My Favorite Flower

I’ve always had a love for tulips and have often felt that they were my favorite flower. The tulip is so beautiful and full of color. They come into full bloom in April, which is my birth month, and once they are planted, they come back every year without fail. Somehow I’ve always loved that about tulips and perhaps that is why they are so near and dear to my heart.

Recently though, I’ve become obsessed with another flower and for totally different reasons. The lotus flower starts as a small flower down at the bottom of a pond in the mud and muck. It slowly grows up towards the waters surface, moving towards the light. Once it breaks the surface of the water the lotus begins to blossom and turn into a beautiful flower. I can’t help but see the connection between life in general and this flower. Just as the lotus grows from the mud into an object of great beauty, people also grow and change into something more beautiful.



This last year has brought me through some difficult times. Perhaps I’m so obsessed with this flower because I have gone through so much and I’m coming out of it. I have been at the bottom, in the muddy, yucky, dirty pond and am rising above to a new life. I’m not quite there yet, but I know it’s going to be glorious once I’ve broken that surface.

Manners 101

I grew up with the adage "if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all". I’m not sure if I should thank Thumper and Bambi or my parents for that little gem but I've used these words of wisdom my whole life. They have been a positive influence in my day to day happenings because I hate hurting other people’s feelings. However, it seems that manners have gone by the way side these days. Are they no longer taught? Have we all forgotten what we were taught when we were young?

When I was younger, I thought most people had manners and it was the minority that did not. I still believe that most people say "Please", "Thank you", "Have a Nice Day" and "Excuse me". But there is more to having manners than that. How often do you see gentlemen holding the door for ladies or helping them out of the car? Do you see people in crowded buses or trains giving up their coveted seats to the elderly or the mother carrying a baby or the guy in the cast? When someone trips and falls, is there someone coming over to help them up instead of standing back and laughing? As I think about this, it’s been awhile since I’ve witnessed any of these acts of kindness and good manners. How about you?

What brought this up? Well, it started last week when I was asked if it bothered me that I was getting older and loosing my hair. It was such a strange beginning to a conversation that I was taken by surprise. I answered politely no, and said that there were reasons behind the hair loss and I was hoping to have it return very soon. Unfortunately age happens to all of us and there is no stopping that or turning it around. Plastic surgery is an option for some, but not for me.

Then today, some pictures were seen of me, taken 10 years ago as engagement pictures. I heard "oh, you're so different now. You looked so skinny and happy then". Wow. How did these two people think that was going to sound when they said what they said? Did they think I had lost my eye sight and was unaware that I had lost a lot of hair volume and gained some weight? Was I really that miserable that it needed to be brought to my attention because obviously I must be in some kind of denial? I guess what may be at the root of this is that it bothers me that these two people felt these issues needed to be brought to my attention at all.

I’m pretty sure I’m going to be over this quickly, but I feel I have to say PEOPLE, THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK! Now go out there and make it a better day. I’ll be able to laugh about this later, I’m sure.

Happy New Year

It seems crazy that the new year is here. Dave and I brought 2010 in over the phone, the only way we could. Was it fun? No, not really. But it was what it was. There was no cold night air, walking around at First Night like we usually do. There was no fireworks or shouting or hugging. No dancing or watching crazy people dance as in years past. No holding hands, no laughing and no hot cocoa to warm you up. Most importantly, there wasn't any kissing, which is always my favorite part.

The new year came, dispite it not being perfect. 2009 was not the perfect year for our little family, but we are bound and determined to make 2010 the best we've ever had. We look forward to the things we will accomplish this year and have set many goals that will help stretch us and help us to grow. There are a lot of changes coming and we hope you will make this journey with us.

Thanks to all our friends and family who have supported and helped us through 2009. We are most grateful and blessed to have had you there through our toughest of times. We will be there for you as well. May we all have a wonderful 2010 is my new year wish. Come back again soon and see what we are up to. Come hang with us a while. We promise you'll laugh and enjoy some good times.