ABC lullaby

In a fit over circumstances beyond my control, I began a sleepless night with the idea to find a word to ponder beginning with each letter of the alphabet. This was partly to refocus my brain and partly to keep from pummeling the garbage disposal sound emanating from my life partner and soul mate also known as Sir Sure SnoresALot. When I awoke, groggy, the next morning, I thought "You may be onto something here." So, as part of my resolution (resolution also means to make clearer by increasing focus/detail, see) I pick a word a day to focus effort and intentions on living the full meaning of the word and see where the road takes me.

The first day was ACCLIMATE - be more flexible and realize that I do not have to control the world and it will continue to function. Day 2 was BALANCE - more of the same, today is CONTEMPLATE CONSEQUENCES - how will this action or inaction affect other situations? By posting as my status in Facebook, each day I am held accountable (another good A word, by the way - didn't think of it at 3 a.m.). For the next 23 days it will be an interesting journey... Do I know the words already or do I pick them on the fly? A little of both. I have some words that I choose for their alliteration, their diverse meanings, and the level of tranquility their contemplation achieves. An OM moment, such that it is.

When I was awake that first night, the list was: Amusement, Balance, Coexistence, Destined, Empathy, Fundamental, Graciousness/Generosity, Honor, Inspiration, Jeopardize, Kindred, Loquacious, Methodology, Namaste, Opportunity, Presence, Quintessential, Rhapsody, Strive, Tenacious, Unity, Wonder, Youth and Zealous. I found many to be qualities I admire in others, some I wish to see more often in myself and many are just appealing to my ear and provide opportunity to turn them over in thought through many incarnations and meanings.

Must admit it was more interesting than counting sheep.
Peace, grace and Blessings!
Michelle ;-P

Wrapping up the year

So we had Christmas and a two week break from school, work, carpools and everything providing structure in my life and the house was moderately clean and the laundry was moderately done and I was into a few books and feeling kind of out of sorts after putting the Christmas stuff away when I ran across my grandmother's crochet hooks. Hmm, what can I do with these? Stuff them up my nose? Cornrow Joe's hair? Torment the boys and the cat? Learn to crochet? Huh, where did that come from and then a few YouTube vids, a few books from the library, a few costly trips to the craft store and Bob's your uncle I'd crocheted a prayer shawl. Who'd have thought?

I think it came from the feeling of having the needle of my compass is still missing when I feel the void left by my grandmother's passing. Yes, it was in 2004, but that's beside the point. When we were sorting out her craft materials, I took the lion's share not because they were valuable but because she had held them and used them to create items for others. They hold her prayers, her thoughts, her breath, her presence. I kept her cookie jar and stew pot. When Dan uses it to cook, I feel like he's invited Gigi to join us.

The year wasn't a total wash. We got a new administration, a new first family, and one of the boys figured out the school game - pray for the other one, we all kept our jobs and helped others who lost theirs, we've had opportunities for growth, learning, sharing, caring and fun. No big tragedies and no major challenges, just same old plugging along doing the same old things. Not much for excitement, but I can take my excitement few and far between.

Here's to continued good health for all (including our health care reform bill), recovery for the economy and continued goodwill among all people for the duration of the year.

Peace, grace and blessings.
Michelle ;-P