Spring Cleaning

Motherhood is interesting.

There are all those cute little quips about holding their hands for a little while, but their hearts forever. Or perhaps the challenges of each phase of life . . . mom is amazing, mom is so helpful, mom don't hug me in front of my friends, mom give me money so I can go out, mom your so out of touch, mom you don't know anything, mom hug me my heart is broken, mom I should have listened to you, mom what do I do, mom thanks for always being there, mom, please don't leave, mom I miss you.

I have had the unique experience of two kids with health challenges. It helped to create a tighter bond than some families. It also makes it much harder to let them go and make their own mistakes and learn their own lessons. Both of my children are incredibly intelligent and well beyond their years. They have huge hearts, generous souls, and a finesse around people that astounds me. Still, they have their moments of wanting to recreate the wheel.

I wish I could open up their brains and shove my 45 years in there. I'd do a little Spring cleaning. While in there, I would clean out their hurts, wipe away their trials, and stuff those life lessons neatly for easy access. I would take out the trash, clean up the language, put in some GOOD music (just kidding - they both LOVE great music), and stock their cranial refrigerator with all kinds of goodies. I would sweep out the cobwebs and frame their accomplishments. I'd repaint and refurbish all the magnificent items in their they believe to be old and worn out.

Alas, I cannot get in there. And so it is my task to simply hug them, squeeze them, love them, share with them, suffer with them, hold them, console them, guide them, and offer them whatever they might need along the way. Believe me when I say that it is much harder to raise a child than to be a child ~ even when the child is an adult! Spring cleaning is just a pipe dream!

Love you ~

A Single Teardrop

The devastation in the Northeast due to Hurricane Irene is absolutely incredible.

Mother Nature is a fickle woman with powers beyond our comprehension. The havoc she has created and the destruction she has unleashed takes a little while to sink in . . . unless, of course, you are there. Still, I think there is a period of shock where you cannot comprehend what you are seeing . . . or not seeing any more.

I come from a tiny little area in upstate New York. Parts of it were torn up pretty badly. Thoughts of having pieces of my childhood that could be gone forever are very saddening to me. Thank God, though, my memories are mine to keep. My brothers are all well and safe, although it now takes them twice as long, and longer, to get anywhere due to road closures . . . or road non-existence.
My heart is with you.

Folks in Florida say, "Now they'll appreciate what we go through." Who wants to 'appreciate' these sorts of things? Any hurricane any where is horrible. I wish you all as speedy a recovery as possible. If you are healthy, with family intact, then you are among the richest folks out there. Stuff can be replaced. Memories can never be stripped. Family and friends are among your most treasured possessions.

And remember . . . a single teardrop on earth summons the King of Heaven.
My heart, love, and prayers to you all!

Puzzle Piece

One of my husband's favorite sarcastic statements when someone doesn't do well on a test or assignment is, "The world needs ditch diggers, too."

Although he sounds a little gruff, he's not. He's the best thing since sliced bread. And . . . he's right!

Each of us has our own task to perform; our own special abilities; our own integral action to implement to create a grander, more beautiful outcome . . . no matter the project. Some of us are painters. Some of us are writers. Some of us are photographers. Some of us are historians. Some of us are soldiers. Some of us are warriors. Some of us are peacemakers. Some of us are builders. Some of us are creators. Some of us are teachers. Some of us are leaders. And some of us are ditch diggers.

Without every piece to a puzzle, the outcome is lost. Have you ever sat down and put together a 1500 piece puzzle only to stare at a gaping hole of one lost piece? That is every task of every day. There is a special someone created to perform that task. If they are not present, willing, and/or able to perform that task . . . there is a gaping hole in the project. It just is not complete.

Whatever your function, even though you might perceive it as miniscule or unimportant, know that it is vital. YOU are vital! Without your unique talents and deeds, the project will never be all that it could have been. You make a difference. YOU are that missing puzzle piece!

Dearest Ralph

Ralph Waldo Emerson.
How does one person contain and emit such immeasurable wisdom and profound ponderings?

There are those we are most familiar with:
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."   
"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."   
"Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail."
"Life is a journey, not a destination."   
    

But there are those that are not so common, but still strike such a chord with so many people on so many levels that they are hard to ignore. Enjoy:
"When it is dark enough, you can see the stars."   
"The earth laughs in flowers."   
"All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen."   
"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well."   

But I would say that this one is one of my all-time favorites.
"The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be."    
Today . . . decide who you want to be. And get in touch with your inner Emerson.

Just Another Man

Do not condemn my actions til you've stood within my shoes.
Til your vision's through my hazel eyes, you shouldn't judge my views.
My past has formed the words I speak. You cannot claim them wrong.
My heart beats out a happy tune. You just can't deny its song.
My ears have heard some drastic cries. You should not dismiss their grief.
My tongue has choked on bitter words which formed in disbelief.
My hands have labored dutifully. Don't misinterpret the lack of wear.
My arms may appear unmuscled, but don't discount their strength of care.
As you sit beside a stranger; do not rush to judge.
You've no idea from where they've come and through what they've had to trudge.
Accept with open arms and offer a helping hand.
Don't lead or follow, but walk beside. He's simply just another man.

Have the strength today to accept with your heart; not with your eyes. Looks can be deceiving and actions can make a tremendous difference. Today . . . do the right thing.

Come On Irene

Today, just a short and simple prayer for those who have been, are being, and will be impacted by Hurricane Irene. I hope that you are safe and as unaffected as possible.

This looks to be a wicked wonder of nature.

It is truly awe-some how powerful the wind and water can become. Take heed, take cover, and take to your knees people!

Walk Amongst The Stars!

A quote by an unknown author:Never tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon.
How profound is that?!

A person is only confined by their lack of imagination and ambition. Building a wall around yourself and your values doesn't protect you . . . it restricts you. You cannot avoid life's hurdles, but you can surely make 'em part of the race.

I know a special man who is the product of a rape. His mom was urged to have an abortion but she claimed that God wanted her to have this child and so she brought this amazing person into the world. This young man grew up with incredible morals and support and now, gives scholarships to local children in honor of his mother. Talk about 'footprints on the moon'.

There is a special teacher in Pinellas County who, after 38 years of teaching, could not brave through the pains of the terrible arthritis he has and the repercussions of the medications for it. He left a gaping hole in the education of many students last year, but has an entire page of well-wishers on Facebook due to his simple philosophy of teaching students as people and seeing the opportunities in each of them. He continues to fight and we wish you wellness, sir.

And there's an incredible woman that I have admired for decades who took a mass of children, in a time when divorce was so very frowned upon, and chose to bring them up on her own. She worked endless days and cared through sleepless nights to ensure that these kids had food, shelter, clothing, support, and love. And the greatest of these is love. She endured many hardships and just sang her way through them. She faced numerous trials and faced each with a coy smile and tenacity that would put any pit bull to shame. She was definitely a moon walker!

Fix your sights upon a dream . . . and then keep dreaming.
Make yourself a goal . . . and then keep working.
Believe in the unbelievable!
Walk amongst the stars!