UNDER DRESSED

My eyes still puffy from watching the Memorial Service of  our Beloved 41st President yesterday. Then there was more Today.  One of the things that was quoted of him saying is "How we live is as important as what we achieve." I am coming to my final month of my #90dayschallenge and I find these two things to pair well together to complement and bring out the underlying depth of the statement. To find ten things daily that I am grateful for has been life changing to say the least. I have always tried to live a life of Gratitude but this has just been the next level. It has transformed and repurposed the way I live my life. What is so intoxicating is the fact that I am leaving this year on a high pinnacle grounded and sure footed. For that I am utterly grateful as if Christmas has come early. Often times in Life we are simply a Tumbleweed as we chase after our Dreams. I liken this to me playing one of my Dog's favorite games, Go hide and seek. I get to belly laughing when I give him a good "scare" and then there are those times that I just stump him. Yesterday was one of those days. 
 I tucked myself into a little ball and hid beside the bar. I had excellent vantage point of seeing him. Hearing his loud footsteps and heavy breathing I could hear myself breathing loudly as well as the adrenaline was pumping and my heart was pounding. Containing the giggles was a feat. He would run this way and that way. However, Oddly, he never strayed too far. He went up the first few stairs and just stopped. Somehow  he decided I was not up there. It struck my soul when it occurred to me how he was right there. Only the length of my body  was he  away from me. It was liken to Home Base when playing tag. Somehow his instincts felt safe right there in that midst of the imaginary base. But he had no clue he was right on me. I was assured when I finally popped out like a jack in the box. What inspired me is he sensed I was right there, he just could not see me. I liken that to Us and our Dreams. 

Last Night I vowed I would walk out and close that attic door behind me to not return until the New Year to put away. Alas, there I was in my long vintage night gown and bed coat. I was squatted down in the middle of it all just letting these decorations just woo me.  I felt like I was as glamorous as the days of old. I had a darling cup and saucer full of deliciousness. Aromatic and bountiful with spices of Cider. I sauntered around my Home as I sipped. I would stop and visit each room as if starting a conversation unleashing my soul opening it so wide to listen. To be moved and inspired; intoxicated with Wonder. There was music bellowing from every room. I sipped and sauntered into my Dining Room. Hmmm.  I felt I needed something from within to be set free. I was like my Dog, I could sense it I just could not see it. In fact when I looked down I was standing in the exact place he would stop to redirect himself. It was the very Heart of my Home. It's most center point.  I was breathless for a moment from the awe of this revelation. Finally,  I took a deep breath inhaling the luxurious fragrances only this Season bestows. Before I knew it I had my gown in one hand holding it out and I danced as if attending a ball and I were the Queen. I got giddy and lost in the melody, the Christmas crooning of the Rat Pack. Twirling and my arm that was free moved with precision. It was as if the Ladies of days gone by who wore this gown and bedcoat were speaking to my very Heart and Soul. Reminding me of how especially back then it was crucial and as important for their underwear to be as pretty as their outerwear. We are no longer talking fashion now are we? I adore what I call, Cyber Christmas Cards. Seeing all the posts of people sharing their trees, their Homes, their stories. Sharing the specialness and the stories their trees and memories that hang from them tell. I saw the posts where the Lady that is in charge of the White House pinned millions of red berries on these Larger than life styrofoam cones. It was brilliant and behooving. I cannot imagine what must over come you to be in the presence of such Beauty. But what I found illuminating was the Woman behind it all, her Vision and her Inspiration. Going back to that quote, what she achieved all on it's own is spellbounding. However, I commented I would only desire to glean from her. How she lived this out was the real showstopper. It was the Passion of her Dream brought to life. I am moved with Wonder.


Today as I again proclaim This is the Day I will be completed with Decorating; I am in my workout clothes. I am pumping up the volume to ten to one of my favorite songs, Social House and Lil Yachty's  "Magic in the Hamptons" and I am having an utter ball. I am busting some gangsta moves while decking my halls.  I am the Mother of Christmas Magic. Whether in the Hamptons or most of all in my Home. This Christmas is unlike any other I have ever experienced in my entire life. The greatest gift I have received early is Conscious Daily Gratitude. Purposefully looking for ten or more things I am grateful for and then reviewing at the end of the day. When looking through a grateful heart so rich and decadent you just cannot stop the joy or love of life from oozing out and overflowing. It changes the perception of Life itself.  It is the wondrous moral behind the Whooville's I have written about this  in the past. There was something underneath their Celebrations of Christmas that was more real inside of themselves than to what was outside and tangible. Furthermore, it spread that Christmas Magic to transform the Grinch. Get lost in your sense of wonder in such a way like for me;  my Daughter will say, "One more time, Mom?" 


Ironically enough a friend posted something that went so hand in hand with what I was writing. It went something like this; You are holding a cup of coffee when someone comes along and bumps into you. This causes you to spill your coffee. Why did you spill the coffee? "Well because someone bumped into me of course!" Wrong answer. You spilled the coffee because there was coffee in your cup. Had there been tea inside the cup you would have spilled tea. "Whatever is inside your cup, is what will spill out." Therefore, when life comes along and shakes you (which will happen), whatever is inside you will come out. It's easy to fake it until you get rattled. "So we have to ask ourselves....what's in my cup?" When life gets tough, what spills over? Joy, GRATEFULNESS, peace and humility? The Wonderment of Life is your Home Base, which is your Heart and following after it with such reckless tenacity.  This year try trimming your tree and decking your halls from the inside/out instead of the outside/in and just see the effects it will have not only on yourself but to everyone who crosses over your threshold.  xo

BEAUTY IS IN THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER

I stood before my Keurig machine smiling as I closed the lid hearing the opening of my much anticipated Chai Latte pod. As the aroma entertained my senses I gazed out the window as my thoughts like a little child had been taken by the hand to roam freely on the playground. As the steam floated through the air from the coffee maker I was captivated how effortlessly it entertained and delighted me. Graceful as a dancer that it swirled and twirled right in time with the percussion of the rain falling upon the roof and within mere seconds it had vanished. Here I sat within one of my favorite rooms of my Home. I am always moved when I have spent time within these small boarders. The room is the size of a larger closet but it is filled with something so real and tangible, I feel it embraces me.  I lean in and inhale the steam closing my eyes as I envision I am buckling in to a fair attraction ride excited to see where this ride takes me. 

