“These Are A Two Of My Favorite Things…”

Oh- sorry - did you think I was talking about wine again? Sure, sure – Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Chianti definitely rank in the top ten of my favorite things…but on the last day of my trip I discovered that combining two of my other faves makes an enticing combination.

Recall my surprise at discovering a Meditation Room in the airport.
Recall my quest for a dip in the hot tub at the hotel.

Each was refreshing, relaxing and just what I hoped they would be. And so, after a long, long…long day of travel, culminating in a 3 hour layover delay in Cleveland, Ohio and a near midnight arrival in Albany, NY - I checked into a hotel and passed out.

The phone rang waaaay too early the next morning. Ok - 7:45, but let's just say that I don't do wee-hours-of-the-morning travel combined with sleep deprivation very well.

"No need to rush" says my totally fab hubby. "The weather's not so great and there is no school."

Ok - so now I'm awake, zombie-like, but awake. I draged myself out of bed.

In the name of "creating circulation so I could function" I found that I really liked this: (who knows…might make it into the top 10)

Apparantely, another elliptical perk is that brilliant thoughts come to mind. Thirty minutes and minimal sweat build-up later mine arrived. Cara – why not put on your meditation soundtrack while in the hot tub?

It sounded as good as a bad idea after one too many drinks. Yeah - that good!!

And - it was.

This:

+ This:

= Pure.Unadulterated.Bliss.

5 Days And Counting

Again- a sleepless night. By 3:30am, I was pestering my mind with such arguments as "Look - I have a really long day ahead of me! I have to pack two kids for an overnight, not to mention pack J. and I for our trip to Boston. Oh- and it would be really nice if I could stay awake for the evening seminar we are attending!" Nothing worked.

So, I turned to meditation. This is a relatively new habit for me. About six months but I don't tend to do it in the wee hours of the morning. Maybe I should because as I sit here typing at 6am I feel settled and comfortable in my body and my mind. Also- as I sat in darkness only focusing on breathing in and breathing out my mind calmed enough for me to see through the foggy chatter and recall the reason I am waking at 3:30 am lately. As a solitary tear slid down my cheek, still deep in meditation, I said to myself "of course, Emma was born at 3:30am". So obvious, isn't it?

My first child who demands nothing of me. She doesn't come thumping down the stairs with elephant feet and say "where's my breakfast?" or wake me in the middle of the night with bad dreams for a "huggie and kissie", but once a year she does need me or is it that I need her? I guess, if I'm being honest, its both. Once a year, in the week surrounding her birthday she comes to me during "our time". 3:30 am -9am. That was the time we sat together, swaddled and snuggled in a hospital bed while I told her all she needed to know about her earthly life she attended to so briefly.

The sun came up behind me this morning. I could feel it through the window as I was still in a semi-trance like state and it felt like a gentle hug from the daughter who requires so little but gives so much.

Thank you Emma Grace for your constant attention and occasional nudges to share some quality mother / daughter time.

May you feel the hugs and kisses of your heavenly angel surrounding you with the calm of an integrated soul.

A similar soul,

Cara