Hello, happy Monday, and start of a new week! I hope your day is off to a good start, and you have started this week doing something that nurtures YOU. ❤️

And if the day has started rocky, I send you healing vibes, and many prayers for strength, and love. Everybody’s day can look so different, but we are here on this journey of life together, and our mission should be to lift each other up, feel my hug.

I recently got from a 9 day trip to Mexico to take my mom back home after a Summer stay with us. Looking back I overstayed for sure, and I wished I would’ve planned my vacation days better, but there is never a point in looking back, it changes absolutely nothing. The good part about it is that I spent a LOT of time resting, drinking endless cups of coffee, eating my favorite foods, and pondering about life, yes, I love that about me if I say so myself. 😉

Life will never cease to amaze me in every form.

I realized that I have lived outside of my childhood hometown longer than I lived there, and I have spent 90% of my adult life outside of that town as well. Going “home” will always be special to me because it holds many memories, and so many dear people close to my heart live there, but home is now, and has been for a long time, in Chicago.

Life has changed a lot in the last couple of years, our kids are no longer kids, they are young adults with goals, and dreams, and thoughts of their own now, thoughts which we do not own. We never have actually. It’s fascinating watching them become adults I admire, and be human beings I’m proud to call family. But being parents to adults can be so hard sometimes!!! I’m still learning, I will never stop learning the full meaning of being a parent. But I’m doing my best. ☺️

It’s 36 degrees outside right now, but so sunny, it feels like 50! I’m sitting on the front porch drinking my hot cup of coffee, and enjoying this simple moment before heading off to work.

My cup is cute, isn’t it? ☕️

While I was in my hometown this past week, I went (for the first time) to watch a baseball game. I’ve always wanted to go, but never had the opportunity before. A friend invited me, and I jumped at the opportunity. OF COURSE, I came back with a brand new coffee cup for my collection, because, why not? I love it actually, it’s the perfect size, love the design, and the material reminds me of home, of the type of cups my dad used to drink from, a perfect combination of memories, and love.

This will be a busy work week for me, but I’m looking forward to it. This week we celebrate All Saints’ Day. This is how I picture Saints. An army of aunts and uncles, moms, and dads, and loving friends and neighbors that really, truly love us with ALL of their hearts, and want nothing but the best for us, AND better yet, not only do they love us and protect us, they also pray for us, because they have all the best “connections”.

Growing up my favorite Saint was St. John Bosco. My mom always talked to us about him, especially because he is the patron saint of youth. I always felt I had a special bond with him. My love for different saints have grown, and my understanding of sainthood has too. We are all called to live life of saints, and called to sainthood. Saints were imperfect, like all of us, many of them experienced many life struggles, but God was at the center of their lives, and eventually persevered in those struggles. I always look forward to celebrating their day on November 1st.

Then on November 2nd, we celebrate all those who have died. Our faithful departed, loved one that are no longer with us on our earthly journey. A good day to think about our own mortality, and the gift of life, and give thanks for the love we received by family members, friends, and loved ones that are no longer with us.

Well, I think I better get going, my cup of coffee is gone now, and I have a long to do list.

I hope today brings you joy, and you encounter kindness on the way… blessings for a great week ahead!!! ❤️