Enjoy your day!

Treat everyone with politeness,
even those who are rude, belligerent, aggressive, and ugly to you.
Not because there is the chance that they are nice,
but simply because YOU are.

We never know what road anyone is travelling on.
We don't know their struggles, their pains, their issues.
When entertaining strangers ~ always do so with open arms, a happy heart, and a generous home ~
for you know not when you are in the presence of Angels.

Two important things to think about!

Be the better person and do not judge!
Treat others as you'd like to be treated and smile at everyone.
If it does not become contagious . . . it'll certainly make 'em wonder what's up!

Enjoy your day!

Angels on my team

The morning breeze upon my face,
My angel's wake up kiss
The chirping birds and rising sun,
My angel's morning bliss

Above me, the bluest skies
My angel's kind hello
Jasmine drifts to greet my day
Angels sweeten my morning joe

A new day stretched ahead of me
My angel's precious gift
Friends and family always near
My angel's loft and lift

Toiling hard at every task
My angels bless my path 
Pursuing every passion
My angels calm my wrath

Returning home exhausted
My angels envelope me
With warmth and love and safety
My angel's gift ~ family

And as I lay down to sleep
My angels carry me off to dream
My prayers are prayed and I've given thanks
For the angels on my team

Exist wisely . . .

"In God's wisdom, He frequently chooses to meet our needs
by showing His love toward us through the hands and hearts of others."
~ Jack Hayford

Random acts of kindness, 'pay-it-forward', doing the right thing for NO reason . . . I've been spewing this for eons.

The easiest way to lighten your load is to help someone else carry theirs.

Folks, this is NOT 'rocket surgery' (as the commercial says). It's a simple, easy, humbling and exhilarating way to exist!

Exist wisely . . .

Crazy Heart

So my heart is all crazy!

I have friends who just had a brand new beautiful baby girl. She is healthy and happy and gorgeous. I congratulate you on your incredible blessing. I am praying that life is simple and unencumbered for your new family.

I have another dear friend who truly is making the leap to cut unhealthy folks out of his life and is truly enjoying his beautiful baby girl who is nearing a milestone birthday! His pictures are priceless and precious and I am so very thankful that I am included on his parental journey.

I have a sweet, long-time friend whose posts just about kill me. She has had some family issues with a child and her pain and anguish are so obviously apparent that it physically and emotionally pains me to read her Facebook. My hope is that she can find some sort of comfort and ease in her faith, but it looks like that still sits in the distance.

A beautiful soul who has known me longer than I have actually been around just emailed me about visiting my mother's grave. She wrote of chatting 'with' her and laughing and crying and lovingly placing flowers at her tombstone. I rambled between laughing and crying myself. You're a wonderful light who bathes me in brilliance. Thank you for that.

And yet another friend who has stood by her brother's side, literally, for three years or more while he battles unimaginable cancer and health issues. Her latest email suggests, through his doctors, that he has about a month to live. He will most likely NOT be able to walk his daughter down the aisle at her August wedding. What a gut-wrenching time for this family.

And so my heart, in all it's ADHD glory, bounds between happy and fretful and weeping and joy. I am feeling a little schizophrenic and sometimes wonder if I might need medication.

I so would love to simply hug and hold each of these folks. I would love to let them know that I am here for them . . . with them . . . to share their pain, their joy, their angst, their anger, their tears, their happiness.

And so, my friends, know that my Crazy Heart beats for you!

Be nice

It is not the grandeur of the deed that matters . . .

Sometimes, when we are generous in minute, barely detectable ways,
it can change someone's life forever.

The act of a simple smile can create a haven.
A hug can envelope and protect.

It is truly amazing what you are capable of doing . . . by simply being nice!

Don't fence me in!

Aerodynamically, the bumble bee should not be able to fly, but the bumble bee does not know that.

After nearly a week in the beautiful state of Wyoming, and after watching the seemingly slightly insane Nik Wallenda walk across the Grand Canyon, I am in awe of doing the impossible . . . or at least the terribly improbable!

