Smile

"Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy."
--Thich Nhat Hanh


I've found this to be true at times in my life, and would benefit from remembering it more often. When I first discovered the power of smiling at the world even when I felt no joy inside, I was in my early twenties and tired of feeling so down all the time. I implemented a "fake it 'til you make it" mentality as an experiment, since sharing the authenticity of my depression for years had gotten me nowhere. To my shock, my relationships improved, the world looked brighter, and my smiles became more and more authentic.

It hasn't always worked for me since then, but at the time it was a pivotal point in my life and I've never forgotten the power of smiling first, then feeling the joy that follows.

Sunday's Good Stuff

The heat wave broke, and my clothes are no longer sticking to my skin.

My little redheads, giggling and running while holding hands.

The laughter of the big girl, and her bright blue eyes.

The smell of flowers on the air.

Eternal familiar cackling.

Comfortable and soothing re-runs.

Growing kittens with fat bellies and bright eyes.

The nap in the embracing recliner.

Communities changing and growing in laughter.

Kids everywhere in everything, learning and laughing and touching and thriving.

Favorite music.

Intelligent adult conversation.

So long. Farewell. Goodbye, Suki.

During months languishing in the alley, naked without her tags, empty of children and laughter, Suki had to content herself with glimpses of her family peeking at her over the fence and occasionally coming out to pet her and reminisce with her.

Now, Suki's long wait is over. After discounting junk yards and demolition derbies as incompatible with Suki's spirit, we decided to donate her to the nonprofit La Puente, where she will be reincarnated into funds to help the homeless. She hitched a ride on a tow truck, and we followed behind in the Subaru and remembered all the other times we'd seen Suki on a tow truck (and there were a LOT of times). After the necessary paperwork, we bid her farewell with smiles and waves and petting and bumper-sticker reading. She was happy.

Goodbye, Suki.

The End.

River Sprites

Motel Sleepers

Leo and Sophie started out on opposite ends of the bed (laying cross-ways), but ended up snuggled together in the middle.






And Marian slept in the walk-in closet. (Boy, was I shocked to see a walk-in closet!)


I love my kids!

(Leo got his cast off the next morning.)_

Good Morning, Sunshine

And good morning, Coot.

Leo and Me

These were taken during our one-on-one time in the motel the night before his apppointment with the orthopedic surgeon and his hard cast.