According to Lucinda Vardey, in Mother Teresa: A Simple Path (New York: Ballantine Books, 1995), page 185, there was “a sign on the wall of Shishu Bhavan, the children’s home in Calcutta.” This is what the sign said:

Rays' amazing run ends with Game 5 defeat

Just as they did throughout their AL title season, the Rays fought until the last out Wednesday before suffering a season-ending 4-3 loss to the Phillies.

It has been an exciting ride. My memories will last forever. I never imagined I would have been given the opportunity to see so many playoff games and the first 2 games of the World Series. Congratulations to our awesome Rays. The new Beast of the East. They are the American League Champions!

Congratulations to the Phillies. They did great and deserve the title of World Series Champions - this year. We hope to win it next year. Go Rays!

It was a day or remembering my Dad who was born on this day. He was amazing and influenced my life greatly and still does. I miss him very much.

It was also a day of wonderful surprises as I got to go to see Game 7 of the American League Championship Series between the Rays and the Red Sox. We won!!!!

I have never witnessed anything even remotely like it. I thought of my Mom because she loved baseball so much and I am sure she would have been thrilled. My son Jim was watching on TBS and I got to celebrate with him long distance. David Price saved the day and the game with his performance on the field. I know my son Tom must have been sharing in the triumph right along with us. It was/is exciting. Defintely a family affair.

I am still flabbergasted that these playoffs have included me. No way I could have splurged on the tickets. It is as though Santa is wearing Blue and White this year. I am definitely grateful that I have been given the gift of seats at these games.

The Rays have managed to go from Worst to First and on a tiny budget compared to the Yankees and Red Sox. It is a great example that teamwork makes the difference. The Rays don't have one prodominant star, they have a group of players that take turns stepping up when the challenge requires and everyone believes in the other. "We Believe" is more than something written on the t-shirts, having someone that believes in you makes that extra special difference. Go Rays!

Thank you to my Mom and Dad for the great memories from my past and thank you to my sons and the Rays for the memories today! Sunday,October 19, 2008 has been awesome!

We're all like eggs - fragile and full of possibilities. But unless we come out of our shells, we just stay eggs.

The Law Of The Garbage Truck

I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport . We were driving in the right lane when suddenly, without warning, a car pulled out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. He was really friendly.

So I asked, " Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!"

This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck."

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you.

Don't take it personally; smile, wave, wish them well and move on.

"Garbage" can be contagious. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let "garbage trucks" take over their day.

The topic in the news, blogs, radio, television and water cooler conversations is all about the economy and the upcoming election. There may be a spotlight on the issues now and "Blog Action Day" may be shining attention on Poverty today, October 15, 2008 but for many poverty is a daily way of life.

Everyone needs to get involved. Adults and children are starving. Millions suffer from preventable disease. There is a lack of clean drinking water.

Global poverty is like a rock dropped into a pond it has a far reach rippling effect. It is time for us to dare to challenge the status quo.

We need to multiple our efforts to fight poverty and find solutions. We need to create our own rippling effect. We can't leave it up to governments and non-profits. We need to be creative.

The Susan G. Komen Campaign has gotten hundreds of companies to come on-board in the battle to find a cure for Breast Cancer. They have harnessed the power of corporations. Pink versions of everything from Snickers Candy to Designer Apparel has flooded the market. It creates a win-win-win situation. The company wins because it increases their visibility and sales. The consumer wins because they are able to maximize their household funds purchasing products they want and need while knowing they are contributing to a cause they believe in. The charity wins when it gets funding to find a cure.

Bono launched the (Red) Campaign to fight Aids and was able to get the Gap, Hallmark and Dell to create Red Products. Once again the consumer is able to get the products they need and help at the same time.

Habitat for Humanity has also gotten Corporate America involved as well as volunteers. They also require that the recipient be involved.

Non-perishable food is being collected at sporting events and concerts to fill the empty shelves at the food bank. The need for food is greater than what is available.

A local man makes sandwiches after work each Thursday and delivers them to the homeless in downtown St. Pete. He has been doing it for years. Everyone gets a sandwich, a little dessert cupcake and some coffee. Many call him an angel for his kindness. One man makes a difference.

Oprah had a show on last year that showed how people could take their good intentions and multiple them when they got others involved.

One person can make a difference. But when it comes to fighting poverty by providing opportunities for education, employment, food and healthcare the more the merrier.

Just because poverty has always been part of world history it doesn't mean it needs to be part of our future. Together we can dare to challenge the Status Quo. Get involved and pass it on.

Now a popular actor has written a song for us. Thank you Kevin Costner.


St. Petersburg, Florida - Even movie stars are singing the praises of our amazing Rays.

Kevin Costner and his band Modern West have released a Rays tribute song called "It's All Up to You!"

Costner isn't just jumping on the band wagon. You may remember his band performed at the unveiling of the Rays new uniforms last November. Costner said, "It became one of the great nights we've experienced as a band together, in Tampa Bay out in that park."

Costner calls the new tune a war song, something the Rays can play in the dugout.

The lyrics are terrific for the Rays and for all of us whenever we are in pursuit of a goal.

"You've got to be true to yourself," he said.
Here are lyrics to part of the song's chorus:
"You got to swing for the fence, give a hundred percent,
"Dust yourself off, get up and do it again.
"You're the only one that can make your dreams come true.
"You're the only one, it's all up to you."

Click here: MyFox Tampa Bay Kevin Costner Rays song

Sometimes you are feeling so happy and blessed you have to celebrate by shouting from the rooftops or in this case a blog.

Today marks the anniversary of the day I gave birth to healthy, identical twin sons, Tom and Jim. Happy Birthday!

They have grown into responsible, intelligent, caring men. I am proud of them. They have multiplied the blessings I got that October 1st morning when they were born. They married fantastic women who have become my daughters and given me beautiful, smart and fun grand children in Hope, Noah, Jake and Jonah.

Happy Birthday to Jim and Tom. Happy Mother's Day to me.