365 Days of Contentment: June 2010

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

June 29, 2010: Day 180

Who said you can't get anything for free anymore?

Monday, June 28, 2010

June 28, 2010: Day 179

"There are good friends, there are best friends, and then there's you."

A hot summer evening of new beginnings, yummy vegetable masala, and ice cream with friends that are better than best.

June 27, 2010: Day 178

Climbing trees with Patrick.

Ruby and her artwork continue to amaze me.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Thursday, June 24, 2010

June 24, 2010: Day 175

S'mores around a campfire is the perfect way to end a hot, summer day.

June 23, 2010: Day 174

We all have many titles and roles in life. Some of mine include sister, daughter, friend, yoga teacher, niece, co-worker, roommate. But the one that I am most proud to be is aunt.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

June 21, 2010: Day 172

First day of summer! That calls for a chocolate ice cream with gummi bears and whipped cream!

Sunday, June 20, 2010

June 20, 2010: Day 171

A lavender and sea salt breeze after a Father's Day brunch on a hot day in Gloucester.

"You've got to get up in the morning with a smile on your face and show the world all the love in your heart."

June 19, 2010: Day 170

A Saturday filled with beach, birthdays and babies.

June 18, 2010: Day 169

After 28 years, I finally have a brother (at least for two weeks.) I was getting ready this morning and noticed that Corey's laundry is as colorful as a bag of M&Ms.

June 17, 2010: Day 168

World's best granola. Trying hard to ration Maria's homemade treats for as long as possible. I'm so proud of my little entrepreneur.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

June 16, 2010: Day 167

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I still couldn't be more proud to be on the Pat Ward All Stars.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Sunday, June 13, 2010

June 13, 2010: Day 164

A cup of coffee (in a beer glass, nonetheless) shared with friends is happiness tasted and time well spent. The months and miles apart simply don't matter with the bestest of friends.

June 11, 2010: Day 162

I'm in constant awe of the heavens. Whether it be the clouds, the sun, the moon, the stars. It's amazing to me how different the sky looks every single day.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

June 10, 2010: Day 161

So much to celebrate! The anniversary of our ten-year high school graduation to name one.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Life is funny sometimes. I pulled into my driveway tonight after a long day at work and teaching yoga and I looked at the time on my car radio: 9:06pm. Sigh. I thought to myself, I haven't taken a picture yet and there certainly isn't anything that stood out from my routine day that was photo-worthy. Discouraged, I sulked into the house only to find a perfectly wrapped brown paper package with my name sitting on the table. "Ainsworth/Bonenfant" was written in the upper left corner. Becky!? A dear friend from junior and high school. I haven't spoken with her in months, what could this be? Puzzled, I quickly opened the package to reveal the contents. I unwrapped the paper to find a vintage-inspired cigar box filled with Mexico postcards, a tiny sombrero, an Easy Spanish Phrase Book, stunning photos of Becky and her fiancé, Jay, and most notably, a custom, handmade "Passport" with details inviting guests to save the date for their destination wedding in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. I couldn't believe it. Are Becky and Jay really including me in one of the biggest days of their life? A Mexican wedding none-the-less! I was speechless and in tears (joyous ones, of course.)

Before I could even sort through all the contents, I opened up a folded personal note from Becky that was neatly tucked inside the box. As long as I can remember, Becky has been a talented writer and is blessed with the ability to beautifully articulate her thoughts on paper. I recall the hundreds of notes we passed in high school. Becky's notes were always laugh-out-loud hilarious, eloquent (no matter how juvenile the topic) and of course, folded and decorated with precision and beauty. It was clear to me that the memories I have of Becky's creativity and thoughtfulness from 10 plus years ago were still true today.

Now, I could continue to type about the amazingly fantastic details of the package, or the personalized note from a beloved friend that I read through tear-filled eyes, or the countless memories that came flooding back, or the overwhelming joy that I feel that this amazing woman has found an equally amazing man to spend forever with...but this blog is more about the pictures than the words so I'll share these thoughts and emotions offline. I did, however, want to share one excerpt from her enclosed letter (If you're reading this, Becks, I hope you don't mind!)

"A short time ago something caught my eye and I remembered your blog. I had unfortunately fallen behind and I sat and read every single post and every single comment that I had missed. It made me think of the things that make me happy each day and the things that make me content. I pictured you receiving this and the smile that I knew it would put on your face. Suddenly the time two old friends have spent away did not matter. I knew that putting this in the mail to you was my contentment in today."

I have never been as articulate as Becky and I certainly won't try to start now, but there is no way to explain the contentment this tiny brown package delivered me today.

(And if all that wasn't enough...Mexico, here I come!)