Valentine’s Day is almost here.
Without being too sappy, today I thought I would write about what I love. I’m keeping it short and simple.
First and foremost, I love the people in my life — my husband who is my co-pilot on this marriage flight. We learn and grow and laugh and make mistakes together. He is my best friend.
My children: my son, my daughter-in-law, my daughter, my step-daughter and two step-sons. Who can quantify the love for a child? Each one of them brings me joy and fills my heart. It’s fair to say that most of my major life decisions have revolved around them at one time or another.
I love my older brothers. They took care of me a lot when I was a little girl. I love my extended family of sister-in-laws, nieces, etc. I hope to see them and share meals and stories soon.
I love my three cats. They often drive me crazy. On a good day, however, they are cuddly, curious, and downright funny. One of the most fun and silliest things I have ever done was plan and host a cat wedding. I highly recommend it!
I love my friends. I really miss seeing them, too. They are beautiful and full of wisdom and humor.
I love my small home. It needs to be remodeled but it has kept me safely sheltered for over 13 years.
I love my backyard. It is where I go to think and ponder life’s problems. Just watching the breeze lift the leaves, or watching the birds flit about is therapeutic. My fruit trees are actually producing fruit…with the exception of the peach tree. Nothing is perfect.
I love my work. I am a Special Education Instructional Assistant. Some days are routine and I plod along. Other days I feel as if I’ve actually made a difference. The teachers I work with are dedicated and amazing. I’ve been in education over 20 years now. Whew!
I love my car. The ability to just get in my vehicle and go wherever I want is one of life’s great blessings. So in essence, I’m associating my vehicle with freedom. So be it. Who doesn’t love their freedom?
I love Santa Clarita where I live. It can be stifling (especially for young adults) but it has been a great place to raise my kids. It is suburbia. It can be boring. But it is home.
I love writing. Writing has been my therapy. my saving grace, my outlet, my torture, the thorn in my side for as long as I can remember. For some reason, I keep doing it. Many times I have stopped, and/or wanted to stop. I’ve yet to earn an income from it, however. Perhaps, someday…
I love my mother’s jewelry, scarves and coats. Whenever I wear one of her things (which is fairly often) I feel as if she is with me. She has been gone now over 17 years. I can still hear her voice.
I love reading. Reading and writing go hand in hand. I love books. I kind of go in phases. One year I read Victorian novels like no tomorrow (Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, Frankenstein, Dracula, The Woman in White, Great Expectations) and at other times I love non-fiction self-help books (the life-changing magic of tidying up, Essentialism) and history (anything by Erik Larson).
I love traveling. Ha! Not a good year for this…but when it is safe again I have a few trips on my bucket list. The feeling of visiting a place I’ve never been to before is soul stirring. Visiting places I have been before is soul satisfying. A win-win.
I will finish my list with a picture of a candle. Yes, I love candles. They symbolize the spirit for me. Something otherworldly and everlasting. Which is a perfect way to describe love.
I wish you all a beautiful Valentine’s Day. Whether you are romantically entwined or not, there are so many things out there to love.
xoxo
I have been doing a lot of reading lately. It seems I go
Cheryl Thatt-Burbank 