As I walked home from a sweet coffee break I began to look around at all the people walking around the neighborhood. They were all going in different directions and each had a group. I felt like I was invisible and just floating through each group conversation. No matter where I turned I saw a clique. Each had their own personality, dress, and language. There were even those that fell behind in a group with a sadness on their face just trying to catch up. Whatever the clique, it caused me to go back and reflect on my younger years and then frantically to now as I thought of my children and where their journey would take them. I prayed at that moment that Gio and Isa would be themselves no matter the clique. That they would be kind not only to the person they are but to others. That they respect themselves and those around them and no matter what others say that they will be strong in their own opinion. My mind came back to the present and I picked up more conversations within cliques that I floated around and heard laughter towards a group of girls just trying to fit in. I saw discomfort and concern on the face of one of the girls that was pretending to agree. She seemed bothered by what the rest of the group was saying but yet she said nothing. I looked at her and tried to force a soft smile as to tell her what she feels is ok and she should voice her opinion. Instead she turned away and pretended to laugh at the horrible jokes the group was saying.

I felt my mood change slightly and a heavy weight fell upon my shoulders. I slowly made my way home but not before that same girl grabbed my wrist and said, “I know you heard what we were saying but know that I told my friends that we should stop making fun of people we didn’t know.” She said that this is why I’m here and no longer there. She continued by saying, “I guess standing up for what you believe doesn’t always keep your friends.” I told her when you stand up for what you believe, your friends are the one’s standing right along with you for support. If they aren’t there they were never your friends to begin with. That doesn’t mean you can’t disagree and have difference of opinions, it just means that your true friend will always support you or catch you when you fall. She actually said, thank you and ran to catch the train. I felt the heaviness on my shoulders lift and carry away. I stopped for a moment to take in what just happened and then giggled to myself. I guess it was my way of releasing all the emotions I felt when she grabbed my wrist. I definitely could of turned swinging from the wrist grab but there was something calming that kept me grounded. I began walking home smiling the entire way.

When I got home, I opened the front door to find Gio and Isa matching the smile on my face. What a way to walk in a home. May the smiles that surround us creep into your home and heart. Happy Friday! 

I was talking to a friend of mine today on the street when a few parents she knew walked in our direction. They stopped to exchange hellos and some pleasantries until someone mentioned wrinkles. My friend began to say that she noticed several more wrinkles around her eyes and mouth. Before my friend could finish the conversation a lady from the group immediately said it was her own fault. I looked surprised as I glared in her direction to listen to the words that would follow. My friend was also surprised and asked what she meant. Without hesitation the lady told her, it was because she laughed too much. My wheels were spinning. How can a person laugh too much, I thought. I kept my mouth shut just to give this person the opportunity to speak kinder words and clarify but boy was I wrong. She continued telling my friend that the more she laughed the more she would ruin her face. Adding that she could see it had already begun. I looked at her almost wrinkle free face and moved closer to my friend. I could see my friends shoulders slouch as the look of embarrassment came across her face. This lady began talking about how she has next to no wrinkles because she keeps a steady face and my friend should try it some time. At this point I heard enough. I didn’t care who she was or how good of a friend she was to my friend, but I couldn’t let her emotionally abuse her. Of course, me and my big mouth had to intervene. I looked first straight at that lady then immediately at my friend. I told her it was perfectly fine to smile and laugh as much as she could. That it is one of the best sounds to hear. That no matter what this person said her wrinkles showed the world all the joys and love she experienced and that was beautiful. I told my friend that each line represented an emotion, a memory, a time in her life that she experienced and that made her grow even more beautiful than she already was. This lady huffed as I was talking to my friend which only made me smile.

What is wrong with people? If you want to live a wrinkle free, detached, no feeling life than that is your choice but do not criticize those who want to feel all the joys life has to offer. Life is filled with many things, it’s up to us to embrace it. Take it all in and just be. We all have our own journey to live. Live it the best way you know how. Love unconditionally, laugh until your cheeks hurt so much you cry, and NEVER let anyone take your joy away from you. So we get a few wrinkles in the process, it only means you lived.

As for the stone cold person, I was sure to laugh so loudly that those surrounding us had to turn and smile because they felt the joys laughter can bring. A smile is contagious, let’s spread it around! 

Today is a day filled with many emotions. The days leading up to today begin to feel heavy and sadness makes an appearance in a way that hurts with every touch. You remember every moment of this day 12 years ago like it was yesterday. Your mind immediately replays the images of the planes crashing into the twin towers and your heart sinks knowing you have friends and acquaintances in those buildings. Praying for them and everyone’s safety during that time. No matter the time that passes the loss is still there. The sadness that someone can hurt so many they don’t even know just to hurt. I can’t begin to understand the hate that is produced in such a horrible crime. Today we not only feel the pain of loss and hurt from such sadness but we have to rise from this hate and be grateful that we are here and we still have our every day. Lord, thank you for reminding us of the good that is still out there. The people that ran into those buildings to help. The people that are still helping us today. We need to love and no matter the difficulty remember faith is around us so keep it in your heart. I know I will continue to believe that the good out weighs the bad and that love conquers all. May you have a peaceful night and may God bless us all. 