I watched my son, who just a decade ago could not walk up a flight of stairs, climb to the pinnacle of not one ~ but TWO ~ separate mountain tops. He was pretty spent, and a little chilly, but it was absolutely stunning to watch him do so.

And to the see the sheer glee on the beautiful face of my daughter as she experienced an entirely new and most expansive portion of this great big beautiful world was just heart warming. The jaw-dropping, heart-stopping amazement of watching bison, as big as cars, running full speed AND jumping over fences ~ or a huge bull moose happily grazing in a field ~ or a little pack of wolves frolicking on a hillside.

What joy and brilliance in going where you haven't gone, doing what you haven't done, seeing what you haven't seen, tasting what you've never tasted, and daring to live beyond your own little yard.

Don't fence me in!

Miracles and Masterpieces

I am about to embark on a most wonderful family adventure. My two favorite children, in all the world, will be accompanying my husband, and best friend, and I on a family vacation to see some of God's most awesome creations.

Honestly, it wouldn't matter if it rained (or snowed) the whole time. It would not matter if the rental car broke down. It wouldn't matter if we did not see any critters at all. I am most excited and anxious to be a little, untethered, unfettered family for a few days. Unaffected by the world and its nonsense. Not concerned with work, or schedules, or people who seem to live and breathe to irritate me and mine. Not perplexed by overbearing, overwhelming types; or underwhelming, invisible types. Not angered by the idiots who do not realize what they are missing; and not flustered by the over-compensators who are not quite sure where they fit in.

Nope!

I will wander, happily, listening to the banter of my children; their laughter, their sarcasm, their ingenious wit. I will hold hands with the love of my life and blissfully follow him wherever the path may lead. I will breathe in the crisp mountain air; laugh as I pretend to be a master horse rider, river rafter, and critter caller; and simply envelope myself in the bountiful blessings that surround us.

This will be my last blog until next Monday. Until then, find some bliss of your own. Enjoy what surrounds you. Love those that are dear to you. Squish them and hold them and share yourself with them.

There are miracles and masterpieces all around you!

Ch-Angels of the Best Kind

Maybe it's because Father's Day is fast approaching, but there was an inundation of babies, infants, and children at work yesterday. In amazement, NONE of them were crying, sniveling, snotty children. They each were just precious, wonderful, miraculous Ch-Angels!

Pair that with the one-year old birthday party I had just attended; adorably, near-edible photos of my buddy's near one year old, and the birth of a good friend's baby girl and the world is just a better place.

The Ch-Angels known as Children are just a special blessing.

Some are tiny, some are bald, some are giant, some have more hair than some adults. Some come easy. Some take much work. Some come healthy. Some come in need of assistance. But every single one of them comes with one single need . . . to be loved.

Everyone has a story about their child's birth; or their own birth. We'll tell it a billion times, just as enthused on the billionth time as the first time. There is just something so precious and perfect about the opportunity to create life.

These pure and flawless treasures are beacons of beauty and worth in its truest form. What a gift!

Treasure yours today - no matter what stage or phase they might be in.

And . . . while you're at it, find their father and wish him a joyous and most wonderful Happy Father's Day! Can't leave him out. :-)

Be a messenger

Had a dear friend, yesterday, send me a beautiful email. It was very unexpected, quite touching, and VERY much appreciated. She expressed to me the fact that she had not been aware of all the trials and tribulations that our family had gone through while my kids were at All Children's Hospital. I wrote her back a nice long email, although I'm certain it wasn't truly me that was writing. When I reread it for spelling errors and clarity, I was truly shocked by what was there. Sometimes that divine intervention is a beautiful thing . . .

This is what I wrote:

We are not given hardships without cause.
We are to battle, to learn, and to be victorious.
And, when our battles are through,
we are to use what we learn to bring others to victory.

And then . . . in one of my little daily blurbs came this by Peter Kuzmic:

A credible message needs a credible messenger because charisma without character is catastrophe.

Now . . . call me nutty, but I think there's something going on here! A bigger message is moving through me today!

Go . . . be a messenger!

