My girlfriend came over yesterday in a panic.
"Today is Halloween. That means that this is the beginning of the FAT season. Here I go again hating myself and gaining weight."
I smiled because I had been there for over 30 years. Dreading the holidays because of the way I had let myself go and even more, hating the fact that I was going to be under the power of sugar, fat and sprinkles. Top that off with cocktails to add calories and slow down my metabolism!
Then came the day that I forgave myself for past mistakes and started to acquaint myself with ME and accepted that beautiful person that I had kept hidden under layers of cookie dough, chocolate and cheese.
I grabbed Michelle and hugged her.
"Michelle, this is the year that you are going to embrace the holidays and enjoy every Jingle Bell.
Today is your day. Get to know yourself. Forgive past mistakes and put them where they belong - in the past. Spend your time doing what you love, dig in your heart and discover new things about yourself, and embrace them.
Change your thinking; change your life. Treat yourself to the gift of a life coach and watch as you run to score the touchdown to self-esteem, hit the home run of discovery and shoot baskets of acceptance.
"Today is the day after Halloween. That means that it is the beginning of the joyous season. Here I go loving everything about it, and embracing every morsel of it."
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Coincidences - or God?
I didn't feel like going to the Housewarming Party last night.
Oh don't get me wrong. I love Michelle and her family. I had a house guest for 3 days and he had just driven into the sunset and I just might need some alone time.
But that restlessness was churning inside of me.
"But it is a 30-minute drive. I don't feel like driving to the party."
"I could ask someone to go with me, but what if I don't want to stay long?"
The restlessness continued. To put the feelings to rest I baked a batch of my well-known chocolate chip cookies, bought a small housewarming gift and crawled into the car.
From the minute I walked into the house I knew I was right where I was supposed to be last night.
The food, the laughter, the love, the stories, the connection.
Everyone met everyone else, no one was isolated.
As I was leaving reluctantly, I met one last person.
Coincidence?
I have been actively looking for a webmaster who is well-versed in subscription or membership websites. It has been a frustrating quest. Until last night.
"Hello, my name is John. I am an artist and photographer."
As I said my final good-night, or so I thought, I asked John if he knew of anyone who knew anything about membership websites.
"That's what I do."
Coincidence? Or God?
Thank you God for your faithfulness.
I didn't feel like going to the Housewarming Party last night. Thank God I did!
Oh don't get me wrong. I love Michelle and her family. I had a house guest for 3 days and he had just driven into the sunset and I just might need some alone time.
But that restlessness was churning inside of me.
"But it is a 30-minute drive. I don't feel like driving to the party."
"I could ask someone to go with me, but what if I don't want to stay long?"
The restlessness continued. To put the feelings to rest I baked a batch of my well-known chocolate chip cookies, bought a small housewarming gift and crawled into the car.
From the minute I walked into the house I knew I was right where I was supposed to be last night.
The food, the laughter, the love, the stories, the connection.
Everyone met everyone else, no one was isolated.
As I was leaving reluctantly, I met one last person.
Coincidence?
I have been actively looking for a webmaster who is well-versed in subscription or membership websites. It has been a frustrating quest. Until last night.
"Hello, my name is John. I am an artist and photographer."
As I said my final good-night, or so I thought, I asked John if he knew of anyone who knew anything about membership websites.
"That's what I do."
Coincidence? Or God?
Thank you God for your faithfulness.
I didn't feel like going to the Housewarming Party last night. Thank God I did!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
It's Time to Dance Today!
Sunday morning. 4:00 a.m. Wide awake.
I sat up in my bed and read, and watched Tv and prayed.
My mind started to wander. I was tired but couldn't sleep.
A couple of hours later my tired mind was telling me that my day was going to be ruined because of lack of sleep.
Then I took control of my thoughts, rested my tired brain, closed my eyes and settled into a slumber.
My day is going to be just what it is supposed to be. Only with a nap.
I sat up in my bed and read, and watched Tv and prayed.
My mind started to wander. I was tired but couldn't sleep.
A couple of hours later my tired mind was telling me that my day was going to be ruined because of lack of sleep.
Then I took control of my thoughts, rested my tired brain, closed my eyes and settled into a slumber.
My day is going to be just what it is supposed to be. Only with a nap.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
The Joy of Serving
Every day seems to pass by so quickly. I remember walking into school the first day of kindergarten. I was so frightened of those big third graders walking down the halls. Then I was getting my 8th grade diploma and wondering how those high school kids would perceive me. I felt to young and they were so old!
Students in college! Well, they were so grown up - would I ever be that old?!!
And today...my own daughters are past college age and I look back and I marvel at the speed of life.
