Endings and beginnings

The end of another school year is looming and today I can't help thinking about endings and beginnings throughout our life. The excitement of beginning of an adventure with the hype and 'what ifs' then slowly transition to watching that journey wind down to an end. Then the craziness of hurrying to finish the project, event before the end comes. Sometimes I think we put too much emphasis on these two points and forget to enjoy the process in between.

Yesterday, I was watching my grown children in my kitchen. So many beginnings and endings in their lives. I began to rewalk all of those in my mind. (Is rewalk really a word?) Anyways, what I ended up relishing in was the end result unfolding before me in a very non-published calendar day. Laughing, teasing, talking, poking each other with family love -- and it was a magical moment.

In this human reality beginnings and endings seem to be highlighted when, I think, it is the process inbetween that true existence should be felt. How to stop the running and breathe in the moment is the learning.

Wow, that was a serious commentary! Need to hurry the morning's almost at an end and I've got so much to do before the afernoon the begins. And so it continues.....

Valentine's Day

You know Valentine's Day can be really difficult for some people! Don't get me wrong, mine was very fine -- me and my loved one just stayed low and at home. But my grandmother's birthday was 2-14 and I always think of how it feels to my mom, since her mom has passed on so many years ago. I think of young girls that get the feeling that no one loves them because they don't have a boyfriend on this one day - UGH! And, I wish all of those in that kind of place a wish that they realize that no matter what day it is -- they too are very special people!

Graduation, New Year's and She's Leaving!

Well, what a month this has been. Savannah graduated from Grand Canyon College as a nurse, Donny left to be with Leslie's family in California, we had a family Christmas on the 28th, and Emily's leaving tomorrow for Brazil. It's been a month of celebration parties for graduation, holidays and for last times with Emily.

It seemed that in making presents, graduation displays and gifts for Emily to take to Brazil that I ended up looking through lots of family pictures. I realize that I have been so blessed with lots of love, family closeness and lots of fun times. I would love to make a little video of my reflections going over the last 30 years of family raucus....but I'm still challenged in that area. But here are just a few......
Here are the girls at about 9 months letting their brother know who is really in charge. Donny is about 5 in this photo. (1988). We took lots of trips over the years, but some personalities always remain the same such as our Sweet Savvy. This was during a wonderful trip that we took to see all the Native American site in Arizona to prepare me to teach 4th grade. Obviously Emily loved this type of tourism. (Girls were in kindergarten and Donny in 4th grade - 1993?). Time goes on and before you know it Donny's in high school. Here is the svelte guy getting our backyard ready for a prom dinner. The girls loved this because I made them serve. I think this was his junior year (1999). Interesting that the girls are always on the same side - Savannah on the left, and Emily on the right of the pictures. We noticed that this kept happening. Then goes to China, Donny's make his first trip back East and they all go to Europe together. Here is one where they are all in the Alps. During that trip they had lots of adventures in England, France and Italy. I'm sure there was more countries but I can't even remember them. Then there is a fleeting trip to Donny graduating high school, girl's graduating high school, one graduates from UofA, then ASU and GCC. Here is one pic of the kids with their cousins at the girl's high school graduation (2003). from that year, Emily has been to Spain, Argentina, Chile. Here is a little pic of a small (?) hiking trip she did on top of a volcano in Chile with her friend Alicia and a stupid guide that almost got them lost in a blizzard. And now she leaves for Brazil ....

Well, that was a fast trip of family reflection. And, I couldn't share even 1/10th of the pictures.It seems to me that 2009 will bring lots of changes and travels beyond our little Arizona state for David and I. You can see Emily's whereabouts at her website http://www.EmilyWinans.com.

But all of this wouldn't have been possible without the wonderful partner of mine that manages to stand me and my wierd ways... Thank you David!