Love!

I was inspired to write today, because of what happened at Mass this morning.  Each year, around Valentine’s Day, it’s a tradition at many Catholic parishes to have married couples renew their vows.  Since I’ve never been married, I have always waited out this tradition, keeping a low profile, waiting for it to be over and Mass to resume.  But, not this year.  Today, as the priest went through a lengthy prayer/blessing, I just happened to look closely into the faces of the couples, standing, facing each other, and gazing into their spouse’s eyes.   How often are couples able, in today’s busy world, to have the time to look closely at each other for several minutes straight?  Yet, without exception, I could see the commitment these pairs had for each other.

Some observations…

There were young couples, old couples, and middle-aged couples.  Some couples were whispering (sweet nothings?  private jokes?) to each other, and others were looking very solemnly at each other.

One young couple looked so hopeful and happy - probably wasn't long ago that they made their vows.  Another couple had their newborn along – in her christening gown, for the baby’s important moment, taking place at the end of Mass.  I thought about the years that stretched ahead, and how fortunate these couples were to have found their partners for life.  

Behind me, there was a couple – probably about my age.  I couldn’t see the husband’s face, but the wife had a tentative smile and looked very emotional.  It made me wonder if they were facing a challenge in their relationship, perhaps, or if one of them was sick?  So many couples have to face challenges together – hardships that might make their relationship grow stronger or tear them apart.  A strong commitment is necessary to hold a marriage together through the bad times.

I had to smile at another couple – they were probably in their mid-60s.  The husband looked like a pretty crusty guy, and the wife looked...tired.  But, during those few minutes, they stood close and held hands tightly, and the husband reached up and brushed a strand of hair away from his wife’s face.  Such a tender moment, and, so unexpected from this guy!

I thought, too, of those who were aged and without spouses – did it bring back fond memories of their lost mates or make them yearn to be reunited?  How about those who had been hurt in love?  Were they cynical, or did they feel hopeful that they could someday find love again?  Were children embarrassed or happy to see their parents renewing their love in front of others?

There is so much pressure at Valentine’s Day – what’s the appropriate gift?  Will he/she misconstrue or enjoy how you’ve decided to celebrate?  What if you’re having trouble in your partnership?  Will the boy or girl you like in your class give you a Valentine?  Are  you sad to be without the one you love?  Will you eat a lot of chocolate because you're sad or lonely?  

Well, I think that this brief “ceremony” celebrating marriage and LOVE was a nice demonstration of what it’s all about.  It brought ME back to the basics – something so normal, natural, simple – yet spectacular!  LOVE is found in everyday actions, in the people around you, and in many variations.  All you have to do is stop for a minute…and let it sink in. 

I wish you all an open heart. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today, my Mom, Doris Fugger Wolper, turned 86.  We had a wonderful celebration for her last night.  Mom has had a great influence on my life, and last evening, at my sister Mary's, we celebrated in a way best suited for Mom.  Mom's early life was not the happiest, but things changed when she met and married Dad.  Add to that six children, and eventually, five grandchildren, and Mom's life was complete. 

A close family was always so important to her - something she instilled in all of us.  Getting together as a family has consistently brought happiness to Mom, and so, it was fitting to celebrate her birthday as a family - not with fighting and arguments, like, sadly, she experienced in her childhood, but with a lot of joking and laughs - never in short supply at our family gatherings.  Reminscing about favorite Mom memories was a hoot!  (Thanks to my brother Joe for the "roast" - it was so much fun!)  :-)

I cannot remember a time when Mom looked this happy, and that was great to see.   Of course, everyone eating a LOT of food was always part of the equation for Mom, and food was plentiful (and tasty!) at Mom's birthday dinner.  Missing (in person) were grandchildren Jeff, Chris, and Allie, who are all away for their studies, but they were close in our hearts - especially Mom's!

So, what have I learned from Mom?  Oh, the list is long, but some of the things I've learned are as follows:

• to love with my whole heart
• family is what it's all about
• to enjoy cooking and baking
• to stay true to who I am
• to fight for what I think is right
• to stand by those I love

Happy Birthday, Mom!  I love you, and I'm happy to celebrate yet another birthday with you!!!

