Turn Around, Sunrise Sunset

What is it about the lyrics in a song that ring so true.  "Turn Around, Turn Around, Turn Around and she's/he's a young girl/boy heading out of the door" Sunrise, Sunset "I don't remember growing older, when did they?"

I am being very nostalgic today, Danielle (my first born) is 29.  Where did the years go?  Early this morning, I was pouring over her baby albums, and looking at how young Donnie and I were (21) when we had her. The thing that really struck me, is truly...I don't remember growing older, so how can it be that my baby girl is 29 today.

When Danielle was born, she had 4 grandparents and 8 great grandparents.  Today, she is still blessed to have her four grandparents and her 102 year old great grandmother.  I looked at the pictures of my parents and Donnie's parents holding Danielle, and I thought, "How young they looked", but to me, my parents at 75, and Donnie's parents at 73 are still young.  Even Great Grandma is young at 102, so how can Danielle be this beautiful 29 year old woman, when we are still those 21 year old kids that had her all those years ago?

Truth is....Love is ageless, and watching your children grow into adulthood, and "head out of the door", is what the Circle of Life is all about.  You love your children, guide them when they are young, and when the time is right and they are ready to head out on their own, you pray for their happiness, and wish them well.

Danielle left home when she was in her early 20's and took on the Big Apple city of New York.  She had her share of ups and downs there, but through it all she persevered.  She is a strong, capable, loving and beautiful women, and no matter where her travels take her next, she will head out that door and take it on with aplomb!

Life is a Hallmark Movie

Recently I posted that life is a Hallmark Movie, and that I loved watching them.  I have not blogged in quite awhile, but tonight I find myself wanting to share.

I love Hallmark movies, I love Hallmark card commercials, I love that all Hallmark movies have Happy Endings.

Last Holiday season, two weeks before Christmas, I ended up getting a torn retina, and almost lost my sight in one eye.   For two weeks as I was recovering, I was only able to listen to the Hallmark movies, but they helped me get through the two weeks of not being able to get up from the same prone position for 23 hours a day.  This Holiday season, a week and a half before Thanksgiving, I find myself drawn to the Hallmark movies more than ever.  In the last year my family has faced a lot of ups, and quite a few downs, and if watching a Hallmark movie brings me to a feel good place, then I am not ashamed to say, that they make me smile.

I think the real theme of Hallmark movies is just that....they are movies to make you feel good and bring a smile to your face.  Unrealistic though they may seem, I am particularly grateful, that even in the ups and downs, good times and bad times of my life, I like to think that my life is a Hallmark movie.  Its a Hallmark movie, because I am grateful for my life, the love of my wonderful husband, the gift of having my children all safe and secure, my parents, siblings, in-laws, friends and relatives. My life as a Hallmark movie is still being written, and it is my wish today, and during this Holiday season, where family and love are in abundance, that my Hallmark movie, like all Hallmark movies, has a very Happy Ending.