Sunday, September 30, 2012

The Kissing Hand


Our feisty, joyful, sweet little girl started kindergarten last week.






Maya missed her bff Sunaina so much over the summer.
They were so very happy to be back together again.




There were lots of hugs...


Lots and lots of hugs with old friends...



But mainly Maya and Sunaina just clung on to each other and didn't let go.

It's so amazing to me to see two very different souls connect so deeply and be so alike in disposition and joie de vivre. 

It brightens my day every morning...





So does this:

I was saying goodbye to Maya on Wednesday, and she grabbed my hand, opened my fingers and gave me a kiss on the palm. Then she put my hand on my cheek and told me to give myself kisses all day so I wouldn't miss her.

Whoa. So incredibly sweet.

I asked her where she learned that.

She told me it was in a book about a raccoon.

Found it! A must read for everyone.

To a beautiful year filled with kisses, laughter, discovery, friendship, and lots and lots of silliness Maya Ginger!

Friday, September 28, 2012

Wellness


I'm teaching a new course this term about health and wellness. One of the first assignments the students complete is a wellness inventory. It's very long. Worth doing but if you're crunched for time try this tiny section today:

On the lines below, list four activities that you enjoy doing above anything else in your life.
1. ___________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________________________________
Next, answer these questions:

5. I allow myself to experience the activity listed in 1 above:
a.yes/always/usually
b. often
c. sometimes/maybe
d. occasionally
e. no/never/hardly ever

6. I allow myself to experience the activity listed in 2 above:
a.yes/always/usually
b. often
c. sometimes/maybe
d. occasionally
e. no/never/hardly ever

7. I allow myself to experience the activity listed in 3 above:
a.yes/always/usually
b. often
c. sometimes/maybe
d. occasionally
e. no/never/hardly ever

8. I allow myself to experience the activity listed in 4 above:
a.yes/always/usually
b. often
c. sometimes/maybe
d. occasionally
e. no/never/hardly ever


This section has had a significant impact on me already. Two of the things I listed were hiking and live music. 

When I completed the section I answered "e" for both of them. So sad. So, I've been working on that. These photos are a reflection of our recent family hike. 

First family hike to be precise. 

We picked a perfect first hike for OM: a quick 2 mile loop filled with waterfalls, small caves, and bridges along the way, warm weather, and a creek bed to pass the time sitting by, eating snacks and throwing rocks and pebbles into, to determine whether or not they made a "ker-plump" sound and splash. Glorious.

























They told us over and over how much they liked hiking.
Yay!


And, the following videos are from two bands Woody and I went to see recently. Live music really is nourishment for the soul. I forgot how amazing it is to see musicians jam. 




To Wellness.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

maple tree bridge




I couldn't be with my family today as they gathered to remember my grandparents so instead I headed over to the maple tree bridge to send some maple seeds floating down into the creek below...my way to feel somewhat connected to them and spend some moments thinking about two people I loved with all my heart.

These pictures are from almost exactly two years ago.
It is a spot we love and a memory I think OM will always hold of this place.
I'm glad I can now connect it to my grandparents.

And, I listened to this Sigur Ros song while I was there.