. This month in Mass we have been singing a verse that I absolutely love. It is for anyone who has died and it brings chills to my bones each and every week. I wanted to share it with you: May the choirs of angels come to greet you. May they speed you to paradise. May the Lord enfold you in his mercy. May you find eternal life. In case this week flies by me let me leave you with this: I wish each and every one of you a blessed Thanksgiving! Enjoy this special time with your family. May you laugh and make memories of your own. For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, for love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson This is just one of those spots where I could sit all day long...I love it here and today I just happened to capture the sun setting. What a beautiful peaceful place... "Having inner peace means committing to letting go of self-criticism and self-doubt.” ― Sanaya Roman, This is a photo I found online of one of my favorite places...Paris. My husband and I were so blessed to have been able to travel to Paris as part of our honeymoon. It's been way too long...I would love to go back. Of course, I would like to take our girls one day...today though my mind wanders and I think about being there with my husband...and the beautiful, romance of the city. I can close my eyes and imagine the smells of the sidewalk cafes and the taste of the cheese and wine....hopefully we will get back there soon. For now, I will take my mind vacations and dream of one of my favorite places. “A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of Life.” ― Thomas Jefferson Today I was able to spend some alone time with my middle daughter. We had a much needed Mommy and daughter shopping day, lunch break and most importantly bonding time. She was even able to sit in the front seat while eating her choice lunch (I think this may have been her favorite part of the day)...it was a great day overall.
It's not intentional, but it seems like she is the one that gets the least amount of alone time with me. I read a blog the other day about how one Mom is making it her goal to spend 15 minutes uninterrupted time with each of her children...every day. You may say, "Wow, 15 minutes doesn't seem like a lot of time." Honestly I am trying to figure out if I could even do 15 minutes a day with all three of my girls. Our weekdays are so crammed with activity, but I think it is time to get organized and make those 15 minutes happen. I see such a difference in their behavior when they get a little bit of alone time with either myself or my husband. My youngest is the one who gets the most time; only because she is not in school full time. So, my plan is this: during the week I will start with my youngest when the other two are at school. When the older two get home, I will have my time with our middle daughter after snack and homework. Then before our oldest daughter goes to bed, we will have our time together. I hope that I am able to stick with it and enjoy those precious minutes alone with each of my daughters. Before I know it, they will be in the stage where they don't want to spend time with me, but with their friends etc. For now I am thankful for the 15 minutes. I will enjoy these moments more than the girls will ever know. “...you are my rainbow to keep. My eyes will always be watching you; never will I lose sight of you.” ― Vesna Bailey After a day of running around this is a welcomed treat....simple yet delicious! Have a great Friday.
“Coffee - the favorite drink of the civilized world.” ― Thomas Jefferson Since childhood we are told how important it is to make friends. It's true...friends are a blessing in our lives and make our days much brighter. I look back on my life and I realize I have many different kinds of friends. I have lost touch with many of the kids I knew in Elementary, Middle and High School. There are a handful of us that still keep in touch and I am thankful for them. I have college friends, some of whom I keep in touch with, others we have gone our separate ways for various reasons. The friends that I have made since living in South Carolina...some are acquaintances (we see each other at school events etc.) Some are friends but not super close and personal friends. There are a few that I would call my true deep friends. Even though it is only a handful I am okay with this because these are friends that I can call anytime and we are there for each other. Even though all of our lives are busy and we may not talk each day; when we do catch up it is like no time has passed at all. That is a true friend in my opinion. To me, these friends are gems...they are one of a kind and very special to my heart. Life is hard, life is challenging and without these friends to laugh, cry and even complain to...it would be even more difficult.
I met with a friend of mine the other day for coffee....we have known each other for over 8 years now...we met when our first borns were only days old. We have been through EVERYTHING together (birth of all our children, loss of loved ones, moving, etc.) There could be weeks we don't get to talk and maybe we just text each other, but we are there if the other person needs anything. It is someone who I have laughed, cried and prayed with. She is a super person who makes my heart a better place. I love our friendship and I am so thankful for her. There are a few friends that fall into that category and I am so blessed to have them in my life. I am not the best person on the telephone...I used to love it but for some reason as an adult I really do not like talking on the phone. I would much rather talk in person....unfortunately, that is not always feasible. I know that I have slacked with some of my friendships and I do regret that. I am making a deal with myself that I am going to try and reconnect with some of my college friends in the next coming weeks and catch up on their lives. Again, there are a few that I know as soon as we pick up the phone it will be like we spoke yesterday....I can't wait to hear their voices and listen to what is happening for them right now. My point is...my "bag" of friendships may be smaller now than it was in the past, but the true friends I have are priceless. They are each unique and I treasure every one of them. You know who you are...thank you for being there for me and I love you. These are two of my favorite quotes from one of the best examples of friendship: “It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like "What about lunch?” “Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. "Pooh?" he whispered. "Yes, Piglet?" "Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's hand. "I just wanted to be sure of you.” ― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh I hope you all are enjoying your weekend as Sunday is coming to a close. I'm sure it's not just our family but our weekdays are so filled with activity and running around. Once the weekend arrives it is nice to be able to relax a bit. Sundays in Autumn are one of my favorite times. I love going to Mass as a family and then coming home and watching football. Today we were able to sneak in some beach time which made it all the better. There is something so magical about the beach. The moment your toes step on the sand your worries get washed away. A sense of calm and peace fill your lungs. Maybe it is the soothing ocean waves or the smell of the fresh salt air...maybe it's a little bit of both, but I could walk on the beach every day and never get tired of the scenery. I am beyond thankful for our family time and for the chance to walk on the beach. I tried to capture some of our fun today. I hope that y'all found something you love this weekend.
“Our memories of the ocean will linger on, long after our footprints in the sand are gone.” --Anonymous |
ABOUT ME:Hi I'm Jen, married to my best friend for 17 years and a Mom to 3 beautiful, energetic daughters. My blog is about navigating life as a wife, Mom and friend. It's learning to live with and give out grace...And of course Girls Raised In The South (GRITS). Thanks for spending some time in my small part of the world! I hope you find a story that resonates with you and you'll want to come back! Follow us by:
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