The Beauty Of The Hours (Reblog)

This is a quote I illustrated awhile back which I really love.  It’s how I really feel about living and enjoying every minute of every day.  Time goes by so quickly.  My kids are now 17, 19 and 20 years of age.  I was a stay- at- home mom, and I loved it.  I wouldn’t  have changed any of it.

The Beauty Of The Hours

Today, as I was folding clothes on my bed, I put on an old CD I used to play for the kids when they were small and read their books.  It was music from the Beatrix Potter animated series that was on PBS (see below).  I love this CD as it helps me focus and think like a child when I have to be creative, drawing,etc.  When I started listening, I almost wanted to cry.  I could picture the three of them sitting on the couch, curled up reading their books.  Their stuffed animals cuddled under their arms while having a snack.  I remember this as clearly as it happened yesterday.  Times were so laid back then.  No homework, studying for SAT’s, driver’s ed and dating problems.  It was excitement, playfulness and innocence.  Hugs and kisses.  I’d take it all back in a second.

Anyway, before I get too emotional, this is what made me want to illustrate this quote.  This is what I picture when I read the words.  It makes me feel serene looking at the girl on the beach, just enjoying something as simple as listening to a seashell.  Can’t you hear it?  Enjoy!

Cheryl

Days Of Innocence (My Kids Patrick, Caitlin and Kelsey about 12 yrs. ago)

My kids reading their books before bedtime.

Who Am I

Okay, I found another one. This is another entry I found in my journal from my days when my children were just little (1990′s).

I guess I was going through a tough time when I wrote this.  When I read it, I remember the feeling all too well.  I guess I still feel like this on occasion.

This is titled “Who Am I”:

Who am I?

I think I’ve forgotten.

Too much to think about.  Too much to do.

I wish I could find myself again.

What was I like???  Was I fun???  Did I have a sense of humor???

I can’t remember.

Sometimes I feel as if I’m yelling all the time,now.

I don’t have many quiet moments anymore.

I think I’ve lost me.  Have I?

Am I the girl who loved horseback riding, folk music, the ballet, perhaps?

Is this the girl who long ago, stood in a large, open field and loved the feeling of space all around her?

How small I seemed to be.

Look at the sky, the clouds, the sun going in and out of places.

Even when I was out there by myself, I never really felt alone.

 I loved  the smell of sweet, damp earth in the morning and burning leaves in the fall.  This was me.

Loving nature.  Seeing it. Experiencing it.  Taking a mental picture of it , so the memory could be recalled whenever I wished.

Am  I still here?

I feel I’m sitting in the back somewhere…waiting my turn to come out…again.

Will I be too old then?  It’s too busy now.

I go by the clock and 3 children.

There are doctors and dentists and haircuts.  Dinners and lunches to prepare, cleaning, laundry and dishes.

Baths to give.  Stories to read.  Diapers and crying.

But…

There is also laughter.

I used to like to laugh, didn’t I?

And now, when there’s a rainbow, a beautiful sunset, a quiet snowstorm, or even a still,hazy morning, I grab my children and “share” it with them.

Do they see what I see?  Hear what I hear?  Feel what I feel?

This is what I’m all about.

This is what I love.  Will they?

So, I suppose I do come out now and then… only in different ways.

I just “share” myself more now.

So, I guess I’m really not lost…

after all.  :)