My Macgyver

I was in love with Macgyver when I was younger.  I thought that he was awesome.  Now when I see photos of him, I don't know - it just isn't the same.  He isn't as sexy as I thought he was when I was a tween.  Did all middle-school girls have crushes on Macgyver or was I always attracted to older men?  What special characteristics do our childhood crushes possess?  Authority?  Power?  Intelligence?  Are they men who can protect us?  I think that the answers are "yes".

Now that I am married, I have to say. . . I'm quite lucky.  Not only is my husband compassionate, humorous and understanding but he is also protective, strong and assertive.  We were walking downtown yesterday evening, holding hands and laughing.  In the same moment, without pause, he had his pocket knife out in response to a group of roudy young guys that were walking by.  I am absolutely certain that if we were ever attacked, he would protect me. 

I am also positive that if anything awful happened, he would take care of me.  If the apocolypse comes, he will build us a house, hunt for food (even though I am totally against killing animals), find water and protect our family from thugs.  My husband would invent a way to booby trap our home in the woods so no one could sneak up on us.  He'd also find a way to keep me entertained by singing funny songs and doing weird dances that he saves up just for me.

My husband doesn't have the best fashion sense and he, pretty much, wears the same jeans and black t-shirt every day.  However, he does know how to fix anything - whether it is electrical, plumbing, carpentry or structural.  He can fix any problem - OMG, I married my version of Macgyver.  So, he doesn't use a q-tip, bubble gum and a match but he does have a lot of tools.

My husband is a real man - to me, this means that he is both supportive and encouraging; he likes both beer and wine but would never, in his life, order an appletini; he loves really disguisting horror movies but also has seen every Twilight movie in the theatre with me; my husband is a beautiful poet and he also has literally thrown people into the street when acting as security at a comedy club; he doesn't tell anyone but he loves watching the Golden Girls almost as much as I do; he eats steak and also tabouli; he gets pissed off easily but for the lack of values in our world; I've seen him return money that he's found a bunch of times; even though we aren't wealthy, he will save money to send to a friend who's in trouble and he will also volunteer to help me out at work, even if it is chaperoning a field trip for a bunch of at-risk kids. 

In short, my husband is a real man.  He is my Macgyver and I am thankful for him every day of my life.     

Thanksgiving Reflections

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I am thankful for so much.  Here are 24 things that I am grateful for this November 24, 2011:

1. My husband and his extraordinary courage, creativity, humor, insight and passion.
2. The fact that after 15 years, I feel closer to him and more in love with him every day.
3. Floyd (my dog) - he brings joy to my life.
4. Family (mom, step-dad, brothers, sister, aunts, uncle, cousins and grandpa).
5. Those who I've lost - dad and grandma.
6. The volunteers I work with.  My organization would not exist without them.  I am amazed at their dedication, the desire they have to impact children's lives and their generosity. 
7. My mentee - a cute nine year-old boy full of creativity, potential, storytelling abilities and humor.
8. Photography and writing - creative ways to capture moments in time.
9. My job and the ability to provide for my family and impact my community.
10. My cozy, ecclectic beach condo.
11. Education and the thirst for knowledge. 
12. Cabernet Sauvignon and hazelnut coffee.
13. Music and how it can both help me connect with the present and also escape into another dimension.
14. Grace Kelly films.
15. The men and women who fight (and have fought) for freedom.  My dad who served in Vietnam, my cousin who served in Iraqi Freedom and my grandpa who served in WW II.
16. The United States of America.
17. The power of prayer.
18. Laughter and how a day does not go by that my husband and I do not laugh.  Sometimes, we wake up laughing together.  Other days, we fall asleep giggling (though my husband wouldn't call it giggling).
19. Friends, neighbors and colleagues.
20. My mistakes as well as my successes.
21. Everything about the beach - the sand, shells, sea foam, salted air, expansive sky and sound of the ocean.
22. Knowing that my husband supports me as much as I support him.  It refreshes me to know that together we take risks, learn, grow personally as well as spiritually and are creative as a couple. 
23. My quiet and simple life.
24. Most importantly, I am thankful that I have found God again.  I am finally feeling complete.

Beautiful Mornings

I'm not a morning person. I never have been. I've only seen one sunrise in my life and that was about a month ago. When I first moved from a house to the condo that I am now living in, I really thought that having to take Floyd (my dog) out to potty was going to be a hassle.  Especially, in the mornings.  I was so wrong.  Having to walk Floyd first thing in the morning has been enlightening.  Now, to be honest, I don't quite care for the constant wining/crying thing that he does in my face.  I'm usually hoping that he forgets about me and moves to my husband's side of the bed so that I can pretend I am in a deep sleep.  But, nevertheless. 

As soon as I wake up, I hear the ocean.  I can't see it from my condo but I can hear it calling out to me.  The sound awakens me and helps me feel alive.  Watching the sun make its way into the sky, hovering over red tiled roofs and a plethora of palm trees, energizes me so that I can start my day fresh.  Today is a new day and anything is possible.  Maybe I will write more today or maybe I will practice yoga both in the morning and in the evening or maybe I will go on a photo shoot.  The possibilities are endless.  All I really know is that I wouldn't have seen the bright orangish yellow sky that one discovers first thing in the morning if I didn't have to take Floyd out for a morning walk.  I'm so thankful for moments like these.  They are simple and so very precious.  In these kind of moments, I really connect with God's love and grace.