Keeping Tranditions - Handprints

For years, we have celebrated
the every day by
making stepping stones
for the garden. 

Each stepping stone is embellished
with hand or foot prints, names and
dates.

I Want You to Celebrate

The greatest part of our
happiness depends on our dispositions,
not our circumstances.

                             Martha Washington

My hip replacement surgery is scheduled.
It's been nerve racking.
Still need an appointment with the
cardiologist.  Surgery won't happen
without his clearance. 
Relief mixed with anxiety and fear.

Today, a new feeling entered the horizon.
As part of a whole series of pre-operation 
appointments, I visited my dentist and
hygienist.  Both super wonderful.

My hygienist says, "Are you excited,
I want you to be excited?"

Me:  "I am scared and relieved."

Hygienist: "Understandable."

She continues: "My husband is an orthopedic surgicial
head nurse. It's sounds like a construction site in the OR."
 "I want you to celebrate that is may be a
fresh start to a new life for you."

Totally new spin.  Yes, I will celebrate.
I don't recall a time without pain.  It's
been years since I could walk stairs,
ride a bike, or dance like no one is watching.

I am going to celebrate this journey.

 

I love you, Friday

Totally exhausting week.
Long long hours.
Hours tempered with prayer.

Great things are done
by a series of small things
brought together. 
                 Vincent Van Gogh

Holiness of the Mundane

Girl crawled into our bed at the crack of dawn.
How does such a tiny person displace her father?
One word...diagonal.

Mr. Lee surprised me with warm chestnuts
(castanhas-in Portuguese) in bed, no less.

Castanhas, always remind me of my father.
He would peal chestnuts with his pocket knife
and offer them to me until I could eat no more.

I can close my eyes and be right there with him.
Toasty comforting thoughts.

That's my oldest niece, Christine celebrating her 2nd
birthday, my parents' kitchen table
where we would eat chestnuts,
celebrate.