Windridge Reflections

“If I could only turn back time to the place we left behind – I’d find you there...”  Happy and sad—bitter and sweet… Birthdays and days of passing—weddings and funerals… Public festivities where extended friends abound—private retreats where only close friends, family or Time spent in solitary reflection, enough to fill one’s soul. This weekend is the anniversary of my mother’s passing 26 (short) years ago. When I think of all the things she’s missed: Her granddaughter’s growing up. Getting to know her two grandsons-in-law. Watching her two great-grandsons’ and one granddaughter's lives expand. Traveling around the world to see them and be a part of their lives. She is also missing: Tea with me and the adult conversations we would now be able to have; when she passed away, I was 32 and in the middle of caring for young children, raising horses and taking care of the farm.  We could now sit, two women, expanding our relationship deeper and farther than ...

I woke up this morning and the first thought that came to my mind was—friends. This is possibly because I was at a Hudson Institute of Santa Barbara gathering last night and as I visited with fellow Hudson coaches, I realized the importance of connection and friendships in all areas of life. For me this looks like: Old friends —Those tried and true souls who have stood the test of time through many years of life’s transitions and changes. These are the friends I may not see or talk to for years, but because of “history,” when I’m with them, it is as if a day has not passed since we were last together. Close friends —Some of these are “old” friends, some of these are newer friends, some of these are family, but all of these are the people who I feel “safe” with when I share my inner most secrets, hopes, dreams, fears and insecurities. And they love me anyway. Business friends —This category is filled with clients and colleagues. These wonderful people value the relationshi...

“ If you miss the present moment, you miss your appointment with life.” Thich Nhat Hanh (1926 – ) Take pen in hand and list ten things, large or small, you are grateful for today. My list: Good health A warm house My husband - who just brought me a vanilla latte! My two daughters, their wonderful husbands and beautiful children Close friends Etc.... “Each day unfolds as a gift. We build daily on a solid foundation of appreciation. Comparing ourselves to ourselves alone, we track a gentle and steady improvement.” Julia Cameron Photo credit: http://www.istockphoto.com/

I love waking up in the morning, checking my iPhone, and seeing new photos of my grandsons walking to school on a snowy London morning (via Instagram ): …and a blog post about Alpha, who lives in NYC: The Ones 2 Watch To have instant access to all my “people” who live half a world away is simply amazing! I’m so grateful for the technology of our age, and how close those far away can feel. I don’t know what I would have done had I been born 100-plus years ago! And then, a little later, sitting at Starbucks I receive a Face-Time call on my iPhone, and I’m able to enjoy my latte while chatting with “London”— in real time. How cool is that? What are you grateful for at the end of your week?