Minutes later I find myself enthralled embracing this bewitching cup that is filled with a delicious wonder. I now sit in an adjoining room that is yet another favorite. It was my Daughter's playroom and now is her big girl hangout room. Normally my Home is billowing with music from any and all directions. Here lately, I find myself jiving to the jam session within. The rain is playing it's own melody upon the roof of this room and against the window as I look out and Dream. It is rather dreary really. No sun shining to speak of as if it called in Sick today. However because we have been weather watching, I know that this is here to usher in the Fall-esque cooler and frigid temperatures that will follow in the days to come.  I look at that daunting list of things to do today and quickly look away. Without a word spoken the struggle was intense. I look around this beloved room and smile at the candles lit and the aura it bestows. As if I have taken my seat and these walls are speaking to my very Soul. They remind me of  evenings before. My Daughter and I had fell to the perils of the time change. Both of us were out like a light by eight thirty. I prepared a nice big meal as usual but to keep in tune with the melody within, I put our dinner on the road and traveled upstairs to her instead. There  I was, lying on the floor of her dressing room. Hands cupped under my chin laying on my belly with my legs crossed and feet in the air. Captivated, watching her repeatedly try on various dresses for an upcoming event for the next evening. Her words were more delicious than the food that sat before me. Watching her in front of her full length mirror she taught me with every word and thought. She was teaching me of who she was and moreover who she is becoming. Moments earlier she was cross and cranky. Now she was seemingly transformed. What fills my being with wonderment is the poignant point of what ideally really changed? 

Perhaps the transformation was not just in her demeanor, moreover, it was from the inside being set free, unleashed. For I had seen my Daughter, her very heart and soul; take flight. High above where the confinements and restraints were no longer found. As if a light switch was flipped I saw the lustrous side of her. Often times we miss seeing someone right there in front of us.That bears repeating. Often times we miss seeing someone right there in front of us. I was sharing with a friend a story that captivated me on social media. It was against the perils of judging another. Certainly it is something we all fall prey to but indeed is something we all should heed and take note to reign in. Myself included. A gentleman had bought some cookies.While enjoying them he realized that another man across the table was enjoying his same cookies. This man became quite annoyed. He was irritated that he would have such nerve. It came down to the last cookie. The man across the table pleasantly took that last cookie, he halved it and shared it with the gentleman. He shook his head in disgust but ate his cookie while the other man smiled. That man across from him left. It was when this gentleman went to gather his things he realized that the cookies he had purchased were still sitting there. It had been HIM that was eating the other man's cookies! Oh I belly laughed and found such depth in the simplicity of this story. As often Life so graciously, beautifully teaches us all when we are teachable and open hearted with eyes from our soul are wide with wonder. 

I found myself Saturday Morning receiving a FaceTime from my Daughter. I love when she or anyone brings me into her/their world.  I watched her put on her makeup, decide what to wear and just chit chatting. The beauty of technology brought to Life.  It was mid morning and I had been up early and coffee was no longer part of my day. She said "hey Mom, lets have our coffee together like we always do!" I was like "what?" But did not dare utter a word. I found her happily gathering her cup and the fixings for her coffee. What do you think this over caffeinated Momma went and did? Absolutely. I might not have ever moved so fast in fact.  I drank in the most delicious cup I could have ever imagined. As she was spending the night with a friend she took me shopping with them for a bit. It is just a part of who we are and how we move along through life. It is finding a commonality to connect, when I often times cannot with her in these Teenage years. Do not misinterpret, she is perhaps one of the most unruly to harness at times and I am learning how to temper. Perhaps at making the wrong choices first, however; moments like these are what propel me to persevere. 

Interrupted, I come back to this task at hand. Writing my daily ten things I am grateful for. My last 90 days challenge. I wiggle back into my seat eager to finish this task before me. I smile and write enthusiastically as the rain begins to downpour. I grab my phone to ask Suri to define interruptions because I just scribbled it with glee. This one is my Favorite: to obstruct something, especially a view. I nod my head as I think on what I wrote not once but twice earlier. About not seeing what is in front of you. Yesterday, I'm getting out of the bath totally not prepared for the call that the golf cart had broken down. I immediately tell my Daughter to call our fella that services it. His response was to tow it until he could look at it tomorrow. TOW IT?! Something surged within me that we were up for this interruption. I grab a rope from the garage and off we go to meet this obstruction. I sit today in awe realizing the gratitude I feel from what we gathered during something none of us were too happy about to say the least. This situation let us down. It left us stranded. Frustrated. Wondering if or how we would get it towed because we could not see how it was to happen. There was so much girl power surging, Life had just called us all to order. ( I cannot figure out how to upload my videos but will certainly share in days to come.) 

My Heart is overflowing with wonderment as I replay these videos as I watch them go through these moments and they are seeing Life so crystal clear. The laughter that bellows from their bellies is a lesson for us all. These girls set out with one thing in mind. A joy ride. Ironically, they got that and so much more. So keep Dreaming but hold on loosely like one of my favorite songs growing up by Thirty Eight Special. If you cling too tightly  you will lose control.  So loosen up, embrace and enjoy the momentary setbacks, interruptions and obstructed views. Perhaps Life is merely perfecting your vision. Love is always there in abundance and will always lead you Home to your Dreams. 

I saw this on Facebook last night. I was Obsessed.  I absolutely love this Mother. I went to High School with her but watching her especially on Snapchat always leaves me moved and inspired. My Daughter is enthralled as we all are. She sees Life. She gets it. She is the real deal. She and her Daughter here are what this world needs more of.  In the ordinary she sees the spectacular, the Wonderment. What any of you should know is her Daughter who is a Teenager and as fabulous as her Mom, is the one who posted this on Facebook.  May this inspire you to buckle up and hone in on what is most important and ultimately the fulfillment of all our Dreams. Enjoy this duo as on the dreariest of days I am able to sing I can see clearly now, the rain is gone, I can see all obstacles in my way. Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind. It's gonna be a bright Sun-Shiny Day. This is The Wonderment of Life. xo

VANTAGE POINT

 I sit sipping on my cup of hot tea and lose myself in the herbal blend. Slowly and methodically weaving their magic herbs as I am spellbound imagining of being on a hot air balloon ride. The adrenaline is surging as I approach the basket. A portion of myself wants to resist but I am overcome with curiosity and fascination. Instantly, I climbed onboard and it is nothing shy of surreal. The bursts of air are fueling the balloon to lift the basket. Each time the air is emitted it is such a surge of power. The noisy force brings my senses to attention; causing my hands to sweat and tremble as my legs get weak in the knee. I am instantly overcome and quaked to my very core. My eyes are tightly closed as my hands are clinched to the basket. I sense that we have left the ground. I open my eyes and my pursed mouth relaxes to that of a satisfied smile. One with pride that I have met this raging fear of mine. The second for allowing myself to behold this phenomenal beauty. I have now stepped out breathing deep and wide; full of longing to explore the great unknown.  I am paralyzed with the fear of heights but as I look around and gazed out upon the beauty I am captivated. Wonderment floods my Soul and I have succumbed from the fear and bask in the majestic marvels of beauty that surround me. It is just before the Sun begins to dawn. All of Nature is starting to rouse. By now the bursts of hot air that erupt are becoming soothing. Somehow now I relax and invite them as I am captivated by the mysterious aerostation  in action. The wonder above it all is in order for that basket or gondola  to be lifted and carried high up in the horizons the air must be extremely hot. Hot like my cup of tea or hotter. So hot in fact that a burner is used to heat the air.  Moreover, it is unleashing the buoyancy to cause us to lift high above the Houses. Up higher now above the tree tops. I look around and marvel at all I savored and deliciously drank in. The skyline as the sun begins to rise. The glorious colors being painted there before me are amplified with  intensified hues from this vantage point. For very few moments in my life, I have no words. It is as if too I was awakened and never more alive. 


