adventures – SUNKISSED SOUL

So…for dinner tonight we had our traditional Irish meal of freshly baked Irish soda bread, Corned beef with cabbage and potatoes and cherry cheesecake (because the one of the young leprechauns asked for it).

We aren’t Irish at all (I don’t think) but the preschool teacher inside of me will always enjoy these themed days.

Also, I should correct this to say “for dinner, I prepared” rather than “for dinner we had”.

We are a family of differing dietary preferences. Stella enjoyed Irish soda bread with vegan chicken nuggets and cabbage (and made her own butterbeer floats for dessert). John had beef with potatoes and cheese on top, and of course bread…and I enjoyed a nibble of each. He will probably have no problem finishing the cheesecake by himself…Stella won’t eat things containing gelatin (did you know it is made of animal bone marrow?) and it’s not on my diet…but it was fun to make.

I almost did not make this meal; the days of green eggs and ham are over and I know all about everyone’s individual needs. Also, everytime we are around a holiday that was once celebrated as a family tradition (before divorce days), it’s a challenge for me to still celebrate. It’s all about making a new normal, letting go of the old and building the new. It’s hard work.

This season feels like it’s one of transition, and I must constantly tell myself to just hang in there. Typing that out doesn’t even seem accurate. Life, it’s all about transition and change but these days, it just feels very in my face. I’m facing some old demons and really being given the opportunity to see who and what I am. Simultaneously, there are new adventures and a bundle of fun. I wonder if this is how my teenagers so often feel.

At the end of this month, my current work position will end and a new one will begin in April. That seems like a good flow. April is my favorite month, a time of new beginnings symbolically in now, in reality too. My internship is getting busier and I really can’t believe that I will soon be a ‘real’ therapist. It kind of freaks me out and I just pray that I continue to trust I’m equipped for this and step all the way into my gifts. This part…it’s not about me. It’s about so much more. I can’t even express right now how grateful I am to be at this part of the journey. My kiddos…I am catching on. They really love each other but love looks different with teen siblings!

While this is all commencing, I am working on being the best me I can be. I have a plethora of negative cognitions that I am trying to understand and reframe. Why? Because what once served to protect and serve me is now a futile energy force. An example…

Recently, one of my dear sisters commented on how my body was so much smaller. I immediately ‘phhhh’ed’ her and let her know I hated how slow my progress was. She asked how much weight I had lost. I told her I didn’t know bc I was choosing to stay away from the scale, because it had way too much power over me. (I keep intending to take measurements but haven’t done that yet.) You know, “I’ve looked at many before after photos of people who had lost weight and worked out…their scale said the same number but their bodies were completely different.” She got exactly what I was saying….I don’t know if it’s a girl thing or a sister thing or whatever, but it’s nice to be ‘gotten’.

I didn’t (at that point) have a clue what my weight was. I hadn’t weighed on a scale in six weeks. What I did know…my jeans fall off of me without a belt; I’ve worked out every day for nearly 3 weeks; my energy is steady throughout the day and my skin looks good (except for a few breakouts). That should’ve been sufficient, yes?

Nope.

I got right on that scale as soon as I got home from my sister’s house. Guess what? The flipping number is .07 more than it was the last time I weighed. Guess what else? This number sent my brain into tailspin mode. You see, it’s not just a number on the scale to me. It’s a loud voice screaming inside my head that I will never be ‘hot’, it doesn’t matter, I should continue to seek out men who aren’t best for me because girls like me settle, etc, etc. Ugly fucking thoughts that erased every positive thing I have noticed in the moments (hours) I spent going down that path.

It has taken me two days to begin to get into a better mode of thinking about myself. There is so much negativity tied in a bundle for me around body image. I am so thankful that I have strong legs, a healthy heart, a never ending ability to think and learn and so much more. I hate that I get wrapped up in superficial shit, but I’m human, and I do.

It was not until Stella (my 14 year old daughter) was in the bedroom and she overheard me talking to myself in the mirror. I don’t know my exact words but I know they were defeating and probably included the use of F-A-T. She zipped into my closet and stood there with her hand on her hip; “Mom! What do you think you are teaching me is important right now?” There was no squirming away from the discomfort of her question.

How can I tell my children how very important self-love is and at the same time, demonstrate self-hatred at any level? I can’t, and it sucks. Either I say what I mean and mean what I say or I don’t.

I’ve got work to do. It’s part of the transition. Maybe transformation is a better word. I don’t want to carry negativity forward.

Digging deep and learning what all of this is really about matters. There is certainly a part of me that feels more comfortable holding on to my image of a very pure, very good girl, and that girl is always wearing a mask. Part of her mask is a cushy body. There is another part of me that is very much enjoying my femininity, my sexuality and womanhood. For some reason, I have it set up in my mind that she must look very different than me. “She” must be in supreme shape in order to be worthy of those things.

I am trying to consolidate (still) that I can be very pure hearted, very good hearted, very God loving AND very authentic, womanly, sexy AND enjoy every minute of who she is.

