Still Life and Still Alive!

Still life is the theme this week over at 52 Photos Project.  My post should be called "still alive" since I have been MIA since the end of September! Actually, that is quite the appropriate title after the milestone birthday I celebrated last week.  I turned 40 and I am still alive!

Now, I am truly not upset or depressed that I am officially a member of the 40s club. Rather, this whole process of turning 40 has magically unlocked tons of memories I had long forgotten (or blocked) from my past and the beauty is that because those events are now so long ago, I find I can look at my younger self with more tenderness and understanding.  The guilt and shame for past mistakes has finally lifted.  I can look back and see how many amazing people have influenced my life, how many blessings have resulted from my hard work and the graces given me by God.  What a birthday gift that has been.   (There is more to be said about this but I am still mining.)

I took this photo last year while on a foggy morning stroll with my toddler.  The colors are my favorites: pink, green and charcoal black.  The mood of this image is fitting today because we have had two solid days of rain and this morning is destined to be thickly coated by fog and morning dew.

Doesn't fall bring the loveliest combination of chilly and cozy days?  Yesterday I sent my mother off on the airplane back to North Dakota.  The gray day suited the loneliness of that moment.  She had been here for a ten day visit.  She had her own milestone birthday the day after mine.  (She turned 70 but shhhhh don't tell anyone!)  This visit explains why I have been away from the computer for the past two weeks.  We had too much to do!  Lunches at our favorite Greek restaurant, trips to the bookstore, multiple soccer practices, a major debate to watch and even Dancing With The Stars All-Stars!  Having her here is so easy and helpful and my boys soak up and shine in the light of her attention.  They miss her so much already.  We only get to see her about twice a year which is not nearly enough when your mom is truly a best friend.  Our next visit will be over Easter and that seems awfully far away.  Thank goodness for Face Time!

Well, this little update must come to an end as Wednesdays are Mass days for my boys at school and getting three young boys dressed in shirts and ties can leave me sweating by the time they head out the door!

Have a wonderful fall day wherever you are and whatever age you may be!