SurvivingSara

Tag: Love

  • Mom’s Dead a Year

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    Sara Z
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    Flowers speak to my soul. I love them. I show love for others with them frequently. Beautiful arrangements delivered to doorsteps are such a sweet surprise that lasts for a couple weeks (hopefully). I take time choosing one particular combination for a special person, hoping the smile I get from giving them is shared across…

  • Note to Selves

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    Sara Z
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    To my high school self, class of 1982: You are enough. Even though your next older sister is a gorgeous cheerleader and model and you get so tired of hearing about it but, girl, you are so pretty. Only difference is she went to modeling school and you didn’t. Guys who compare you to her…

  • Bienvenido 2025!

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    Sara Z
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    Hopes are high that the new year will bring good blessings to my husband and me because we’re flying to Puerto Vallarta on the 13th! Bring on the sunshine. 🔆 In mid October, when a small group of old friends came over for my birthday, one of them mentioned he’d be celebrating his January birthday…

  • Gen Gen

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    Sara Z
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    Recently, my husband was shocked to learn that I’m a baby boomer. Well, my birth year is the last year of boomers, so I get it. We were talking with our two young adult sons about the names of the various ages when it came up. I’ve never heard of the “Builders” generation but I…

  • Parent is Also a Verb 12/16/24

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    Sara Z
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    Your child needs you to be the parent, not a friend. Of course, this meme is an exaggeration of a valid point. A parent does not need to be a diligent detective on 24/7, looking for lies or mistakes. In fact, that would be counterproductive to raising an independent adult who makes decisions based on…

  • Til Death Do Us Part – or You Vote for Trump?

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    Sara Z
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    Since the election, I have been purposefully avoiding media coverage of the president-elect and his incoming administration. Headlines pass in my newsfeed regarding all aspects of the subject and I confess it’s like driving by a bad car wreck; I cover my eyes but peek between fingers. Mere glances at my news feed and past…

  • Parent is Also a Verb (11/27/24)

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    Sara Z
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    Growing kids up – What’s the goal? On TV just now, a mother said, “I just want my kids to be happy.” This strikes a nerve, similar to parents being friends with their children. Parents should definitely not be friends with their kids. More about that another time. What about the end game for parenting?…

  • Easy as 1-2-3

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    Sara Z
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    How many times have people with fibromyalgia or other chronic, invisible illnesses been told that feeling better is just down to a better outlook on themselves and life? Explaining the complexities involved in fibro is perceived as whining, exactly what they’re talking about! So, I’ve decided to test the theory. Can ignoring, dismissing, and love-bombing…

  • Still Sara

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    Sara Z
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    Sara wore this get-up on her family’s early morning flight into LAX, knowing she’d be rocking it for the lunch stop at Venice Beach. Her favorite pants a friend had given her following a trip to Thailand were the perfect pairing for the Harry Perry t-shirt to see the rollerblading, guitar-playing, singer again. If you’ve…

  • A Mother of a Summer

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    Sara Z
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    Daylight savings time in a northern state makes for long days. When I get up in the ‘night’ to use the bathroom, the sun is peeking, and the birds are telling each other “good morning;” and, well, you know what they say about those early birds. Once my eyes open at 5-6 a.m., my brain…

  • I Surrender

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    Sara Z
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    As the mom of two sons and no daughters, I now officially give up on Mother’s Day. I’ve been waiting for an unexpected, sweet celebration for 26 years. I’m a slow learner. In the early years, I was so excited! Would there be flowers? An outing as a family? It went without saying that my…

  • On Loss

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    Sara Z
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    Hello. I’ve been gone for months. It’s been a very difficult time. My elderly mother’s condition declined over the course of a year. She died 3/13/24. I’m not adding anymore info because she wouldn’t want me to put her out there. She was one of the most private people I know. When my dad passed…

  • Good Thinks

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    Sara Z
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    The title was meant to be “Good Things,” but the middle finger that moves involuntarily gave me “Good Thinks.” I’ll go with that. I’m looking for good thinks. A meditation I’ve used is sitting beside a stream, allowing leaves to carry away thoughts or concerns. I’ve never been a good meditator, but I wonder if…

  • Letting Go

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    Sara Z
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    Trigger warning: depression, suicidal thinking If you’re reading this, thanks for hanging out. I’m beginning again again. Opagque darkness has been visited upon me this past month, following a family upheaval. The spiral down was quick and steep, maybe because it’s so familiar. This time though, I got closer than I have ever been. On…

  • Parent is Also a Verb 3/14/23

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    Sara Z
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    Parent is a verb – until it’s not. At some point, the light turns red. Stop. Your job is done whether it feels like it or not, whether or not the results meet your expectations. Over the teen years, the parenting light should turn yellow. Our sons and daughters should be gaining independence all their…

  • Good Day to You, Sir

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    Sara Z
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    Don’t know what kind of funk I’m in but I think SurvivingSara.net will be quiet for some time. It’s not that I chose a break. It chose me. I really think I’ll be back on here but I have no idea when. I think of you, people who’ve taken the time to read one post…

  • Parent is Also a Verb 12/5/22

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    Sara Z
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    LESS IS MORE, I PROMISE! When my children were young, they were given many gifts. When you take into account grandparents, aunts & uncles, mom & dad and, of course, Santa; the number of presents under the tree seems to increase exponentially as Christmas nears. Little ones are teased by the accumulation. When can we…

  • Watching the Machinery Break Down

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    Sara Z
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    Can you imagine how proud the farmer pictured was? This equipment was built in 1938 and looks like it’s of good use. Would you expect that piece of machinery to be running still in 2022? If you could get the engine started, its performance, if any, would certainly not compare with the earlier years. My…

  • Parent is Also a Verb 11/28/22

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    Sara Z
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    Candy canes and popcorn chains Ribbons and bows with pretty boxes below What does your Christmas look like? Do you have family traditions from your childhood you’re now incorporating into the individual, couple, or all-in-with-kids Christmas you’re designing? Or not. Intentionally free of those reminders? Hanukkah? Kwanzaa? Doing your own thing? I propose that having…

  • Happy Thanksgiving!

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    Sara Z
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    Thankful. Receiving blessings. Acknowledging what’s good and right in our lives. I am most thankful for my family and friends, Their love sustains me. I am grateful for our dog, my constant companion. Having food to eat, a warm house, operating vehicles, medical insurance, a comfortable bed, and a safe neighborhood make me one of…