To My Ry

The Big 13 - my guy is a teenager! How can that be? The time has passed so quickly and yet you have provided me with so many wonderful memories. I remember so clearly carrying you, wondering what you were going to look like, and delivering you. I remember holding you for the first time and never wanting to let go. I could go on and on and on forever. I always think that the year I am in with you is the best year but they just seem to get better and better with time.

Ry, I am so proud of you! You are such a terrific son and big brother. I love you.

I look to you with hope and pride;
I see your future brightly.
Your deep concerns and aspirations
I will not take lightly.

The future is a mystery
That everyone explores.
I'll share your possibilities,
Embrace your distant shores.

I'll answer you when questions stir,
Encourage you, implore you.
But life's a challenge shaped by dreams,
A gift I can't live for you.

So live it well; respect it fully;
Play your spirit out.
Seek and then discover
All the best that life's about.

Remember that you're not alone -
My love is always there.
The challenge that defines your life
My heart will gladly share.

You're on a voyage into time,
A trip to somewhere new.
You may not always see me there,
But I'll be there with you

One Friend

I have a very dear friend who is going through a lot right now and as I was driving home from work tonight this song came on by Dan Seals and I couldn't help but think of her:

One Friend

I always thought you were the best
I guess I always will
I always felt that we were blessed
And I feel that way still
Sometimes we took the hard road
But we always saw it through
If I had only one friend left
I'd want it to be you

Sometimes the world was on our side
Sometimes it wasn't fair
Sometimes it gave a helping hand
Sometimes we didn't care
'Cause when we were together
It made the dream come true
If I had only one friend left
I'd want it to be you

Someone who understands me
And knows me inside out
Helps keep me together
And believes without a doubt
That I could move a mountain
With someone to tell it to
If I had only one friend left
I'd want it to be you

Detours

You may take a different path than the one you envisioned, but the detours are worth it because you learn more from your failures than your successes.

What Is A "Good Mom"?

In late December I overheard a gal in the lunch room at work ask another gal sitting by her "What is a good mom"?. I have no clue why the question was asked but it has been resonating in me ever since and in early January I started to jot down a few ideas. I completed my thoughts and came up with the following:

* A good mom is someone who prepares her kids to do better than she did in the world - better in terms of achievement and in doing good. Showing them how to be self-sufficient, kind, being the best person they can be, and learning how to be happy. A good mom knows she is not responsible for her children's happiness.
* A good mom is someone who achieves what she would like to achieve. She is nurturing, present, willing to make compromises, loving. It doesn't take a lot of money to be a good mother. It takes loves and consistency, emotional connection, nurturing. A good mom gives her children support and love.
* A good mom is present, nurturing, supportive, in control, and reliable (she will be there when needed, no matter what). She teaches her children to be thoughtful and good people. She gives love freely, saying "I love you" a lot, no matter what. She holds her children accountable for their actions. She teaches them hard life lessons. She is always honest.
* A good mom is someone who knows how to and does help her kids become the best version of them. Teaching them values - shaping them, giving them values - making them good human beings.
* A good mom protects but doesn't overprotect her children. She is affectionate. She accompanies her child in his development. She allows her child to grow. She teaches by example. Gives love, security, and tranquility.
* A good mom is a person who understands the needs of her particular child. She is a safe ahven but not so overly protective that she gets in the way of her children experiencing life. She makes her children feel loved and protected. She acts as a role model for her children, showing them that life is full of possibilities.

Tips to Happiness

I completed reading "What Happy Working Mother Know" and came away with the following:
* Learn to love yourself as much as you love your friends and family.
* Life happens. What you choose to focus on becomes your experience. Focus on the positive.
* Learn to forgive yourself and others.
* Happiness comes from a full, balanced life that includes hard work, time with loved ones and friends, exercise, celebration, and even solitude. Skimp on any of the ingredients, and your recipe for happiness could fall flat.
* Half the battle in life is choosing something you love to do. The other half is celebrating your successes along the way.
* When you realize that you're not perfect and allow yourself a few mistakes, you'll go a long way toward being happy.
* Set the same standards for yourself that you apply to your loved ones; cut yourself the same slack you give others.
* Knowing when to say "no" and how to do it without feeling guilty increases life satisfaction, and therefore, happiness.
* You may take a different path from the one you envisioned, but the detours are worth it because you learn more from your failures than from your successes.
* Happiness begins whenyou learn to accept the fact that you're loved and valued for who you are, not what you do.

Half The Battle

Half the battle in life is choosing something you love to do. You need to have that sense of accomplishment in your heart and to serve people the way you would like to be served.
- Sharon Allen