Posts Tagged: children
To Have a Friend, Be a Friend
Today was Orthodox Christmas and we got together for a nice lunch with friends that we have not seen in a while. It was so good to be able to see my friend and her children, and I really hope that we can get in sync with get-togethers. Our kids are relatively close-in-age and hers are home schooled, as well. We fit together nicely; our kids listen to The Charlie Daniels Band and Guns and Roses and she lets her girls wear make-up. It’s perfect, really! What’s even better is that in 2004, when we first moved to GA, she was the first person I had met. She led a mom’s group and I’ll never forget the first time we met at the park. It makes me happy that we’ve been able to continue a friendship despite not seeing each other all that much.
Early this evening the kids and I went to the grocery store to get some milk, eggs, and cereal. As I turned out of the neighborhood I thought to myself how I really have held myself back from making friends in this town. I had mentioned it, at lunch, and it really started to nag on me. What am I so afraid of? Why am I not taking the initiatives that I know I should and CAN take? What’s the deal, yo?
With one left turn it dawned on me. I am afraid of something. I am protecting myself from losing. I am afraid of loving and losing. We’ve moved, friends have moved and I’ve ultimately lost friends. That’s what’s keeping me sedated. I’m just not allowing myself to make friends for this fear of making them and then losing them. It’s easier to be friends with Shannon in Vancouver or Lotus in Tennessee or Angie in Florida or Holly in Texas or Victoria in California or Jeanette in South Africa or you, or her, or him, or them. I know that I won’t ever miss them as I “see” them daily. I am safe and I won’t lose them. We all drink coffee, cry over spilled milk, dream dreams about dreams, eat lunch, commiserate, and so much more at their blog homes or places like Twitter and Facebook.
So– in honor of getting out with my friend Shelly today I am going to try a lot harder to meet new people as well as cultivate the friendships I already have here. I’m going to make the call for a play-date with a buddy of Mikey’s (whose mom I saw at the Post Office before Christmas and told I would be in touch anyway.) I’m going to ask my other friend and her five adorable girls to come over for lunch. I’m going to go out on a limb, even if it means I might get hurt. Because chances are that I will fall, but I’ll also have some people that I trust who will catch me.
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Day 7:
Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.
—Anais Nin
l o v e t h u r s d a y
A Letter of Gratitude to My Family
I am here, sitting at our new table, thinking of ways to express to you all just how much you mean to me. With your arrival into my world I have been changed. I am changed daily, too. Changed by things you do, things you say, things I do, things I say, by this blessed life that we live together. Let it be known that our smiles, our angst, our laughter, our frustration, our happiness, our sadness, our love, our pain, all of our daily interactions ARE every single reason to be grateful. Because life is not always meant to be neat and tidy. Tables will never be free of scratches. I don’t know why I forget that so easily?
Please continue to bear with me. I was raised in a such a way where we put a tablecloth on the table to protect it from the spills or damage. We never saw the beauty of the wood because it was brand new and we couldn’t let anything happen to it, now could we? So, it’s hard for me to let go of that notion. However this belief that when something is protected it’s out of all harm’s way is wrong. It’s vulnerable, yes, but it’s also allowed to shine.
My solution for the table, and life–in general–is to love it, care for it, protect it, but also allow it to be exposed for it’s true worth. Not one of us is without a burden or scar; no one is perfect. I tend to forget this, however you make me remember. For that, I am forever indebted. For that, I thank you.
Michael: Thank you for being the man you are.
You make me the most even when I feel the least.
Mikey: Thank you for having such a good head on your shoulders. You delight me daily.
Olivia: Thank you for being caring and compassionate. Your social graces make me proud.
Benjamin: Thank you for making me laugh and keeping me on my toes. You are amazing.
David: Thank you for being so sweet and lovable.
You have revived our family and my motherhood.
H a p p y T h a n k s g i v i n g
to one and all….
Weekly Winners XXXXXIII
This week marks the one year anniversary of Weekly Winners.
It’s been an incredible journey. And I’ve been honored to be a part of it.
In honor of the year mark here is the link to my very first Weekly Winner set.
Thank You for ALL of your encouraging, wonderful, thoughtful comments!
I appreciate them so much and they fuel me.
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Camera Used: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi
Lens Used: 50mm f/1.4
Another angle of this cheap-and-easy mantelpiece found, HERE!
The Photo Shoot of Nissa’s Kids found, HERE!
I get to take this beautiful little girl’s portraits on Tuesday!
Another shot from this mini-shoot, found HERE!
