Sundays at Grandma's

"Think of your family today and every day thereafter, don't let the busy world of today keep you from showing how much you love and appreciate your family".
                                                       - Josiah

When I was a little girl we lived a long distance from my grandmothers, so I only saw them on holidays and special occasions. They were both remarkable women, amazing cooks and a wonderful combination of warmth and kindness, laughter and love. I wanted more than anything to live near them and see them more often.

When my first grandson was born I decided I wanted a closer relationship with him. I wanted to be part of his life... every day. When the twins were born it became almost a necessity in order for their Mom and Dad to get a moment of rest.

We have settled into a routine where I visit them during the week, but every Sunday Daddy brings the boys over for breakfast and playtime. It gives me a chance to treat them to their favorite foods and spend some special time with them. The twins are almost two years old and are tornadoes of energy. They are constantly moving, touching and exploring every thing in the house. That's fine with me, the house is child proof.

After several hours of endless play, the twins are winding down, about ready for their afternoon nap. Daddy packs up the car, buckles them in their car seats and as soon as he pulls out of the drive they are fast asleep. The sign of a good, active day.

My oldest grandson stays behind for an extended visit. We spend the rest of the afternoon drawing and painting, building Legos and, now that the weather is getting warm, working in the garden together. This is our special bonding time.

I love my time with my grandsons. I can't imagine a day without talking to them and with the magic of technology we can video chat several times a day. My grandson can't wait to call me after school to tell me about the spelling test he passed, or to show me a picture he drew, or to tell me what color his behavior was that day. I want to wish him a good day at school in the morning and sweet dreams at night before he goes to sleep. The twins are now beginning to talk and they wave to me on the phone. These are all the important and special moments of their lives and I love being a part of it... I don't want to miss any of it.

I don't want to be a long distance grandma...I want to be an every day grandma.

Dolce far Niente

"I use this time to think."
     - Anthony T. Hincks


It's raining today. A soft, gentle rain. The kind of rain that makes you want to curl up in a chair by the window, with a hot cup of tea, and watch it coming down. That's exactly what I have been doing this morning.

Well...that's not entirely true...I started watching the rain, but then my attention turned to a snail crawling up a large, leafy bush. I have been watching this snail for the past half-hour moving it's way along the wet, green leaves. It's in no hurry to get anywhere or do anything. Unlike me, I need to write a blog and draw or paint a picture to go along with it and instead of doing that, I'm sitting here watching a snail.

Am I procrastinating? No...I'm "pausing". I'm allowing my mind and body to take time for a break. I'm taking time to reflect on the past several weeks. Work has been extremely hectic, the flu has passed through every member of the family and it only rains for a brief time in Southern California and then nothing for many months. So...this is the perfect opportunity to "pause".

My Grandmother used an Italian phrase, Dolce far Niente, which means "how sweet to do nothing". That's exactly what I am doing this morning...nothing! So like my little friend, the snail, I'm in no hurry. I'm going to let my mind and body rest, regroup, and prepare for the next onslaught of life's daily happenings.

In fact, I'm going to make myself another cup of tea, curl up in the chair by the window and watch my friend crawl down the large, leafy bush.

Why keep an art journal?

"Inside you there's an artist you don't know about..."
                                                                - Rumi -

The other day my grandson, Emmett, and I were drawing when he asked me when I started to draw in an art journal. I told him that I started when I was very young, probably about his age. Upon hearing this, his curiosity took over and he wanted to know what got me started and why I continued doing it.

Truthfully, I don't remember thinking about it ... I just felt a need to do it. However, how do I explain that need in a way that a 6 year old will understand. So instead, I took him into my bedroom and we sat on the floor in front of a wooden chest that holds all of my finished journals. We began to flip through the pages of each journal.

There were sketches of his twin brothers, when they were born and how he became a big brother. There were earlier sketches of him when he was a toddler. Sketches of him with his Great-Grandmother, who is no longer with us, and they are reading books, napping and playing together. Sketches that brought back memories of special moments they shared with each other. Then he was able to see sketches of himself as a baby that he couldn't possibly remember ... but I do.

As he looked through these journals I explained that each sketch told a story about special moments in our lives. They were captured with a drawing and a few choice words so that I wouldn't forget them. How drawing a picture gave me time to savor that moment longer than merely snapping a photograph. How it helped me see the value of each of these moments and how blessed I am to have them.