Opportunity

You know those people who are 'waiting for the right time'?
Those 'I can't wait to hit the lottery' folks?
Or perhaps the 'if I only had the right connections' whiners?

"The golden opportunity you are seeking is in yourself.
It is NOT in your environment.
It is NOT in luck or chance.
It is NOT through the help of others.
Rather, it is in YOURSELF alone."

You hold the key to every opportunity you'd like to have.
You are in charge.
You provide your own possibilities.

Go be your own opportunity!

Family

Family is such an interesting concept to me.

Family SHOULD be that unbreakable, unbendable, undeniable bonding and cementing of trust, conviction, security, love, and support between members. Far too often, those ideals are compromised for ridiculous reasons and relationships are damaged, battered or lost. It truly is just sad.

I am currently witnessing several families who are being abused by selfishness and the need to foster a hierarchy of some sort - that really is nonexistent when children become adults. We must see them as adults and realize we no longer 'rule' over them, but instead, we just love them . . . and whoever comes along with them.

Or, perhaps, there is the family who cannot establish any sort of hierarchy and everyone just kind of wanders around and tries to grab at pieces of what might be right. Maybe the first did not do a stellar job, so they are going to ensure the second does, but cannot fathom how anyone should get there. It's just a mess and more like lemmings headed for the abyss.

Then we have the one whose parts seem to think they are better than the whole. They condemn the lot while living in a terribly thin-paned glass house. This never works out good for anyone. It is a crack in the family cornerstone that causes crumbling and the dismantling of precious foundation. Sad stuff.

But then . . .

There are those who have battled through extreme adversity and come out victorious. Those who have stared fear and death and sadness in the eyes and walk away with integrity, faith, and fulfillment. Those that kick the petty nonsense to the curb, instead of inviting into their house hold. Those that rise above the cycle of abuse and hurt and create a better, stronger, firmer foundation.

Which do you belong to?
I wrote, seriously, about several families that I am WAY too familiar with, but . . . in re-reading this . . . they could all be me! I think that's true of most of us.

But . . .

Which one do you want?
Family is what you make it! It is not based on blood, dna, or relatives.
It is based on love.

You are a part of my family. Thank you for that. You keep me positive and pointed in the right direction. Thank you.

A Simple Hug

Few things heal wounded spirits better than the balm of a supportive embrace.
  ~  Charles R. Swindoll

Now THAT makes more sense to me than a million excuses, apologies, regrets, and stories.

I am refreshed!

Like the glorious smell after a crisp Spring rain, or the feeling of mountain-cooled fresh air filling your lungs, or the sight of an indescribable vista. . . I am refreshed.

I woke up with a weight upon me yesterday. I felt sad and burdened and isolated. I also had that dull pre-migraine pain behind my eyes almost all day long. Not a good way to start the day.

However . . .

I have learned to ask for help.

I asked for a little love. A little attention. A bit of support. And boy howdy, it came pouring in from everywhere. Emails, messages, phone calls, etc. And . . . the icing on the proverbial cake . . . attending a precious one-year-old's birthday party. I held little babies whose mother's I still don't know. I danced with nutty little 14-month olds. I fed the birthday boy who more than once wanted to be held by yours truly. I chatted with 5 and 6 and 7 and 9 year olds . . . and a few adults as well. My head was splitting, but my heart was singing.

There is just such joy in children. I am blessed to have been invited to such a milestone event, and much more privileged to have played with all those babies!

Today . . . I am refreshed and renewed and reinvigorated and ready for whatever comes. I cannot control certain things. Kids will teach you that!

And so . . . I will roll with the day, and the week, and the month, and the coming year.

Thank you so much for your support and your kindness and for sharing your children.

I am refreshed!

Simplicity!

This just applies to every single person that I know. The terribly successful. The striving to find jobs. The seekers of a better life. The new graduates. And the very old graduates!


Participate in your dreams today.
You have before you unlimited opportunities available.
Take action.


Think outside the box.
Think outside.
Think!

Be the change you want to see.
Be the change.
Be!

Treat others how you want to be treated.
Treat others.
Treat!

