We still have family here and we’re relaxing and visiting. It’s this type of day that makes me count my blessings and realize that I’m so very fortunate to have so many that live nearby that I can share time with.

Plus, the food was GOOD!

My holidays were great and spent in leisure.  I have set new goals to reach, looking forward.  And, I’ve seen the goals I’ve already met successfully, as well as my faults that I insist on learning from.

I spent time with my children that is precious and will not be forgotten.  I spent time with my brother and his wife that will always be remembered (who wrote that march again, bro?).  I have given to others with the heart that I believe we should all have, not only during the holidays, but throughout the year…and I received abundant gifts from others doing the same.

I’m taking care of me, and with that comes the taking care of those that I love.  It’s a nice chain-reaction, really.

My dad recently came down with Shingles, a very painful disease, that can be treated. But during the process of finding out what was wrong, he had some sleepless nights and I worried that something was wrong. He never misses work, and he’s missed a few days with this, because of the pain.

Seeing this made me realize that both my parents aren’t invincible and will someday leave this earth. It makes me realize how precious this time is, the time that I realize that every moment spent is a building memory for later. It doesn’t mean I have to look at things in a negative manner and worry about that day. It just means that I can treasure this time and work to continue to spend time with them…planning for the future, so to speak.

We’re not promised time here, a certain amount of time, but we are promised blessings and I daily see that I have them.

The songs he sang were the same songs I grew up hearing my dad sing.  He had this wonderful habit, because I didn’t wake up well as a child, of coming into my room singing a song and opening my blinds so that I could wake up gradually.  Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain, The Most Beautiful Girl in the World (which I noted recently was written the year I was born), and some Patsy Cline songs mixed in there…were some of his favorites.  My uncle was singing these very songs on the CD, and he passed away a few years back, so that was bittersweet to hear.

And again, recently, I was exposed to music in the family.  Not only do two of my relatives have CDs released out there, but several uncles and aunts and cousins get together and sing and play, sometimes at family reunions.  This happened this year and I was thinking back to that wonderful rich history that families have with music.

My brother has always had an ear for music and a wide range of love for different styles.  I have done the same, from classical to alternative, with my choices.  He tends to find more Indie Rock and other types that I’ve never heard, I love it when  he shares the bands with me and I find someone new to listen to.

I’m very thankful to have this connection of rich memories that are good and not bad, it makes me realize my roots and that I can hold onto things like this when I’m down, and garner strength from the positive.

Hey, did you happen to see the most beautiful girl in the world?  And if you did, was she crying?