Wednesday, February 7, 2018

2017 In-Review! Big Days, Small Days & Grand Days!

Every day is a blessing!!

Then again some days weigh in more than others; Some days define who we are; Some days force on the brakes on our journey; Some days just reroute our paths all together.

Such days appear in almost every year of our lives but too often we are too busy to truly appreciate it.


Perhaps this is one of the reasons I feel so compelled over the last few years especially to really stop and reflect over each passing year, as if it were a religious ritual.


It's just one more way to remind me to never again take any of my precious time, my incredible journey or my mundane or profound experiences for granted.


2017 was a BIG YEAR for me- and looking back since starting this blog four years ago, it's clearer now than ever, that every experience along the way was divinely mapped out to guide and lead me to -right here and now.


If I was to find words to describe this year in short- I'd have to conclude with these: love, weddings, reunions, family and friends - for this is a year of growing intricate and powerful bonds with people I love and admire and these include folks I'm joined to -whether biologically or spiritually- from past, present and future. 


The highlights from a year I've been waiting for- for all of my life, I now share  and document here on my blog with humility and with the deepest of gratitude.

JANUARY

I finally get to meet David's beautiful and spirited daughter (my now step-daughter).




















FEBRUARY:

Sometimes you have to wait for the right timing for a new beginning and that's perfect! 

When it comes to finding your life partner- this is the lesson I have learned: Love yourself, love being single totally and completely -and do not settle or compromise - until and unless- someone shows up- who suddenly makes it totally impossible for you to go on without them beside you at every step!! 

Love of my life proposed on Valentine's Day <3


























MARCH: 

Life is Magic!!




'The Universe expanded again today! In doing so it proved all over again how everything has purpose and how everything is intricately connected. '- From my Facebook posts for this month!!

  • Our kids meet: David's daughter and my son- (now 'our' kids)- meet and they connect effortlessly 
  • One random phone call: I discover that I have a step-brother- he's charming and intuitive and the instant bond between us- defies all logic. We share a biological father.  As we communicate, the doors open to more family and it feels like our deceased father is talking to us and through us; pieces of life's puzzles fall together from shared stories and we find secrets unravelling from the past- which apparently lost their rights to stay lost or forgotten. (No photo; He lives in Sweden)
  • Another random phone call: An old lost friend finds me via Facebook after 20 years. Yet it's the timing of it that makes it that much more profound. One night after a challenging day at work I explain to David why I chose the career path that I've followed and it is because of this one experience with this person, from 20 years ago. This is the person/friend who lands up finding and calling me the very next morning. Coincide!? Never in my books! It's reassuring and a reminder that I'm exactly where I need to be- following a purposeful path, no-matter how simple or grand. (No photo; He lives in Canada)


Dylan is also loving becoming part of a big wonderful family <3


David meets members from my family on a trip to Ohio












APRIL: 


WEDDINGS!!

We attended two beautiful weddings- of some of my favorite soul sisters. <3

Jolanta & Asad's beach wedding in Boston

Suzi & Vince's wedding in MD


MAY
:

Watching a play with David's gorgeous and sweet Mama <3


Celebrating David's soul brother's 60th birthday- in style 
(Dowton Abbey Themed-Style- 1910's)

LOSS IS PART OF LIFE TOO!! 

May they R.I.P.

My cousin, who's my age, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in India, leaving the family in shock. A few days later after her burial ceremony, her father, my uncle (mom's brother) passed away suddenly and unexpectedly as well. His heart was broken and he couldn't go on without his daughter I guess. Across the miles we visit a local cemetery and church to honor their memories and mourn the loss.



JUNE: 

Dylan graduates from Middle School (& Sarah graduates from High School)

Family time- there was a lot of that going on one way or another


JULY:

Met up with a dear childhood BFF after 30+ years!!
Visiting cousin in Ohio & he graciously offers to be our wedding photographer

My cousin practices, for our wedding, his photography skills & he's wonderfully talent at it! YAY!! (Thanks Pramad!!)
Another first!!! First time in a sari; I love it but have to say- it's not designed for movement (perhaps to ensure a woman doesn't run away from her man? Well- There's no danger of that here..heeheee :-D)

When in Rome....When in Indian Clothes...We play the Bollywood Part....LOL (with proper instructions from our own personal Photographer and Choreographer, my wonderful and talented cousin, Pramad)


REUNIONS!!! 

That's a big theme this year- not only in my life but also big in David's and the Luria Family's too- all around!!


David's sister and family return to USA after spending a decade abroad in the Peace Corps- YAY!!


AUGUST:

Our First Anniversary- of our meeting <3


SEPTEMBER
:

Events leading up to the Wedding!

I've waited for this moment all my life and it's nearly perfect.
Friends and family start arriving from near and far, and many I have not seen in months, years or decades.


THEN THE ACCIDENTS:

Accident One (Me): 48 hours before the ceremony, David and I take a day off to go to a spa, which unfortunately leads to an accident. 

Upon arriving at the spa, I step into a pool of water where the thermos had malfunctioned and heated the water to 158 degrees. The nightmare begins. I'm rushed off into an ambulance, separated from David for the ride, and we find ourselves in the ER for the day instead of the planned relaxation spa experience. 

Both my legs are left with burns- first, second and third degree burns and it's a terrifying experience to say the least. The doctor breaks it down for us- that we may not be able to go through with our wedding because he's not sure if I have permanent damage. He says the blood is not constricting in my left leg. 