I dream of a love story that I’ve yet to experience…it’s the one where I love myself deeply so that I can love others better. People say loving me is easy…I am trying to find that truth for myself.

This last week has been fabulously filled with new life adventures, and I have enjoyed every single moment. Here are 46 reasons why:

Last Sunday, I went to church. I may have been feeling just a little bit lonely’ish. A dear friend was a few rows away with her beautiful children and a friend; instead of sitting by myself, I sat with my friend and her family. This just made the service/worship so much sweeter.
Later that day, I met a new friend for coffee. We had a deeply rich, spiritual conversation that seemed to be the beginning of chipping away at a few of my soul’s survival tactics that really do not serve me well anymore. I had found a little bag of my Grandma’s Catholic books and it was so incredible to be able to share them with a friend who appreciated them….not planned but incredible.
I feel like my spirit has been napping and I’m waking up to the vibrancy of my being. It’s just in the air or something…a new (or renewed?) energy
It was a week of fun selfies and spectacular quotes. One of my favorite is worth sharing here…”If you’re pretty, you’re pretty; but the only way to be beautiful is to be loving. Otherwise, it’s just, ‘Congratulations about your face.'” This is the best!!!
On that topic, I have noticed that we as a society can be very mocking and critical of selfie taking. I say just let people be. I can only speak for me, but taking selfies after the divorce was a huge stretch for me…it always felt like part of the picture was missing. Now, I take them not because I am vain…usually because I feel silly, or contemplative, or whatever I feel and this is a way to share it. So…this week I took a selfie nearly every day and shared it. Why? Because it was a lovely week and I chose to share my journey in this way…the end.
Tuesday, I got to work on homework….I did this all week. It was supposed to be stormy on all the days ending in Y, but that didn’t quite happen. When it got down to the wire though, it rained…this meant more focus on my paper. (Don’t ask, I’m just quirky like that!)
Also Tuesday, I made another lovely friend and had a wonderful evening. All I’m going to say is this…it’s socially awkward when one is on a date, and while on that date, runs into someone they’ve also been dating (not secretly) with their date. Think that over.
On Wednesday evening, (my actual birthday), I said bon voyage to 45 bonjour to 46! My precious momma and kids took me out to dinner. Not one of them complained that I chose sushi and we had a fabulous time together. I am extraordinarily blessed to have gotten that time with the woman who gave me life and the children that I gave life to.
Also on Wednesday, my Facebook wall, text messages and phone calls were inundated with loving birthday messages. Maybe I’m more like a child on birthdays, but I believe we ALL deserve special love on the day of our birth….find more reasons to celebrate…life is a celebration when you live in gratitude!
I went to the chapel at St. Bernard’s…where my Grandma went to church. I spent an hour praying, being still, looking around, thinking, and praying some more. I was relieved that the toenails on Mary’s feet were not painted and were very real looking. I left with something…I felt like God was letting me know that my openness was a gift, and at the same time asking where I needed closure. Suffice it to say, there is an entire post to be written about this experience.
The bestest part of my birthday was finding the video of my Momma and Daddy singing me the happy birthday song together. Daddy was starting to struggle with his memory then, and that memory popping up made my heart incredibly happy. I think I watched it 100 times throughout my day.
I got flowers on my birthday. Because my friend loves me and she knows that flowers fill me with joy. I didn’t expect flowers, but she remembered. It’s a gift to have a friend who remembers you like this.
Thursday was a busy day at work, and I was reminded through my clients how very fortunate I am to have a home, clothing, food, pets, mostly happy and healthy children, air conditioning, blankets, a toothbrush and not a consistent fear for my safety. Gratitude gratitude gratitude.
Very good company Thursday night and another birthday dinner. And…I saw the movie CLUE. No, of course I didn’t doze off during the movie!
Friday, I took 1/2 a day off work…thank God for a flexible job! I finished a paper I’d been putting off for way too long, it really wasn’t so bad once I sat still. Good thing since the paper was due in class that evening.
Friday was the one year anniversary of our divorce. I didn’t feel broken, ashamed, weary, hopeless and defeated. I actually felt just the opposite. I’m coming together, content, peaceful, hopeful and anticipatory. I’m human so sometimes I struggle, yet this is authentic healing.
Saturday was lovely. It began early as I awoke listening to my brother sing loudly and cheerfully from the other room. It was an awesome way to wake up and get ready for a day of class!
My dear brother and friend joined our class Saturday afternoon. So did one of my classmate/friend’s gorgeous wife. It was absolutely fun to have their interaction for our discussion and I believe every weekend class should entail some sort of bring a guest show and tell!
After class meant a drink or two with the above mentioned gentlemen and lively discussions! That was awesome and I think I have now tried every flavor of Moscow Mule at PJ’s except for the one with whiskey…because whiskey is ewww to me.
