We go to "hot yoga" together.  I almost cannot believe it.  And...he loves it.  How blessed am I.  So, this all started about a year or so ago.  I decided to take a yoga class.  My daughter teaches at this yoga studio, so it was sure to be fun. I really enjoyed the first hour and decided to go again and again. A few months later....

 It was a Sunday morning that Dave and I were going to a concert in Chicago that our daughter mentioned we should do her yoga class first.  Honey said "okay, lets do it".  He loved the class and the rest is history as they say.  We've been going to her "hot" yoga class every Tuesday and Thursday that we have available.  I'm still pinching myself that he wants to do this with me.  And he feels great afterwords.  

You know we are growing old together, but we are also growing healthy together.  I'm a different woman than the one he married 37 years ago.  He's also a different man.  And, we are still loving each other just as much as we did back in those days.  Love comes in so many ways.  Exercising together is another way we show our love for each other.   I can't wait to see what the next year holds for Honey and I.  Bending, stretching...moving our bodies...oh yea....let the good times roll.  

Bath time..

Bath time..

Bath time with my sweetheart has been wonderful this year.  

As I sat down to write in this blog, that for whatever reason, I had neglected for a whole year, I knew the first thing to share about was "Bath time.." 

Our almost daily morning bath times have been a soft spot to my heart.  He wakes me up with a steaming cup of coffee sat next to me on my bedside table. I smell the cinnamon aroma almost as soon as I feel his kiss on my check.

I roll over, stretch and then hear him in our bathroom turning on the water in the tub.  A couple years ago we remodeled our master bath and added a deep Jacuzzi bath tub.   I sorta knew, yet really never knew how important this would come to be in my relationship with him.  I look forward to the fragrant bubbles he adds.  He sometimes lights a candle, and always gets in before me. The jets turn on and I instantly climb out of bed and head towards this morning ritual. 

So, the next part is so deeply private and somewhat difficult to type, let alone share with you here in this blog of mine. 

Taking a bath with your sweetheart requires getting naked.  Yea, I know.  And, yes, this man of mine has been "mine" for almost 40 years now.  So, he's seen "it all".  He's seen the teenagers we were when we feel in love and courted. (do people still say "courted"?) He's seen the wife that was great with child...three times...and he's been very present in all three labors and delivery's.  To say there is no "mystery" between us is an understatement.  You understand where I'm going here.

So, I dim the bathroom lights, take off my pajamas and climb into our tub.  He scoots back to allow me to sit in with him. I relax back into his chest as his legs are around me.  He's like my bath chair. The jets feel amazing, the aroma wonderful. As I sip my hot coffee, I have all these amazing endorphins going on in my mind and body. Life is good. I forget that I've gained weight.  I forget that this body is almost 57 years old.  I forget that my hair is in a ponytail and I have no makeup on.  I feel loved and adored by this man of mine.  

He washes my back as we talk about our day.  We both bathe... and touch, sometimes we embrace and relax, cuddled while listening to the sound of the water. The jets massage our bodies.  We enjoy this private moment of our day. Our talks are sometimes deep and meaningful and sometimes we talk about work and our schedules.  

When bath time is officially over, the we stand up and shower off to get ready for our day. 

This has become a routine and at the same time a luxury.  I will forever be thankful for our bath time.. and the way that he loves me.  

Loving the older him with the older me.

Loving the older him with the older me, is a big lesson on forever love. 

As teenagers falling in love was as easy as watching a flower bloom.  It was fragrant, beautiful and so very peaceful. We bloomed, we kept blooming. Sunshine was everywhere.  Our days were like summer vacation, warm and full of laughter. We explored every horizon.  Even the darker valleys were a lesson learned on our deep and endless love.

The Summer turned to fall, then winter and before we knew it, spring was upon us again. We had  tremendous growth with the richest of soil. Our foundation was firm and strong. A few years later in spring we vowed to love and cherish, then that fall brought us our firstborn son.  Our love conceived this priceless gift again the next summer.  How was it that two sons in just a short time felt like they had always been a part of us? Pure joy filled our days. Our world would be complete with a spring baby girl. Seeds planted and bloomed because of our love. 

Spring, summers, falls full of laughter and christmas' filled with wonder and joy. Our bouquet was ever growing.  The colors that filled our world were like a crayon box, too many to fall in love with just one. We ran, we explored the world as these babies grew. Our love for each other, grew too. The colors are now richer, yet more subtle. Our children were married with children. How did time go so quickly? The days seem long, yet the years were flying by.