My mind drifts to a couple weeks ago and my Daughter and I were honoring and in our best efforts celebrating her little sister's birth. We sat on the floor with her photo's all around us. As if the photographs were telling their stories we would embrace their weightiness. The force of love and the passion of life surged within us as if shot into us with a needle. We rummaged through the drawers that safely keep her things. Liken to an old antiqued chest that was kept up in an attic. I watched my Daughter as she is now older and able to grasp it all. The moments where her eyes were wide with wonder and the next were filled with tears. She then took one of her little sister's blankets and pillows  and we were off to watch home movies. As if the steam of that hot air balloon erupted; I knew just what movie we would watch. It was my older Daughter's birth and as my now teenager gasped, she said, "Mom this is so Trippy." I sensed the glorious Wonderment of Life was ignited as she watched me pregnant realizing it was Her inside of me. The moments that she watched will be seared to my heart forever. It was the first time she grasped the unmeasurable gift of Life. Her Life.  And even more, her gift of life to me. The gift of fifty six days of Claire's Life was illuminated in a poignant way as in a key that unlocked the gates to unleash that fervency within now my Older Daughter.  How we live and love Today will effect our Days and Years from now. Moreover, those all around us. My younger Daughter has taught us both that. It was within that moment that mantel was passed on. We were soaring high as if she were in that hot air balloon ride with me. 


 I close my eyes and imagine myself again upon that hot air balloon. I relish in how perfectly timed as Life so often is. Since the first of this Month, I have been doing Rachel Hollis' #last90dayschallenge alongside my Daughter and some friends. There are 5 to Thrive things to do each day. Number five just may be my favorite. Its the hot air that lifts my Heart and Soul. It has you write down ten things you are grateful for. I wrote a couple of years back on social media;  Day one of 365 and so on. Days became Chapters. I am a huge resolutions girl. Always have been. You see, I was lucky enough to identify with who I was at a very young age. I see the same in my Daughter. But now at my age I can see how life can often times have me doubting most of all myself! Before I know it, me and all of my dreams, resolutions and goals that I had held so tightly to before were now just blowing in the wind. But this elates me, it delights me with a new found excitement. How brilliant?! We often start off strong with anything or everything in Life, but lose that stamina or drive midway. I have my hand up for certain. My same best friend's husband always says it is not how you start but how you finish. So let's finish out this year, strong together. 

One of mine and my Daughter's favorite movies and soundtracks has been Mama Mia. Since she was just three years old. She and I have danced and twirled to these tunes. We have been to Broadway and in our pjs snuggled before our television. It never grows old. Ten years later we had a date night. We went out to eat our favorite, Sushi. Then we went to see the sequel, Mama Mia here we go again. We laughed, we sang and we cried. What I only realized this past weekend as we now purchased the sequel and watched them both back to back why this is so poignant. It was one of my top ten things I will ever be grateful for. The movie started with the Daughter singing, "I have a Dream." 

                       This was us at Dinner

My Daughter's Insta Post after the Movie  

Be unapologetic about that which sets your soul on fire. Live with intention, purposefully. Be who you were created to be in ALL of it's entirety. You will not appeal to everyone perhaps, but what a gift to those who you were designed for. Oprah Winfrey is quoted and I wholeheartedly agree, "The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your Dreams." This is the Wonderment of Life. xo

RIDE LIKE THE WIND

Patting my hands together to not only applaud myself perhaps but to loosen the dirt and grime off as I placed the final chair of my outdoor dining table and chairs back to their rightful spot. For two and a half days while we were under a Hurricane Watch and Warning, I have looked out my enormous window and saw the vast empty spot where that dining table has sat for the past one month shy of eleven years. I stand and admire it as if it just arrived. I slowly nod my head while my hands go to my hips and I let out a Satisfied "Hmmm" that spoke as if I had said a mouthful. As if rehearsed a million times I was overcome with so much gratitude and joy my smile was super sized with pleasure and without unction I found myself twirling, singing and dancing to the soulful tune I had playing by Brenton Wood from the year I was born 1967, "Baby you got it." And just like that something clicked deep within my being as if it jolted my body oddly as if it was a hushed whisper. This is us with our Dreams and Goals. Or it should be. The song starts out, "I run after you like a fool would do. But Mama didn't raise no fool and I should know that baby you got it.." The lyrics go on to say "You got soul, too much soul...there's nothing fake about you, now that I found you gonna cling to you." As I have written many times prior I have a beloved book that resides on display in my kitchen that is titled "An affair with a House" I have always said this is me. Now I realize I have grown up and matured and now it is an accurate depiction that it should state "An Affair with Life." For it isn't just merely this house I was this way when I lived in an apartment. Even then,  I took it to the next level adding color to the walls and closing in others making it uniquely mine.  It blows my mind when I think of all the things that drive me with passion so thick and rich it outdoes the most lavish caramel. And really always has like it was spun and woven into my DNA. While we were tucked away inside my Home waiting out the weather, I was left blown away within my Soul. Like the gusts of wind and thundering rain pouring down, it was as if I was like Dorothy and our Home was blown to another place. It was late in the night and I was doing foot patrol checking on those within my Home and I went and sat outside on my front porch swing. It was as if I took my seat within the classroom of Life and Mother Nature was starting her oration. As if a projector was playing a home movie I saw myself at around eleven years old and I was baking cookies. I remember it like it was yesterday. Happy and joyful at the delicious aromas that filled my Home and there was music playing from the records that I had spinning as I was filled with glee as I laid on our sofa with thoughts of my Great Grandmother who passed while she laid down for a short spell while baking a cake. Something about that story pierced my soul at my young age of hearing this.  I knew that is how I would love to go. Reality really for me or anyone else; do that which drives your being and satisfies you. 

