A Fall Day

The trees fully popped into their brillant reds, oranges and yellows around here. I took my morning walk and was just amazed at every turn of the road. I absolutely love this time of year and it helps that this week the weather has been in the upper 60's to 70's during the day and cool at night.

I returned home and then went to mass and grocery shopping. I grabbed my camera and headed off for pictures to capture the beauty of New England's Fall showing.

Along my walking route, I pass over the town river and love this view. S has a friend who lives by this river and it helps that his dad is a landscaper. The yard slopes right down to the water.

Their sheep they just acquired (personal lawn mowers) appeared seeming to bid me good morning and get in a group photo under the trees!

Later, I decided to take M and a friend off for a hike at a local state park. The weather was to good to sit around cleaning the house or cutting out pumpkins for tommorw's lesson plan... so off we went with Chloe in tow! There were so many people and most brought along their dogs. I love hiking on the trails and grounding myself in nature. M and friend enjoyed one another's company. Its wonderful to see my daughter interacting with her best friend. These two have been friends since they were 18 months old. They confide in one another and cheer one another up and are always together. They are very blessed to have one another.

While we were happy to be out and about, Chloe was anything but. She slowed down, sniffed at leaves, dragged on the leash and finally decided enough was enough! M came up with the perfect solution!

It solved the problem of getting Chloe through the woods...but leaves me to think this dog has issues! How many dogs don't like romping in the woods???

All in all it was a great hike and one I'm glad to have taken the opportunity to enjoy it with the girls.

A Golden Celebration

"A good marriage is one which allows for change and growth in the individuals and in the way they express their love."
Pearl S. Buck

October 12, 1957, my parents pledged to love, honor and cherish one another until death do they part. They have kept this promise to one another for 50 years now. Throughout my life, I have been blessed and have had the good fortune of living in a household with a couple who truly love and cherish one another. My parents have always given one another the room to grow and succeed in their interests and each is the others biggest supporter.

I have many fond memories of the love my parents have shown to one another and how their commitment to each other was taught to us through example. I carry into my adult years memories of my father and mother hugging and kissing one another, dancing, singing and enjoying each other's company. They put their relationship in a place of importance and each year, around their anniversary, they took a trip to Bermuda to honor their marriage. Growing up, I believed that every one's parents were this way. It wasn't until I was much older that I came to understand how blessed I truly was.

So this past weekend, we gathered with family, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends and celebrated this truly special anniversary.

My older sister spent many hours putting together a beautiful scrap book filled with pictures of my parents, our family, their friends and past times. It will be a book I know my mom and dad will cherish. She and my younger sister made it all possible with the countless hours of creating table gifts, ordering the cake, compiling the list of guests and their meal choices and coordinating the rest of us! To them I say THANK YOU!

My oldest brother acted as officiant and stood with my parents and their best friends as they renewed their wedding vows to one another.
I listened to my mother reading her vows to my father and felt the love they share emanating through the room filled with those closest to them.

My parents have shared 50 years of working together, sharing, compromising, being flexible, negotiating with one another, raising 5 children (which wasn't always easy on them!) and most of all loving one another..... and as my brother said, may they share another 50 years together. May we all be someday just as blessed.

October 10

Fourteen years ago today, we welcomed into our lives our second born son, Samuel.
Little did we know the joy, light and laughter this small being would elicit.

Sam did not come easily into this world. He preferred his cozy accommodations and was born 12 days late. He weighed in at a whopping 9lbs 7 oz and was 22" long. He smiled his first day and could hold his head up for brief periods. In short, I gave birth to a 1 month old! He was rolling over at two months and walking and climbing on the table at 10 months!

We called him our little pumpkin, little bear and our favorite nickname
"hug" as he was so full of them! He was such a happy baby! People would stop me in the grocery store to touch his head of curls.





And such a determined toddler he was! Here he looks to be telling us he needs no help driving Papa's boat!

Things I love about you Sam.....

I love the way you love your brother and sister Sam, you have such a devoted bond to your family!











I love your energy and zest for life. I love how you set your mind on something and just do it! You make me very proud!!

I love how you embrace the world and all it throws at you good and bad.

I love your laugh.






I love how caring and gentle you are with those smaller and weaker than yourself. You are so much like your dad and one day you are going to grow up and make a wonderful daddy yourself!










I love your quiet side and how well you express yourself through your own writing.

I love the comedic side you have and how you make me laugh. Your sense of humor is well appreciated by many!


but most of all...
I LOVE YOU!
Happy birthday Sam!

A Question

Tonight, I was sharing my blog with a friend. I had been talking about it and wanted to share with her my latest post. As she perused my blog, I pointed out the list of blogs I visit and we linked on one of my favorite daily reads, "Holy Experience".
The woman who writes this blog, writes in such a way it touches my very soul and uplifts me where I am.

