Kitty cat love

" The only escape from the miseries of life are music and cats..."

~ Albert Schweitzer

Live!

It is late and I thought that I would go along with the Embarass-ourself-Wednesday theme.  So I was looking
through old photo's and I found this one.  Then I thought of the perfect quote to go with it.  I guess there is a message there.

I am not a daredevil.  It takes me a long time to get my feet wet.  I 'play it safe'.  I probably have a few too many regrets.  Things that I really wanted to do, but didn't have the nerve, or didn't have the time, or didn't have the money...  Some opportunities are lost.  I didn't dwell in possibilties...but played it safe...cautious...  Not that safe and cautions isn't the right choice quite a bit of the time....but sometimes I wish I had gone with my gut and just made it happen...or took a deep breath and just did it...what ever it happened to be...

Many times, we went out with a friend on  his boat.  Everyone else took turns tubing...but something always held me back...until this day...when I finally got up the nerve and had a blast....until I fell under trying to get back in the boat (physical coordination...has never been one of my gifts).

You only live once...and within reason, we need to go on little adventures, we need to experience life...we need to live.  This is a lesson that I need to continually teach myself.  I hope I will continue to not let those nagging doubts stop me.

" Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a ride!"

~Hunter S. Thompson

Hold onto each other

I love to fool around with photo editing...especially when it's a photo that I just love....as in this one of my niece Elizabeth and Alyssa.  It reminds me how important our connections with each other are...and how important it is to not take the people in your life for granted.  It reminds me to go out of my way for people.  It reminds me to support and encourage the people that I love.  It reminds me to do everything in my power to preserve and nurture the relationships with friends and family.  It reminds me of my priorities in life.  It reminds me how very much I am blessed.  It reminds me.....of the true meaning of life.

"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile"

~Albert Einstein

Make sure it's worth watching

I went to a funeral today for someone that I loved and admired.  She was a good person.  She had a wacky sense of humor....she was a character....she was real.  She was herself, and was not trying to fit into some mold and be someone else.  Those are my favorite type of people.

As I listened to some stories about her and thought of my own memories, I  thought about her beautiful and colorful life and all those left behind who will miss her.  Her life has inspired me to strive to live the best life I can, filled with colorful characters and positive energy.  Her life has inspired me to make the most out of what I have.  I know she made mistakes, had regrets. So, too, will I.  I hope I will not dwell on them, or let them consume me.  But rather learn whatever lessons they teach and move on.  I hope that I am able to keep things in perspective...and move on and be a blessing to those in my life. I want to enjoy my life and the people in it.

This photo was taken when Alyssa was in Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat as a senior in Arlington High School.  I decided to put it up today, because it is one of my favorites...and because it shows joy... and colorful characters...and that is what I want my life filled with...and for some inexplicable reason, it reminds me of Grandma Jean, and her love of life, her love of friends and family and her colorful sense of humor and personality.

I hope and pray that I am able to live the remainder of my life in the way that Grandma Jean lived hers.

"One day your life will flash before your eyes.  Make sure it's worth watching."

~ Gerard Way

Rooting for each other

My beautiful children all reunited for a brief time this weekend to support Alex in his role of the Wizard of Oz.  The girls are always so excited for Alex and encourage him in his love of  theatre.  I love that about my kids...that they truly care about one another and are always front and center rooting for each other.  When we were discussing this weekend a couple of months ago...I wasn't sure if it was going to be possible to bring Alyssa back for this. I thought to myself...it's just a middle school production......not a huge deal.  She protested, however, truly wanting to come and be there for Alex.  So happy we were able to work it out.  Alyssa and I got to see him on stage as well as with his friends.  I sometimes think it gives us....his family a new perspective to see him with his friends.  We were all able to see one of his shows together and share a quick dinner before the girls headed out.

It was a whirlwind weekend, but so glad to have all my babies together under one roof. They were only here for the blink of an eye...but I always feel that all is right with my world when they are all here.  Now, both girls are back at their prospective 'homes' safe and sound....and our lives will all go back to 'normal' tomorrow.  But the memories will live on....and the kids will continue to encourage each other in all the important areas in their lives.  I don't know if it had anything to do with my parenting...or if that is just the way they are.  I truly hope and pray they will always be there for each other...as they embark upon their own lives, and don't have the opportunity to reunite at home quite as often.  I hope they always carry a little piece of each other in their hearts...and are always there for each other to support and encourage each other on the yellow brick road of life...which as you may recall, was sometimes happy and sometimes frightening.

" This is part of what a family is about, not just love.  It's knowing that your family will be there watching out for you.  Nothing else will give you that.  Not money.  Not fame.  Not work."

~ Mitch Albom

The Great and Powerful Wizard of Oz

Alex performed in his middle school musical this weekend as the Great and Powerful Wizard of Oz.  It is such a joy to watch him on stage.  We never quite know what to expect out of him and are always pleasantly surprised.  Last year, Alex was in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Arlington High School.  We had to nudge him a little to audition......but he loved it, and then decided to audition at his middle school for their production of Annie.  We were surprised and delighted when he got the role of Rooster.  We were even more surprised and delighted when we saw him perform.  He did such a wonderful job.

Alex really enjoys acting in the plays and musicals that he has been fortunate to be in.  Joining the drama club, however, has been so much more for him than just showing up on stage in some role and costume.  It has shaped him and improved him and enriched his life.  Alex has found his niche.  He has found his friends, He has found a good measure of self -assuredness, self-concept and sense of self in the drama club at LMS. He has become confident.  He has begun to refine his personality and explore parts of himself that he didn't know were there.  He has become secure in who he is.  He has found great friends who accept him....and in turn, he has learned to be accepting and to be a friend.

I am not quite sure that any other activity could have done that for him.  He has never been a sports kid.  Drama has really helped him become a part of something bigger than himself, where everyone works together to contribute their little piece to make something bigger...the end products are great....but what is so much more important is the process that got them there.

So I am a proud Mama tonight.  Alex still proves to be a challenging kid to raise, especially during these middle school years...but I am so happy with the direction in which he is moving....and I am thankful to drama for helping him get there.

"Hearts will never be practical until they can be made unbreakable" ~ Wizard

~ L. Frank Baum

Grandma Jean

She did not really belong to us....we adopted her.  She was a ray of sunshine.  She always made us feel loved.  We always felt warmed by her spirit.  She always encouraged us just when we needed it most.  We are better people for having had her in our life.

"To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die"

~ Thomas Campbell