I Am Auntie Karen

It was a good day yesterday, a busy day. I started out at a 5:30 AM with a 3.4 mile run at bootcamp and then a hospital appointment for Daddy. He had to have his pre-op appointment along with blood work. Surgery is scheduled for June 9th. I then had to take Jackie to school and then prepare for the much awaited spa day with Halle and Kyra and I mean a spa day complete with manicures, pedicures, facials, makeup, made over hair-dos, grilled cheese sandwiches, popcorn, cookies and juice. It sounds like a lot of work...and it was, but the conversations and laughter that are indelibly imprinted in my spirit were worth every minute spent.

I can honestly say that my relationship with my little nieces is amongst the most important relationships in my life. Why? Because the most important gift you can give to the next generation is time and attention. I've learned a lot about how to spend that time throughout the years with all of my nieces and I have fond memories of the times spent with them.

Aunties have so much to offer their nieces, and because of that we are able to create those cherished and important threads that connect generation after generation of women. My relationship with my nieces is obviously very different than that between them and their moms - after all, I am not their parent, but the deep heartfelt love that I have for each of them cannot be defined in a blog post.

I know that each of my nieces has a mutual love and affection for me as well. I know that. I am Auntie Karen and I love being Auntie Karen. I pray that my nieces and I will be able to learn from each other as the years go on and whatever job the Lord has for me, be it mentor, confidante, teacher, listener and even girlfriend to the younger women, my nieces, I will gladly and most graciously accept.

Auntie Karen

Dance Like No One's Watching

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another.

Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are.

After that we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage.

We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice vacation, when we retire.

The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now.

If not now ... when?

Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway.

One of my favorite quotes comes from Alfred D Souza ...

"For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life."

This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way.

So, treasure every moment that you have. And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time ... and remember that time waits for no one ...

So stop waiting until you finish school ... until you go back to school ... until you lose ten pounds ... until you gain ten pounds ... until you have kids ... until your kids leave the house ... until you start work ... until you retire ... until you get married ... until you get divorced ... until Friday night ... until Sunday morning ... until you get a new car or home ... until your car or home is paid off ... until spring, until summer ... until fall ... until winter ... until the first or fifteenth ... until your song comes on ... until you've had a drink ... until you've sobered up ... until you die ... until you are born again to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy ...

Happiness is a journey ... not a destination!!

Thought for the day:

"Work like you don't need money,
Love like you've never been hurt,
Dance like no one's watching,
Sing like no one's listening,
Live like there's no tomorrow,
And fear like a stone."