Sister Sister

As I was going for my run yesterday late afternoon, as I sometimes do, I looked up at her old room windows imagining Susie was there working on her computer for some assignment or doing something else. These memories come back to me in good cheer, remembering those sweet, precious times of her living at home and usually busy with a variety of things. I can only smile, keeping it all in memory. I made a list of fun little reminders that came to me recalling things that made living with her fun, and spontaneous. She knew when she needed to relax, rest, and enjoy the moment or day. I think these will help me do the same!

-Watch Formed 

We had a number of movie nights, but what was enjoyable also was finding a great movie or documentary on Formed. We watched a documentary about St. Therese of Lisieux and another called Mary of Nazareth, we loved that one!

-Paint Nails

This always came with fun, vibrant tunes, chatting and being amused with deciding on a color.

-Pray/Adoration/Pray Rosary

We wouldn't always pray together or go to adoration together. Sometimes we would see each other there after work, but it was always inspiring knowing we could count on each other for prayer and encourage one another in praying the Rosary and drawing closer to our Lady. We both loved to have our own little corners of prayer in our rooms. She would usually light a candle of some sort, kneeling on the side of her bed, write in her journal. Me, sitting against my bed and writing in my journal, reading a spiritual book. Our own corners, space, but united. 

-Light Candles

Haven't I mentioned this a few times now? Plenty of candles to go around like it's her own shop. Some from old friends, weddings, birthday presents. Some better scented and sweetness or pumpkin spice. Some small, some thicker and others lasting for a few years. Glow, peace, aroma. 

-Write letters to people

Always a letter to write to a friend, a niece, or other family member. Great at writing, keeping in touch and making time for the sacredness of snail mail. 

-Listen to calming Music

Either happening while writing, painting nails, or another relaxing activity.

- Bring work to the library/B & N/ Cafe

She always had work to get done for her Credential classes, or tests to study for. What more enjoyable way than to go to a nice, quiet library, or Starbucks or B & N where you could easily stay there for hours and soak in the ambiance and still be productive! There would be many times we would go there together too. 

-Write in journal or blog

Sometimes Susie would share some of her journal entries with me or in her prayer journals. It was always so interesting to her what she was going through at that time. Or she would have some free open time and want to write on her blog and delve into her creative spirit. 

-Read a good book

Often times she would like to cuddle with a good book she was reading. Either one from the library, a Little Free Library and want to lay on the couch or her bed and have a reading night, perhaps with a hot drink.

-Talk and meetup with friends and contacts

Susie has a number of friends and people she keeps in contact with. She would be in touch with them either through texting, phone calls or meeting up in person. It was always interesting hearing about these meetups, conversations, and seemed like a good time. It is always good to meet up with others and plan something, even one isn't that close, just doing something different can add that spice to life. 

-Study Language

On occasion, we would study language together. She would keep up with her Spanish and I would either be study Chinese, or Arabic, Hebrew or something else. Or what happened more often, I would study language, and read a book while she studied for her RICA Test, Credential class work and the like. 

-Go for a nice walk/run

Being in nature is always refreshing. When Susie was going through bouts of anxiety, going on her daily walks was very helpful for her. And even when she wasn't anxious, walks and runs were essential for rejuvenation, relaxation and even inspiration (just like me). We didn't always have the same running route, but if I ever did see her, it looked like she was running hard and enjoying the challenge or liking the laid-back walks as well. 

-Read a play

As an English major, she read a number of classics and even some plays. (I don't know all of them). One time, she was trying to read the play, The Hunchback of Notre Dame. She stuck with it for a while, until she decided she didn't like or understand it anymore, but she was close to finishing. But just the challenge and even obscurity of reading a play is a good thing. It makes me want to get back into reading Shakespeare plays. 

-Use accessories and clothes well

Susie used what she had well. She never had more than what I had as I would probably go shopping more frequently. But she used her clothes and accessories well. I remember having a lot of fun sometimes picking out her outfits for her when she let me for her workdays, mixing and matching things and with the accessories. Most times she liked and wore what I configured!

-Think of others, in prayer intentions, when shopping (find something that looks like them)

Susie kept others in her mind and prayers. And when she saw something that reminded her of someone, she wouldn't hesitate to mention it or share it. Like one time, she saw a pile of nicely decorated style of books stacked up like a Christmas tree at the library, and she sent me a photo and thought of me. Or another time, she saw a store that had the same name as our brother's daughter's name and sent him a photo. Little things like that are sweet. 

-Laugh well and hard

Always up for a good laugh, finding the humor and joy in life. Lightheartedness is honey to the soul. When we found something funny, we could easily laugh so hard about it, not noticing the other people around us, totally in our own world. 

-Clean, keep room organized, tidy and inviting

She is by nature a clean person, easier to be clean and orderly than messy.

-Keep room smelling nicely with perfume spray, and scented candles

I think I already mentioned this one:)

-Sleep in, take naps

When Susie felt tired, sleepy she would easily make time for a cat nap in the afternoon or enjoy sleeping in on a Saturday morning. That extra rejuvenation was key, and finding that a darkened room, some shut eye helped with feeling more energized and awake. 

Getting ready. Morning of brother's wedding

Sleeping over at her apartment

Ministry Bonfire