 Cherish the little moments, for they are gone in an instant. I’ve mostly understood this as an adult. And the older that I get the more important I know those words really are.
Watching my daughter grow up, I periodically would realize how quickly things change and how, with the speed of light, time slips by. But now that I am a grandma (Coco), I watch my daughter’s little Mini-Me. Her little boy that is an old soul seems to be doing the same thing she did and growing up too fast. Even though he’s only 3, almost 4 in a few months, it makes me see time speeding by. He makes me feel younger and at the same time, OLDER! We used to have this thing we did before nap. He would sit in my lap and I would rock him until he fell asleep and then I would carry him to his bed or wherever he was sleeping. Unfortunately, my back is not allowing that these days……..and let’s not forget he is growing like a weed and he’s as big as most 5 year olds! (So maybe I’m not that weak). But I cherish him falling asleep in my arms. Now he falls asleep holding my hand. A compromise. The list is long of the wonderful things he says now, that he didn’t say two weeks ago. The changes in his appearance, demeanor, his words and phrases, his explanations of life. It’s also special to see my daughter go from my tiny baby (always my baby) to a young woman, a wife and mother. And it feels like it all has happened in the blink of an eye. So, cherish every moment. Every single little thing. Those are the important things. Make the memories. They far outweigh any item. The little things will live in your heart, and their heart, forever.
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 With the beginning of a new year people are so interested in “new this”, “new that”, “fixing this”, “changing that”. I think attention should be placed on gratitude.
You can change your whole life by being grateful. And being present. It is a mindset changer……….almost like magic. The energy you put towards being grateful and acknowledging what you are grateful for, no matter what it is………big or small, can make a noticeable difference almost immediately. If you believe in the things you are grateful for, the possibilities are endless. Do the work. Don’t look to erase the person of the year before. Be grateful for all things, big or small and watch your world transform. When you wake up in the morning think of some things you are grateful for. Throughout the day acknowledge things you have gratitude for. And when you lay your head down at night think of your day and each moment you are grateful for. I feel that this is something that should happen each day. Not just at the beginning of a new year or looking back on an old year.........All day, every day. I can tell you that paying attention to all the things in your life that you are grateful for can work just like magic! What are you grateful for?  Change can happen so fast.
It is one of the things in life that literally every person must learn to navigate. Some changes are more difficult than others. For example, a death can be devastating, even if it was expected. And a death can include more than the death of a person or pet. It could be the end of a job, a relationship, etc. And depending on how things transpired it can be utterly shocking. It is all a big change in your map of life. For me, not saying it is good, bad, right or wrong, I put on my tuff armor and power through. I go into survival mode. I’m not a quitter or a “curl up in a ball” kind of gal. But that’s just me. Other people have their own ways of dealing with loss and change. I feel it is a bit more challenging when the change that happens had nothing to do with your actions or you. It truly makes you question things. In the end you just have to duck and swerve and deal with things head on. And with luck, you will learn new lessons, become more resilient and strengthen yourself. Because truly, life is full of changes. Some are wonderful and others send you reeling. One foot in front of the other……….keep going. Smile and keep going. There’s a lot of life left to live!  The word "kindness" is really a big word. An important word. Something that everyone should practice. Being kind in any way truly has no down side.
Being kind is not necessarily tangible. A simple word, a kind action can be so very priceless. This world we are presently living in has so much negativity. Finding those opportunities to brighten someone's day makes both the giver and the receiver smile. It provides a "feel good" moment all the way around. Ideas for kindness: * A phone call to say hi and catch up * Holding a door open, for anyone * A hug * Bringing flowers * Say "thank you" (this simple act seems to be a lost art) * Send an unexpected card (who doesn't love old fashioned snail mail!) * Mow someone's lawn or help with a chore * Bake some brownies * Smile at a stranger * Say hello to a stranger. Simple acknowledgement of a soul is very healing Kindness can make the world a better place. What will your "kindness" be today? Make a promise to yourself to "commit" a kindness every day.  My Mother’s Day was wonderful. I hope yours was too. I spent the day with my daughter and my grandson. I love them so much and I had some tears that I thought I would share with you. Good tears really.
My grandson has started going in my bedroom because he can peak thru the window and see us when we sit on the deck. (He thinks he’s being funny). Honestly, the kid is hilarious and has a better sense of humor than a lot of adults, at the fine age of two and a half! Well, he was in there and I have the skull of my heart kitty, Akua, in a glass box in my bedroom. He knows who Akua is and has always acted like he knows who she was. (He has this “all knowing” “been here in another life” vibe about him). He understands that she is dead. But for some reason he wanted to know what happened to her and I told him that she just got too sick and she died, “Well Coco you need to take her to the doctor to fix her!”, “The doctor can fix her Coco!”, “Go to the doctor Coco, he can fix her”. All of a sudden my eyes welled up with tears that began to spill down my cheeks. I was trying not to let Enzo see my face. In the process I was sniffling and my daughter asked why. I told her I didn’t know and I went into the bathroom to collect myself. Sweet Enzo followed me into the bathroom and again said “The doctor can fix it Coco”. Then I looked down at his face and he saw my face and as the old soul that he is, he says “What’s wrong Coco, it’s o.k. Coco” as he reaches up to touch my face and wipe my tears…………..of course making more tears come! After they left I texted my daughter and told her why I was sniffly…………..and cried again. This morning I talked to my best friend and as I’m telling her about it………..cried again. I’m writing this………….yep, it’s happening again. I’m crying. It’s o.k. though. I love Akua so much. I miss her so much. Tears are o.k. You don’t know when or where they will come. You don’t know what thought, smell, sight, or memory that will bring the tears from missing your person or pet that is no longer in this realm. I know that she is always with me. Just like I know that my brother and my grandma are always with me………..but it does not stop the tears. The love never ends and sometimes it just escapes from your body in the form of tears. Side note: It’s important, to speak of this thing called "death" with children. It is not taboo. It is part of the circle of life. |
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CAROLYN'S ART GALLERY: CREATIVE FORCES
Carolyn is also available to create memorial portraits.
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Carolyn is also available to create memorial portraits.
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