I think I want to go zone out and watch a bit of TV. I’m tired tonight and have to work again tomorrow. I don’t mind working Sundays as the library opens at 1pm which allows me to get a lot of work done early.

I hope all is well in the world.

Love,

Annie

With Kyle I could not take my eyes off of him. I was amazed how he looked like a part of each one of us (Mom and Dad). He was so silent and sleeping so deep.  Each of  his little breaths and utterances entranced me.

Annie came along and she was so beautiful. I felt horrible because I was so tired I could not keep her with me for the first few hours. I cried over it, but pretty soon I had my energy back. She was fussy from the start, but then calmed down to sleep. I kept thinking about how much she and the baby who belonged to the lady next to me looked alike. I was fearful that the hospital would mix them up. I kept a constant vigil over her.

Callie came along and by that time I felt like a pro. It seemed like I could not have a more beautiful baby than Annie, but  Callie had those great big beautiful eyes. She was not difficult in the hospital and nursed easily. Annie and Kyle really made a big deal of her. They loved her so much.

I can’t wait to see my new granddaughter!

Today I bought some plants and flowers for our flower beds and we got everything ready for a load of soil this week. Next weekend is actually supposed to be nice so I am planning on working in the yard on Saturday. I really do love being outside.

This afternoon I have been reading The Secret Doctrine. It is very dense reading but I am working my way through it. Life is so rich I just don’t know how anyone could be bored. The church service yesterday at Atkinson was touching. The sermon focused on war and military service. I contemplated on my feelings about war and realized that I am very nearly a pacifist.  It is hard for me to define myself with such a label as I am not one to hold on to absolutes but I do not see how war is a necessary part of our lives. I guess my feelings are that I think it shouldn’t be a part of our lives but the reality is different. I will remain undecided but will also strive to maintain peace in my own life.

Anyhow, that is it for now. I love life and am actually looking forward to work this week.

Love,

Annie

We watched Gangs of New York last night. I enjoyed the movie very much. It made me despise war even more than I already do.

Tomorrow is Saturday and I would like very much to go the Farmer’s Market. I am going to go on a walk with mom with her walking group. They are going up in the west hills so it should be fun.

Anyhow, enough for now. Have a wonderful day, evening, night and morning.

Love, Annie

Last night at my Chalice Circle we asked ourselves the question of why some individuals are comfortable with shallow conversation at social gatherings and why others detest it. Some people seem to enjoy small talk and levels of discussion that center around the “doing” or accomplishments of life. For example, talking about what one did during the day, the new clothes they bought the new thing they achieved etc. While other individuals prefer to avoid small talk and talk about big ideas beyond the physical level of life. I reflected on how I avoid relationships that consist only of small talk and shallow ideas. I do not have as much patience for such relationships. I do not mean to say that I do not have such relationships but where I do, it is often because we are withholding ourselves from each other. Perhaps we have negative feelings toward the other that we are holding in and avoid them by remaining in a shallow, safe territory? Or perhaps we feel as though the other is strange to us and we fear the person they might be.

We are all human beings and we all eat, sleep, work to support ourselves, etc. etc. so to talk about those mundane tasks is not really something I prefer talking about with others. We have such incredible brains and spirits that I prefer to connect with others on a deeper level. What this does however, is induce silence more often and forces one to be more reflective. Often times it is easier to talk of the mundane in order to fill the silence. For many of us, the silence is not only where the spirit and the big ideas reside but also where fear resides. When we are filled with fear of ourselves or others, it is easier to fill the void with mundane conversations than to face the painful regions within.

Human beings are experts at pretending or “putting on a mask”. Our culture dictates normal social behavior and if our spirit does not resonate with all of those social norms we can choose to be outcasts or not follow the social norms or we can choose to outwardly behave as someone we are not. When this goes on for too long, we lose touch with our true selves and most of us are forced later on in life to reconnect with that person we have lost. So let us reconnect now. Let us accept ourselves and others for the true spirits residing within us. Let us open our hearts too all, even the social outcasts, the individuals who walk a different path than the one society has laid down for us. Let us treat others not as strangers but as fellow human being residing on this tiny tiny planet in a vast vast universe.

Annie, I just saw that you and Josh are planning your next trip, how exciting! I am anxious to hear where you decide to go. I would love to take a tropical vacation, but for now we are planning our trip to Paris. We are thinking of the last week in June, I’m starting to get very excited.

I spoke to dad yesterday, he informed me that Kyle told him Martha’s belly has dropped a bit. I hope this means baby will be coming soon, I am looking forward to hearing if it is a boy or girl.

I have been wanting to start taking a B vitamin, so am going to the store this evening to pick some up, any suggestions Annie?

I love you both and hope to hear from either of you soon.

Love,

Callie

I guess I should get going. I work an early shift today as I am doing a training at work. This means I get to leave early which will be very nice.

Have a wonderful day and evening Callie and Kyle. Love you both!

-Annie