Share the talents God gave you.
Share the talents.
Share!

Take The Time

As my year kind of revolves around the school times, things are winding down. Finally! I am slowly finishing up all my projects and obligations and feeling lighter by the day. It is a wonderful feeling to bring each task to fruition and meet my goals and rest my weary bones.

I have learned through the years that I am much the same as my mother . . . to my sheer and utter delight! I absolutely thrive on deadlines and pressure. I do some of my best work when tasked with time frames. Thanks Mom!

But she also taught me to enjoy the view. To take the time to see the beauty in the world around you; the tiny things, butterfly wings, flowers, waves as they foam at the shore, sand, trees, clouds, and the like. I am taking that time in the near future on a family vacation.

Not only do I get to be with three of my absolute favorite people for a week, but we get to go see one of the most beautiful places on earth - a national park. I am looking forward to laughter, silliness, about a gillion photos, many "roll 'em up's," and many awe-inspiring moments. It's just another world and I'm thrilled to be exposing my kids to it . . . and experiencing it again for myself.

I will think of my mom - knowing she travelled the same roads a long time ago. I will breathe deeply of the crisp clean air. I may get more exercise than I have in the past two months, but it will be in the midst of adventure. I simply cannot wait ~ and yet, wait I must.

I truly deserve this. My gift to me. Family and adventure. Aaaaaaaaah!!!

Folks . . . Enjoy the view! See the Beauty!

Take The Time

Travel well

Met up with an old friend last night. It was nice.

We talked a little business and then much more personal.

What came to light for me is that she never thought she would be a divorced mother trying to survive on her own. And I never thought I would have seriously ill children. When we begin life, we use those rose-colored glasses for a great many vistas. It's just what you do. The world is your oyster and there are no boundaries. We stand at the door of adulthood and see this grand tapestry of incredible opportunities. We don't ponder the chance of obstacles.

What was even more illuminating was the fact that she is not only a divorced mother trying to survive on her own; but that she is thriving! She was forced to find a niche and she is filling it with everything she has. She provides a service to folks that is intangible and indefinable and beautiful. She offers love and light and joy.

And I, in turn, have turned a pair of seriously ill children into a passion I cannot contain. It is much bigger than I. And those children, my precious babies, have taken a playless, shortened childhood and turned it into an adulthood filled with philanthropy and generosity and kindness and understanding. They have also learned to stand up for what they believe in and speak out for what they are passionate about.

Life is funny like that.

The course we take does not come with a GPS. We must make the most of our stops along the way and enjoy the scenery as we travel. We don't get to go back to the starting line, but at any given moment, you can certainly start over.

Travel well, my friends.

Many paths

As one of my many paths comes to an close, I find myself at a crossroads.
There are many options before me.
Which way do I go, George? Which way do I go?

Hmmmmmm.

We find ourselves in this predicament often. Rarely do we take a moment to contemplate, ponder, or simply breathe before we plunge head first into the next journey.

I know my way will always lie with volunteering. It is in my blood. It is a passion.
I do however enjoy working and being a productive and paid member of society.

Beyond that, however, there are still many nagging projects that lie just beneath the surface that are screaming my name from a quiet abyss I may actually be afraid of going near. Do I approach it? Dare I tread where fear of the unknown lingers?

Those of you that know me already know the answer!

Without taking those first steps toward and into what frightens you, you will never know what you are truly capable of. Walk on, my friends.

Explore your many paths . . .

Just Be You

For eons I have said this to my children. During adolescence there seems to be this wicked little ride on which most kids change their personalities, behaviors, and general being on a weekly basis to try to fit in with this group or that group or to make friends with this person or that person. It takes a while for them to learn that the best person to be is . . . YOU!

This doesn't change as we get older either!

You're never going to be a really good somebody else. You are, however, the most incredible YOU this earth will ever see.

I used to try to behave a certain way, talk a certain way, dress a certain way and walk a certain path that I truly THOUGHT was appropriate. It wasn't til, seriously, about eight years ago that I really took note of the things I stood for and . . . stood up! I stepped out on a limb, took a stance, spoke my mind, and became ME! I might have shown rare glimmers of it prior to that, but it was that moment, when I defined myself and my own morals, that I found out who I am and that whoever that is . . . is pretty OK!

