In celebration of life and love..who do you love...and why?

Yes - I love the photo very much. Tasha and Tigger look very peaceful and happy together - just proves that the people who say cats and dogs are natural enemies and can ever get on, just don't know what they are talking about! My parents always had both cats and dogs when I was growing up. And I was so sad to read abot your Dad - I know that I am blessed to have had a very secure, safe and uneventful childhood, with none of the traumas that some people here had to suffer, - and I am grateful for that. Nice to talk to you as usual.

Your Mother sounds like a very wise woman - I see now that you must have taken after her. As for my "site" - well it doesn't exist any longer I'm afraid! I started it, wrote the first entry - and then kind of discarded it:-(( I am a firm believer in the theory that nothing is worth doing unless it is done well, and with my job and other commitments, I knew I didn't have the time to do it well, so I put it on ice until I do have time to do it properly! I am always happy to oblige with fur baby pictures though........ so this is Henry - another cute ginger:-)) Henry is very much an outdoor cat - a former stray, he still tends to go off for days even though I have had him neutered etc. When he is with me he is very affectionate - but he sure likes his own space and time alone! Hope you like him:-))

What an interesting self-observation. If you are selfish it sure doesn't come through in your posts. I was impressed by your thoughtfulness about finishing the story about your friend who had a happy ending rather than leaving me handing and wondering. Your hubby sounds like a well-rounded personality and yes, all of our individual upbringings definitely shape our perceptions of who we 'think' we are. The great thing about life is that we do not have to stay stuck in the old track records because it is never too early or too late to have a fresh beginning...and that is why we named our self-development company that! Funny how your Dad and my Mom gave us lessons that we both value. My mother was so afraid of me developing 'an only child mentality' she made sure that she was the den mother for all the kids in the neighborhood and that everyone congregated at our place because she as a super social convener. Having so many kids around after school and during summer holidays taught me how to think about others and share. She wisely said..."Your dad and I think you are wonderful and the center of our world but if you are not kind and considerate towards others you won't win any popularity polls...so always live by the Golden Rule and your relationships with others will usually be on respectful terms." Yes, it is so satisfying to chat with you...and I am pleased that we do! Glad you like the other photo of Cherokee and your comments.Now you've seen both of our dogs and a few of our cats. If you have more photos of your 'kids' I'd welcome them. I am a sucker for cute pet photos as you have probably observed by now! So long for now..I'll drop to visit you soon at your site. Raia

Hello again my friend..good to hear from you! As I read your response I found it precisely what I was hoping to read from members. Your expressions of love...and why you love are so heartfelt, genuine and a delight to read. Your hubby sounds wonderful and it is good to know you have someone who adds so much to your life as well. Your descriptions of him and how he has been there for you are akin to things that my Sweetie has provided for me. We are certainly blessed to have a life with men who make life sweet, safe and wonderful. Hearing about your children and your love for them is very touching. I cannot help but think about how fortunate they are to have a Mom like you. After chatting about Tammy and Rob and sharing views about their passing it is clear to me that you are a bright, beautiful being. Undoubtedly, your children will become wonderful planetary citizens under your influence. Ahhh...and our friends..yes I agree with you about how they provide another dimension to loving relationship...as do our pets. The love bonds we share with them are truly remarkable. You have posted some wonderful examples of how we celebrate life through all those we love and who love us. Thank you so much for a moving post...and reading it makes me grateful to know you are out there...beaming your own loving light on all you come in contact with. We are indeed fortunate to have you sharing who you are with friends and fellow Mylotters. Warmest regards to you and yours, Raia

You are most welcome. :) When one really gets down to it, love really has no boundaries, though to each it will have a different meaning and each will show it in their own ways. I would have still known what love was, even without the help of others broadening the aspect of what love and life is and can be, but without the help of others opening my eyes further, I would have most likely turned into a cold and uncaring person, because of what life was throwing at me at the time before so many wonderful people came into my life. Strange how some things work out, but it proves that even the smallest of gestures can have a lasting impact on any individual.

