Tag Archives: kids

happiness

My little Italian boy 

I had Jacob in at the doctor again today – fortunately this time just for a follow up from the visit last week about his ribs (Lord knows we can’t handle any new issues). As he was sitting on the table he started talking about how he a) wasn’t feeling all that well and b) needed some pizza.

I told him that if he wasn’t feeling well that he shouldn’t be eating pizza.

He responded with “what – do you think Italians don’t go eat pizza for lunch when they’re sick? No they go have pizza and gelato and then go sit by the beach”.

So I quoted that and sent it to the Italian part of the family who completely agreed with him. This led to a lovely discussion in chat with us remembering being sick and cared for as children, and how being a sick adult isn’t the same at all.

On our way home we decided to stop at Mercato’s and have a little pasta therapy. The entire time this kid ate all he could do was groan in pleasure as he described how amazing the food tasted going into his belly. Then he took a picture of the menu so we could go get the ingredients and recreate it at home later.

To truly enjoy your meal and to sit in the moment and appreciate with gratitude not only the food, but the people who prepared it – that’s a real joy.  My happiness moment, sharing a meal with my boy.

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Afternoon skate 

Jenna was born trying to keep up with those around her. The moment she entered this world her eyes were wide open and she was eagerly taking in the sights around her.

Being a younger sibling, she has spent a lifetime running after the older kids.  I think she was probably born with a lot of stubbornness and sticktoitiveness, but she’s had more than her fair share of chances to enhance those traits. They’re just some of the things I really love about her. When she decides she’s going to do something nothing gets in the way of her accomplishing her goal.

I have to admit, I was kind of happy that my kids had always picked warm, indoor sports. I have friends who are hockey moms and I’m always reading updates about how they’re freezing at the rink. I have memories of my parents sitting in the freezing cold at various horse lessons and shows watching me ride. I was so happy we were doing sports like karate and swimming.

And then…a few weeks ago Jenna decided she wanted to skate. We found a beginner class and signed her up. She loves it, so I’m learning to love being a rink mom. Seeing her discover a new passion trumps even my desire to stay warm. I love that she’s discovered a new thing that she enjoys.

We went to the rink today thinking she had a class, but they are cancelled for the week. As we were walking by one of the rinks, Jenna looked in and saw a couple of her friends from school. She ran into the change room, got all ready and headed out to spend some time on the ice with her friends.

I was so glad that she has settled enough into her school that she now has this group of buddies. I love that she sees familiar faces when we are out now and that she is confident enough to go and join them in their activities. These girls were pretty confident skaters, so Jenna had to draw back on her years of running after her older brother and cousins to get the strength to head out there and keep up with them.

I was amazed at how much her skills improved even just in the space of this afternoon. I was humbled by her courage and determination as she managed to keep herself upright as she pushed herself to stay with her friends. I was thrilled that she kept on looking over at me to make sure I was watching her success. I love this kid so much, being her mother is an incredible honour and I am so thankful for her. What a great happiness moment.

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Family day in Alberta (2016)

I love that Family Day backed onto Valentine’s Day this year. It let us focus on the huge amount of love that we share in our family and community. This is the first Family Day we have celebrated since we moved away in 2005, and the last one before that Jenna was 1 month old – therefore the first one that my kids remember.

We actually took full advantage of it and spent the day with family, doing all the important things that must be done on days like this – like playing in ice-puddles

and playing hockey on a teeny strip of ice in the field. With a golf ball as the puck. It was not for the faint of heart.

My niece and I took on the two bigger girls. We had to cheat a lot just to stay in the game. But we declared as Team Claire (we share the middle name) that we had the magical power to change the rules. The big girls were having none of that, so it ended up mostly just being a silly, laughter filled, weirdly competitive, game of strange hockey. 

It was an afternoon filled with happiness moments as we shared company with some of the people we love most in the world. What a blessing that we are all able to come together like this again and enjoy life as a family.

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Valentine’s Deja Vu

I was reminded today that love comes in so many different shapes and forms. I am blessed to have so much love in my life. From the cuddles with my cat and the play with my dog, to the games with my kids and visits with my family, I am very fortunate to be surrounded by loving, kind souls.

