Footprints

As we wander through this world,
we hope to leave some indelible mark.
We do not want to harm the earth.
We do not want to upset nature.
We want to impress upon others something of value.
Do not trample.
Do not stomp.
Instead, walk gingerly and buoyantly among the
hearts and minds of people.
Lead them in a positive light,
to a purposeful place,
and join them in joy.

Little Gifts

So in the midst of day two of ick yesterday,
I got a text message at lunch that a friend was at the store.
I ran out of the break room, stole a hug, chatted, caught up and got another hug.
What a beautiful breath of fresh air.
On the way home, my phone rang.
Dear friend, for the past fifteen-plus years, what an honor and a privilege to speak to you.
I'm sorry there are ugly people in the world, but it's a wonderful thing
to have you call me to vent and get you through.
I will ALWAYS be here for you. You are a good egg!
And then, while grocery shopping, most weary . . .
an Angel in all white stepped in front of me and squished me to pieces.
What a fabulous blessing to have bestowed on me.
Much chatter, fellowship, and love.
You have always stood by me and understood me.
I cannot thank you enough for such a special treat as you.

There are little gifts everywhere!
Unwrap them as you go.

Do What You Want

This is NOT what it sounds like . . .

Who doesn't like a hug?
Who doesn't like a smile?
Who doesn't like a kind gesture?
Who doesn't like positive reinforcement?
Who doesn't like a little love?

We all want those things.
We thrive on those things.
We sometimes depend on those things.

If you want those things,
DO those things.

If you want a hug, give a hug.
If you want a smile, smile first.
If you want a kind gesture, do a kind gesture.
If you want positive reinforcement, give it.
If you want love, give love.

Do what you want.

Working for a Living?

Are you living to work or working to live?
Some folks can't define the difference.
Do you get up each morning dreading the drive,
the office, the details, the grind?
Or do you rise each day filled with anticipation?
I've got a secret for you . . .

If you're lucky enough to enjoy your profession,
then you're truly blessed.
Even if your job makes you nauseous,
you can still rise each day filled with anticipation.
The choice is yours.
Work to pay your bills,
but live to enjoy your life.
Your job does not define you.
Your passion moves you.

Good Morning

Good Morning!

If you've greeted another day,
whether there is sunshine, rain, snow, sleet, or whatever,
you've been gifted with another day.
Do not mire in the muck of might-have-been.
Do not sit and stew in sadness.
Do not bristle and boil in bitterness.
It only takes away from your opportunities,
your joy,
your happiness,
your life.
Look around you and see all the beauty,
the brilliance,
the kindness,
the love.
The choice is yours.

Good Morning!

Ch-Angel Terry

Ch-Angels are fantastic little blessings
that we come across occasionally.
This Ch-Angel sits quietly nearby,
consistently, constantly, persistently, patiently,
tenaciously, tenderly, supportively, solidly ~ always.
She is pragmatic yet playful.
She is a dreamer yet diligent.
She is joy and light and laughter and love.
And, every once in a while, she throws out a line
that is nothing short of a life preserver.
She doesn't know it because she's just being her little, wonderful self.
She doesn't realize her impact on the folks around her.
She just does what she does and does it beautifully.
Thanks for being you.
Thanks for the life preservers.
Thanks, simply, for being!

Old, Comfortable Math

Oh, yes.
No matter what they do to math,
or how they fracture getting to an answer,
the fact remains that:

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Being involved in countless volunteer groups,
they can only be successful if each participant's strengths are utilized.
The same goes for any employment position.
The company is only as strong as the force of its entirety.
In management, you are only as fortuitous as the team you build around you.

Build each other up.
You do not become more famous, more glamorous, or more important
by berating, belittling, or beating down others.

Surprise!!!

You might hurt.
You might be sad.
You might be sick.
You might be anxious.
You might be angry.
Guess who's in charge of all of that?

SURPRISE!!!
It's you!

You can choose to fix whatever it is that ails you.
The first step is mental.
Accept it and believe you can change.
Next, walk in faith that you are strong enough to overcome
what stands in front of you.
You don't need a hand to hold.
You need to believe in YOU ~ your power, your worth, your strength!

Surprise!

Grab It

If opportunity knocks,
answer the door.
If chance presents itself,
unwrap it.
If you've dreamed of a destination,
find a way to get there.
If you've got a bucket list,
start scratching.
If the brass ring stands before you,
grab it!

