I enjoy putting personalized messages on my voicemail to wish people a nice day, flaunt Florida weather, remind people of the fullmoon or leave little messages for people far away.

Saturday I received a voicemail message from a wonderful lady I haven't seen since high school. I was thrilled to find her message tucked away. Unfortunately, I knew that I was going to be out of phone range the rest of the day and wouldn't be available when she called back.

In an effort to make sure that Ruby knew her call was important to me I left a personalized message for her. I told all callers that unfortunately I was off the coast of Florida and wouldn't have reception however they could leave a message at the beep and if it was Ruby please tell me when I could call her back this week after 6PM.

I never had another call from Ruby on Saturday but I had several messages from other people who were curious as to who Ruby was. It was funny to hear the different comments and inquiries.

If you ever call my phone and hear one of my messages perhaps wishing that all goes well in Cleveland or says I hope you are safe if you are traveling, etc., etc. know that I am still very excited to get a call from YOU.

I believe the most precious gift one person can give to another is to share their time. It makes me smile to overflowing to get a call from someone and know that at that very moment I was in their thoughts.

Call sometime, I may have a message on my voicemail especially for you.

May all your calls bring you good news and may you never receive a hang-up.

Some people understand life better

And they call some of these people "retarded"...

At the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally challenged, assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash.

At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win.

All, that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times, and began to cry.

The other eight heard the boy cry.

They slowed down and looked back. Then they all turned around and went back......every one of them.

One girl with Down's Syndrome bent down and kissed him
and said,"This will make it better."

Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line.

Everyone in the stadium stood, the cheering went on for several minutes.

People who were there are still telling the story.

Why?

Because deep down we know what matters in this life more than winning ourselves, is helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing our course.

I was called into meet with my son's kindergarten teacher. Jim and Tom had colored their roses in bright orange and yellow.

the teacher was upset because she told them to color the roses red. She was also annoyed that they had colored the area surrounding the flowers.

Years later I would find out that my boys are color blind. Perhaps that was the real reason they didn't color the rose red. I prefer to think, as I did then, that my sons are wise and smart enough to see the rainbow of colors that make up the world. Being colored blind doesn't prevent this. Many people with 20/20 eyesight only see the world in black and white, right and wrong.

Tom and Jim have always had active imaginations and ravenous curiosity. They had a wide variety of books, enjoyed a plethora of different types of movies, TV and activities.

They were practicing "out of the box thinking" before the phrase was coined.

Today they have circles of friends that vary in age, beliefs, ethnic origins and lifestyles.

They have married intelligent, creative, active thinking women. Their households blend taking care of responsibilities with enjoying each other, seeking spiritual fulfillment and having fun.

How lucky I am to be the Mom of men who knew early on that roses aren't always red and it enhances a picture when you add blue sky and bright green grass.

This morning I encountered a new angel in my life. It may be that we have passed in a hallway years ago or even shared a class but this morning the kindness Walt extended made a positive difference in my outlook and world.

A yearbook shows we attended the same high school. Our lives have taken separate paths.

Despite his busy family life, he took time to read my ramblings and disjointed thoughts sent via instant message. What started as a simple wish for each other to have a good day turned into a James Joyce stream of conciousness flowing from my typing fingers.

By sharing time with me, my angel helped me to get refocused. My brain was going helter skelter, buzzing with wishes that I could think of some way to help my loved ones and frustrated that I couldn't.

My heartfelt concern is for my friend David Hallal. He is battling Cancer. It is a battle I wish I could fight for him. One I pray he will win. I count on Miracles and David has been one in my life now it is time for him to receive a much needed one.

My sister, Wendy is fighting a daily battle with MS. How I wish I could eliminate her suffering and guarantee her a healthy future.

My dear daughter Sheila just had surgery. I wish I could be with her and my son Tom to help them. I am so proud of the way they handle things as a family and the loving care they give to their children Hope and Noah.

My brother is doing awesome - his world has finally taken turns for the better. I am so proud of him and his wife Diane. My sister Bonnie and her daughter Dawn are experiencing the uncertain adventure of being in business for themselves. I wish them much success and happiness.

My son Jim and his family are going through a multitude of changes within their jobs as they lovingly enjoy their summer.

So much in life is out of our control. I know the only thing we can control is our attitude. Thankfully exchanging words and disjointed thoughts via instant message today was like a tea kettle given the chance to release a build up of steam.

You may never know when the time you share, the kindness of caring you show may make you an angel in someone's life. Walt was an angel for me this morning. Thank you. May you and your wife and family be healthy and happy now and always.

Do you keep a diary or journal?

Do you take photos?

My history is locked in the shared memories of my treasured friends and family. That makes them even more precious to me because I turn to them when I need to recollect or want to reminisce. Shared history adds texture and color as everyone adds their own interpretation to each moment and situation.

May god bless and keep healthy and safe each of the precious keepers of my history. They have each blessed my life in a most treasured way.

When I Am An Old Woman...

I shall wear purple with a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me, and I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves and satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter. I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired and gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells and run my stick along the public railings and make up for the sobriety of my youth. I shall go out in my slippers in the rain and pick the flowers in other people's gardens and learn to spit. You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat and eat three pounds of sausages at a go or only bread and pickle for a week and hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes. But now we must have clothes that keep us dry and pay our rent and not swear in the street and set a good exmple for the children. We will have friends to dinner and read the papers. But maybe I ought to practice a little now? So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised when suddenly I am old and start to wear purple. By Jenny Joseph & Elizabeth Lucas

What started out as a warning - a declaration of independence and nonconformity - has become an association. There are registered groups of "Red Hat Ladies" throughout the country.

I think the real warning should be, "Daring not to conform, to remain unique takes courage. It is challenge. To be one of a kind is to dare to be rare and not fit in."

Something unusual eventually beckons immitation. What takes the most courage and will make you truly unique is to have the courage to be yourself. Warning no two people are the same. We begin life as a unique individual - we learn to conform. For many, conforming gives not only a sense of comfort and validation but also a true sense of happiness and belonging.

If you are thinking of wearing purple and a red hat that doesn't go, is it because you have reached that point in your life when you no longer care what people think? Or is it because you wish to belong?