People come and go like seasons.

Goodbyes make you think. They make you realize what you had, what you’ve lost, and what you took for granted. Sometimes I guess you have to take a step back and realize who’s important in your life; who you can live with, but most importantly who you can’t live without. People come and go like seasons. They come into our lives and quickly leave, but some stay for a while and leave footprints on our hearts and we are never, ever the same. Life doesn’t give you the people you want. It gives you the people you need; to help you, to hurt you, to love you, to leave you, and to make you into the person you were meant to be. Too often we don’t realize what we have until it’s gone. Too often we’re too stubborn to step outside of our own shoes and say, “Sorry I was wrong.” Too often it seems like we hurt the ones closest to our hearts and we let the most foolish things tear us apart. They are the people who are there for you unconditionally. They’re the people who never question you and support you no matter what. They are the people worth living for so the biggest mistake you could ever make is drifting apart from someone you once had the time of your life with. Never take someone for granted. Hold every person close to your heart cause you might wake up one day and realize that you’ve lost a diamond while you were collecting stones. People get caught up in what could be instead of appreciating what is. Don’t fall into that trap. Appreciate what you have and who you have because the future can take it all away from you.

Irene

This is love...

She's demanding, a bully, a pain in my ass at times, a scream-in-your-face-don't-fuck-with-me type of person. She's my best friend, my mentor, my advisor, my everything. Who else, but by wonderful, obnoxious sister, Jennifer. She has seen me at my absolute worst, loved me when I was wrong, understood me when no one else has, witnessed and endured my bitch moments, taken in the annoying shit I pull, and still we're inseparable. We're like two peas in a pod, always together...through thick & thin. Honestly, she's the most special person in my life (don't get your fathead gassed up! haha) and this week, she graduated from college. No words can describe how proud I am of her and how lucky I feel to be her sister. I freaking love her bitchassness to death! Congratulations to the first college grad in the fam and good luck on all your future endeavors. :)

with love,
Irene

DEEP

Maya Angelou's interview with Oprah on growing older...

When I was in my younger days,
I weighed a few pounds less,
I needn’t hold my tummy in
to wear a belted dress.
But now that I am older, I’ve set my body free;
There’s comfort of elastic
Where once my waist would be.
Inventor of those high-heeled shoes —
My feet have not forgiven;
I have to wear a nine now,
But used to wear a seven.
And how about those pantyhose —
They’re sized by weight, you see.

So how come when I put them on —
The crotch is at my knee?
I need to wear these glasses
As the print’s been getting smaller;
And it wasn’t very long ago
I know that I was taller.
Though my hair has turned to gray
and my skin no longer fits
On the inside, I’m the same old me,
It’s the outside that’s changed a bit.

But, on a positive note…
I’ve learned that no matter what happens,
or how bad it seems today,
life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.
I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person
by the way he/she handles these three things:
a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents,
you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life.
I’ve learned that making a "living"
is not the same thing as making a "life."

I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands.
You need to be able to throw something back.
I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart,
I usually make the right decision.
I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one.
I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone.
People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.
I’ve learned that people will forget what you said,
people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

***
Maya Angelou really is a marvel. There is no doubt in my mind that she is one of my favorite writers. She's such a simple and honest woman with so much wisdom in her words. Truly inspirational...and still going strong at 81!

Dear Summer...

There's too many things I haven't done yet, too many sunsets I still haven't seen. Therefore, I have come to the conclusion...I won't waste your days away by wishing they would slow down.

with love,
Irene