The power of memories

Twenty-four years ago today I married what I thought was my life-long partner.  About eighteen years ago today, my divorce from that pattern was final.  My feelings about those milestones change but always are strong, for better or worse.

Today, I sit contently working.  My contentment exists in part because of what I have experienced throughout my 50 years.  I need to remember those experiences, many of which were ordeals.  They contributed to who I am today, a strong and resilient woman who succeeds every day.

I began today with a walk outside, and only time will tell how this day ends.  Though it will not end as it did 24 years ago, this day will be just as important for very different but equally significant reasons.  I will complete my work day, enjoy a meal with my family, and nurture my Son before his bedtime.

Tonight will be full of love, as was this night so many years ago.  It's a different kind of love, but it's love and, after all, love is what matters.

The mundane matters

We have so much to do so much of the time.  My Son decided he wanted to make frosting from scratch.  That decision was made days ago, but we kept getting busy with life; life so often gets in the way.  Yesterday, we simply made time.  He found a recipe on line.  He figured out what ingredients we had, and which we needed.  He added the needed ones to the grocery list.

Finally, it was late in the evening, but....  He measured everything.  I began with the mixer.  He didn't like that I was on low speed when the recipe called for medium speed.  He wanted no part of my explanation, so he took over.  Too quickly, he increased the speed, and created a bit of a mess.  He didn't like that, and ran from the room (in avoidance).  When I called him back, he said that I had told him to remove himself from a situation when he needed to take control of his feelings.  Oops, he was right and I was wrong.

He returned, cleaned his mess, and completed his project.  He was so proud of his accomplishment.  Among the many things he said was, "I love the Internet."  It quickly provided the recipe he desired.  He proceeded to enjoy his creation!

He and I learned so much from this experience....  Times like this are what matters, rather than the fact that he got to bed a bit too late and didn't follow the bedtime procedures. 

The experience and the result were not perfect, but they were.  Ordinarily, I wait to the perfect of everything, and so much gets left undone. 

Perfect doesn't have to exist to make perfect memories.