Waiting to hear...Patience, is not my strength


I am restless sitting here waiting to hear an update about the status of my friend's health. It occurs to me that it would be nice if there was a faucet filled with information, someplace to go to quench the thirst for answers.

A Cheerleader


I spent today with my friend Mark. We went on a drive to Sanibel. For me it was a ride to help me find comfort from my concerns about my friend in Cleveland recovering from cancer surgery. For him it was an adventure to explore new parts of the Florida Paradise.

It was a postcard perfect day. The trip made me smile as it revived memories of the times I spent there with my Mom and Dad. They loved spending the winter in their RV in nearby Ft. Myers and collecting shells while enjoying the sunshine on Sanibel and Captiva Islands.

As we drove home I listened to Mark talk about his ex-wife, the true love of his life. It is evident that he is her champion, her cheerleader. It occurred to me as I listened to him talk unselfishly about his hopes that her dreams come true and his support for her efforts to explore new possibilities, that it would be wonderful if everyone had such a cheerleader. To have someone in your life who wasn't judgmental, who cared unselfishly and unconditionally for you...wow, you could move mountains! And if you didn't, that would be okay too (smile).

May everyone have a cheerleader in their life.

You possess X-ray vision of yourself...you can see what others cannot.

"Life is like a ten-speed bicycle...
Most of us have gears that we never use!" Charlie Brown

Before and forever after...


Sometimes there are big moments in life that make big and small changes that permeate through societies and will even effect generations. September 11, 2001 was made up of such moments.

We all know that a sudden accident, winning the lottery, being diagnosed with a disease...all these moments forever change a person's life. It also changes the ones whose lives are interconnected.

It has been said that it often takes something dramatic to make us realize how precious life is and/or how important someone is to us.

My dearest friend, he calls himself my Palsy Walsy, has just been diagnosed with Cancer. Despite the fact that I am frightened at the thought of anything grievous happening to him. Despite the fact that I wish I could go through the treatments and save him the suffering. Hearing that he has a battle ahead of him, that he has cancer, didn't make me come to a sudden realization of how important he is. I knew it before the diagnosis and I know it now.

If we could come to appreciate the value of the people in our lives. If we could come to appreciate how fortunate we are to live in the United States. If we could appreciate how precious life is and not waste a day. Then maybe before and forever after we would live our lives with unbridled enthusiasm and unconditional love.

Now that would be happily ever after.

A Gift For My Children, My Grandchildren...


The gift I want most for my children and grandchildren to receive is to be comfortable being uniquely themselves.

It is a condition in society to want to fit in. It is unfortunate, that people make subconscious judgments about people based on their jobs, their economic status, where they live, their choice of lifestyle, their clothes. Sometimes these initial judgments can cause false conclusions and unfortunate reactions. Sometimes the desire to fit in and be accepted can be so overwhelming that it can make you lose the true essence of who you are.

I heard a quote in a movie once...."Why do you try so hard to fit in when you were obviously born to stand out?"

My twin sons are biologically identical yet what is exciting is that each of them is truly unique. Witnessing them grow and change has been a fantastic gift. A blessing. My wish for them, for their wives and for their children is that they embrace their uniqueness and feel comfortable being the special people they are. It is often easier said then done.

May they never be plagued with thoughts of, "If only I were...

Today I received two special thought provoking e-mails. One told me they thought of me when they heard a song by Lonestar, "Unusually Unusual." It was sent as a compliment. They said everytime they heard it they thought of a few special people they know who fit into this category. Their clothes, lifestyle, attitudes, and interests are not "usual" not "normal."

Here's the refrain to the current song:
"She's unusually unusual
Absolutely unpredictable
She's so different and that's what's wonderful
She's unusually unusual
And that's beautiful to me"

It was a nice compliment. It was also well timed because when I read this second e-mail I felt a little uncomfortable because I respond like the kids in the story instead of as an adult. I am a Mom, a grandma and react as a child in these situations. When I read to the end, I smiled. Sometimes you get a reminder, an unexpected validation that you are special and it feels good. It feels better than feeling like you don't fit. May my children always feel confident that they are good enough...just the way they are.

Here is the little story. Read and enjoy.

Big Mud Puddles and Sunny Yellow Dandelions. AuthorUnknown.

When I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over my yard. My kids see flowers for Mom and blowing white fluff you can wish on.

When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me, I see a smelly, dirty person who probably wants money and I look away. My kids see someone smiling at them and they smile back.

When I hear music I love, I know I can't carry a tune and don't have much rhythm so I sit self-consciously and listen. My kids feel the beat and move to it. They sing out the words. If they don't know them, they make up their own.

When I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it. I feel it messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk. My kids close their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it, until they fall to the ground laughing.

When I pray, I say thee and thou and grant me this, give me that. My kids say, "Hi God! Thanks for my toys and my friends. Please keep the bad dreams away tonight. Sorry, I don't want to go to Heaven yet. I would miss my Mommy and Daddy."

When I see a mud puddle I step around it. I see muddy shoes and dirty carpets. My kids sit in it. They see dams to build, rivers to cross, and worms to play with.

I wonder if we are given kids to teach or to learn from? No wonder God loves the little children!
Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

I wish you Big Mud Puddles and Sunny Yellow Dandelions!!!