Birthdays

I've been told I'm odd sending actual birthday cards to people.
Well, I only do it on their birthday and I think it makes a difference.
How wonderful is it to know someone is thinking about you?
How fabulous is it to have someone take a moment just for you?
How genuinely caring is it to have tangible proof of love?
Birthdays are a gift denied to many.

Celebrate!
Eat cake.
Have a beverage.
Do something nutty.
It is a day the world was blessed with someone special.
Go shower the world with your incredibility!!!

Happy Birthday Victor!

RAK 'em up!

Nope.
Not a typo.

It's Random Acts of Kindness Day.
Although, seriously, EVERY day should be
Random Acts of Kindness Day.
If we need a day to focus, I'll take it!

So, today, get out there . . .
do something good
without the possibility of a thank you.
Tiny or grand, the ripple radiates.

Riches

There are those that see success as money.
There are those that see success as time.
Well, although neither has been in overt abundance,
I've had both of those.
I think success is love and health.
My husband, my children and each morning we rise.
That is wealth - true wealth.
If we only spent each day around a table,
laughing, talking, playing games,
I'd be more prosperous than Hughes and Gates combined.
Where do your riches lie?

Branching Out

Consider all the different trees:
the mighty oak,
the weeping willow,
the swaying palm,
the majestic redwood,
the beautiful cherry,
the fragrant spruce,
the branch-bearing olive,
the lovable evergreen,
and so many, many more.
Each grows independently.
They don't fight each other for space.
They don't kill each other off.
They provide shelter, food, air, and beauty.
None is more important or vital than any other.
Each simply exists in its own splendor.
The leaves are different.
The fruit is different.
The sizes and shapes are different.
The bark is different.
Barked lives matter.
Every life matters.

Hmmmmm

The Heart

It's nearly Valentine's Day.
That over-commercialized, over-retailed holiday
that draws too many expectations and brings too many disappointments.
Let us focus instead on The Heart!

That magical tool that keeps us alive.
It accelerates when excited,
skips when overjoyed,
breaks when betrayed,
and contains countless people.
We can wear it on our sleeve,
ask it to be still,
give it to someone special,
or write songs about it.
Protect your heart,
but share it selflessly.
It is yours, but yours to give.

Happy Valentine's Day!

This Is Love

With Valentine's Day rapidly approaching, and with this glorious little find,
I figured I'd offer you an original. It's a little lengthy, but I believe very much worth it.
This was written nearly two years ago.
Hope you enjoy.

This Is Love

Hi Mom! It's me. How are you today?
I thought I'd check and see if you're doing ok.
The kids are doing great. They both seem quite content.
Occasionally, with issues, they'll call to scream or vent.
But they both send their love. They miss you quite a bit.
You'd be so proud of all they are; full of fire & charm & wit.
Deanna's photographic talents are progressing every day.
She's thriving in her schoolwork, though, like you she loves to play.
She knows the value of a dollar. Unafraid of working hard
Commands respect, tenacious too, persistent even when scarred.
She's grown to be quite beautiful; bubbly from the inside out.
Her infectious personality is what she's all about.
She's very much like you. She takes everyone to heart.
She spreads joy & love & laughter. She is gracious, kind and smart.
Miles is doing super; off at school and on his own.
You'd be so very, very proud of the man into which he's grown.
He's had his share of troubles; of this you're well aware
But that grit and determination is blatantly always there.
I'm thankful you helped me instill that. He's stronger than most I know
You'd love his wit and talent; combined they're a brilliant show.
His smile melts your heart. His hugs melt your troubles away.
His heart, though sarcastic, is golden. I am blessed by his phone called each day.
Victor is working hard. He's been so focused all his life.
But as of late, he's been quite doting on me, his most lucky wife.
We share most every evening holding hands while watching TV.
Laughing or talking or just sitting. He's my favorite place to be.
Know that he makes me happy. He's a great provider, an amazing dad
My heart is safe within his hands. I'm happiest when Victor-clad.
We had to put down old Max. That day was a little rough.
But together we cried, holding memories, and united, we're weary, but tough.
Well I just wanted to say hello and let you know I miss you tons.
That your Florida clan is A-OK and I continue to check in on your sons.
I still can't believe you're gone. The stinging ache just won't go away.
There are so many things I see and do that remind me of you every day.
I am proud to be your daughter. I aspire to emulate you.
You are in my prayers each night. You are evident in all I do.
I thank you for raising me right. You shine through me, that is clear.
Mom, I couldn't miss you more. I wish you were still here.
I'm still listening to music and singing while I do.
Play all kinds of word games; whatever helps me think of you.
Fourteen-hundred and sixty days have slowly ticked on by.
Since I held your hand and helped you to walk to the other side.