We manage to talk him out of admitting me for the night and we leave promising to keep my leg elevated for the next 24 hours. Wait & See!! AGONY & HORROR!! All through it David is beside me and I feel his love. My son is beside me and friends who have arrived for the wedding. I'm determined to heal and be ready for the wedding day- burns or not- and am even starting to accept that I will not be wearing my beautiful wedding shoes or walking or dancing or maybe even drinking (since I can't mix it with the heavy duty pain killers)- One breath at a time- we hold on!!

The doctor advises otherwise, but nothing will stop us from going through with the planned wedding on September 9. 2017 regardless!!


                      & ACCIDENT TWO (David):

Night before the big day- David is digging into the suitcase for bandages for my leg and lands up cutting a chunk of his thumb off accidentally against a razor in the bag instead. He's now in agony too and as we go into the night there is a surreal sense of doom from both these accidents. I ask David then- 'are these signs that we should go through with the wedding?' & Of course he says 'it's a sign that nothing will stop us from going through with the wedding'-


He's right! I can hear Starship's song and the chorus is playing in my heart- 'Nothing's gonna stop us now!!'


Not the ideal scenario for the night before the wedding but we need bandages and stuff for the big day and we're on our way to Cherry Island MD where we will have our ceremony and we make a stop to run our errands mid-way


THE WEDDING DAY!! 


The weather is perfect; Our friends and family are perfect! There are butterflies flying around and no amount of pain is going to stop my heart from singing this day as we read our vows and tie the knot.  I'm truly reunited with my soul mate!!
I've waited for this moment all my life- whether consciously or subconsciously and we are finally here!! 



I can barely stand or walk but it's still a gorgeous day as we celebrate our intimate little ceremony on David's BFF's home island in Cambridge MD with beloved friends and family; the weather is gorgeous and I'm marrying the man of my dreams


Physical pain has nothing on this reunion of our old souls have waited too long to be together again!!

Of Course the wedding theme =Butterflies


Our Talented Photographer and his beautiful wife :-)
MORE REUNIONS: 

Weddings are fantastic for reunions! 

Even our small and intimate gathering is no exception!

We're blessed to have friends and family from near and far; Many who have traveled around the globe to get here and many I am meeting up with after months, years and decades- making an already mystical day that much grander!! 





& ANOTHER SURPRISE WEDDING!! <3


THE SECOND CEREMONY

Since I couldn't have everyone I wanted at the small ceremony we had a second celebratory gathering with our extended soul family and friends a week later; Love each and everyone one of these guys and I am so grateful they came to give us their smiles and blessings.

ANOTHER WEDDING!!!

We find out there was a run-away wedding the same week so the party turns into celebrations of two weddings. My dear friend Mike meets and marries the love of his life! YAY! <3



We have a run-away surprise wedding of one of my dearest friends to celebrate at this gathering as well.

 Congrats to Mike & Dana!!



SEPTEMBER ENDS WITH MORE MILESTONES:


Dylan starts High School!! & Sarah starts College!! 

OCTOBER:

Honeymoon is cancelled and I wait patiently for my leg to heal. I miss all my activities- yoga, gym, hiking...and even work...but am so grateful for the love and caring I receive from my incredible husband. He's the BEST EVER!!  

We took a local weekend trip to St. Michael's MD to ease the blow and we discover the 'honeymoon bridge'

NOVEMBER:


THE REAL HONEYMOON -FINALLY!!! 
Leg healed enough to get back into shoes and to travel. YAY!!


Honey Moon Date in San Pedro, Belize

THANKSGIVING- was mixed emotions! I broke my tradition of hike and dinner via MeetUp but spent it instead with my new 'Luria Family' and with my son for the first time in seven years. What more could I possibly ask for!! I'm in awe of how this year is going!!

MY BIRTHDAY- A Quiet Birthday Celebration this year- with my husband and son. Strangely enough it's the first birthday in several years that my son is with me for (as he's usually traveling to Boston with his dad for Thanksgiving)- so it's another gift, another treat for me- from The Universe!! WOW!

DECEMBER:



Christmas is a family affair in 2017


Christmas!! More family time- with the 'Luria's' - but I also have my son with me again- first time in seven years- again!! WOW!!

In looking back this year I see now that  it was all about blending and growing bonds of family!

I've spent most of my life feeling alone in a very big world and by the end of 2017 I find myself intricately tied into a very big family (whether biologically, by-law, by soul-connections, or however the paths intertwine all of us together as it does)- in a very small world.

Magically my path seems to have come full cycle- in so many ways.

THANK YOU UNIVERSE!! 

Thanks for my David and for all my family and friends.
Thanks for my journey.
I am humbled, blessed and grateful.

Thank you 2017!!Welcome 2018!!!




























P.S. January 2018 Spoiler Alert!! The year begins with another lovely couple friends' getting engaged (CONGRATS to Eric & Julie) & then ANOTHER BIG WEDDING SURPRISE- a run-away wedding!! My BFF and partner in crime also ties the knot with the love of her life, all the way out in Georgia- the country!! WOW!! 

CONGRATULATIONS BASAK & INDIE!!! <3 <3 <3 


Basak & Indie tie the knot <3























*** LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL!! LOVE IS EVERYWHERE!! ***