Five Days Of Love: Day Three

Wednesday’s Love…..My Boys

I am a mother to two young boys.  I love them.   Those three words however, do not describe the love that I feel for them. 

I knew I wanted to be a mother from an early age, probably around 15.  It was in me all along, tucked inside my heart.  There was a space for these two boys that I knew would only be filled by them.  They fill it well.

The love a mother has for her children is a love like no other. 

It’s strong, powerful.

It’s colorful, golden.

It’s deep, extensive.

It’s glorious, heavenly.

I am connected to them in a ways I can’t describe.  I feel their presence before they walk in the door.  I miss their energy when they aren’t in the house.  When they are happy, I’m thrilled.  When they are upset, I’m saddened.  I love my boys like nothing else.  It’s a love that only another mother can understand. Truly. 

Their spirits fill my life with such positive energy and feed my very inner being.  Their voices fill the room with a sing song of laughter and smiles. I am lucky to have found such love in my life and to have been graced with their lives.  They are intertwined with me through the spoken and unspoken love we share.

They knit together the heart that beats inside me and will forever be changed by their two hearts. 

I love my boys.

More than these few words can say.

photo circa 2001

Five Days Of Love: Day Two

Tuesday’s Love….Lists

I love lists. I know, this probably isn’t what you were expecting to read here today, but it’s the truth.  (I’ll get to some of the mushy love later this week.)

I am a list maker and have been for the better part of my adult life, maybe because I am a visual learner.  I process everything through my eyes first and then the rest of my senses after.   The law of the house is if you need me to do or get something for you, I must put pen to paper and make a list.  If I don’t write it down right then, it won’t get done.  Period. 

Reasons Why I Love Lists

I love the organization of a list. 

I love the shortness of a list (unless its one of “those” days).

I love that I can write a list in big black Sharpie ink if I feel like it. 

There are no rules for lists. (Well…maybe only one.) 

Lists aren’t formal.

Lists can be on anything; a receipt, a movie stub, a wrapper, a napkin, etc.

Lists are easier to read than sentences.

They look neat and tidy.

They make you look smart and organized.

I’ve made lists for things to buy, things to get done in the house, books to read, stories to tell my children, things to say, music to listen to one day, things to eat.  Name it, I’ve probably made a list for it.  

For me, having a list handy leaves no room for error.  If it’s in front of you, you can quickly refer to it, review it, add to it and tear it up when you’re through with it.  It’s simple.  I have gadgets that make lists, but when I really get serious about a subject that needs a list, I have to have ink and paper.  That connection from my head through my fingers makes it real and imprints it upon my brain better than a gadget does.  That’s just me.

There is a sense of satisfaction for me as well that comes from list making.  As each item is crossed off (and you have to cross things off - that is the only real rule) the list shrinks and a sense of accomplishment begins to rise and the thrill is found in crossing off the last item and wadding up the paper or tearing it in half signifying completion.  It’s a very rewarding feeling.  I’ve even made life decisions based on my lists before.  I really have. (Aren’t you curious?)

It’s a love I’ve had for a while now.  I’m an odd duck, what can I say?  I love lists. 

Five Days Of Love: Day One

L.O.V.E.

It’s a word that has an infinite number of definitions.  It means everything to everyone.  It’s universal and complicated.  It’s sweet and sour.  It’s an emotion that everyone knows in one form or another.  It’s simple.  It’s love.

For the next five days, I want to share five loves of mine; loves that make my life rich and full of life.  I hope you’ll join me on this little love fest this week.  It may not be all mush and sloppy kisses, but it’s love nevertheless.

Monday’s Love……..Photography

Yes, you had to know that I love taking pictures and capturing all the moments of life as it flies by. I’m not a professional photographer by any means, but I love catching a moment that brings a smile to my face or shows raw, real emotion.  You should feel something when you see a photo, shouldn’t you?

My family has gotten used to me taking photos of everything and just goes with the flow now.  They know I’m going to take the picture whether or not they like it, so they just ignore me and go on about their day.

Before I got my latest camera, everything was staged and everyone looked at the camera and said “cheese”. I try now to just snap away in hopes of capturing that emotion and feeling that’s in the room. I love when it happens and feel giddy that I “got it”. 

I’m still learning about the details of my camera and hope to improve each day and create with the way I see things through the lens.  I have so much to learn, but that’s what makes this love of mine so enjoyable. There’s always room for improvement.

So, here are some of the reasons I love photography; one of my five loves.

Snow Weekend

the snow fell for two days

it's everywhere

it's beautiful

the weekend...filled with sledding, naps, football and laughter

love a snow weekend

enjoy yours

Three Cheers For February

Love is in the air.  Move over January and make way for your friend, February.  Can you believe it’s already February?  I love this month.   It’s short.  It’s sweet.  It’s lovely. 

It has a fragrance about it that is all warm and fuzzy and makes you want to smile and blow kisses to everyone.  Ok, so maybe that’s just me. (For the record, I don’t blow kisses to everyone I see, but I just might.)  I like a month dedicated to all things pink, red, chocolatey, and sweet smelling.   It puts a little bounce in my step to hear that February is upon us and actually gets to stick around for a day longer than last year. 

Three cheers for February! Hip Hip Hooray!  Hip Hip Horray!  Hip Hip Horray!

With it being the first day of a new month, it gives us that permission once again to set some goals, strive for something better, improve ourselves, focus on what’s really important to us.  It’s a fresh beginning one more time.

This month I hope to…

Love my family more than January

Inspire those I come in contact with to be true to themselves

Write more

Slow down and enjoy all that is before me

Appreciate the love I receive

Be the kind of friend my friends really need and want

Try something new

Fly

Reach out to those who are far away from me

Bake something sweet and delicious for my family

Embrace my boys with softness

Continue to take care of my mind, body and soul

Be open to change

Take time today, this first day of February, and jot down your thoughts, ideas, and what you hope to see for yourself this month.  It’s ok to spend a few minutes and not make the beds or fold the laundry or wash the car.   Think.  Ponder.  Wonder.  What will this month bring?  I’d love to hear what you have planned.  Feel free to leave me a note.  I love getting notes in February!  Hip Hip Horray!  Three cheers for February.