Long Awaited Laughter

Whew! It's been over two weeks.  Weeks full of love, laughter and everything there after.  We've been busy traveling & doing everything but traveling. Needless to say, it's go go go time.  September is a doozy for sure but I have a love for it already.  It's busy but a good, great, grand & wonderful kind.

September is finally cooling off into a chilly 60s-70s, the sun is setting a tad earlier and love is seriously in the air.  Who knew September would be the busiest month for weddings? Not I, I say.

A few weekends ago we had the pleasure in attending one of our dear friends weddings.  It was an adventure.  The kind that you long for and when you actually have it you're too busy living it to notice.  Pure perfection.  We flew in via plane in the morning and continued on our way driving with friends up North.  When I say north, I mean north... and the in the middle of no where north.

I'm a true fan of no wheres.  It's a place where people forget about, that brings you back to reality.  At least somewhat of a reality.  Maybe it's the opposite?  A magical place where you can escape away from reality.  But you reconnect with what is important in life. Who knows.  All I know is that I loved it.  Full of grown trees, crisp leaves, light rains and golden hour sunsets. Seriously... what could be better?

Oh wait, friends.  I never forget how amazing my friends are but sometimes I do forget how we all are so grown up now.  It's an incredibly weird feeling.  Yet we all manage to bring out the child in us when we are together even when we have been apart for so long.  Or maybe that's just categorized with immaturity.  Either way, we have fun and that's all that matters.  We ate a lot of food, food that's bad for you.  But I can say that we laughed so much that I'm not sure I even gained a pound (even though my body felt it).  I think laughing is the greatest thing in the world.  It was given to us as a gift & a forever cure for many things.  #1 medicine you can't find over the counter.  I recently saw this commercial on the television and thought it was the most brilliant one I've seen in a long time.  It was simple, straight to the point and showcased something we all love and agree on.....laughter.  Enjoy... giggle, laugh & maybe even tear up a little.

I wish I could have captured enough of the laughter over the course of the weekend but I was laughing too hard to capture it, sorry friends.  I think that's the one thing I regret most of the weekend, I didn't take enough photos.  I brought my camera and intended on it but never really got around to it.  There was just too much going on and at points there was not enough motivation from me to deal with outside entities (aka RAIN!).  But that's what our memories are for I guess.  I have many memories to share and hold dear.  Some repetitive and some brand new.  But forever loved.

So here's to one of the many joys of life... laughter.  May you surround yourselves with people that make you love & laugh everyday.

Photos to come later!

Peace, Love & The Joy of Life.

Man's Best Friend: Truth At It's Finest

I've grown up loving animals. I don't think I could ever hate any animal (cats sometimes scare me though).  I think it's essential for a child to grow up knowing, learning, touching & taking care of a pet.  It's responsibility but more than that it shows them that love can come from other creatures in the most simple of ways.  There are many sayings that identify the love for a pet and can sometimes explain it better than love in general.

  

Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.

-Anatole France

 For instance this very well known idea that the love for a pet and from a pet can truly make you feel alive.  It explains that once a person has opened their heart to an animal that they, more than anyone else, have truly lived.

It's hard to grasp the fact that you can love an animal as much as a human being.  Something that doesn't necessarily speak your language but knows every move you make while trusting in you completely.  Can you believe an animal, a different species, can understand everything you do and react to it in their own ways and we understand it.  We communicate more than we think we do with animals.  

It's kind of ridiculous how much love I have for my dog. I had always wanted one of my own but could never find the right time to adopt.  It wasn't until a few years ago that he kinda just fell under our noses. It's funny to think how ready I was yet how nervous I was at the same time.  I kept thinking, "am I going to be a good mother to this dog?"  I doubted myself a lot. But I had to keep reminding myself that they are simple creatures and we are too.

My main squeeze... Pnewman.

All animals, except man, know that the principal business of life is to enjoy it.

-Samuel Butler

All they want out of life is to be happy.  All they need is to know someone loves them.  Even in the worst of situations an animal seeks enjoyment & happiness. They never are sad or are hurt unless us humans give them a reason to feel that way (which is another whole rant I can go off on).  It's incredible how sensitive animals can be.  Like I said before, we understand them and they understand us. They see the good in things even if they are bad.

 My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am.

-Author Unknown

Sometimes I truly wonder what he thinks.  If he could speak what would he sound like? What does he really think of me?  Probably that I'm his smothering over protective spoiling mother and if he could have his way he'd want me leave him alone (yeah, right).  It's the ears, I can't handle it sometimes.  I guess all I can do is try to see through the eyes of my dog and strive for the best in myself. 

I think about this stuff everyday but I bring it up today because the loss of an animal is just as hard as loosing a relative.  I mean you live with them for twelve or more years and see them everyday of their lives. I'd say sometimes they are closer to you than some relatives.  And to mourn the loss of a loved pet in my eyes is acceptable.  Extremely acceptable. They are there for you always and you are there for them always.

The one best place to bury a good dog is in the heart of its master.

-Ben Hur Lampman

The loss of an animal is hard. I've witnessed it twice in my lifetime and I know I will witness it again, not soon but later in life.  And it will hurt just as much every time, maybe even more.   But honestly, pets make you a better person.  There are many things I can tell you that makes this true but I don't think I need to.  All I can do is recommend that you once in your life love an animal as much as a human.  If not, maybe, more. 

Eventually, I'll understand the love for a child will be greater than my love for my dog.  But right now, it's unfathomable. And I'm okay with that. He's my everything.

 Peace, Love & The Joy of Life

** In loving memory of Ms. Heidi... you will be missed extremely by your loving parents and of course by everyone you touched throughout your life, including me. I really wish Pnewman could have met you, I know you would have been great friends. **