#NewThisDay Writing From My Photo Stream

Success: the early alarm, 6:00 a.m., and I don’t snooze. I intend to swim by 7:30 so that I can return in time to watch my grandson and my daughter can get to her workout. It’s cold and rainy and I find it hard to think about going out. But that’s the trick. Don’t think about it, just do it. And I do! I have a great swim, and make it home to give Charlie his short walk, and my daughter gets her exercise too. It’s a fun and festive busy day with lots of cooking and cooks (me and my youngest) in the kitchen and Lilia with Kuzma on the couch, and Frank in and out and my grandson and daughter, and even though I break to run one group, all the prep gets done and I am tired but cheerful. My niece joins us for a laughter filled dinner that my grandson naps through––so after cleaning the kitchen, I make him a separate dinner, a favorite dinner, because that’s what grandmothers do. Ooops! I forgot to figure out what time the turkey needs to go into the oven. I always miss my parents on holidays. Tonight I am also particularly appreciative of the special way Lilia came into our lives from Ukraine and what a pleasure it is to have her with us, so comfortably and naturally, and bringing such laughter and good spirits.