Moments D703: Pearl

Tonight I went to visit BFF after volleyball  It's been far too long since her, but I was happy for a short visit (it being a "school" night after all!).  Sometimes a short visit is better than no visit at all!

What a fabulous short visit we had.  She shared her leftover dinner with me.  I know in some worlds that may seem odd, but BFF can cook and I was damn happy to have a late dinner of her leftovers!  Over dinner and a glass of wine, we caught up.  She dug into her bag of goodies from Jamaica with glee in her eyes.  I could see the recipes rolling around in her head as she pulled out the special ingredients that I brought back for her.  Bangarang!  That's what I love!

Before I share today's moment, I need to backup and explain that BFF & I love monkeys.  It all started with the lack of a "hug" emoticon in Google's Hangouts - we nominated the monkeys as our hug emoticon.

Back in December BFF had knee surgery.  I was in California.  Bad timing, I know.  I felt terrible to not be around to help out when/where I could.  And so, I sent her a hug, in the mail.  You guessed it, it was a monkey!

She named him Earl.

Tonight, Early gave me a birthday present.  He presented Pearl to me:

And now Earl as a friend!  Monkey hugs everywhere now!

Earl & Pearl.  BFFs.

Perfect right?

What a fabulous surprise.  Thank you Earl.  Thank you BFF.

Moments reconnecting and catching up.

Moments enjoying a lovely surprise.

Moments D697: The first day of spring

Today I celebrate the first day of spring.  Yes, I know, it actually still feels like winter out there, but it is officially spring.  No matter what the grumblings are around me, I'm dancing around celebrating the promise of spring.  Today's moment - loving Google's spring logo today!  

Moments smiling because Google dressed up their logo to celebrate your favourite season.

Moments celebrating the change in season, if only for the promise of the spring flowers to come.

Moments D683: Saying I love you

Today has been a rough day.  It was filled with heavy hearts all around as news broke late in the morning.  Devastating news.  A young, filled with life, well loved coworker had succumbed to injuries from an apartment fire the night before.

There was shock.  Disbelief.  And, of course, great sadness and many, many tears.

But the moment that shone through all this was one where I watched my fellow coworkers comfort one another.  Shared stories and photos of the deceased fluttered throughout the store - it was heartwarming in a time of grief.

The best moment, however, was when I watched two long-term employees embrace one another.  Within a couple of seconds, one backed up and looked at the other and said, "I love you, you know."  The look on the recipient's face was of surprise, likely taken aback by the sharing of such special words.  She quickly pulled him in for a tighter hug and returned the same special sentiment right back.

It was a beautiful moment shining through the deepest darkness.

Moments grieving a life lost.
Moments inspired by that life to celebrate love amoung friends and coworkers.

Moments D622: Celebrate Life

Today was a rough day as pieces of bad news made their way to me.   An old respected and loved colleague of mine lost his battle with lung cancer yesterday.  A team mate of mine lost his mother.  Another friend struggles with an ailing father.

Each a message was a reminders that life is short.  That we need to do what we can to shape each day into one that is meaningful.

So tonight, even though I was tired and would have liked to tuck in early, EQ & I ventured out for dinner with friends who were heading home tomorrow.  I'm glad that I did, for we shared a lot of laughs and stories of life, death and progress.  In the big picture, we celebrated their successes from the weekend, which is no small feat given that I've heard how challenging the training course is.

Post dinner, EQ and I celebrated life again on our own, by taking some time for just the two of us.  It was perfect. We celebrated life, the milestones we have accomplished and those we are about to set.

Moments that remind you of the fragility of life.

Moments grabbing hold and living a little more.

Moments D429: Graduation Day

Today I left work at lunch.  A planned half vacation day because today was my niece's graduation from high school.  I have been a part most if not all of this lovely young ladies milestones in the past18 years.    This certainly was not one I was going to miss just because it fell on a work day.