The years flew by, but where did the days go? Did I waste them in busy-ness or did I relish each moment? Did I take the time to honor everyone I met, or did I bulldoze over them in my attempt to get ahead?
The past: over.
The future? Take the time to look around and savor every look, every touch, every laugh, every breath.
That is more than enough...that is real and it is yours. Right now.
Students in college! Well, they were so grown up - would I ever be that old?!!
And today...my own daughters are past college age and I look back and I marvel at the speed of life.
The years flew by, but where did the days go? Did I waste them in busy-ness or did I relish each moment? Did I take the time to honor everyone I met, or did I bulldoze over them in my attempt to get ahead?
The past: over.
The future? Take the time to look around and savor every look, every touch, every laugh, every breath.
That is more than enough...that is real and it is yours. Right now.
Monday, September 21, 2009
And the rain continues
I woke up this morning to the familiar sound of rain slapping against the sides and roof of the house. I did not have any pressing appointments early so I could lay under the covers and reflected on either the unceasing amount of water deluging our days, or focus on the wonderful gift of green and nutrition to our earth. I preferred the second (though there are times I choose to sit and wallow in my pity, feeling sorry for us all that have not seen the sunshine in forever!)
After I was lulled into a melancholy state I walked to the window in the Bonus Room and gazed as the healthy, happy flowers raising their arms up to receive all that Mother Nature was offering them. They were so content, so happy just being who they were created to be, accepting the food from their source.
I couldn't help but wonder how many people are feeling the rain in their lives, daily? Do they see the benefits of all of that nutrition, all of that learning? Are they realizing that they are being fed so when the rain finally stops and the sun comes out they will be more colorful and stand proud and strong?
Five straight days of gray skies and continuous rain. Five nonstop days of being fed. Grow flowers grow! Grow YOU grow!
After I was lulled into a melancholy state I walked to the window in the Bonus Room and gazed as the healthy, happy flowers raising their arms up to receive all that Mother Nature was offering them. They were so content, so happy just being who they were created to be, accepting the food from their source.
I couldn't help but wonder how many people are feeling the rain in their lives, daily? Do they see the benefits of all of that nutrition, all of that learning? Are they realizing that they are being fed so when the rain finally stops and the sun comes out they will be more colorful and stand proud and strong?
Five straight days of gray skies and continuous rain. Five nonstop days of being fed. Grow flowers grow! Grow YOU grow!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
The Simple Things
I woke up this morning to the smell of rain, crickets singing to me outside of my window and a cool breeze sneaking in through the open window. And a peace in my heart.
As I lay in my bed, thankful for all that God has given me, I became aware of the face that store bought items do not give peace, only a high price tag and temporary satisfaction. But the beauty that God has given us, everything that He has entrusted us with to take care of...now that makes a heart sing.
The media creates a need that it not natural - you have to have mouthwash so you don't have halitosis, deodorant so you don't sweat, perfume to cover your natural body odors, conditioner in your hair because shampoo is just not enough, lotion for age spots and stretch marks that are trophies of life, and the list goes on. And we are never satisfied, never good enough.
But we wake up to the beauty of just 'being', just for being born a child of God and there are reminders all around of His love for us: He paints us a beautiful masterpiece in the sky as the pinks streak across the sky, He provides a symphony all day long with the birds and the insects, not to forget the 200 shades of green and the colors of flowers that can't be duplicated that He painted for us to enjoy.
Just for a moment slow down and just take in the picture that was painted for us to walk through. Then take a moment to thank the artist.
As I lay in my bed, thankful for all that God has given me, I became aware of the face that store bought items do not give peace, only a high price tag and temporary satisfaction. But the beauty that God has given us, everything that He has entrusted us with to take care of...now that makes a heart sing.
The media creates a need that it not natural - you have to have mouthwash so you don't have halitosis, deodorant so you don't sweat, perfume to cover your natural body odors, conditioner in your hair because shampoo is just not enough, lotion for age spots and stretch marks that are trophies of life, and the list goes on. And we are never satisfied, never good enough.
But we wake up to the beauty of just 'being', just for being born a child of God and there are reminders all around of His love for us: He paints us a beautiful masterpiece in the sky as the pinks streak across the sky, He provides a symphony all day long with the birds and the insects, not to forget the 200 shades of green and the colors of flowers that can't be duplicated that He painted for us to enjoy.
Just for a moment slow down and just take in the picture that was painted for us to walk through. Then take a moment to thank the artist.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Nashville on a Saturday Night with Family!
My sister, Mary Jo, and her husband, Dan, drove to Nashville and arrived here yesterday. I was so excited for them to get here that I prowled around my house like a cat looking for a non-existent mouse.
It has been a long time since I have seen any of my brothers and sisters. Ten of my siblings live in Minnesota and one sister in Milwaukee.