I had the opportunity to have a heartfelt conversation with my baby daddy. (The wonderful man who I was with for 23 years). I wanted to apologize to him for things I had done in our marriage that I just needed to take ownership for. It would’ve been easy to continue to let him own it all, but this honesty is part of my continued healing and hopefully his as well. I wish everyone had this chance. Say what you need to say. Forgiveness. Compassion. It all lets us move forward in grace. If it’s not possible to share with the person, write it out and burn it…do what you need to do to heal…it’s worth it.
Saturday night…topped with a warm bath, clean sheets, a great book and a glass of wine…had the best sleep I’ve had in a long time!
Sunday began with a yummy breakfast cooked for me by my brother…and coffee…of course, coffee. I sat on the porch and enjoyed this, read my Bible and enjoyed the magnificent morning.
So…I read all of Corinthians 1 again, beautiful. In my deep conversations with my new friend, I have felt a bit challenged. Not in a bad way…in an ‘iron sharpens iron’ kind of way. I know my faith is strong. I am sure of my salvation. I understand and have many biblical stories and scriptures stored in my heart. In my quest to grow closer to God, I think it worthwhile to examine my foundational beliefs so I can better explain to others where I come from. This is absolutely not the same as wanting to right fight and defend. I want to understand more deeply all of the Bible…in context, not just here and there, for myself more than for anything.
I had an especially sweet afternoon with a handsome, poetic hearted friend. Who wouldn’t enjoy that?
Tonight was coffee and a long overdue conversation with someone I love very much. It was time to hear each other’s hearts so we could just move forward. I thank God for these moments.
This birthday week has been overflowing with new adventures and healing of old wounds. In earlier blogs I’ve discussed my love of the words synchronicity and serendipity. I still love them. Even more, I love watching them in action.
It’s been a deeply contemplative, prayerful week filled with thought-provoking discussions and earnest seeking. These things are important to me, so I am thankful for each of these experiences.
My children have been extra peaceful. I don’t know why, I’m not going to try to explain. I am intensely thankful for these moments though.
Watching my daughter ice-skate and seeing her joy after she’s learned a new maneuver…priceless. It was her daddy’s turn to take her this week but he sent me a video. She wows me.
Seeing the twinkle in my son’s eyes this week, even for a fleeting moment, makes my Momma heart happy.
I have lost 20.3 pounds. My next size down clothes are beginning to fall off of me. I might not love that I had to change bra sizes but I do love my mostly steady energy and the way my body is changing.
I see that while I am opening myself to new experiences, I am beginning to find healthy vulnerability again in areas that I had chosen previously kept walled off. I’m relieved that this is happening.
I have set boundaries where before I would’ve not done so. Sometimes, it really is less about fulfilling others expectations and more about taking care of myself. This especially applies to my journey in dating. Stating my boundaries clearly and expecting that they be honored is just as new as dating. This is all fresh territory.
Staying in touch with new, new/old, old friends is a gift. Remember, “make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold?” Yes. Do that.
I look in the mirror and sometimes I look tired. I see more wrinkles than I used to. I see a belly that housed two healthy, glorious babies. Guess what else I see? I see a woman who is lovely and becoming more at peace with herself as time passes. I see the heart of a child and the strength of a woman. I see God’s princess. I see someone who is worthy of goodness.
I have laughed, cried and enjoyed myself this last week more than I have in so long. I’m not sure why. Whatever….I’m grateful.
I turned down a fabulous internship opportunity because I knew it would not be the best for my family. Doing the right thing isn’t always fun. There will be an even better opportunity, this I know.
I ate cheesecake on my birthday…tempura battered cheesecake with cream and strawberries. I haven’t had anything like this since April. Oh my goodness, life is short and enjoying dessert is a luxurious treat!
My puppies, my kitty and even that little lizard make me smile. God is so cool to even provide us with these little muffinheads….just makes me think how much He loves us to give us these kinds of enjoyments.
I got myself a couple of new books for my birthday. I don’t buy myself things often and most of my reading time is spent on school books…but I’m so excited to read something purely for pleasure.
My house is an absolute mess. Parts of it feel like they are literally crumbling under my feet. (Literally, it’s kind of happening like that). It’s gonna be okay. I don’t know how but I know it is. Trusting the process. Praying hard! Remembering, I have a home.
My coffee was paid for twice this week by random strangers. How’s that for a birthday treat?
Baby tomatoes are still growing on my vines. I was shaking one of the plants one morning…to shake the pollen down. Although I was gentle, a little baby fell off the vine and I felt so sad. So…I buried it. If I were that baby tomato I’d just use my seeds to make another vine and I’d grow taller and stronger than the original vine. However, I’m not the tomato, I guess we will see what happens next!
I’ve found lots of new music to enjoy on Spotify this week, I once forgot the love of music that I have. Like…how do people ever live without music? TV, I understand but music has to be.
Stella and I came up with a grand book idea…maybe we can make it happen. That’s pretty hopeful!
I learned that sometimes, you just gotta spill the tea, sis!

It’s just been the best birthday week ever and my cup overflows. The kindnesses bestowed on me are astonishing and I hope I give back well all that I receive.

Grace. Peace. Joy. Mercy. Compassion.

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Tag: adventures

Loving me isn’t easy…

46 Reasons