So Grateful Indeed

I went and bought a house.

Believe me I am no Crouse .

So I put in the paper

and wrote out the letter.

And jolly was I with no spouse.

I emailed my friends

and gave them the news

and told them a Garden

I wanted to harvest.

So happy were they

To check out the place

That Connexion was called post haste.

From my Little Brother so dear and so kind.

A Lawnmower.  To keep my Backyard in line.

So grateful indeed.

One friend brought a pottery of grey.

So pretty and fair.

All the way from St. Augustine.

So grateful indeed.

From another friend I got a beautiful

handmade herb box.  And green pepper plant.

She is so special.  She knows who she is.

So grateful indeed.

A sweet friend gave me a presentation.

Rice, so that I never go hungry.

Wine, so that I will always be happy.

And money, so that it will abound.

So grateful indeed.

My Sister has a knack for knitting.

And knitting she did do.

For in the mail, I found box.

A set of knitted covers for my

down stairs loo.

So grateful indeed.

And Soil, so much Soil, that I will wallow 

in Dirt for a while.

Thank you Dear Sir and your Adorable Wife.

So grateful indeed.

My Eldest Brother endeared me with a 

Bush.  Which is planted in the front yard.

With the promise of standing guard.

So grateful indeed.

From Lowe's I got a rake, a water hose 

and a plant bracket.

That plant bracket holds a beautiful

angelic sounding chime in the back yard.

Two lovely Ladies made this happen.

So grateful indeed.

To Target I ran and bought a Hair Dryer.

What would I do with that in a Garden?

Gardening is hard work.  Eventually grooming. 

So grateful indeed.

My crew of three from STA.

Began what has turned out to be 

the landscaping to the entrance.

With plants from their own garden

and tools to tender them with.

So grateful indeed.

A sign that says "Friends Gather Here"

It's both beautiful and telling.

Along with Mint and Aloe Vera.

And pots of all sizes.

So grateful indeed.

Karaoke mischief filled the air.

And Augi ran around happily

Being pampered by all

So grateful indeed.

Another decided to take me shopping.

A beautiful metal side table I did get.

Along with a wine holder for six bottles

Merlot would be a sure bet.

And baskets.  I love baskets!!!

So grateful indeed.

And just when I thought that my party was

complete, a beautiful couple shows up with a 

latter of all things!!!  I wonder how they knew? :)

So grateful indeed.

I truly feel very blessed to have you all for family and friends.  What I am most grateful for is that on that Saturday, this structure, which started out as house, with the laughter and the joy, became a home.

Thank you.

Remembering Mama

Dedicated To Queen Bee

Antonia Rivera Martinez (July 16, 1935-November 2, 2014)

Today is Mother's Day.  And what better way to honor all us mothers than to honor our own mother. That one constant in our lives, whether she is here, or far, or not with us at all.  It really doesn't lessen her influence.  If you are truly sincere with yourself, if you examen the reason why you think the way you do, why you feel the way you do, why you solve certain problems the way you do; the answer lies in a sneaky, intelligent, wonderful woman behind all that creativity, your own Mother.

Everyday, I think of Mama.  There is no getting around it, there is no denying it, so why bother.  I see children in their wonderful ways and I think of Mama and how she would gush at them.  And find a way to interact.  Mama was wickedly wise.  She was never book smart, but she was street smart.  She was the type that saw a difficult situation and somehow figured out a way to make it tolerable, manageable.  And helped us all get through it.

I say this all the time, but perhaps some have not heard it, I learned unconditional love from my mother.  I learned that no matter what, family comes first.  That no matter how little food there is in cabinets, you always make a little more just in case someone shows up.  And no matter how crowded the house was (with 11 children in the house, I am pretty sure that bunk beds were invented with us in mind), there was always room for one more.  And no one was turned away.  That is the kind of love our mother taught me.

Was she perfect? Not even close.  But people are not meant to be perfect.  And when your hero makes mistakes, it can have devastating effects.  But then you grow up.  And you realize that sometimes things were just a little bit different than what your 6, 8 or 11 year old mind remembers.  And something inside your heart falls into place.  And you realize the sacrifices, and the strength and the gall she had.  And you breath.  And you smile.  And your hero materializes again.

Do I have regrets?  Yes. There is always the notion of thinking how you could have called more, or visited more or paid closer attention.  Missed opportunities.  Never to come again.  And all one can do is pick up the phone.  And call more often.  And make that plane reservation and visit more often. And hear the little children and pay closer attention.  Because the legacy we leave behind is not material; it is love, and kindness, and guidance, and good advice.

This is to all the strong, beautiful, determined, creative, stubborn women in my family.  We all make Mama proud.  God Bless you all.

Happy Mother's Day!!!