Oh my goodness. I did it. It is May 31, and I posted a blog post every single day in May.

The notion of launching OurAmazingDays.com’s blog with a post every day in May began sometime in April with the passing thought: “I like the sound of ‘Amazing May.’” It crossed my mind a couple more times in April, but it wasn’t until the late afternoon of May 1 that I gave it serious thought. I am generally the type that takes a good, hard look before I leap, but occasionally I do leap quickly, and this time I did.

I didn’t make it far into May 2 before I wondered if I’d really be able to do this every day. Every single day. Even the busy ones. Even if there were days when I didn’t feel well. There were days that were busy, and there were days when I didn’t feel well, and I did it anyway.

Like any commitment, there were things about it that were hard and stressful. But also like any commitment there was learning, surprises, support, and joy. The actual writing of the posts was very fun—I loved the topics and the intention. Finding the time wasn’t always easy. I developed strategies. Finding fitting, available photos could be a challenge, but so satisfying when I found the right one. After all these years of writing, I love that I still continue to learn about writing, and I certainly did so this month.

I am very happy to have this content on OurAmazingDays.com and hope people will continue to find it, enjoy it, and join in the discussions.

Commitments can be both scary and exciting because we don’t really know what is going to happen. How amazing that we make commitments anyway. Commitments to projects, animals, adventures, movements, practices, and people. The world is a better and more interesting place because of our commitments.

Thank you to all of us who take those leaps. Thank you to all of you who have shared this Amazing May with me.

The final words and final “thank you” in My Amazing Day are “Thank you, me” because when we thank ourselves we are thanking that one person that was there for every moment of our amazing day. As I tell my son sometimes, “you are the one person you get to be with for the entire time you are here.” If you know him, you know how lucky he is! And you all know yourselves well enough to know how lucky you are, too.

You are the one that gets lumps out of your socks, makes your pillow just right, makes sure you don’t eat anything yucky. You pause so that you can enjoy things. You get yourself people time when needed and alone time when needed. You get the things done that are important to you. You can make yourself laugh. You can even look in a mirror and be the one who really listens.

I think it is so valuable for all of us to acknowledge ourselves and especially for children to do so. By recognizing their own contributions to themselves, children can see that they have the power to help themselves, the ability to enjoy themselves, and the knowledge that they are always in good company.

photo by roseoftimothywoods

What an amazing relationship. What a serious commitment.

Thank you, selves. Thank you, me.

One of the first times my son alerted me to something other than his own needs and wants, he told me about the presence of a bird. He was about a year old. He couldn’t say the English word, “bird,” but I’d taught him the ASL (American Sign Language) sign for it. At the kitchen table one afternoon, I noticed him signing BIRD. For a moment I thought his sign was arbitrary, but then I listened and, sure enough, I could hear a bird. What a shift in our communication, and how amazing to know that little person was noticing things I had missed.

Today, I was a chaperone on his third-grade class’s field trip. Many of the highlights were connected to birds. We saw graceful water birds, Canada geese flying, and, close to us on a picnic table: a black phoebe with its striking black and white pattern. We heard California quails’ distinctive call, “Chi-caa-go,” and during the times when we got quiet, we enjoyed a variety of birdsong.

Birds delight us with their music, good looks, and the idea of soaring through the air.

brown pelicans, with bonus elephant seals (photo by Karin Fisher-Golton)

Thank you, birds.

When I think of the men and women we honor today in the United States, on Memorial Day, I think of their bravery.

I want to acknowledge that I am writing as a person with a lifelong tendency for pacifism, and I still sincerely appreciate the people who serve their country.

Those people took a known, grave risk, because something else meant more to them. Some wanted to protect the rights we have in this country; some wanted to safeguard people; some were subject to the draft and accepted that; some had personal reasons we’ll never know. In all those cases, they took a step forward, and said “yes, this is a risk, and I will do this.” And then were required to show their bravery again and again.

photo by Alethe, detail

I find all kinds of bravery amazing, from a baby taking its first step, to someone stepping on stage for the first time, to proposing a date or marriage. We hope these things come out for the best, but it wouldn’t take courage if they always did.

Some soldiers did not have the outcome we wish for them all. Today we honor them and their sacrifice. And we honor their bravery, for nobly choosing to take a great risk in hopes of a greater good.

Thank you, brave people. Thank you, soldiers.

Companion animals snuggle their way deeply into our hearts, they entertain us, and they help us in some less obvious ways. Scientists have found health, social, and emotional benefits to having pets. A good summary is here. The Biology major in me is not surprised to learn that humans have a number of benefits in what is a long-established symbiotic relationship.

