Saturday, December 27, 2008

December's Lesson


There is nothing, I think, that brings me so much joy as touching something or someone I love! I sit here with my kitty who is old and I know she will not be around forever and so I indulge childishly in this present moment of being with her little 3 pound body of loveliness. It is so important for us to spend time with those we love. That is December's lesson to me. We never know how long we have our how long our loved ones have and thus I believe we must relish each moment. I just heard somewhere recently (and right now I cannot seem to recall just where) that the present is called the present because it is a gift to us. And some other great thinkers have commented on their belief that worrying about the future or replaying negative memories from the past is a useless and unproductive activity... It is true that if you stop thinking too much about negative frivolities and stop feeling sorry for yourself and instead switch your focus to the present moment, you may actually be positively surprised. Because after all... most of those little worries and thoughts do not exist... Or at least they didn't, until you started giving importance and power to them. I think we ought to enjoy the present and focus on it as much as possible. I mean, the present is kind of nice, don't you think? If you really stop thinking about it and go outside and breathe and look out at everything before you. And while every single person on the planet may not be able to sit safely and relish the moment and be with people they love, that is more the reason for you and me to... I lost my aunt this month and I'm losing my cat I've had for nearly 20 years of my life. She is my wingman and most of my hours on this earth have been blessed and made easier/ more pleasant with her walking by my side. To be honest, I think losing my aunt has helped prepare me (if there is such a thing?) for what I'm going through with my cat. Not because one is more important than the other, but because once you lose one person close to you, heartbreak is already sitting within and you know that it's not going to be easy... but I suppose if it's going to happen, it's going to happen and you just have to accept it and take what you can from it. Loss is not an easy thing to go through at all. But if there is one thing positive to take from loss of loved ones, it is that we must live our lives fully and well and really make that effort to be around the people we love who make us happy. "Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got til it's gone"... Don't let that lyric ring true for you. Okaaaay? ....Peace and holiday joy to all, this beautiful season.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

JoAnne Gallagher 1953-2008



In Loving memory, I dedicate this post to you, my beautiful and loving aunt. May you rest in peace and may your spirit soar peacefully. You have taught me how to love and how to live. I aspire to be as dedicated, giving and honest a person as you were to every single person that stepped foot into your life. Here is my promise to dedicate my life to living fully and loving well... doing the things that make me happy and 'getting over' the petty pitfalls of life... and getting back up again when I fall and walking forth with honor and humble pride in knowing that I am walking with integrity... I commit to a life long journey of always striving to be the best that i can be... and I relish in my quest for the union of body, mind and spirit. You have lead by example and I want to follow in your footsteps. I hope that I can touch others as you have and brighten the world with my spirit... as you have. Yesterday, I felt the emptiness of the earth without your footprints on it's sand... an unavoidable hollowness as the reality of your absence finally sunk in... and today I am remembering that some of the most beautiful things in life are the things we cannot see... Like love, I cannot see you but your energy will be forever and ever everywhere around me and this beautiful place we call Earth. You are forever in my heart and you have left some of the most wonderful gifts behind for the rest of us: your children, who are going to take the world by storm and shake it from sphere to sphere with positivity, love and productivy as we move forward into a new age. Here's to you, as you guide us all towards a higher standard for ourselves... set forth by the one and only you. God bless and thank you for all of the magic you have given my soul and my heart. I will always miss you.

Forever and ever with love,
Your Neice