For my sister Billie.....

The Mosaic

 

When my baby came to me, fresh and new, she was a beautiful piece of glass, unique and one of a kind, delicate, small and fragile.

 

As I raised my baby, I helped her to paint her soul in rich colors, the colors of the rainbow.

Each quality I taught my child had a unique color all it's own.

Kindness was green, Love was red, patience was blue, sympathy was purple.

 

As the years went by and my baby turned the corner into womanhood, she was the most beautiful mosaic, still so unique but with so many colors.

I would often marvel in quiet times at how I could be so blessed with such a wonderful child, how her colors were so bold and vibrant. Sometimes, my heart would swell with Love and pride to such a degree that I felt it would burst right inside my chest. 

 

Soon enough, the precious mosaic that I had so lovingly tended and created was ready to strike out on her own. My world, I knew would be less bright without the constant presence of my child, for I knew that with her went all of the richness and color that she had brought into my life.

 

My mosaic, my child,  would fly in now and again, or call or send a card, and for a brief but sweet time, her richness and color would once again come back to me. I was happy to have it, if only for a fleeting while and my heart and soul looked forward to each time her mosaic would once again color my world.

 

After some time and years had passed, my mosaic called one day, she needed me badly, for her mosaic was broken.

 

I arrived to her and all of her rich colors were laying in bits and pieces about her feet.

 

She was crying, she was broken and did not know how to put herself back together again. My heart dropped as I looked at all of the pieces about her feet. I knew then that I must help her pick up the pieces and put them back together.

I assured her that although she would never be quite the same, that just as I had lovingly help create her mosaic, I would somehow, someway, help her put it back together.

 

We worked tirelessly on the mosaic for many days but some pieces that had fit wonderfully side by side, never fit quite right back into the same place as before.

So together we found a new pattern, a new mosaic, with different combinations and colors.

When we finally completed the mosaic, her pieces were the same but in a different pattern and we delighted to find some colors combined were more beautiful than they were before.

There was a richness about it that is hard to describe. Perhaps because we had done it together this time.

 

Together we stood back to admire our work.

 

The mosaic was stronger, more beautiful than ever because now they included the colors that only experience can bring you.

We found that tolerance is burgundy, inner strength is chartrusse and faith is lemon yellow.

 

Wendy Harris Cottone

Time well spent

I have an obsession with time or lack thereof. I always feel like there is never enough and before you know it, today, tomorrow and last year in fact are gone like a vapor.

It has been 1 year since my stepdad was diagnosed with Pancreatic and Liver cancer. He is still here. He has been through so much. When I asked him what his New Year's Eve wish was this year, he said "One more year."
I have been so fortunate. My Dad died when I was 10 but the universe saw fit to give me another Dad who could not love me more if I were his own. Two father's, two teacher's, two mentor's. Who could ask for more? Some people don't even get one worth having, right? I got two!

I never did get a chance to say goodbye to my biological father before he died so I really look at this situation as a gift. A chance to say goodbye. Time to talk, time to sit quietly by his bedside, time to tell funny stories, time to reminisce,  time to hold his hand, time to look into his eyes, sweet and precious time that I know is fleeting and will be gone soon.
My heart aches unspeakably in having to lose him but I think we are all just "on loan" to each other to begin with.

Stealing Summer

I walked out on my deck this morning. The birds were singing, the air was warm and moist and the skies are summer blue. I found myself wishing that I could steal a bit of summer, bottle it up and pull it back out on a winter day.
You see, summer always seems to slip right through my hands before I have really had a chance to enjoy it.
Isn't life that way too if we are not careful?

I schedule everything else, I also need to schedule "stealing a bit of summer".
I'm thinking more bike rides, reading books on the deck, quietly sitting in my garden to name a few.

Life is busy, no doubt. We can all benefit from remembering to schedule some time for play.

Flowers from Mom

She showed up at my door, cute as a button, hair shooting in all directions, and she held in her hands the most beautiful vase filled with Jacob's Ladder roses.
My mother had come over for no other reason than to bring me some of her beautifull roses.
These random acts of kindness and beauty are very commonplace with her and I was the lucky recipient yesterday.

Growing up, my Mom always had flowers planted and it is from those early years when weeding the flower beds, I think I learned to appreciate the smell of newly turned earth.
She has passed her love of flowers onto all 3 of us girls and her garden is one to envy.
When I think mine looks good or is coming along well,  I am humbeled when I see her yard.

You have taught us to enjoy and appreciate so many things Mother. As simple as flowers and as full as the generosity of spirit.
Thank you for that.

Baby Blankets Cute, cute cute!

Check out these swanky handmade baby blankets! They are a perfect gift for a new baby.
http://bbsforbabies.wordpress.com/

Household tip #1 Cheap and effective stain remover

Recently, while sorting laundry, I was out of spot/stain remover. I had a red pasta sauce stain to remove from one of my favorite tops and in desperation, I reached for the dish liquid because that is all I had.
I figured it could not hurt so I squeezed some on, rubbed it in and prayed for the best!
Voila! It came out completely.
 I have since started using dish liquid for my laundry stains instead of sticks and sprays.
It is more effective, easy to dispense and cheaper too!
I don't think it matters what kind, they are all designed to cut grease and clean.
Next time you have a stain that needs a kick in the pants, try it, it works for me!

When you find something awesome....

You just have to share it!

ljctree on etsy (http://www.ljctree.etsy.com/) makes the most scrumptious soaps!
Her fragrances are captivating, the lather, luxurious and creamy. Her packaging is also absolutely beautiful and uniquely ....her. The time and attention to detail she puts into the wrapping of her soapy deliciousness lead me to think that she must surely put as much time into product presentation as she puts into making the product itself.

These are no small bars either! They are a generous 5-6 ounce bar and if you can bear to unwrap it, your skin will thank you for it!
I just had to share about this wonderful seller, her products are as unique and wonderful as she is.
Check out her shop when you have time and perhaps buy a bar or two of her soap.
I do have to warn you though...it is addictive!