"Song"- Day 4

my cousin, David Jernigan

Choose any, he is brilliant beyond words. I can't wait to see him at the symphony in four weeks!

Day 21- "Balm for the Soul"

When I think of balm I think soothing and comforting, and soul is deep within...I often tell "him" he is my serenity.  Except when he is acting in a way that made my son tell me the song "True Love" reminds him of us because he spends half his life irked at someone or something.  I don't get it but I also don't tend to let it get to me.  So, in no particular order...the things that just make my soul feel the best would be...

This not my favorite picture of myself but one where he is obviously cracking himself up...but he is my serenity.

So is the very little bit of time I get with cousins and NC family, there is nothing like it!

& our Maryland kids...nieces and nephews included!  

There. just. never. is. enough. time.

But they are all balm for my soul when I do get to.  So maybe the true balm for my soul is my family.  If only I could fit them all into one of those little egg shaped lip balms and bring them out when I have time...

There are a few girls in my life who do the same thing, even though I don't see them enough...hmmm...now I feel like we are narrowing it down to anything that isn't work :)...I just know I am lucky!

"Look Up"- Day 20

"Look Up"

This group probably has no idea how I look up to each of them and the challenges they have endured or overcome to land where they are today.  They are my incredible siblings and cousins.  Divorces, special needs children,  teenagers, medical and law schools and the subsequent loans, psychological issues, gay and lesbian acceptance, master's degrees, marriages, miscarriages, layoffs, furloughs, 15 children and four stepchildren, a life ending and changing car accident, the absence of one of us from a tragic death, successful businesses, political activists, caring for aging and ailing parents, waking up and going forward on days when you just don't think you can.  Never settling, always reflecting, always growing.  Looking up to our own parents for advice and models, realizing we need to be that for our own children.

I have to say that Facebook has been great if for no other reason than to see my "NC family," regardless of where they live now, every day.  It lessens the miles and grows the connections and has helped us to get to to know each other as adults.  I look up to each of them for the challenges they have faced, whether by choice or not, and the ways they have grown and endured.  It will be up to us to carry on Grandma's dream...I know we can do it! Peace and love xoxo.