This Is Love

I posted this picture on Facebook with the caption "Love". Coming from these two year olds, it is in its purest form. Congratulations to Norah and Nahara for sharing an example of what so many strive for on a daily basis. I love you darlings.

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This Too Shall Pass

Yesterday my mother handed me some letters and said "here's wisdom from the grave". Since I have been researching family history for over two years, I thought these were of that nature. Maybe a small hint that would verify a family story or a simple correspondence that gave way to more discussion about topics seldom discussed. Little did I know that the two letters handed to me were portrayals of wisdom, sacrifice, love, pain, strength, dignity, and glory. Both letters addressed to my mother were bound in the power of motherhood and sisterhood. My grandmother's sentences were evidence that she raised her children from "so little" and she was proud that my mother knew she "must have more than what was offered" to her. I was six when this letter was written. My mother was a few months from 40. As a child, I had no idea that my mother harbored a great deal of anxiety and concern. What the issues were at the time, the letter does not state. However, my grandmother bestows my mother with words so powerful that 31 years later I am looking back and praising my mother for my journey and dedicating my movements towards such a glorious reward.

"Don't you feel short about yourself, because you are great and have done great things." -Rosalie Smith (1913 - 2007)

Me, Myself and I

There is so much to be said for people who make time to spend with themselves (and self selected others). The overwhelming thought of never having a moment to spare sends me into sheer panic. So, today I took time away from the hustle and bustle and walked out the house at 9:00 a.m. with no agenda. Of course there are a million things that I NEEDED to do, but today was not the day to get them done. I got in the car and just started driving to the Upper West Side, loosely deciding on a mani-pedi. Before the unscheduled event finished I made a lunch date with my niece for 12. It was 11:15. I left the salon with a Chinchilly mani and no pedi. (I did have to have the technician take the polish off my toes and go au natural).

Knowing there is no place to park downtown by the World trade, I jumped in the car to find an unmetered space and hopped on the train. We talked, ate, laughed and I met her coworkers at OMD. Of course they were happy to meet the twins' mother. Oh, I forgot to tell you that I am the mother of twins and a 13 year old. I guess that's because this was a ME day. Leaving there with, still, no destination in mind, I skipped across the street to Century 21 and began instantly losing my mind. There was no room in my self satisfied day to feel guilty about leaving without the infamous Century plastic bag so, I bought two silk dresses (april, may & Blue Tassel) for self and a pair of pants (Dollhouse) for Maia.

The local train ride back to 86th street was a moment for me. I realized that I accomplished exactly what I set out to do. Spend time with myself. It continued when I found myself throwing my bags into the car and taking a short walk to the Starbucks on 86th & Columbus. With a grande carmel macchiato with whip in hand I finished my dose of pure gossip from In Touch Weekly. By the way, I find this info to be draining. So what David Beckham and sons gave Victoria a $100,000 gift card! Okay......I'm jealous because I only need half of that to get rid of these student loans that I am still paying for. That reminder just put me in the mood for my second spirit of the day. Might as well let everyone know I didn't go to work today and head to The Corner for a vodka tonic. Tasty!