November 3 - Grateful for the amazing displays our skies create every day. Today there is a solar eclipse. We just got a partial, but in Africa, they got to see it complete. And how about that extra hour of sleep? Thankful for sure
November 4 - Grateful for my first-born, my daughter, Layla Marie, who arrived late last night from her well-deserved vacation and immediately took call at midnight, relieving me from a busy week of births and clinic and post-partum. She has given me so much as a midwife partner! To say yes to my request to leave for months to either do a vacation or my most recent 3 month stint in Cambodia, is quite the gift. She is very able to take over the Birth Cottage's births and clinic. Thank You, my LOVE, for being there for me in so many ways (not just the midwife part I just wrote about).
November 5 - Grateful for the organizations that made it possible for me to travel to Cambodia. NaiY with Women's Health Cambodia, Denise with Life Options and Sarah with Midwife International. It is an experience that has touched me deeply. I think about that place several times a day and as each day passes, I wish more and more to be there. Sigh!
November 6 - Grateful for flowers. They adorn my life. Everywhere I look I spot them. They bring me life. I want them in my home, in my yard, in my workplace, in my hair!
November 7 - Grateful for my second-born, who through difficult moments, has pushed himself to become better and better. He has 2 of my adorable grandsons, Noah and Owen, and a wonderful wife Amy, who is mom to Olivia and Simian. The mind of this child is amazing, with a memory like no other, intelligence, intuition, tenderness and commitment to what is real. I LOVE you so much, Kristopher Michael!
November 8 - Grateful for a fine, fine birth today. A mama who had to go through the medical system which was readying her for a hospital induction due to the going past her due date and being told she had a large baby. Instead she had a perfect sized baby for her and she is happy-happy! And that makes me happy. And today I am also happy for the electrician who is getting our place ready for a beautiful fountain that will be installed next week.
November 9 - Grateful for my fun/silly niece Desiree Tony's daughter. She helps us out at the Cottage a lot. She makes me laugh, she makes me mad, she makes me LOVE her, she makes me play Yoville! Took her shopping today so she could buy herself some nice clothes with the gift card she got from her mom. We had fun! EarthFare for dinner. We made some good deals at JC Penney's.
November 10 - Grateful for yummy food that I cook myself. I like to cook although it is difficult cooking for one. Sometimes it means leftovers that I must eat for a couple more days. I don't really mind, since it's so good. So, I am grateful for cooking too.
November 11 - Grateful for the ability to make money. Seems materialistic but I am proud that I am able to support myself as well as continue to help my children, my community and my world with the money I make. I am proud I have been able to not expect in return what I give out. I sent money to Leon in China to help him out of "a pickle". With pleasure I made that money reach his hands. I may not be rich (monetarily)but I have all I need and more. I like to beautify my homes, my business, my car in ways that give them warmth and I purchase usually impulsively things that add to the beauty. Today as I waited for a baby to be born, workers from Tallahassee Nurseries brought a fountain and installed it in our front yard at the Birth Cottage. Its water makes a gentle sound that could put anyone to sleep (if they chose to sleep outside, hahha)and it has a simple beauty to it. I can't wait for the flowers around it to nestle it into our garden.
November 12 - Grateful for sleep. I mean a good sleep! After losing many hours two nights ago and losing all hours last night due to a birth I attended, I finally crashed thinking a couple of hours and I can then attend clinic. But.... Layla and Desiree managed to keep me in bed, missing breakfast, clinic, lunch, more clinic, all which were covered by them. Woke up at almost 3pm and honestly I was so grateful to them for letting me sleep. I did hear a few women going to the bathroom but it did not really wake me up. Sleep deprivation I can usually master if I have to but when I don't have to, I LOVE it!!
November 13 - Grateful for the few friends I have. We may not connect on a regular basis but when we do it's like we had just chatted recently. I was given the honor of being Best Woman at my friend Summer's wedding and the LOVE that I felt from her was more intense than I had been aware of. Our friendship is timeless. I wish I had a couple more like her in my life but alas, people come people go, and who I still have in my life are a treasure to me. LOVE!!
