...memorial day...

thanks

doesn't

seem

like

enough.

but

 thank you

from the bottom

of my

and my family's hearts.

have a blessed memorial day.

just BE.

robin.

...graduation...

today.

we step aside.

today.

she leads.

the tears were on the brim.

my heart smiles.

just BE.

robin.

...5.29.11...

 

we all say it...

where does the time go.

first day of kindergarten.

to today.

graduation day.

today she will be reading a poem.

that her dad wrote and read to his class.

in 1984.

i believe,

when she reads this,

my eyes will fill up with pride.

*****

pathways

by brian goodenow

we have gathered our relatives, our neighbors and friends

to join us on this special day

and the pathway that we have all traveled together

will now lead us all separate ways

*

our journey has seen sunshine, success and good times

and occasionally a day filled with rain

we enjoyed all the fun times with all of our friends

and we usually learned from the pain

*

once in a while, the clouds grew too dense

and it seemed that the sun wouldn't shine

but i knew, on those days, that i could depend

on one of you great friends of mine

*

so i'd pick up my chin, shake off the blues

and once again the sun would shine through

i'd fall back in line with the rest of my friends here today

your sad thoughts will very soon mend

*

this "end" that we speak of, to me is much more

it's a beginning, a new life to live

a chance to display the colors of our rainbow

and to see what the world has to give

*

so don't look back with tears in your eyes

don't forget that life holds more

smile at the memories we made with our friends

and head out through opportunity's door

*

i have high hopes for the class of 2011

we are friends, classmates, and someone to trust

we are jocks, band nerds, rednecks, and preps

but most of all, we are simply us

*

i wish you good luck and a whole lot of love

as you start your new journey today

believe in yourself; keep hope for the good

and never let your dreams slip away

yikes.

just reading back over this.

i am getting choked up.

not going to be a good make-up day.

they will not be tears of sadness today.

but tears of immense pride.

her wings have dried.

we have instilled in her what we could.

she is a beautiful spirit.

inside and out.

today is the beginning of her own journey.

how blessed are we...

welcome to coffee hour.

welcome to this Sunday morning.

just BE.

robin.

...to nurture your dream...

“be careful what you water your dreams with.

water them with worry and fear and you will produce weeds

that choke the life from your dream.

water them with optimism and solutions and you will cultivate success.

always be on the lookout for ways to turn a problem

 into an opportunity for success.

always be on the lookout for ways to nurture your dream.”

-lao tzu

i'd like to sit.

with that thought for awhile.

light + objects = shadows.

HEY HARRIET

just BE.

robin. 

...5.22.11...

kindness in words creates confidence.

 kindness in thinking creates profoundness.

kindness in giving creates love.

~lao tzu

 

kindness

does not cost anything.

welcome to coffee hour.

welcome to this Sunday morning.

just BE.

robin.

...keep to the simple...

 

in dwelling, live close to the ground.

 in thinking, keep to the simple.

in conflict, be fair and generous.

in governing, don't try to control.

in work, do what you enjoy.

in family life, be completely present.
~lao tzu

 

doesn't get much

simpler than a single

rosebud shadow.

so far,

this morning.

it is gorgeous.

much to do in the way of an open house.

will i steal some time to just sit and enjoy.

yes.

because that is the only way i will

get anything done.

light + objects = shadows.

HEY HARRIET.

enjoy your moments.

just BE.

robin.

...5.15.11...

 "then give to the world the best you have, and the best will come back to you."
Madeline Bridges, from Life's Mirror

boutonniere - $8

getting hair styled - $18

prom dress - $132 

crowned 2011 prom king and queen...

hug from her daddy.

this smile...priceless.

one of her first

experiences.

at pine river.

was to be told.

she wasn't needed on the basketball court.

since then.

she has achieved many, many things.

overcome, rose above.

band festival - number one ratings.

twice.

district champions in basketball.

calc exams.

speeches.

all the laughter and tears in between.

but i believe.

this may be.

her greatest moment.

to be voted, by her peers.

in her last few days left at prhs.

she has arrived.

welcome to coffee hour.

welcome to this Sunday morning.

just BE.

robin.

...profound and secret virtue...

to produce things and to rear them,

to produce, but not to take possession of them

to act, but not to rely on one's own ability,

to lead them, but not to master them -

this is called profound and secret virtue.

Lao-Tzu, the way of Lao-Tzu

busy times ahead.

last band concert.

prom tonight.

graduation.

open house.

college orientation.

and all the life that goes on in between.

tho it's busy.

i will take this time.

savor every moment.

so that it won't be gone.

and i will regret missing it.

light + objects = shadows.

don't miss HEY HARRIET

enjoy the moments.

just BE.

robin.

...5.8.11...

"most of all the other beautiful things in life

 come by twos and threes by dozens and hundreds.

plenty of roses, stars, sunsets, rainbows,

 brothers, and sisters, aunts and cousins,

 but only one mother in the whole world."
~Kate Douglas Wiggin

22.

17.

12.

i remember vividly.

the days in which

they were laid in my arms.

may i never forget that.

that is when.

my heart was opened up.

a little more.

and allowed to beat outside of me.

mac and cheese.

hand me downs.

scrapped knees.

heartaches.

struggles.

and all the other stuff in between that life throws at a family.

but.

what i will always have.

that can't be taken away.

is light.

love.

and laughter.

kiel.

sarah.

matthew.

you are the best gifts a mom could ask for.

happy mother's day. to my mom.

and all the other mom's.

welcome to coffee hour.

welcome to this Sunday morning.

just BE.

robin.

...of the deeper things in life...

"the window of my soul i throw wide open to the sun"

~john greenleaf whittier

your spiritual side may suffer

from neglect

if you're busy with

childcare, or a profession, or simply

trying to make ends meet.

to give yourself a quick reminder 

of the deeper things in life,

visualize a lotus blossom floating on a pond.

imagine light streaming out

from the flower's petals.

let the light fill you

with calm radiance

and bring harmony back to your life.

~1,001 ways to live in the moment

thank goodness

for photos and memories.

i sit here this morning.

with a heavy jacket.

and socks.

remembering.

warmth and sun.

the flowers are.

trying to stay.

optimistic that spring is here.

as they dodge the frost...

on that note.

let's head to HEY HARRIET

sun, warmth and shadows.

namaste.

just BE.

robin.

...wordless wednesday...

wordless wednesday

hosted by faith hope & a whole lotta love

just BE.

robin.

...5.1.11...

"when i let go of what i am, i become what i might be"

~Lao Tzu

around the yard...

 

knowing others is wisdom;

knowing the self is enlightenment.

mastering others requires force;

mastering the self requires strength;

he who knows he has enough is rich.

perseverance is a sign of will power.

he who stays where he is endures.

to die but not to perish is to be eternally present.

~Lao Tzu

sun.

warmth.

energy.

breathe in.

breathe out.

energy.

welcome to coffee hour.

welcome to this Sunday morning.

just BE.

robin.