I have been blessed beyond measure. As the Bible states, "Good Measure, Pressed Down, Shaken together, Running over" truly wouldn't begin to describe it. I have been gifted with the passion for life by experiencing the opposite perhaps. Odd but true. But then again, anyone who knows me knows that is how I roll. Being given the tall task of caregiver at such a young age as I was to my hero, my Mom to then on the other spectrum losing my youngest Daughter at 56 days old but being able to be right there holding her to sear her last moments to my heart forever. Then there was both of our Dogs that were my "boys" that lived twelve and thirteen years. Both passed in my arms and in the way they loved the most. Tears flooded my face more than the rain falling. But these were not tears to make me sad as I had thought before, moreover, the beautiful awareness of the gift of Life itself. My Life. My Story. Every single ounce of it was mine and somehow being used to fuel me with such a newfound tenacity to propel me to reach further to be more and do more....well; dreaming. To work harder and raise my standard High. As I type the hymn "This is MY Story, this is my song" is sung within my Soul and I think of the Host of Heaven and how that Heavenly choir undoubtably understands and tries to impart into us all. The Testaments to unanswered prayers and to keep the faith and never lose hope that there is always more.  And then there are the harder life moments that are and were not so seemingly gracious. The lesson that was taught to me during this storm named Gordon has left with me quite a few homework assignments to study and prepare for. When I wiped my eyes and I looked again at the mirage of this presentation, I saw My Mother who laid sleeping in my room in my bed. I then saw my Daughter and her two friends snuggled on the sofa along with myself sprawled out on the floor, our Cat and Dog who all fell asleep watching a movie earlier together. I realized just why I am her Daughter and the other one's Mother. I realized if I wouldn't have had all of this Passion for my Home and Life, my Mom's story would be different. I realized my Daughter's story would be different. Perhaps there is more to all that cooking I spent the evening in the kitchen preparing and dessert that had them  snapping pics as they giggled on the floor having their carpet picnic. Perhaps what I thought was me being a pyromaniac there is more by candles lit all throughout our Home besides filling it with delicious aromas blended together to create a unique fragrance. With assuredness I realize the mood lightening that was full on tap as they were sipping non alcoholic sparkling apple juice through candied twizzler straws making bracelets and riding out the storm helped cause it to be  a memorable way together. Enthralled as I was reading posts from others as they chose to spend their time of weather watching. Inspired by some and heavy hearted for those that like me last storm who were not as fortunate and had left me full of worry and nervousness because you understand the severity that Life metaphorically or in realness could bring to you in a flash of lightening, the drops of rain or wind that blew.

I started out to write about construction thus I will be able instead to conclude on those thoughts. My outer backyard is a golf course and has been under construction for months. Grueling months at times. Less than pleasant moments at times for months. Interruptions and disappointing views and moments to say the least...yes... for months. Alas, as if with the flip of a switch it is becoming finished as we are on our last months of completion. Oddly those negative moments are already as a distant memory for now, we can behold and almost obtain the prize of the completion of this Dream course. We have complained, felt frustrated and resisted these changes to say the least at times. "Why it wasn't  good enough the way it was" has been the unanimous quip. Mother Nature reprimanded me as in the Chiffon Margarine commercial. When chasing out our Dreams and Goals in Life we all have our own blueprints and Story. Often times we become disgruntled and want to quit when we are amidst the chaos life can bring and choose to settle. Worse of all we can lose ourselves and who we are destined to be. My mind goes to my recent vacation with my Daughter and our biking excursions. One that makes me belly laugh is one morning we woke up and were on our bikes at six am. We had it all planned out beautifully. We rode and rode and stopped to make reservations for us to go by bike to the next town and do a water yoga board class. We were on the trails and were mesmerized by the most amazing rainbow. My Daughter yelled back to me to look and to stop and lets take pictures. So we did. Felt like a great Mom moment and I was acing this, flying high and feeling incredibly optimistic about Life itself. As we smiled for our selfies all of a sudden my Daughters eyes were wide as saucers and the look her face needed no words to be uttered. As if the slowest motion imaginable my head made it's way reluctantly to turn to access her findings. What seemed like hours later I discovered the deepest shade of black I have ever seen. As if an artist forgot to blend it was the harshest line imaginable. As if an ant bed had been kicked over were liken to the thoughts that overtook my mind and emotions. Here only seconds before we were giggling, smiling ear to ear with the selfies making grand plans only to be instantly squashed out like a fly with a swat. My Mom Moment of a one hundred just nosedived to a zero. There before us were two choices. Life had just happened. It was contrary to our plans and goals for the day. Our dream day seemed as if it was cancelled. And we had not even had breakfast for the sun had merely begun to wake up. Go ahead and put out the yellow cones, we were under construction. We nervously decided to go back home and try to out ride this oncoming storm. Needless to say our feet were peddling just as fast as they could go but alas the storm was determined to crash our party. Ironically, it did not shut us down. I am certain we awoken neighbors while others laughed and waved as we were filled with laughter while squealing our way with squinted eyes from the falling rain so hard. We flew off our bikes as we dashed into the garage both filled with amazement as my Daughter pulled out her camera to capture this moment. There stood my love wonder erupting with laughter and joy so contagious whereas earlier she was my grumpy teenager where I had the audacity to awaken her before noon; much less before the sun. What could have been one of our lowest points of our Vacations will go down as one of our funnest, glorious full of robust memorable moments. This is the Glorious Wonderment of Life. xo

As we all write our Stories may we first of all take ownership that they are ours. Fully free to be open and share our Chapters in order to gain the confidence from one another to ride out the storms that Life will positively bring. May we inspire one another from our own Life lessons to be patient within those times of construction. Most of all, to be fully present, I mean go all in with Life as in gambling, in order to bask in the joy to be ourselves as we chase down our Dreams; writing our unique versions of our own Affairs with Life. 

LET'S GROOVE TONIGHT

As I stepped across the threshold one last time pulling the door closed behind me, the sense of new things ahead was imminent. I was new. I told a close friend I truly felt like a Hallmark movie in realtime. I was somehow suspended up in a corner hovering above watching my Life unfold this past week. The Phenomenon of Wonderment undiluted and vividly clear. The coming together where my mind and desires met my actions and thoughts. I had worked on our Vacation diligently, in fact I worked on a number of them until at last deciding this was where to go and be. I had not visited these parts close to twenty years really. It was incredible to share with my Daughter stories of visits of moments I had shared here. Telling her stories of old and making new memories to reflect on a lifetime. She was learning about her Mom in new ways as I shared and spoke. As we giggled and commented, alas; I too was awakened. Since our trip my Daughter will say, "Ah! this time last week we were doing..." and our hearts are filled instantly. She is a Teenager and I am a single Mom. That right there says it all; I am certain you can easily fill in the blanks but we are continually finding our way. As Life so gloriously mixes the beat we have to move in  a manner as to stay in time. Or we will lose our Rhythm. The older I get the easier I accept when realizing my groove is off and I didn't shuffle in time or shift in tune. It is only part of life and just like Stella, I get my groove back. The part that is emphasized is my or mine. It is how I am wired and vibe. The only way that is instinctual, automatic, involuntary and spontaneous. It is the passion in which my actions are performed. Those heightened moments in watching Theatre when you are moved and inspired. You just flow effortlessly and confidently. We live in a world that tries to thwart our truest selves often times and offer up some diluted or hollowed out version. My main objective for waiting our last days of Summer with my Girl was to remind her of exactly who she is and what she is all about before the bombardment of all the various influences that school life can bring. Especially this year; ruling her school in the Eighth grade. 

