Birch tree leaves look like hearts

Did you know that? I didn't. But I was looking for a picture of a birch tree for a tattoo that I keep promising myself I will get when my son finally weans, and I found one in some sort of wicca pagan book that had the symbolism of birch trees, plus that they have heart shaped leaves.

I am so into that. I LOVE that they have heart shaped leaves...it seemed like a sign to me because I want to get this new tattoo to remind myself of my family (Birch tree is what my last name means in German) and to keep taking care of my heart. I had a scare a few months ago when I was in the hospital for something else (see Benny Hinn blog below) and had to get a routine EKG, and it turned out to be abnormal. I got an Echo (which is what they're always squawking about on hospital shows, but was actually very relaxing and comforting) and all was well...my heart just has some sort of funky rhythm to it. Which I kind of dig. But it was enough to make me remember what my life is worth to me, why I do what I do.

Anyway, I have been doing pretty well for the past few years with my taking-care-of-my-heart initiatives. But in the past few months...okay, maybe the past six months...I've been letting some things slide. I'm still running...won't let that go...still doing yoga, which I love, but mamas, I have been eating like there's no tomorrow. Literally, like there's no tomorrow in which I will be able to eat (fill in the blank food). I haven't gained that much, but it was enough to make my heart sort of sink when I saw the number printed out at my beloved, but neglected as of late, Weight Watchers meeting.

So even though I don't have my tattoo yet (boy will wean someday, I'm sure of it, or else I'll just follow him to college), I keep thinking about it. I keep visualizing that birch tree with its gorgeous trunk of peely bark, skinny but strong. I keep thinking about those leaves made of hearts, with one colored red to remind me that this is not a joke, this is not practice, this is real life, and I want to be fully present for it in all ways possible.