Blessing of the Sea

I was down in Atlantic City for the Blessing of the Sea. The weather was beautiful and the Mass was lovely. Singers and instruments were added this year, I am not really one for that in the Catholic religion, but it was nice. They also did the mass in Spanish and even a little Italian. After mass inside then everyone goes outside onto the boardwalk. The statue of the Blessed Mother is brought out and we follow the Priest down to the ocean. He goes in the boat with the lifeguards, blesses the sea then throws a pretty wreath in the ocean. At that point everyone rushes to get their containers filled with Holy Water. I filled ten this year as I know of many friends that I wish to share them with. Blessings to all of you.

Yikes!!!

I was going to write a rather lengthy post, BUT the stress I just went thru trying to remember how to change my photo has left me exhausted. There's always tomorrow. Night!

The Scrapbook

Years ago I started separating photo's. Making a box, well several boxes for each of my kids. Then there is the Christmas bunch, oh and the vacation/trip bunch. Thank goodness I had them to that point as it really helped making Kimberly's scrapbook easier. Separating all of the photo's was never ending. I really do still have more pages to do. I know that I already did at least 25 back and front. The birthdays, a daddy and me page, a page for her and I, her and her brother, her and her sister, her and her Aunt, her animals, etc., etc., etc. Oh my let us not forget the stickers, the unbelievable amount of cute little helpers to enhance the book of memories. The deadline was weighing down on me and the wedding date was getting closer. Picking the photo for the cover was probably the hardest, but when I picked it I knew it was the best one. She is looking into the ocean, alone in her thoughts. I captured that moment, I love that photo. As she looks at the scrapbook she again is alone with her thoughts. Many memories of the past and every one of those memories have contributed to the beautiful woman she has become.

The Wedding

There we are the parents of the bride. I think we looked great if I do say so myself. The anticipation leading up to the wedding was mainly the worriment of the weather. It ended up being a glorious day. Humidity wasn't an issue. No rain, just a super sunny day. The evening was fantastic also and the atmosphere at the reception overlooking the water was just perfect. Our sweet daughter made an absolutely beautiful bride. Her confidence helped her to shine thru out the day. The major shine however was when my new son-in-law looked at his bride in their dance. The glow of love surrounded the two of them. I pray it will forever.

Children

Tonight as I sit here a mother of three totally capable young adults I just came out of a panic. "K" knows why and so does "T" as he was on the phone with me when I read about the bee sting. I doubt that "D" knows yet and I am sitting here thinking; "Wait until Steve hears about this!" I know that I cannot, as much as I want to, keep everything perfect and safe for my children. I never could. I can however wish it for them. I can pray that their happinesses and their successes will be huge. Am I going to worry, sure I am. I am after all their mother. I love you 3.

Tears

Steve and I were deep into conversation during dinner. When I said, "Our girl is getting married in three days." "Yep" he said. Then of course the tears started, again. He said, "Your going to be a mess." I said, "Right and you are going to be balling your eyes out." Of course he denied that but I know different. I laughed and we talked about when I went into labor he couldn't even remember his mom and dad's phone number to call them. Tears, they come for all sorts of reasons. Her boo boos, especially the time she cracked open her head after Steve had just dug himself out to go to work in the snow. He had to come home so we could get Kimberly her 5 stitches that she earned due to her excitement about pancakes. Tears of when she went off to school, including college. Tears during all of our fights/strong opinions. Tears during the sickness and deaths of so many family members. Tears when that mean girl on the playground said, "You're not my friend today, you can't play with us." Tears when she yelled, "I can't read!" Tears at the breakups of boy and girl friendships. Tears when the pet we loved so much passed on. Tears when she couldn't help it because she saw her mommy crying. Tears of frustration, and then the tears of happiness. So many will be shed at what will be a day to remember, a day of love, a day of promises, a day that will start a whole new life and more tears. Hopefully all happy ones.

Happy 74th Birthday Mom

I've thought of you all day. I have been thinking of you so much lately. You would be smiling ear to ear with your first granddaughter's wedding coming. I so wish you were here with me. I want a hug and even your silly kisses in my neck. I feel like I have no one and in truth I don't. When you died almost 15 years ago Pastor said in his sermon that "You will always have someone that will listen and forgive you". I realized then that I will never in my life have anyone, oh how true that is. My heart aches so much. Happy Birthday Mom.