Counting Our Blessings In Tucson: May, 2008

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May 31

May Has Been A Beautiful Blur

Here it is the end of May and the house looks like a tornado went through it. I have packed and re-packed 3 times this month and have been in a car or plane for hours on end. All trips have been so much fun and I continue to revel in it all.

Going back to the beginning of the month when I left for San Francisco and my time on my own. I married at 20 and went right from my parents home to living as a married woman with Ron. I never had that time on my own. These 7 days in SF were my "on my own" time. I still prefer living as a married woman with Ron...of course...but, this was fun to make decisions on my own and find my way on my own around a large city.

My little boutique hotel was on the corner of Taylor and Pine in Nob Hill

...just one block up these stairs from the beautiful Grace Cathedral where my labyrinth conference was going on.

Each day I made at least one trip up those stairs. I was told that it is one of the steepest streets in the city and that one climb up is worth 5 minutes on a treadmill. I believe it.

I spent 2 days at a workshop learning about the labyrinth. I went thinking I knew so much and came back knowing there is so much more to learn. I spent my off day of Sunday, attending church services and traveling around on the cable car. Though this is an Episcopal Church, I found so much of it exactly like attending Mass in my own Catholic Church. Not a lot of differences...especially when you think of the "one God".

Jumping on and off the cable car was lots of fun and I saw all sorts of interesting things. I will do a separate blog on things I love about big cities later.

My next two days were learning how to be a facilitator of labyrinth walks. We had the opportunity to walk Grace Cathedral's beautiful labyrinths anytime we wanted, inside or out and we also had walks that were planned for us after hours when the last rays of the sun were slipping through the stained glass windows.

There are no pictures of the walks we took because we were being led by candles or music or hand bells that we rang as we walked along the path. There is no end to the way one can begin a labyrinth walk...there is much to learn by simply walking and simply watching others. We walk beside them...in front of them...behind them...sometimes we are so close we feel the air rush between us and others so close we feel nothing...we make our way, releasing all that keeps us from the oneness we seek with God. We find our way to the center and take our place in one of the petals ... we stand or sit and contemplate the illumination we feel with the Father, the Son and the Spirit. We leave behind all that keeps us at that distance and return knowing we are in union once more.

The team prepared and presented everything so beautifully for us. We learned as much about the labyrinth from the walking and from watching one another as we did in the workshops. Watching someone with open hands, knowing that they struggle with an open heart...watching a man walk backwards...another with arms outstretched to the heavens...a woman dancing...another almost skipping...most simply walking. There is no right or wrong way...just a way in which it brings you to your center and you find your God.

Some walk with an intention...some for discernment...some in thanksgiving...some in praise. Whatever the reason...it is one of the most beautiful and peaceful moments I have ever experienced. Dr. Lauren Artress, one of the most knowledgeable people of the labyrinth led the conference/workshops and said, "if God wills you to it...His grace will follow". I feel led to this ancient path and for whatever reason I am here, I come with open arms, hands and heart and will attempt to do what I am here to do in this time and place.

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May 30

Life's A Beach...Our Baby Turns 30...We Have Been G'Parents For A Year

Just got back from 3 awesome days in Mexico. Puerto Penasco, to be exact or as the gringos call it...Rocky Point. We stayed in a beautiful villa owned by 2 gracious and hospitalble ladies...mother and daughter, named Kathy and Bettie. We have been going there for years. First we went to Kino Bay when the kids were younger and then we switched to Rocky Point because it is much closer and the beach is just about perfect.

I even built a labyrinth on the beach with the help of Sean.

The boys built the annual, ever popular sand castle. They have been doing this together since our first trip when Matt was maybe 4.

And Barley had the time of his life, as usual. Though, his "old dog" bones paid the price at the end of each day.

Cathy's Mom Sue made her maiden voyage to Mexico, prepping herself for the October wedding being held on this beautiful beach, when her daughter and our son become husband and wife.

We even went to the Aquarium. Albeit on a rather small scale compared to the likes of Boston or Seattle, we had fun and got to get up close and friendly with sea turtles, Arthur the sea lion and many other small creatures of the sea.

Matt turned 30th on the 27th and we went out to dinner in town and had a beautiful sunset just for him.

About that grand parenting thing...last year, while we were in Mexico celebrating Matt's 29th birthday, we became grandparents on the 28th of May (it was actually the 27th in Mexico). This year, on the anniversary of that sweet cherub's arrival...we actually got to talk with her on Skype in Mexico on wireless...ah, the joys of technology. They were having a wonderful first "family day". Aren't we the lucky ones.... Someday...maybe at her Mojo's wedding, we can introduce her to Mexico and the beach we love so much.

Thank you God for all the blessings in our lives.

