sperlygirl

gratitude...

i am grateful - for the breath that fills my lungs, for the gentle morning light, for the two little hearts that have been born into my world, for family and friends who are scattered all over the globe, for this little space that has allowed me to find my voice and fostered friendships, for you who take the time to leave a thoughtful comment or email, and simply, for love -  and all her many facets, strengths, gifts, lessons, and faces she has shown to me. wishing you a day full of warmth, laughter, love and peace. happy thanksgiving.  **a lovely tune to share**

sharing THIS moment...

i am so deeply honored to be a featured artist in mindy's wonderful ecourse, THIS moment. if you do not already frequent her site and blog, you truly should. it is a treasure trove of golden nuggets, inspiration, and stories that lift. it has been a pleasure to witness mindy cast her creative dreams out into the world and bring them into fruition. would absolutely love it if you could join us...

the magic of dreams...

 dear mr walt disney,

i just wanted to simply say thank you - for following your creative dreams no matter the obstacles. i wonder if you ever imagined how you would positively affect the lives of so many, and for so many generations. thank you for realizing how important it is in our lives to simply experience joy, laughter, and magic. thank you for surrounding yourself with like-minded artists and creative thinkers that lovingly helped to shape and stretch your dreams into various realities. thank you for listening to your heart and persevering through whatever 'no' or seemingly impossibilities that happened upon your way. i so admire your ability to keep creating and keep dreaming through it all. walking through your park and experiencing the magic through the eyes of a 4 year old, well, i am not sure words can accurately capture the preciousness of those memories that are being created. they will forever be embedded in my heart. and to think, 'it all started with a little mouse,' ... a heartfelt thank you.

ahhhh summer...

...it's finally here! yesterday was the last day of school and with everything, i wound up with the worst migraine i have had in many years. i am finding my footing today. it's like my body had to purge itself of all the daily stresses, the lack of sleep, the inconsistency of my workouts, and anything else it could conjure up into searing pain across my head to rid it completely out of my system. summer always feels like a fresh start, i love that. and as i turned in my keys at work this afternoon, i seriously think i felt time slowing down a bit.

thank you for all the support this week - for the encouraging comments, the lunch with dear friends, the beautiful quotes you shared, char - meant a lot; and at the moment, i am listening to a wonderful mix sent by a dear friend, thank you anna, you have a gift of making a wonderful mix! sometimes the greatest gifts we can give each other is the simple reminder that we are not alone on our journey. our deepest joys as well as our most difficult lows and all the challenges that arise in between are simply rocks tossed along a path that is lined with love and support should we choose to seek it out. for that reminder, i am so grateful.

happy earth day...

for your brilliant blue skies overhead, your soft green grass beneath my feet, your warm sunshine, gentle rains, blustery winds, tall purple mountains, for your teeniest of creatures to  your wildest of beasts, for your magical moonlight, and for your tides like breath which keep a steady rhythm against the sands - for all your gifts, your lessons, your stillness, your vibrancy,for the healing you afford me when i walk amid your beauty, and all your wonder, - i am grateful, truly grateful to experience life on 'this pale blue dot'. (thank you lj for the link).

"Keep close to Nature's heart... and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean" ~ John Muir

thanksgiving...

i know that motherhood changes your perspective on life, i expect that, but sometimes it has a way of doing so in the most unexpected ways. while in d.c, we visited the vietnam wall memorial. it is a beautiful tribute, rising out of the ground as it does. but as we walked closer, i caught my breath. i turned to my father-in-law and said, "i didn't realize the type was so small..." i felt my heart rise to my throat as i slowly passed by the rows of names. i was struck at the thought that griped my heart...what about all of those mothers and i felt the weight of their collective grief.

i lost my father at a tender age and discovered that with his absence, i lost my footing in the world. it took me many years to learn to step with a new sense of balance. the road has never felt the same since, but, i did finally regain my stride. being a mother of young boys, i gazed out at all those names on the wall and could not imagine the magnitude of absence all of those mothers carry. my heart reached out to each one.

this thanksgiving, i am thankful for all of those facing conflicts far from home and i am particularly grateful to their mothers (and families) who are faced with their absence, temporary or otherwise. i am grateful for their service. and i am grateful to have the freedoms that i do -  to speak my mind, to navigate and explore my own leanings, to be able to continue my education, to be able to express my thoughts and ideas freely, and to be able to openly question the world around me.

i am grateful to all of those mothers, whom i hope have found some way to gracefully regain their stride. sending many blessings and the warmth of thanksgiving.

blessings hung and strung with love...

my friend kt had asked if we would like a baby shower and i told her that we had several lovely ones when kai was on the way and i wasn't so comfortable with the idea now.

instead, i really wanted to ask some women in my world, whom i admire most, if they would support me in this pregnancy with a special blessing by creating a prayer flag with some words meaningful to them and a special bead (of which i will use to string a mala to cherish). rather than more "stuff," i preferred their love and support created and selected by their own individual, beautiful hands so that i could surround myself and our room (where the baby will stay initially) with their unique spirits. it is a way for us being spread so far apart to create a link, a thread, a string of connectedness.

with each flag that has been sent, i feel like i am unwrapping a piece of each woman in my life and feeling her with me. my heart is overflowing and a simple thank you doesn't seem to capture just how it feels.

** to each of you women, and to the others in my life who have walked in or passed through and left a mark on my heart - thank you. a beautiful tune to each of you..."

a moment of thanks...

'i not sleepy, mama,' he called up from the backseat 'not sleepy.' 'ok,' we answered as we continued the last few minutes of the ride home. i glanced back to see him, bundled up in his thick warm jacket with his head-wrap pulled over his eyes...which had finally surrendered to the comforts of drowsy sleep.

once we arrived, i carefully unbuckled him from his car seat, making sure the balloon he'd proudly carried all through the store, came with us. his little head fell gently onto my shoulder and his tender arms hung 'round my neck. we walked up the stairs and he stayed nestled in my arms.

i held onto this moment as long as was possible and then told all of my senses to carve it into my memory - deep into the recess of my heart - to hold close and treasure.

to those who celebrate it (and those who do not) may your thanksgiving be a day lined with the warmth, love and laughter of family and friends.

a thankful reminder...

this evening i was moved by my friend misty's lovely words. they made me pause. i started to sort through what i am grateful for in my life and the list grew long quite quickly. but a theme began to emerge.

i am grateful for the opportunities that meander into my world that allow me to grow, stretch, to shift. to the treasured people who insulate my world and provide love, support, wisdom, guidance, inspiration, and hope. to my 'sisters' who have found the words to cushion blows, been the first to raise me up in celebration, and who never feel far from heart even though the miles may say differently. for the little boy in my world who has guided me with his tender little hands down the winding road of motherhood. i am grateful to have had connections to some amazing creatures who have provided love, comfort, peace, and the friendship only a cherished pet can offer. i am grateful to live in a time when technology is cutting edge enough that it makes whole continents feel like they are only a fingertip away. i am grateful to j who has gifted me with the selfless act of allowing me to be my authentic self - and encouraged me along the way with his love and friendship. i am grateful to those students who have graced my artroom and opened themselves up to their own potentials and creativity. i am grateful to feel autumn's cool breath give way to winter as the days grow colder. i am grateful for the strength of my body as it logs runs or unfolds into peaceful postures.

but above all, i am grateful for the breath which fills my body with life and the possibility that each new day holds.