I took a beating for doing it, but I survived and with my integrity, self respect, and self worth in tact and better than ever. It was a tiny victory for me that turned into something much, much bigger. It led me . . . to me!

Now I may not be as fit as I'd like. I might really want to lose another 15 pounds or so. I may hate my hair most days. I may wish I had that movie star smile that both my children have. BUT . . . what I've learned and who I have become truly puts that stuff in perspective.

I am ME! I am the best ME there will ever be because there simply is not another soul on this planet that is ME.

And, in that regard, YOU are the ONLY you there will ever be. Don't alter, amend, or adjust yourself.

Just Be You!

Amazing!

Two quotes combined today because yesterday was just a tad bit overwhelming! I was privileged enough to be a part of an annual project that is nothing short of extraordinary.

The group that I am a part of was able to donate a check to All Children's Hospital for more than $350,000!!! That is from nine separate branches holding all sorts of fundraisers throughout the past year. What an amazing accomplishment from an amazing group of volunteers!

Secondly, thanks to wonderfully supportive friends and family, my son Miles was able to donate $2,000 that we collected in just two weeks! Not too shabby and a wonderful endeavor. Shadowed, completely, of course by the exemplary piece he put together as a feature for the telethon.

It is both a humbling and uplifting experience to be a part of something much larger than yourself. This facility is where I truly learned that this journey has nothing to do with what I can accumulate or accomplish for myself, but rather what I can do ~ in any manner ~ to assist others.

And so . . . from Isak Dinesen, "Difficult times have helped me to understand better than before how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way, and that so many things that one goes worrying about are of no importance whatsoever." Followed quickly by Thomas Edison's, "When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this . . . you haven't."

We cannot change the circumstances that life hands us, but what we do about them is entirely up to you. I was part, yesterday, of an event that used to last two and a half days. Yesterday, in a span of approximately twelve . . . 12! . . . hours, they raised more than FOUR MILLION DOLLARS!!!

Amazing!

A Tad Excited!

I do not normally do any 'soap boxing' on here. This space is reserved for uplifting and positive information to make your day a little better.

I cannot help myself today as I am oozing with pride about something wonderful.

Sunday, June 2nd is the 30th Annual All Children's Hospital Telethon. As many of you know, this facility has proven to be a second family to me. They've given me two amazing and healthy children. I give them much credit on my children's wisdom, philanthropy, and generosity. My kids learned, way too early, about way too many things. They missed a lot of their childhood days, but gained SO much more by simply being associated with this facility and the people within it. We have been truly blessed.

Eight years ago this weekend, my son Miles was a featured story on the Telethon. I am thrilled to say there has been a Marinello present at every telethon since then, and we've been blessed with a tremendous support team of family and friends that have helped us to give back to this hospital through all sorts of volunteer and monetary efforts. It is a privilege to do so.

This year, my Miles will be back on there. He has been diligently working on a piece that I have yet to see. I know I will be bawling my eyes out. Everything he does, is touched with greatness, and that in part is due to All Children's Hospital. He lunged at this opportunity for all the right reasons. Not to be on TV. Not for kudos. Not for his second 15 minutes of fame. But to show other patients that there IS life after the hospital. The world is your oyster, should you choose to fight for it!

I cannot find the words or sanity enough, to explain my appreciation toward All Children's Hospital for everything they've given me. My children! My sanity (in bits and pieces)! My life! My passion!

If you are in a position to give, please watch the telethon (locally in Florida on WFLA Channel 8) and donate. If you are not local, you can watch a live stream on-line at www.allkids.org and donate there. It is going to be an extraordinary day! Miles should be on between 9:30 and 10:30 am.

Thank you to all my friends and family and to the zillions of folks I do not know, who support the extraordinary efforts and folks of All Children's Hospital. 30 Years of Miracles!

Yes . . . I am A Tad Excited!