it's been real...

a photo worth celebrating...

it's a tradition

photos of the kids

sometimes...

us parent's too

it was easier when

they were young

all under the same roof

then they age

and off they go

to their own worlds

with a wife and a girlfriend

it's hard sometimes

knowing just

how far to push

when to let go

how to stay connected

add in a grudge

 or two

a betrayal

hurtful words

and life gets even

more

 complicated

and at times confusing

this little family

is fractured right now

heartbreaking

yet necessary

with time comes healing

maturity

perspective

and hopefully

 new found energy

to move forward

to create new beginnings

thankful for the

happy times

such as this picture

taken on sister's birthday

for those memories

keep your heart

beating

je m' appelle joice

it has been

a long

long time...

 

since i studied french

so long

that i barely

remember

most words

of the beautiful language

still

like many

my heart fills

with just the mention

of the eiffel tower

the streets of paris

so when word

first

starting spreading

that terrorists

had struck

the city of love

it was hard to

believe

as more details

surfaced

there is no denying

the world is

changing

and for that

i feel helpless

and afraid

scared for my

loved ones

yet we can't let fear

dictate

our every move

so i did what i know best

i took

 to my sewing machine...

 

...creating a circle

using fabric

purple of course

with eiffel towers

to form a dresden

or friendship circle

for in my world

if we all just started

loving a little more

hated a little less

just imagine

the difference

we could make

a different kind of mother's day...

i've learned over

the years

that life is full...

.

...of unpredictable moments

your day to day

existence

can be humming along

and then

out of nowhere a

situation presents

that hits you

upside the head

 like a two by four

as i sat across

the table

from my son and his wife

the words stung

like alcohol to

a freshly opened wound

my tears feel freely

not just for me

but for my mother

it took me back

to a place
earlier in my life

where i too

said many unkind things

and for the first time

i was sitting in her seat

i read once

that every child

grows to hate their mother

and you will know when they

have matured

by the day

they learn to accept and love

her for who she is

no longer will you see

her short comings

rather you will

appreciate her care

her support

her love

for me

it took a while

to almost fifty five really

the greatest blessing

now

is the opportunity

 to observe my momma

with my princess of a girl

the two have become

best buds

for that i am most grateful

as i recognize

not every adult child

is given this

second chance

with their

mother still on earth
yet we know
those days are coming to a close
soon
my mother is dying
she has terminal cancer
it is slowly yet
surely taking away her
health
her good days
are becoming less and less
what would i change
not a thing i suppose
for our trials and triumphs
have shaped me into
who i am today
a very grateful daughter
who has the ability to
turn the bad into the good
the pain into a
promise
for a better tomorrow
no doubt
sad
yet brutifully abundant
with rich blessings
motherhood i've learned
is a journey
not a sprint
rather more like a
 marathon
that has not yet been run
because
we're always
in training

sweet child of mine...

my baby

the third born

always...

...always, always

keeps me on my toes

his little antics

are never too bold

just enough to

have me scratching

my head

wondering what i could

do different

perhaps better

as a parent

he has a heart of

pure gold

though

a work ethic

like none other

at eighteen

he busses tables

at a country club

hard grunt work

last night

he came home

with flowers

for me

just because

they are

purple

and he knew

i'd love them

which i do

i love him

even more

hello march

hello 2015

a new year

brings new

opportunities...

and new possibilities

for growth

change

and exploration

i'm ready

here's to

a new year

welcome

2015!