Best Mother's Day Ever

Memories are the most beautiful pictures our minds can paint and nothing can ever erase them. ~Anonymous

What you don't remember isn't important. That's why you forgot it. ~ Kristen Innocenti

This rates right up there with one of the best Mother's Days I've ever had. And one I WILL remember. It was important. Not only did I get spoilt royally by my best man, my soulmate, my husband (he spoils me 3-6-5 and 24-7 - I am loved, adored and cherished), BUT my youngest son gave me a Mother's Day card and his best wishes.

Even better? My oldest son remembered me! He does not live at home anymore and sometimes "special occasions" are well, forgotten. It hurts. Yes it does. I try not to let it hurt or show. Try to shrug it off. Try to forget about it and just let go. But it does hurt nonetheless.

So up to about 9 pm on Mother's Day, I decided I just was not going to get even a phone call or email (there are LOTS of sites from which to send free eCards, but...). Sigh. Ya... it hurt. But... then the phone rang, my better half picked it up and said it was for me. I figured it was one of my GF's. Much to my surprise, it was my firstborn. WOW. To say I was thrilled would be the understatement of the year. He wished me a happy Mother's Day and told me he'd just put a card in the mailbox for me. What?! Now?! Why didn't you come in?! He'd worked 'til 8 pm he said, then hopped on the bus to come out to our home and drop off the card but was in a hurry to get back home and was now waiting at the bus stop. What?! Come back I said. Come in and visit and stay a little and maybe take home some groceries; we'll drive you home. Can't he said.

Well, I ran to the door and got the card and opened it and darned if it didn't make me tear up! Crap! What a beautiful card and the message he had written to me was even sweeter. There was a lump in my throat. My eldest had made me cry. This time it was happy tears, lol.

About 1/2 an hour later, the dogs barked and the front door opened. It was my son. He'd got off the bus many, many blocks from our home and walked back to see us. Was it the joy in my voice or the offer of "free" groceries? I don't care. He came and he remembered.

There's joy in my heart along with the tears in my eyes. It was a GREAT Mother's Day!

~ Shelley

The Bright Red Hat

Oh how I love the internet, lol! One of my friends sent me a powerpoint presentation about "being a woman" - the Bright Red Hat - and I really wanted to share it. So off I went to ask.com and the world-wide web to find out if I could convert it to share here. Well, ask and ye shall find, lol.

So... thank you, Gloria, for passing along "The Bright Red Hat". The conversion is not as clear as the original, but I think it turned out pretty well.

Enjoy. So to all my friends - let's ALL put on our "figurative" bright red hats and enjoy life sooner!

~ Shelley

Sad Day

I learned yesterday of the passing of one of my very "bestest" internet friends, Sue Mitchell. I have known and actually "worked" with Sue for the last few years on Tole Friends. We made a connection and became very close.

Her niece, Connie, set her grief aside for a moment in order to notify Sue's many internet friends almost as soon as she found out herself.

I am truly and absolutely devastated and shocked (as I'm sure many are). I don't think I have ever felt so "kicked in the gut" as I was when I opened up the note from Connie. Wonderful, thoughtful Connie. Thinking of all Sue's friends and "family" in her own time of grief.

Sue lived life outLOUD; to the fullest. She cared deeply, strongly and passionately about so many things and so many people. She will be so badly missed. There is a huge hole in my heart and life right now. But I know Sue would want us to celebrate her life.

So I will continue to talk up our love, Tole Friends and our Decorative Painting. I have created this blog as Sue often admonished me to create one. An online diary of sorts. It is fitting that Sue should be my first entry. She was an awesome lady. Taken far too young (60) but I'm sure is now smiling down on all of us while holding a bouquet of her favourite Bluebonnets.

With sadness in my heart for one GREAT lady. Sue, you were dear in many hearts and especially in mine. You are already missed.

~ Shelley