I can’t let today go by without telling everyone how fortunate I am to have such a wonderful mom. She raised 5 children (each of us a year apart … you do the math … FIVE teenagers! And she survived!) She’s been wonderful as I’ve become a mom. She hangs back until we ask for advice and then gently shares her wisdom. Mom lives far away from me and though we don’t talk on the phone very often, I think about her every day.
But 28 years ago when I married Mr. Nina another wonderful mom came into my life. I’m so fortunate to have someone else who loves me unconditionally, supports and encourages. I truly am doubly blessed.
Though my life is in complete turmoil, these two women have stepped forward to do what they can to bring order to the chaos. They both bring me to tears every day and I don’t think they realize how much their love and support has meant over the past few months as the bottom tumbled out of our world.
I also have three beautiful children, one love-sick son-in-law whom I adore and a cute-as-a-button-never-stops-running grandson.
I have a trunk full of all the cards and little goodies my children made for me when they were little and though it is in storage at the moment, the memories never fade. Little Boy Blue (who’s now 22) made me a hand pressed in plaster that hangs from a pretty ribbon. Beautiful Girl (now 24) made me a clay mask of her face in second grade and painted it all kinds of whimsical colors. Baby Girl (who’s now a mom) weaved a yarn thingy that fits just perfectly over my body moisture bottles that sit on my bureau. There are countless gifts of weaved baskets, clay pots, and a wooden treasure chest … all gifts my children made and gave to me on Mother’s Day. They are more precious to me than all my fine jewelry.
Now that they’re older, my children give me gifts of words. Hallmark cards scrawled with a little note at the end, loving words from the heart that make me cry. Every. Time.
And despite all the other #%@^ of my life … all these things I hold onto ever so dearly and realize how truly blessed I am. I know many of my blog readers have moms looking down on them from heaven. The reminder that everyone’s days are number makes me appreciate the small gesture of love even more.
If you’re a mom … Happy Mother’s Day. And I hope this day finds you counting your blessings as well.
This weekend we take time to remember. Families will be placing flowers at the gravestones of loved ones and friends will be gathering to remember and celebrate the unofficial beginning of summer. But this weekend is truly about remembering those soldiers who have lost their lives serving our country.
I don’t have any family members in the military, not past or present. I don’t have anyone to share their stories of service with me. But I am profoundly moved by those families who have loved ones serving in the military, especially in this day and age. No matter how one feels about war on foreign soil, it’s the soldier and his/her family that needs to be respected and honored.
I remember when the war in Iraq began, one of the national news stations listed those soldiers that had died by saying their names and hometowns. But then the number of young men and women who sacrificed their lives were too numerous to logistically name on the evening news. My heart aches for the mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, children, aunts, uncles, cousins who know the names … even if we don’t. The loss of one life rippling out to bring sadness to so many. A person willing to give his/her life defending the freedoms we hold so dear. (Over 4400 soldiers have died in Iraq and just over 3000 in Afghanistan.)
I have friends whose children or spouses are overseas. I marvel at their ability to keep the home fires burning knowing the danger their soldier faces. Still, young men and women volunteer to serve our country every day.
I am honored by their willingness to protect and defend our country. They will never know that one writer in southern New England and her family are praying for their safe return to their families. But I pray for them and peace for the ones who love them none the less.
I hope everyone in the US has a wonderful long weekend enjoying recreational time with their families. But I hope in all the reverie of the weekend you pause to remember those soldiers who are not only separated from their families, but may very well be in harm’s way this weekend. God Bless each and every one of them.
It is so hard to believe we’re shutting down 2010. I have to admit (like most people) time seems to speed up as I age. Years fly by before I even seem to get my feet on the ground. But this year I started taking a minute or two each night and looking back over the day and enjoying the high moments. That way when another month rolls around and I wonder where it went I can assure myself I enjoyed every day of it. So I can tell you 2010 was a great year!
I do need to take a little bit of time and think about what I’d like to accomplish in 2011. But before I do that, I’d like to take some time and thank all of my readers and the authors who have supported and encouraged me this year.
Without readers, there is no reason to pull my muse off the beach and get her to work. No reward for banging my head on the keyboard when my characters aren’t behaving themselves. There just wouldn’t be any fun bleeding words onto the page if I didn’t know at the end of it there were people looking forward to another Nina Pierce story. Thank you.
The internet is such a wonderful tool. It has allowed me the opportunity to meet so many wonderful authors who have become friends. There are too many to list, but I hope you know who you are. When the words won’t come or the plot doesn’t quite work, there is nothing like another author to help through those tough times.
I’m taking the week off from blogging between Christmas and New Year’s. I’ll be spending the time with Mr. Nina at his apartment in Rhode Island.. (If you missed it, we’re in the middle of transitioning from Maine to RI.) And I’m just going to enjoy being with my man. I hope you also have a wonderful holiday shared with family and friends.
I’m planning on all kinds of things for 2011, more interviews and contests and just me rambling about this crazy journey. I hope you’ll continue to stop by and share it with me!
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