Love, Faith & Hope

Easter.

Easter is about LOVE. It's about FAITH. It's about HOPE.

I had a wonderful Easter. Really, really wonderful. I started my day off going to Mass with my mom and sisters. We went to the early bird Mass (7:30am). It was a good way to start off the day, even if the singing left a little to be desired. There really is no other day like Easter, when I reminded that my faith gives me the greatest hope. It's comforting to know my angels still surround me. Even if I can't see them.

After Mass, we went home and Sara and I finished up preparing the desserts and cleaning the house while my mom started the many meats (pork loin, spiral ham and lamb) and sea foods (mussels, octopus, and shrimp) we were going to be gorging on in a few hours.

I love my family. They're really pretty awesome. And, there really is no better way to spend a holiday than with them-- eating, drinking and being generally insane. Even if that means I have to go to work with a hangover and little sleep the next day.

This Easter was a good one for all of its love, faith & hope.

Because today needs 5 things....

1. I woke up!
2. I walked a lot this morning.
3. The weather was so nice today!
4. I spent some time with my good friend, Kathy. We made plans for bar trivia on Tuesday. I'm looking forward to it.
5. It's Holy Thursday. Holy Week is so comforting. I'm looking forward to Easter & all the hope that comes along with it.

For Erin.

Erin earned her angel wings today.

I never met Erin, but I’ve been following her story for some time now, thanks to my friend, Jennifer. My heart breaks for Erin and her family. And, today, I hold them especially close to my heart. Erin was inspirational. She was full of life and beauty and hope. Our world was a better place with her in it and it’s sadder now that she has flown away. I like to think that she is now living in the stars with so many of our other angels. Stars are magical.

As the Little Prince said,

“In one of the stars I shall be living. In one of them I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing when you look at the sky at night…..And when your sorrow is comforted…you will be content that you have known me. You will always be my friend.”

Erin, I will remember you forever. Thank you for sharing your light and your laughter with us.

Update

Ok, so I ended up working late & my leg has been acting up again so I didn't go for a run last night. BUT, I did take a long walk in the beautiful evening and enjoy some almost-sort-of-nearly Spring weather. I also listened to some favorite tunes. Need a new song? "Bloody Nose" by Earlimart is awesome. I. LOVE. It. Don't let the name deter you. The song is great. As Sara would say, it's a very "Olivia song".

I went for a quasi-run on the treadmill this morning but had to stop after 30 minutes because my leg was in too much pain. I did more walking after that, though. Something, is something, right? :p

Today, I will leave work on time (yay!) and head to church with the family. Tomorrow I have off and will try running again. I'll also most likely spend the day cleaning and preparing for the family get-together on Sunday. I love me some good family time. We're all sorts of insane, but life is more fun that way.

Yesterday's 5 Things:
1. I took a long walk in the morning. And in the evening.
2. My ipod kept me company at work.
3. Had lunch with my coworkers. It was fun. We laughed a lot.
4. I got some really sweet, uplifting and fun emails/messages from friends.
5. I woke up!

covers over my head & mud on my shoes.

For the last few days, I've been waking up with less energy. I'm tired, mentally, physically, everything-ly and it's made me want to just keep the covers over my head and sleep until it's time for bed. It didn't help that after donating blood yesterday, I fell in a whole bunch of mud on my way home and ruined my Converse sneakers (My favorite shoes. Ever.)

Clearly, I need another self-care day. Or for caffeine to be introduced intravenously to my blood stream. Something.

So, I've decided to start the day with this blog post. Because it comforts me to write. And, if I can put my thoughts into words, I know they will motivate me into action.

I want to go for another awesome run and finish off the day jumping around & singing out loud to my favorite songs. And, I will. Today.

I am taking the covers off my head.

Pictures of the sun & such

I had a great day today. And, I really needed it. I've been feeling a little lost lately and so busy and tired that days like today are priceless. I didn't do anything special. I spent the day at home with my family, relaxing, doing nothing significant. It was very much a self-care day. I've been missing those.


So, here are my five things for the day:

1. The weather was so nice. It was bright and sunny and crisp. I went to a park a few blocks from my house and swung on the swings. Yup. I'm nearly 26 and swinging on the swings is still a favorite. I highly recommend it. It's good for your legs and even better for your soul. I then came home, took the picture below for #27 of LTLYM (and the one above just because I wanted to) and I laid down on the grass to enjoy the sound of the birds singing, the feel of the breeze on my face and the grass underneath. To experience some Spring.

2. I was able to run (on the treadmill) for nearly an hour. After weeks of pain (not entirely gone), it was so nice to run again! I absolutely love running. I love listening to music while I run. I love letting my mind wander. I love sweating. I love the way my heart feels. I love the way I feel when I've finished a good run. I love running.

3. I got to spend time with my family. With my work schedule, other commitments and 1.5 hours commute (one way) to lower Manhattan, I don't often get to just sit and chat with my mom and sisters. Today reminded me that I really love it. And, the trip to Starbucks for a Frappuccino was just icing on the cake.

4. I went to Church. I haven't been to church in a while (cough, cough--Ash Wednesday). Ever since graduating from Dartmouth and leaving Aquinas House, I've struggled with finding a place where I feel comfortable, welcome and "at home" in the Catholic community. It's one of the reasons I've let me Mass-going slip. I went today and it felt good for my soul. I still need to find a more liberal church for my taste, but my soul needed some renewal. It found some today.

5. I HEARD "WHERE I STOOD" ON THE RADIO!!! Ok, so the story behind the song (which actually *just* came on my iTunes. :p) I heard the song on OTH and fell in love with it. I can't explain why. I just love the song and I especially love singing along to it. It's a "sing along song" and I love songs that make me want/need to sing along to them. Sing along songs are not the same for everyone, but "Where I Stood" (by Missy Higgins) is one of those songs for me. (I kid you not, I was actually standing at the bus stop the other day, listening to my ipod, when it came on and I literally didn't even realize I was signing out loud until I caught myself half-way through. Fortunately, no one was around to hear me. It was a very "Olivia" moment. I've never heard it on the radio, but when it came on today as we got into the car, I actually gasped and burst out laughing. And, of course, singing along.

Clearly, I don't need much to make me happy.

Life is in the small things, after all.

I woke up!

I am reading a wonderful book. Same Kind of Different as Me. It's the story about a homeless man and a rich art seller who form the unlikeliest of friendships. Somewhere in the book, the international art seller relates a story that goes something like this.

He sees a homeless man in the street who has not eaten for days and has absolutely nothing. Despite his hard life, he is smiling and when asked why, the man replies: "I woke up!".

It made me realize how little I appreciate and truly value the most important things in life--the small things. I've never really thought about the miracle in waking up. In the true gift of another day. We should all wake up every day with that same awe and say to ourselves as we open our eyes: "I woke up!".

A small prayer of thanksgiving. It's a good way to start the day.