Low threshold or not, I had unexpected fun this afternoon. I worked today and the post office was closed by the time I was done. Since I leave for Charlotte early on Monday morning, I wanted to resend my sister's birthday package now that I have the complete address.

The only place this can be done after twelve noon on a Saturday is to take the package to the airport post office. My timing was incredible. Just as I was taking the exit road to the post office four gold helmeted motor cycle policeman pulled out in front of me. They were lined up two by two. I felt like I was in my own little motorcade with a special police escort to the post office. It was fun.

It turned out that several people had packages to send and the post office was quite full. Everyone was courteous; and standing in line gave me an opportunity to notice the different types of stamps available and other items they had for our mailing and shipping convenience. In addition to shipping my package, I got some stamps featuring classic sports cars and some with John Wayne himself on them.

I have a classmate who works at a post office in Virginia. I thought of him as I was enjoying my visit to this location. I think it is easy to take what the postal service does for us for granted. Being a lover of getting things other than bills in the mail I am especially glad that they do fine work.

I started my trip to Tampa, running an errand and ended up discovering special stamps and items I didn't know were available and had an escort too. It turned out to be fun.

A friend sent this to me today and it was a wonderful reminder, so I am sharing.

Someone will always be smarter. Their house will be bigger. They
will drive a better car. Their children will do better in school. And
their partners will fix more things around the house. So let it go and
love you and your circumstances. Think about it. The prettiest woman
in the world can have hell in her heart. And the most highly favored
woman on your job may be unable to have children. The richest woman you
know - she's got the car, the house, the clothes - might be
heartbreakingly lonely. So, love you. Love who you are right now. Tell yourself,
"I am too blessed to be stressed."

"To the world you might be one person,but to one person you just might be the
world."

As we extend helping hands to the survivors or Hurricane Katrina, it is important to remember 9/11. Our world was forever changed.

Tonight I watched the Discovery Channel's movie in honor of those that died on United Flight 93. I'd seen the coverage and photos of the Pentagon and the World Trade Center. This renacted film based on conversations and tapes, gave me insight into what it may have been like for the passengers and crew on that fatal flight.

Now it is Mother Nature that has created devastaion; the lives of many will never be the same, changed by Hurricane Katrina. The effects will be felt for years to come.

On May 9, 2003 I found a photo that served as a reminder that our lives are forever changing and more often than not, major changes are often out of our control.

It is how we respond that makes the difference and ultimately defines us.

I hope you enjoy this re-run of my blog from years gone by.

---

May 9, 2003

Change

Change is perpetual. It is inevitable. If it weren't for change we would have no seasons, no Grand Canyon, and no butterflies. Life without change would be robotic.

Some changes stimulate fear and grief. The sudden storms currently ravishing the Midwest and parts of the South are creating devastating change. The downturns in the stock market have changed the retirement plans of many. The growing unemployment numbers have thrown many people and their families into a state of uncertainty.

Some changes bring great happiness and joy. The birth of a healthy new baby can forever change a family. Moving into a new home can be a dream come true. Taking a fantastic family vacation can revitalize and renew a family's connection to each other and their spirits.

I discovered an old roll of film and found this photo from November, 1987. It is an excellent example of change. It is a reminder that things don't stay the same and that you need to appreciate each moment of life. Gratitude for the present moment is true prosperity. We come with elaborate and sophisticated rationales to justify our actions and end up spending most of our time and energy doing things aren't all that important.

The Twin Towers are no longer here and the lives that were lost on that fatal September 11th have forever changed not only all the lives of their family and friends but all of us. Out of that change has hopefully come a new appreciation of our true heros, the police and fireman and emergency response crews.

Hopefully, from that tragic change we have all learned to embrace the fragility of life. That we live each day as if it were our last on earth, not to be reckless or to abandon your responsibilities but to remember how precious life really is. Life is too important to take it too seriously.

My nephew, Josh, standing with a souvenir Statue of Liberty flame in his hand, has grown into a fantastic man, a college student. Without realizing it, his life has been an inspiration to many including his family and friends. He has experienced many changes throughout his young life and overcome hurdles placed in front of him.

Embrace change. Live your life in the moment. Scatter joy.

U.S. Troops were sent into Vietnam?

Academy Award, Best Picture: My Fair Lady?

Grammys awarded in 1965
Record of the Year: "The Girl From Ipanema,"?

Song of the Year: "Hello, Dolly,"?

Winston Churchill died?

Kentucky Derby Champion, Lucky Debonair?

Friends that know me, know that I believe in Guardian Angels. I have for as long as I can remember. Even as a little girl when someone showed unexpected kindness or reached out to help without regard to what it might cost them, without wanting recognition, without any expectations, "just because", I knew they were Guardian Angels.

This morning a friend who has actually been a Guardian Angel to me and my sons in the past sent me the following in an e-mail. It made me smile to know that despite distance and years since we have seen each other, my dear friend was reminded of me when they read this and shared it with me today.

This morning when the Lord opened a window to Heaven, He saw me, and He asked: "My child, what is your greatest wish for today?" I responded: "Lord please, take care of the person who is reading this message, their family and their special friends. They deserve it and I love them very much." The love of God is like the ocean,you can see its beginning, but not its end.

Angels exist, but some times, since they don't all have wings, we call them FRIENDS.

Wow, am I a very lucky lady. Enjoy your day and take time to notice the Guardian Angels that come into your life. Currently, our TV screens are filled with images of angels reaching out to help those whose lives have been set adrift due to Hurricane Katrina.