My niece was nervous... she kept talking about tripping up the stairs.  We all assured her that that would not phappen.

Watching her prep and preen....I felt the proud aunt. Dropping her off at her friends and experience not to be missed. She was radiant.  She was ready to leave high school behind.

Well the graduation itself was a bit painful in that it was long and the arena without air conditioning was stinking hot and humid, I wouldn't have missed it for the world. As my niece crossed the stage, I let out one of my piercing whistles that did not end until she was no longer on the stage. So focused was I on cheering her on that I actually didn't get a spectacular photo of her in her moment. But I know that she knew where that with was coming from and honestly that's all that mattered.

I am so very proud of my niece she has grown into a beautiful, kind, intelligent young lady.  I find myself excited for her and her new adult life ahead of her and I can't help but reflect upon my own. Here we are two souls separated by 21 years and yet we find ourselves both starting new paths. 

Before I said goodnight to her and went on my way home,she hugged me close and asked me to fill her in on my fun weekend coming.  Of course I would...I told her.   New adventures await us both.

Moments celebrating milestones.

Moments celebrating your loved ones.

Moments D330: Bitter Sweet

Today one of our own had a door of opportunity open for her. A brilliant opportunity in fact. A brilliant opportunity for a brilliantly talented soul.

It was a bitter sweet moment. I’m excited for her, but I’m sad to see her go.

Today a beautiful bird streched her wings and I watch on as she prepares to take flight and leave the nest.

Moments celebrating talent.
Moments celebrating change.

Moments D113: Canadian Music

Now, I’ve have XM radio in the car for about 8 months now. I love it! But, I really haven’t had time to explore the hundreds of stations in any depth. Like any music on the air (no matter what the station or focus), the music inevitably begins to sound all the same. This morning I went searching for something new.

And new I found! My pleasant surprise: I found an XM radio station that was dedicated to Canadian indie musicians: The Verge

Now you may scoff at the idea (I nearly did!), but the line up of artists/songs that I heard en route to work was pretty great. Deadmau5, Sloan (one of my favs!), City and Colour (what a voice) and finally The Tragically Hip.

It was that moment that I realized: I really do love a lot of Canadian music. I can think of a few more off the top of my head. Alanis Morissette, Arcade Fire, Metric (LOVE THEM, and Emily Hanes on her own is pretty amazing as well - I particularly love “Dr. Blind”), Feist, The New Pornographers, and oh so many more. I was surprised (nearly shocked really) at the list I loved!

And so today it is a moment to celebrate Canadian Indie bands. In my search for website links, I came across this blog that summarizes their top 100 Canadian Indie bands. An impressive list.

So, take a moment and celebrate music.

And yes, I am a proud Canadian celebrating music that resonates with me.

Moments - D24; Black and White NOT!

There are people in the world that will insist that the world around them is full of defined things or moments.  In fact some believe that their path is predestined.  That answers are black or they are white.

I am not one that believes this.  I celebrate the many, MANY shades of grey that surround us.  I celebrate the unknown.  Discussing the unknown and analyzing the same.    For without shades of grey, how are we ever to know what is black and what is white?

And, for the record, while I believe we all have a purpose in life, I also believe that our path(s) chosen are not predestined.  We have choice on how we find and share that purpose in life.  This is the grey.  Choosing a path can be grey.  (read uncertain!)

It’s like having a great relationship with someone.  ANYONE really.  A parent.  A best friend.  A lover.  Answers are never simply black or white - after all there are two (or more) perspectives in the mix.  I believe this amplifies the many shades of grey between the extreme answers.   BUT - without this grey matter I think things between people would be quite boring.  There really wouldn’t be much to discuss or learn.  It’s truly the grey that brings us depth of understanding another soul and what their heart holds.

So I say - “Bring on the grey.  Celebrate the grey.  Question the Black & White answers offered because there is often much more going on beneath the surface.”

A moment shared from deep inside my soul.  Grey.  Celebrate it.