Love and miss you much.

Make A Friend

Today is National Make A Friend Day.

So . . . while you are out and about,
or busy with your day,
or frantically running errands,

. . .

stop!

Look around.
See what exists before you.
Smile.
Offer a kind word.
Open a door.
Making a friend begins with kindness.

Enjoy.

Gimme vs Lemme

All retorts and lessons of bad English aside,
this brush paints far and wide.
It's not just a generation that wants immediate everything.
It's an entire world.

Gimme the newest phone.
Gimme the newest computer.
Gimme the latest polls so I can follow the masses.
Gimme funds to do stuff.
Gimme opportunities to have things.
Gimme respect.

How about . . .
Lemme see if I can afford a phone and its plan.
Lemme make use of the computer that I have (that still works).
Lemme see which human would be best suited.
Lemme work to get paid.
Lemme create a path toward what I'd like to own.
Lemme show respect and earn it in return.

Who should win?

Go

There are many things that scare me.
There are many things that deter me.
I am anxious about different situations.
But there are two factors that move me forward.
Momma and God.

Momma always taught me that
if you don't take the first step,
you'll always be in the same place.
Challenges don't define you;
Your reactions to them do.

God says to trust Him.
That He will keep us from harm and evil.
That all things, in His time, for good.

Go.
Take control.

Go.

Never Too Late

"It's never too late
to be what you might have been."
~ George Eliot

Do I really need to say ANYTHING???

Go . . .
do stuff!

ing

If I could persuade you to do just one thing
for the rest of forever,
it would be to always be 'ing'.

Learning
Loving
Caring
Growing
Exploring
Roaming
Reading
Searching
Listening
Laughing
Moving
Sampling
Seeking

Ing yourself silly!

Let go

Let go.
Watch the miracles that happen.
Let go.
Be overwhelmed by the independence.
Let go.
See the soaring.
Let go.
Behold the bravery.

There will be tears.
There will be angst.
There will be fear.

Let go.

All is good

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains

Listen.
Absorb.
Breathe.
All is good.

Determined

It was time for you to enter the world.
You were excited and ready to show up.
The umbilical chord, however, had other thoughts.
It wanted to keep you neatly in place.
You fought your way out anyway!
You grew into a spunky, active little boy;
always running and jumping and active.
Life decided to try to hold you down again.
It said, "I'm going to give you a disease.
I'm taking away your muscles and your energy.
What are you going to do now?"
You said, "I'm going to beat you," and you did,
in grand and glorious fashion.
You found a friend and first love.
Life said, "For this, I will take away your friends."
You chose love.
Life said, "When you leave home, she'll break your heart.
What will you do now?"
You realized she was only weight and negativity.
You found true friends and inner strength.
Life said, "I'll make you wait for what you want."
You said, "Perfection takes time!" and graduated
from 'The Promised Land' beautifully.

This is not just one person's story.
But every person's story!

Where will life take you now?
Stay determined!

Love

It is February. The month of love!
(Isn't every month?)

What is love?
Love is not undefinable,
but rather inescapable.

It is not white knights on noble steeds.
It is not Tiffany vases filled with big red roses.
It is not the finest chocolates atop velvet pedestals.

Love is the gentle whisper of your spouse;
the crumb-filled grasp of a two-year old's hand;
time spent with special folks that warm your heart;
your adult child that says you're their friend;
a smile from a stranger in the midst of a crazy day;
blessings from a passerby that feels your sorrow;
that hold-you-together bear hug only certain folks can give;
the tentacle of a memory that reaches down from heaven.
Love is serenity.
Love is fulfillment.
Love is bliss.
Not from getting what you want;
but from knowing you have what you need.

I wish you love ~
this month and always.

Art of Living

Loosely paraphrased;

The art of living?
Make use of suffering.

You can allow hardships and trials
to chew you up and spit you out,
or you can allow them to bolster you;
to forge you into something stronger,
more determined,
more resilient,
better.

The choice is yours.
The effort is the same.