Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Love life.

I don't send out forwards -- ever... but in the rare instance that one touches me... I will post it on my blog.  =)

This is one of those...  I love messages, songs, poems and quotes that are all about loving life-- because unfortunately, most of us need a reminder every once in a while that life is never as bad as it seems... and that we wouldn't know "good" -- without ever knowing "bad."

So here we go -- read it, and live it!

*Please note that I might have reworded a few things to make it more my own, but hey-- it's my blog... I do what I want.

(I'm even leaving the cute jumping fish in... because it probably took someone a really long time to figure out how to do that.)

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"I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly.  As I age, I'm becoming kinder to myself, and less critical of myself.  I've become my own friend.  I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed... I'm entitled to a treat, and to be messy.  I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM... and sleep until noon?  I will dance with Brandy to Kellie Pickler until all hours of the night, laugh out loud by myself until I cry and at the same time, if I wish to weep over a lost love ... I will.

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and I will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite pitying glances from the jet set.  They too, will get old...

I know I'm sometimes forgetful.  But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten.  And I will eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years, my heart has been broken.  How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one.  But broken hearts give us strength, understanding, and compassion.  A heart never broken is pristine and sterile-- and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I should only be so lucky to live long enough to have my hair turn gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.

So many have never laughed-- and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

As I get older, it's easier to be positive.  You care less about what other people think.  I don't question myself anymore.  I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like getting older.  It has set me free.  I love the person I'm becoming.

I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here-- I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be...  I will live life, love life-- and know that I'm lucky for every thing -good and bad- that happens in it."

P.S.

Don't forget to send this to 7 people otherwise you will die.

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I hope you all enjoy this little reminder as much as I did!

Mom's forwards do come in handy every once in a while.  =)

bingojpg Grandma Nini loving life -- & Bingo.

Always,

kels

Monday, June 15, 2009

I'd like to introduce you...

To the most inspirational and beautiful woman I've ever known...

P7160127 Grandma Nini, 96th birthday.

P7160120

My Grandma Nini (Virginia "Ginny" Pittelkow) would be turning 97 on July 16, of next month.

I just spent a week in Tallahassee, FL, with my family while we laid her to rest -- and every story shared, reminded me of what an amazing person she was. 

My grandma loved her family, loved her friends, and most of all-- loved life.

bingojpg Bingo jackpot, April 2005.

Among some of the stories shared had to do with my 96 year old grandmother sitting on the back of a buff biker man's Harley Davidson...

...and her choosing a hip (Mohawk, pink hair) type of salon over the "little old lady salon" when getting a haircut.

P8270332 Hawaiian day at Blackjack.

P8270330

I didn't know my grandma very well until she moved to Boise in May of 2009.  I can't thank God enough for bringing her here to Idaho -- I have never felt so lucky in my entire life to get to know such a woman.  Her attitude and smile changed my life.

Just a few of my favorite memories -- watching, singing and dancing in our chairs to "Singing in the Rain", watching David Cook win American Idol, and learning to play Cribbage... and at 96 years old, she kicked my butt every time.  =)

Grandma Nini, I love you SO much and miss you terribly.  I think of you every day. 

PC250921 Christmas, Dec. 2008.

P7020072 Grandma's bingo monkey.

beautiful lady On her cruise, April 2005.

And only she would understand this but... 32!!!!!!!!

Grandma, I will see you again someday!!!

Always,

kels