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"Just breathe"

Such a simple statement. A reminder to just breathe. Why do we say that? Does it really help?

It's hard, but I've adjusted to so many changes in my life. Job changes, starting a business, two high school graduations, son going to college - but doing so online. Then this hits me, my middle daughter, the one that has been nicknamed the emotional support child for so many - including me, has left for college. 

She is my artist (painted the picture above), my crafter of jewelry, may painter of cups/ornaments/bowls, and has gown into my coffee/tea date, coworker at our shop, picker-up of emergency groceries, taxi for the youngest, and often comic relief. She was the one who was never going to leave me, telling her dad and I the dreams she had of building a house right next to ours and "borrowing" our land so she could have a couple highland coo and sheep.

I’m not sure if you are like me, but I wear some type of stone every single day, even when I sleep. Now, I’m not including my wedding set, but other stones.  I have a rose quartz bracelet, a red tigers eye bracelet, various pendants and rings.

Lately, though, I’ve noticed that I need to take a break from wearing them now and again. One day I noticed that the bracelets felt awful and heavy on my wrist (a new feeling for me) so I took them off and put them on the windowsill so they could catch the moonlight. I woke in the morning and went to put them back on and they still felt heavy. 

Today is a hard day. I'm glad it's raining. My middle child, my sweet shy,, cautious daughter is at her last day in high school. It is the ending of a phase in her life and the beautiful beginning of another.

This one is especially hard. I don't know why it is, it shouldn't, I have one more child to get through high school before we are "empty nesters". But this is my sweet Marie. My highly intuitive, empathetic one. She feels everything around her. 

It's been busy around here. Although the shop is doing well, I was talked into taking a part time job answering phones for four hours a day. I now will need to adjust the hours at my little shop. I believe that it will still go well though.

I am blessed at the reception I'm receiving. So far all good responses. This has taught me that no matter what a few say about my beliefs and customs that if I keep pressing along, I can be accepted for who I am and what I do, not what I believe. Although I won't stop holding my breath just yet.

I pride myself as being part of a family unit that is not quick to judge people. We have raised the kids to look at the bigger picture, listen to others, do some investigation before judging. Give the person some time to show their true self. When you are quick to judge, you miss out on a potential trustworthy friendship.

Yet, as I write this, I find us judging a young man. And I'm torn.

I have been working on crocheting this blanket for nearly 2 years now. It's the project I grab whenever we go on a long car ride (an hour or so at least) just to work on while I'm sitting and riding.

My mom asked me the other day "who's that for?" No one. "Why are you making it?" I really don't know. I like the colors of the yarn - Mandala yarn from Walmart - and I'm only using the slip stitch so there are no "toe holes" that catch your toes and let cold air in. Other than that, this blanket has no meaning.