Saturday, July 17, 2010

a simple birthday wish

Do you know Christina of Soul Aperture? You must. She is a woman of passion, kindness, and great talent. Over a year ago she came up with an idea to list simple things. It spread through the blogworld like happy news spreads through a family. Yesterday was her birthday, and it's time to celebrate. Special thanks to the very thoughtful Se'Lah for inviting us all to the surprise birthday party.





Simple Things
simple ways to show "I love you."


* give a yellow balloon to someone unexpectedly - not those mylar things; just a simple, happy balloon * call you mother * HUGS! Lots of hugs * never miss a chance to offer encouragement * set up Skype for your grandparents - and use it * participate in a virtual birthday party * never separate or hang up the phone without saying, "I love you!" * share your great idea generously * bring your child home a special treat every time you travel * write a card * send an email * visit a friend's other blog - leave a comment * be supportive of new ventures * be lavish and sincere with compliments * make time for kisses * have a warm a towel ready when your love gets out of the shower * make Mickey Mouse pancakes * create time for loved one's hobbies * bring home fresh flowers * gently insist on the other person's way instead of your own * rub lotion into tired feet * participate * attend those jewelry/Tupperware/clothing parties * hide love notes in socks and coat pockets * on every birthday, write a love letter into a special journal - give it to your love after decades * don't miss a funeral or visitation * send a sympathy card three or four months after the fact - let the bereaved know you still remember * kiss a child on the nose * give a friend a book you really loved * be generous with your talents and your time * compliment new hairdos * do a chore that is usually theirs * play with your love's hair * give a back rub * offer little girls a manicure and pedicure * cuddle, snuggle, get close * sing to the one you love * wake them up gently * create little rituals * cook a favorite dinner * scratch that back * share * be helpful * give thoughtful gifts * spend time together * go fishing, to the mall - whatever they enjoy * make the grand gesture * bite your tongue * roast the perfect marshmallow for people * play a silly game * say it * say it again * and again* and again! *


The image above is the first bokeh I ever took. I'm just delighted.

29 comments:

christina said...

so beautiful. a yellow balloon... it's just love. love in the most simple and kind way.
i have a date with a few balloons tonight.

i love you my friend.
thank you~
xo

SE'LAH... said...

a friend just sent me one of their favourite books. touched my heart.

love your list, and you.
one love, my friend.

so glad you made it to the party. ;)

Rosaria Williams said...

All so lovely! I feel loved just thinking about these things.

Meri said...

Excellent ideas! We all need to say I love you as often as possible, in as many ways as possible, to as many people as we have in our lives. No one can hear I love you enough if it's truly meant.

Sarah said...

What a loving list you have made Relyn! So many of these things are easy to do but mean so much as they are also easy to forget.

beth said...

your lists are always so heartfelt.....i love everything you said.....

xoxo

Anita said...

Love your lists, Relyn! They are so dreamy and sentimental and just everyone of them makes me smile:)

Erin Wallace said...

Relyn - this is a lovely list! I love "kiss a child on the nose" I do that one many many time s daily. You have such a wonderful soul.

xo Erin

Marilyn Miller said...

You have the best lists from the yellow balloon to silly games. Oh my mom use to say "I love you" everytime she made different shaped pancakes, what a wonderful memory. Happy travels!

Debra Hawkins said...

Hi! I found you blog by googling Dorthy Klyver. I love the artwork you have by her. My grandmother just sent me one of Dorthy Klyver's paintings and I would love to know a little more about the artist. Is there a little about her that you could share with me? I would love any information. Thank you!
Debrajoyhawkins@gmail.com

Lubna said...

A very nice list. Have a great weekend.

Cindy said...

What a fabulous list Relyn, beautiful. Have a wonderful weekend.

kath said...

All of the balloons filled with love that have been sent up in honour of Christina have made our world a better place.
Much love to you, my friend.
And that bokeh is FABULOUS!

Jennifer Richardson said...

Such a list, like shiny bright grapes, can only grow on a vine artfully grafted into Love itself. You have a magnificent heart, dear one:)
-Jennifer

Yiota said...

Gosh! You have so much love to give; the people in your life are so lucky!

dulcy said...

I need to print this one to tape onto my dressing table mirror! And maybe a copy should be taped to Jim's computer screen!!!

xo
dulcy

Johanna said...

what a gorgeous list. all very important things. little gestures, but very important. thank you! xoxox

A Box of Chocolates said...

time together, back scratches, the perfect marshmallow oh yeah these are a few of my favourite things...

meandering pearl said...

'be lavish with compliments' i love that!!! hope you're having a lovely vacation!!! {& i just found this site you might be interested in about making your own photo book
http://www.blurb.com} & three cheers for Christina!!!

Tracy said...

So much sweetness here, Relyn... *sigh* Hubby & I are just back from a trip, so I missed all the festivities...but fun to catch up! Happy Summer Days ((HUGS))

Sue said...

I love your lists. My dad actually wanted Skype now that he will be living alone. We hooked up his while I was down there and mine got hooked up this week so he could talk to the little great-grands yesterday. I really didn't want Skype, but after seeing how happy it makes him...I've changed my mind.

Elizabeth Halt said...

Little gestures are somehow the most meaningful. Lovely list.

Peace Thyme said...

Hello. This is the first time I have found you site, Relyn. Have not read much yet, but am enchanted by the music selection. Heavenly!

And really, I could not add much to your list of things to do to show love. Oh, I could, but you sum it up pretty well.

Peace!

Chris said...

Hi Relyn, I love your list and the photo. What beautiful colors!!

Unknown said...

Hi Relyn,

I may print out your list and leave it lying around for someone to see! Or is that not the point?

Jakki said...

what a beautiful list! the fresh flowers I do believe is a must...its hard to NOT smile after smelling a beautiful bloom and saying 'i love you'...oh my...truly a blessing in so small a phrase...

Ragamuffin Gal said...

Love it and Love you!!
Can't wait to show and share with you some of the things I learned about PSE and my collage camp with KC Willis (you can take a peak at some on my blogs)

Hurry Home my most beloved friend ~ I cannot wait for you to get back!!!

This list just makes me miss you more because those are things you do for me all the time!!!
Ha! my word verification is rememi
(short for remember me!)

Jaime said...

To the woman who radiates the brightest beams of love out to the blogging universe (and to her own personal universe as well)....I love you!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Lisa said...

great list, relyn! i might have to print it and have it as a reminder!

Oldies, but Goodies