Rhythm of Time

The hands of time do not ever go backward. They fervently and perpetually push us forward, whether we go happily and eagerly along, or are dragged kicking and screaming into whatever next unknown phase awaits us. Looking back is an amusing sight . . .

As children, we have no concept of time. We play til we're exhausted and sleep til we're rested. We laugh. We cry. We do not contemplate who we will encounter tomorrow or what injuries might await us next on the playground. We simply enjoy!

As adolescents, we seem to constantly be trying to push those hands of time faster and faster. We want to be 'legal', we want to go out, we want to move out, we want to go grab life by the horns and ride it til we can't hang on any more.

As young adults, we realize that time is 'of the essence'. The horn-held wild ride of life seems, perhaps, a little too swift and we'd like to slow it down just a tad to ensure we achieve our goals. The repetitive work all week to slosh away the weekends gets a little stale.

As family people, we realize the value of time; that you'll never get today back. We don't want our babies to grow up and we don't want our parents to grow old. We want those hands of time to stop altogether so we can enjoy the splendor of our children's laughter and the joy of our parent's company. Time is fleeting and we want, terribly, to lasso it and tie it up.

As age sets in and time wears creases around our eyes and weaves gray into our hair; we realize the value of time. We cherish every second. We watch as our children run off to try to push the clocks ahead. We sit by as time engulfs our parents and whisks them off to better places. And we are left . . . alone . . . listening to the ticking of the seconds, and the minutes, and the hours.

And we could be sad, but I choose to simply find the rhythm in that ticking and realize that my world is full of music! When times are stressful, its just a faster song I'm dancing to. And when times are easy and peaceful, I am held in hubby's arms and we are taking to the dance floor of life for another tune.

Time is what you make it. Enjoy the rhythm!

'Closer to God' kind of day!

There are days that just kind of eclipse any issues, any worries, any frustrations, or problems in your life. I find most of those days, for me, revolve around nature or my 'closer to God' days!

Whenever I am ocean/sea-side, I can literally feel tensions slipping away. There is something about the water lapping up to greet me, the sun warming me, a tender breeze caressing the stress right out of my bones that makes me truly appreciate all the beauty that God has supplied for us to enjoy.

Or perhaps, when we visited Wyoming last year. WOW! The vistas, the wildlife, the sheer beauty of the area was almost overwhelming. Almost a whole week of just having to pick my jaw up off the ground time and time and time again. It was utterly outstanding!

Playing in the islands on my honeymoon was other-worldly. All the colors of the water, the wild flowers, the iguanas, and foliage. Stunning.

Germany after I graduated high school. The Black Forest was an experience unlike any other ~ fairy-tale worthy for sure!

Driving from DC back to Florida, you will find some incredible joys that God placed around for our enjoyment.  Waterfalls, archways, plateaus, and more. Chattanooga, TN and the mountains and landmarks throughout my own glorious New York state.

And, 'gravy' as my brother so aptly put it, was yesterday's boating trip. To be so close to the water, all the beautiful creatures God put nearby, and to share it all with my best friend . . . it is just bliss! I wish you all a 'closer to God' sort of day . . . every day! Take in the beauty that surrounds you. Absorb it. Appreciate it. Enjoy!

A Wish Bone

Today is Cinco de Mayo! Many of you will be out celebrating a beautiful weekend, drinking, eating, and getting all crazy. I do not want to rain on your parade. I do want you to be careful; but I'd like to take this opportunity to promote a little educational time! Since I don't write on Sundays, I will exercise my open door today!

Tomorrow, May 6th, is Wishbone Day! Nope, not about turkeys.

It's about Osteogenesis Imperfecta; or what is more commonly known as 'Brittle Bone' disease. There is no 5K; no long walk; no rally to attend; no donation form. Wishbone Day is simply about educating yourself about this brutal disease. You can learn a whole lot more by simply looking it up on-line or checking out www.oif.org. I thought I was familiar with the disease, until I met my beautiful new young friend, Oliver!

I've learned much more since then. Oliver is not even three years old, had about ten leg breaks, and has since had telescopic rods placed in both legs to assist in as normal a growth process as possible with fewer breaks. I have learned that in severe cases, it can effect teeth too. I had never pondered this. I also learned that a good many families lose their children to Social Services with this disease because it is hard to diagnose; and most doctors think the child is being abused. There is much to learn about this disease; but I wish ~ truly ~ that you could meet the little man that brought it to light for me.

Oliver may not quite be three, but speaks like a college student. He is most eloquent. He continues to want to  simply be a 'little boy' and run and play and do regular kid things. It is a fine line to walk to allow him to do so; and still be safe. He is as scrumptious as they come and you just want to squeeze him; but you really can't. He is feisty and friendly and has an absolutely incredible family!

Wishbone Day consists of simply wearing yellow, educating yourself, and then educating others. That is all. I will don my yellow while working at Macy's. I'm gonna try to get some other folks to do it to. Spread the word and spread the challenge to learn about OI and let's help educate the world . . . for Oliver!

To Be Needed

Yesterday, I got one of my most favorite kind of phone calls. My nephew called to chat, to find out plans for meeting up in DC in June, and then . . . for the best part . . . to ask for my help!

