Skip to main content

A handwritten note

Ten days ago, I decided to celebrate the 13 days of my birthday after buying myself tickets to the upcoming Eric Clapton concert. In the days that followed the celebration of days included a free car wash, conversation with vets, a gift card from work, and a gift of Goodwill. Then the horrific school shooting happened in CT. I stopped celebrating the day of my upcoming birthday. Instead of finding what was good in my world, the negative seemed to be highlighted. The repairman was having difficulty getting our hot water heater working (three days later, still no hot water). No contact with Sean since before Thanksgiving. The stress that family can sometimes bring. Learning our landlord was still battling breast cancer and financial stress that came about as a result. The repairman going home to find his roommate dead. Throughout all of it, the 27 teachers and students of Spring Hope Elementary School in my mind. Heating water to take my bath out of a sink is nothing to the grief they are experiencing. Yet, even in sad times there is cause for celebration.

Today, I celebrate with my children. A day set aside for Christmas shopping that turned into so much more.

Thanksgiving week, Sana and I made a trip to DMV. She was in hopes of bringing home her driver's permit, while my goal was a motorcycle license. I couldn't fully celebrate the updated license in my wallet knowing Sana wasn't able to try for her permit. (She was missing a piece of paperwork.) We went back today. Not only did she get her permit, she also preregistered to vote. Cause for celebration for sure.

Our day continued with lunch with my two girls. Patti's choice of California Pizza hit the spot. Smiles throughout lunch as they talked about school, friends, and fun. Giggling, they ran off to do some Christmas shopping, while I stayed to pay the bill. Two sisters bonding in the secrecy of surprises as they wandered the mall. A celebration in the bond of sisterhood.

Patti's room became the place to congregate as she wrapped presents as we closed our eyes when our presents came out. She wrapped while the rest of us hunted for the elusive pieces to her puzzle and made very little progress. So excited to see our reactions to her gifts, she had me open one a few days early. A celebration in the joy the simple act of giving.


Last year, Sean didn't come home for Christmas. Instead, he served on an honor guard to say goodbye to fallen veterans. This year, he will be in Afghanistan. A gift from Sean through A Full Circle Home. Tissues, a bracelet, Mary Kay products, and other odds and ends filled the box. The most precious gift found on a card. A hand-written note from Sean. My heart leaking out my eyes, I felt Sean's presence as I read the note. He will be home for Christmas this year after all. 

hey mom  I'm missing
you. Share my love with
Everyone you can this
Christmas, and remember
I love you forever
I like you for always
As long as I'm living my mother you'll be

Today, I celebrate my children.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

WABDR: Section 1

Section 1  We end at the beginning  Does it feel like this trip will never end? Epic adventures tend to last a bit longer than just an average one. So….on with our tale.  We got our bikes all packed up and continued over White Pass. The first time we went over it, it was a cloudy day. Thus, the visibility of the mountains was not much. I was expecting the same on our return trip to Packwood. Therefore, it took my breath away when I saw the mountain off in the distance for the first time. The beauty was so overwhelming, I teared up.    I continued to watch the mountain until I could see it no more. Soon we were in Packwood. Back where we started. After a quick breakfast at the local coffee shop, we were on our way. I may have taken a few minutes to ride the big bike first… Not too long though, because someone was ready to get moving.  Jennifer had some friends that were camping at Walupt Lake, which is right on the trail for Sectio...
Post a Comment
Read more

Aging sucks.....or does it?

Upon first thought, watching a parent age sucks. Unnoticeable at first. A bit of a stoop, some creaking in the knees, whitening of the hair. The doctor’s visits begin, as do the pills One for high blood pressure, another to thin the blood, and a handful of vitamins to top it off. The signs are there, but it is easier to see him as he has always been. My father, a pillar of strength. Until my pillar was knocked off-kilter. A simple surgery and the mortality of my father looked me square in the eye when the drugs took hold of his brain. Amidst his fidgeting and confusion, I realized…AGING SUCKS! And then….enlightenment dawned upon me….AGING IS BEAUTIFUL Wrinkles tell of smiles while silver hair speaks a life of memories. Knees creaky after years of kneeling in prayer, offering up a lap, and climbing up the stairs for one more kiss goodnight. Almost forty-eight years of memories nestled in my heart. Memories of my father. Taking us to church each Sunday Building and fixing ...
2 comments
Read more

WABDR: Preparations

PREPARATIONS AND PACKING I know you are ready to hear about this epic adventure of ours. Believe me, I was ready to hop on my bike (I named her Hanaa, meaning “happiness, joy, and peace”) and go. But before one is ready to go into the Wild, preparations need to be made. Before I get into the preparations, let’s talk about the importance of naming your bike. My Shadow back home is named, Layla. I can hear you singing along to the song right now. That is exactly where her name came from, she eases my worried mind. Therefore, it was important for me to find the perfect name for the machine I would be spending the next couple of weeks with. Jennifer, my sister, had been calling it Lil Ripper. That name was not going to work for me. I saw the peace sign on the key chain and immediately started researching names meaning “peace, love, and happiness” - all necessary for life in my opinion. And I didn’t want to die on this trip. My thinking was a bit of peace, love and happiness would...
2 comments
Read more