Ch-Angel time

This has been a rough time of year for me for the past few years.
It was healthy and wonderful to spend the day yesterday with my mother-in-law, Inova.
Beyond the beautiful name, she is an extraordinary person . . . in fact . . . a Ch-Angel!


She has endured so very much in her 89 years on this whirling ball of craziness.
She lost her first son when he was just an infant.
Got divorced when that was not the 'in' thing to do ~ just like my mom.
She remarried Sal - probably the most positive father-figure I ever had.
She raised three children and then raised two grandchildren.
She buried her sister and her husband.
She has endured all kinds of troubles and trials and overcome every one.
She forgives. I'm not certain, but I'm pretty sure she doesn't forget (just like my mom).
She may wear her heart on her sleeve, but that heart is bigger and broader and deeper than almost any I've known.
She is accepting and loving and kind and gracious and inviting and amazing with a memory as sharp as a tack and a sense of humor that just makes her all the more beautiful.
I may have lost mine, but I'll take her in a heart beat.
She's a precious soul and a dear friend.
She's my Ch-Angel Inova.
Happy Birthday and God bless you, you absolutely outstanding human being!

New Beginnings

Some things are worth repeating.


New beginnings
are often disguised
as painful endings.


Grief, anger, bitterness, and pain are normal.
Feel them.
Use them.
Make your next step the first step
toward a beautiful new beginning.

What do you think?

I had a most productive day yesterday.
Massage, haircut, grocery store, greeting card store, vacuumed the whole house, cleaned the bathrooms, made dinner but one of the best parts of the whole day was a visit from an old friend.
She's a Ch-Angel for sure!
We talked about our kids, life, work, irritants, and laughed for several hours.
It was a beautiful part of my day.
One of the discussions that took place was about the people that truly irk us.
What they do, trying to figure out why they do it, and how it could possibly be an asset to anyone.
It was a futile effort.
Afterward, I got on Facebook and immediately saw this post.
It was one of those 'billboard' moments when you're supposed to sit up and pay attention.
It certainly made its point with me.


There are over 7 billion people on earth,
and you're going to let 1 person ruin your day?


What do you think?

Mind Games

Real difficulties can be overcome;
it is only the imaginary ones that are unconquerable.
~ Theodore Vail


There was just something about this quote that truly struck a chord with me.
Your mind is an amazing piece of machinery.
What you believe, you really can achieve.
What you put your mind to - is yours to claim.


Whether you tell yourself you can or you tell yourself you can't - you're right.

Your name

Life is about not knowing,
having to change,
taking the moment and
making the best of it,
without knowing what's going to happen next.
Delicious ambiguity.
Carve your name not in marble,
but on hearts.
Lasting, loving, laudable.

Speak and Do

I was actually going to rant about something, but was able to offer another ~ more positive perspective ~ instead.
Instead of limiting my speech and the words you might think I should use, how about we teach our children to speak kindly and generously and graciously.
Instead of telling me what words I might be 'allowed' to use or not to use, how about we teach our children that words, like stones, when cast cannot be retrieved.
We would also be benefitting our children to acknowledge and embrace who and what they are.
Teach your children that is good, or even great, to partake in leadership roles.
Let them know how beneficial it is, not only for them, but for those less inclined to partake in one.
Let them know that curves are beautiful.
Let them know that being different is exactly how we were created, and that is precisely how we are supposed to grow and evolve.
To conform, be molded, and limit . . . is about as unattractive as can be.
Don't limit each other or set comfort boundaries.
Each one of us is truly spectacular in our own unique and vibrant way.
Get out there and shine!

Aim High

Let no man pull you low enough to hate,
and don't tell me the sky's the limit,
when there are footprints on the moon.