Giving Thanks.......

Thanksgiving. 
 As I stop and think about what I am thankful for, the one fore most thought is family.  There are many other things I am grateful for, such as my car, a house, a warm fire burning in the house, food in my cupboard, indoor plumbing, my morning brew, my evening cocktail (Pendleton Whisky to be precise), ice cubes, the breathtaking view out my window, nature, those that made our country what it is, restaurants, warm socks, television, our farm, money in the bank (not much, but there is some), and a soft comfy bed, just to name a few.  But most of all I am thankful for the love that I am surrounded by from my Friends and Family.  This is what warms my heart.
  I am thankful for all the memories I have of past Thanksgivings.  So many wonderful pictures run through my mind of times spent enjoying this special holiday.  Traveling to my aunts house to spend time with my cousins.  Sitting at the kids table listening to the adults laugh and visit about the past and future.   I remember watching and listening to my mom and her sister as they sat around the kitchen table in their bathrobes, early in the morning, drinking their coffee and reconnecting.  Such wonderful memories.
  I remember the feeling of waiting for my brother and his family, that lived far away, to arrive at our house.  So fun to have all the family together, reconnecting on different levels.  Watching the younger ones now at the kids table and my siblings and I seated at the adult table. 
  Now, we are the adults sitting at the table with our adult children, and their children at the kids table. 
  Times change.  But do they really?  The faces change, but the tradition goes on.  Family.  Gathering together.  Thankful for what we have.  Each other.  Love.  
  Some years the gathering is big, some years its small.  Even if we are not all together, we still think of each other and remember past Thanksgivings we've shared.  All those wonderful memories we have and we share, will always be with us, and will continue through to the next generation.  And the next.  For this I am thankful.

Wishing all a very Happy Thanksgiving.

A Mother's Day First

Today Is....

The first Mother's Day in all of my life

that I have not had my mother here so I could....

Say "Happy Mother's Day"

Say "I Love You"

Say "Thanks for being my Mom"

Give her a hug

Give her a card and gift.

Yet Today....

I will not cry and be sad.  Why?

Because today I am honoring my mother by....

Saying Happy Mother's Day to others

Loving Life

Giving Thanks for my family

Giving hugs to loved ones,

AND
Shopping for a gift for myself!

After all, Mom would have done it!

I miss you mom and thanks for the best gift ever......the gift of Life.

I love you.

Shirley Mae

See ya when the sun comes up.

As I am sitting here in my living room, drinking my morning brew, watching the beautiful sunrise, my mind wonders back in time.  Memories of my Farmers grandfather, and one of his many saying  "see ya when the sun comes up".  Sitting here in this house that was once his, looking out the very window he did, looking at the same view he did every morning for over 60 years...this morning I think I get it.  I always wondered why he said that instead of goodbye or see ya tomorrow.  Watching the sun rise is magical, its awe-inspiring.  The feeling of greatfulness, the feeling of thanks for life, the feeling of a new beginning, the feeling of peace....these are all the feelings that awaken in me as I sit here and watch this event. I can Imagine him thinking the same when he looked out.  Only I'm sure he wasn't sitting, still in his pj's.  Nope, he'd be standing, dressed, ready to start the day. He didn't just start his day.....he started it watching the sun rise. 

Ok....done dreaming......back to reality.  To be honest, I am not a morning person. My Farmer gets up early and has always told me that morning is the best part of the day.  I argued that night was better.  I am trying to change my ways.  But I am starting to think that I could start to like this morning thing. As long as I can sit here by the window, stay in my pajamas, drink my morning brew and not talk to anyone until I'm ready.  Yep, just maybe I can get use to it.  With that said.....See ya when the sun comes up.

  After all, tomorrow never comes, but the sun does rise.