The Love of Family

Back-to-back weekends in North Carolina were fun and fun filled.  They both were centered on family togetherness; in Fayetteville family and friends gathered to celebrate a couple who “tied the knot” while family and friends gathered in Charlotte to celebrate a loved one turning 50.  Just slightly over 130 driving miles between Fayetteville and the Queen City, the similarities we experienced were joyful.  Both weekends were packed with happiness and delightfulness.  Regardless of how busy your schedules might be or the responsibilities most generally hold, it is always gratifying when our schedules and responsibilities include hanging out with loved ones…just because.

Thoughts of Grandeur

For those of us who live in warmer climates (most of the time) some of us tend to look at “snow days” through romantic eyes.  We romantics like the warmth of being inside a mountain cabin sipping hot chocolate in front of the burning fireplace as we look outside at the clean, smooth, falling snowflakes.  We feel safe, happy, cozy, and passionate – about life, love, relationships, and especially ourselves.  Then we get calls from relatives who live in the cold, frigid regions of the United States saying how difficult life is in their chilly surroundings.  They yearn to be in the south during winter and can’t quite understand how we could possibly romanticize the snow.  Well…

A Rose By Any Other Name…

…is love.  Happy Valentine’s Day!

How sweet it is

Took an early Friday morning drive with my husband on a remarkable journey to fulfill our spontaneous desires to breathe the fresh country air and enjoy the beauty of the man-made Clarks Hill Lake, also known as Lake Strom Thurmond, a reservoir at the border between Georgia and South Carolina.  Located just upstream from Augusta, Georgia, the view is magnificient.  On a past motorcycle trip through the region, my husband happened upon the site known as one of the southeast’s largest and most popular public recreation lakes.  As we drove by the lake along the Jack Eubank Memorial Highway – named in honor of Jackson Eugene Eubank, Sr., an advocate for education and who helped organize the Augusta Farmers Market, our minds raced to our next stop located in Columbia County, Georgia – the legal county seat in Appling; our lunch stop.  Indeed, we were nearing one of our favorite eateries; a place where we could find fresh cooked country-grown vegetables and sample Maryland’s famous chicken.  Hours later we were pulling into our driveway after such a gratifying daytrip thinking what a wonderful time we had.  Now it is Saturday, February 14, Valentine’s Day – another opportunity to experience something special.  We have reservations at one of our favorite Atlanta restaurants for dinner.  Afterwards, we’ll return home and exchange cards and gifts while sipping champagne and listening to our favorite music.  However, the highlight of the day will be the reality of experiencing this special time together and appreciating the blessings of our marriage and the love that we abundantly treasure – precious moments in time that go by all too quickly.  Happy Valentine’s Day readers – I appreciate your following!

Living and Loving

On this gorgeous bustling morning with a piercing chill in the air, I am reminiscing about last evening when my husband and I enjoyed a lovely pre-Valentine’s Day event.  It was a party with a purpose.  At the event, we chatted with friends and other attendees about simple strategies to manage our lives where the focus is on having healthy bodies, relationships, finances, and ultimately taking a mainstream or not so mainstream approach to creating happy lives.  Afterwards, while listening to the soft music that permeated the room in the midst of conversation between couples who came out to party, we enjoyed a delicious prepared meal with choices of seared salmon filet with sweet corn mash, haricot verts, and pecan butter, or springer mountain goat cheese stuffed chicken with garlic potato puree, brussels sprout hash, and dark chicken stock.  With wine glasses in hand, couples toasted to a continuing week of love and laughter that will culminate with a Valentine’s weekend of roses, candy, jewelry, romantic dinners, and all those nuances that keep us happy.  However, as I reminisce about these joyful times, a degree of sadness creeps in.  It’s all around us:  The reality of a good and decent girl who spent her life helping others yet lost her’s senselessly at the hands of evil beings; a young lady lying in a local hospital across town “fighting for her life”; residents across America battling severe weather if they happen to live in certain parts of the country; a famous and celebrated individual experiencing public humiliation who has to look inwardly and ask if it could have been avoided.  The list of current events could go on and on.  At times, many of us might quip, “That’s life.”  Indeed it is and aren’t we happy to be on this marvelous merry-go-round of life.  Taking the bitter with the sweet and being thankful to have a new day and another round.