Thanks Raia for your kind words, it is always a pleasure to read your response. I love your photo, its funny but you look just like I imagined. Its great to know you have been able to work together through your relationship and become stronger. We are very close, but just too firey sometimes in our way of dealing with things. I look forward to another thought provoking discussion from you. Take care my friend xx

Hearing from you and enjoying the give and take within our sharing circle has created a wonderful enjoyment in our on-line gal-palling! I appreciate your feedback about how I look..I figured it was time to open up a little more to trusted friends and allies here and allow others to 'see' who the face is behind the perspectives I share. You and so many others have provided so much love, care support, insightful sharing and validation to me that it seems only fair that you know who you are talking to. From what you describe in your relationship with your partner the sparks keep things alive and thriving. Some couples make that work for them. David is a fiery Irishman under the sign of Aries...and I love the intensity that periodically rumbles to the surface. He is a man of conviction and is not afraid to state who is and how he feels. Some of that was defused when he went through some health challenges that affected his ability to work during the last couple of years. I am even more proud of him than ever because he has turned his scars into stars and is shining even more brightly than before his health problems occurred. Having some financial constraint gave us a chance to simplify our life and decide what really matters and we have grown immensely from learning how to contain our life, our time, energy and finances in ways that were impossible before he could not work. We were both rather driven before...and I was much more Type A than I am now and I love living within the flow of my own rhythms rather than with the 'wouda, couda, shoudas' within my old mindset. I still get a lot done...but the pace of it is so different now. Within all I have been through in the past I do my best to live in present time rather than regretting the past and projecting into the future. Being in the NOW-NESS of life makes me appreciate the chance to love and be loved than ever before. I can truly feel that within the energy within the posts we share here with each other. I feel the essence of those behind sitting in front of their screens...and trust my intuitive knowing about the authenticity of what they are saying. That is why what you say never sounds nutty or radical to me...I feel the genuine-ness of your passion for your loved ones and all you are doing to make the world a happier, safer place. It gives me joy to think of you within your element there...and I look forward to hearing more of how things outwork in your life. Warmest regards again my dear friend...the discussions will keep coming...because I look forward to hearing from you too! Cheers, Raia You and your own Sweetie are to be commended for your mutual willingness to come back and keep working through the things that were standing in the way of being able to connect and deeper levels. If people were really honest about it I think many would admit that relationships require work, commitment, perseverance. Each partner is a mirror for the other and sometimes it is hard for any of us to admit our part in things. But when we do there are opportunities to become more authentic and self-responsible persons. I hope you and your partner give yourselves kudos...I sure do. In our work we see all too many couples who refuse to do their individual parts to make things work and that is sad. Divorce rates reveal that. For those of us who are willing to do walk our talk and work together through the ups and downs in life we end having conversations like this...being able to celebrate who we love and telling others why. Thank you for your willingness to share that with me...I'd love to have a chance to chat with you in person someday...I truly respect who you are and how you think. Wishing you continued success in your commitment to your loved ones and all those less fortunate who need a voice like yours!

OMG...why on earth would you think you sound like a nut job? From other discussions we have had I see you as a strong, independent thinker who has the courage of her convictions. I decided to post this discussion because I felt sure valued on-line friends like you would add your passionate views about who you love and why...and I am delighted to see that you have. The love you have for your Mom sounds so deep and respectful and the way your children must feel fortunate to have a Mom who loves them the way you do. The fact that you want to advocate for all the suffering children in the world does not sound nutty to me...we all need to remember the 'it takes a village to raise a child' principle within the One Song of our humanity. The 'flint on flint' spars with your hubby sound like patterns David and I had earlier in our marriage. Now we are at a place where we choose to handle our conflicts differently. We are also living our life differently and working together to contain our time, energies and finances so we are 'living within our mweans.' That keeps the stress ors down. Consequently, our conflicts are less. However, even when times were tough I always knew that we would make it through anything as long as we were together. Obviously you and your partner have something that allows you to come back for another round...it says a lot about what must be there between you. It is admirable that you are working to become a teacher..you will undoubtedly give your students a strong sense of civil duty...and you know what they say...the best way to teach is by your own example. So my friend...I love this response. Thank you for always being so willing to speak your truth with such genuineness. I respect that about you and value the things we have shared in other chats...and look forward to more again. Wishing you and yours the best life has to offer... Raia

Hello and thank you for coming by to add your wonderful words about who you love and why. Sounds like you have strong family ties that support you in very loving ways. It is great that you sound so appreciative of them and what they bring to your life. You must add a lot to their lives as well...and that makes love and life rich and fulfilling. You are right about all the love there is in Mylot Land. The people here are always offering love, care, compassion and support to each other and it makes one feel blessed to be a part of it. You will be missed...but keep in touch as you can...and hurry back to your loving, Mylot community! Take care...and thanks for your input. Raia

