Today is the one-year anniversary of my mom's passing and I was not sure if I was going to mention it or not. Lots of memories and tears have been on my heart and mind. Although in many ways, my mom had left us a while before, she joined my father on this day. I can remember every detail of that morning (not sure if that's a good thing or bad). The love/closeness I felt to my sister, the love/kindness of Barbara the hospice nurse, the kindness of the team from the funeral home; the snuggles with Lady and the weather; as well as many other things from that day. This thought just popped into my mind: do traumatic and/or sad events etch themselves within us more than happier times? To be honest, I'm not sure of the answer. I think both make us who we are and sculpt our future lives. I let the traumatic/sad events control my thoughts and actions for a long time and when I finally put closure to them I felt so much lighter. When I decided to focus on the happier events of life and have an optimistic view (at least 98% of the time) my life changed dramatically. But sometimes that 2% hits me like a ton of bricks and that's ok too. I let myself have some time to mourn, be sad, angry, cry etc. and usually practice a bit of meditation/quiet time and move forward. Not easy all the time, but it has done wonders for me. Instead of quotes below today, I provided the lyrics I sang to my mom most days and still sing to myself on many days.
Now to change subjects....Overall, it was a good week as I caught up with friends for a couple of different occasions and worked my normal days. For the first time in well over a year I had a massage and it was awesome! I tried a new massage therapist after doing a bit of research. If you are in the Herndon area, she is wonderful and has about 30 years of experience - Netta Chiorello It was a wee bit painful as she worked on some kinks, but so helpful. She listens and understands the body, even recommended a few stretches to help with my hips. I am trying to work on a schedule of once per month to keep things moving and balanced. As a bit of a laugh for the week - I have been merging and purging so much that I had to purchase a new shredder. I have burned through four or five in the past few years; so I finally upgraded to a bigger model. So far so good as I continue to let go so to speak.
I watched the following movies this past week: For The Boys (1991); Five Feet Apart (2019); Brave (2012); Whitney: Can I Be Me (2017); and A Very British Christmas (2019).
This week I finished reading: THE DEARLY BELOVED by Cara Wall. A good read about marriage and faith.
The daily and wacky holidays for the week...provides something lighthearted to think about:
January 19
National Popcorn Day
National Tin Can Day
January 20
Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday , celebrated on the third Monday
National Buttercrunch Day
National Cheese Lover Day
Penguin Awareness Day
January 21
National Hugging Day
Squirrel Appreciation Day
January 22
National Blonde Brownie Day
January 23
National Pie Day
National Handwriting Day
Measure Your Feet Day- we only ask...."Why!?!"
January 24
Beer Can Appreciation Day
Compliment Day
Global Belly Laugh Day
January 25
25 Chinese New Years - date varies
National Seed Swap Day - Last Saturday in January
Opposite Day
I am going to leave it here for today. I hope you have a good week. I'm cheering for the underdogs in the football games today. Take care. Chat soon. Marie
The original version of You Are My Sunshine was written by: Jimmie Davis in 1939
My version of You Are My Sunshine....
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine;
you make me happy when skies are gray.
You'll never know mom how much I love you;
and I miss you every single day.
You are my angel, my guardian angel;
and I know you'll watch over me.
When you're in heaven, I'll be waiting
for a sign that you're with me.
(changed after she passed to: Now you're in heaven and I'm watching for signs you are with me)