Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the mama's out there--including mine--both of them! This has been a very special day for me being that I was raised by my mother and grandmother! As I got older, I considered a day to celebrate all of the wonderful women in my life--especially my mom friends! In fact, I only know a few select women who are not mothers--and on this day, I even wish them a Happy Mother's Day, because, not take anything away from real moms--but I think we're ALL mother's in SOME way! I'm mommy to my baby cat, Nellie, and I am the oldest sister in the lineup so I'm motherly towards them! Speaking of sisters, I got to talk to two of them today, and it was positively lovely! They are ALL turning out to be such great young women, I am so very proud! Jordan writes poetry, like me, so does Kelsey and both of them are quite good at it! I love that I can share that bond with my sisters--the writer's bond. As for Joely, she says she can't write worth crap, but I told her that's okay because we each have our own unique talents. She plays instruments; the clarinet and the basoon, and once again, I am the very proud big sister! The only instruments I ever played were the piano and violin; now, my mother would tell you I was great at both, the truth however is that I was really only great at playing the Violin! It is one of my great regrets in life, the fact that I didn't stick with it. But, alas, that's the way life goes sometimes. Anyway, back to my sisters--I told Joely that if she can play instruments and play them well, than that's a talent to behold! And also, perhaps the writing bug hasn't bittnen her yet, you never know! Today was also a good day because I got to talk to my dad. It's always a good day when I get to talk to my dad. He's doing alright, we're waiting on the results of his MRI still and to be honest, we're all a bit worried about that. But it is what it is and all we can do is pray--which we are--lots and lots of praying going on lately! I love my dad so much and the older I get, the more I appreciate my parents (all of them) and their ability to embrace me as an adult. Not everyone is so lucky, this I know. I am blessed because my parental base has expanded, and now, I share and enjoy a fabulous relationship with ALL of my parents. I am truly blessed! The best part of all, I got to have another Mother's Day with my own mother, and for that, I'm grateful! In keeping to my Mother's Day tradition, I made dinner tonight. The manacotti is sitting on the stove and the brownies are finishing their baking in oven! Yes, I baked. I sincerely baked something--from scratch even! I felt like it. I have actually been wanting to bake something for days now, but since it's a special occasion, I figured today would be the day! And since I didn't have actual manacotti noodles in my pantry tonight, I used macaroni noodles--we'll see how it all turns out! We may end up calling the pizza guy, but you know, I had fun making it all, and that's what counts! As I ran my errands today (I had to break my tradition of not running errands on Sundays) I rocked out to the Rascal Flatts CD that my husband bought me on ITunes a few weeks ago! I finally figured out how to make a CD out of the music we buy on there!!! Amazing! Anyway, I had fun driving in the car and I also had a TON of fun cooking/baking while totally rocking out in my kitchen! I had a blast! So, even if this food doesn't turn out right, I really won't care--because I had fun making it and I made it all with love! Of course, in the spirit of love and Mother's Day, I also called every mother I know and wished them all a Happy Mother's Day! It was so nice to hear each and every one of their voices, and it was so nice to have the opportunity to speak with them all! I have so many fabulous women in my life, and now, I have some fabulous men too--which is great! As I was talking with my little sisters today I was thinking about the fact that they're now teenagers or tweens. And how, sometimes, they say things that are totally teenager-like and it annoys me. I was also thinking about how NOW is the time when I can really influence them. I used to hear parents talk about how it is when we children are teenagers that we need our parents most, not when we're little tiny beings dependent on them for food/water/shelter. And I used to think that wasn't very true, now I do. I think it starts when we're little, and rearing a child right begins at birth; however, when kids become teenagers is another pivotal time. I'm just guessing here, mind you, I'm not a mother myself, but I can see the ways that my sisters open up to me now in some ways, and close themselves off to me in others. That has to be inherently frustrating for my dad and step-mom; but you know, we all survive. Somehow, some way! We get up, we keeping breathing, we keep going! And what keeps me going is my family and my friends! Today was a good day because I got to talk with all of them! So, here's to family, and here's to mother's--everywhere! God Bless us everyone, and please keep the blessings flowing! Thank you Lord, most of all, for my mother--my wonderful, amazing, strong mother! I love you, mom!

In Light N' Lots of Mother's Day Love & Gratitude,
-Sarah Liz :)

P.S. I know I've repeated myself somewhat in this entry, but today, I just don't care! Today was about writing an entry of love and peace and gratitude--and I'll never apologize for expressing those one too many times--because in my opinion, those things can never be expressed enough! Happy Mother's Day! -SL :)