Here we are, the older him with the older me. We have this lifetime of love behind us. We are more like plants that have the deepest of roots. We finish each others words. We know the smells, tastes, desires, as if they were our own. We live because the other gives us breath.  I hold this man of mine in my arms for a long embrace. I cannot imagine living without him beside me.  The miracle is still happening every time he smiles at me with that twinkle in his eye. How does he love the older me as if we just fell in love yesterday?  The miracle happens in me also. He walks through the door after a long day and my stomach turns, as my heart skips a beat. I think he is wonderful.  I cannot wait to make him happy. I cannot wait to touch his face and plant a kiss on those lips. He is Honey to me. He is forever. Our plant still blooms. Our love still grows. 

Older and wiser we shall become, as more years go softly by. Our leaves will wither, our plants will be frail. Yet, our foundation stayed firm and our soil even richer because of the passing of time. One day we will hold hands in heaven as they lay bouquets of colors on our grave. Sunshine will be on our faces, and warmth will surround us. We will have the knowledge, that even death didn't stop our love. And we will have left them the legacy of a forever blooming love.  

Written for Honey with love, Me

Love in all forms...

Love in All Foms

Yes, romantic love is the most exciting and fun kind.  But, we all know there is more.  Love comes in many ways and forms.  There is the love we have for our friends, neighbors, children, siblings, grandparents and parents.  

I love my parents.  They have both given me so much. I am the person you know, because of them. I feel the need to share just a few things about both my parents.

 My father instilled in me a joy for life.  A positive attitude and outlook on life.  He ingrained in me his kindness for others.  Kindness for animals, people, and myself.  He gave me confidence because of the way he showed me with love.  I always felt pretty when my father was around.  His smile of approval was uplifting.  I enjoyed the twinkle in his eye.  I loved the way he would tease my mom and say endearing things to her.   I knew I wanted to marry a kind man one day, because my our father was so kind.   He is gone now.  Gone for over 6 years.  That, in itself is hard to grasp.  Where did the last few years go.  My fondest childhood memory is sitting Indian style in the living room at night on the floor. I had my nightly bath, all bundled up in pajama's and Dad would brush my long dark brown hair. He told me I was pretty, the prettiest one of his girls.  I somehow knew he was probably saying the same things to my older sister and baby sister.  It didn't matter though, because he thought I was the prettiest, so I grew up feeling very special.  

My Mother.  My rock.  The leader of our family.  If I needed or wanted anything at all, I would ask my father, then he would "clear it" with mom for me.  She was the boss.  She was so smart.  She was our fighter.  She would battle almost anyone on our behalf.  We learned many talents from her.  How to cook, clean, do dishes and laundry.  Also, we learned to be our own person.  That we were in charge of our life.  No one could tell us what to do or not to do.  If we wanted something, anything, then it was our for the taking.  Yes, we had to work hard to get it.  We had to fight odds at times and hit some bumps in our road before success was ours.    She is old now.  She is having to go over some hard bumps in her own road.  Her COPD has worsened. Her osteoporosis is more event now as she is weak and walks with a cane,  It's hard for her to stand straight up.  She is on oxygen all the time now. Her concentrator is set at 2.5 liters. She takes pills morning, noon and night.  She naps quite frequently as she is tired.  Visiting nurses come two to three times a week, same with her physical therapists.  I know she is tired.  I have such high hopes of her getting better, stronger.   Her sister Georgia came last week and spent five days with us.  She had a great time.  Yes, the argued, because they are....sisters.  Sisters do that.  But, more importantly, they shared some great quiet times together.  

So here were are.  I quite my job 3 weeks ago.  I'm here to care for mom.  I will get a part time job or a full time job with daytime hours and no weekends eventually.  I hope to spend the holidays with mom.  Is this her last Thanksgving/Christmas, no one ever knows.  But, what I do know is that I'm going to spend some good quality moments with mom while I have her here with me.   I love her.  She drives me crazy at times.  Mothers do this.  She likes to tell me "what to do", mothers do this as well.  And as frustrating as she can be for me, the times with her are priceless.  I'm learning to let go of the times she drives me crazy and just let it pass.   One thing I know with out a doubt, is the she loves me so much.  She would do anything in the world for me.    So, now it's my turn to do anything in the world for her.  Love in all forms...including me caring for her as she once cared for me. 

Loving my life...

