Sunday, January 25, 2009

sing from the branches of sweet gum trees

last weekend eric and i gathered a few friends and went to the middle east to see a favorite hometown band of ours: the rosebuds. once introduced a few years ago, if we were in town in nc when these guys played, we were there. thank you sister for the tip on good music.

it's hard to choose a favorite song, just when you think you have one, they put out a new album with even better creations. back to boston, a family fave that's now symbolic of our life here, has become somewhat of a theme song and regular saying between e, alli and myself. however, listening to the rosebuds last week as they played get up, get out, what caught my thoughts wasn't just the danceable beat or the call to action that the lyrics demand, for people to get up and get out - whatever that may mean to you, it was this line: "sing from the branches of sweet gum trees."

enter grandma beale and walks in danville's ballou park with her and sister. back when i had soft blond curls. back when i had to hold not one, but two, hands to cross the street - my grandmother's and alli's. back when we used to pick up the gum balls that had dropped from the branches of the sweet gum trees that made up the park. branches we used to sing under with grandma beale.

and i thank them for that memory.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

people helping people

congratulations president obama! you, and the change that this country is confident you will bring, have arrived.

maybe it's just me, but today i've noticed more commercials filled with people helping people: pepsi, starbucks, wireless companies, all encouraging people to come together. promoting happiness, love, a new take on a brand new day but most importantly, assuring us that individuals can control the spread of each of these feelings...and more. just in case we weren't convinced after november 4.

perhaps it has always been there. but maybe now it's more believable.

we wanted change and it has come.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

dear 2009

first of all, welcome! now let's get down to business...

i will:
volunteer more
listen more
clean out my (and eric's) closets and donate unneeded things
be more patient
run another 5k (a gal has to start small)
help build a home
read up more on current events
throw more parties (i love seeing my friends have a great time)
GET MARRIED! (ok, not a resolution...but it is happening!)

i love a new year. and this year, being kicked off perfectly at msg in nyc, i have a feeling it's going to be great! i used to think new years were a chance to start over. but i've found, at least personally, they are a chance to add on. what will you do this year? where will you go? on december 31, how will you look back...and forward?

talking with a friend, she informed she had made a list of goals - not resolutions that she wanted to accomplish in her life then specifically this year. they weren't all necessarily end goals, some were steps that would hopefully get her closer to those things she wants to do and places she wants to be in 30 years. i smiled. i was glad i'd met this friend with my move to boston. it reminded me that good people - smart, caring, fun and motivated - are all over. it also presented me with my own challenge. i find it hard to plan way in advance as i am a fan of the present moment. however, i can make a list of serious and silly things that i'd like to see this gal check off throughout the year.

maybe it's finally getting rid of that pair of boots i just can't fit but that i keep sitting by the door because they look so dang cool, or maybe it's getting involved with tutoring kids or getting back to church. whatever it may be, i resolve to be the best i can be in 09 and offer that goodness to the people and places around me.