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May 23

Working Backwards

Just a few days ago we got back from Pennsylvania where we went to celebrate Ron's Mom's 90th birthday. All of her 5 children were there and 8 of the 16 grandchildren were there (one more came the day after)...11 great-grandchildren were there and I think there are another 8 or so were not there. This gal has a long lineage to carry on the legacy of her family.

For 90, this gal is quite a lady. She enjoyed every minute of it. She may not have remembered it 10 minutes later, but with a bit of jogging her memory, it would come back. There was cake and ice cream and lots of memories flowing around. Ron's sister had a display of some of her "dancing dresses" and we talked about how she and Ron's Dad would go out on a country road, stop the car, turn up the radio and dance in the road. Ron's brother made a DVD of pictures of her life with music for the era of time it was.

Two things I came back with...live in the moment. That is what she does and that is what all of us should do. It isn't really important that she may not remember that day when we all came to celebrate 90 years of her life. What is important is that she enjoyed those moments at that time in her life. The other things is something she said while we were there. She had forgotten something that she wanted to say...her thoughts stumbled as she tried to remember it...to grasp it as it slipped away again from her...and she said, "well, I am who I am". And isn't that who we all are? We so often try to be something we aren't and we try so hard to hang onto yesterday and we worry about tomorrow. I am going to strive to remember the wisdom of this wonderful woman who gave birth to my husband (the love of my life). I am going to try to live in the moment more and be content with who I am. Here's to you...my mother-in-law....

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Where Do I Start

Wow...I have not been blogging much lately. The month of May has been a beautiful blur for me. I want to catch up and write about all of it. But, let's start with that sweet Sojo. How she is growing. I cannot believe that in 3 short weeks we will see her again. As long as it has seemed at moments, the time really has flown. It has been 5 months since we have seen her and by the pictures, she is growing faster than I ever imagined and more beautiful than ever imagined too.

Isn't she a cutie? I bought some Aveeno Lotion and Bath Lotion for her today, as this cutie likes to scratch away with her eczema. Her nanny/ayi Xiao Liu made the little "arm guards" to keep her from scratching her arms. I know how it feels, because I have very sensitive skin too and break out with the itching at the slightest irritation. Can't wait to have her here splashing in the tub again and splashing in the pool too. I am loving how her hair has grown and think about putting it in little braids someday. Oh my...hurry time...hurry...so we can hold that sweetie in our arms again.

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May 12

Happy Mother's Day

I just celebrated my 39th Mother's Day. What a gift that has been in my life. There is not a university in the world that can teach you what children do, and there is not a degree out there that prepares you for this vocation in life. We come into motherhood with nothing but love and slide through it by the seat of our pants most of the time. By the grace of God, we all survive.

Some things that my mother either told me, I heard from someone else along the way, or my children taught me along the way....

Going to church and believing in something greater than yourself is important

Don't run with scissors or anything sharp.

Don't use scissors to cut your hair or let your friend cut your hair...or those Farah Faucett "feathers" will look like a modified mohawk.

Keep your gum in your mouth.

Don't sit in the middle of the street in July and pop tar bubbles...or, you won't have any nice clothes to wear.

Try to go to the bathroom before you get into the car...even if you just went and are sure you don't have to go again.

Everyone needs an after-school snack.

You don't get paid for getting good grades, even if your friends do. You do get to go to a good college if you get good grades and that should be reward enough.

Having a potty mouth just shows the world that you're not intelligent enough to use more impressive words.

Precocious children grow up to be confident adults.

Sometimes flowers bloom late.

Being given an allowance is a privilege not a right.

You can have a family dinner nearly every night even when you're busy.

The fork and napkin go on the left and the knife and spoon go on the right.

Manners matter.

Always, always, always send a thank you note.

Cherish your grandparents.

If you stay home sick from school you don't get to go out at night.

The pink flowers are always the prettiest.

You can always call home if you get home sick.

Don't lean over the railing at the Grand Canyon. The same goes for railings on hotel balconies.

You are never to old or too big to sit on Mom's lap and have her rock you.

Spending your whole day reading is an exceptionally good use of your time.

Chocolate and peanut butter are certainly in the 5 basic food groups.

Tomatoes always taste better when you grow them in your own garden.

Dad's chili doesn't have beans, but if Mom makes it...you get it with beans and cheese.

Grate the onions when you make meatloaf or meatballs...Mom and Dad get the flavor they want and the kids can't see them.

You should never paint posters on the kitchen floor unless you put something on the floor first.

You should never melt crayons on the kitchen stove to make candles.

If you are going to run away...pack your Bible and underwear and wait until tomorrow. What you were going to run away from, usually isn't there anymore.

Don't ever do any of those things that you are told not to do if Mom and Dad aren't home.

If you pick up a few things off your bedroom floor every day, you won't have a giant mess to clean up later.

Compassion is an important virtue.

There's nothing as great as being a mom . . . until you become a grandma.

In thanksgiving for the privilege to be a mother and grandmother. How things change in such a short time from July of last year until now....

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