Traditions Honored

Thanksgiving 2015 is in the books and we are moving towards the season of advent.  My friends, I have had a full week of family, food, celebrations, friends, and love.  My big girl, Chelsea and her fiancée, Lindsey are home from California for an all-too-short-visit this holiday.  Plus, my Mom is visiting with us this week from Nashville.  We have a house full and it's been a wonderful holiday!!  While we have the family in town, we decided this would be an optimum time for us to celebrate our Alanna's 10th birthday (double digits, oh my!).  We celebrated her birthday with her classmates at a family fun center, complete with arcade, roller-skating, and an adventure challenge (tubes to climb through and swaying bridges suspended as high as the ceiling)!  It was tons of F U N!!!  The kids were awesome - Alanna has some of the best friends.  I was thoroughly impressed by these 9 and 10 year olds.  Super kids!!  

Before we headed out to have birthday fun, Chelsea had the great idea to commemorate our golden retriever, Bear's 14th birthday by cementing his paw prints.  We've noticed a significant decline in his health over the past 6 months and, well, we're not sure how much longer he will be with us.  I will never forget surprising Chelsea with our brand new puppy for Christmas (2001)!  She had been asking and asking and begging for a puppy for a long while.  She was over the moon with exuberance when we revealed her gift!!!  He's been a steadfast friend and companion to all of us ever since.  Thanks to Chelsea's thoughtful idea, we honored our old "Bear-boy" and now have his paw prints secured, whatever the future holds for him.  For those of you who have loved a dog, for any amount of time, you will understand the importance of treasuring our old, loyal, furry friend, Bear.  

    

I hope you have had a fabulous Thanksgiving holiday, filled to the rim with smiles, traditions, fun, and family.  

Thankful for Thanksgiving and for You

"Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance." 

-- Eckhart Tolle 

My friends.  I felt compelled to stop by and send you a note this Thanksgiving day.  Just like you, I've been buried under a pile of work lately plus family obligations.  We're all juggling many responsibilities and different roles and sometimes the weight of it all seems overwhelming.  I have been feeling a pull - that still, small voice inside - at my writer's hand to put thoughts, reflections, and stories (my stories) down.  At the very least, take a few minutes everyday to write in my journal.  But, alas, it just feels like more work.  And I'm tired.  Lucky for me, though, my day job fills my heart with such an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and love.  I spend my days with small children helping them to grow and discover themselves and the world around them.  Friends, this life experience is a wonder-full challenge and I take it seriously.  I am ever mindful that I am helping - even in small ways - to forge the future.  I stand back and feel the **wOw** in this idea that I'm sending out ripples in the great pond.  I thank God that He gave me these seriously enjoyable responsibilities.  I realize all the paths I've taken in life (and there've been many) have led me to be a part of these families lives.  Whoa.  The big plan is such a wonder and an amazement - rattles me when I look back at life and how far I have come and I know there's more good stuff ahead.  :) 

On this Thanksgiving day my prayer of gratitude is for my family: my fabulous, devoted, loving hubby; my beautiful, healthy, spirited girls.  For our sturdy home amongst the trees that keeps us close, warm and dry (and provides us with creative potential and unending projects).  My young students and their families, who give me their faith and trust.  For my own parents:  who have given me the freedom to become all that I can be - for the lessons and love.  For art, music and photography -- sheesh, I really do not know how I could exist (happily) without you.  For my client-friends - your smiles, friendship and trust are treasures to me.  For my health, sobriety and well being.  For my ever-faithful, loving God - you are always patient with me; I feel your steadfast presence in my life every single day.  Thank you, from the bottom of my being.  I am grateful.  

I am thankful for you, my friends and loved ones.  I am so grateful you are on this journey with me.  You bring me joyful laughter and smiles.  My heart is full.  I count you among my many blessings.  Let's have ourselves a very merry, thankful Thanksgiving!!!  Sending big love your way!!!