anniversary dinner

This past Christmas Gary surprised me with a dinner out...in February! It was such a fun night and we celebrated our anniversary. First we walked around a cute small town with gift shops, and then drove to the restaurant. A beautiful oceanfront location. The food was exquisite and we had lots of laughs.

I am very grateful to have found Gary.

swami's visit

This year when Swami came in January Sky had just moved back home with us. I was still getting settled after a quick trip to California, so instead of me, Gary travelled with the group to a neighbor island.  He had a great time. A few days later he arrived with the group, about fifteen people. They stayed at our friend Ron's house, which is around the corner from where we live.

Our new friends came also, with their three sweet boys. We all loved having them. We had meals together, went to the beach, swam in the pool, harvested tulsi to be sent to Japan, went for a hike, and of course, made a lot of ruckus.

Swami's visit brought new musical friends as well and some wisdom. He did a day long retreat and I got to ask a couple questions:

How do we develop patience?
How we we get rid of our personal negative tendencies?

His answers were great. In terms of patience he said we need to do two things: first we need to  have the understanding and wisdom that we need patience. And secondly, we gain patience through experiences. He used the example of a child having a tantrum. We stay in a higher state and don't beat the child out of love. We recognize that the behavior will pass. That takes patience.

In terms of internal change he said the first step is that we have to know that we need to make changes. Also, we often forget that our negativities are not our true, deepest selves. If we can be detached from negativities and recognize that they are not our true self, we can more easily make changes inside.

There was more but these parts stood out to me. I am always appreciative to spend time with wise and kind people and learn and grow.

annabel is 18!

Happy birthday Annabel! How we all love and adore you. What a gift you are to our family. How fun it is to watch you grow up through the years!

When you were younger you loved the forest. I remember one summer you missed the forest so much that on the way to our rural destination you begged me to pull off on the side of the road, so you could run through the tall grass amongst high trees and drink in that air.  Later when I took you on a hike you raised your hands to the sky, honoring and deeply communing with nature. Lately you have had more enthusiasm for math formulas and scientific ideas. So I am glad we are going to the forest today.

You are a force to be reckoned with. Dad and I are so happy and truly honored to be your parents.

I am excited to see where life takes you.  In a couple months you will get responses to colleges and those responses will help you make the first big choice of your life. You will choose well.

Always remember the strength and power you have inside. That internal knowing that helps you respond a certain way to a situation, sometimes it is the whisper of a new song, sometimes it is a loud voice that encourages you to pursue new knowledge. This power is within you. It is in the deepest part of you; it is there, in the silence. Sometimes you have to be very still to hear it.

You are now a legal adult. But Dad and I will always be here to be your guides. We feel happy when you place your trust in us, when you need us. And we also see you growing into an amazing young woman, making good choices, being the cool, kind hearted and passionate, unique math science rock star that you are.

We celebrate you!!! Today and always!!

Love, Mom