Bless Her Heart

30 Days with a Grateful Heart // Day 18

Day 18 ~ My Mama's Heart....

Even after all this time
The sun never says to the earth,
"You owe Me."

Look what happens with
A love like that,
It lights the Whole Sky

~Hafiz

My mama's heart is strong, kind, learned, compassionate, loving, resilient. This heart that she follows has led her through the deepest grief and some of the most expansive joy. She never shies away from learning how to navigate the complexities of the heart so that she can share her hard earned lessons with those who are struggling with their own questions. Her heart guides her in her daily life, in her meditation, in her work, truly, it guides her always...and I am so grateful that I am able to experience the love that she brings to this world to share.

30 Days with a Grateful Heart // Day 17

Day 17 ~ That she reads to me in the neverending godawful holiday traffic...

“For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet or excite you." ~Anne Lamott

30 Days with a Grateful Heart // Day 16

Day 16 ~ Mary Oliver

The Journey

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice --
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do --
determined to save
the only life you could save.

~Mary Oliver

30 Days with a Grateful Heart // Day 15

Day 15 ~ My Boy

“Do you know what you are?
You are a manuscript of a divine letter.
You are a mirror reflecting a noble face. 
This universe is not outside of you. 
Look inside yourself;
everything that you want, 
you are already that.” ~Rumi

30 Days with a Grateful Heart // Day 14

Day 14 ~ Distraction

30 Days with a Grateful Heart // Day 13

Day 13 ~ This Lasting Friendship...

These two and their uncomplicated, no-drama, hilarious, respectful friendship. They love and appreciate one another, enjoying each other's company without judgement or expectation that they be any different than who they are. Their friendship is full of nicknames, code words and inside jokes, and when these two get laughing...hoooo boy, it's the best sound in the world. There is not much more to say about it except to throw it back to almost the beginning. Altogether now...everybody say "awwwwwwww".

Thank you Tracy-mama for being the holder of this priceless photo of our girls. <3

30 Days with a Grateful Heart // Day 12

Day 12 ~ The Middle School Music Teacher...

I know I expressed the same gratitude last year, but having just attended the winter music concert for my girl's middle school, I'm feeling all gushy about music teachers again. Time and time again, I've been blown away at how much each musician has learned over the semester. As usual, I was moved to tears many times during the evening, not necessarily because of the beauty of the music (although my toe was tapping all night), but by the beauty of children *feeling* the music, and sharing that expression freely with the audience. Music teachers know that educating children about musical performance is about so much more than the notes on the page. It's self expression, perserverance, practice, collaboration, improvisation, confidence, creativity and so much more...They are the holders of that space while these kids acquire the musical building blocks they need to bring it all together. It takes a special kind of person to do it well, year after year, and I'm just so grateful that this group of kids have Marshall, their ever-patient, truly dedicated, one of a kind teacher, to guide them.

 

30 Days with a Grateful Heart // Day 11

Day 10 ~ The Ghost Cicada 

If you know me in the 'real' world, then you probably know of my love affair with my Cruiser. I know it's one of the small things to be grateful for in life...but I truly appreciate each mile that rolls over on the increasingly rickety odometer. I am grateful for the places that she takes us whether it's the daily drive to school, a quick weekend at the state park or a run to the mountains (which she's due for). I love that she's Fi's favorite perch for writing and daydreaming and that it carries our family plus friends to wherever it suits us. She's named the Ghost Cicada because I dropped this beauty between the seats right after I took this picture, and I'm certain parts of it remain. Plus...Ghost Cicada...how cool is that?

30 Days with a Grateful Heart // Day 10

Day 10 ~ The Out of Doors...

30 Days with a Grateful Heart // Day 9

Day 9 ~ The Girl...

My teacher, my muse, my number one girl. One of the things I remember most clearly about shortly after she was born was the number of people that marveled at how "she looks right at you". From her very early beginnings, she's been engaged in the world around her. Seeking, focusing, questioning. I treasure that she doesn't shy away from a hard conversation, and that she would rather make eye contact with the world and possibly give it a piece of her mind than shy away from it.