June 19, 2010 – For my Fathers

It’s almost Father’s Day.  

My kids are bouncing off the walls, excited about the special day they’ve got planned with their dad.  It will be a  wonderful day in this house celebrating this gentle and loving man, the man I will be eternally glad my children have to call their Daddy. 

It’s almost Father’s Day. 

My card went into the mail for my dad.  It is a special card and I know he’ll like it.   I have his gift here, ready to be wrapped and sent to him, albeit late, but still crafted with care and sent, first thing Monday morning.  He’ll love it and both it and the card will be unneeded but most appreciated reminders to him of just how important he is to me.  I love him more than he knows and should make a point of telling him more often.

It’s almost Father’s Day.  

We sent my father-in-law a card and gift.  He’ll smile, seeing it is signed by the kids with hearts all over it.  He, too, has another gift I still have to send.  He always cherishes any treasures he’s given, reminding you forever that your thoughtfulness meant so much to him.  He’s a great guy, who modeled a respectful marriage and raised a wonderful son. I’m so fortunate to have him in now my life and my children’s lives.

It’s almost Father’s Day. 

We sent a card to my mom’s dad and my mother-in-law’s dad, our grandfathers, our children’s great grandfathers.  They are both getting older and I loved sending their cards and imagining their faces and hearts upon receipt, knowing that they have children and grandchildren and great grandchildren who love and appreciate them.

It’s almost Father’s Day.  

Despite all of the good happening,  the truth is that there is a void in my world today.    It is the first time in 34 years I will not sign your card or call your home to hear you on the other end while I giggle and smile, yelling the words clearer and louder on my side of the line.

It’s almost Father’s Day. 

I miss you and the loss of you in my life still hurts terribly every day. 

It’s almost Fathers Day. 

Your gift this year is not in a card or a phone call, but will have to be in my word.  And it’s going to have to be enough.

You have my word that I will live my life in a way that would make you proud.   I will work hard,  have fun and not take things too seriously.  I will talk about you often… with a smile.  I will hang my flag and stop and take notice upon hearing our National Anthem, remembering the bravery and strength of you and your generation.   I will tell my children all about you…  filling their minds with laughter and good memories.  I will feel your presence and believe it … and know for certain that I am not alone. 

It’s almost Father’s Day. 

Happy Father’s Day, Pop Pop.

With Love Always, Kristian

………………………………………………………………….

~K

June 18, 2010 – Education

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” 

- Nelson Mandela

I believe in education.  I believe that education can change our world.  I intend to be a part in making this happen. Let’s begin.

~K

June 17, 2010 – Change

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”       - Ghandi

I’m trying.  I understand that anyone can whine and complain.  This is easy.   I know that  it’s better to put some effort into making the change you wish to see.  This takes some courage and some effort.   We’ll see…

~K

June 16, 2010 - Education

“All of us do not have equal talent, but all of us should have an equal opportunity to develop our talent.”
-- John F. Kennedy

Thoughts to consider today.   Our local school, which is fantastic, just cut music and art to halftime positions.   Other schools don’t offer them at all.  I’ve been thinking about it quite a bit and have come to a few final thoughts as the day comes to a close.

I’m very grateful that my husband and I are fortunate enough to be able to supplement outside of the school day the arts that our children will no longer have access to.  However, I have to stop and wonder when, in our society, will we value education?  When will we realize the importance of including the arts?  When will we treasure our children as the wonderful yet often untapped creative and genius minds and souls of  which they are? 

We must change the ways of thinking for not just ourselves but for others… for I can only imagine what greatness all of our world’s children may have and what they could potentially offer to our communities and to our world…. if we only allowed them to grow.

~K

June 15, 2010 – As good as it gets

Swimming, smiles, sunshine…

Hugs, laughs, snacks by the water…

Children, friends, fresh food…

Cuddles, singing, bedtime stories.

……………………………………

No complaints.  None at all.  A perfect day.

~K

June 14, 2010 – Friendships

Today I’m celebrating the magical qualities of friendship.

New friends, learning each other’s ins and outs… knowing you’re beginning the building blocks of a lifetime together with your families.  Appreciating and enjoying the newness and the fondness you have for one another.

Old friends, now in different states and even different countries , some with semi-mimicking lives, and others on completely different roads, but friends who make the time to take the time to catch up… and every time it’s like no time has passed.

Friends who you don’t talk to regularly anymore, perhaps, but  no matter what happens or how much time has passed still do and always will hold a special place in the corner of your heart.

Friends who you want more time with but take what you can get.  The friend who held my baby before  I did.  We grew up together in the sense we became mothers together and raise children together and celebrated the ups and downs of being a wife and a mother and a daughter together.   We get each other and nothing is off limits.

The special friendship I share with my husband, my dearest friend.   It is irreplaceable and special.  I value it and hope that through the day to day, year to year interactions, our children see through what is sometimes surface bickering and understand the depth of this relationship and the foundations of respect on which it is built.

……………………………………………

I appreciate these and so many different friendships in my life.  I enjoy watching my daughter and son also begin to navigate the magical waters of friendship and I hope that they, too, find these special relationships, that which will be the mortar of their lives.

My father once told me that if, at the end of my life, I could count on one hand my true friends, to consider myself lucky.

What a true statement.

~K

June 13, 2010 – Oh my

Beautiful babies… oh my.

I spent the day with this angel.  How could I be more grateful for anything else?  What an absolute miracle, healthy and perfect, 2 weeks old… learning all about life and love. 

~K