navylane :: musings

Love is the kiss that wakes me each morning. Sunshine in a bright blue sky. My children snuggled up close to me. A lullaby sung before bed. The hug that warms my soul. Laughter in the air. The voice that calls me Mom. Kind words from a friend. A late night vigil over a sick little one. Handpicked flowers in a vase. Sacrifice. Compromise. Forgiveness. Acceptance. Dancing around in the kitchen. A handwritten letter. Smiles on my littles’ faces. Patience at the end of a long day. A meal made from scratch. A book that touches the heart. Honoring the body that houses my soul. Music that brings back a river of memories. A shoulder to lean on. An unexpected gift. A breath of fresh air. A moment captured in time.

Love is what pushes me out of bed each morning. Keeps me going even when I feel I am at the end of my rope and my world is crumbling. Love is there, a constant driving force that is all around me, in everything I touch, do, and see. Some days I need to dig deeper to find it, but, without fail, it is always there. To lift me up and push me forward. Whispering, ‘Don’t give up; take a deep breath and look around. Love is here.’

Love doesn’t make the world go ’round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.Franklin P. Jones

Leaves of love. It’s moments like this that do make autumn a joy. A gift of colorful leaves with a heartwarming note from my daughters.

As autumn blesses us with crisp air and falling leaves, my days become more contemplative, more introspective, as I long for moments curling up with a warm quilt, peering out the window, letting my mind wonder and ponder. Between the demands and priorities of life that generally take center stage, I sneak in quiet moments of nothingness whenever possible. I see a new pattern emerging year after year; I no longer embrace autumn as easily as I once did. Instead, I retreat, hunker down, trying to deny the cruel, approaching winter.

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Life is ironic. Most of us journey through life in a chaotic mad dash to the finish line, never fully appreciating the journey itself. When I allow myself a quick reprieve from the everyday madness, I do take note and see the brilliance of it all — the challenges, the relationships, the hardships that encourage appreciation of the blissfulness, the exuberance and innocence of youth, the wisdom and maturity gained with age. There is so much I still do not understand, so much I still cannot wrap my head around, yet so much that really does make sense to me. Enjoy the journey, a simple phrase yet a challenging task I aspire to with every new sunrise.