keep the love that keeps us strong

song of the day: 'friends are friends forever' by michael w. smith

starting to get back into the swing of things since my vacation. and yesterday was so warm i was almost too hot in my sweater! i love that spring is almost here. it's such a refreshing season. like you can kind of start over with things and have a renewed sense of energy and zest for life. i'm looking forward to a boost in motivation. i've been feeling so closed in, literally and emotionally, and am craving connections. i think that's one thing (of many) that spending time in tahoe taught me. i need to connect more. not on a superficial level, but where i can really develop a relationship. i've been pulling away lately and i don't want to keep doing that. but i want fewer surface friendships so i can focus more on quality friendships. i think i've been really reluctant to do that. i mean, it's hard to invest. but when you finally do it, it's totally worth it. because if nothing else, you want to be able to open up, expose all the insecurities, the ugly, the shameful, the scared, the strong, the beautiful, the delicate things that live inside and be accepted. that's what we want almost more than anything, to be accepted and be loved.

and did you notice a difference in my hair? i got a new style while in tahoe!! christina (second skin) graciously agreed to cut my hair and i love it! i have it pulled up, it's not actually that short. it's super cute and sassy, and well, matt loves it too :)

details:

sweater, shoes, bag-thrifted

dress-from ages ago and i chopped it at the bottom (of course :)

just the pledge of my life, my love

song of the day: 'for you' by john denver (one of my parents' favorite songs)

i got to spend the day with my mom in the hospital yesterday. by monday afternoon, it was clear she'd had a fairly significant stroke. she couldn't use her left side at all, slurred her words, and couldn't even swallow water. monday night was really really hard. my stomach was uneasy and i would just spontaneously start crying. but the minute i walked into her room on tuesday morning and saw her face, this incredible peace washed over me. she was greatly changed, but the reality of the situation was so much easier to bear than the nightmare i had formed in my mind. there are the sweetest glimpses of my mother as she was before in her speech. she'll make jokes and even when you don't think she's listening, she'll just start in on the conversation. there's a lot that she'll have to overcome in the next months. but the doctors are hopeful that she'll make great progress with therapy and time.

but i think the most wonderful thing i've seen so far in all this, is the love my parents have for each other. to witness the tenderness in the way my dad will hold mom's hand and kiss her cheek. the selfless way he'll comb her hair and get another blanket and prop up her head. i mean, they've loved each other for almost 50 years, since they were both 14! but it is just as sweet, and truly even more so, than it was in the beginning. they are living their wedding vows right now: in sickness and in health. what an incredible legacy to leave with your children.

again, thanks so much for your encouragement and support. i am truly blessed :)

details:

jacket-vintage

dress-one of those discount retail stores but i don't remember which one

shoes-target

bag-vintage