Perfect Little Moments

     Yesterday was Mother's Day (Happy belated Mother's Day Mom's!) and I wanted to make dinner for my Mom. As we both had been thinking about what to make for dinner we separately thought of making barbecue brisket. I love it when we have those moments where we're in sync, where "great minds think alike". **smile** (Perfect little moment #1).
      We hadn't had it for a long time and it sounded good, and we laughed when we figured out we had both thought of it. It takes some preparation and lots of cooking time, but it's relatively easy. So the night before I started marinating, the next morning started cooking. It was five hours before I had to touch it again so I had some free time.
     Sundays are usually my time to relax with the poodles for a bit. I gave Briana a ride to work, took the poodles with me, and after we went to Fort Utah Park.
     The temperature was ideal for me, warm/cool, a little overcast and windy, and the park was deserted. (Just the way I like it!) I let the poodles out to run and chase the ball, and for just a few minutes a perfect peace and sense of well-being settled over me, like a gift from Heaven, and I have to think it was. I savored that moment, holding onto it for as long as I could (Perfect Moment #2).
     There's so much turmoil in our lives. I'm always trying to put my difficulties in perspective, but often feel bogged down in my frustrations, worries, anxieties, and it's something I deal with on a daily basis.

     But today I remember thinking: No matter what happens, no one can take this moment from me.

For these moments, I am truly grateful. (P.S. The brisket was fabulous too!)

Is She Really Gone

I am missing my friend today. A lot. There are days like this when I still can't believe she's gone. My friend Trudy. It's been almost five years since she died. My mind is flashing back on her smile and laugh, her face, and it's hard to believe that I can't just call her and go see her. To describe the friendship I felt with Trudy is difficult to put into words. An unbreakable bond, a joy and comfort that just always felt like "home". Always laughter, but more than just a sense of fun, a deep comradeship. I don't know if I've ever felt as much belonging as I did in that friendship.

Then, out of the blue, her daughter Linzy called, and I instantly remembered it was her birthday (Linzy's). She told me she's getting married this Fall. I'm so happy that she called, and so sorry that Trudy won't physically be there with me to see her daughter be married. Is it strange that talking to Linzy brings tears to my eyes, and emotions well up all over again? I wonder if she feels the same stab of emotion talking to me as I do talking to her. I feel like exchanging memories about her Mom, and saying again how much she means to me, but I don't want to make anything more painful for her than it already must be. She lost her Mom so much sooner than most of us do. I don't know how that feels. I wish all the comfort of the angels for you Linz, and a wee bit for me too, if possible.

July 1, 2011 P.S. I borrowed this photo from Trudy's sister Jenny that she recently posted on facebook. This is Trudy telling me not to take myself to seriously :)

I miss you every day, Trude.