thoughts from a late night movie

I cried myself to sleep last night after staying up far too late watching Meet Joe Black -- I love that movie. I'd like to blame it on the music, the soundtrack is so full of emotion it gets me every time, but the truth is, there are many moments in the film that touch on the frailty of this life that hit me deep down.

Like this one ---

"I thought I was going to sneak away tonight. What a glorious night. Every face I see is a memory. It may not be a perfectly perfect memory. Sometimes we had our ups and downs. But we're all together, and you're mine for a night. And I'm going to break precedent and tell you my one candle wish: that you would have a life as lucky as mine, where you can wake up one morning and say, 'I don't want anything more.' Sixty-five years. Don't they go by in a blink" -William Parrish | Meet Joe Black 1998

Tell me it's not just me. That's good stuff, no?

But in particular, it was one of the last scenes where William Parrish (Anthony Hopkins) and Joe Black (Brad Pitt) are getting ready to leave this life for the last time that had me teary. Both of them looking out at the world longingly, realizing more than ever that life, with all it's heartache and misunderstanding, is beautiful. The most beautiful of them, and the thing we long for the most, the thing that will be hardest to walk away from, are the relationships we've created -- simply put, love. While I believe wholeheartedly that the next life is better than even what we have here, and we will continue on with those relationships, it is still bittersweet, I imagine, to leave behind the place where your experiences began, where your most important lessons were learned, and you were given the agency to make your life into whatever it is you wanted.

Even writing that makes me antsy. I so long to live with no regrets, enjoying all the pieces, the ups and down, or maybe I should more accurately say, appreciating the uncomfortable moments for what they have taught me and helped me to become.

And while my life is living proof that teaching moments never cease, I know I couldn't possibly get through this life without my friends, family, and loved ones. After all, we were never meant to walk our path alone. How grateful I am for those of you who have crossed my path and joined me along the way. What you have given me is truly a gift. It is a blessing to know what we create here, will carry with us to the next. 

xoxxo

thanksgiving weekend pt.2

SATURDAY


We went to the movies. All the girls had read The Invention of Hugo Cabret and they were very anxious to see the movie Hugo. I must say, sitting next to Megan in a theater seeing a movie of a book she has read, hence knowing what comes next, is not what you'd call the best movie viewing. The girls loved it, Adam not so much, though we both agreed the cinematography was fabulous. I think it was a wee bit long, got slow in some parts, but I enjoyed it.


Afterward we went for a bit of window shopping and milling about. I already had to return some things believe it or not.


We hit anthropologie,


and of course barnes&noble.


Almost at once it turned to dusk and then really that's when the magic started. Yes it was chilly out, but all I wanted was to stay for a while surrounded by the lights and Christmasy atmosphere. I could tell I was not the only one.




We drove home in the most magical light and watched the light fade along the horizon. What a lovely afternoon/evening we had together as a family.


As we watched the sliver of a moon follow us home, it was the perfect end to a most delightful holiday weekend.

five for friday

* I've been dragging my feet for months, but I did it. I finally opened my own etsy site. Right now I've got a few of my photo cards and tags (I'm starting small), but I'm hoping to add to it. I'm just feeling it out for now, you never know how these things will go.

* I spent a good portion of my morning in bed reading. I haven't done that in so long, but my schedule was open so I allowed myself the extra time. It was an utter delight. I'm glad I took the time because once I got up I haven't stopped.

* Tonight as a family we're going to see the Disney "Earth" movie (see, I've got my head on straight with this whole flu thing...look at me going out in public). I haven't heard anything about it, but my girls are super excited, they love animals, and I'm sure it's beautiful. Has anyone seen it yet?

* Before that though, I'm taking a bunch of 8-11 year old girls swimming. It should be a good time for them, but muggy for me since it will be an indoor pool and I don't plan on swimming myself. At least I'll have some good company to hang out with.



* I took this in the car, no I wasn't driving, but can you imagine if I were? It was one of my favorite late night family drives to date because you couldn't escape the dramatic sky. It's one of the things I love so much about the sun setting later and summer coming...the color in the sky always seem brighter.

date night in St. George

[iphone]

A night on the town with James Bond in St. George having a kid-free weekend. Can it get any better?

Too bad the movie wasn't as good as the first.