Today.

It feels like just yesterday I was rushing to finish writing my speech, frantically showering, hoping I hadn't forgotten anything and praying.
It feels like just yesterday that I woke after 3 hours of restless sleep eager to get ready and take your hand forever.
It feels like just yesterday that I walked down the aisle holding my Daddy's arm and felt the world melt away as he handed me to you.
It feels like just yesterday that I fell in love.

Happy Anniversary Gorgeous!
Thank you for all the years of love and beauty and all the ones that are yet to be.

Check this out!

The incredible, kind, gentle Puna of Life Signatures, world voyager, sensational photographer, writer with wit and wisdom, my Team-Up Thursdays partner, is hosting a giveaway. You read that right. A GIVEAWAY! It's super simple to enter. Go to this post on her blog and read about the details. This one is way too good to miss.
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Hello Love - Family.

This is me and my sister. I picked her name and that was just the start of this Hello Love. We've tilted the Earth in its axis more than once. We know how to fight and good. Just ask Mom (who always pretends not to get in the middle but does). More importantly we know love - Love each other, Love family, Love life.
She lives far away with my sensational brother-in-law. When I kidnap her she can come home and visit, we thread together the moments that make the memories and make our family. This is my Hello Love - Family.

P.S. Can you guess who's older by 5 years? It's a game we always play.

This moment.

There is a world of talk alive with living in the moment. Being in the here and now and documenting for tomorrow what is happening this instant has become a way of life. Today, I stepped back from the moment.
I looked past the heat and the escalation of frustration and took a rejuvenating, long, deep, breath. I swallowed the fresh wet air and absorbed the warm breeze into my soul. I wondered if the moment I stopped was the very one I was meant to embrace or if the one I was creating was mine to be. I thought of many ways in which chaos manages to infuse itself into the moments. I wonder about the choices we are each present and if our responses aren't the exact deciding factors of how it turns out.
My mind sailed away over the oceans of generations from which I descend. I thought of the dead. In their time, where were they in the moment? Was my paternal grandmother, whom I met but never knew, planning what canning would be prepared with the summer harvest? Was my maternal great-grandmother collecting what she could to provide for hungry children with a husband away at war? Did these roots on my family tree live exclusively in the moment or did they reflect back and dream ahead? Am I the very creation of whispers and wishes they released from their hearts?
Oddly enough or perhaps not odd at all, I couldn't recall what had caused the initial frustrations that warranted this redirection, this reestablished moment. I am excited for the next time one chances upon me.
I encourage you to take a moment and stop.

Family Tree.

I was meandering around on Etsy looking for something different, unique and fun. That was all I had in mind. What I came across was a sensational artist named Hope. She has a shop with a small smattering of wonderful things. Her art captivates me.
This is the family tree that she penned for us. Our tree of four. We are each identified and yet all intertwined. We are individuals that grow together as one. We create. We journey. We live. It is a perfect depiction of the way we are and the way our world works. While I hadn't previously seen it, there is a poetic lining within what we have here. Her creation, her tree for me, revealed this to me.
These trees would make incredible gifts for all occasions. Imagine a wedding couple opening this framed piece customized for them, as they begin to grow their tree together. See the proud parents of a sparkling new baby glow with delight, displaying their new branch. Feel the emotions of a family, celebrating the life of a loved one lost commemorated with this. Think of that person who could use something pretty to remind them about the simplicity in life. Think of you. Just think of everything Hope can do.
I am forever grateful for her artistic rendition of us. Hope, thank you. I wish for you big things!
Hope also has a fine art site. Do check her out.

Her.

My piccola,

Beauty is in you.

Believe in yourself forever.

love, mamma

Him.

My son,
You are absolutely amazing just the way you are.
Always remember this.
love, mamma

My Tree: 1

...I write to keep in contact with our ancestors and to spread truth to people.
~Sonia Sanchez

I'm embarking on a very personal mission. It's something I've dabbled with for over 15 years now. I love listening to stories of my ancestors. What were they like? What did they do? I am fascinated to know more about the roots that I grew from. I want to know more about who I am.
Who are you?
What will your children say when they are asked who you are?
What will your great-grandchildren say when answering the same question?
Take 10 minutes right now and scratch out your facts. Your birth name, date and place. Your marriage name, date and place. Start adding details as you remember them before they become lost. Tell your story the way you see it.
Know who you are.