Why.....

Besides the fun of birthdays, a new year becomes a moment in time to reflect on the life that  I have led.  Why have I been so blessed?

     I am so lucky to be married to someone who after all these years continues to make me feel loved and safe.  As a child I would go to Mass and spend time praying "for the man I would marry".  How could I have known that a child's prayer could be so richly answered.

     What I could never have dreamt was the joy of the two children who became our family. Now they are married and we have four children who we treasure with all our hearts. They continue to amaze and humble me with their kindness and generosity. It has been a huge blessing in my life.

     I am also grateful to have a husband who has worked hard to provide for us.  It has allowed me to "work" at a job that is more joy than burden.  When I first became aware of quilts, I could never have imagined the opportunity it would provide for me.  To work at Quilt in A Day and have Eleanor Burns become a friend as well as my boss is more than I could have dreamed.  I love my job.....I am blessed.

    But none of this would be possible without one of my greatest blessings in my life.  I have a Mom who has both nurtured me and been my dearest friend.  She is my hero, and at 86 continues to live an independent and full life. I can only hope that my children will feel about me, the way that I feel about her.

     So when the world seems overwhelmed with economic uncertainty, global crisis, and life can seem burdensome, I need only to reflect on the blessings I have been given.  A marriage that continues to satisfy, children that are the pride of my life, a job that brings me much joy and a Mom who continues to be my role model.  Yes, I have been Sew Blessed. 

Rainy Days and Mondays.....

As I stumbled out of bed, in desperate search for my morning coffee, I was aware that the morning seemed different.  The sound of thunder came next, with a delicious amount of rain that followed.  I loved the thought that the weather was more Fall like.  The day seemed perfect for baking and decorating and I did a certain amount of both.  So now my kitchen is full of Apple Cakes to share as gifts and the house has magically turned to Fall decor....I am very content.

Some people love their birthdays, and some people simply tolerate the day.  I am somewhere in between.  I embrace getting older and thank God for the privilege of each day.  I struggle with the question "what do you want for your birthday?".  I am one of those lucky people who has much and needs little.  So I try to come up with something that represents what I would want,  and hope I don't burden those who want to gift me.  So this year the world of BLOG became my wonderful gift.  It began by telling my children that what I would LOVE for my birthday would be for them to contribute to the Nie Nie fund.  For those who do not know, you must search google and put in Nie Nie.  It will touch your soul and break your heart, but the lessons you will learn will change your outlook on life.  And so that is the profound gift that has started my 56th year.  The best part of choosing a "giving" gift is that it comes back to bless you.  Meghan, to fill my wish, searched out the Nie Nie Dialogs and then it connected her with C Jane Enjoy It.  From there her eyes opened to the possibility of having her own blog and then the thought that I might enjoy a blog too.  And that is where this begins....with a gift that will connect me to all those I care about.  A chance to share my life, although it is a very simple one.  I hope my blog will bring joy and inspiration to all who read it.