happy birthday kiki ~ the big one!

Today we celebrate your milestone birthday ~ 50 years in this thing called life which seems to pass like a blink of an eye.  I vividly recall your birth and your older siblings and I were overwhelmed at how adorable you were.  You may have entered our world as a wee little babe, but your heart and soul are gigantic.  As kids, we squeezed into one bedroom and when you were placed in your crib as a toddler, you wanted no part of it for you always wanted to be where the action was and all you had to do was look at us with those big baby blues and we picked you up to join us.  Your voice was strong and despite your size, you would not take any guff.  I always admired this and look to you for lessons in assertiveness.  We lovingly called you Kiki, Peanut Baby and that name stuck.  Growing in a household of 10 energies was never easy as we all had our own perspectives and personalities, but you and I had much in common and we were party pals when we were groupies to listen and dance our hearts out to Wayne-O's band, Snapps.  We share similar taste in music and like to dress more unique and boast being non-conformists.  As fellow Aquarians, our souls cannot resist the temptation to try to improve the world in our own little way and our hearts get heavy when we encounter conflicts.  This sensitivity is also our strength, for we see things in a different scope than most.  That is why we remain connected ~ we always find a way back to each other.  My spirit soars when we share our life journey.

We chose you to be the first godmother to our firstborn son for you would raise him as I would should anything ever happen to me.  Even though I'm still around and kickin', you remain an integral part of their lives.  Time has brought us back to each other and now we forge ahead making new memories as often as possible.  We share the joy of illuminating others with our mystical connection in yoga and reiki.  It's interesting how we both gravitated toward these modalities.  Not only are we sisters, but friends and confidantes.  We learned how to forgive and our bond is stronger and we are wiser.  We share favorite pasttimes in reading the same books and enjoy the same movies and music.  When we discussed how powerful The Tree of Life was to us, I shared same with Steve and he immediately went out and bought new supplies to create your own painting to keep as a reminder we are all connected.   When you visited baby Dillan, you and I felt the magic and supreme joy of holding him and knowing he is the rainbow to new beginnings and another chance of hope for us to get it right in the world. 

You may be half a century today, but you are very young at heart (and you look half your age, to boot!)  I look forward to sharing the rest of our time reminiscing about our shared past and the lessons we have learned, and look forward to embracing the new joys we will know as our children begin their journey, for it is their world now.  We did our best and can pat each other on the backs and keep our fingers crossed in hopes that the things we taught them will help them to figure it all out.  Just for today, take a breath, bask in the love I have for you, exhale, and release any pain or unwanted energies.  Find a way to be still and let our universe fill you with amazing grace.  We will join together to celebrate at Dan's place and make some more memories over a delicious dinner.  Meantime, know I am blessed and grateful you are my sister and more importantly, my friend.  Love you, Kiki.   Namaste.  xo

embrace the love



Remember that you don't choose love. Love chooses you.

All you can really do is accept it for all its mystery
when it comes into your life.

Feel the way it fills you to overflowing,
then reach out and give it away.

Give it back to the person who brought it alive in you.

Give it to others who deem it poor in spirit.

Give it to the world around you in any way you can.

 xo xo xo

day at depaul

Steve and I spent the day visiting Depaul University to do our homework in order to get him situated in the fall for his final scholastic journey.  He began his last semester at College of Dupage and will get his associates diploma in multimedia and will finalize his college education at this great school.  His brother, Dan, just received his diploma as it graces our home reminding us of his hard earned achievement.

Way to go, Danny!  Our pride has no bounds.

I love new experiences and we decided to take the brown line to the Lincoln Park facility once we arrived in the city.  This is really a cool adventure in that we viewed Chicago from the backdoor and I was amazed at how much it has developed over the last decade.  I love Chicago!   It's a good thing sometimes people eavesdrop and when the tour gal overheard us talking about Steve's pursuit to board, she mentioned as a transfer student entering as a junior, he would not be interested in the entrance level dorms and prefer the selected apartments available, so we need not bother with her tour.  We went to another building where they have appropriate housing and the maintenance man once again overheard our conversation and chimed in his professional opinion on a few places and their condition and gave us some helpful tips on choosing the perfect place to be a resident while he gets educated.  One of the places is called Sanctuary where the nuns used to live back in the old days.  Interesting.

We decided to take the red line back to the Loop campus to meet with the guidance counsellor.  This is the underground method of transportation in our city and while not scenic, it is much faster and more crowded.  It says alot about the times.  A young man offered me his seat and while I thankfully declined, I also asked him where was he when I was 9 months pregnant? Back in the day, I did not get the same consideration.  The women nearby once again overhead me and we all shared a knowingly chuckle.

After our curious minds were satisfied from our rendezvous with Rebecca, we decided to eat at My Thai in the building where we indulged in some crab rangoon and spicy fried rice.  Yum.  The Loop location is shared with the City of Chicago administrative offices.  Who knew?  Once again, I hopped on the Metra train back home and realized as much as I love our city, I am always grateful to live in the suburbs.  Nowadays, the city is for the youth.  Steve decided to hang out with his buddies in the area and brought the vintage suitcase everywhere we went.  So cute.  I find extreme comfort in my humble abode and look forward to chilling with the pups beside a lit fireplace.  The hustle and bustle is better suited for those half my age. 

I'll settle for the quiet walks at Waterfall Glen to inspire me. 

And backyard visits from the bambi deer and geese. 

This week I have been blessed to be inspired by some heartwarming words of wisdom, hence, I share.

Don't dwell on those who let you down, cherish those who hold you up.

Don't worry about what people think, worry about what God knows.

With a closed mind and heart, the light cannot enter.

Miracles are the constant flow of Love always emanating from the Mind of God. Your next miracle is literally on the way; it's right around the corner. Stand firm in your faith in this, and it will manifest more quickly.

Things turn out for the best for the people who make the best out of the way things turn out ~ Art Linkletter

I do not define myself by how many roadblocks have appeared in my path.

I define myself by the courage I’ve found to forge new roads.

I do not define myself by how many disappointments I’ve faced.

I define myself by the forgiveness and the faith I have found to begin again.

I do not define myself by how long a relationship lasted.

I define myself by how much I have loved, and been willing to love again.

I do not define myself by how many times I have been knocked down.

I define myself by how many times I have struggled to my feet.

I am not my pain.

I am not my past.

I am that which has emerged from the fire.

xo