Mamie, Papa and me...

Who would have thought two young ladies from Ravenswood Houses would grow up to hold public office or go to live in a ginormous house in Greenwich, CT. Gosh, where did the time go? We were just finishing high school with the whole world before us.

We loved to explore, ski and go to dances and see the sights of everywhere! We still have some of that in us, adventure and fun. There is something about sisters...nothing can replace.

Susie

social media?

"the crew 2011"

Once upon a time, I married my high school sweetheart. We have four children together and our lives took different roads early on. For almost thirty years I raised great kids alone with help from family and friends. My sons married lovely women that I respect a lot. They are fine mothers in a very complex world. 

In this modern day of extend families, which is the norm? Some family are on facebook/google + and some are not. I have come to respect both, it does make you think about how we communicate and keep in touch with each other. There are hundreds of reasons why we can lose contact, depends on what your priorities are. I know who I am. I have been and am Mom, Mom in law, daughter, Aunt, sister,sister in law, niece, activist, Grandma, Cuz, friend....grateful.

Love
Susie



Constantly adore them....

My girls

So, I am saying something everyone already knows. I can be a little starry eyed when it comes to my kids. Is this not my job? It is in the Mommy Handbook.

I had a terrible case of empty nest last year. I felt as though I was in mourning. I will say I did a good job at coveting every part of many moments of their lives. I made many mistakes - too many to remember the way I wanted. There were many things that were grace filled, the ones no one can replace. That is just the way it is.

Looking back, I wanted them to be little just a little longer. I could hug them more when you are that little, hugs from Mom come easier. Now some of them are parents and have their own "Wow" moments. They will know the trials and gifts of their babies as I did. Ahhhhh to be young, life is good.

my boys and their boys

Our neighborhood...anywhere USA

My station....

Briarwood, NY, USA

I came to this place in 1974 to start and raise my family, who knew I would still be here and loving the place. It has a library which we have fought for to stay open, a small post office, we have even been in a movie with our famous Circus Car Wash. We have good public schools, private schools, a Catholic High School, little league, churches, synagogues, apartment buildings and private homes - pretty compact for a neighborhood in NYC.

We have made life long friends and yes we even have court houses and a cemetery. Once upon a time I was elected to the PTA, Board of Directors and held public office for a short time representing this area. Who knew?

It continues to be a lovely place with tree lined streets and very accesible to Manhattan and parkways, nestled between two NYC airports a travelers dream of comfort and ease. Ease, ease to be...I have been giving that alot of thought of late. Thirty-eight years has come and gone so quickly. I have not always lived in the same house but Briarwood, Queens has been my neighborhood.

Enter the Year of the Dragon...again

Auntie and Nephew Day 2011

It is Chinese New Years (CNY) 2011 - enter the year of the Dragon. Last year was very full of transitions for many reasons, blah blah blah (will spare the boring details). Lots of change - some good, some new and some necessary, life is like that sometimes. Mostly cleaning and purging dad's place and dealing with a life event move for him/us. Likewise I have my own life event of my own clean and purge. Some things are too precious to let go if ever.

Every year for CNY, we clean house/cook our best dishes and visit with family and friends. We put out oranges, they are good omens for coming year. We cook rice/fish/chicken (more than enough) at the end and beginning of the year. These are touchstones of good fortune. 

We give red envelopes (Li See) to the young in the family - Li See and my favorite giving sweets, to sweeten their journey. When my kids where younger I did more, as I am older I do less - but they remember more. They remember.

Journeys are rich and fruitful, even when hard. It is the richness of the journey that is the great gift.

Suz

Stitches in the small things...

Baby Blanket made by Lisa Chin

We recently caught up to a friend whom I have known forever it seems. He makes it so comfy to just listen and really "be there" for me. The treasure of friendship is ease. The ease in which we slip into being safe to share.

I have been thinking of our visit all week, nothing spectacular happened. We had breakfast at a diner - eggs, sausage and coffee. Simple? I came to appreciate with deep understanding the gift of laughter and the grace of time.Weird, we do not physically see each other often. Once in a blue moon - an airport, a common event now and then. Shortly we will be off on a journey far away as we follow our passions overseas or a few blocks away and we wish each other well.

I look forward to keeping in touch by modern correspondence - not quite the same. There are great smiles you miss, juicier comments and heart felt hugs. We wish each other well

My BFF (best friends forever) echo the beginner quilters I have taught. There are many parts in making a patchwork quilt. It has many steps and can try your patience - it is in the care in each step and stitch that adds to the beauty of the finished piece.

Peace,
Suz

When you Wrap yourself....

When you wrap yourself in this shawl, bless yourself in the name of the Holy One who loves you and Spirit that guides you.

When I knit this shawl, I pray many prayers into every stitch - that this will keep you warm, make you feel strong, help you feel better.

Maybe this will calm you when you are upset, remind you that I love you that I love you when I am not here, and help remind you that your angel is watching over you. When you wear this shawl, believe in a place so deep in you that God is with you every moment - loves you no matter what.