Icy Streets

I'm grateful that the damage seems, at first glance, to be minor. I'm grateful Amy had the presence of mind to stop the other driver from leaving the scene and collect his vital information, and a commitment to split the cost of repairs. I'm grateful no one was hurt. And I'm grateful that the wave of fear, sadness, and queasy stomach (mine) has passed.

Happy Birthday, Amy!

I am grateful have this beautiful, talented, amazing woman in my life. She certainly keeps me on my toes!

Good morning, birthday girl!



Between work and school, we celebrated with her favorite: ice cream cake.

A Mensch

Parenting is the most important and most challenging thing I've done in my life. I'm not done. It never ends. My children are grown, over 21, out of their parents' house ... and it's like a huge chunk of my heart is out there in the world, with each of them -- a piece of my heart that is vulnerable and out of my control.

Shannon's best friend, Misia, got married last Monday. It was the most amazing celebration I've been to, perhaps in my life. There was so much meaning behind every phase of this traditional Jewish wedding and reception ... I was grateful for the explanations Shannon was able to provide as we moved through the evening's festivities. And I was (no surprise) also overwhelmed by emotion at the open-hearted love and acceptance of my little girl (who is really a remarkable young woman, and not a little girl, at all) in this circle of people who knew she is not Jewish -- but also know that she has learned as much as she possibly can about the laws and traditions her childhood friend has embraced in her adult life.

A long time ago, struggling with things like sibling rivalry, discipline, and helping my daughters develop into people who had integrity, a sense of their own power and worthiness, and a sense of respect for others ... in one of the many books I poured over, I stumbled across a word that summarized all I hoped to accomplish as a parent: I wanted to raise a mensch.

I can't tell you how proud I was on Monday, when Shannon, recounting that someone in Misia's large gathering of family and friends for the wedding celebration -- many of whom thought she, too, was Jewish, because she knew so much and showed so much respect for the traditions and laws -- had told her she was ... she struggled to remember the word. It started with an "m," she said.... "A mensch?" I asked, tentatively. Her face lit up in recognition. "Yes! That was it! It means ... " It means you are a GOOD PERSON.

My daughters are GOOD PEOPLE. Mission accomplished.

For accomplishments, challenges, travel, and gifts

It's been a long time since I've posted to my gratitude journal. Sometimes, the "speed of life" prohibits stopping long enough to share ... even though I am mindful of my gratitudes, most of the time, I don't always get a chance to point them out to others.

So, here ... from the last month:

I'm grateful for another year ... a birthday for me, and one for John, and another year of being married to this man I love so much. Another year with our loving, beautiful, talented, and dearly-cherished daughters, as well.








I'm grateful for my kitty (Mack) cooperating with my psychic messages begging him to continue eating, despite our extended absence on vacation and my subsequent travel for a work-related conference. He's doing just fine, although he does tend to insist on his special food treats, and has enjoyed sleeping for the last three nights smack-dab on my chest!



I'm grateful for a successful Summer Assembly, and for the presence of mind, for whatever reason, of not accepting more responsibility for next year than I already had. And for time to spend with people I care about, but see only once a year. For time to "just be me," and relax, if only for moments at a time.












I'm grateful for the opportunity to travel to a new place with an adventurous companion who led me to meet Lake Superior again, after almost 30 years; and with a delightful coworker I only get to see a few times a year.









I'm grateful for the artistic talents of people I don't even know, but have the good fortune to meet occasionally at street fairs and art fairs, and those I will never meet whose works have brightened my waiting hours at the Duluth airport.







I'm grateful for the magic (science that I don't understand) that allows planes to fly, and therefore allows me to see the earth as the living organism she really is, and us as an infinitesimal part of her enormous awe-inspiring "being."





I'm grateful for the opportunity to practice loving detachment as my youngest angel tries her wings, and I hope we have established strong enough "roots" for her to feel confident that we are here for her, whatever her path.





And I am grateful for family time, enjoying silly things and laughter together. Making memories is much more important, I believe, than being practical.

Mother's Day Weekend #2

How lucky I am! Last weekend was the official Mother's Day, which was wonderful for me ... AND this weekend, I'm having an extended celebration because my daughters are now here!

I'm grateful Amy made it back from San Antonio safely, and was able to spend some time with us since she's returned.

Dinner on Friday night with Amy, Shannon and Josh, and John was delightful -- the food and the company were the best!

Saturday was sunny and warm, perfect for our first visit of the season to the West Allis Farmer's Market. We now have dahlias in the one garden spot we're certain we won't be re-landscaping -- and we got them into the ground before the temperature dropped 30 degrees and the sun went into hiding. Brrrr....

Another delightful experience: quite a long chat with our dear friends and neighbors. Somehow, winter tends to be the season when we just wave to each other as we rush into the warm house, no matter how much we'd like to linger and visit. This is one of my favorite reasons for warmer weather!

Kitties are snoozing, pancakes are browning, and we get another few hours with Shannon and Josh before they head back home.

Life is good.

Mother's Day Gratitude

For my children, without whom Mother's Day would have an entirely different meaning for me ---

Click to play | Make your own Smilebox

For my husband, without whom I would not know the joys or opportunities for growth that motherhood has presented to me in life --

Click to play | Make your own Smilebox

My sweet husband surprised me with a bountiful buffet brunch on Mother's Day, two dozen roses at just the right stage of bloom, and an evening at the Milwaukee Theater's production of the musical Chicago. What a wonderful man; what a beautiful day!

(By the way -- I'm also grateful for aluminum foil to cover the table where my roses are displayed, so the kitties don't tip it over or munch the leaves!)

To top it all off, one of the kitties I'm "mom" to also had a milestone - Mack (who has been very sick with hepatic lipidosis) was spotted twice eating the REGULAR cat food with his brothers. Hallelujah! No more worrying that he isn't eating anything if we don't lock him in the bedroom with his special foods! Life is truly returning to a joyous "normal."