Life's Journey: Letting Go of "Ashes"

Yesterday I had a visit from a very dear of mine, Marye. We had not seen each other for 10 years but we picked up right where we left off as if no time had passed. Of course it had....each of our lives had been growing and changing!! I took her on a tour of my house and when we entered my bedroom, the first thing she noticed was a jar sitting on my mantle which read "Ashes of Ex-Husbands" (a gift from my attorney during my divorce...the only thing I got for all that money I spent but that's another blog topic) . She laughed but then ever so seriously said " Freda. you have to move that. That is the center of this whole room....it's negative feng shui!" And she was right...I removed it and put it way back in my closet! I did sleep better last night as a matter of fact.
It's never easy to let go, especially when  emotions run so deep, but we all must let go of that which we cannot change. Life dealt me that card for a reason....I learned, I grew and became stronger!! Marye reminded me that the people in my life who have caused me so much pain  have only made me stronger and that rather than resenting them, I should pray for them!!! (Some of the people I know need ALOT of prayer). By doing so, I can heal my heart!!!
So when life hands you a jar of "Ashes of Ex-Husband", let it go!!! Get right with your own heart!!

Life's Journey: Lunch

Most of us eat lunch everyday....different times and different places but we all need that little something to get us through the day!! Some eat alone, some eat in front of the tv, some eat while working and some eat with friends!! That's just what I did today!! My friends are either teachers (so they off in the summer months) or do not work outside the home so they decided to meet for lunch during my lunch hour near where I work ( they are just great like that). What a nice hour!! We chatted and enjoyed a nice meal, followed by some delightful frozen yogurt!! Not only was this nourishment for the body but for the soul as well. Our group gets together when we can but with all the different schedules, kids and other obligations, it is sometimes really hard. Therefore I cherish each minute with them. No matter what we do, no matter where we eat and no matter now short our time together, we always laugh and have fun!! Today we took some pictures too that I am sure will end up on Face Book :)
So no matter where life's journey takes you, you must stop and grab lunch with friends (dessert is always good too).

Life's Journey: MOJITOS!!

Today is National Mojito Day!! And I suppose this fits in with my life's journey as it ties right into my time with great friends!! It started off with a text from my friend Crystal  this morning which read "Thought of you today. It is National Mojito Day!" This was followed by an invitation from Anita to a poolside luncheon with the same great friends!!
Funny how a drink that originated in Cuba and was a favorite of Ernest Hemingway, brings up such fond friend memories. It all started last summer when 5 old (we are not old, just very mature) high school friends got together for dinner poolside...I was nominated to bring the mojitos since I had bartended in the past. So I mixed my sugar, lime juice, sparkling water and muddled mint leaves together, bringing the rum to add as needed. As I was getting ready to ring the doorbell, a wasp (probably sensing the mojito mixture) landed on my hand and stung me!! OUCH.... My friend grabbed some ice, I fixed a few mojitos (rum involved at this point) and all was well with the world! Great friends, good food and of course MOJITOS!!
I had not thought about this evening in a year until today and I must say it made me smile :) Alot has happened since that evening but I know each of my friends would smile too thinking about that night!! I hope to make some more MOJITO memories this week as well.
So I guess the morale of my story is this....along life's journey stop and sip a MOJITO... or two....

Celebration of Friends

Part of my life journey has of course been my friends!! In the last 2 years I have reconnected with some of my old friends  from high school and college. When we have been able to spend time together, it's like time has never passed. We remember old times and we share memories and stories that have happened in our lives that others may have missed. We all have children now so our focus is on their future and their life's journeys. I find that my friends' lives too have been "tumbled" and "smoothed out". What would I do without my friends? Ten years ago was one of the hardest times of my life and at that time, I seemed to push my friends away. I was at a place that I did not want to be and I certainly did not want to burden my friends. I would never do that again....these are the people who do not care if you cry, do not care if you are not wealthy, do not care if your hair is not perfect....these are your true life journey friends. I recently reconnected with one of my most dearest friends and I found myself apologizing for the last ten years. She told me not too worry....we both had taken different paths, life had happened and now was the time to rekindle that friendship. Great advice!! Another dear friend who I have known since I was 5, was diagnosed with breast cancer last Novemeber. Not only did I need her to know that I was there for her but I also needed all my other friends to help make sense of "why?".
Friends are your greatest strength along with family. Treat them kindly, cherish them, love them and keep them close while on life's journey. Celebrate your friendships everyday!!

Life's Journey: Celebration

Last night as I celebrated my son's 18th birthday, I could not seem to forget the recent tragedy and loss in our small community. Even though I did not know the little boy who everyone said "was so full of life", I did know some of his immediate family. I just could not seem to wrap my head around the question "why?" I re-connected with a very dear friend of mine this week who said to me "life has a way of tumbling us around and smoothing us out" and even though at first, it sounded like those rock tumblers that we all had in the 70's and 80's, it really hit home. Everything that happens to us and around us is part of our journey, whether it be the "tumbling" part or the "smoothing out" part. Hug those dear to you everyday, say I love you, smile at a stranger, help someone less fortunate than yourself and celebrate the milestones! Treat everyday as a part of your journey!! Celebrate!!!