Ahhh what a beautiful story and representation of love, faith, hope...and miracles. Now I know why you used the site name of smileymom...you have obviously have a lot to smile about in becoming the Mom you always wanted to be. You are a walking testimony to the spiritual teaching of 'letting go and letting God.' I appreciate what you say about unconditional love..it is sweet, innocent and pure. When I posted this discussion I felt sure that I'd be moved by what I would read...and I have been by your wonderful story of love. Thank you. Raia

Hi and thanks for adding your input to this discussion. You certainly have explained who you love and why very well. It sounds as though you and your step sister share a wonderful bond and that you understand each other very well. Hopefully this loving, caring relationship will last throughout your whole lives and that you will never have to know what losing it feels like. All the best... Raia

your welcome always willing to share what I have. and hope his helps someone else to to know they are always around you . Ok glad to hear ya not going any wher this wek end and dont ya know ya not surpose to hur5t your knee any more! Try putting some ice on it ok? ok! hugs and blessings

hmmmmmmmmm we even have dogs named the same hugs

Oh yes, speaking of love in all its many forms I hope you will check out the two photos of our dogs and cats that I left for Rosie to look at. Our two big dogs show their gentle ways of loving our two little kitties when they were only a few months old. All 5 cats are around a year and they love to snuggle with each other and the dogs. Here's another photo to share of their snuggle fests...as you can tell I love my cats and dogs...because they provide so much love back! I know you feel the same love for your dogs...the ones you have and any that have passed on. I cannot fathom that they do not go on to the other side...or come back to join us again just like others within our soul community. It is so much fun talking about love and how sweeter it makes life for all of us. Thanks again for being such a good friend and always showing up here and adding wonderful comments to any topic and taking the time to check out photos and add your 'view' of them. You are a great friend and I love you! Offering you continued love, light and energy on your healing journey! Raia

I love my daughter. I love the way she makes me feel special, that is heavenly. She has such a friendly and cheerful disposition. She mostly gives me my inspiration AND perspiration! LOL for being so naughty and hyperactive all the time. I love my sisiter. She is my only sibling. I wish for her healing soon. She is one very brave person, even if she doesn't feel exactly that way. We share some things only sisters could understand and I value that bond because when we were little, growing up, we had so many issues. I love my best friend because most of what I have gone through in life, she was there for me. She is not always with me, though, but I treasure the moments that we are together. We try to understand each other even if we have different opinions and point out the things and choices we can do but ultimately, whatever one decides to do with her life we are still there for each other. Thank you for letting us stop and think about these lovely things in our lives that makes it joyful and meaningful to live in. Hugs and blessings my dear friend.

Hi again, my friend(: You never fail to manage to bring tears to my eyes. Perhaps, it is the sincerity, the warmth that I feel from you. You being real. And maybe something more, it is the overflowing of goodness in your heart. I am really glad to be one of the people that could develop that meaningful connection with you. And with the recent understanding that we have in common about butterflies and our own mothers. I believe that there is no such thing as coincidence... some things are meant to happen for a reason..Well, there was a familiar saying that people come in to our lives for a reason...and what yoou said about each one is inwardly connected to the Source and to everyone else...profound, and I do believe it as well.

Hello again.. Thank you for your comments about my hubby and I as a couple. Having lovely feedback from you and others about David and I was an unexpected gift that I did not expect when I decided to present more of who we are within the Mylot community. When I first became a member here I was not sure of what to expect and felt the need to keep everyone at arms length until I developed a sense of who really was sitting behind their monitors and why they were here. Within a few short discussions and responses I started to see there were many people with whom I could develop some meaningful connections with...and you certainly are one of them. As the days, weeks and months have gone by I am increasingly more comfortable with revealing more of my life and welcoming the same from others. The chats we have have fell into that category quite quickly and here we are again. It is wonderful to read about who you love and why. I particularly liked what you said about your husband...with his aura of confidence...and how you love his vulnerability and humility that he reveals to you when you are alone. What a healthy and wholesome bond that is...when loved ones can be open, candid and genuine..it is the best gift of all. The love you have for your mother and how it continues beyond this realm is akin to that with my Mom...although I did not mention her..it is there. The fact that we have a butterfly connection to our mothers and their passing was an amazing thing to discover. Perhaps they have already met over there. If our Moms were over our shoulders as we chat on line...maybe they have introduced themselves and have wandered off to chat about how special it is that their 'girls' are chatting and now they can do the same. What a lovely that image is for me! Anyway the fact that you also have meaningful female friends and your sister to love is something I also cherish. Our gal pals teach us other ways to love and my women friends have helped me grow and trust in ways that I used to find difficult. It was never easy for me to reveal my feelings of insecurity...but my friend of 20 years and I helped each other become more comfortable with it within the emotional security we have created over the years. I have had that with David from early in our relationship...but I value the different feel it has with them. So dear friend...this has been another wonderful heart to heart and I am thankful for our open, respectful dialogs. May the love and light you have within the circle that you have continue to grow brighter with every passing day. Blessings.. Raia

