May 22, 2010. Today would have been my Dad's 71st birthday. In so many ways, losing him was a life altering event that fundamentally transformed me. Life is too short to hang onto anger and carry a grudge. Let it go. Life is too short to skip even one hug or one kiss. You never know when it will be your last. Life is too short to concern yourself with material posessions. Items come and go. People are forever. Work hard and try to take time to play a little. It's the simple joys we share that bring us the closest. Pancakes for breakfast, washing a car, a good movie; just simple things. Listen to others; it's amazing what you can learn. When you leave this world, two things you leave behind really matter: the love you have given others and the children you pass this world on to. We're all eternal beings on our journey through this life to eternity, here to help each other out the best we can, our lives an example of the love of Jesus Christ. Happy Birthday, Dad. To say I miss you would be an understatement.

Here's a pic of the beautiful roses Eddie gave to me for Mother's Day last week. What a sweet guy. I couldn't ask for a better husband or father for my children. period. The girls are playing a ferocious game of "hot hands" right now. I want to tell them to stop, but I know this childhood rite of passage has never caused permanent damage (I think). A few minutes ago, I had to say to Regan "why are you writing on the watermelon?" Life just wouldn't be complete without the kids bringing these bizarre details into our daily lives. Stress? Yep. Joy, fulfillment, entertainment? Absolutely. May all Mother's Days be filled with treasures lovingly made by the tiniest hands. I love every trinket, every card hand-made from construction paper, every sweet gift they give, every kiss, every hug, even the tantrums. Thank you GOD. I am truly blessed.

Mother Teresa's "Anyway" Poem

Sometimes a few simple words or a meaningful poem can help put things into focus. This poem helped me focus a bit on turning the other cheek and continuing to be kind, even when someone I've been kind to was unkind in return. "Move on," I had to tell myself and continue to trust, continue to be kind and continue to be happy. I'm not going to relinquish control of my happiness and my behavior to another human - I'll try harder to relinquish control to GOD.