Finding Serenity in Memories

Tomorrow morning I will accompany my mother to closing on our family home.  Over the past few weeks I have thought a lot about growing up in this house.

It was filled with celebrations, family dinners, holidays, proms, parties, and grandchildren, but there were also sad times and arguments, illness, hospitalizations, and deaths.  This is all a part of the family cycle and what makes a house a home.

My parents did very little in the way of renovations to our home, they did the kitchen and bathrooms but for most of my young life I shared a bedroom with my sister (4 year age difference - she's younger) and I was not happy about that, but I got used to it and now as adults we are close, but when I was 10 and she was 6 not so much, then she was just annoying.  We also have brother who was stuck with being the middle child.

We walked to elementary school, took buses to junior high and high school and hung out with our friends in the backyard, patio or finished basement.  We participated in outside activities, sports, theater, music and religious activities. There was always snacks and there was always lots of laughing.

As we got older and our parents became what all parents become when their children are in high school - embarrassing, we all survived, not always happily but with renewed determination.  Luckily once college starts they become less so and by the time we graduated they were actually pretty okay. As each of us married and had families of our own, our childhood home became the place to return to and a new generation of babies and toddlers find fun and food in their grandparents home.

So, tomorrow a new young family will take residence of our home and begin to make their own memories and this is how it should be.  I am finding serenity in this thought and truly believe that the memories of growing up surrounded by family, friends, food and love will always be a factor in finding serenity in my everyday life.  Especially now as my own children begin their journeys into finding their own serenity in their pathways through life.

Find serenity in your memories both happy and sad, this is what family is all about.

Finding on Serenity in being a Mother

So here it is the end of the official Mother's Day and it has been a day filled with phone calls, cards, good food and of course family.

In each blog I ask the question of finding serenity in various situations, so today here's the question - how do maintain serenity when a family member begins a rant against you personally?

This happened to me today and I found the solution with ease.  Don't fight back, Don't raise your voice, just listen and understand where the issue is coming from.  Frustrations, anger, and fear cause people to just react.  The key is to not overreact in response.

It's a difficult balance to maintain and I know that there are times when I am not successful and do overreact, but hopefully I can bring back my focus, balance and serenity.

I hope that each and every day of my life I can find a balance of find the serenity in all situations, whether it's writing in my blog, exercising, eating, working, cleaning, enjoying my family, enjoying my cat, reading on my IPad, surfing the web, arguing with my husband, traveling, etc.

So I suggest taking a deep breath, close your eyes, picture your children, your grandchildren, your spouse or partner and find the happiness and joy in the pleasure of being surrounded by love.  These moments will fill you with serenity.

Each and every day take a moment to re-adjust and locate your serenity.  Be in the moment.

Happy Mother's Day.