Things

I found a new blog friend this morning who has me thinking, again, about the importance of my family. I noticed that my recent posts are all about "things." I've been searching for and collecting more things that I will ever have room or time for... I've made lists of projects but there are too many to do and no time to complete them all.

I did take a day off from work this past week. It was supposed to be a day to get some things done. Then I was offered the opportunity to go have lunch with my daugher and son-in-law. I actually hesitated at first, thinking "I have so much I want to do today..." Thankfully, my head and my heart made me choose to go with them. It was a beautiful warm and sunny spring day. We ate at a little Mediterranean cafe downtown and sat outside on their deck. We talked and laughed a lot.

I watched my daughter sitting with the sun shining on her face. I thought, how beautiful she is! I also smiled knowing that her hubby really loves her too. He went back to work and my daughter and I went shopping for more "things." We didn't buy anything, but just looked at things we might want to buy someday.

What I tucked away from this day was that things are NOT important. Time together is.

My two boys are in Florida and I don't get to see them often. We talk now and then and get caught up on each other's lives. I miss their HUGS though. My boys give great hugs! So does my son-in-law! What blessings I have! The love of my children far surpasses any THING I might have or even think I want to have.

Instead of going out shopping today or working on some of my projects I think I'll call my daughter and see what she's up to today. Thanks to my new found blogger for helping me find my priorities again. . . My aunt Adelaide (above photo) has lived for 101 years now! I'm sure all of her things mean a great deal to her family but for me, I remember her love.

This is my dear Aunt Adelaide. Photos from her 100th birthday party! She is my hero. Still sharp and healthy and as sweet as can be. She spends her days watching the golf channel, sitting out on the porch, and reading. She just finished the entire Harry Potter book series too! What is it like to live 100 years? The world has changed so much in her lifetime and she has taken it all in stride. She has so much wisdom and such a happy outlook on life in spite of all of the difficulties she has faced. We can all learn from our elders. I know I have learned so much from her.

The things I remember as a child are Christmas in the basement of her lovely Cape Cod style home. A fire crackling in the fireplaces both upstairs and down. Hiding in the little closets under the ceiling in the bedrooms. The smooth, shiny hardwood floors and the soft hand- hooked rugs on the floor. Her tiny red kitchen. Sliding down the bannister when no one was looking. Homemade cookies. I always felt loved in her home. . .

I loved her garden too. Especially the rock garden where there were always little suprises to find. Her roses were especially fragrant and abundant. In the spring there were tulips and daffodils and crocuses everywhere. In winter, we would sled down the hill until our ears were frozen and then come inside for homemade hot chocolate. The best!

Adelaide is an artist too. She paints landscapes and flowers and shares them with her family and friends. She has had many showings of her work near her home in Pennsylvania. I am continually inspired by her. Her art work graces my home now.

So what do you say to someone who has blessed your life so much? How to you begin to tell them how much you love and admire them? Just being with her on her birthday was such a joy. Another memory for me and one for her. God bless you Aunt Adelaide and thank you for being the kind of person I can only hope to be. . .

Love, Kathi

Unconditional Love

These are my guys, Nugget and Dylan. They love each other and they love me. I know we all treat our pets as family and rightly so! They depend on us, look to us to provide their needs and give us way more joy than we deserve. I'll be sharing some of their antics with you later.