I am going to refrain from saying anything more….read and enjoy and let the thoughts of Dr. Seuss take your mind and heart to new places!
“Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.”
“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”
“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”
“How did it get so late so soon? Its night before its afternoon. December is here before its June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?”
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who’ll decide where to go.”
I am looking forward to heading to Comerica park for Thursday’s 1:05 game….
I enjoy the people watching, the ball playing, the sun shining, the vendors selling,
I enjoy being with my brother, aunt, and parents and even more fun is for this family outing, I am the youngest!
We used to go to the stadium at Michigan and Trumbull. I remember the whole experience had a magical feel to it. Tomorrow we will go to Comerica Park. I am not sure the feeling anymore is magical….but I would say pretty darn wonderful.
Hoping for a Tiger win, some great weather, a taste of something good and memories that stay with me for a very long time!
I love this saying and find it offers me great hope. I am not needing to end up any given place at the end of the day….I just need to keep moving.
I love the saying because it is a long-term vision. This is not just about a new years resolution or even a theme for my 20’s or 30’s or even now in my 40’s….
This is about life….as long as I have breath, my commitment is to journey…..
But I have learned the importance of mile markers on my journey. I am being very intentional in this coming year to know their location and be able to look forward to the rest areas.
I am planning a trip to New Hampshire to celebrate with some friends in July, hosting a party to celebrate in September, hope to run a 5k in October and plan to attend the Biggest Loser live Finale in December.
I am learning that for me to stay focused on the journey, I need to have specific goals to meet which also give me reason to celebrate. I am learning I look for places to stop and rest along the way. I am guarding against setting my goals to be about a destination…I don’t want to be a certain weight (even though I really kind of do), I am celebrating if I have established routines that will promote daily healthy living.
I am sure I will write more about my mile markers, rest areas and celebrations. I want to end by inviting you to establish your mile markers, rest area’s and celebration points on your journey. It makes the journey quite fun and definitely worth living….
Today I spoke to a few applicants on the phone. I like to tell them a bit about Visiting Angels when they call, to ensure it is worth their time and ours if they do choose to apply.
When explaining the work we do, I often say we are an employer with high expectations but you will receive high rewards. I also qualify that these rewards are not of a monetary type. As a matter of fact, the job likely pays on the lower side of what else is out there. But, then we go on to discuss how when you are invited into someone’s home and you offer to assist them in places of daily need or companionship….most often, a very special relationship develops.
I explain that the high expectation includes working odd hours at times, always being punctual, learning how to navigate someone else’s family dynamics without offering every thought you are sure they need to hear, working two weekend’s a month, receiving calls about new clients needing care and sometimes need to start same day or next day….
I am very privileged to hear both the caregivers share about their clients and the clients share about their caregivers.
I am humbled by what caregivers are willing to give up to ensure their clients receive excellent care…
I am honored that our clients entrust themselves, even when feeling anxious and uncertain, with their needs and extend the invitation to come into their home…
And I thank God every day for the amazing relationships that have unfolded as wonderful caregivers with willing hearts responded to the invitation to work in a place of high expectation. And I celebrate every day the beauty that shines forth when we are able to catch a glimpse of the high rewards of entering in….
I wonder if you can identify a high expectation ~ high reward space in your day-to-day. There may be a space you can invite someone into some higher expectations. Be honest about that and cast a vision for what the high reward might include. I find it a very rewarding conversation and experience to be a part of!
We have had two just about perfect weather days….that is if you like blue sky, a light breeze and lots and lots of sun….
My two days were busy with many things I enjoyed. Even being on call isn’t so bad when the weather is as nice as it is…
I loved hosting my family for our Father’s Day celebration today….
I loved my bike ride with my 15-year-old niece and my Mom….
I loved my walk with my Aunt and my niece…
I loved laying in my hammock and seeing beauty in my blooming Clematis, the fullness of green leaves on my trees, the chirping birds, the playful squirrels….
I know for many today, even in the beauty of the day, their lives were filled with pain. I am thankful that the beauty of the day allows me such a light feeling at this time of my life.
It was a beautiful day….I hope we have many more this summer!
It seems like not so long ago we were getting the call about the birth of my first niece Janneke Ruth.
At a very young age, Janneke began to fill our world with her words, her music, her energy and her smiles.
I am thankful that my sister and brother-in-law moved from California, to Minnesota, to Michigan~ allowing me to be much more involved in the life of my growing nieces and nephew.
Today, I am a proud aunt of an 18-year-old niece who has a heart that loves life. Janneke continues to fill my world with her words, her music, her energy and her smiles. It continues to be a delightful journey to be involved in her life. As Janneke embarks on her 18th year, she is preparing to travel to Europe to train with Youth With A Mission and share her passion for God, life, and relationships. I am so proud of her and thank God every day that He chose me to be in her life from her first breath to my last. (Lord willing)
Janneke Ruth, continue to live big, love deep and sing loud! I am praying for you as you continue to spread your wings and bring wonderful things to many people. Please always remember to carve time out to nurture your own spirit and be kind to yourself as well as those who surround you. I am here for you and so proud of you…..Happy 18th birthday! I love you tons and tons…..
Yesterday was the first day of summer….and today we mailed out August paperwork for our caregivers.
I find myself a bit edgy as I realize how quickly the summer goes. I so love the weather we have been having, even thought it has been very unpredictable. I want to enjoy every day of summer and not lose the delight of the next two months in the question of where time has gone.
And so tonight, even though we did just mail August paperwork and even though it feels like months fly by, I am going to enjoy June 23 and all it offers me. And June 24 and June 25 (janneke’s 18th birthday) and June 26 (celebration of Father’s Day at my house)….and each and every day after that….
I invite you to enjoy the moment with me….put away the computer or the phone and give whomever you are speaking with your undivided attention. Return texts with phone calls, stop in to visit a friend or family member with a few strawberries and lemonade and take time to sit outside and feel the breeze or the sweat or the water or the rain….
I enjoy the interactions I have with people of all ages throughout a given day….
I enjoy conversations with my adoption families about transitions that continue to unfold even after years of bringing their child home….
I enjoy conversations with those who have lost loved one’s and are trying to navigate their grief journey….
I enjoy conversations with adult children who are trying to navigate caring for a parent or both parents in a way that addresses concerns and honor’s their parent’s desires….
I enjoy conversations with aging individuals who are striving to maintain their independence and are fearful of what might happen if they admit to new vulnerabilities….
As I think through these conversations, a common link that often surfaces is what I am starting to name as image disease. In the fear of what other’s might think, I see many who fail to live honestly with the circumstances that are facing them.
I wonder how our lives would be different if we recognized and name where image disease is influencing our thoughts and decisions….
I wonder what would change in our behaviors or choices if we were able to live honestly with what is real in our day-to-day…
Do you see glimpses of image disease in your life or in the lives of others who you care about…I invite you to start a conversation and explore how life could be different….
It is my hope that risking different just may prove very freeing! (but remember that sometimes freedom takes a little time and a lot of perseverance)
