Being present, and being acknowledged

Today I am grateful for.....

Connecting with Sobe on myspace, so nice to see her smiling face and get an adoring message from her.

Lunch with Gary and his friend Matt today, lots of laughs and conversation. Gary buying my lunch!

Email keeping me connected with Kelsey and Taylor's teachers and coaches! Fantastic to have such easy communication with the teachers who fill me in on the stuff the girls "leave out".

Another gorgeous day!! Windows open, extra blankets on the bed, and the smell of fall in the air. The most stars in the sky that I've seen since Kauai.

More time on the elliptical.

Seeing the "purple lady" tray that I painted for Gary. A chance to clean it up and re-seal it for him.

A scheduled date to have my flower beds cleaned out and re-mulched, finally!

Kelsey gets home an hour before Taylor does now. I've noticed that without Taylor's constant chatter and need for attention, Kelsey actually has more to say. That hour every day having Kelsey all to myself is priceless. She tells me about school, classes, friends, upcoming events, all without being prompted! She seeks me out, sits close to me and connects with me. I forgot what it was like when it was just Kelsey and I before Taylor came along.
I get lots of energy, talk, connection with Taylor, she almost forces it on me, but to have this special time with Kelsey is once again, priceless.

Getting paperwork in the mail marking another milestone, class ring order forms for Kelsey.....wow. Being reminded again that I have a child, sorry, young lady, in high school. And she's going to my old high school, ....wow.

All the memories left in those hallways, the auditorium, the parking lots, the football field, .... being in that school again and being reminded of my "good old days". Happy that I am continuing to create my "good old days".

Thinking about making a change, new paint colors for the living room and hallway. Looking forward to "lightening up" the house like I've lightened up my life.

The life being back in my eyes and people noticing that. Smiling and truly feeling the smile and joy clear down to my toes. Friends telling me they're happy to have me back. Friends celebrating my re-claimed happiness and recreated self.

Becoming aware of my need to find some balance in my life and taking action on that by exercising more, staying home more, following through on projects, making more girl friends and creating a loving support group.

Being included, invites for lunches, girls nights out, birthday parties, shopping, feeling like part of something again.

Good things happening for the people I love.

you my little star, you.