The love of a Mother and Child

February 23, 2007

(Disclaimer: I’m not editing so ignore typos etc.)

My mom is sad today. When I’m feeling particularly down and needy I still refer to her as Mommy and she still responds. My dad just rolls his eyes and reminds me that I’m in my twenties now and no longer an infant. I don’t necessarily agree, I’ll always be a ‘baby’ in my moms eyes, so sometimes I say ‘why not act like one!’ Sometimes it doesn’t get me very far. Anyway, that is all besides the point, she’s sad today because her children are so far away. I’m way in California and my brother just left his RandR to go back to Iraq. (She’s more upset about my brother at the moment). I guess I can understand. I’m not a mom but my brother and I are very close and it has been awhile since anyone in the family has seen him. (He up and decided to marry a German girl). All of this is besides the point…

What I really want to say is that I’ve been pondering what this wise woman told me a few weeks ago (my grandmother). She told me that Parents love their children more than their children love them. (She was saying how my mom never goes and sees her). I guess it’s just hard for me to understand because I don’t have children yet. I would hope that my children love me as much as I love them and I certainly cannot imagine loving my mom less than she loves me.

Now don’t get me wrong, I understand the difference in the relationships. As a child, I depend on my parents for their support and guidance (I’ll go ahead and throw wallet into the mix as well). They don’t need me so much for that (although I am wise beyond my years and enjoy thoroughly telling my parents how to do things).

I guess I think on this point a lot because lately I’ve needed my Mom a lot. I can’t honestly say that I’m one of those girls who had a rough relationship with her Mom growing up but we’ve had our moments, she’s a feisty bulldog (as my dad has referred to her) and I was your typical teenage girl. As I’ve gotten older, and on my own, I feel more appreciative of the lessons that my parents taught me and the support they’ve given me. I am very grateful for that fact that while I’m struggling, fighting my own demons, and in need of support and guidance, that she is always right there to give me a shoulder to lean on.

Mother and childA WONDERFUL MOTHER.

GOD made a wonderful mother,
A mother who never grows old;
He made her smile of the sunshine,
And He molded her heart of pure gold;
In her eyes He placed bright shining stars,
In her cheeks, fair roses you see;
God made a wonderful mother,
And He gave that dear mother to me.

~Pat O’Reilly~

Posted in Family, My Life | 2 Comments »

On My Way to Los Angeles

February 21, 2007

Los AngelesI’m heading off to Los Angeles today for a job interview.

WISH ME LUCK!!!

Actually, I don’t know that I want this job, but I’m going for the interview anyway cause you never know.

Right now I’m working two jobs. I still hope to get a job that will actually pay enough to live out here. It’ll be nice to just work one job.

I thought this was an encouraging post at Wind Rose Hotel

Always do what you are afraid to do.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson

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My Fat Cat

February 19, 2007

When I moved out to California I left my cat at with my mother. I thought I could trust her to take good care of my cat. But now look at her ….

Fat Cat

I had her on a diet and she was looking fit. Now my mother has gotten her all fat again!! I made mama send this picture as proof of life.

But isn’t she cute? She likes to lay on her back like that.

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Places I’d like to see in Southern California…

February 18, 2007

Today I’ve been thinking about the places I’d like to see while I live on the West Coast. It is pretty unfamiliar territory considering I’m from the South. Anyone who has been to the two places knows what I’m talking about when I say it is VERY different in the West. (I gotta say I’m slightly partial to the South, naturally). Moving on, since I don’t plan on living here forever because I would actually like to see some green in my wallet, I’m going to dedicate my time, seeing what there is to see before I move back to normalcy:

1. Tijuana, Mexico – I am not going to pretend and say that I have any sort of clue why this would be a good place to go other than I’m less than an hour away and why not?! I’m also intrigued by the stories I hear about corrupt cops and their ways of stealing tourist Catalina Islandmoney and also the cheap stuff you can buy on the streets (assuming you come home without flies). I will see this place before I move.

