Hello Gratitude.I have realized it has been a while since I have writtenone of my favorite kind of posts.Gratitude.
It is so easy for me to get up every dayand focus on my to do listandlose sight of what I want my bigger picture to be.
Living a joy filled life full of gratitude and love.
So this week I am back at taking time for intentional gratitudeand I have much to be grateful for!
Like our new family photos!When Hunter turned 19 last monthI realized while looking for an Instagram picture to posthow long it had been since we had a family photo done!So I was on a mission to get one when we were visiting Catalina once again.
I am so happy with how they turned out andwhat a successful group effort it was to get them!
I know I have written frequently hereabout missing the days past when my kids were littlebut the flip side is how really fabulous it is to spend time with them as adults with their significant others!I really relish spending time with them allandthey are truly some of my very favorite people!It is a joyful thing to see our family get bigger!
This was one of my other favorite captures of the day.Such a wonderful memory of Hunter's birthday!
This week I am very gratefulto make the time to take back my yardsin preparation for our annualFather's Day barbecue!This year we will once again be adding beer tasting to the mix!
I have mentioned how here in SoCalwe have our May Gray and June Gloombut now that the sun is backI am absolutely enamored with our summer light!Nothing like missing something to have great appreciation for it's return!
I am enjoying our new treeas much for it's shadowsas the tree itself.
The morning summer light comes in so clearand highlights simple kitchen vignettes like magic!
I have found the perfect backyard spot to take in the setting sun.The light streams in with a gentle diffusion with the breezy palms.I sit and just focus on such memorable moments of beautyandpress them deep into my heart.
I was also so honored and grateful to be featured on Soft Surroundings Instagram feed!Their Martinique Caftan is definitely one of my favorite summer staples!
The big news here this week is that Elliot graduated with his Masters in Structural Engineering!Ironically both he and Ellis will start brand new career jobsnext Monday!There is much to celebrate this week!!
Elliot graduating Sunday had me missing my alma materso we drove up to visit UCLAand get a new alumni license placeholder.Walking across the campusI had never seen it look more beautiful.I wondered how I hadn't seen and appreciated it's full beauty while I was there.
But then I realized I was looking at the campus now as a secure adultwho ended up making the life for myself that I had hoped I would.I began to rememberjust how hard I fought to graduate.It took me several attempts to finish.
First I transferred in from another universitywith the condition that all of my grades that quarter were good.It was two months into the first quarter at UCLAthat I was notified by mail thatmy acceptance was rescinded because of a low math grade at my last university.I was so mortified and embarrassedI pretended to go to class for an entire quarterbefore I had the nerve to be honest and make a new plan to make up the class in the summer.
I was back in.I was living at home and commuting.I left ay 3:30 in the morning to avoid hours of traffic.I had all of my classes on Tuesday and Thursdayso I could work full time every other day of the week.I ended up with bulimia so badI once again had to take time off.
But I got that under control and went backagain.By now I had met Jeff.
A couple of months into our meetingmy sister Tracy who was 23 with down syndrome and a heart defectwas scheduled for corrective surgery at the very best hospital in the country.Ironically that hospital was UCLA.Long tragic story shortmy sister ended up dying at UCLA.I once again took time off.
But I once again went back.And this time with the support of JeffI finished.I graduated UCLA.
So when I see my diploma or license plate holderI see something more than an education from a top university.For meI see and knoweven if we are fragilewe can be strong.
It doesn't matter how many times you fallwhat really matters is how many times you get back up.
I see alsothe gift of perspective.I haven't told my UCLA storyin it's entirety to too many people until recentlybecause I used to be mortified by how hard it was for me.Now as I reflect on my own life storyI see and know the storywith kinder eyes.If I could I would reach back and tell that young womanIt will be OK.You will be OK.
From your fragility your will find strength.You may always at times feel fragilebut learning how to deal with that part of your soulwill bring you strength.
For that I will always be grateful.
As always my friends
I wish you love and joyas you style your life