I've had some requests as to whose house I posted 8/31. It is the house where I grew up. Lots of memories. Thoughts of my family are like hugs. They make me smile and feel warm and happy.

Speaking of family. Today I learned that a very special lady at work gave her notice yesterday. She has been a valued friend and confidant as well as colleague. Together we have conspired to create contests and activities as ways for co-workers to get to know each other as people and not just by respective roles and responsibilities. Often these activities turned out to be both fun and informative. It is amazing to think of some of the things we learned.

Due to the close proximity of our desks and her caring heart, Janet, has been kind enough to share words of comfort when my friend David was battling cancer and over the months since his death she has been there to listen to stories of my missing him.

Her mom created several wonderful handmade bags that I use to carry a variety of items and papers as I travel hither and yon telling people about the advantages of visiting St. Pete Beach.

It was impressive to listen to Janet handle phone calls. Many times it was obvious that the person on the other end of the line was asking the same question over and over again. Instead of becoming frustrated, Janet would calmly repeat herself and try to restate the same answers over and over until there was understanding. I doubt I would have been able to have shown such professional patience.

My wish is that Janet will find much happiness and satisfaction in her new career in Real Estate. I am confident that her new employer is fortunate to have her join their team. My selfish wish is that we remain in touch.

One fact that I know unequivocally is that Janet has made a happy, positive contribution to the tapestry of my life. Although not an offical member of my family, I consider her "Framily". That is the term I have given to special friends who have come to be as precious as family. Good Luck Janet!

Labor Day is a national legal holiday that is over 100 years old. Over the years, it has evolved from a purely labor union celebration into a general "last fling of summer" festival.

It grew out of a celebration and parade in honor of the working class by the Knights of Labor in 1882 in New York. In 1884, the Knights held a large parade in New York City celebrating the working class. The parade was held on the first Monday in September. The Knights passed a resolution to hold all future parades on the same day, designated by them as Labor Day.

The Socialist Party held a similar celebration of the working class on May 1. This date eventually became known as May Day, and was celebrated by Socialists and Communists in commemoration of the working man. In the U.S., the first Monday in September was selected to reject any identification with Communism.

In the late 1880's, labor organizations began to lobby various state legislatures for recognition of Labor Day as an official state holiday. The first states to declare it a state holiday in, 1887, were Oregon, Colorado, New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. Then in 1894, Congress passed a law recognizing Labor Day as an official national holiday.

Today, Labor Day is observed not only in the U.S. but also in Canada, and in other industrialized nations. While it is a general holiday in the United States, its roots in the working class remain clearer in European countries.

It has come to be recognized in the U.S. not only as a celebration of the working class, but even more so as the unofficial end of the summer season. In the northern half of the U.S. at least, the summer vacation season begins with Memorial Day and ends with Labor Day.

Many colleges and some secondary and elementary schools begin classes immediately after Labor Day.

State parks, swimming pools, and campgrounds are all quite busy on Labor Day, as vacationers take one last advantage of the waning hot season. September is the month that marks the beginning of autumn. And, because of that, the average daytime maximum temperatures take a plunge during the month in most of the U.S.

Yesterday I woke with anticipation of a fantastic day. I had decided to make it a "Chick-fil-a" day. Meaning no work on Sundays.

I began by driving to Einstein Bagels with the top down on my convertible. The weather was awesome. The humidity bearable. BUT the Red Tide offshore sent toxins mixed in the wind. My eyes started to burn and water, my throat was sore and felt like it was closing up and my nose was runny.

As I ate my bagel my friend suggested I take a Benedryl. It had been suggested that people take an antihistamine to ward off the side effects of the Red Tide. Knowing I have a low tolerance for drugs I decided to take only one capsule with my bagel.

Soon I started to feel better and was able to complete a walk across the Friendship Trail Bridge that runs parallel to the Gandy Bridge. It was nearly a 3 mile walk.

After that it all becomes a blurr.

Thankfully my friend had driven. I remember we were looking for someplace called "Buggy World" but that was the last I remember until I was sitting in Outback preparing to order dinner.

It has been told to me that during my blank time, I took several naps but still managed to do laundry and reject the first restaurant offered for dinner.

Scary to loose hours of memory. No more antihistimine for me. Happily I recovered enough to enjoy a great dinner and saw the movie, "An Unfinished Life".

It was a wonderful, poignant movie that made me think of the importance of family.

To end my day, I went to the beach for a twilight walk. Yes, that was stupid. It was beautiful, the waves splashing against the shore, the stars shimmering above BUT yes, the Red Tide. I think I can now officially star in my own version of "Dumb and Dumber".

Today has happily been equally as beautiful as yesterday. I avoided the Red Tide and managed to walk 4 miles. My errands have been run. I will get my papers and clothes ready for an exciting week at work. No travel out of state this week, hurray, and if I am fortunate I will get calls with newsy updates from my sons.

Wishing you a terrific week and sending out a reminder to read the caution on any drugs you take whether they are over the counter or not.

Angels are among us.

Thanks go out to all the firemen, military, National Guard, Coast Guard, Red Cross and volunteers that are helping those feeling the pain and losses brought by Hurricane Katrina.

Being able to find gas and afford to fill your tank.

Being able to take a drink of clean water.

Being able to feed your hunger.

Being able to have a safe place to sleep.

And more than anything you are sublimely rich when you are able to know that your loved ones are safe, healthy and free from harm.

I hope you are rich. I hope you take action to help those that aren't.