Tonight my sister and I were heating up leftover supper from last night when my aunt and uncle stopped by (to share chocolates with my niece- it’s chocolate day you know). They ended up staying for dinner and we sat down to an almost identical meal to the night before – one family from the larger family gathering was missing this time. My uncle and I looked at each other across the table and he commented on how here we were again doing the exact same thing as last night, sitting in the same chairs, eating the same meal. I said it was like supper deja vu.

To a lot of people this may not be a big deal, but we spent 10 years so far away from our family. There was no chance anyone was just popping over for a quick visit, or an unexpected but very welcome meal. It was such an awesome moment looking around the table and seeing everyone laughing and sharing stories. The kids are now so relaxed and feeling like they are grounded here and a part of the flow of the family. I feel that way too.

To sit and visit and laugh with the people whom I love most and who know me best in the world, that is a great Valentine’s happiness moment. We are giving and receiving great love.

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He chose me

Today was a pretty special day as far as days go. I mean it’s Friday so right away it’s a little bit better just because of that. But, what made it even more fantastic was the fact that my 14 year old asked me to go to a movie with him. Like, he had the option to go with friends and still wanted to go with me. He said we hardly ever get any time together that’s just us and he wanted to do something special. 

It was a great happiness moment sitting in the theatre belly laughing with my kid. As an added bonus, I used my Scene points and we got to go for free. Life is pretty good. 

  

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Love pays it forward

I knew I should have waited until the end of the day to write my happiness moment. But I was trying to be all productive when I wrote it earlier this afternoon. 

I reflected on what I wrote as I drove into town to get Jenna from school. I thought about the lessons my Dad taught me as he was dying last spring. High among them was how he managed to not complain (huge for me, I discovered during that time that I complain about everything), and walk bravely into something that was both unavoidable and that scared him deeply. His courage, his dignity, and his grace during that time of uncertainty for him was a huge life lesson to me.

I understood that these are qualities that I need to live by now. I need to be gracious and kind during a time that fills me with fear and uncertainty.

Moving ahead with that, Jenna and I went to the grocery store to get buns for “hamburger night” (she has been craving a good burger for a while now). When we walked into the store she turned to me and said it bothers me that I can’t buy you a Valentine’s present mom. Can I borrow $5 from you? I’ll pay you back with my tooth fairy money. But, I really want to get you something. You do so much for us and I love you. Remembering that the kids expressed to me that they felt badly that they had not got me a birthday gift last month (usually I just buy something that I want and put their name on it and they give it to me. I didn’t have the energy this year and I felt badly when I realized that it had upset them), I handed Jenna over $5 and sent her on her way.

But not before I pulled her in for a big hug. Her one simple act of innocent kindness changed my entire perspective on the day. It reminded me of how very important it is to show love whenever it is possible. No act is too small.

With that warm feeling in my heart I walked by a bouquet of sunflowers mixed in with the other Valentine flowers. Dad’s flowers. I bought them and we brought them home for mom. Because the best part of love is that it needs to be shared with everyone around you. I wrapped up Jenna’s  feelings of love shared with me and passed them on. That is how you do a happiness moment!!!

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All the Whos down in Whoville

I was having a difficult time keeping my smile on this morning. I’m not exactly sure why it was more of a challenge today, I guess sometimes I’m just more a bit more emotional than others. Learning to live in those emotions has been a difficult lesson for me, but an enlightening one. I’m discovering how to honour that whatever feeling I’m experiencing is real and that it also won’t last forever (the kids say I cried all of 2015 so hopefully that part will begin to taper off).

I feel like I haven’t even been able to really process my last life crisis and yet here I find myself smack in the middle of another one.

I remember listening to Dad last spring when he was talking about his quest to find his spirituality. He was so concerned that he wasn’t able to focus on it the way he wanted to. I reminded him of a conversation we had had the winter before where he had told me that he was so glad he had the time then to really meditate and get closer to God. He felt he was building up reserves that would be able to carry him through times when he didn’t have the energy to do that.

I kind of feel like all the time and energy I have spent over the past few years building myself up from my broken self was so that I would be strong enough to face all the challenges this past year has brought me. I am so thankful that I decided to start this happiness journey. To now have the skills and the ability to look for happiness in every moment, no matter what life is throwing at me allows me to live in joy even when there is sadness around.

