In such frightening and challenging times we need hope πππ

In such frightening and challenging times we need hope πππ

A demanding day, for me personally means, that I was exposed to a lot of overstimulation for too long of a period, without an opportunity to get away and calm down. After such an experience, a dark room with either just moonlight or another small source of light and my favorite songs via iPod is the best way to recharge and process this overwhelming day . ππ§
Thanks for stopping by. I hope your weekend will be a lovely one.
Busted! I’m a quotes junkie, yes I admit it. I can read them for hours. They help me understand myself better, often times they express thoughts and feelings, I can’t manage to put into words myself. And, quotes can provide “food for thought” or be a comfort as well.
Below, I am sharing a few favorites….
βI am lonely, yet not everybody will do. I don’t know why, some people fill the gaps and others emphasize my loneliness. In reality those who satisfy me are those who simply allow me to live with my ”idea of them.β – AnaΓ―s Nin
“No matter how little money and how few possessions you own, having a dog makes you rich.”
– Louis Sabin
“Where we love is home – home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.”
– Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” – Plato
“Oh what fun, the Mount Everest of laundry is waiting to be dealt with today!” [sarcasm end]
I will never forget the day, when my mom and I flew back to Germany with Aubree. Besides the worries about my new beginning back home, O’Hare Airport with its hustle and bustle was challenging enough. But being anxious about how my little puppy girl would get through that 9 1/2 hour flight was yet another emotional difficulty to be dealt with.
While my mom was at the check-in counter I stayed with Aubree, who was in her kennel and quite worked up due to all the commotion around her. And obviously, she picked up on my nervousness as well. I tried to keep both of us as calm as possible, with very limited success. Then, a man came to get Aubree. That’s when the crazy reached a new level. I could no longer keep it together and a full on panic attack became unavoidable. The man tried to calm me, by showing me pictures of his own dogs at home and promised, that he would personally keep an eye on Aubree for as long as he possibly could. After getting my cell phone number, he send me a video about 30 minutes later, holding my sweet little girl in his arms, cuddling her, smiling big. That really helped me relax a little bit. To this present day, that was by far the sweetest gesture of a complete stranger towards me. And I’m so unbelievably thankful to him, for his kindness. A fellow animal lover, who did what he could to help Aubree and myself get through this stressful situation. Aubree was perfectly fine, when I finally got her back in Frankfurt. She was all excited to be back in momma’s arms, and ready to explore her new environment. πΎπ―π

The picture above my couch has a very special meaning. Every time I look at it, I remember my best friend Jamie and her husband Allen. They loved to go antiquing on the weekends, and quite often I was invited to join them. One of those Saturdays, we ended up at the Water Street Vintage Store in New London, Wisconsin, where I found this picture. Do you know the feeling when you see something and are drawn to it immediately? Spotting this picture, among all the other beautiful items being displayed at the store, was such a moment for me. It is precious, because it will always remind me of the quality time with two of the best friends I was ever blessed with in my life.
Just a few months ago, my mom started treating us both to evenings in the theater. Most often we enjoy an operetta, because traditional ballet [my favorite] is mainly on schedule around Christmas. Until recently, I had completely forgotten, that those evenings at the theater used to be a part of my life fairly regularly, and how much I actually missed them. During my 20 years in America I stopped going, because I could not find anyone to join me…..
“Do I look like your granny to you?”
“Operetta, are you bonkers?”
“Oh hell no, that’s for old people!”
“That awful music is an offense to my ears!”
Responses like these prevented me from asking. And going by myself wasn’t an all too appealing option, honestly. Thanks to my mom I have a theater companion again. Hopefully we will enjoy quite a few more evenings with lovely performances, no matter if operetta or ballet. π»π©°
I had a happy childhood, but grew up overprotected. My parents did what they were supposed to, and raised me to the best of their abilities. In hindsight, they guided and guarded me a little bit too much. Although, I think every teenager feels micromanaged by their parents. Am I wrong?
The best decision I ever made for myself was, to break free from this sheltered environment and move to America with my ex-husband. When we divorced in 2001, I was on my own for the first time, which was scary and exciting equally. Suddenly I was responsible for my own life, knowing precious little about anything. There wasn’t anyone to take charge, make decisions, plan for the future. Uh-oh! It was up to me, the good, the bad – all of it. I learned to love my independence right quick, even though this newly found freedom came with lots of trials and errors. As I got myself established in America, and through amazing friendships, I truly started to get to know my “UN-micromanaged-self”. It may not have taken a different continent to become an individual, but it certainly didn’t hurt either. Moving back to Germany in 2014 feels like 10 steps backwards from how far I fought myself forward. Still, I learned what I am capable of, and I can always look back on that time in America with pride and joy.
That would be Australia, I’m sorry to say. Surely the country is beautiful, the people friendly and lovely. Not only is it way too hot over there for my well-being, they also have way too many of these slithering, creepy animals I am terrified of. They’ve been causing more nightmares, than I care to admit. As wonderful as this country certainly is, regrettably, I will never visit. Sorry! ππ‘
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