I also explained that keeping an art journal was a form of meditation. I'm not one who likes to sit still for very long, this was something a 6 year old could relate to. I'm always on the move and have multiple projects going on at the same time. Drawing is my way of meditating. When I'm drawing I'm unaware of anything around me, all my senses are focused on a single subject.

After seeing the journals and talking about why I made them, he looked at me very seriously and said, "I would like to keep an art journal too." Another special moment. So ... we went to the shelf where I keep a variety of sketch journals and he picked one he liked. Then he opened it, and without hesitation, he began to draw the story of his life on the first page. It was one of my proudest moments, not only as a grandmother but as an artist.

So ... no matter what your age, whether you're 6 years old or in your 60's. No matter what your drawing ability, pick up an art journal and a pencil and begin to draw and write about the special moments in your life that tell your story.

You'll never regret it ...

Being creative in our lives

"Creativity is seeing what everyone else has seen, and thinking what no one else has thought."
                                                                                  - Albert Einstein -


We are all creative, whether we realize it or not. It is part of human nature to constantly assess and evaluate each situation in life and find a creative way to accomplish or improve it. Sometimes, it's so instinctive we don't realize we're doing it.

Many of us think creativity is exclusive to artists, writers and musicians. However, it takes the same amount of creativity to raise children, manage a household, run a business or any other activity that makes up our lives.

Research has shown that participating in creative activities can increase our well-being in a number of ways -

* It engages us in the moment and helps us stay focused on our lives. It calms our nervous system, reduces stress and anxiety and helps restore balance.

* It strengthens our feelings of self-worth and because we feel fulfilled, our happiness expands into the rest of our lives and we have better relationships.

* It increases our focus on positive life experiences and opens us up to new possibilities and opportunities.

* It helps build character through effort, persistence and dedication and these are highly transferrable skills.

* It requires us to seek new ideas, new ways of doing things and continual learning and growth.

So come up with creative ideas and ways to make your life more fun and enjoyable. It will improve your physical, mental and emotional health.

Remember you are a creative person and...

we were created to be creative!

Life is a blank canvas

"Life is a blank canvas, and you need to throw all the paint on it you can."
                                                                                   - Danny Kaye -

As the New Year begins, I look at my life and my future and I see a blank canvas before me. It's up to me to decide what picture I paint on it.

As with all blank canvases we are faced with the anxiety of what we should paint. What is the picture we see? We are also faced with the fear of making a mistake and ruining the picture. Facing the unknown can be frightening.

Yes...with all new beginnings there is that element of fear, but there is also a sense of excitement. The excitement of a new adventure, a new opportunity to do something you always wanted to do and the ability to change your situation.

I look at the canvas before me and realize that I am not alone in the decision of that picture. There are loved ones to take into consideration. My grandchildren are watching my every move, the choices I make and how I live my life. I am an example to them.

So...Grandma is not going to worry about the future or dwell on the past. That is all out of my control. I'm going to put my faith and trust in God, pick up my paintbrush and throw all the paint I can at that canvas!!!.

Merry Christmas to all...

The best things in life aren't things.
                                   - Art Buchwald -



To my family, friends and fellow bloggers...

May this Christmas season fill your home with joy, your heart with love and your life with laughter. And may your New Year be full of adventure, creativity and fun!


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year...

                                 Beth

Merry Christmas, Mom...

"To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die. "
                                          - Thomas Campbell


   The holiday season has always been a joyous time spent with family and friends. I  always reveled in the decorating, singing carols and preparing the holiday meal and special treats. That is I did until my Mom,  Elizabeth, passed away.  Now the holidays bring joy and excitement with my son and grandchildren along with the grief I feel because Mom is not here to enjoy it with us.

    Although she may be gone, I know her spirit is here with us. I see it every day in my loved ones. Michael has her "people-skills", her sense of humor and the ability to name each of the "Golden Girls". Emmett has her strong will and curiosity, and talks with his hands like she used to do. Aiden has her love of music and dance, and when he gets angry he shakes his fists just like she did. And little Mason...he has her smile...and every time he looks at me and smiles my heart melts and breaks at the same time.

   I know my Mom would want me to remember her and all the wonderful traditions and memories she created over her lifetime.  More importantly, she would want me to "get on with living" so my loved ones would have the same warm, loving memories of the holidays that she gave me.

   So...as I approach this Christmas without my Mom, though I miss her more than ever, I keep hearing her voice in the back of my mind telling me to keep my head high and be strong. Although this is the hardest time of the year, I feel her all around me, and that is enough to get me through.

Merry Christmas, Mom. I love and miss you so much...
                                             Your Beth