Arlington & Alfonso

Although my step-dad did not die in service, he was continually in service and was able to pull a few strings so that my mom and he could both be buried at Arlington. So, in honor of Alfonso, and all those "goose bumps" - there is this (written immediately after his passing in 2012). Thank you ALL for your sacrifice.

Arlington & Alfonso
by Lyn Marinello

Like thousands of poignant goose bumps raising from hallowed ground
The torment of lost and broken souls creates nary an audible sound

This sacred ground is readied to envelope another source

A hollow place awaits a box; simplicity daunting in force

The box contains a hero. A son, a brother, a dad

A husband, twice, who lost both loves. A patriot; country-clad

A survivor from the very start - a twin -  left all alone

Searching to fill an empty void, unhappy on his own

He battle wars; claimed victories, secured bridges; grew up too quick

Dedicated himself to others; churches, orphans, and the sick

His thoughts were always on others; be it a veteran or a wife

His faith in God and Country bore a Bible, flag-draped life

He has earned this privilege ~ this interment to blessed land

Welcome home, hero, to Arlington, back by Momma, as you planned

After nearly a century ... at ease, soldier, rest in peace

Thank you for your service, may your earthly worries cease

Thank you for your laughter. Thank you for your good

Thank you for your stamina. There's a hole where you once stood

Another goose bump on the horizon. Arlington's army grows by one

Heaven's gained another hero. God's called home another son.

Emily and beyond

Emily Dickinson ... and beyond.

I dwell in possibility.

In

the opportunities I choose to see,

the battles I fight to win,

the victories that I deserve,

the humility and lessons

in my stumbling,

the strength I find

to carry on,

the support I'm able

to offer others,

the hope that resides

deep in my soul,

the love that resonates

in every cell,

the faith that is

my foundation.

I dwell in possibility.

Hey ... you!

There is a strong urge
to attempt to embellish,
explain,
or stress the importance
of this quote,
but it really needs
nothing more
than to be read.

What makes you 

vulnerable

makes you

beautiful.

~ Brene Brown

This Is Us

Sometimes,
things just fit.
I wrote today's post,
then this quote
fell from the Heavens.
Obviously,
someone

(quite possibly me)
needs to see this:

Man never made any material

as resilient

as the human spirit.

~ Bernard Williams

Your Table

Who's at your table?

Sometimes, seats are vacated by loss.

Sometimes, seats are given up by choice.

Sometimes, seats are taken away by chance.

Sometimes, seats are afforded to new family.

Sometimes, seats are brought for strangers.

Sometimes, seats are built for friends that become family.

Sometimes, seats are empty for a little bit -

but always available -

to those who compliment your space,

to those who lift you up,

to those who challenge you to learn and grow,

to those who make you a better person,

to those who add laughter and love to your world.

Who's at your table?

This Day

This day

is a long time coming.

There are words,

rumbling,

rolling,

knocking around

in the old noggin'.

I am certain

they will come together,

precisely as they should,

when the time is right.

Enjoy your day

and every little thing in it.

NBD

It actually IS a big deal!
It's National Brothers Day!!!

Cally, Billy, Danny, Jimmy, Skipper, Skeeter!

(the ever-present roll call from about 45 years ago in Rosendale)

Throw in some faux bros:

Billy, Donald, Ricky and sometimes Tommy!

Life is what you choose to make it.

I have special relationships with each one. 

We are connected by fragile threads

of memories and hurdles

and pain and laughter and love -

sometimes frayed,

sometimes tattered,

sometimes broken and retied,

but always ...

always there!

Love you guys!

Thanks for helping me be me.

I am tired

So ... several conversations, shows, articles, and friends later, there were these words that fell out of my head. And as I was writing this ... in one fell emotional swoop ... what kept comping to mind is that it's like we're looking through the wrong end of a beautiful kaleidoscope. To ensure what that would be, I actually looked it up, and it seemed like confirmation: "Recently I picked up a kaleidoscope again. The concept is not complicated. Several mirrors, a few bits of colored plastic. But if you look through the wrong end, what do you see? Nothing but a cloudy blur. You have to look through the correct end, focus your eye on the small hole, and hold the toy up to the light. Only then does the beauty of the pattern unfold."

Hold on to your hats:

I am tired
by Lyn Marinello

I am tired
of a great many things
of just who to please so they pull the right strings
I am tired
of trying hard each day
to watch what I do and which words I might say
I am tired
of what offends you now
which pronoun to use, to what ridiculousness to kowtow
I am tired
of trying to defend
anything I might believe in because, again, I might offend
I am tired
of listening to hate
of being forcefully fed what you put on your plate
I am tired
of being tied to your past
of being constantly consumed by what you believe aghast
I am tired
of picking up your tab
of watching as you're thankless just looking for more to grab
I am tired
of being so accused
we've all been truly shafted, you're not the lone abused
I am tired
of this positive façade
most days I forge forward but today it just seemed odd
I am tired
of amending things for you
when in fact there's nothing wrong in what I say and do
I am tired
of listening to the whines

being told to be less me, changing history, names and signs
I am tired
and privilege is not mine
walk a mile in my shoes, then let's hear your opine
I am tired
No, actually, I'm exhausted
constantly barraged, berated and accosted
I am tired
I understand you are too
I think the answer lies more so in I'll do me and you do you
I have never belittled you
marginalized or conspired
I've simply lived with what I have and I am really tired.