As I mentioned, my Daughter just started her Eighth Grade year. Today marks the first week in fact.  I posted on Social Media how Poetic her comment when she and I were both teary eyed pulling up to the school. We always say this same prayer on the way to school since she started and it contains a bible verse. This time it was different. The words were weighted and the emotion was high. She said, "Mom, I always looked up to the Eighth graders, and now I am one." This was such a valuable nugget as if it were wrapped up and presented as the most coveted gift to her Momma. I shall undeniably use this again and again to remind her of all of those underclassmen that too are looking up to her when she chooses the less than regal options for herself. Game changer and I too try to measure myself however the most important one watching me is my Daughter. It is those moments where  you have been incredibly wronged and there before you stands the iluminating two options. If we aren't filled with the resources of who we are deep down; or who we inevidably want and strive to be, our instinct will often times take the lesser of the two options. For instance, when we arrived at the house we had rented for the week; we were very late in the Night, in fact the wee hours of the Morning. I found myself wanting to be more than cross at this pick up truck that was parked in our driveway. We must have backed up and kept going several times until realizing that was our House! Weary and exhausted we gathered our things to move in and make this Home for the next week. I promptly wrote a note to this individual to put on his windshield and when I looked up the look on my Daughter's face was priceless. I explained how late we were arriving and I was not being difficult to block him in I had no other option that I could see and my phone number to contact me as soon as he needed to have me move. Signed your New Neighbor for the next week. When I tell you I made a new friend and he even commented I was much nicer than he would have been; it was fortuitous when we needed his help throughout the week as he lived there. When we were packing up our car to head back Home, he said; "it seems as if y'all only just got here. Y'all sure left your mark around here." That was such a loaded statement on both sides. In one instance it was as if we had only just arrived, however; the change that occured in our lives seemed as if we had been there much longer. 

It was such an unforgettable time. Life changing as Thomas Rhett sings "Life Changes" we could have made his video of our escapades of our week.  I have so many many things to write and share for times to come and feel certain there will be many more things revealed as I carry on. Our House came with a golf cart and on day two it seemed as if we were having battery problems. We never used our car again this week however, this moment we found ourselves trotting from Grayton Beach back towards Water Color and then onward towards Seaside for Lunch. We had noticed in Grayton that our battery seemed suddenly low but they did not have a charger. It seemed as if the normally fun filled ride with our bose speaker streaming our tunes was strained to say the least. Trying to take our thoughts off of this blinking low battery. We giggled as we recalled me having to pull over right in this same spot earlier because our styrophome lid had blown off into the road the day before. I hopped out and sprinted down the road where before I could get to the spot; some less than clever fella in a jacked up pick up truck purposefully and with great precision ran over the lid he undoubtably saw me dashing after. I stopped and threw my hands up and said "Really?! Thank you!!" When only to find the next oncoming car that saw me sadly standing on the side of the road slowed down and stopped for me to dart after my trampled lid. My feelings were apparently more crushed than that of my old faithful lid. That moment by this oncoming car was just the fuel I needed to indeed groove on. I think I skipped back to the cart with my Daughter cheering me on! We were panicked as I kept pulling off of the road and turning off the cart as to preserve the battery. No idea if that even helped but I was able to build my tattering confidence each time.  I called the rental office as they had become my new best friends they giggled when they said this had never happened before. I had to giggle for I was not surprised. 

I thought of an instagram post that Jennifer Garner had only just posted on Vacation with her Daughter where they got lost on their kayacks. Thank goodness for her being real. She will never know how her own transparency of being a single Mom perhaps losing her groove fueled this one. We made it to Water Color amidst my Daughter randomly snap chatting me talking to myself and chanting positive quips. She found it rather amusing at my distress and lack of rythym as I was faking my groove.Or was I??  Immediately I made a friend who just so happened to be an employee of this resort. He happily agreed to help us out. We must have spent close to an hour of moving us, other carts and even a car to reach the charger. Alas, the charger did not match ours. I decided we would go on as our new friend gave us his cell where he offered to be our Hero if we did not make it. I made a pit stop in the grocery to grab a couple of items. I went ahead and got our sherbert for we made different daily flavored waters and mocktails and todays called for pineapple sherbert. I knew this was risky but I knew I was grooving and the show would go on. As I came back to the cart my Daughter looked at me puzzled for I had the smirk that said it all. I confidently pulled out our gallon of sherbert and two plastic spoons. I said to her, "This is life. Real Life. It will always throw you curves and often times not go as planned but always be yourself and be positive and the right thing will always happen. Always." Then I explained to her we only had just this last little piece to get Home. We were going to put on our positive pants and turn it up to ten. We would either make it, as I put our Sherbert in our handy dandy trusted duriable stand the jacked up truck of time. Or....we would be refreshed as we would be a little stalled waiting on help to come we would partake of our picnicked Sherbert. I said Life is always what you make of it. Needless to say we grooved Home in every way with newfound moves and gumption. 

My mind swirls with all that churns within my being. My Daughter laid in her bed last night talking of our trip telling my "other Daughter" about this mere House. I mean from when you crossed over that threshold to the back porch to all the in between. It was the most beautiful depiction as if her words were strokes of paint upon a canvas. I was moved to tears as if she sung a lovesong. Perhaps she was I realized. She was describing more than just a house. It was magical and mystical. The Wonderment of Life is our moments where we find our groove. It is unexplainable to the mind. Oftentimes it is only the truest, most real life moments that you were vulnerable and transparent that is only measured by  the heart and senses. There are several songs that my DJ Daughter played over and over again this week and this by far was her favorite. May we all just be real and realize that as I stated earlier. The only way that is instinctual, automatic, involuntary and spontaneous is to be You. Embrace the glorious wonderment of simple.This is the Wonderment of Life. xo

THE LIFE OF A BON VIVANT

After falling into my chair, I slouch down smiling as I lean back listening to the rain that just started to fall as if on que. After such a productive morning it is delightful to slow down and enjoy this moment. Thinking of all this past week brought into my life, and where it will undoubtably take me. My mind is in awe of all that impacted me. Now, deciphering how to implement and forge on with all I have been given. As anyone else, my life can become a blur if not careful. As Summer is rapidly fleeting, I can feel my body tense up at the thoughts of letting it go. Yet, I steer my emotions to the delightful nuance of all that is yet to come. I find myself in that moment of an awakening. These gifted times of life that seem so momentous. You feel the sadness of leaving the familiar and embark on the unknown. These usually occur at Birthdays, New Years, new jobs, and milestone moments. However, they happen too during the moments of "just life." At any age, the unknown can be quite frightening. I have been stopped in my tracks this Summer for certain with my own Daughter. As if she turned a corner, she has changed in so many ways. Fear sets in like a mighty river and I liken it to me standing on the shore watching the waters race downward. Over the boulders and branches, the noise is deafening as the intensity is fierce. The temperature is distinctly different and I wonder what it must be like to be that delicate, beautiful flower that dropped off that branch and swirls and dances its way down. Bobbing over sticks and being pulled by the undertow like it was quickly sucked under, I gasp. Smiling as all my muscles relax, I am pleasantly surprised only to find it happily bouncing further down. I am lost in fascination. 