In the Heart of Love

Sitting here basking in the possibilities and opportunities that 2015 can offer.  I’m looking out of the window as the rain is falling on this brand new Monday morning.  Even after spending the last three weekends attending memorial services for three separate friends; even after all the bleak current national and international news; even after all the day-to-day challenges of simply living such as negotiating traffic, practicing self-control when you see a high-caloric dessert you want to devour, seeing your favorite team lose an important game, etc., I am still encouraged because even with the sadness, disappointments, and challenges, we continue to move ahead and find the beauty and joy in this fabulous new year we are fortunate to be a part of.  Even on a rainy day, the rainbow looms.  I can see it through all the rain; it is just waiting to appear but I know it’s there.  Just like I know if we work hard to accomplish our goals for 2015, even if we fall short, the success will have been in never giving up – in the pursuit; in the living; in the journey.  During this beautiful month of February, my husband and I choose to embrace it for all its offerings.  For example, we honor the work being done this month through the Red Dress Heart Truth Campaign 2015 as it raises awareness and empowers women and men to take charge of their health.  We even attended a Heart Truth event that tied in its campaign’s mission with “a thing called love.”  It was enlightening and inspiring to see everyone dressed in red and expressing love for each other; seeing the beautiful display of red roses while we heard speeches on the importance of taking care of our bodies – our heart – our health.  Leaving the banquet, our focus was immediately turned to anticipation for a fun and exciting weekend ahead as we pause to express a magnitude of love for each other, our children, our family and friends – all those we love.  Yes, of course we do so all year, but it is still so much fun and excitement to celebrate on February 14.  I am reminded of a lovely sermon we heard in church on Sunday, entitled, “Marriage Takes Three.”  The congregation was reminded that wherever God is, love is.  We should honor his presence in our marriages, other relationships, and all we hold to be near and dear.  It is what makes our relationships great.  It is what keeps the love alive.  It helps us bask in what lies ahead.  Yes, it’s only February.  So many possibilities to look forward to.  Enjoy the month.  Enjoy the year.  It belongs to you.

New Hope

Wishing friends and loved ones a happy year ahead is no enigma.  We do it annually with goodwill and inspired intentions.  There is a certain freshness in the air; we breathe new energy and a renewed sense of self.  In certain situations, we like to think of this time as “out with the old and in with the new.”  In fact, this resembles the regular NFL season that just ended.  Some cities like mine just recently went through the sadness of losing a coach.  We, as fans, started the season feeling inspired with great hope that our respective teams would make it to the BIG GAME.  However, for some of us, sadly it was not going to happen.  Hence, we said goodbye to some beloved coaches and personnel.  While we might have agreed with these decisions, it also offered an opportunity for retrospection.  What went wrong?  Why?  But it also offered an amazing opportunity for a new beginning – to breathe new energy into the team, the fans, and ultimately the city.  Seeing 2015 roll in was truly delightful.  We reflected on the year we just said goodbye to.  We reflected on our successes and disappointments.  We reflected on our gains and losses.  Yet, we have an attitude of new hope; of reaching our goals and striving to make dreams come true.  And so it is!

I’m In Love

 

A few days ago while visiting with relatives, I overheard a cousin telling another how she had her eyes on a certain gentleman and wished he would “ask her out” (on a date).  I was reminded of this exchange over lunch just recently with a good friend who was telling me that she has found love again.  As she was talking about this new relationship, I could see the happiness in her face.  She was glowing; filled with anticipation and excitement.  It was so nice sharing this moment with my friend because I could definitely relate.  You see, she has once again found something that I have been living for 37 years.  I, too, am in love.  It is a wonderful feeling.  As we move into the season of love, I am inspired by how loving and attentive my husband is.  I love him.  He is good and kind and most special in so many ways.  Some people call their relationships “lucky in love.”  I call our marriage a blessing.  In just a few days, this nation will pause to give thanks.  While we will enjoy good meals and great conversation, it is a perfect time to be grateful for – not the what in our lives – but the who in our lives.  This writing challenge has given me an opportunity to write about an “overheard” statement.  However, I have not only overheard something said but I overheard something more important; my heart whispering, “It’s all about love.”

Weekly Writing Challenge (Overheard)

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_writing_challenge/overheard/

The Power of the Family

Sitting here reminiscing about two very special family reunions that my family and I attended.  We are still deliriously happy and joyous from our “love fest” with those we care so much about.  One was held during a weekend in June and another during a weekend in August.  As I remember the love and the bonding, it becomes abundantly clear that not much can match those moments in time we shared with family.  Whether it has been multiple years or just a few since you connected with family members, it is still all too precious when you meet for some face time – chatting, hugging, smiling, giggling, hugging some more, and all the other fun things family do when they get together.  If you have never experienced a family reunion, now is the time to initiate one.  If you do, then you know exactly what I’m talking about.  I oftentimes am told from friends how they attempted to coordinate a reunion but either fell short or failed to keep it going.  My advice:  try and try again.  It is well worth it.  The planning and all that goes into hosting a reunion is so worth the effort.  It is done with love and care.  One was a small gathering with slightly over 20 and another totaling over 180.  Nonetheless, small or large, they were ultra special and so very precious.  We left the reunions with one thing on our minds – marking our calendars for next year; putting everything aside for those particular weekends because none of us can think of anything else we’d rather be doing than “hanging out” with our family.  It’s all about love.  Try it on for size; it will fit every time!

Journeying Towards A Happy & Healthy Relationship

 

“No relationship is all sunshine, but two people can share one umbrella and survive the storm together.”

A quote shared!