gratitude

Why Valentine’s Day Matters

~ memeethemuse ~ 4 Comments

Why Valentine's Day Matters | Memee's Musings

If you are among those that don’t appreciate Valentine’s Day it may be that you have been looking at it from the wrong angle.  Participating in Valentine’s Day is important. It will enrich your life and the lives of the people around you, so please open your heart to why I believe Valentine’s Day matters.

Life moves so fast and as adults we have so many responsibilities burdening our plates that we can lose sight of what truly matters.  Hint: It’s not the house, cars, furniture and toys.  It is the people that make us laugh and hold our hands, the ones that hold us up when we’re about to fall and who put a happy rhythm in our hearts; the people who hold our secrets and share our burdens; the people who dance when we dance and sing when we sing; the people who pat us on the shoulder when we accomplish a goal and celebrate when we cross the finish line.

Life is hard and we cannot get through it alone.  Valentine’s Day is scheduled on the calendar so that even the busiest of people can step out of their mundane routine and celebrate the blessed relationships they’ve been given. Every single person in our life who adds positivity is a gift.  A gift that it is important and not one we should take for granted. Those that love us and give so much for us deserve to know how they make us feel while they’re still around for us to share their significance.  Valentine’s Day is both a reminder and an opportunity.

Personally, I don’t focus on the day. I use the days leading up to and following February 14th as well.  I reach out to the people who enrich my life.  I tell them I appreciate them and love them and specifically why they matter to me, the difference they are making in my life experience.  It enriches my experience with them.  It makes me aware of how blessed I am in this life and it strengthens our connection. It is me taking one brief moment to honestly acknowledge all they do throughout the year that makes my life worth living.

Valentine’s Day is about gratitude and showing thanksgiving for the people who take it upon themselves to share their time, love, friendship and souls with us.

So please stop and take a moment today, who comes to mind. Who makes your world a better place?  Now tell them.

Thank you for reading, you keep me writing and I have found writing to be very healing for me! Happy Valentine’s Day, Minions!

Love,

Memee

 

P.S. While editing this piece I felt my dad’s hand on my left shoulder. Thanks daddy for the Valentine’s Day gift of a visit. I miss you so!

The image above if a composition I put together. The wonderful photograph was taken by Josh Felise and acquired through Unsplash. It’s a great source for free photos under the Creative Commons Zero license, so check it out: Unsplash!

Persona Non Grata

~ memeethemuse ~ 11 Comments

Yes, I know today is Thursday and so what the heck am I doing posting such a negatively titled post? Well, it’s about being grateful despite the lack of perfection.

As many of you know I made big changes last October when I enrolled in online university and then packed my things and moved to California to live with a married couple I had barely met so I could help them with their impossible daycare needs. It seemed the perfect solution. They have someone responsible, kind, loving and of high integrity available 24/7 and I have a roof over my head and very little expenses.

After my return from vacationing back home in the Seattle area where I was reunited with my 21-year-old amazing son, I came home to a less than luke warm response. The father is still exactly as he always was: kind, friendly, warm. The wife however ignores my presence even when I am speaking with her. I have no idea what has changed. And I know that it is nothing that I have done. He says everything is fine. I think I’ll be moving within the next 90 days. But I don’t know as I’m not being told anything. Only time will tell.

What I do know is that I am grateful that for now I have a warm room to rest at night. There are so many homeless people living in America these days as the cost of living outweighs the ability to earn. I am thankful that I am not one of them. I can bare this cold front with calm and grace. Please pray for me to land somewhere safe at the end of each day.

Homeless_woman_in_Washington,_D.C.

A Thanksgiving List

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A Thanksgiving List | Memee's Musings
Photo by Brooke Cagle

We come together from far and near a day like none other for this is clear.

Rhubarb pie so tart and sweet, ice cream atop I’m eager… let’s eat!

Innocent babes dressed in tiny suits and sparkly gowns with nothing to do but be passed ’round and ’round.

Television commentators giving the play-by-play because the tv screen is much too far away.

Everyone’s happy and eager to help but the men all they do is whine and yelp!

 
 

A big basket of rolls fresh from the oven… please pass the butter before there’s nothin’!

 
 

Lingering flavors perfume the air, but loving moments are the contagion that’s there.

Infectious laughter spreads throughout the house as each woman hears the snore of her spouse!

Sleeping angels, old and young, now the juicy gossip has begun!

The cornucopia of thanks and blessings we’ve shared replenishes the fruit of our souls. Goodbye! So long! It’s bittersweet, and as we walk to our cars we’re already eager for next year’s Thanksgiving tradition repeat!

Share Your World

~ memeethemuse ~ 1 Comment

Share Your World banner

Share Your World is the blogging event for bloggers who love to answer random questions. Every Monday 3 random questions are posed, an interesting prompt is proffered, as well as the opportunity to share something you are feeling grateful for.

CEE:  What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “fun”?

MEMEE: Giggling, laughing, tickling, playing, sharing… it is all part of Falling in Love. And it is wonderful, delightful, fun.

CEE: What is your favorite time of day?

MEMEE: Assuming day refers to the greater 24-hour period, my favorite is 2:00 A.M. The world has gone to sleep leaving behind silence and peace. I feel connected to the universe and to my own spirit. It is the time of day when I feel the most complete.

Make time for the quiet moments, as God whispers and the world is loud. — Author Unknown

CEE: Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want have a evening with?

MEMEE: I miss my son a lot right now because I moved 2 states away 5 weeks ago. We’re very close and this is our first real separation. It is good for us because it will allow us both to grow more independent, but it is very, very difficult.

CEE: Complete this sentence: Something that anyone can do that will guarantee my smile is…be gentle, kind, considerate and compassionate for the person standing next to you. It is a beautiful thing to witness and even more glorious to be a part of. 

CEE: Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

MEMEE: With each new month comes opportunity. I am grateful that last week was the beginning of a new month and am looking forward to passing through the doors of opportunity that have been presenting themselves to me.

We are all the Lord’s Shepherds

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I am thankful for all of the moments of kindness and compassion people show to animals.  They don’t do it because they’ll get something back from it, they do it because they recognize that we are all part of something bigger than ourselves. They understand that it is what we are meant to do.  They understand that “dominion over animals” means it is our duty to protect and safeguard the animals, feed them and care for them when they cannot help themselves.  We are all God’s creatures and we all need special attention sometimes.  Further, we are all the Lord’s shepherds, but only some of us recognize it.  And I am thankful these people walk upon this earth with me.