Without hesitation I am traveling down the river bank unaware of anything around me but my fixation is intensely locked on that traveling flower. I imagine it being a perfumed pungent  Elderflower for it's meaning symbolizes zeal.  My mind flashes back to vacationing when my Daughter was young. We had a little running brook beside where we stayed and one of the highlights from that trip of memories were of her and random objects she might find. She found a stick, a leaf, her favorite though was a bottle top. She would set it in that lively brook at various points and watch it flow down. Watching it bump against rocks and such. Remembering her captivated, enthralled and truly enchanted as it would swirl around and around seemingly stuck at times. That white hair, blue eyes and her squatted down beside it. She would comment and squeal. I remember there being a drop off and it kept her marveling at it's journey. There was a sitting area at the base, where the water stopped into something like a little pool. At night we would sit around the campfire, snuggled under blankets, telling stories and yes, speaking of the journey on that little water fall. The noise of the water filled our beings with such fervency I still feel it today. Jerry Garcia was quoted, "Listen to the River sing sweet songs to Rock my Soul." 

 My mind goes to another vacation with my Daughter and we again are on the water. It was a rapids this time that we were on. Sitting in our innertubes just floating along giggling and soaking up the sun. We were rounding the corner and my knuckles were clinching tighter turning shades of white. Holding to my tube as if somehow magically I am aiding her in holding on. The water would come racing in to push your tube. Oh, it was exhillerating and fearful all in the same moments. My Daughter was younger; so all my attention was on her. The waters forged her nervously onward ahead. Instantly, she was airborne and alas I saw my beautiful girl go sideways and flip over. I was paralized with fear. For what seemed like a lifetime and yet only moments later that white haired love wonder came bouncing up out of the moving waters waving both hands in the air yelling "I'm okay!! I'm okay!!" John O'Donohue said and I wholeheartedly agree, "I would love to live like a river flows, carried by the surprise of it's own unfolding." I see myself sitting at the river bank sipping on St Germain, an elderflower liqueur. Perhaps fitting a Left Bank Martini Cocktail and I get lost in the waters. I think of the movie "A River Runs Through It" and I lift my glass as if to toast the mighty glorious waters. For they haunt me too. Telling the stories that words fail to convey. Bypassing my head and going straight to the marrow of my bones; from the depths of which I draw my breath. 

On this same trip my Daughter and I spent the afternoon on a beach and we marvled at it's splendor. It was unlike our beach at home in the South, yet oddly enough the same. We spoke of the differences of the many different waters.  We learned invaluable lessons as these waters pierced our Souls. Life is all around us to impart. For us to decipher the greatest mysteries. This day as I watched my Daughter and we visited upon this beach; I was inspired to write the following:

"As the river flows so do the waves crash in bringing treasures to the shore. The boundless limits of creation will leave me inspired forevermore." ~TEC

The Wonderment here, is sometimes we need to swirl against the boulder and be seemingly "stuck." Other times we need to be catipulted airborne and flipped over. Just to find we are okay. If not better than okay.  It readjusts our perception and recaluculates our compass.  Ah, Rumi was so brilliant when quoted on to say the following quotes: "When you do things from your Soul, you feel a river moving in you, A joy." 
"Soul, a moving river, body the riverbed." and the last one I share; may we all raise our glass and salute one another "may we be drawn by the stronger pull of that which you truly love." This is the Wonderment of Life. xo

THIS LITTLE PIGGY WENT TO MARKET....

Sitting on my front porch swing, sipping bottomless Arnold Palmers and thumbing through recipes. Not just any recipes but recipes of my Mom's, my two Grandmothers and various people growing up. As I see the name on top of each card; rubbing my fingers over the writing as if I am touching my Grandmother's who have past away. Reading over my Mother's brings tears to my eyes as thoughts and emotion floods my being. As I gaze at them I am remembering the way she used to be before she became ill. Most of all I radiate that unmistakeable way she always made me feel. I am startled back to reality as the expected daily Thunderstorm quakes me to my bones. I spent the morning at our Market Downtown. It is like Christmas time to me. Except it is grueling hot. There is a band playing music, I was not particularly fond of their selection today, but all the while it was entertaining as it set the magestic market tone. I sipped on cold brew coffee which was a breath of cool air as it was served to me over ice and I hadn't yet had my cup of coffee. Now here I am in my own City, it is Home and familiar; yet, it was magical. Everyone was lovely. I had some fascinating conversations as we would walk or wait in line to make our purchases. I found myself envious as in speaking with several who live right there and how they walked with their morning coffee with their spouse or beloved and others spoke of riding on their bikes because they did not live far. I smiled as I imagined how picturesque that couple must have looked as they peddled home with her beautiful fresh cut bouquet of flowers and gushed about getting into the kitchen with their new purchase to fix for lunch. 

I liken this to Christmas because everyone was smiling and there was that something in the air that made this morning just a little more special. I jot down on blank cards suggestions and recipes that were shared with me before they flew out of my mind completely. I went to one tent where I asked if this was Silver Queen Corn, I was delighted when she said yes. Later I found myself at another produce area and I commented on how much I loved silver queen corn and this voice from very high up and very deep bellowed out "silver king." I giggled as his voice and presence surprised me and thought how chauvinistic that was of him to call it king instead of queen. I told myself okay I will bite as I looked up towards the Heavens and tilted my head with the puzzled look on my face as I said questioningly "silver king?" Both the lady working and my very tall deep spoken man both chuckled in a harmonious unison. Just as if a dam had burst, they just could not contain their enthusiaism as they educated me on the difference and hybrid variables. It was if it were Christmas Eve and they were gushing about this wonderful gift they just purchased or received; as if I too needed it for that special person on my list. Or most importantly, myself! I attested I too would love to purchase this silver king corn and I would have a test tasting at my table to see if our palates would be able to discern a noticable difference. We all laughed and shared favorite ways to prepare it and my nameless new friend with that lovely southern draw that reminded me of a Grandfather hugged me as he left. 

