a grateful heart
cincinnati exploring {i went there a lot in college- but sadly didn’t do
much exploring- now i would be all over that place! i think i am just a little
more outgoing now and more confident with cities in general} we grabbed a graeter’s ice cream cone and sat on a park bench in hyde park square. we sat and we talked about life. how precious it is and the importance of spending it doing something we enjoy. they are both so encouraging and talking to them is easy- they are calm, insightful, and full of support. there is something about the way i feel whole when i am around my family. i am grateful for this. i think the one key factor for this is their undeniable openness towards almost anything in life and the emphasis to just be you. it’s a comfortable feeling; i feel like i can say or talk about anything. my parents have had an ability to parent in such a powerful and endearing way; letting each one of us ‘fly’ as a young adult with minimal caution and constant faith. i truly hope to do the same one day with my own children. it took me a long time to realize their incredible ability to guide us while rarely hounding/telling us what to do as adults. in the end, i think this helped make me a stronger person; someone who is willing to take risks. looking back, they never talked down to us and i think this helped create the mentality that anything is possible. that all you need is passion. again, i hope i can do the same one day. as a parent, i am sure it is difficult to pull back; to let go of the ‘control’ aspect? … but i hope i can realize that my own kids deserve this. i feel that by letting us make our own decisions, it helped build confidence, character, and simply allowed me to be me- and proudly.
my sister and brother are also an excellent example of this: although we are all different in many ways, together we all have a way of encouraging versus bringing one another down. i believe this has helped us to become even closer as adults. i feel strongly that it is important to respect the way we each choose to live our individual lives and to not question the daily decisions we each make. the way we spend our time, the way we choose to spend our money, the way we look at our faith, what we eat, where we decide to travel, how we choose to raise our future kids, etc. instead, to always step back and to take in the positive aspects- to bring one another up in the best way we know possible. i trust and respect them regarding these issues and as a result, there is a stronger bond and a whole lot of respect. one thing is for sure~ i always feel beautiful around them {no matter my current size or what i feel like at the moment- my mom is the absolute BEST at this} … i simply feel loved. i am grateful {with my whole heart} for the way that they all bring me up and encourage me to always strive for the best in life. do you focus on bringing people up and not putting them down? if i learned anything from the tragic passing of bassey’s amazing brother it has been to always love one another – to always be kind {even if people aren’t kind to you} and to enjoy every moment you have one them. thank you, imoh. you are an angel among us – i know you are with us every day and are always in our hearts. after the race sunday, we did a family group hug- sweat and all- and remembered moh. there were tears and there were prayers- i could feel him with us. i will never forget that moment.
{left: family time in cincinnati and right: new orleans just two days before 9.15.14}
…
yesterday on that park bench we talked about life and how we should re-evaluate our happiness all the time. are we living the way God has planned? are we being kind to others? are we being the best person we can be? i hope to use the beautiful gift of family – their open minds and warm hearts- to always find my passion. to pursue it and to make every moment count.
{anyone else ever had graeter’s famous black raspberry chip ice cream?}
this has always been one of my favorite holidays {i could eat mexican every day} anyone else?
i am grateful for that
and family- always.
hope your weekend went well!
Comments (11)
Donna
May 5, 2015 at 12:21 am
Visiting from the link up! I have that same wall art quote hanging in my bedroom. I love that it encompasses so many different aspects of life; work, love, friendships, family, faith, food. It looks like you had a fantastic weekend, hope you have a wonderful week! 🙂
nelle monaco
May 5, 2015 at 1:46 pm
hi donna!! thank you so much- it was wonderful! hope the same for you! and love that quote!
Life As You Live It
May 5, 2015 at 2:52 am
I'm glad you were able to spend some time with your family!! Enjoy the wonderful weather!
nelle monaco
May 5, 2015 at 1:47 pm
thank you so much! and you, too! ♥
Julia
May 5, 2015 at 1:23 pm
What a wonderful time with your family! Your love for your family is very evident, and it sounds like you have a great relationship with them! I'm so sorry for your family's loss but that is awesome that you all honored and remembered him in such a special way!
nelle monaco
May 5, 2015 at 1:49 pm
♥ you are the sweetest julia! thank you. he is with us all the time. i appreciate your kind words!
Amy @Set Free
May 5, 2015 at 5:51 pm
I love this post. I feel the same about my family, with all the gratefulness in my heart. I'm sorry to hear about your loss, but think it's amazing how you're able to grieve and rejoice about life with those who are closest to your heart.
nelle monaco
May 7, 2015 at 3:44 pm
awe- thank you so much! they are so close to my heart. it's been so hard – thanks for your kind words. ♥
Katie @ Life Encouraged
May 6, 2015 at 1:24 pm
love all of these gorgeous photos!! it looks like you had an awesome week!
nelle monaco
May 7, 2015 at 3:44 pm
thank you so much!!
Emily @ Ember Grey
May 11, 2015 at 12:57 am
Love this post, Nelle <3 So special. A few weeks ago I was reading some of your past posts and read the one about the physical loss of your BIL's brother, I'm so sorry. I love that you all were there at the race to celebrate him, together. Family is the most important thing – and I believe we are always together, in heart and spirit. xo
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