Today was no exception. On her blog was the word "Question" and this excerpt from a Mary Oliver Poem entitled Summer Day

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?"

Very good question and one to ponder indeed. I sat listening to the lovely piano music that plays in the back round, contemplating this question. I have begun to formulate plans for this life of mine. It has taken me almost 6 years to get to this place.
When Tom died, my plans for a future died with him. No longer could I plan to grow and live with him by my side. The person I was with him, exists no more. I had to accept that. I had to plan anew. But how does one plan when you don't know who you are anymore? I worked on finishing my certification in a specialized reading program and then dabbled in taking graduate level courses in Special Education. I worked on myself, emotionally, physically and spiritually. I prayed a lot and began to gain a better insight into who I was becoming.

This summer, my very good friend talked with me about an online Master's program that she was interested in taking. It looked interesting and the best part? It is all on line! At first we were both going to pursue an MS ed with concentration in Inclusion. When I talked in length to the admissions coordinator, it became clear that it was not the route I wanted to go. I was disappointed and feeling stuck until I talked at length with my friend who'd chosen the MS ed Literacy K-12. This felt right and I immediately called Kate, my admissions coordinator. On Friday, I passed in my application, supplement application and essay. I'd stressed over the essay for three days and finally went with what flowed forth from my fingers. Feeling it wasn't my best piece of writing, I sent it off anyway.

Today, I received an email from Kate. They were reviewing my graduate application today and she felt she wanted to pass on an email that the Program Director sent to the Program Manager regarding my essay.

Wow---

Lisa's essay is one of the most touching I have ever read!!! Please convey to her my very best wishes in the program. She sounds like an amazingly resilient, caring person! (If you think that would be appropriate... I feel as though I should respond somehow to such a personal, heartfelt piece).

Thanks, Dayle

Martha

In the moment of reading those words, I was shocked, proud and humbled. I am on my way to becoming the person I am destined to become in so many different ways. This is part of the plan that has been put into motion.

The question....

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?"

Live it moment by moment.

Gathering Chestnuts

chestnuts I gathered sitting in a cherry bowl made by my friend Ron.

This morning I got up and decided to get my walk in early. As I began my walk, I crested the top of the first hill and was aware that I was not out of breath as I sometimes have been. I decided to see how far I could run the next part of my walking route. I made it quite a distance before I needed to stop and walk. Feeling pretty pleased with myself, I walked a far piece (mostly an uphill walk) and then challenged myself to run from point A to point B on another leg of my route. Again I met the challenge. When I came to point B, there I found, much to my delight, chestnuts strewn around the ground just waiting for someone to come along and pick them up! I kept thinking of how happy my students would be to use them for counting and holding. As I gathered the chestnuts it felt like I was being rewarded and with each gathered chestnut, my pockets filled and swelled.

I sit here thinking of this past week and how many 'chestnuts' I've placed within my pockets this week....

*I finished my grad school application and submitted it, feeling excited, yet nervous, with the ability to further my education. Loan applications here I come!!

*I was told I was appreciated by a parent in my room. She says I give her great advice, am always honest and answer all her questions. This felt so good to hear!

Sunflowers given in appreciation by Caitlin's mom.

*I hugged and kissed my children more this week, telling them I love them.

*I walked twice this week so far, staying on phase 1 of the Fat Flush plan and dropped 3 more pounds making it to my first goal!

*I made very healthy choices in my food and in my sleep habits.

*I spoke my truth to my boss regarding no raise this year when everything costs more and I am raising my children on my own.

With pockets full, I continued my walk and came to a stretch again that was a challenge to run. As I ran, the weight of the chestnuts began dragging my shorts down and I slowed to a brisk walk again. I thought about all I do and accomplish and how to much pride can swell your head, weighing you down. To much pride can get in the way of being there for others. As I walked, I thought of those who help me on this path I walk. (and sometimes run) I am blessed to have each and every one of them in my life. I think of those who touched my life this week in small yet meaningful ways.

*My younger sister who listened as I cried about feeling overwhelmed.

*My friends with whom I gather each Wednesday sharing fellowship and prayer.

*The anonymous friend who left grocery store gift certificates in my mailbox

*The hugs I receive from my students.

*The love and help from my children daily.

*The compliments from friends on my weight loss.

*My online mom friends who send me hugs because they are thinking of me.

*The laughter and camaraderie shared on the soccer field between other parents.

*The stranger who made Patrick and I see that there are good people in the world. This person found Patrick's wallet and mailed it back to him. No note, no return address, just simple kindness. We'll never know who took the $10 and the gift card but are grateful for the kindness in returning the wallet.

All of these balance who I am. So I will continue to gather these chestnuts that fall on the path I am walking. Each one swelling with pride and accomplishment.