I love when I travel to indulge in losing myself with their culture, their normalcy. Therefore, it becomes something so much more meaningful than just a place I walked through. My girlfriend just traveled to Venice and purchased these fabulous egg cups that I have from my travels there. They are all different as if pieces of art to showcase your transformed black tie egg. I am confident it was not just because of the works of art themselves but the words that swirled off my tongue from the depths of my core of my experience with that city when I got "lost" wandering around in and out. Drinking in all that was eager to pierce my very soul as I sipped on espresso. I shared with her my experience with the Shopkeeper and our visit and how he and his partner emailed me for quite some time of pieces that they thought that I would find interesting. The Wonderment of Life is that at every given moment, there are treasures awaiting your uncovering. I smile thinking of my morning, my new found treasures; liken to, as the older woman I walked in to Market with was so excited to be there and babbling of what all she was hoping to gather. Then when I was walking back from my car to go back in to gleen and be inspired, another elderly woman was pushing her overflowing cart of goodies smiling with such intensity it is as if magically turned the corners of my mouth to either side of my face as I told her she had found some goodies. She stopped and took my hand and said with unmistaken enthusiasm, full of joy as she was beside herself with so much pride of all she was taking Home to prepare and share with her Family. Her eyes glimmered and  danced as she spoke, as if she was a lighthouse on a dark, foggy night bringing you Home.  I wholeheartedly meant it when I said I only wished I was going Home with her too.

I was at the Orthopedic Doctor with my Daughter while sitting in one of the waiting rooms, an older man sat next to my Daughter. We struck up conversation, when we asked him why was he in there he said he had climbed telephone poles for his whole life. Bad knees now. We chatted about his life and Family for a while. When I asked him about his Bride he said she had past away, two years ago on his Birthday. His words pierced my very soul and tears flooded my eyes. I recently attended a beautiful special wedding out of town. At the reception an older gentleman came across my path. He was hunched over walking with a cane. I spoke to him and he asked about where to place his gift. I quickly took it from him and assured him I would put it with the others and as I was going for the handle to open up the door, I coyly asked him if he was ready for what was in store! It was a very entertaining band he was bound to enjoy. Later on, I go back to our table and who in this world would you imagine was seated there all alone? My new friend. I leaned down and asked if I could get him something more to eat because his plate was almost empty. His arm wrapped around the back of my head as he drew me close to speak into my ear of what he wanted. I then went and got him some cake as I squatted down next to him I asked him who he was there for. He was friends with the Bride's family. So off I was moving to the tunes of the showstopping band and found the Father of the Bride I showed him this picture and asked if he knew him. 

He was amazed and pointed to the Grandmother of the Bride and I dashed over to show her the picture. She excitedly told her girlfriend to come at once and took her hand and we chatted as we made our way across the room and brought them together. We took another picture of them and then he asked for one with these girls and me. I was standing behind him with my girlfriend and we both were moved without words to convey as we watched him pull up our picture on his cell phone. He told us he was to turn 93 on that following Monday. Rest assured I thought of him throughout that day as if he was someone I had known forever and yet I had only just met. I shared Home with him even out of state for it is in my Heart and Soul and Printed on my Bones. Later one of my girlfriends husband helped him to his car and learned he had just had back surgery thus the cane.  So, as you go forward with your weekend and next week, for you in the United States reading this will be celebrating Independance Day. May we bind our Heart upon our sleeve and bear our freedom boldly as we declare Home is where the Heart is. It is with us everywhere we go. This singer blows me away, they are donating all profits from the song to Charities all around New York  that has changed his life. As this singer was quoted, "Being able to carry my home, my city, my roots with me everywhere I go is so important in Life." May we all dust off our Welcome Mat and leave the Front Porch light on. This is the Wonderment of Life. xo

SAYING GRACE

I follow a fella on Social Media (mrbobbybones on insta) and he has started on his Insta Stories at night vibing what I love the most. Lighting a candle in a dark room and having a song of the night playing. Mood music if you will. I am spellbound and within the cusp of distance I am impacted. Cusp defined is a point of transition between two different states, a pointed end where two curves meet. How perfect that last Night his song of the Night was Jake Owen's "I was made for you." I have always liked the song but it hit me different when I saw and heard this late last night. It set the beautiful tone of the ending of a really good day. It made me think of a girl I adore who is on her Honeymoon and I pray she is dancing with her Groom to this very song.   June has always been the "wedding month" and I have two special weddings to attend this month. I being the romantic I am; I have to admit I am beside myself with glee. It is as if someone injected me with cupid potion straight arrowed to my heart. My oldest Godchild who has been like a Daughter to me got married to the one who completes her this past weekend. To say it inspired me would not begin to scratch the surface. It  forever changed me. When this gorgeous girl went to throw her bouquet she locked eyes with me and did her fingers in a V in front of her eyes then towards me(and probably all the others knowing her). It was as if magically she cast her spell during her momentous moment as imagining the pyschedelic hue spiraled and danced through the air with glistens of glitter straight to the depths of my being. Most certain all the other single ladies with me felt it too.  Although the bouquet was not caught by me, she threw me something so much more tangible to my Soul. As if struck by lightening I caught the realization that she saw in me something I did not and it taught me the importance of us all adjusting our focus.

This girl was given her name by her Mama which means Grace. Grace defined is simple elegance or refinement of movement.do honor or credit to (someone or something) by one's presence. She lived up to her name in every way. Most of all she imparted herself by her presence in the most unimaginable ways. Truly imparting herself in every way. At her bridesmaids luncheon I joked that I was going to have to leave the room because of my overcomed state of emotion. She spoke tearfully from her heart and soul to each of those who would be attending and to each one as she presented their gift increasing the value of what she was presenting. She included the Grandmothers, Mothers and even her Mams. We were graced. She and her bridesmaids all stayed in my Home this evening and all got ready within my boarders and took their pictures with her Parents, Me and all her girls within the helms of where me and my Daughter reside. I shall never view this Home or yard the same. No matter where life takes me it will go with me for it was planted deep within the fibers of my being. I am convinced as Ruth stated in the Bible one of my Favorite verses and quote, I have hanging in the heart of my Home, my kitchen for it is something 

that I view with my eyes from my Soulful Heart. These are the moments I live for. Those unforgetable moments that I will carry with me forever to replay throughout my days.  The morning of her wedding her Mother and I were sitting on the porch having our coffee and she and a couple other girls joined us. She looked at me and said, "Mams, your Home, it just has that sense that you can feel....it is special." My Home had been graced. She gifted me a book at her luncheon titled Celebrate Every Day. Inside on the first page,she wrote the following

I find it wildly ironic that me journaling my celebrated moments started here. For I have been awoken in such a manner that I had not realized had been in a deep slumber. That is the Awe inspiring knock me over with a feather moments that someone graced us. It is as magical as we allow it. Beauty is we control the dial of volume, and for me it is all the way up to ten. I could not be me turned down. You would not, could not shine with your God given finesse as anyone other than who you are way deep down inside. I will liken this to Snapchat. Those posts that appear and somehow life can try to erase. We have unlimited resources to impart and inspire those around us. Now a days we can add gif's and emoji's to up the ante on our thoughts and actions. Driving our intentions deeper, penetrating through the walls and hopefully tear down those that life will sometimes build. Like my cyber friend who I have never met and probably never will, he met me at the cusp. Smiling as I envision this as what used to be meeting at the water cooler. I used to work in an office where we would email and instant messenger had just been born. We would email "coffee break" to gather to see one another for that personalization that hearing and seeing one another could not be matched. To truly "see" one another is the hallmark of gifts to give and receive. 

