The Thing About Being in the Moment....

.......Is that if you pay attention, you may find magical places and experience magical moments. Like walking through dense swamp land; filled with rich, deep greens that settle down into one's heart; or vibrant flowers that provide vital nectar for huge bumble bees that do graceful dances, as they flutter from one petal to the next. You may get to meet decades old trees that hold the ways and secrets of the swamp and forest; containing it all in their trunks that are strong yet elegant. You may meet a ginormous spider, who telepathically asks you not to interrupt their meal of a bumble bee. A huge bumble bee, that missed the flowers and met their fate in the equally ginormous web. You may have had the privilege of seeing a handful of turtles that pop up their heads, one at a time, their black faces with yellow stripes a stark contrast to the green that surrounds them. If you stay in the present moment you might have seen the path that brought all this and more, all while breathing in the thick humidity that makes it all the more enchanting. It was staying in the moment, being open to what was before us, that made for making treasured memories with my heart brother Vincenzo. Letting go of agendas, letting go of fears, letting go period. Life feels more alive when staying in the moment.

                                                                       

Southern House Envy

I loved so many of the houses in New Orleans and in the country areas, just north of the city.  Every where I looked I thought, "Oh my, I could live there." I covet homes with a Caribbean flavor; the wide verandas, colors, and classic look. I am pretty sure in at least one of my past lives, I drank many a cup of mint tea on a veranda like the many I drooled over. One day, maybe, just maybe, I will call a home like this my own......

Nix Nax in NOLA

 Nix Nax means a little bit of this and a little bit of that. That is according to my sister friend who runs a small guest house in Jamaica called, of course, Nix Nax Rainbow Isle of Light.  

Here are a few glimpses of the little bit of this and the little bit of that, which I witnessed or experienced in New Orleans. 

Late Summer Skies

 

Goodbye Summer 2018. You will be sorely missed, my dear, favorite season. I thank you for leaving us with spectacular memories of skies painted so vividly in orange and pink. I look forward to your return when the sun circles the earth once more in three hundred or so more days. 

4th & 6th Years

 Three weeks ago, the girls started their 4th  & 6th years at MFS. Because Montessori is mixed aged classrooms, the girls are together. This happened in 1st & 3rd as well but they are older now and their relationship has developed and grown. Thus, it will be interesting to see how they manage over the year.

                                                                           

                                                                       

 It's been a bumpy ride, the first few weeks. Friendship dynamics shifting, being pushed to step up with effort around work and of course, getting back to the daily school routine have led to many a tears and even more meltdowns. The girls and I, have had many (and I mean many) a conversation about relationships, communication, assumptions along with the importance of being independent, pushing oneself in areas that are hard and asking for help.  Overall, the lessons I am trying to impart with both of the girls is that life can be hard; that life is not always easy but how we cope with it is what matters most. It's a an on-going (trying) process but here we go!

 With both girls in the same class and both struggling in their own ways, I see them leaning in on each other more. And that could never be a bad thing.  I have also been leaning on some mom friends and teachers, who have both wisdom and objectivity. This has helped me to better guide us all at home because it truly does take a village. 

So here's to 4th & 6th years. I am hopeful it will be a good one, no matter how hard or challenging some moments may be.