While we humans get our blood pressure lowered, our moods boosted, our children’s immune systems strengthened, and in some cases the benefits of a rather effective burglar alarm…and while our pets get food, fresh water, shelter, and sometimes excellent medical care…and while we all enjoy each others company, something else amazing happens.

On a neighborhood walk several years ago, it occurred to me that even though my dogs and I were strolling together in the same space, our perceptions were so distinct that we were experiencing truly different, though overlapping, worlds. I was seeing colors and details they could not perceive. They were gathering information via smell that I knew nothing about. They were hearing things I’d never know make sounds.

More recently, we have new pet rats. I’m looking closely for clues so I can tell them apart from various angles. I realized that with their poor vision they probably don’t bother to recognize each other by sight. More likely they use smells I can’t detect.

photo © Karin Fisher-Golton, 2007

How remarkable that despite such vast differences we come to know and bond with each other, and improve each others’ lives. (There’s a lesson here in our human to human relationships, I think.)

Thank you dogs, cats, rats, parrots, and all pets.

For the past few days, I’ve been thinking about my husband’s and my wedding and surrounding events, which happened ten years ago this week. This morning I got teary recalling how sweet it was to have multiple generations of friends and family in our home for a brunch the morning after our wedding.

Happy memories are our own personal photo album and free video collection, which we can access any time. Start to remember, and not just the images but the feelings return. When I begin to reminisce, by myself or with others, even more details come back.

Sometimes I purposely try to review some of my favorite moments, to keep those details alive. When I do that, it’s as if I’m stocking a pantry with gifts for myself in the future.

Thank you, happy times. Thank you, memories.

Today is the tenth anniversary of my husband’s and my wedding. I truly do believe that every day is amazing; however, there are some days we remember better than others for happy reasons.

photo © Robert Iwamiya, 2004

Those memorable days can be days of life events that we wanted and worked for. They can also be days when we were recipients of remarkable fortuitousness. And some, like our wedding day, have both elements of sincere intention and effort alongside elements of blessed chance.

Those memorable days are often shared with loved ones, sometimes one or a few beloved ones, or perhaps a new kindred spirit, or with just the good company of one’s self. And some, like our wedding day, are shared with the mind and heart boggling convergence of people from many times of life.

Those memorable days often set our lives on a new or changed course.

Those memorable days are abundant gifts that we can enjoy and be inspired by again and again via our memories.

I am fortunate that this anniversary falls on a Poetry Friday, because that made me think to write a poem for the occasion. It is a found poem, meaning the words are all quotes, selected and arranged to create the poem. For more Friday poems visit http://vnesdolypoems.wordpress.com/2014/05/22/poetry-friday-ever-after-edition/.

From Our Wedding Guest Book: A Found Poem

a great beginning

this giant circle
of love and blessings

the sun the moon
the bride the groom

like a dream come true

amazingly intimate and fun day

thank you for sharing

thank you for including us

I laughed. I cried.
I loved your wedding

wishing you
a beautiful happily ever after

be kind to each other

your vows will serve you well

all of G-d’s blessing upon you

a perfect day all around

a lovely completion and beginning
all rolled into one

© Karin Fisher-Golton, 2014

Thank you, wedding and all who made it so.

Periodically I marvel at how fortunate I, and so many others, are that glasses exist. Without them the world is quite blurry for me. I couldn’t see a person’s face when conversing with them. I’d have to read a few inches from my eyes. I couldn’t see stars at all.

I am grateful for all the inventions that support our bodies and senses–even the ones I don’t need because it is good to know they are there should the need arise.

photo by Karin Fisher-Golton (possibly the first photo she has taken in decades without wearing corrective eyewear)

But there is something about glasses that is easy to take for granted. They are both simple and complex. They have been around hundreds of years. I find it comforting to see them appear in old family photos and know people could benefit from that invention at times when so many others we enjoy today did not yet exist.

I rarely think about what life would be like without glasses, but when I do, I find myself in awe of what they accomplish.

Thank you, inventors. Thank you, glasses.

Most every morning and evening a show of color and light appears in the sky—sometimes delicate, sometimes extravagant, and available to anyone who looks.

I’ve loved sunsets in places I’ve lived on the West Coast for the way the light shimmers on water and the reflections of colors. I’ve loved sunsets in the Midwest for the patterns the colors make through leafless trees. My favorite sunsets have clouds, made fancy.

photo by Karin Fisher-Golton

Thank you, sunrises. Thank you, sunsets.