It’s a beautiful day. The breeze is blowing in all the right places. The sun is shining just enough to keep you smiling and the hope in the air is full of grace. There’s so much to be thankful for and you try so hard to block out the negative energy but those people sneak their way into your life. It’s amazing how much energy is being lifted because of stupidity. You try to smile through some sadness, hug the one’s you love to lift the weight and reflect on the beauty you are surrounded by but the energy it takes to get there is draining. Sometimes you just need to confront it and wash it away. Let the people who try to bring you down or cause you grief not enter. At times you need to be strong enough for you. Instead of worrying about all those who don’t deserve your heart. It’s just hard to do it sometimes. If that makes any sense.
Here’s to taking deep breaths, keeping that smile lifted, and love in your heart no matter the situation.

Today we came together to honor and remember the one’s we lost this year at mass. A mass held at the Mola club where my father and many generations before him belong. The area is set up, the priest enters and the Italian language flows all around us. This year as I held Gio and Isa close to me I listened to the words spoken of death, understanding and life and I smiled knowing that during this sadness I was bringing life to this day. Giovanni and Isannah are our gifts. They are new life and hope and their presence there today made a world of difference. As I looked around the room I saw faces of life lived, moments treasured and hearts that were heavy but most importantly I saw  faith. A faith so strong that brought such a strength in that room. It’s amazing that a service so small and personal can create something so big and wondrous. The presence of children today in that room was what we all needed to see and hear during service.

Life is hard at times. We don’t understand the pain we have to suffer but we know that there is a purpose and reason. Remember there is always more to come and this is not the end. May your hope and faith carry you through each day and keep you in love. 

Do you remember that feeling you would get as a kid when you saw a dandelion? Excitedly you immediately ran to pick it up, you thought of a wish, and then blew it. The smile of comfort and belief that your special wish would come true lit up the skies. You felt the hope the dandelion represented for you. See, that’s how I love every day. That comfort, that smile, that belief that all the wonderful wishes will light up my world. Fill my heart with hope.

Remember taking a deep breath but pausing right before blowing the dandelion just to rethink your wish. Then blowing with all your might so all the seeds scatter around and along with those seeds spread your hopes and dreams. This is what you need to remember and hold on to. Don’t let negativity or disappointment stand in the way of your love, hopes and dreams. Let your seeds scatter all around you and lift high. Keep your pure childhood beliefs alive.

Wishing the seeds spread love all around you. 

My heart aches for my sister. I know this will be a difficult day for her as my parents depart today. Visits are always bittersweet as you cry with excitement upon arrival and you cry at departure for sadness. The visits are always fun filled. The time is spent with love and all the right touches all around until that day before when you know tomorrow will be another hard day to let go. Until next time always seems so long.  The meaning to those words tend to make you even sadder as you know “until next time” doesn’t come soon enough.  I wish there was a way you could blink and be somewhere without  flying/traveling. I wish we could all be together for the many hugs and family laughter but since we can’t the closeness we feel will always be in our hearts. Sending a big hug to my sister today and every day to comfort her during this time.

I took a moment today just to breathe. I walked outside alone and just let myself be. Immediately I felt the breeze wrap around me. My shoulders relaxed and a weight gently lifted. There’s something about today’s wind that is really doing something to this body of mine. If you are out there today, close your eyes, take a deep breath and let the wind whirl around you caressing every bit of your body and soul. This is a must once in a while.
Enjoy your day and let the innocent beauty of today’s breeze shower over you and rejuvenate your soul.

Mom came over to spend time with us before her departure tomorrow. My mom has a way of easing my aura without doing anything. From the moment I see her I feel myself relax. From the moment she hugs me my body calms and I feel safe. I don’t think she realizes just how her presence can help me and change the negative I sometimes feel inside.

We all decided to blow bubbles and enjoy the kids laughter and popping excitement. The giggles filled the deck while bubbles big and small drifted away. As the bubbles flew around mom decided to brave the mosquitoes from down below. The garden area was filled with weeds after the days of rain fall. Mom began clearing while I watched mosquitoes surround her legs and arms. She must be wonder woman because known dared to bite her. As I watched in amazement of this beautiful woman gracefully moving around the yard an angelic BIG white butterfly flew around her. Sometimes touching her shoulders as she worked. Flying around her head and shoulders touching down on her from time to time. When I told mom about this beautiful butterfly she said to me without hesitation that is was my Nonna. She began to explain that Nonna used to love working in the yard so this was her joining us. My body felt such a happiness and I felt her too. At one point the butterfly flew straight up. So high up that I could no longer see her and then in seconds came straight down to grace us with her presence again. She just continued to fly all around mom. It was a calming awakening, if that makes sense.

Thank you mom for being my calm, peace, and love today. Thank you Nonna for taken a moment from Heaven to bring your beauty to us once again. I love and miss you every day.