When I went to meditate this morning I had this image of the Whos in Whoville singing around their Christmas tree come to me very strongly. No matter how I tried to focus back on my mantra or drop it from my mind, all I could see were those Whos.


I feel kind of like the Grinch has tried to steal Christmas from me lately. That image was a good reminder to me that the things that are really important when all is said and done can’t be stolen or taken away. I stand in this time of huge uncertainty with a lot of fear and anticipation, but I know in the deepest part of my soul that all of the things that are really good about my life can’t be taken away from me. I will stand around that tree with a kid’s hand grasping mine on either side and we will sing and be joyful whether the presents are there or not.

Years ago I read a book called Take the Step, the Bridge Will Be There. And I just have to have faith now that with each step I take that the next one will show up in front of me. I find surrendering a very difficult thing to do and seem to be only able to do it when there are no other options left. This past year I feel like I’ve had a lot of opportunity to practice (sigh).

My happiness moment was the ray of light that was left after my meditation. The understanding that we will be ok, that everything will work out, and that I love and am loved by those two kiddos so deeply nothing will ever change that.

 

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Tea for Two

I love it when I wake up and know in advance that I will have at least one happiness moment to be excited about in the day. Even though we have been back home for almost a year, I still have a small list of friends with whom I have not been able to have a really good sit down visit. Pathetic I know, but when you combine a really busy life with my being a socially awkward introvert, it’s amazing I ever get together with anyone. I am remembering now that I’m back around my tribe how very important it is for me to actually get out with friends and talk and laugh and share.

This afternoon I met with a dear old friend that I have not had a really good visit with in years – like since our kids were all in diapers. Since coming back I have run into her at the grocery store a couple of times which was a great way to have a quick catch up, but nothing like what sitting down over a cup of tea and sharing will do for the soul.

I’m so grateful for this friendship. We are unlikely friends in that we are different in so many ways. And yet, since the first time I met her we have had this strong bond that has drawn us together. Generally I have a really difficult time opening up with people, and she’s one of those very rare people with whom I know I can safely share absolutely anything.

We had a wonderful two hour tea (which turned out to be much too short), and we shared where our lives have gone over the past 10 years since we last visited. Had we shared back then where we thought we would be right now I don’t think either of us would have predicted the paths our lives have taken. It is such a gift to have someone that you can reflect on your journey with – someone who just listens without judgement and shares their own in the same manner.

We left our visit having decided that the time has come for our families to tighten our bond. Her husband is the godfather of my Jenna and they don’t know each other at all. But, now that we are living in the same town and travelling on similar life paths, all of that can be rebuilt.

There are so many gifts that are coming out of what seemed to be such an uncertain and scary time. It helps me so much to know that I have so many people now with whom I can share my journey with – in happiness and in sorrow. That support of the tribe makes the trip so much more enjoyable. A beautiful happiness moment shared over a cup of tea.

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A silhouette of hope

  
This photo that I took this morning seems to express how I am feeling right now. Some dark, some shadows, rays of light, and a beautiful horse. Because everything hopeful in my life should include a horse. 

I am in a period of great uncertainty where I am having to rely heavily on my faith and trust that every blind step I am taking is one that will lead to a happier life. 

Moments like this one with the horse give me great joy and happiness. I feel my soul calm and am able to breathe deeply and find strength to face the things that cause me fear. 

My happiness moment was this great moment of peace in the morning. It was enhanced by great moments of love and support given to me throughout the day. These came in many different forms:  words of encouragement, super duper help with child care and taxi servicing to lessons (from my awesome cousin), kind smiles, feelings of love, and the grounding of home. 

The warmth that I get from looking at this photo is one I know I will return to many times to find peace. 

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Girls in the barn 

  
This old barn holds so many magical memories. Generations of my family have worked and played inside it. My grandfather handpicked all the logs and then built it about a hundred years ago. It is one of those special places that holds my heart. 

This afternoon Jenna had a friend over to play and the first thing they did was run up to the barn to play. They ran around looking for cats, and then just enjoyed playing outside in the corral. 

I love that I can look out my kitchen window and see this building that holds such fond memories of my youth. I spent countless hours either playing in the loft or grooming my pony inside while looking out towards the mountains. 

It was a great happiness moment to see my child enjoying an earthy, blissful moment in beautifully grounding and stable (haha get it) place. 

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