Loving my life more as I get older.  I have always loved life.  Now, as I a older, it seems a bit more precious to me.  I am tired these days and have trouble sleeping all night long which makes for longer days.  It also makes for more thankful days.  Days that I get to live this amazing life in the midwest with a loving husband, three adult children their spouses and two incredible grandchildren. 

I am starting my vacation tomorrow.  A much needed one for sure.  I hope to challenge myself to rest more.  I hope to sit for hours of quiet times and reflect on where I am at in that moment of time.  I hope to spend time talking with my grandchildren and truly listening to what they have to say.  I hope to relax and reflect.  

Wish me luck.   

This morning, I had the sweet pleasure of sitting next to my baby sister on the love seat and share in coffee and conversation.  She is here because our aunt has passed away and tomorrow we will be going to her funeral.  

This baby sister of mine has lost weight and looks so good.  She is dieting, eating healthy foods and exercising.  I am so proud of her.  She has taught me a thing or two this morning about determination.  She also showed me a new app for my cell phone to help me on my journey of getting healthier and losing weight myself.  

I love my little sister for so many reasons.  First, because she came into my life when I was so young and she became my little shadow, my playmate, my first best friend.  I would love to "dress" her up and brush her hair.  She had the softest baby curls in the world.  I would find anything I could and use it as "hairbows" or hair accessories.  I remember taking the rubber bands and ribbons off of dolls to use on my little sister.  

I love Patty as an adult sister.  She has battled a great disease called breast cancer.  She is a survivor, I believe almost 5 years now.  I'm so proud of how courageous she was while going through surgeries, losing her right breast and then the reconstructive surgery of a new breast.   She smiled and allowed her doctors and nurses to laugh as she was enduring chemo and radiation.  

I love her for the wife and mother she is to her husband and two children.  She is devoted, loving and firm as all mothers and wives should be.  

I will enjoy this short time with my little sister and make some sweet memories while she is here in our home.  Life is all about love and loving.  Everyday we wake up, we chose to be happy, we chose to love, we chose to enjoy this day in our life.  I chose to love this sweet sister of mine with all of my heart.  I'm so thankful to have her in my life.  

Late in the afternoon, all is well.  The house is so quiet....a welcome change for me.  The dogs lay at my feet listening to me type.  I enjoy this time alone in my house. The sun is low in the sky. It's cool out and a small breeze blows.  I am alone.  This is a rare occasion.

 In honor of a much needed day off, I decide to write in this romance blog of mine.  Writing is so soothing to my mind. It allows me to forget the world for the moment. My heart flows down to my fingers on this page.

 I want you to know the love... I feel.  I want you to know the desires I feel when he is near.  I want you to know the peace that comes from this perfect love I have in my life. I wish for you the dedication that is mine. I know this is sacred.  He says he will love me forever.  I believe this to be true.

So wanting this for you, is my way of wishing it for you.   I wish that you could have all that I do.  In my perfect world for you, your love is as my love is.  Your princess or prince charming is dedication only to you.  They desire only you. They love you more than life itself.

I want happiness to wake you each and every morning.  I was rest to come so easy at night.  I want joy to be found in your daily routine.  I want you to know your value, your worth.   All things in due time.

The windows show a setting sun.  As another day dares to close, may you know your loved

Love...

Love looked deeply into my eyes and told me that this was forever.

Love cradled my heart as if it were crystal and very fragil.

Love held me close... so tenderly, that it felt the same as if i were holding myself.

I am one with this love. I am complete.

Close my eyes..open my arms.... share my heart and love until the end of my days.

This day is done.... my night has settled in. My mind is charmed by visions I have created. Where there is a place in the meadows in which only sunshine and warm breezes flow. I am playfully running towards your arms, all the while never taking my eyes off your face. You tease me as I reach you and you turn sideways. You catch my arm and slowly pull me in. More warmth than even the sunshine can create, when I am in your arms. More peace than even the meadows can give. There is no one in the world at that very moment, just you and I. The love we share outshines the sun. Our passion makes the stars take notice even as daylight reigns for hours. Time stands and waits for a love like ours. The air we breath is mingled only with our kisses. My eyes are closed...and I can see love more clearly as the sun sets on my meadow. Darkness lays the blanket as we sleep under our stars. Yes, day and night.....then again and again. But time stopped and waited because the love was so deep. And once again...This day is done...my night has settled in.

In my heart...

In my heart...

Is where you will live forever. 

In my heart...

Is where our love first began.

In my heart...

Is where your passion explodes.

In my heart...

Is where as long as you are in my heart, nothing else will ever matter.

In my heart...