He's starting up a construction/landscape business in his spare time. Mind you, he's already a fireman in Rosendale and some secretive military police guy at Stewart AFB in Newburgh. He's not even 25 yet. I couldn't be prouder of his accomplishments, his drive, and his energy. AND . . . he's a nice guy! Can't ask for much more than that!

But he asked me for help. What a joyous moment for me. To be inquired to take part in something in his life - so very far away. I hopped all over it and I think we've come to some revelations about his business and his ingenuity. I wish him all the success in the world and if any of you upstate New York folk need some construction and/or landscaping . . . he's got my personal stamp of approval!

It is a wonderfully heart-warming blessing to be asked for help. It is just icing on a cake when you perform a task to someone's delight. Yesterday offered me both! I do hope that each of you feels the same warm fuzzy I'm currently wrapped in. It's just wonderful!

Thanks Nick!

Variety

The splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not rob the little violet of its scent nor the daisy of its simple charms. If every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, spring would lose its loveliness.
~ Therese of Lisieux


This really doesn't need much explanation. It could use one of the extraordinary garden photos to drive the point home, but those of you that have seen those gardens, know exactly what the above statement represents.

Each and every one of us brings a delicious beauty to the table. We each offer a special talent, a rarity, a light that is unique to ourselves. Without that talent, that rarity, that light . . . the world would be lacking.

Please realize your value. Realize your potential. Realize your importance and vitality to the world.

I do!

A Perfect "10" Ch-Angel

Even though the elusive 'perfect 10' doesn't really exist any more because they have befuddled gymnastics scoring to the point of insanity, there's a 'perfect 10' from my past that needs a little shout out.

A "Ch-Angel," I might remind you, is an angel of this earthly realm that creates and offers change. He/She is a positive fixture that makes a difference. He/She offers of themselves without hesitation for the growth and betterment of some other person or group of persons.

Today's 'Perfect 10' Ch-Angel would be the newly reconnected Anne Acton! This cosmic-twin of mine (we share the same birth day ~ just a few years apart), has been a part of my life since the sixth grade. She completely entrenched herself there in seventh grade. That would be a whopping thirty-three to thirty-four years of friendship. WOW!!!

She obviously helped me to grow as a gymnast. That was her 'job'. She never just 'did her job'. She's one of those 'over the top,' 'above and beyond' type of folk. She taught, she listened, she mothered, she advised, she disciplined, she laughed, she joked, she loved. She encompassed not just myself, but a plethora of young ladies through the years as they grew through the ranks of the RVS gymnastics squad.

She was also our gym teacher throughout all of high school. This added a dimension to 'being involved' that I'm not so sure she always wanted. High school is an interesting time. It was hard enough to navigate it as an adolescent. I'm baffled as to how she mentored us all through such erratic times.

I showed up to gym class at one point. She seemed very angry and disappointed at me - kind of the cold shoulder sort of thing. I wasn't sure what I did, so I suited up for some volleyball madness. Not two minutes out of the locker room, I was asked if it was a good idea to be playing in my condition. "What, exactly, is my condition?" I inquired of the grand Mrs. Acton. She replied, "I heard you were pregnant." I almost fell over laughing. And so, in grand Lyn Rider Marinello fashion, I simply stood center spot on the volleyball team and let everyone else hit the ball. I explained to her afterward that there was little to no chance of that going on, unless I was carrying the Messiah. She seemed to loosen up a bit and we laughed together. Ah, the good old days!

And now, some decades later, we have reconnected via Facebook. Many gymnasts from the past have all reconnected with this Ch-Angel that guided us through some harrowing years. Break-ups, break-downs, and simply breaks. She was always there. She cheered us on, picked us up, encouraged us, and listened. She was a blessing that a lot of us took for granted at the time. Looking back, I cannot thank her enough for all those years of all she was ~ at least to me!

Thanks, my 'Perfect 10' Ch-Angel Anne Acton!

Weed regularly!

There is a dear friend of mine that I attended school with a million years ago that has posted statements about a 'friend' whose scathing remarks and comments are very hurtful and always have been. Might I ask an obvious question?

Why would you keep this friend?

Hurtful words are no different than angry fists. The injuries may not be as obvious as bruises, but the scars usually run much deeper and last a lot longer. The only good thing about a person with a vile, hateful tongue is that it is simple to leave it wagging in your rear-view. There is NOTHING helpful about a person with hurtful words!

You can have honest friends. Friends who will quickly tell you the outfit you're wearing is inappropriate, or your super red lipstick needs a little make-up around it, or that you might be behaving badly. Those same people will stand by you, undaunted, through everything . . . in full support with all their love. THAT is a friend.

You need to realize that you are worth more than this 'friend' could ever conceive and point your shoes in another direction. No one hurts you without your permission. Remove your friend or remove yourself from the situation. Nothing good comes from absorbing abuse. Strength and resilience can be learned from many other sources.

You are important. You are beautiful. You are worthy. You are loved. Believe it. Plant yourself in the garden of positive, with soil that's rich in support and love, showered with raindrops of kindness, and bathed in the sunshine of God's blessings.

Weed regularly!!!