Hello, friend!

I’ve been visiting with my son and daughter and thought I’d share some photos.  Both Andrew and Betsy and her family have purchased new homes this spring and they are rightfully, very excited!
After I share some photos, I’d like to share some food for thought, that you might find useful too.

The grand tour and road trip began at Andrew and James’ place, outside of Washington D.C. I hadn’t been with James in six months and it was wonderful to see how much he has grown!

The after bath picture above is James noticing the new family pictures Andrew had hung, while he was with his mother. I think he approves! While he was late to talk, he’s really coming along!  It’s great to see the development.

He’s not a fan of getting hair cuts. Poor guy! It melted my heart when I asked for a kiss and he leaned over and gave me one.  He even called me Mimi!  Be still my heart!  Thankfully, FaceTime has given him a chance to get to know me a little bit.

Road trip…

My daughter, Betsy, who graduated from West Point, ten years ago, was assigned back there, to work with the cadets, two years ago.  She was recently selected for an exchange program, with the Air Force Academy, and is in the process of moving from New York to Colorado, with her family, two dogs and a cat. She asked me to join her to take one of the vehicles out and I jumped at the chance for one-on-one time with her.

The three day trek was much easier than I had expected and the company was great!  We traveled through five states…something I hadn’t done since I was a kid, traveling with my family.  There’s a lot of beautiful space, traveling through middle America.

I’m especially envious of the gas prices, compared to California!

Yesterday, Betsy and I didn’t have much on our plate, since their furniture is still in transit. So, we went to Goodwill and bought a couple of golf clubs and went to the Air Force Academy’s driving range.  I had been thinking about trying golf out again, but quickly changed my mind!  Betsy’s a natural athlete, but I’ll stick to less challenging ventures!

Don’t be jealous, but we’re now at the laundromat, since we were running low on essentials. Oh, the things you take for granted in life!

Food for thought….

I was cruising around on Instagram yesterday and saw Deepak Chopra lead a two minute meditation, so of course, I joined in. I was amazed by how relaxing it was.  It was also very thought provoking.
He instructed us to sit upright, with our hands in our lap and feet flat on the floor, with our eyes closed.  Then he asked these four questions of us.

– Who am I?

– What is my deepest desire?

– What is my purpose?

– What am I grateful for?

Now, my answers to these four questions would have probably been quite different years ago, but at 70 years old, I was surprised by my answers and how they adjusted my outlook in a wonderful way.  I hope I can properly explain it! As a mother to adult children, for years I have  continued to have this great need to guide and advise these smart people.
After answering these questions in meditation, I realized that the most important aspects of who I am, what I hope for, my purpose and gratitude are all centered around my relationships….with God and my family.
These are the ones who I want to have a loving relationship with.  I want them to feel my love, unconditionally, no matter who they vote for or the color carpet they choose!  It’s their life and I want to be a part of it. This has somehow had a great impact on my desire to judge and direct!  Could this really be true? I sure hope so!
Let me know if you try this meditation exercise and your thoughts on the whole thing.
…………………

I head back home on Saturday and look forward to seeing my boys!  Stay well and keep smiling!

XO, Barbara