39 and Holding

He calls me the cougar.  Yes, I married a younger man.  I am made well aware of just how old I am, it seems, having recently turned 40 in March.  A mere 15 months make me the elder, and while this amuses the not-so-old man in my life, I tease that I am quite sure I am younger, and this based on my sweet William's lack of physical ease as his feet greet the dawn each morning. I may be older in number, but not so much in other ways. 

Recently this husband of mine celebrated a milestone birthday.  You see, next year he will enter the dark side along with me.  I bet the cougar won't seem so old then :)!  

Happy Birthday Babe!!

Taking it in...

Morning.  It's quiet time.  I sit outside peacefully enjoying this... and listen to the sounds as I take in the beauty, joyfully greeting this new day.  A gentle breeze, the smell of fresh air, birds in full chorus, a bunny in search of a fresh blade of grass, horses winny across the valley, a small twin engine plane loops around over head. 

I watch as several hummingbirds dive bomb in an attempt to be the first to sample my fragrant jasmine plant. It's as if they are pretending to be that plane, so close they can almost be touched.  Are they playing or rambling for rights? Perhaps they are the siblings we watched come into life in this little nest just outside our front window.  

They don't live there now... the last and surely most conservative little one finally got up the nerve and flew the coup.  In just three short weeks, what started as two tiny little black beans soon became full grown humming birds.  

I believe this little family of hummers must like it here.  I sure do.   

My Buzz Word

"Growth is often painful and scary. 

There is no growth without change; 

there is no change without fear or loss; and there is no loss without pain. 

We fear these losses, even if our old ways were self-defeating, because, 

like a worn out pair of shoes, 

they were at least comfortable and familiar.  

Every change involves a loss of some kind: You must let go of old ways in order to experience the new."   

~ Rick Warren

Passage of Time

Lynne calls it her other life...  I get that. 

We did a Christmas winter in Northeast Ohio AND Florida, visiting loved ones and friends.  We skied, went sledding, had dart wars and celebrated birthdays. Our time with family and friends afforded me a rest I did not realize I needed.  I returned to California with fresh renewal.  

Now here it is, time to plan the next trip back to that familiar place.  How quickly the time has gone.  I'm wondering if it's in part because of the stage of life we find ourselves in... busy with teenagers, piano lessons, youth group, basketball,etc. and driving, driving, driving.  Or is it just age... life seems shorter the older I get.  

What makes the speed of time acceptable is that going back comes sooner.  And yet, what a difference 6 months make, especially when thinking of children and how they so quickly change. I'm quite sure that will be obvious to those we love and miss, despite the fact that 6 months seems short and goes fast.  

Can't wait to see you and fill our tanks!