Thursday, November 16, 2017

PERCEPTION VS REALITY

I lean in with all the weight of my body pushing the door as tightly closed as possible on Halloween decorations, eyes scrunched tightly closed mouth pursed and my body stiffens as I start to release my weight wincing in the thought of the door bursting open and Halloween bellowing from this closet. My body straightens and my head perks up with delight as I pat my hands with satisfaction that alas I had succeeded. One of my favorite things about decorating for any given Holiday is the immsense anticipation that overcomes me as I try to take a gander of the days ahead and what just might lie within them and also; in the taking down of these decorations it is a time of reflection for me, of the moments and memories that now make these items more beloved and evermore special. It isn't merely the fact we love each of these items for the given Holiday we celebrated, moreover it is the giggling as we unpack and thought provoking place as we recount the stories these items hold, eyes twinkling with wonder of what is to come. I am in the process of pulling out Christmas and I am one who still believes in Christmas Magic where anything is possible. I shall leave my Dining Room in tact with the Thanksgiving theme and splashes of our heartfelt gratitude laced within Christmas around. My heart is merry and excitement bubbles up as my percolator coffee maker hums as it brews our special blend for one of my favorite words has been and shall always be Gratitude. I have written about this in past blogs and pray it will always be the unspoken presence within my words and actions. It is as when the knob is turned on the propane tank unleashing from within it's container to light my firepit so shall our actions and words ignite when fueled with this powerful force. 

In this beautiful holiday approaching of Thanksgiving, my thoughts focus on how the Pilgrims and the Indians came together and Celebrated. What I find for me in my life and in my Home with my Daughter is they Celebrated their uniqueness. I love this picture because it shows the serving of one another, despite their differences. Their differences were many but poetically they wove together a glorious tapestry of History that is still revered today. In fact History teaches us it was in 1621 that the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians gathered in Plymouth for an autumn harvest celebration that is now regarded as the "first Thanksgiving." 




A week or so ago I was in a meeting with my Leaders from my Girls Non Profit Group. These are dynamic young women, spellbounding leaders in the making and already trailblazing in their Schools and Community. I often find myself taking notes from them, as I believe they too are doing with one another. That is where the power of our connection came that evening. In a moment of me pointing out certain girls who were the President of their Senior Class, Azalea Trail Maid another, Tennis Player and Cheerleaders giggling broke out. I stopped in mid sentance my smile could not be contained as I took a gander by asking what was so funny. They were giggling because who I thought was a cheerleader didn't make it this year. I felt so small and horrified that I might have embarrassed her when indeed, they grinned from ear to ear. I attested that is where their power would undoubtably come; it was from them not making it. It was as if the beavers had went on strike and that dam burst loose with waters rushing fervently. Our conversations and hearts were interwoven as you see the doves or tiny birds who fly with the ribbon to Snow Whites hair. The chatterings were turned up to ten as hands were going up and smiles around as we were able to all unmask where we don't always have it all or missed the mark.  I know my hand went up as well and we came together in such a way smiles everywhere with everyone able to be free to be themselves. We all agreed what a sensation this was that needed to be shared amongst the girls on each of their teams because daily we are all striving to obtain our own goals, dreams and following after the unique beat of our own heart. Some needing to be coaxed to begin or get back to it, regardless, encouraging one another by our own fears, limitations and sometimes failures. The Wonderment of Life is despite it all to keep going fervently wholeheartedly within the scope of your own vision to seek that which sets your Soul on fire. Man or Woman, regardless of the age.   


I find myself today as I type this blog in the midst of a beautiful season, that within the depths of my Daughter. I only know how much she has changed her almost thirteen years and I cannot begin to phathom all the changes ahead. I find myself as these teen years impeed that in one split second I am holding tighter to the reigns yet in the next, loosening them for her to run. All the while keeping  the gentle nudges and sometimes kicks to get her back on track. The path I refer to in this instance is her staying true to who she is and what she is passionate about. She went out for the high school jv tennis team and she does enjoy this sport and she played with such a passion it was seen and felt however she lacked the practiced skills. Alas, she did not make the team however; we decided to stick with it and keep practicing and playing elsewhere and try out again next year if she felt so to do..... only requirement, don't give up. I wanted her to go for golf from the beginning, but I was dismissed quicker than yesterdays news. I circled back around and made the calls and contacts to see if it was still an option to have her play. She fought me like a wild horse that refused to be saddled at first. You see my Daughter enjoys playing but feels it isn't "cool" to play it wasn't that she did not want to play but how others would view her. She is now learning how so incorrect her preceptions and notions were from them.  Knowing my Daughter as I do often over the years of dropping her off at golf practice the entire way there she bellowed of how much she disliked this sport yet every single time when I picked her up she beamed and boasted of how much she loved it. So I explained to her I guard her heart with all I have but I truly felt she had to go for this just to see what comes of it. She is now a part of the JV Girls Golf Team at her upcoming High School.  She is now becoming less skeptical and finding fellow friends who share this interest. She is starting to get that twinkle in her eyes and I am overwhelmed with the Gratitude that Life is full of wonder. 


I dedicate today's  blog to the Life and Memory of my second Daughter, Claire Hope Oct 3-2006 - Nov 28-2006 who eloquently taught me the power of today and living real and authentically. As we go into Thanksgiving this year to Celebrate with our Family and Friends may we permeate the gift of Gratitude in such a fresh and personal way from the depths of our very own Hearts and Soul and serve those around us, celebrating who they are as we all chase our Dreams and Goals that just might too go down in History as the Pilgrims and the Indians. This is The Wonderment of Life. 


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