Now before you get all crazy on me ... these are not just my words. This kaleidoscope can be seen with the many facets from which it's intended. Read it from a plethora of perspectives ... not just your own ... for this is how it was written.

Make today matter

Make today matter.
You don't have to cure cancer.
(But if you do, thank you!)
You don't have to end world hunger.
(But if you do, thank you!)
You don't have to create world peace.
(But if you do, thank you!)
You just have to be nice.
You just have to be kind.

You just have to be polite.

You just have to be fair.

You just have to be available.

You just have to be aware.

You just have to be loving.

You just have to be you.

You just have to be.

Make today matter.

For Deanna ...

Because this is you,
in a nutshell,

(and for those that we'd like

to staple this to their forehead)

People who shine

from within

do not need

the spotlight.

Blessings

Blessings.
You can be gifted them,
you can be one,
you can witness them,
you can create one,
you can see them,

you can offer one.

Life 

is a series of options.

We can be of service

and be a blessing

to others,

or you can make

an alternate choice.

When in doubt ...

choose the first!

Two Gifts

The two most precious gifts
that we can give our children:

one is roots,
the other wings.

I didn't write it. Wish I had.

It is simplistically powerful

and overwhelmingly true.

Share

What better way
to spend your days
than to share ...
share your knowledge,

share your passion,

share your hopes,

share your support,

share your troubles,

share your strength,

share your hugs,

share your compassion,

share your dreams,

share your time,

share your voice,

share your talents,

share your home,

share your table,

share your bounty,

share your faith,

share your kindness,

share your love,

share your self.

Go and share today -

all the best parts of you.

Saturday Shakespeare

The meaning of life
is to
find your gift.

The purpose of life

is to

give it away.

Triple Play

Yesterday
was a double whammy.
Today,
I add one more.

Today

is a wonderful day.

I've never

seen this one before.

You're never too old

to go outside and play.

Attitude

is

everything.

Enjoy your day

for this one

will not come again.

Double Whammy

Love these two statements
(one of which is from Albert Einstein);
but ...
put them together and
BOOYA!!!

Strive

not to be

a success,

but rather

to be

of value.

and

If it doesn't open,

it's not your door.

Waste

Woke up from a quiet slumber
with these words in my head.

Sent them to myself and

right back off to la la land.

Anger without action

is wasted emotion;

but action made in anger

is a waste of both.

Sometimes,

I impress myself.

Your Home

Build your house on faithful foundation.
Paint your walls with love and hope.
Adorn your space with compassion and kindness.
Light your abode with a welcoming brilliance.
Whether a tent or a mansion,
your home speaks volumes of you as a human.
Decorate wisely!

Coco

I am loving this quote by Coco Chanel:


The most courageous act
is still to think for yourself.
Aloud.

Yes, please.

Endure

From Og Mandino:


I will love the light
for it shows me the way,

yet I will endure the darkness

because it shows me the stars.

Positively Positive

No, I'm not some leftover hippie,
all about peace, rainbows and unicorns.
(Although I do like those things!)

I am me.

You are unaware of 

all of the challenges I've faced.

And in those struggles,

I have chosen to see the good.

I have opted to search for silver linings.

I have decided to be positively positive.

I have witnessed some serious ugly.

I have been victim of some serious nasty.

I have seen some serious hate.

I could dwell on that stuff.
I could be bitter and angry and mean.

But that does nothing

to better myself or the situation.

A little peace goes a long way.

Rainbows lead to happy places.

Unicorns are magical.

Being positively positive

doesn't make me weak or flimsy.

It took all kinds of strength

to get here.

Happy Nurse's Day!

Today is National Nurse's Day!
What Angels they are!!!
Much the same as military and teachers,

they have chosen a profession

in which others come first.

They sacrifice their time,

their sanity,

their emotions,

their panic and pain,

to assist whomever needs it.

They are capeless, selfless heroes.

No 'S' emblazoned on their chests,

yet they fly boldly into trouble.

No secret powers

other than an overwhelmingly

caring and compassionate heart.

Stoic and reserved,

yet displaying

a fiercely determined gentleness.

No fancy, Bond-esque gadgets,

other than a tender ear,

a kind soul,

a wealth of knowledge,

and an boundless reserve

of love.

I am in awe.

My respect is immeasurable.

I thank you.

You deserve more 

than just one day!

My Ch-Angels

Hey there Ch-Angels!
My friends and family

that perk me up,
that shine on me,
that shine for me,

that support me,

that ground me,

that lift me,

that laugh with me,

that laugh at me,

that teach me,

that train me,

that improve me,

that relax me,

that motivate me,

that listen to me,

that make me listen,

that help me,

that hold me,

that make me better,

that make me more,

that urge me to continue,

that provide a reason

to be better today

than yesterday.

My Ch-Angels ...

I love you

and thank you.

Every Moment.

I did not write this. I proudly stole it
and truly believe every single word.

Mindset

It's all about

mindset.

From the moment

you wake up,

to the moment

you rest your head

at night,

everything

is up to you.

Your emotions,

your thoughts,

your perceptions,

your speech,

your actions,

your reactions,

your behavior.

Every Moment.

Apache Blessing

This sits very well with me ...


May the sun

bring you new energy by day,

may the moon

softly restore you by night,

may the rain

wash away your worries,

may the breeze

blow new strength into your being,

may you walk

gently through the world

and know its beauty

all the days of your life.

Happy

To carry the theme today ...

Don't worry about
the people
who are not
happy for you.

They

probably

aren't happy

for themselves

either.