I love the holidays! It's a time where it's okay to act a little goofey, be a little too happy, give someone a hug or a kiss on the cheek. You get to dress up, go shopping and have get togethers where food and laughter is in abundance! You get to give freely, which is my favorite part of the season... no one should be able to tell you not to give them a present or do something nice for them... it's a holiday rule, isn't it?
It's the season of Giving, not the season of Receiving! So, please don't tell me not to give you something because you can't afford to give me something in return. That's just silly... My mother who is on a fixed income, who gave me life itself is the most giving person I know. She gives and gives year round; she gives whatever she has to anyone in need. When it comes to Christmas, I love to spoil her (I try to do so throughout the year, but this time of year I try to make it special). It's not a competition with my siblings, I don't do it because I want her to spoil me or give me a gift in return, I am certainly not trying to buy her affection... she already loves me. I do it because I love her and enjoy seeing her smile, because I am blessed to be able to do it, and because I find happiness in giving!
What do you have to give? The most precious gifts I've received in my life weren't bought from a store. They were kind deeds, a heart felt letter of thanks and gratitude, something someone gave me that used to belong to them that they cherished, an old book they thought I’d enjoy. The best gifts in life are memories and time spent together… those are gifts I will keep with me through the eternities. The smile on your face, your laugh in my ear, the warmth of your arms around me!
It’s the season of giving, of bringing joy... the season of loving one another!
Friday, December 12, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Giving Thanks
It's been rough, some days... but with Thanksgiving just past I find myself, like so many others, reflecting on the things I am thankful for. I am thankful for the things that I believe in, I find that these things keep me grounded, give me purpose, and challenge me to be better. Knowledge of a Heavenly Father that loves me, believes in me, who give me opportunities to grow and become strong... my family and friends, who interesting enough love me, believe in me, and also provide me opportunities to grow and become strong.
I haven't been feeling well for weeks now, some days worst than others, which has left me strained and I find myself feeling bad for things I haven't done, things I have said, and people I feel I have let down. Why is it we always feel like we have to do it all? There are no accidents and I think my current health issues have forced me to slow down and make some personal assessments. Why wait until January to make resolutions... each day is a gift. I need to take better care of myself, simplify, re-dedicate in being a better "parent" to my little ones, a better mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and friend... I am thankful for the opportunity to make a difference in so many lives and even more thankful to be blessed in my own life by these same remarkable people!
I haven't been feeling well for weeks now, some days worst than others, which has left me strained and I find myself feeling bad for things I haven't done, things I have said, and people I feel I have let down. Why is it we always feel like we have to do it all? There are no accidents and I think my current health issues have forced me to slow down and make some personal assessments. Why wait until January to make resolutions... each day is a gift. I need to take better care of myself, simplify, re-dedicate in being a better "parent" to my little ones, a better mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and friend... I am thankful for the opportunity to make a difference in so many lives and even more thankful to be blessed in my own life by these same remarkable people!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Ahhhh Ha!
It’s a miraculous thing when you have one of those moments, an epiphany, when the light bulb goes off and you take a deep breath and say “Ah ha!” Everything that happens happens for a reason… there is no doubt in my mind. From the people whose lives we cross each and every day, to the books we sometimes read, to the families we are blessed to be a part of… it all has a purpose! God’s hand is in all things!
I can look around and see so many people, so many events that have made a difference in my life, for who I am truly thankful for. They have offered me strength, words of kindness, or provided me opportunities to provide service. They have suggested I read a particular book that has changed my life. They have helped me see God's hand in all things and reaffirmed that He knows me, as He knows us all and watches out for us. I have friends who give me hope and those who remind me to laugh and feel joy.
I can hardly wait to find out what is in store for me today! Which old friend will cross my path once more, who will lift me up, and who's life I might touch... it really is exciting! Life really is worth living!
I can look around and see so many people, so many events that have made a difference in my life, for who I am truly thankful for. They have offered me strength, words of kindness, or provided me opportunities to provide service. They have suggested I read a particular book that has changed my life. They have helped me see God's hand in all things and reaffirmed that He knows me, as He knows us all and watches out for us. I have friends who give me hope and those who remind me to laugh and feel joy.
I can hardly wait to find out what is in store for me today! Which old friend will cross my path once more, who will lift me up, and who's life I might touch... it really is exciting! Life really is worth living!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
It's a BOY!