Hi again my friend...nice to be chatting again. We've been flying in different orbits these days! Love is love and from the sound of it the bond you and your daughter share is akin to the one Mom and I had before she passed away a couple of years ago. I miss her so much...we used to have gal pal days where we'd shop until we dropped. So I totally understand the bond you share. I feel the love connection to my Mom beyond this life and look forward to seeing her when I am also beyond the rainbow. Thanks for your lovely comments about my Sweetie and me. We are in love and celebrate that every day. I am happy to know you have loving relationships in your life...you deserve them. Loving regards, Raia

Hi again.. Thank you for your heartwarming expressions of who you love and why. From different things I have read..or you have shared here it is good to know you have a hubby that has given you the love and care you offer to others so willingly. Your nephew sounds like a wonderful young person and I am sure the bond you sure enriches his life as it does yours. My Mom and I used to fight too..but we always felt as you and your Mom do..that in the end it would be her and me against the world when we needed the support. From the sound of it you have a wonderful, loving network of friends and loved ones and your appreciation for them comes through so strongly in what you wrote. Chats like these provide a more personal dimension to our on-line friendships and it is great to have your participation and to learn a little more about you. Much appreciated again twoey..and all the best to you and yours, Raia

Thank you...I am glad you enjoyed what I wrote. The feeling is mutual and I truly appreciate your thoughtful additions on the idea of love. It is very revealing to me about who you are when you say..."It is easier for me to live this life loving as much as I can". Wow...that is a powerful statement of intent and I am sure that all the love you give out comes back to you in subtle, profound and mysterious ways. That is what I know for sure...that love doesn't hurt...and feels really good. During my youth and throughout the many years I struggled with two eating disorders those challenges taught me that within feeling incomplete I had to find a way to fill myself up with love in all of my empty, shattered spaces. As I did that I had more love to give to others...and now it has come full circle. So yes, my friend I so agree with you that love is a simple...natural situation. I greatly appreciate this wonderful perspective of yours..and for your contribution to the topic. Warmest regards, Raia

How nice to hear how you feel...and who you love and why. Thank you for adding to the discussion...and welcome to Mylot.

Hi again, Once again I feel priviledged to be able to participate in conversations about you, your life and extended family members. It is of genuine interest to me to know how many siblings you have and to learn about the sacrifices your mother made for all of you to have the life she envisioned for you. The bond you and your father shared...and those with your hubby assist me in getting a greater feel for your extended family. It is not something that David or I have much frame of reference for because both our parents and his brother have passed on. I didn't have siblings and rarely see my cousins. Our approach to creating a sense of family is to surround ourselves with a community of like-minded others that we call our soul family. With not having children of our own we have chosen to involve ourselves with children through the Big Brother/Big Sister organization in support of the idea that it takes a village to raise a child. So in a different way we have a sense of love and being loved that enriches our life even though we do not share the customary connections many experience within their families of origin. I appreciate your open, authentic disclosure about the ups and downs you eperience with your hubby...David and I have certainly had our fair share of those alright. I think that people who never disagree or have things to work through probably aren't doing a lot to promote each other's growth. I now much of what has happened in our bond has created awareness about what needs changing and has always helped us to transform limiting patterns of thinking and behaving. So my friend we may have different lifestyles in some ways...but the way we approach who we are and how we live...there are some strong parallels. It is a joy to know you and and to hear the celebratory feelings you have about the love you have for your sweet boy. We are indeed very fortunate to have so much love in our lives...I am happy to know that about you and to be able to share my experiences with you. Good chatting as always...enjoy the weekend..it is Thanksgiving here and as my new discussion says I feel very blessed and trust you do too! Joyful tidings... Raia