A Hallmark Mulberry Monday

Last night was my first 8+ hour sleep session since moving, and it was followed only by more small comas throughout the day.  The verdict? I had enough of those in my post college purgatory in the 3 excruciating months between commencement and employment.  No thanks! Laying there in my bed reminded me of all the nights I stayed up past 3, accomplishing nothing during the dayparts, thinking of all those somedays that were supposed to be happening.  Now they are.  Today is someday.  Pretty awesome thought.  From last June until now I have had the best times of my life, the worst times of my life, and the beginning of the rest of my life.  Lets see, I've had complete shenanigans with some incredible people:

Witnessed history...

Got an AMAZING job...

And I live in the greatest city in the world...

These kinds of days make me want to live the width of my life, not just the length of it. 

A couple of years ago, there was a little girl.  She was the young mischievous type;  a little too poor to fit in, and a little too outspoken for her own good.  But, God, did she know how to love.  She spent her adolescence caring for her family, and the rest of her life doing much of the same thing.  She opened her mind, her heart, and her soul to 7 children, one lost, 1 husband and a slough of grandchildren.  She didn't get to see Ireland.  She didn't get to drive a car.  She didn't get to have a career.  But what she did have was some kind of unconditional love that few people are capable of understanding, let alone giving.  This little girl spent her whole life loving others, with the kind of passion and dedication most only reserve for themselves. Now she gets to sit on a sunny river bank, rocking back and forth in her chair, experiencing passing moments of clarity over her life and her family. She gets to look back and enjoy the fruits of her labor, safe in the arms of her daughter.  And her outer appearance is purely amazing.  Every wrinkle earned.  Every scar a story.  But no matter how many years are upon her, anyone who meets her is still greeted by that same little girl, that same innocence and fervor for life, that same sparkle of unconditional love, and that same trademark bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck....

So Mamaw, this is to you:

I would rather be ashes than dust; I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot; I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in a magnificent glow than in a sleep and permanent planet; the proper function of man is to live, not to exist.  I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them.  I shall USE my time. - Jack London

You used yours, so that I could wake up to all of this...

Happy Mother's Day, I hope I can make you proud,

Love

Ruthie.

Oh, and a mixtape monday just for you.

1. Who loves you  - Franki Valli

2. God only knows - The Beach Boys

2. Dear Bobbie - Yellowcard

3. Don't worry, be happy - Bobby McFerrin

4. Vi Spilum endalaust - Sigur Ros

5. Aint no mountain high enough - marvin gaye