Hello Gratitude … Hello to a Grateful Week!

Hello Gratitude.

I have realized it has been a while since I have written

one of my favorite kind of posts.

Gratitude.

It is so easy for me  to get up every day

and 

focus on my to do list

and

lose sight of what I want my bigger picture to be.

Living a joy filled life 

full of gratitude and love.

So this week I am back at taking time for intentional gratitude

and 

I have much to be grateful for!

Like our new family photos!

When Hunter turned 19 last month

I realized while looking for an Instagram picture to post

how long it had been since we had a family photo done!

So I was on a mission to get one 

when  we were visiting Catalina once again.

I am so happy with how they turned out 

and

what a successful group effort it was to get them!

I know I have written frequently here

about missing the days past when my kids were little

but 

the flip side is how really fabulous it is to spend time with them 

as adults with their significant others!

I really relish spending time with them all

and

they are truly some of my very favorite people!

It is a joyful thing to see our family get bigger!

This was one of my other favorite captures of the day.

Such a wonderful memory of Hunter's birthday!

This week I am very grateful

to make the time to take back my yards

in preparation for our annual

Father's Day barbecue!

This year we will once again be adding 

beer tasting to the mix!

I have mentioned how here in SoCal

we have our May Gray and June Gloom

but now that the sun is back

I am absolutely enamored with our summer light!

Nothing like missing something 

to have great appreciation for it's return!

I am enjoying our new tree

as much for it's shadows

as the tree itself.

The morning summer light comes in so clear

and

 highlights simple kitchen vignettes like magic!

I have found the perfect backyard spot to take in the setting sun.

The light streams in with a gentle diffusion with the breezy palms.

I sit and just focus on such memorable moments of beauty

and

press them deep into my heart.

I was also so honored and grateful to be featured on 

Soft Surroundings Instagram feed!

Their Martinique Caftan is definitely one of my favorite summer staples!

The big news here this week is that 

Elliot graduated with his Masters in Structural Engineering!

Ironically both he and Ellis will start brand new career jobs

next Monday!

There is much to celebrate this week!!

Elliot graduating Sunday had me missing my alma mater

so we drove up to visit UCLA

and

 get a new  alumni license placeholder.

Walking across the campus

I had never seen it look more beautiful.

I wondered how I hadn't seen and appreciated it's full beauty while I was there.

But then I realized I  was looking at the campus now as a secure adult

who ended up making the life for myself that I had hoped I would.

I began to remember

just how hard I fought to graduate.

It took me several attempts to finish.

First I transferred in from another university

with the condition that all of my grades that quarter were good.

It was two months into the first quarter at UCLA

that I was notified by mail that

my acceptance was rescinded because of a low math grade at my last university.

I was so mortified and embarrassed

I pretended to go to class for an entire quarter

before I had the nerve to be honest and make a new plan to make up the class in the summer.

I was back in.

I was living at home and commuting.

I left ay 3:30 in the morning to avoid hours of traffic.

I had all of my classes on Tuesday and Thursday

so I could work full time every other day of the week.

I ended up with bulimia so bad

I once again had to take time off.

But I got  that under control and went back

again.

By now I had met Jeff.

A couple of months into our meeting

my sister Tracy who was 23 with down syndrome and a heart defect

was scheduled for corrective surgery 

at the very best hospital in the country.

Ironically that hospital was UCLA.

Long tragic story short

my sister ended up dying at UCLA.

I once again took time off.

But I once again went back.

And this time with the support of Jeff

I finished.

I graduated UCLA.

So when I see my diploma or license plate holder

I see something more than an education from a top university.

For me

I see and know

even if we are fragile

we can be strong.

It doesn't matter how many times you fall

what really matters is 

how many times you get back up.

I see also

the gift of perspective.

I haven't told my UCLA story

in it's entirety to too many people until recently

because I used to be mortified by how hard it was for me.

Now as I reflect on my own life story

I see and know the story

with kinder eyes.

If I could I would reach back and tell that young woman

It will be OK.

You will be OK.

From your fragility your will find strength.

You may always at times feel fragile

but 

learning how to deal with that part of your soul

will bring you strength.

For that  I  will always be grateful.

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life