2010 began with a phone call. My sister-in-law, Tanya McBride, died from cancer in the early hours of January 1, 2010. From that beginning, it caused me to realize there is no time to delay. Every day must be lived to the fullest. For me, that doesn't mean jumping out of an airplane, or taking a trip around the world. It is being aware of the moments and beauty of each and every day, and learning to be content with my surroundings.
As others reminisce about what they accomplished in 2010, I want to think of the blessings I have today. My husband, children, family members are near and dear to me. I have a warm house, a job that pays the bills and some money in the bank. That is enough for the moment. Is the perfect life? No. It is the life I have chosen, deliberately. Should I coast, and not make changes that are needed? No. There are things to be improved.
The people I love need to know they are loved. That is all that really matters.
sisters
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Today is the day
Liz sent me a message taken from Fearless Living, it was a long post with many adages of how to fully live. All things that I know and sometimes forget. The lasting message from the post is "Today is the day". The author meant the day to take action, I take it as living in the present moment. I will do what is needed for the moment - not dwell on worries of tomorrow.
Tomorrow may not come.
Today is the day.
Tomorrow may not come.
Today is the day.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Birthday, 2010
Today I turn 55 years old. I have never felt middle aged, however, at 55 what else can one call it? I tell people I am going to live until I am 104, so perhaps now I have reached the middle of my life. What have I been doing until now: spent an amazing childhood on a farm with TEN brothers and sisters, college, marriage, college, work, marriage, four amazing, wonderful children.
The next 50 years - what will they bring? Serenity, contentment, inner peace, I am going to annoy crabby people and reverse their negative energy with my optimism. I'm going to smile more, and worry less.
My first action will be to go back to bed and get the Elton John "It's 4:00 in the morning........." phrase out of my head.
The next 50 years - what will they bring? Serenity, contentment, inner peace, I am going to annoy crabby people and reverse their negative energy with my optimism. I'm going to smile more, and worry less.
My first action will be to go back to bed and get the Elton John "It's 4:00 in the morning........." phrase out of my head.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Generations
This morning, as I grabbed my first cup of coffee, I paused and looked a the wedding photo of Mom and Dad taken in the Como Park Conservatory in St. Paul, Minnesota on August 16, 1952. I smiled at my lovely mother, she smiled back at me. The joy filled faces of my mom and dad, Arlene Anklan, Aunt Genevieve Deutsch, Kathleen Fogarty, Uncle Edward Mahowald, Uncle Bud Sullivan and Ben Zweber fill my heart with love and remind me how important our links are to previous generations.
I attended the wake of Edward Anton Mahowald, my Dad's older brother, last night in Farmington. Edward died Sunday, Dec, 5, 2010 at 5:34 in the morning. My cousin, Mary Theresa Mattison, from CA was with him. Mary Theresa brought Uncle Ed's photo to the wake to give back to the Mahowald family. I enjoyed seeing my cousins: Mary, Tom, Mike, Cathy and Mary Frances and their children last night. My Dad was there, as was Uncle Buddy, Aunt Genevieve, and of course Uncle Ed was there in spirit. Three of the people in that photo, including my precious mother, are now deceased.
It brings a smile to my face, and tears to my eyes to have this permanent record of such a happy day in each of their lives. Edward was 27 in 1952, already married to Thelma, with three children and working in the creamery in Farmington. Genevieve was married to Clarence and had Charles, Pauline (she was the flower girl), Helen (she wore the flower girl dress for her first communion) and was pregnant with John. Buddy was 22 years old (Steven's age) and a carefree playboy, sad to have his favorite sister moving to the country.
I want my children to enjoy and remember my parents, and know that they were married in St. Columba Catholic Church on Lafond Avenue in St. Paul, Minnesota. Their wedding photos were taken at the Como Park Conservatory in St. Paul. It is one of my favorite spots in St. Paul, and I can feel the spirit of those before me that have enjoyed the beautiful, tropical setting.
I attended the wake of Edward Anton Mahowald, my Dad's older brother, last night in Farmington. Edward died Sunday, Dec, 5, 2010 at 5:34 in the morning. My cousin, Mary Theresa Mattison, from CA was with him. Mary Theresa brought Uncle Ed's photo to the wake to give back to the Mahowald family. I enjoyed seeing my cousins: Mary, Tom, Mike, Cathy and Mary Frances and their children last night. My Dad was there, as was Uncle Buddy, Aunt Genevieve, and of course Uncle Ed was there in spirit. Three of the people in that photo, including my precious mother, are now deceased.
It brings a smile to my face, and tears to my eyes to have this permanent record of such a happy day in each of their lives. Edward was 27 in 1952, already married to Thelma, with three children and working in the creamery in Farmington. Genevieve was married to Clarence and had Charles, Pauline (she was the flower girl), Helen (she wore the flower girl dress for her first communion) and was pregnant with John. Buddy was 22 years old (Steven's age) and a carefree playboy, sad to have his favorite sister moving to the country.
I want my children to enjoy and remember my parents, and know that they were married in St. Columba Catholic Church on Lafond Avenue in St. Paul, Minnesota. Their wedding photos were taken at the Como Park Conservatory in St. Paul. It is one of my favorite spots in St. Paul, and I can feel the spirit of those before me that have enjoyed the beautiful, tropical setting.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Snowy Sunday
Snow softly falling. Megan at my elbow. Lemon heart cookies cooling on the counter upstairs.
Cardinals, blue jays, juncos, woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees at the feeder.
Darn, it is cold outside!
Cardinals, blue jays, juncos, woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees at the feeder.
Darn, it is cold outside!
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