This is about you.....

Hey you.... yes YOU.  I know life is stressful.  Really busy and stressful!  It is time to slow down, take time for yourself.  Do something!  Read a book, take a walk.  Whatever it is, do it for you. We get so caught up in taking care of our kids, making their appointments, fighting with the insurance company, taking them to and from, making sure their needs are met, cutting soo much crust from bread, SO much.  You get my drift.  S L O W down! 

For me.. I love painting.  Not on canvas but furniture.  I love getting in that zone.  Taking something really ugly and transforming it into something beautiful.  Sanding and painting is my thing. 

So, go ahead.. pencil yourself in for something fun.  Something for JUST you!  Do it!!  

My $5 garage sale find!! 

                                                           

Little ladybug

Now that the weather is warmer, we spend a good bit of our time wandering around in the backyard.  Every spring and summer the kids have always searched for ladybugs.  It has been their thing as long as I can remember.  Such an abundance of ladybugs we have.  As they are getting older, it seems the ladybug searching days are coming to an end. 

As we sit on the patio, the sun radiating upon our skin, searching for ladybugs seems to be an afterthought. 

Before our eyes, a little ladybug lands.  He glares at it with such delight.  As a toddler, he would laugh and laugh, letting it run up and down his arm.  He would catch them and not too long after,  release it back into the wind.  Now, as a teenager he is a more amazed at how things live, breathe, work.   He has such compassion, appreciation and love for the small things in life. 

As I sit and watch, taking it all in.. Memories of that giggly little toddler flashes before me.  I now see this smart, intelligent boy.  Glaring with such curious delight.  Letting the little ladybug dance upon his hand. 

Not every day will be great.  You will struggle.  You will feel alone.  You will feel lost.  Lost in this big world.

But always know, I'll be here when you come my way.  I'll always show you compassion, appreciation and love.  When you are ready.... I'll release you back into the wind. 

Ladybug symbolism:  Good luck, blessings and dreams. 

Birds of a Feather..

They say... Birds of a feather flock together.                 

What is Friendship? 
 
According to Wikipedia-  Friendship is a relationship of mutual affection between two or more people.  Friendship is a stronger form of interpersonal bond than an association.

Although there are many forms of friendship, some of which may vary from place to place, certain characteristics are present in many types of friendship. Such characteristics include affection, sympathy, empathy, honesty, mutual understanding and compassion, enjoyment of each others company, trust, and the ability to be oneself, express one's feelings, and make mistakes without fear of judgment from the friend.

I would say that the almighty Wikipedia nailed it!  Over the past 2 or 3 years, I desperately needed to find a place where people understood our life.  The Autism life.  A place where parents were going through the same struggles as we were.  I settled into a few online groups and have really made deeper connections, than I had ever thought possible.  I've grown as a person and as a parent.  So many years ago, I started with a feeling of being completely lost and alone but that soon blossomed into friendships.  Friendships with other parents who had those same feelings at one time.  I have many friends who live all over the world.  Wonderful friends who blog, friends I've met in those online support groups.  Groups I'm proud to be part of, my sanctuary most days.  Although, we have never "met" in person, we talk on a daily basis.  I can share my triumphs, my sadness, my frustrations, seek advice and give some too.  All of this free from judgement. 

This is what true friendship means to me.  Being there through thick and thin.  Shedding a few tears along the way, giving encouragement, advice and always cheering each other on when we most need it.  I don't freely open my heart to people nor do I take friendships lightly.  Some would say, I have set the bar high.   

My people, my flock, my friends. They hold a special place in my heart. 

                                                   Birds of a feather....  

Flock together.