WOW

Today I went to the funeral for the father of a dear friend of mine.  He was 92 years old and passed away only 8 months after his wife had passed.  At the temple his three children spoke in a tribute to their father.  All three shared beautiful stories, but it was the younger sons tribute that really hit me.  He said that when most people think of death, the first thing  they think of is WHY?, but when he thinks of his fathers passing only 8 months after his mother, all he could think was WOW.  He felt that his parents had lived their lives so fully, and there wasn't any what ifs, or why didn't they do this or that.  He said their lives were complete.  I also think the WOW of this, is that he passed so shortly after losing the love of his life, so in living and in dying their lives were still complete.  What a true blessing. 

I know my dear friend will miss her father terribly, just as she misses her mother, and I hope she finds comfort in knowing that they are together for eternity.  I've only known my friend for a couple of years, but in knowing her, I think she and her husband , have that same WOW factor in their own marriage, they had great role models in her parents.

I always feel that my life is complete and full with my husband, and after today, I will always think of the word WOW in a different light, and I will strive to live the rest of my life with my husband in a constant state of WOW.  May my friend's parents be an inspiration to generations to come,  God Bless and Keep them.  WOW!

Bittersweet

As I sit here writing this, I am looking down at my youngest daughter Jane, who is about to graduate from High School in one week.  It is so surreal to me, that in one week, the last of the Naugler Children will walk out of the Newton School system.  We have had children attending Newton Schools for the last 23 years.  It's been quite a ride.

Each one of our children experienced High School in a different way.  Danielle our oldest was a go getter and over achiever and took to High School, like a fish to water, she thrived there, winning the Senior Cup for excellence and leadership at her graduation.  Michael's experience began well, he had amazing talent, and he was a rising star in the music and theater department, but life threw him a curve ball his junior year, and his Senior year, didn't go as smoothly.  He graduated, inspite of what we considered some mishandling of events by the school system..  I am happy to say today with high school long behind him, his music career is rising, and I believe he will make his mark in the music world.  Ryan sailed through High School, with good grades, because he was a hard worker, and a really great kid.  He sometimes found it hard to be the middle Naugler, because unlike Danielle, Michael, Mary and Jane, Ryan did not do theater or music, but truth be told he didn't have to do those things because he was his own person, and the man and husband he is today, is a testimonial as to what a great kid and now man he has become.  Mary began her High School years doing theater, and then by the end of her junior year, and after singing the National Anthem at so many sporting events, she decided to try out for Cheerleading.  She spent her Senior year as a cheerleader, and had a really diverse and well rounded High School experience.

Now last but not least,  Janie.  Jane spent most of her four years in High School sick.  She had a serious bout of Mono, that kept her out of school almost 6 weeks of her Sophomore year, and yet, she worked hard and ended up that year still getting mostly A's.  Junior year she was sick again, a Mono relapse.  Her four years of high school were not the easiest health wise, but friend wise, she was truly blessed and has a really wonderful group of friends, that have stuck with her through all her health ups and downs. All in all I'd say she has had a pretty good run at Newton North High School, and since she got her tonsils out last year, her health has been improving, and our hope is that it continues to stay on this track through her next 4 years of college.

This weekend, we will go to her last Jubilee Gospel concert, and I can feel my tears starting already.  Monday is her Senior Prom, and Wednesday she will graduate.  I have watched all of my children as they played their sports, sang their songs, acted in plays, cheered their teams, dressed in their gowns and tuxes, and now I will experience these things for the last time.  It is Bittersweet. 

I have loved every moment of all of their lives, and now I look forward to the new moments that await.  High School years are over for our children, but life for Jane is just beginning.  She is still a teenager, but in the blink of an eye, she will join her siblings in adulthood, and if her siblings are any indication  as to what kind of an adult Jane will grow to be, then I will be truly blessed.  Those four adult siblings and their father and I  will a be there on Wednesday at Jane's graduation, and I can guarantee you this....I will not be the only one feeling the bittersweet memories, and, I definitely won't be the only one crying!

Sometimes we get it right....

About a week ago, our youngest daughter poked her head into our bedroom to say goodnight.  She also said thank you.  She thanked Donnie and I for loving each other, and for being good parents. 

Sometimes when your children are growing up, you wonder if you are doing the right thing by them.   Parenthood is a gift. If you are blessed enough to have children, then we believe that it is our responsibility to put the needs of .our children before our own. 

Our daughter was thanking us for always being there for her, and for making her feel loved....unconditionally.  The thing that made this thank you so special, is that she had been grounded the week before, and even though she was still grounded for making a bad choice....she saw through the punishment to the unconditional love we have for her.

Looks like we got it right this time.

Our President is right...Love is Love

When I was 19 years old and engaged to be married, my future sister-in-law came out to her parents.  In my youth, my naivety, and ignorance, I did not accept or understand what her being gay meant.  I was young, virginal, and just learning about my own sexuality, and the concept of someone being gay was foreign to me.  For many years after I got married, I still struggled to understand, and in my misunderstanding, people that I love were hurt.

As I began to mature, and have children of my own, I learned that homosexuality, is no different than heterosexuality.  You love who you love.  My children had friends who came out at my kitchen table, they never felt alienated in our home.  I learned acceptance, and that everyone should be free to love the person of their choosing, no matter what gender.  If a child of mine ever came out to me, I would embrace them with love and acceptance, and wish them happiness.

Now over 25 years later, I have the best in-laws.  My sister-in-law is married to a wonderful woman, whom I love as a sister as well.  They have a beautiful blended family.  My brother-in-law is married to a wonderful man whom I love as another brother.  I am proud to call them my family, and I am even prouder that, they live in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, where their marriages are recognized as legal and binding.  Our president is right....Love is Love

Mothers Day

With Mothers Day approaching, I want to thank my mother for my life.  I want to thank my husband for making it possible for me to be a mother.  I want to thank my children for being my children, and for loving me...their mother, ma, mom, mummy, muma, mum.  I am a mother, and  I am truly blessed for having so many mothers in my life.  My grandmothers, my godmother, my aunts, my sisters, my girlfriends.  We are all mothers, whether we give life or share our lives with others.

To me the definition of a mother, is someone who loves unconditionally, and gives of oneself unselfishly.  So whether a woman has given birth to a child, adopted a child, cared for a child that was not theirs, cared for an aging parent or relative who has become childlike, or loved anyone who needed unconditional love, then to me these woman are what I call the definition of a mother.

So for my friends with children, Happy Mothers Day.  For my friends who are mothering their parents or relatives who are like children themselves, Happy Mothers Day.  For all women who love someone unconditionally, unselfishly, with kindness and compassion, Happy Mothers Day. 

Mothers Day is a Day to celebrate and remember where we came from, and who we are as women.

Happy Mothers Day to all the women in my life.  I celebrate and love you all.