DAILY GRATITUDE EXTENDED FAMILY

 

Given all my family members

including a multitude of friends 

I am grateful for just how far

my extended family extends

NO ROOM

Family is important!

May that be something we never forget!

And may the memories we make together

leave no room for regrets. 

MEMORIES IN THE SAND

 

We spent the morning at the beach…

setting up our chairs and umbrella…walking hand in hand

listening to the waves, smelling the salt air…

as we strolled along the sand.

 

As we sat in the shade of our umbrella…

I listened to Deborah’s stories…memories she adores

of a time when she was younger…

with her family at the shore.

She remembers her mom packing up her three children

making sure they were close at hand…

encouraging them to play in the water…

making castles in the sand.

She remembers moments with her dad

just a father and a daughter…

when she could hold her father in her arms

because he was weightless in the water.

I remember taking our children to the beach…

pretending to be dolphins…all the pelicans we would see

battling the waves as we chose up teams 

and  played football in the sea.

While we were sitting in our chairs..

a large family with a host of children sauntered by…

the mother stopped in front of us…and looking directly into our eyes

Said, “It looks like you have it easy!” while letting out a moan

“We’ve been where you are,” we answered, “but now our children are all grown.”

“So I have something to look forward to.” She smiled…

And gave us both a wink…

“You do…but enjoy this while you can. “We said

“It’ll be over before you think.”

And as we bobbed among the waves…

watching families like hers playing together 

in the water…on the beach…or holding hands 

We thought how wonderful it would be 

if only for a moment

we were back to that time when our family was younger

and we were once again…making memories in the sand.

FRIENDSHIP AND MEMORIES

 

It’s funny…when we’ve lived in one spot for a long time…

or like Deborah…forever and a day…

we’re filled with mixed emotions when we make plans to move away.

The thrill of a new adventure…full of wonder and surprise

when we stop to think about it…brings a few tears to our eyes.

While at the same time the thought of leaving friends we’ve known forever

and new friends we’ve come to love…surprise! 

when we stop to think about it…brings more tears to your eyes.

The thought of making new memories in a new and different place

when we stop to think about it…brings a smile to our face.

While the thought of all the memories made…in this beautiful and happy place

when we stop to think about it…brings a frown upon your face.

Even though we know…because of all the time we’ve spent together

and by the wonderful way our lives have intertwined…

we will take a piece of everyone and every memory with us

we’re not leaving them behind.

It’s interesting when we move…the place we have chosen to be 

is the land still revered and held sacred…by the indigenous Cherokee.

Interesting because the Cherokee language has no word for goodbye

If someone leaves or moves away…then

the word exchanged between them means…

until we meet again.

What a wonderful tradition…no farewell statement…

as one soars off to the sky…

no adios…no swan song…no need to say goodbye.

And we take comfort in believing…our old friends will once again be seen…

no matter how long an interlude…no matter how much time between.

Which means when we finally move…as we pack up our belongings…

to our friends and memories made here…we will not say amen…

Instead we choose the Cherokee way of leaving

and will say…

until we meet again.

A PARENT'S DREAM

 

From the time you were a baby…all those nights we spent reading you a book

planting a kiss upon you head…

and before you closed your eyes…making sure there were no monsters

neath your bed.

We would pray each evening once you nodded off to sleep

for the heavens to keep you safe…and for your heart and soul to keep.

We hoped your dreams were happy…had you soaring through the sky

or sailing the ocean blue… 

and while you were busy dreaming…we were busy dreaming too.

Dreaming that your life would be a fairy tale…

and all the dreams your heart was sending…

would begin with once upon a time…

and all have happy endings.

Knowing if one dream should fail…

we’d be there encouraging you to pick another dream…

with a hug, a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen

and a bowl of your favorite ice cream

In all the years that have come and gone…

the older we all grew… 

we never have…and never will…

stop hoping all your dreams come true.

Because wishing the best for our children…

wishing all there dreams come true

wishing for their health…their safety and their happiness…

Why…it’s just what parents do.

And no matter how old you get in life…

We will always be there to hear about your dreams

No matter where you travel…no matter what you do…

with a hug…

a shoulder to cry on…

an ear to listen….

and a bowl of your favorite ice cream too.

DAILY GRATITUDE EXCITEMENT AND ROUTINES

 

I am grateful how exciting my life has been!

All the joys of visiting different places

different cities, 

different landscapes…

different scenes…

and gratefully delighted how when we return home…

How we find joy and comfort in our routines.

INSPIRATION

 

May we be blessed to hold onto this thought

Each morning as we step out our front door:

that whatever we choose to do today 

is something

our future self will thank us for.