I'm an Acorn

"Think of the fierce energy concentrated in an acorn! You bury it in the ground, and it explodes into an oak!"


Early in the morning, when my son wakes from sleep, he'll mumble the most random things while he's coming out of his twilight sleep and most times I dismiss them and move on with the day we have ahead of us. 
This morning,what he said when he woke up made me pause - he said, "mom, you're an acorn" and rolled back over and fell asleep. 

An acorn... ok.  So, as we laid in bed, struggling to wake up for the day, I wondered - am I an acorn?  do i want to be an acorn?  my mind at this point didn't think of an acorn in a very positive way at all.  Acorns fall from oak trees, the lay around on the ground. Squirrels collect them for food... is that what I wanted to be?  Now, a squirrel, that seemed to be the way to go - a go-getter, busy, nimble, pro-active, social, playful, right?  That seemed to fit me better, so I thought!

I ventured on to work, and the thought of "mom, you're an acorn" kept rattling in my mind.  What did it mean when he said that?  What's it mean to be an acorn?  So, on to google I went....

-Druids believed that the acorn held special powers related to love and divination.  If two people placed an acorn into a bowl of water and the acorns floated together, it meant they were to be married.  If they drifted apart, they were not meant to be. 
-British folklore states that a person who carries an acorn in his pocket will remain youthful.
-During the Norman Conquest, the English carried dried acorns to protect themselves from the brutalities of the day. Considered to be an emblem of luck, prosperity, youthfulness and power, the Acorn is a good luck symbol indeed. It also represents spiritual growth.
-Wiccans/pagan believe in the acorn being a symbol of strength and power.  Since acorns only come from mature oak trees, they also symbolize patience to attain goals over a long period of time.
-Acorns hold signifigance as a Celitc symbol for life, fertility, and immortality. For this reason it is often sacred to the god Thor, who is ruler of fire and fertility. When it is carried on the person, it can often preserve youthfulness. Also acts as the symbol for strength

With this new found knowledge of acorns, I was filled with so much love for my son.  That early morning random statement held more meaning than he will ever understand.  I wanted to be an acorn.

I have struggled.  I have been as patient as I could be with the changes happening in my life. I have felt weakened by the overwhelming circumstances which surround me, but yet draw upon an inner strength to keep moving ahead and not allow myself to give up and lose hope in what lies ahead.

So, here I am, as an acorn... all this potential under the surface, minding my time, waiting for the right environment which will allow me to take root in this world to one day become a strong oak tree. 

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” 

(now, about my son being this early morning twilight sleep "oracle".... we'll save that for another blog)

2011--the Year I Realized I'm OLD!

I had every intention of posting something profound and meaningful at the first of the year, but was sidetracked by life.... wouldn't you know it?  Posts would pop into my head, but at the time, I just wasn't as inspired as I needed to be to create something worthy of you, my dear readers and faithful fans :)  Totally didn't want to embark on the cheezy, yet oh so expected "2011 Resolution List" either.  Especially since I do have fans and some followers who will hold me accountable. 

But, for those really wondering what I want to do with myself in 2011 - here it is:

APPRECIATE THE HAPPINESS AND JOY IN MY LIFE
EMBRACE LOVE AS IT COMES TO ME... STOP LOOKING FOR IT
DON'T SETTLE FOR LESS THAN I DESERVE
REALIZE THAT MATERIAL POSSESSIONS ARE MEANINGLESS

I'm turning 36 tomorrow....... 36 years old.  Yep, that's right.  I'm THAT old now...ever closer to 40.  A year ago, age wasn't an issue or concern, I was in denial or something. For some reason, I just felt as though I was eternally 25, young, spirited, and ready to take on the world, felt as though I would have all I ever wanted within reach and that I would be loved and appreciated for being ME.  Now, here I am... still spirited... still have that "youthful" glow about me according to those who love me enough to keep my ego in check.  Take on the world though? I just want to be able to tackle my personal challenges once and for all... maybe then, the world will open up in front of me and challenge me to a throw down, which, I am fairly certain I could win.  All I ever wanted within reach?  Apparently, all I ever really wanted was just an illusion.  I need to really figure out the Needs vs the Wants.   Loved and appreciated for being ME?  yeah, you all are awesome for keeping that part going for me-THANK YOU for that!

So, for my birthday, I have NOT A CLUE what I'm doing to celebrate.  Tonight, the princess and I are making cupcakes for her class snack.  I was invited to watch "Monster Trucks" at the Verizon Center, but vetoed that option immediately.  So much wrong with that and I can't really put it in a cohesive sentence to explain why.  I'm not THAT redneck evidently, because not a single bone in my body got even slightly excited at the prospect of watching big loud trucks crush the shit out of each other to the cheering hoots and hollers of a class of people I tend to avoid, even at Walmart.  Then, there's the fact that I've never asked to go to a Monster Truck Rally, or even hinted that it would be cool to go for ME. Now, take my kids on some fun filled family night, perhaps.  But, as a gift to spend my birthday, who are you kidding?  I can't even give that an "A" for effort.  That is an epic FAIL in my book of thoughtful things to do for someone's birthday whom you've known for 17 years. 

Honestly, I just want the day to go by without drama attached.  :) 

Reflections

Yesterday a mother died - cancer finally conquered her physical body.  Elizabeth Edwards was a remarkable woman. 

I was awestruck at her ability to forgive her husband for his wandering ways.  I don't know if I have it in me to offer that level of compassion to another person who has damaged my trust in them.  I know you must think I'm the biggest hyprocrite for thinking this way, but really, I wouldn't expect forgiveness for my indescretions or even ask for it.  Why would I ask someone whom I have shattered for forgiveness when it's clearly meant to make me feel better?  But, Elizabeth did it.  She swallowed her anger and did a very noble thing by showing her husband forgiveness...so he would feel like less of an ass when he had nothing to offer her to make her feel better, and she showed it again when his love child came into  her life.  May I keep this in my heart for the future as something that is very powerful to possess - the ability to forgive. 

She shielded her children from her anger and disappointment and raised them to look up to their father in a positive light.  That to me is inspirational and a lesson I will also keep in mind - that no matter how angry I am at the father of my children, I need to remember that to them, he is everything.  Words are damaging and it's not hurting him if I bad mouth him, it hurts my credibility with them.  I don't want to become that bitter person in their lives and lose their trust. 

In all things that happened to her, she maintained a positive spirit for those around her.  She was a beacon of hope for those who battle cancer, an inspiration to parents who have lost children, and a testament to the act of forgiveness for those whose hearts have been broken and trust severed.

Rest in Peace Elizabeth...you touched many people in your life here on earth.

‎"But I have found that in the simple act of living with hope, and in the daily effort to have a positive impact in the world, the days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious. And for that I am grateful" Elizabeth Edwards