My Mother (Warning Sentimental Feelings Ahead)

I've mentioned my mama in the last few posts as a lead up to this one.  My mother is an excellent, intelligent, strong, woman.  I have been blessed with someone who stands behind me, holds me and lifts me up.  She has taught me how to stand on my own and be strong.  She let me find my own path even when she may not agree with it.

My mother put up with me when I was a little sheisskopfe when I was just starting my teens (which I am eternally grateful for) and helped me through the dark times that were the years of early adulthood.  She has let my fly unfettered and figure out life on my own even though she misses me in the nest.  She has loved me no matter what I have done or said.

Even though she is going to be farther away now (South America), I know that we will still have time to sit on the patio, talk and enjoy a glass or two of wine together (even if it just over the phone).  I will miss having you here but I know that we are never really far apart.

I love you mama.

Love, Like and Lust

My mother and I talked about love and life over a glass of wine last night as we were enjoying a beautiful Tucson sunset.  It is a common topic for us, we are constantly defining and redefining our beliefs on those topics.  I realized last night that when I thought of love I had been not giving myself enough credit.  To give this a little context my conversations about love with my mother also tend to deal with my single state (I like being single and she likes to tease me), I told my mother that I didn't think I was capable of love.  My mother called me on it (because that is what she does), she said "What about _____, you love her and what about ______ you love him right?"  I nodded slowly and realized that I have people that I Love and Love without reservation.  I was shocked that I thought so little of myself to believe that I wasn't loving people or that I wasn't capable of it.  My mother and I then went on to other topics and spent the evening laughing and loving each other.

Our language is so limited in what it means to love and we get so wrapped up in what we think love is supposed to be that we forget that we are living it.  We have mistreated the word love and made it less than it is.  Love is not like, love is not lust.  Love (not like or lust) is without reservations, it holds no grudges, it accepts and holds dear those faults and foibles that we are all capable of.  Love is strong, like and lust not so much.

Friends and Family

I have been blessed with a wonderful family and a small selection of great friends.  I know that I am lucky.  Which brings me to today's post.

Gather those you love around you.  Create family, create community.  Family doesn't have to be blood, it can be solely of the heart and soul.  Gather them around and remember to tell them that you love them.

Have a good day everyone and give your friends and family lots of love.