The Moon

Tonight I looked up at the moon. The sky was so clear and the stars were twinkling. It is almost a full moon, although I can't remember if it is considered a waxing or a waning moon.

I wondered how many people were taking a moment tonight to look up at the sky and admire it. So constant, yet always changing. No matter the shape, one thing is for certain - I always smile when I look at the moon.

Counting the Minutes

One week from today, I will be in New York City.

I have been thinking about what this trip represents to me. Of course, it is a wonderful opportunity to spend time with my beautiful daughter, and enjoy the sense of adventure we have shared over the years.

There are many places I want to see in the world, however, NYC and Paris have always been a dream. Ever since I as a young girl, I have carried dreams of visiting both. Why?

I thought of how exciting it would be to immerse myself in the culture of both places. The art, history, fashion and architecture. The people, communities and food.

Since it is only a week away, I have to admit I am nervous. I might just stand there and cry. Tears of happiness and sadness. Happy because I finally get to see NYC. Sadness because it took me so long.

The One Who Tucks Them in at Night

Yesterday was a sad day. One of Benjamin's friend's mom died in a car accident. She was driving on an icy, dirt road and her car ended up wrapped around a tree. Sadly, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

It was heartbreaking to see Benjamin's tears roll down his cheeks as he told me.

This morning, he looked at me with those big, blue eyes and said "That is the worst thing that could happen to a kid. To lose their mom. The one who tucks them in at night."

Later, as we were cleaning up from dinner, and I was getting ready to go to the store, Madeline and Andrew didn't say goodbye to me. Benjamin said to them "Hey, what if that happened to us like it did to Luke, and mom never came home again?"

Tears filled my eyes. Yes, it was a sad day.

Farewell Blog

Today, my blog is shut down.

I never meant any harm in writing it. I only wanted to use it as a tool to make me a better person. It has always been for me to learn about myself, nothing more.

I did learn a few things. I learned that I do have a lot of traditions with my children. I learned I do have memories of my childhood. I learned the simplest things in life are important to me.

But the most important thing I learned was I don't like feeling vulnerable.

Serendipity

ser·en·dip·i·ty/ˌserənˈdipitē/ Noun: The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way: "a fortunate stroke of serendipity."

I love the movie Serendipity, not only because it is such a sweet, romantic comedy, but the title of the movie is one of my favorite words. Over the summer, I would joke with Andrew about my favorite words and how one day I would make a list with all of them including moxie, soil, opines, façade, tchotchke and serendipity. Sometimes the words would make my list just because I would like to say them aloud, yet other times it is because of the meaning of the word.

Serendipity is because of both.

Do I believe in serendipity? Yes. I do believe that some things are meant to happen whether it is referred to as fate, chance, destiny or serendipity, I find it hard to believe it doesn't exist. It just sounds more intriguing when it is referred to as serendipity.

Saying the word serendipity makes me smile.

Happy New Year

A new day, a new year.

Farewell 2011

I wish I could write some profound words for my last blog of 2011, but the words escape me.

I can feel 2012 lurking in the shadows, getting ready to make his appearance. Hoping for a wonderful year!

Farewell 2011.