A Full Heart

It’s been a busy week for me. At my office, my project is in full swing with deliverables coming due. I have everything staged to make the June 1 deadlines on the internal communications and marketing materials needed. I’m fortunate. I love what I do.

It’s been a busy week at home too. Paul and I are practicing our cha-cha routine for our ballroom dance exhibition. It’s a group routine with five other couples. We started ballroom dancing in an adult education program in our town when our kids were still at home. It was one way to make certain we spent at least one night together and not running with the kids. We intermittently continued taking classes long after the kids could drive themselves. It’s something else I love to do.

My Mother’s Day celebration was today. I went into Manhattan for the New York RWA chapter’s annual May Luncheon. Our speaker was my good friend, the multi-published, twenty-five books I may add, author Caridad Pineiro. The food was good, the company was terrific, and Caridad was inspirational as always. I walked off out lunch with Caridad and Patt Mihailoff by walking the twenty-six blocks down 8^th Avenue to Penn Station and went on back to New Jersey. I enjoyed lunch and renewing my writing battery. Patt and Caridad had both encouraged me to send my ms into Carina Press. They are just two of the writers who have encouraged me. I have found that the romance writing community is a supportive one where the rule of support and paying it forward is really embraced. In an industry where rejection is part of the deal, it’s wonderful to have a positive support network. In many ways, it soothes the pain. I love this too.

When I got home, the day only got better. Flowers for Mother’s Day arrived from my son who lives in Boston and wouldn’t be home. He always says the right thing to tug at my heart. My daughters both live nearby and came over with all the fixing for dinner. Paul had cleaned the deck and readied the grill. The day cooperated and we have a great bar-b-que. I got handmade gifts from the grandbabies (sorry, big girl and big boy), they played in the yard, we watched the Kentucky Derby, and feasted.  As they day wound down and the kids tired, we packed them off home with left overs. I waved good-bye to them with a soft smile. I love tumult and excitement when we all get together.

I remember when I was pregnant with my second child. My daughter how would she love her new sister. I told her all those years ago that her heart was very special. It just grew bigger to make more room for more love. So, dear reader, here is my wish for you this Mother’s Day. May your heart grow with love for you and yours.