Valentine's Day...

I'll be open and darn right rootin' tootin' up front with it... I hate Valentine's Day and today is that day. I'm happy for all out there that have a true, bona fide Valentine -- a husband/wife, boyfriend/girlfriend, partner, friends, kids, dog/cat... I have a few of those on my list as well and they are the ones that make me truly happy.

I don't need to have the conventional Valentine to make me feel complete or validated. That's actually farther from reality than most might think of my situation or one similar.

What is my problem, then, one might ask? As I type this out... maybe I'm not so sure either!

The thought of the day creeping up along with the typical diamond commercials and the happy wishes exchanged amoung people here and there only come as a big bang reminder on THIS day that yes, I am alone. I may be alone in the conventional way, but I am surrounded by many people (and pets) that I feel truly do love me. That in and of itself reminds me that I am very much NOT lonely.

Right now as I sit and type this I'm without my most special Valentine. I didn't wake up to her not so little feet padding across the floor, calling to the dog, running down the stairs, rifling through her toys.... Maybe that's why I'm in this "Groundhog Day" funky Valentine mood.

So, I guess this will be my New Valentine's Day resolutions:

1. Continue to just love everyone unconditionally
   
2. Appreciate what I have and share it
   
3. Enjoy the day for what the day is
   
4. Teach my daughter the strength in herself, even without the conventional Valentine

I guess I can go on forEVER, but will refrain for now...

So, in the spirit of the day and my new outlook, have a very happy Valentine's Day however you celebrate it!

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A Dog's Purpose...

This was sent to me by a friend and since I absolutely love my dog so much, I thought I would copy, paste and share...

We humans can learn quite a lot from this and from our furry, four-legged friends!

Supposedly this came from a 6-year-old from somewhere in some state or country. Either way, I'm not here to question its validity, but how profound!!

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker’s family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ''I know why.''

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.

He said, ''People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?'' The Six-year-old continued,''Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.''

Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday

How did my daughter and I celebrate such a day? It's actually a very special day to me and always has been.

I've always respected Martin Luther King, Jr. What he stood for, preached for, fought for... means even more.

Why, you might ask? Well, I was just two years old when he died so I have no memories of anything while he was alive.

I think, for me, it's because of my family. In every family there is history and where there is history there are stories that are told to you as a child that stick with you. These stories help build your respect for your family, those around you, and can also help build up some respect for yourself.

One of the stories that has stuck in my mind since I was young was that that my aunts and uncles, were discriminated against because of their skin color... and yes, including myself. Some were "forced to ride in the back of the bus". I know that sounds so cliche, but some of the stories I've been told of their experiences makes me respect and love them that much more. It's just what I've been told...

I will NEVER forget being called a pickaninny by, of all people, a teacher because I was running where I was not supposed to be at school. I had no idea what it was until I went home to ask my mom.

So, how did my daughter and I celebrate today? We went to a pizza place where we were with a very beautifully diverse group of friends in a place that was filled with beautifully diverse people... having a really fantastic time!!!

Not in the too distant past would that have been possible. It wouldn't have been made possible now without the Martin Luther King, Jr.s or the Rosa Parks...

Embrace our differences and love each other for how well we treat each other...

The New Year...

So I'm well into the first month of the new year. There's not much about this month that has been exciting -- yet -- or even mildly noteworthy. I just feel responsible to write something here so I don't lag behind too far.

There's so much in my head at the most inopportune times, but alas, I forget to write things down and that trickles into not posting anything at all.

Time is passing by so quickly... so much has happened in the last few years and it's all gone by in such a blink... a fraction of a blink it seems.

My wee one is not so wee anymore and she's just turned seven in this new year! Seven!!! I can still picture the day she came into our lives and even that seems like a fraction of a blink for the timespan.

Wow! Am I getting old...?

I'm hoping this year brings about a lot of change and hopefully good change. Lordy knows, I sure need some good to come my way. I feel there's plenty of good in my family and my friends... in the fun things that we do, in the good times, in the people we meet along the way. Along the way as in this life journey we are on.

Okay, enough mushy stuffy...

Happy belated New Year to all... at least to any or the very few that may pass by and read this.

Woo woo!

I got firewood!!! Yay!

I've been promising Miracle a fire in our little fireplace for that last couple weeks, but just haven't gotten myself out there to buy the firewood. I'm very bound and determined to have it all prepared for either Christmas Eve or Christmas night

We were invited by our sister company in the building to join them today for lunch and a white elephant gift exchange. Lunch was very good and they seemed all ready for this gift exchange. They seem like a really fun bunch of people

One of the first gift searcher outers was opening up a white box that ended up being firewood! How perfect of a gift is that for me!!

Of course, it was snatched up not only once, but twice!! There was still about ten numbers and plenty of time for someone else to snatch it up before I got a chance.

Number 21!! That's me!!

I slithered on over to the "victim" and stole that box right out from under her!

MUAHHAAHHAA!

Now, I do realize that this is NOT what the holiday season is about whatsoever, but when you've made a promise to your child and don't have the extra funds to possibly pull that promise off, I guess you go to whatever lengths you can.

I know, I'm being dramatic and I didn't actually slither on over, but the excitement was definitely building for me.

We had a great time and Gearge, the greyhound, went away with a very nice gray plaid scarf... from Macy's!!!

See Mom? There's gifts under the tree!

So, I was on the phone with my brother yesterday discussing Christmas and his family coming down possibly. We also discussed how tight this holiday is for everyone and that we wouldn't exchange gifts. It's tough not being able to get anything for the kids, but just spending time with them is good enough for me... and will have to do.

I have found that living in a matchbox of a townhome, even two-story, yields for not much privacy and I have to keep in mind that I've got a little one with really BIG ears. It's amazing what they pick up, even when you talk in code.

Miracle must have heard one part of the converation while I was in the kitchen near the laundry area and she was playing in the family room (mind you, it's only mere steps and no wall seperating the kitchen and the family room) when I mentioned that I didn't have any gifts under the tree yet and wasn't sure if or when I'd be able to.

Magically and unbenownst to me, she got up and put one of her toys in this huge bag. She got a hair tie and tied the top. She also got a small gift bag and put some of her toys in there and placed both under the tree.

I finished up my conversation and went into the family room and she looked at me while walking over to the tree. She pointed down and said, "Look, mommy, we do have gifts under the tree. I have the big one and the little one. I'm going to play with the big one later".

That cracked me up and just about made me cry. We spent a whole day at a community center working with some very needy families and some of the homeless community. I think she took away a lot from that experience and throughout this season.

We've been talking about other families less fortunate than we are and that it's good to help when you can. She's been talking about it here and there and it makes me feel really good that I've got a very compassionate little girl!

Of course Mommy thinks she's awesome!