The note she gave me with my book

These are her reading her very own letter before she walked down the isle from her Beloved. 

Think on each of these words for a moment, stalling and lingering over the each, letting your mind roam free. amazement

awe

bewilderment

curiosity

fascination

marvel

shock

stunner

surprise

wonder

astoundment

Those are all synonyms for Wonderment. We can choose this kind of life or settle for the antonym which is indifference. This love wonder imparted their love story into us all in attendance. We took pictures where she was taking the booty of my baby that had passed to put in her wedding gown pocket to have her close. She was already wearing the bracelet given to me when I had my Daughter, but she wanted to squeeze that lemon that much harder to get all the juice. After the wedding they released white balloons in memory of the Grooms Grandfather who had recently passed, a cousin to the bride, my Daughter and just very recently Warner a sweet week old newborn his Parents best friends to the Bride and Groom where his Mom was a Bridesmaid and his Dad was a Groomsman. It was poetry in motion and I was spellbound. 

 One of their best friends officiated their ceremony and he encouraged all those in attendance to hold the hand of their spouse to renew or rekindle their own magic during the vows. Both sets of Parents gathered at the alter after the unity candle and all of the attendants gathered and prayed for this glorious couple while come to the alter was sung by guitar.  When they announced the Bride and Groom there were shouts of jubilation that both came from deep within and smacked your own Heart. They exited the Chapel while we all cheered, hooted and hollared as the each came down the isle to Earth, Wind and Fire's, September and it was as if that song became live form right then and there as the beginning lyrics go, "Do you remember the 21st night of September?

Love was changing the minds of pretenders

While chasing the clouds away

Our hearts were ringing

In the key that our souls were singing

As we danced in the night

Remember how the stars stole the night away"

And we did just that this evening as we not only Celebrated this Loving couple but we too had awoken our own realization of just what life could have if not right there in front of us, then assuredly it was right around that corner. Most of all, thank you Hannah for loving not only me so immeasurably big; but us all in such a deep way it unlocked the places life had shut. You see, we all are cooler than we think. It just takes those that "see" us to show us sometimes, when we lose our way or forget. May we all harken to this example and love so deep and wide and Beautifully. This is the Beautiful Wonderment of Life. 

xoxo

Turn this up to ten and dance like you have never before, Celebrating. And....write that book. Everyday. Everyday. Everyday.

FLOWER GIRL

I was in a favorite stationary store the other day and I was stopped in my tracks by this strangely familiar fragrance that demanded my being to notice. I looked up at the lady assisting me and I said enthusiastically, "what is this phenomenal fragrance?A candle or what??!!" My mind honestly hadn't calculated this fragrance but my senses were moved in an instant as if a part so deep within me was awoken as from a deep slumber or hibernation. She smiled and held back her chuckle there they were literally right under my nose a vase with fresh cut gardenias from one of the woman's yard that worked there! I shreaked with excitement as I realized I hadn't noticed mine yet and I gasped and proudly told her I too had these beloved wonders in my yard! As I knelt down on the ground in my backyard, inhaling my freshly cut gardenias I breathed in so deep I felt as if my lungs might burst. These fragrant flowers are my favorite. The bewitching fragrance takes my heart captive as in a moment I see my Daughter at the age of two at her first ballet recital with these in her hair and every year after. Even after quitting ballet we will have them in our hair.   They are placed throughout our Home in hopes to fill our dwelling as enchanting as they are outside.  My eyes fill with tears as I share with my Daughter all these beauties contain. Explaining to her they are simply equisite flowers all on their own but the mere fact they grow in her backyard and have graced our hair and various spots around our Home since she can remember is what brings them their true value.  She takes one as she inhales deeply as her heart is unlocked and the dreams and heartfelt verbage flows freely. We giggled and girl talked about her wedding day and perhaps mine too someday, again. Vowing this would be our chosen flower somehow, somewhere if not everywhere. My prayer is long after I am gone as we saw Princess Diana's son pick her beloved favorite flower that grew in their yard of forget me nots; to put in his bride's bouquet. May this be ever true with my Daughter. You see, these things that often are the most valuable in the end never cost us a penny they were felt and laced intertwined within our very souls. I must concur with Barbara Streisand who was quoted as saying and one of my favorite quotes, "I love things that are indescribable, like the taste of an avacado or the smell of a gardenia." 

Our senses are gifts so far greater than our minds can possibly perceive. It is as if they shoot straight to our Heart and Soul as the mind falls captive to them. Our thoughts are instantly flooded with moments within our lives when our senses are heightened and our mere moments became indescribable. When I was married and my Daughter was young, I started a tradition when her Father was out of town. I would have her sleep in one of her Father's tshirts even when she was so tiny they swallowed her whole. We would spray some of his cologne on the shirt and I told her it was as he was hugging her all night long and although he was away it would help him seem much closer. She still loves to sleep in his tshirts to this day from time to time. When things that are merely tangible such as a tshirt or a beautiful fragrant flower are fueled with our hearts and soul they become indescribable.

 Indescribable is defined as not describable; too extraordinary for description. Wow! Think of moments you missed just even today on Monday. Did you exert your being to make it Magically dream worthy or hold back, give up or not even try as to have it ordinary or Mondane? The Wonderment of Life is living a life that is indescribably you. Understanding that just what makes me tick is oddly different from anyone else around me. We will glean from one another throughout our journeys. Glean not only means to pick up what someone has left behind moreover it means to learn, discover, or find out, usually little by little or slowly. This is so incredibly beautiful to me. You have within your makeup exactly what someone else is craving to fuel their very beings. One of our favorite hotels we like to stay in has a signature perfumed candle one specific to each location. New Orleans has my beloved Gardenia fragrance. When I walk in I feel like one of those cartoon characters that has been lifted off my feet as they are curled behind me like the swooning of a phenomenal kiss and that foot kicks up. Drawing me with its spellbounding hypnotic aroma that transcends my very being taking me to a place that my deepest core is set free. 

I chose this song not only because I love it but the video brought me to tears as I watched it with my Daughter. She was studying in another room and came squealing into my room singing and dancing to it. When I would look at her she would redirect me to the video and said, "Mom, you are going to love this." She was right I was moved beyond words. We all can give of ourselves. May we live in such a manner that others are left better by us being around them; than that as before we encountered them. This is the Wonderment of Life. xo