Last Friday we found out that my oldest daughter (who is 19 weeks pregnant) is having a boy! A BOY! In a family full of girls... to include the cat and the dog, that's something to get excited about! A boy! That night we had a big family party... my brother and sister-in-law volunteered their house so no one had to drive all the way to Layton (I keep telling everyone you don't need a passport; it's REALLY not that far away) but having it at Michael's was nice and close for my brothers, sisters and their children. We had a great turn out and everyone was required to fill out either a pink or blue paper with our best guess... sex, weight, due date, time of delivery, hours of labor, height, size of Tonja's stomach... along with suggested names. It was a lot of fun! Lots of family and friends, lots of fun, add that to a lot of great food and it was a perfect evening! My heart is full and I am grateful for friends and family who are so supportive... who truly love and care for each other!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Celeste
A couple weekends ago a marvelous thing happened... all my siblings and my mother got together for dinner. We celebrated my sister Celeste's birthday! She's a special kind of person... reminds me of the kind of woman it took to cross the plains, to bear children before modern hospitals and drugs... she is the kind of woman the rest of us try to aspire to. You see we all try to have it all... each day as a woman you are called to act as a daughter, sister, mother, wife, nurse and doctor, veternarian, educator, gardner/farmer, auto mechanic, psychologist, chef, time management specialist... and so much more. Each night as I stumble into bed... I feel somehow I have fallen short and wonder how I could find the strength to be more like my sister. My sister inspires me. She is strong in many ways I will never be and it was a pleasure and a blessing to celebrate her. My brothers, sisters and myself left our hectic lives... even though it was only for a few hours, and allowed ourselves to be transformed back to less crazy days. We laughed and talked, reminisced and enjoyed one anothers company... it really was a marvelous time. It was soothing being around one another. I could tell others felt that way as well, the way we stood in the lobby, then on the curb for another while, not wanting the evening to come to a close... savoring every moment we had with one another.
A couple weekends ago a marvelous thing happened... we were reminded how special and fun we each were. Reminded of how much we love one another, and how much we still need one another. It's a good thing to remember.
A couple weekends ago a marvelous thing happened... we were reminded how special and fun we each were. Reminded of how much we love one another, and how much we still need one another. It's a good thing to remember.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Someone's been sleeping in my bed
I have faith that someday I will find a special someone to share my life with. I miss being in a marriage, cooking and pampering a man who in turn will rub my back, listen to my ramblings and give me advice. Someone who likes to hold hands, go for walks, enjoy ball games together, go to the movies and share a popcorn with extra butter and salt. I'm not sure when he'll find me, so in the meantime I try to continue to make improvements in myself so I'll be ready.
I've tried online dating and some of the things I've discovered are: 1. men my age are old, 2. it's too bad Match.com and LDSsingles.com don't run background checks, 3. people don't always tell the truth! Several times I agreed to meeting someone I met online (after long and extensive emails and phone conversations first) and each time the experience was deplorable, the person I met each time didn't match the person they represented themselves to be. First let me say that men in their 50s should NOT wear pants with an elastic waist! They should actually be employeed and they should not be homeless! Being able to walk from one end of The Gateway to the other would also be nice (without panting and sweating profusely). They should also NOT be sexual deviants... women do not find this an attractive attribute, we don't want to hear about you being a voyeur on the first date! After one horrible experience after another (did I mention the humilation of having your photo and profile online, having dozens of men look at it and pass you by ...what am I chopped liver?) I decided that it's not all that bad being alone. I would wait until someone I know lines me up with Mr. Right... that would be safe, right??? HA!
So, my good friend Dave and his wife call me to ask if I would go on a blind date with a friend of theirs. "Sure", I said. We agree on a date and time... I would meet them at their house and then the four of us would grab some lunch. Now, I'm feeling like I'm sixteen again, giddy with possiblities (why do we women do this?)! I park in their driveway, Dave has the garage door open, he waves at me energetically and I can see the backside of someone standing on the porch... my heart is racing. Dave says, "Hey Diana, I want you to meet my friend Mateo." Mateo walks over... all 4'8" of him, his silk shirt unbuttoned down to the button just above his belly button showing me his smooth, hairless chest (I figured he must have been really proud of it, showing it off like that). He shakes my hand, trying to look up at my eyes, which must have been difficult since his eyes were about the height of "the girls"... and says something in Spanish, I have no idea what since I don't speak Spanish. At that instant I thought, "What the hell am I doing? What cruel joke is this... am I being punked?" all the time waiting for someone to jump out of the bushes and cry "surprize!" Well, we went to lunch, ...Chinese. Mateo (speaking through Dave, the only one who also spoke Spanish) made small talk. Me, wondering how I could fake a sudden illness (if I grabbed my chest, they'd call 911... that wouldn't do; I could hold my breath til I turn blue and pass out... nope they'd call 911 then too. I couldn't come up with anything that would allow me to get into my own car and drive myself home.) So I endured... I did find out that Mateo was not only a smooth chested Mexican with the arms like a little person (is that the politically correct way to say midget?), he also spoke no English (none) even though he has been in the U.S. for over seven years... illegally, deported once and made it back in less than 72-hours (he seemed really proud of that too)! It became clear to me that my friend Dave doesn't have a clue... about a lot of things! I survived yet another date from hell and determined even stronger than before, that being single isn't all that bad!