A Thankful Life

Thanksgiving is this week!  And, while I'm not a big fan of turkey, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, brussel sprouts, parsnips, and many of the traditional Thanksgiving meal foods (hey - I'm a picky eater!), I do like to reflect on all I have to be grateful for in my life.

I think it can all be summed up in one word LOVE!!!  I'm fortunate to have experienced love in all of its forms in my life.  Feel free to comment below and add something you're thankful for, too!

I have had a deep, intense, romantic love, and though it didn't last, I'm happy to have known what it's like to have that once-in-a-lifetime kind of love, that weak in the knees feeling, combined with knowing I was important to someone else who cherished me and found me sexy, funny, smart, and pretty...and to feel the same way about the man I love. 

I also love my family - from remembering childhood memories with my elderly parents all the way down to spending time laughing with my nieces and nephews.  Family is so important!

I've been fortunate to have several good friends who know me, accept me, and are there for me - no matter what's happening, no matter when.  They are true friends, and we've gone through a lot together.

I love my job!  In fact, I've loved nearly every job I've had in my life - don't know if I just picked the right jobs or if I made the best out of the jobs I've had.  But, this job, my business, is so special to me.  I get such a feeling out of delight out of seeing my business grow.  I could go on and on...

I also love (not necessarily in this order):

• Chocolate
• A cool breeze on a warm summer evening
• Sitting on the beach, watching the waves roll in
• Sunsets that paint the heavens a "sky blue pink"
• The innocence and inquisitiveness of children
• That baby smell and the feel of a baby in my arms
• Hearing songs on the radio that take me back in time to great memories
• Zumba
• Christmas music
• Long talks with good friends
• People smiling back at me
• Belly laughs (even if I AM laughing at my own jokes!)
• A cup of hot chocolate and some cookies while watching a snowstorm from my picture window - as long as I don't have to go out
• Sudoku
• Every shade of blue
• Water aerobics
• Watching TV shows or movies that touch my soul, make me cry
• Racquetball - as long as we're not keeping score
• Reading a good book that makes me wonder what happened next to the characters after I'm finished the book
• Hugs so tight they take my breath away

I know I'll think of more, but when you have felt love like this in your life, how can you NOT be thankful and happy each and every year, when Thanksgiving rolls around?!  Happy Thanksgiving!!!  I hope you, too, have much that makes you grateful.

It's NOT the Hokey Pokey...

...FAMILY is what "it's all about"!  This weekend was a busy one.  I'm going to take a break from talking about the business this time, because it was a truly memorable family weekend.

Mom's brother, my Uncle Charley, died in Reno, NV in July.  His kids Tina and "Davey" decided to have the funeral here, so they brought his ashes, and a lot of out-of-town family (as well as many in-town family members) came to the funeral.  It was very difficult for all, but especially for Tina and her fiance Steve, Dave, and Tina's children Kyle and Dawn.  But, the show of love and support was palpable when we were all together.  Uncle Charley (Charley Chuckles) was a very special guy - soft-spoken but funny, handsome but humble.  He suffered for many years, and I'm sure he looked down on this celebration of his life and his family with a big smile.

You see, Dad's family is mostly local, but Mom's family is far flung - from Phoenix to Reno to Pittsburgh to Campbellford, Ontario, so many cousins came - and it was great to get together.  Honestly, after the burial, it was more like a family reunion.  Even though we don't see the "Fugger" family members often, we are very close.  It's obvious how much we all love being together, catching up, and laughing a lot.   We just couldn't get enough of each other - breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, plus hanging around for hours, just talking and talking.

My heart is full, and I'm happy for Mom that, even though many of her siblings are now gone, she was present to witness this closeness.  For Mom, a close-knit family has always been important, and we demonstrated that in spades these past three days.

So, the song is wrong - Family (and love) is what it's all about!  ;-)