Today is the first day of the new year. This past year has brought ups and downs in my life. I have made many new friends on Facebook and through my different groups and that has been very enriching. My close friends bring caring, love, empathy and companionship into my life. It is so important to have a support group for yourself, including mentors you look toward for advice and counsel and I am so lucky to have those on my "team".
My family is important to me and I love them very much. My sister, who is older by eight years, has become one of my closest friends. Our love of movies and movie gossip glues us together as we finish sentences for each other when one forgets the famous names and faces. We talk almost every day and I know she is always here for me.
My oldest daughter is a mom. I am so proud when I see the love and fun she brings into her kids's lives. Her smile is electric when she is playing with them and listening to their amazing comments. I am so grateful to her and her spouse for giving me the greatest gift of all, grandchildren. I am so fortunate to have grandchildren and they enhance my life and make me realize what really counts. When I am with them I get to revisit childhood wonder and discovery and feel unconditional love. I love sharing my gifts of art, reading, make believe, and cooking with them. Watching them play and playing with them is a time I can really be in the moment with nothing else on my mind. Although they are far away, I managed to see them six times this year.
My youngest daughter has found her soulmate and they will be married in September. We share a lovely bond where I can pick up the phone and text her anytime and I get a quick response. We share a love of creating delicious meals and she is so talented in that area. I love her feistiness and the way she isn't afraid to stick up for herself. I can't wait to see what this year brings for her as she becomes a bride.
I was fortunate to spend some time with my middle daughter this year, who I do not get to see very much. I love her mind and the things she thinks about. She has a natural curiosity about things, like I do, and feels very deeply about her beliefs. When we do talk, our conversations go in very different directions that I can never predict. She has lots of big ideas that I hope make her happy and I look forward to seeing them come to fruition.
This year, more than ever, I have come to appreciate my female buddies. They are always here for me with a supportive shoulder and loving words. As we grow older, I think our close friends become even more important. I feel such gratitude to have girlfriends who listen and don't force their agendas on me, but gently hear what I have to say and help to guide me to happier endings. I relish doing the same for them as it is very fulfilling to give support as well.
I have the good fortune to have a sweet companion who loves to travel and eat good food with me, go on adventures and have quiet time together at home. He teaches me to be still. Since I have been told I am a "dynamo"and "ballabusta", I really appreciate having someone who knows how to relax and has a quiet wisdom about him. We are entering our sixth year together and we complement each other nicely. It doesn't hurt that we share a love of macrobiotics and macrobiotic cooking!
This year I am making some big changes. I have decided to no longer cook for other people and to hand the business over to KO. I want to become a human being instead of a human doing. I will continue to bring wonderful macrobiotic programs to our area, with speakers and dinners, as I am passionate about that. I plan to continue The Healthy Chef Support Group on Facebook. Now I want to discover who I am when I am not doing. Since I have always been a mom, organizational tutor, or macro chef, I wonder how this will all turn out. I am going to sit in the unknown, with all the feelings and emotions that may come up around that and see what happens. It is a spiritual journey I have been wanting to go on for quite a while.
I wonder if you, out there, are making any changes in your lives to live more authentically and to get more in touch with yourselves. I would love to hear about it. You can email me directly at skberam@hotmail.com or make a comment here.
Love and peace in the new year! Susan