From time to time, when Harmony (6 yrs old) crawls into my bed at night and snuggles up I ask her, "Harmony, what are we going to do when Nana meets a man, we fall in love and get married?" Without a hesitation she replies, "He can sleep in my bed, I'm not using it!" And so you have it, not even my bed is mine alone... not that I mind most nights. But still, I hope and try to have faith that someone, someday will take her place.
I've tried online dating and some of the things I've discovered are: 1. men my age are old, 2. it's too bad Match.com and LDSsingles.com don't run background checks, 3. people don't always tell the truth! Several times I agreed to meeting someone I met online (after long and extensive emails and phone conversations first) and each time the experience was deplorable, the person I met each time didn't match the person they represented themselves to be. First let me say that men in their 50s should NOT wear pants with an elastic waist! They should actually be employeed and they should not be homeless! Being able to walk from one end of The Gateway to the other would also be nice (without panting and sweating profusely). They should also NOT be sexual deviants... women do not find this an attractive attribute, we don't want to hear about you being a voyeur on the first date! After one horrible experience after another (did I mention the humilation of having your photo and profile online, having dozens of men look at it and pass you by ...what am I chopped liver?) I decided that it's not all that bad being alone. I would wait until someone I know lines me up with Mr. Right... that would be safe, right??? HA!
So, my good friend Dave and his wife call me to ask if I would go on a blind date with a friend of theirs. "Sure", I said. We agree on a date and time... I would meet them at their house and then the four of us would grab some lunch. Now, I'm feeling like I'm sixteen again, giddy with possiblities (why do we women do this?)! I park in their driveway, Dave has the garage door open, he waves at me energetically and I can see the backside of someone standing on the porch... my heart is racing. Dave says, "Hey Diana, I want you to meet my friend Mateo." Mateo walks over... all 4'8" of him, his silk shirt unbuttoned down to the button just above his belly button showing me his smooth, hairless chest (I figured he must have been really proud of it, showing it off like that). He shakes my hand, trying to look up at my eyes, which must have been difficult since his eyes were about the height of "the girls"... and says something in Spanish, I have no idea what since I don't speak Spanish. At that instant I thought, "What the hell am I doing? What cruel joke is this... am I being punked?" all the time waiting for someone to jump out of the bushes and cry "surprize!" Well, we went to lunch, ...Chinese. Mateo (speaking through Dave, the only one who also spoke Spanish) made small talk. Me, wondering how I could fake a sudden illness (if I grabbed my chest, they'd call 911... that wouldn't do; I could hold my breath til I turn blue and pass out... nope they'd call 911 then too. I couldn't come up with anything that would allow me to get into my own car and drive myself home.) So I endured... I did find out that Mateo was not only a smooth chested Mexican with the arms like a little person (is that the politically correct way to say midget?), he also spoke no English (none) even though he has been in the U.S. for over seven years... illegally, deported once and made it back in less than 72-hours (he seemed really proud of that too)! It became clear to me that my friend Dave doesn't have a clue... about a lot of things! I survived yet another date from hell and determined even stronger than before, that being single isn't all that bad!
From time to time, when Harmony (6 yrs old) crawls into my bed at night and snuggles up I ask her, "Harmony, what are we going to do when Nana meets a man, we fall in love and get married?" Without a hesitation she replies, "He can sleep in my bed, I'm not using it!" And so you have it, not even my bed is mine alone... not that I mind most nights. But still, I hope and try to have faith that someone, someday will take her place.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Someone's been eating my porridge!
... sitting in my chair and sleeping in my bed, too! Who knew I would grow up living a real life fairytale? Yes, some parts of my life have been like being stuck in a Brothers Grimm story, yet other times have been "happily ever after". Now, because of the urgings of Tonja (did I say urgings? it was more like Gestapo torture), I too have joined the blogging forces. So, to all my friends, family and others who have the stomach for it, I make this promise to you---I will entertain you with "Grimm" details of my fairytale life; I promise you laughter and tears... lots of laughter and lots of tears!
Once upon a time...
Once upon a time...
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