2. Catalina Island – I can see this Island off in the distance from work if I’m inside the restricted area. I hear from reliable sources that it is very pretty and one of the must places to see. You have to get there by flight or boat and it’s a fun place to go fishing. This of course, is all I know. I know a lot of local people who have never been there, I will not be one of them.

3. Hollywood – Ok so I’ve been there several times. It is a total pain in the you know what to get from San Diego to Los Angelos but I’d like to go back. Both times I have been there I have not taken any pictures and that would be the primary reason for going back. Plus I have yet to see anything really worth looking at besides the Hollywood sign and Chinese Temecula BaloonsTheater. There is however an awesome mall on Hollywood and Highland. I would like to go back and get a picture of the Hollywood sign and also go see Rodeo Drive which Deanna and I couldn’t find. I’d also like to see the Walk of Fame, etc..etc..etc..and maybe even some of those nice houses you hear about which I definitely did not see among all the peddlers on the street.

4. Temecula – I do not live too far from here. I hear it is known for its wineries and also hot air ballooning. I am not much of a wine drinker and I’m slightly scared of heights and the combination of the two do not seem very pleasant at all, however, I hear that it is a Joshua Treevery pretty place and the balloon ride is worth it. This is something I would like to do.

5. Joshua Tree National Park/Palm Springs – I will combine the two since they are not that far apart and I am actually going to be going on this adventure in a few weeks. I like the outdoors and nature and being able to hike and take pretty pictures and make memories and I want to go to Palm Springs to ride the airtram to the top of that mountain (name has escaped me) for more hiking etc. Plus I’ve heard of Palm Springs and well it would just be cool to go there.

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Is Love a Mental Illness?

February 14, 2007

losing mindThe Wall Street Journal

“The brain system involved in romantic love is powerful,” says Helen Fisher, an anthropologist at New Jersey’s Rutgers University who has led much of the research into love’s impact on the brain. “Everything that is going on in the brain, everything that happens with romantic love has a chemical basis.”

Using brain scans to study emotional changes is still a new science. But the images signal the potential toll of relationship problems. “It’s not a good combination,” notes Dr. Fisher. “You’re feeling intense romantic love, you’re willing to take big risks, you’re in physical pain, obsessively thinking about a person and you’re struggling to control your rage. You’re not operating with your full range of cognitive abilities. It’s possible that part of the rational mind shuts down.”

The dramatic changes evident on the brain scans may help explain bizarre behavior that is often associated with love. It can also help explain why marital problems are such a serious health worry. Studies show that people in troubled relationships are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression and high blood pressure.

Well, that explains a lot!

Happy Valentines day!

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Sisters

February 13, 2007

SisterA young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day, drinking iced tea and visiting with her Mother. As they talked about life, about marriage, about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter. Don’t forget your Sisters,” she advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass. They’ll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you may have, you are still going to need Sisters. Remember to go places with them now and then; do things with them. “Remember that ‘Sisters’ means ALL the women … your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other women relatives too.

You’ll need other women. Women always do. “What a funny piece of advice!” The young woman thought. Haven’t I just gotten married? Haven’t I just joined the couple-world? I’m now a married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely my husband and the family we may start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!’ But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact with her sisters and made more women friends each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another, she gradually came to understand that her Mom really knew what she was talking about. As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman, Sisters are the mainstays of her life. After more than 50 years of living in this world, here is what I’ve learned:

THIS SAYS IT ALL:

Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.
Men don’t do what they’re supposed to do.
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors.
Careers end.

BUT………

Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach. When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley’s rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley’s end. Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you…Or come in and carry you out.

Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family, all bless our life! The world wouldn’t be the same without women, and neither would I. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other. Every day, we need each other still.

Pass this on to all the women who help make your life meaningful. I just did. Short and very sweet: There are more than twenty angels in this world. Ten are peacefully sleeping on clouds. Nine are playing. And one is reading her email at this moment. Send this message to ten of your friends including me.

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Across Country

January 31, 2007

Me and FriendsSomehow my friends and I all found ourselves living in California. We met and became friends in Georgia and now we are in California.

This is a bunch of Georgians living the California life.

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