Happy Mother’s Day!

Cheers to all the mothers, grandmothers, and care-takers out there! To all the women who touch our lives across a lifetime…

Thank you for every skinned-knee you clean, bad dream you hush away, cookie you bake, and broken heart you soothe.

For every costume you make, story you read, school play you sit through and drawing you hang on the fridge…

May your day be filled with blue skies, rainbow-colored flowers, heart-felt hugs, and more laughter than you know what to do with.

I give you the gift of a giggle or two, and perhaps — just perhaps — a knowing smile.

Messy Room by Shel Silverstein

Whosever room this is should be ashamed! His underwear is hanging on the lamp.

His raincoat is there in the overstuffed chair, And the chair is becoming quite mucky and damp.

His workbook is wedged in the window, His sweater’s been thrown on the floor.

His scarf and one ski are beneath the TV, And his pants have been carelessly hung on the door.

His books are all jammed in the closet, His vest has been left in the hall.

A lizard named Ed is asleep in his bed, And his smelly old sock has been stuck to the wall.

Whosever room this is should be ashamed! Donald or Robert or Willie or–

Huh? You say it’s mine? Oh, dear, I knew it looked familiar!

Go be queens of your day!

xoxo – The Grass Stain Guru

photo by: CS_McMahon

In Pursuit of Happiness…Again

Fall

TGSG Note: I wrote this post a few years ago after the loss of a friend. Today would have been his birthday, so naturally my thoughts are drawn to him once again.

Coincidentally, I have never needed to read the words that follow more. In one of life’s rough patches, I find myself almost a stranger to the good these days. But, I am ready to practice what I preach and let my capacity for joy blossom.  After all, this ain’t no dress rehearsal. – Bethe

This post is dedicated to the memory of my dear friend, Craig Tufts. He taught me so much about nature and wildlife, and was so full of joy and life.  He was a man that knew how to live and to share joy with others — the best sort of man. My thoughts and love are with Jean and his family.

Gather up your telegrams
Your faded pictures, best laid plans
Books and postcards, 45s
Every sunset in the sky

Carry with you maps and string, flashlights
Friends who make you sing
And stars to help you find your place
Music, hope and amazing grace

Maybe what we leave
Is nothing but a tangled little mystery
Maybe what we take
Is nothing that has ever had a name

- Mary Chapin Carpenter

I couldn’t have said it better myself. Slow down. Live your life to the fullest. Laugh until you can hardly breath.  Increase your capacity for joy. Enjoy the feeling of the breeze on your face. Focus on experiences and people versus things and labels. Wiggle your toes in the sand and mud. Unplug and PLAY. Jump for joy, and pass it on.

In your pursuit of happiness you have to remember that it’s always there inside of you. Even on days you scarcely believe it possible. Sometimes, you just have to kick off your shoes and look for it.

Now, if you will excuse me, I need to go feel the sun on my face and walk barefoot through the grass.

See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru

Creative Commons License photo credit: Tawheed Manzoor

Flying North for the Winter?

Fall leaves
Weird-Bird by Shel Silverstein

Birds are flyin’ south for winter.
Here’s the Weird-Bird headin’ north,

Wings a-flappin’, beak a-chatterin’,
Cold head bobbin’ back ‘n’ forth.

He says, “It’s not that I like ice
Or freezin’ winds and snowy ground.

It’s just sometimes it’s kind of nice
To be the only bird in town.”

 To all my fellow weird-birds:

Be bold and fly whichever way your gut tells you. Find your flock(s), no matter how small. Travel light and remember that “…sometimes it’s kind of nice to be the only bird in town.”

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru 

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...