Remembering

If you did not know it, today is World AIDS Day.   Today is a day to pray, hope, give, love, touch, and remember.  For me especially, today is a day to remember. 

My status on Facebook has been about remembering today. I commented on a friend's blog post about World AIDS Day as well (http://soulache.posterous.com/).  And several people have sent me prayers and love.  See, 15 years ago my dad died of AIDS.

But the comments just feel strange.  I appreciate so much everyone's kindness, but I want to tell each of them - don't pray for me.  I'm fine. I loved my dad, he loved me, I miss him, but I have a wealth of wonderful memories that will last me forever and that ease any sadness I might have. I have the blessing of time that eases hurt. I have the peace and assurance that my dad no longer hurts so badly like he did 15 years ago. I have the faith that I will see him again.

What I really want to tell everyone is to pray for the others. Pray for the hurting. Pray for those who are suffering now. Pray for their families. Pray for people to love them and care for them and not make them feel ashamed. Pray for the doctors and researchers and nurses and Hospice workers. Pray for the little kids who have lost/are losing parents who do not yet have the benefit of an adult perspective to make things ok.

Pray that all of us will not forget how important this is. 

See, I guess 15 years later I forget a lot. I think about my dad and our relationship and who he was, whole, healthy, complete.  I don't really think about AIDS the way I did when I was so much younger, even in college. I was so profoundly affected by it then, but life has continued forward and the memories remain but the passion for the cause has taken a back seat to everyday life.  

But what happens if everyone lets this happen? That's a dangerous thought.

So pray that apathy does not set in. Pray that we will remember the loved ones we've lost but not forget to do something about the disease that took them.

Remember World AIDS Day is December 1, but we can make a difference every day.

Some Charming Kids, and a contest!

Have you all ever followed the link from my blog to My Charming Kids, home of MckMama and her lovely children?  It's a great blog - a real hoot, and a real inspiration.  Plus tons of info about having a household full of small kids and making everything run smoothly. And you cannot miss the story of little Stellan, also known as MckMuffin, who is their miracle baby!

Anyway, check it out, it's tons of fun, and she's holding a cool contest (which I'm entering via this blog post). But..I would want to tell you about her blog, even if she was not holding a contest. Because it's a good read, and we love a good read, right?

Also...I have been tagged by Bethany.  Response post in progress!

Whatever works.

Mr. Liam has been sick for the last few days, for the first time in his little life. I'm very proud that my baby made it to 10 months old without ever getting sick. But of course, he could not just get a simple cold or anything the first time. Poor thing had to go and get strep throat. Ouch!!!  For the past three nights when he awakens at night he has just been coming into the bed with me.  This of course has its benefits for both of us - Liam can nurse as often as he likes, to soothe his throat, stay hydrated, and be comforted by Mama. Mama on the other hand can get a little more sleep and steal as many kisses and snuggles as she wants.

Other perks for Liam:  Sleeping for thirty minutes with feet propped comfortably upon Mama's face.  Turning upside down in bed, propping feet upon headboard, and nursing upside down. All of this must be especially comforting to my sick baby.

Another new remedy discovered by Mr. Liam: 

 

Dove soap must work wonders on a sore throat or something. So much for threatening to wash his mouth out with it when he gets older!!!  (Yes, he did spit it out. And yes, he DID pick it up and try to eat it again.)  Whatever works, I guess.

Just Because. Ranunculus.

(images via Flickr)

Patients and Pillow Books

When were you most happy? 

Now. 

When were you least happy?

Now. 

And what do you love? Say everything. 

Water. Fish in it. And hedgehogs. I love hedgehogs. Marmite. I'm addicted.
And baths, but not with other people.

Islands. And your handwriting. I could go on all day. 

Go on all day.  

The title of my blog is taken, obviously, from the above dialog
in the film The English Patient. I've mentioned here before that
it is my favorite film, and while most people find it dreadfully
boring, something about the imagery resonated deeply with me.
When I set out to create a blog, I knew immediately what the title
should be. But there is much more to this title than just a line
from my favorite movie. 

I've also mentioned here before that at one time in my life I
journaled almost obsessively.  My journals were always much more
than just chronicles of the mundane details of my life, however.
A person once told me,after being allowed to read, that when I
wrote I held back nothing, and that while I desperately tried to
make order of my life, my journals contained all my chaos. It was
true. Raw chaos, yes. But also my heart. 

Another of my inspirations is the idea of The Pillow Book.
I love the exercise of making lists and observations in my writings.
One of the first lists I composed in this journal of my heart was
a list titled, of course, "What Do You Love?"

I set out to say everything.  And when I began to blog, since
I have so little time to put pen to paper now, I originally set
out to do the same thing here - to say everything that I love. 

This is much more than just the obvious. I love my husband,
my son. I'm learning to love Jesus more and more. Of course those
will be topics of reflection here, hopefully more often
(as I'm also inspired by NieNie to grow and share a more positive
outlook on the daily tasks of being a wife and mother.) There are
so many more things on those lists, however; not so obvious things,
things meant to remind us of the beauty in life. So I begin now. 

What do I love?
I love a cup of tea in the morning.
Listening to the radio in the middle of the day.
Boys with blue eyes (of which I now have two!).
A meal outdoors. Warm days with the windows open.
The scent of Dove soap. Pretty pajamas. Farmer's markets.
New books. A massage. Pens and paper. The milky breath of a baby.
Sweaters. 

This is just the beginning.  What about you? 

What do you love? 

Go on...say everything. 

Schedule for a Day

 Have some breakfast.

Cruise a little. 

Greet the neighbors. 

Have a snack. 

Make a joyful noise. 

 MOMMY, ENOUGH ALREADY!!

Do you know Nie?

I read lots of blogs. Tons, really. The ones listed on this page are only a few.  And in my link-following and reading one day I came across a lovely, charming blog called the NieNie Dialogues.  The NieNie Dialogues is authored by Stephanie Nielson, wife and mother of four. I began to enjoy this little blog so much because of the positive outlook shared by NieNie, her creativity, and her ability to focus on the beauty in her life. In the pages she writes odes to her children, their dog, and her adoring love for her husband, Mr. Nielson.

Well, I certainly was not the only one who was inspired by NieNie.  In August of this year, she and her husband were in a private plane crash in Arizona and Stephanie in particular was critically injured.  The blog world united and has so far raised nearly $150,000 to aid in the medical expenses for their recovery, which will cost into the millions.  The family even made an appearance on the Today Show to talk about this internet phenomenon. I have linked to her page on the left, and to her sister Courtney's blog as well, for updates.


If you have never heard of the NieNie Dialogues before, check out this sweet and inspiring story. You just might be inspired to post a love letter to your husband on your own blog. I might be as well.