It’s been twelve years since you left us, but you are often in my thoughts and always in my heart.
As always, this is a day filled with memories of you. Each year, I try to find something that honors you and the lessons you left behind.
This year, I’m in Italy, at a yoga retreat with your Aunt Sam. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, but I’ve never been entirely comfortable with travel. The fact that it fell on your memorial day was the sign I needed—I knew I had to go.
You LOVED to go places and in your short time with us, you taught us so much! Things like sometimes the car ride is the best part of a journey, have fun no matter what you’re doing, find joy in the little things—like Doritos and bumpy cake—and naps are amazingl
Interestingly, this retreat focuses on these same ideas and has been a powerful reminder to step outside my comfort zone, live in the moment, practice gratitude, and find balance in doing everything or doing nothing.
Your lessons echo here and encourage me to remember that:
- going outside your comfort zone is about the journey, not the outcome.
- practicing gratitude helps to make the best of every moment.
- choose what you say yes to and what you say no to… you don’t have to do everything and doing nothing is doing something.
One of the first exercises we did at the yoga retreat was to find a word that would be your “waypoint”. The word I chose was balance, and I struggled through quite a few sessions wondering if I had chosen the right word. In last year’s post, I wrote Lisa was spectacular at balancing her love for "doing" with "being" and I realize I have had the right word all along.
Once again, I realize you were wise beyond your years. I'm still learning and will seek to embrace balance and gratitude every day.
Love You Lisa. Miss You Lisa.
