Mother's Day 2013

Today is Mother's Day. As I sit here, contemplating the day, composing, drinking hazelnut coffee and listening to the birds outside my dining room window, I thought I would share with you some of the wonders of life. Of some of the simple pleasures of life. Of "Southern Living"...(not the magazine).... As you all know, it has been a rough six months in the Southern Living household. Lots of major loss. Two of my four-legged babies, Buster and Stormy, and my mom. I have had time to come to terms with these losses; and while I still lament over these losses, I have come to the realization that I have to celebrate these three sweet souls and honor them; and enjoy MY life. As they would expect. So, yesterday I got to work.....cleaned the windows on the outside of the house; took town the nasty inside SATIN curtains that some idiot installed in the garage (I mean, who in their right mind puts satin drapes in the garage? If you have, shame on you!) and cleaned those too. I attacked some 'scrub' trees (that's what I call the little trees that sprout at random from a tree trunk stump that has been left intact after the tree has been LONG cut down) and removed those. Paul attempted to start the pressure washer (you know, the one I got last year for Mother's Day. I love that thing) and could not get it to start....so he put that bad boy (girl) in the back of the truck and drove straight to Lowe's where they gave us ANOTHER BRAND NEW ONE. This one makes three that we have gotten in one year. No matter - it works! He pressure washed the driveway - or part of it. Jonathan came down to take me out for Mother's Day - a day early as he has to work today. He works nights and is asleep today - until he gets up this afternoon. On a different note, I don't know how they do it. I love sunlight too much! Now where was I? Oh, that's right - I remember now. Jonathan got here, and of course I was hanging in the garage. He helped me prune some limbs on an oak in the back yard (a pin oak, I think) and the little lady next door asked if we could prune the branches hanging over the fence. Now when I say "WE" I mean "HIM". I am the rat in his pocket, or the supervisor (Straw Boss). HA! Got those trimmed and it looks much better. Today I will drag them to the curb and cut them into manageable sizes. He and I went to Liberty at the Lake (a restaurant on Lake Murray) for a late lunch. Paul opted to stay home. So it was just Jonathan and me. Naturally the place was packed, and they gave us one of those little square coaster thingies that lights up when your table is ready. 15 minutes actually was AN HOUR to wait. No matter. We were at the Marina, so we amused ourselves by walking up and down the docks, looking at the boats. Lots of dogs hanging out in their boats...waiting on their 'parents' who were inside Liberty at the Lake. After we got our table, we ordered. He had a delicious Caesar Salad topped with grilled shrimp. I ordered an Ahi Tuna salad. More deliciousness. I also had a glass of Chardonnay - by Louis Lateur, or something like that. If you have never tasted it, DO. It was wonderful. After we got home, he headed back to the Upstate where he lives. Paul and I went over to my friend Chiquita's house for a bit. Just hung out and visited with them, and got back at 9 last night. As Paul had to turn in early (as he always does - he gets up in what to me is the middle of the night to go to work) I sat with Daisy and watched HGTV. I love that channel! Woke up bright and early. I made my hazelnut coffee (yum), opened my cards from both my boys (Jonathan and Keith), and one from Daisy and one from Paul. Paul and Daisy gave me a beautiful potted palm (inside plant) and Keith sent me a gift card to Bonefish Grill inside his card. He had to work this weekend and couldn't make it down. Jonathan made the trip just to take me to lunch for Mother's Day. Much appreciated - all of it! I am one lucky girl. I intend to spend my first Mother's Day without my mom in my own style. After finishing this post, I will have another cup of coffee; make a piece of toast topped with shredded cheese and roasted garlic (yea, sounds nasty but is really good) and then I will read the Sunday paper. I will visit Mom later on and bring her flowers, and water the ones I planted yesterday in honor of my late 'other mom', Carmella Pompi, who lived in Massachusetts. The next time we are there, we will bring HER flowers, too. Then I plan to drag those branches, do yard work, maybe vacuum (don't want to overdo it, after all it's MY day), visit our local KMart that is closing to see if I can snag a bargain, work some more on stripping an old doll crib that was mine when I was a little girl - it will be perfect for magazines once I am finished. Then when Paul gets off work this afternoon, we have dinner reservations at The Blue Marlin at 6:30. Today will be one where I do nothing but what I want to do. (so you may ask, how in that ANY different than any other day, right?) Life is good. Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there. Happy Mother's Day to the moms (especially mine) that are celebrating in heaven this year. Know you are loved and missed. Look down on us and be proud. Know that we are with you in heart and soul and we always will be. Mom, you taught me to be a strong woman. You taught me how to survive. I sure have used those attributes this past six months. Without that strength in my soul, I honestly don't know if I could have made it through. I love you. Jonathan and Keith, your mom loves you both to the moon and back. Thank you for being mine. Paul, I can't imagine life without you. Even at the times when it seemed the bad outweighed the good. It really never has. Goodness always wins out! I look forward to many more happy, positive times....and Daisy, thanks for being YOU. You're not Stormy, so I have to stop expecting you to be. You're you...and I'll hold your paw anytime you want me to. Love you too. And to mommy's little angel and 'big ole buss', I love you still.. Here in South Carolina, the weather is just beautiful. It's 7:30 in the morning and here I sit in shorts and a tee-shirt - barefoot. Just how I like it. "Life is Not Measured by the Number of Breaths we Take, but by moments that take our breath away"....