My journey as already started on Valentines day. On this journey, I'm reading a few books. One is Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach. Many of my blogs will be a
reflection on what I'm learning through this book and through other books and events of my day.So today I'm faced with the question "What brings me moments of happiness and contentment in the past?"
So I look through old pictures with music and reminisce
*Parents. Hmmm I guess I'll start with Dad. Happiness when he would spin the tunes at all our parties and be so happy in his own little world, carrying us to bed as kids when we would fall asleep on the couch, taking us for bike rides, being involved in our sports and school work, always pushing us to be our best. Long drives to Messiah taking me back to school knowing that he enjoyed driving me there so much and the love I feel from him being so proud of my accomplishments. Mom. Baking when we were little, cleaning the house while listening to oldies or classical music, all her trips to Gram's with us, her friendship as now I become an adult, eating pasta all the time YUM, her worry because she cares for us so much, making us feel like gold at special times in our lives, and knowing that her goal in life was to have us and that we consume her life makes me want to be the kind of mother one day (dedicated to her childrens lives).
* Summer Bbq's at my Aunt Ruth's. Playing on the island in the lake, canoeing and swimming in the lake, riding horses, riding ATV's around the lake, and playing with frogs.
*Grandmom's house. So many times of happiness and contentment around my grandmother's. First, Mammom's (Rest in peace) and all her unhealthy but yummy snacks, her laugh and dancing. All her jewelry and nice clothes. Spending saturdays with her coloring, listening to chipmunks, watching Saturday morning cartoons while Dad cut her lawn will always be treasured. Grammy's unconditional love and hugs. The sleepovers where you would be awakened by the train passing by, petting Fluffer for hours, brushing her hair, playing cards and dominoes, eating her slightly mothbally food. She will always be with me no matter where she is, she promised.
*Best and Longest Friendship ever. Born in the same hospital room 18 hours apart. Friends since birth. Bear walks, pool games, barbies, Dum-Dum's and Jello Jigglers, neighborhood trick or treating, sleepovers, luau birthday parties and many more childhood memories of happiness. Now memories from being college roommates and being there for each other through some tough times. But always super happy and blessed to have had such a great friend all my life.
*High school Happiness. Graduating! haha No I really had some great friends in high school that are still friends today. God only knows why they stuck by me through my judgemental, holier-than-thou days in high school but they are such great support. Memories of field hockey, laughter at teachers and classes, prom, and trips to SIC. Renewed friendships of old friends are great too!
*College. WOW! Best times of my life. The friendships formed there were some of the bests and memorable. Being protected by our Christian bubble campus in the middle of PA where we worshipped and learned to start to become adults and not baby Christians anymore. All the crazy dorm room and apartment stories, trips to the C store, Wilburs, my love of errand running to avoid any homework. Love my college friends always will.
*Working at Chesterbrook. Daily taking care of infants and falling in love with some favorites as if they were my own and chatting with great friends as we rocked the kids to sleep. Such a fun job!
*Sisterhood. I guess now is when I can learn to enjoy this friendship now that we are grown up and not living under the same roof and being really immature. So the sisterly child fights are over and we can now be friends. Family friends are the best because they sometimes understand you the best because they have the same background and a lot of the same experiences and have the same blood. They will be there for life. Remembering all family events, riding bikes with Dad, all our family pets, all the silly little fights, Sega Genesis, the 80's hair crimping, and so much more.
*Art. I really feel consumed when I'm in an art class or in the middle of a project. It takes energy out of me but the result is rewarding. It's a God given skill that I hopefully will know how to use properly one day. But the happiness of others delight in my talent makes me feel a feeling I can't explain, maybe one day there will be words.
*Spirituality. Last but not least. These moments can't be captured in pictures. But the relationship with the God that made us is one of the most amazing things I think a human being can experience. Although it's confusing and very tough to have a relationship with someone you can't see or hear...but the overwhelming calmness from the power in the moment when you know God has just touched your life or shown you a part of the big picture, the peacefulness that comes at the end of a situation you really trusted in his hands. When God allows a lesson to be shown to you through so many different people, books and things all in one day...when you smile because the coincidence of all those things coming together at once really strengthens your faith in believing that everything happens for a reason. The times of total darkness where it seems you are alone and you feel shattered and hurt and pour your anger and negative feelings out and then when you come out of it you see the beauty of why that devastation needed to happen and realize that God was right there with you, carrying you.
Just hope I smile with my heart filled with delight, joy, peace, contentment, and more importantly LOVE when this year comes to a close.
tommy likey.
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