Happy Mother's Day, mom!

How does a child thank the woman who gave you life? I mean, my mom labored for 36 hours to bring me into this world! She doesn't let me forget this fact, either!  I'm not sure how one can love another who caused me so much grief and pain. It's something I wonder about at times.  Growing up, mom taught all of her children to be good people, live our lives well, and to be honest. 

Today, I think it dawned on me how to say thank you to my mom for being my mom, but also for teaching me how to be the woman I am.  Here are a few thoughts that came to mind:

Be a kind person. Sounds easy, right? Even when you don't like another person still be kind. You never know what the person is going through. Your positive behavior and/or response just might turn things around.

Give back to others. Mom says when you have, you give. There is always someone out there less fortunate than you. This isn't always a monetary act of giving.

Always do your best.  No matter what.

These are but a few items that popped into my mind as I pondered a way to wish my mom a Happy Mother's Day.

More than anything, I simply wanted to acknowledge my mom and thank her for being a loving, kind, HELLA funny and generous woman. She's always had her mom game up, but for me, during the last 6-8 months her game has been on full-tilt! Always encouraging.  Always reminding me to believe in God and His works. Always reminding me to enjoy the time off I had.

Mom, thank you! Thank you for all that you've done and for the things you have yet to do. Have an amazing Mother's Day today and everyday! I love you more than these words could ever express.

Pooh
(yup, this is what mom calls me)

Oakland Running Festival: part IV

Today was the 5th Anniversary of the Oakland Running Festival,  but my 4th time completing this event.  Each year the organizers get better and better. This event is picking up steam on the fun factor, too.  They've always offered a relay team to complete 13.1 and next year, I want in on a team!  They also added a 'we run Oakland' medal, which is the completion of the 5k and the half marathon. Leave it to my mom to take things to the next level, by completing both events.  I walked the 5k with my sister, Pam and friend, Lourdes.  We had a nice chat along the way.  After the walk, I went to church and was truly lifted. I'm so glad I did both events today.

Nike Women's Marathon: A mother/daughter tradition

Nike Name Wall

It's that time of year again.  The 3rd Sunday in October. The time of year that is reserverd for all things Nike Women's Marathon (NWM).  I've said it in a previous post,  but for many women this is the most coveted event to do!  The Tiffany Blue box at the finish is what all the ladies desire.

For mom and I? Yeah, it's about the finish prize, but for the last 10 years,  this is the one event we for sure do together.  At some point over the year's,  we established a tradition.

On the Thursday prior to the event, mom would meet me downtown.  She would be excited as all get-out. Me? Not so much. It was just another event.  We go pick up our swag at the expotique, see what other free goodies we could snag, and then look for our names on the wall of Niketown, and finally shop.  Lastly, we would wrap up at Nordstrom.  A visit to the shoe department before enjoying dinner and a cocktail at the cafe.  We would laugh, mom would continue to express her excitement about NWM, we would talk about how much money we spent, too!

This year will be my last NWM and my last 13.1 EVER!!  Mom says it will be her last NWM, too but we shall see next April when registration opens.   Our pre-NWM tradition doesn't have to end this year.  Next year, I will visit the expotique as a guest and not a participant.

Here's to 10 years of NWM!

Mom holding up '10' at expotique

Birthday Memories

This year, I enjoyed a birthday staycation celebration.   I spent some time with and had fun with some of my favorite people.  Take a look!!

I Enjoyed a ferry ride to Tiburon with my mom, Livermore Valley Wine tasting with my bff, lunch date with two adorable boys and their moms, and a sunset bay cruise with a handsome man.  Lastly, i enjoyed a home-cooked meal prepared by my sister-in-law and my niece and nephew made me a delicious cake. Helped me blow out the candles, too.

The bay area has a lots of things to do.  I highly encourage being a tourist in our beautiful city.

I remember when....

My broken ankle experience has provided me with some great learning opportunities.  These last few months since I've been able to drive have been super busy.  To the point that I can't wait for a weekend to, as I say, 'get reacquainted with my couch'.  Thus the title of this entry.  I remember when....  I decided to reminisce of some of the things I thought about while I felt I was 'home-bound'.  In reality, I where I was supposed to be at that moment in time.

I remember when....

• I wanted to get in my car and go! No place in particular,  but because I could
• I had to decide between getting my hair cut or going to the farmers market because I didn't have a ride for the day
• I would reach out to folks for help and got no response until hours later
• How thankful I was that my friend took bart to pick me up from the airport to drive me home and carried all my stuff up two flights of stairs
• I would get weekly text messages asking if I needed anything from long time friends
• I had to learn how to accept help from friends
• I'd laugh out loud when I recalled funny moments shared with my bff
• I realized how lucky I am even when I was in the midst of a pity party
• I felt lonely in my house because I was 'stuck'
• I prepared a home cooked meal
• My nosy neighbor offered to take my trash out
• I appreciated my own surroundings
• I shared with others how my mom and bff took care of me
• My big sis prepared breakfast for me and my mom
• A friend I hadn't talked to in a while visited me and brought me groceries
• My zumba instructor came by to watch football
• I couldn't wait to have my independence back 
• I shared with my mom and bff that I stood in the shower for the first time
• I thanked my doctors for their great care and attention to detail

I could go on and on with this list.  The point of it all is sometimes, we aren't always satisfied with where we are at a given moment in time. But if you stop and observe you can appreciate how lucky you really are.

I certainly have.