An ounce

I don't know why this surprises me but it never fails to amaze me how the simplest of moments can become incredibly special.  

I'm talking about sharing quality time and moments with those that genuinely love you.  It really doesn't matter what you're doing or where you're at because what matters is how you feel while in these moments.

Joy.

"If you can enjoy the smallest moments then all it takes is an ounce 

to truly experience joy..."-Uncle Julio (Poppa)

{Laughter is joy}

When you experience the tender moments of love a person has held for you no matter how much time has passed and how now they are transmitting all of that same love to your children, there is nothing left to wonder or contemplate because pure joy has been returned in the smallest of forms.  A priceless gift.

Grateful.

Each of my daughters are a small reminder of what once was, a little me.  It's sweet and it's special to my aunt and uncle.  Still, they know that the girls are their own little people but it touches their hearts to have this moment in time, this ounce of joy and this small reminder and small piece of me.
Getting to know each one of them has allowed another chance and opportunity to spread their love, only now times three.

Love.

I'm beyond happy for the time the girls have been able to have with them.  It's what I wanted.

We invest in those we cherish.

I feel like I'm sharing this investment with my girls because they will forever reap the benefits of who these two very special people are to me.  The interest appreciates with every giggle, smile and each moment of joy.

Sometimes, all it takes is small doses of a good thing to make a lasting impact.    

{Soaking in the joy of life}

{Above is a chalk drawn 3D sidewalk art celebrating the Macon Cherry Blossom Festival}

Family.

We don't always get what we want or sometimes what we expect but it's up to us to make the absolute best of what we have.  I was telling my uncle how I've become selective with whom I choose to interact with, share my life with and invest my energy into.  Not every person will value an authentic relationship and well, that's okay because I'll still hold compassion for these individuals.  We cannot change a single person but we surely can choose how we comport ourselves.  For me, simple is always better and I've cherished every moment I've been given thus far.

At the end of it all, it just takes an ounce of joy to make an enormous difference.

{Inside the first train station circa 1940's}

Joy.  Absolute joy is what I've been offered during this vacation and reunion and I've gladly and thankfully accepted it.  Joy is love.  Joy is simple.  All it takes is an ounce.  Joy is all this...

On a lighter note: Georgia bound!

Remember when I wrote about the amazing gift I received from my Aunt & Uncle? Well, if you didn't read it you can find it here.

After receiving that 'proof of little wonder' and how it moved me beyond what I had ever expected, I immediately planned a trip to go up and visit them.  I knew that it was time for us to reunite once again and this time with my three amazing daughters for them to love as well.

We'll be heading out to Georgia this weekend! I've decided to spend 2 entire weeks with them because a short weekend will not suffice.

My Uncle has already been making preparations for our arrival, more for the girls because he already got all three of them their own bikes!

I know that they're just as excited as I am.  I'm a bit worried about the intense noise level that my girls will be brining to their lovely abode. Yikes!  There is never a dull moment with three very spirited and curious little girls.  I just cannot wait to see the look on their faces...

I'm hoping to have more time to sit and continue working on my current book while visiting them.  We'll see... I'll be blogging and writing and sharing our visit either way.

The other night, my husband said to me right before I zonked out,
"You know, I saw your book in Barnes & Noble."

"You did, did you?" I responded.

"I'm putting it out there for you!" He continued.

"Was it on the New York Times Bestseller list?" I asked.

"Oh, well, I couldn't see THAT much." He said.  I just chuckled and thanked him for believing in me.