This past year, with the struggling economy, has put all of the speakers - me included, having to redefine what they do. We have had to re-purpose and work twice as hard. I am not afraid of hard work, but now that I am slowing down and enjoying life a bit more, I am missing home.
I went to the Land of 10,000 lakes a year ago August for a wedding, and that is the last I have seen family.
So, now Mary Jo and Dan were on their way.
The minute they drove up I ran out to their car, hugged them and did not want to let them go. If there was some was we could have morphed into one person; well, I would have been okay with that.
After we enjoyed a meal on the deck, caught up on a few of the latest things in life, we headed toward downtown Nashville to honky tonk. We parked and walked a couple of blocks to the lights of NashVegas.
Nothing big happened. We listened to music in the bars. We laughed, listened to the street musicians, watched in the windows of a tattoo parlor as brave souls dressed parts of their bodies with art. We loved, we enjoyed each other, we loved life.
Nothing big happened? Love happened. And THAT is big!
It has been a long time since I have seen any of my brothers and sisters. Ten of my siblings live in Minnesota and one sister in Milwaukee.
This past year, with the struggling economy, has put all of the speakers - me included, having to redefine what they do. We have had to re-purpose and work twice as hard. I am not afraid of hard work, but now that I am slowing down and enjoying life a bit more, I am missing home.
I went to the Land of 10,000 lakes a year ago August for a wedding, and that is the last I have seen family.
So, now Mary Jo and Dan were on their way.
The minute they drove up I ran out to their car, hugged them and did not want to let them go. If there was some was we could have morphed into one person; well, I would have been okay with that.
After we enjoyed a meal on the deck, caught up on a few of the latest things in life, we headed toward downtown Nashville to honky tonk. We parked and walked a couple of blocks to the lights of NashVegas.
Nothing big happened. We listened to music in the bars. We laughed, listened to the street musicians, watched in the windows of a tattoo parlor as brave souls dressed parts of their bodies with art. We loved, we enjoyed each other, we loved life.
Nothing big happened? Love happened. And THAT is big!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
We're Too Busy!
Everyone I meet these days seems to have the same reply for "How are you?" The stock answer of "Fine" does not even apply any more.
Ask people how they are and count how many say, "Busy".
Busy seems to define our importance. Many times we even expand on 'busy' and tell all about our busyness. We can't keep in contact with other human beings because we are 'busy'.
Take the word 'busy' out of your vocabulary and dig deep in the recesses of your soul and ask yourself, "How am I REALLY?"
When you meet people and are ready to spout out the words, "How are you?", rephrase your question this way:
"BESIDES busy...how are you?"
I tried this when I saw a familiar face in Panera Bread a couple of days ago. The girl I asked this question got a perplexed look on her face and replied, "Busier".
Are you too busy to know how you are? Are you losing yourself in the 'busyness' of life? Are you too busy to be you? Take some of the busyness out of life, and put more of the 'life' back in life!
Ask people how they are and count how many say, "Busy".
Busy seems to define our importance. Many times we even expand on 'busy' and tell all about our busyness. We can't keep in contact with other human beings because we are 'busy'.
Take the word 'busy' out of your vocabulary and dig deep in the recesses of your soul and ask yourself, "How am I REALLY?"
When you meet people and are ready to spout out the words, "How are you?", rephrase your question this way:
"BESIDES busy...how are you?"
I tried this when I saw a familiar face in Panera Bread a couple of days ago. The girl I asked this question got a perplexed look on her face and replied, "Busier".
Are you too busy to know how you are? Are you losing yourself in the 'busyness' of life? Are you too busy to be you? Take some of the busyness out of life, and put more of the 'life' back in life!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Facebook Once Removed
I have heard the expression about relatives 'once removed'. I have never quite understood that. When people mention that I politely nod my head as if I understand how that person fits down the line.
This past weekend I found out what it means to have Facebook 'once removed'. A person with a malicious and greedy heart hacked into my Facebook account and tried to get unsuspecting and trusting people to give them money - supposedly to help me get back from London where I was mugged and left without my wallet, credit cards and phone. A cyber criminal after me while I grieve.
So Facebook shut me down.
I was in Chicago to memorialize a wonderful man who died to avoid hitting an out-of-control driver who ended up on his side of the road. The last thing in the world that I could worry about was my account on the computer.
Oh don't get me wrong. I am in contact with many people on Facebook and have come to rely on it to retrieve messages. I would have probably even argued that I don't waste time on it. Until it was gone and I had extra time to do other things.
I didn't go on it for pleasure - often - but now that I don't have it back up yet I have more time for other things.
Last night I was wide awake at 3:00 a.m. Not unusual.
I worked at the computer for awhile and realized that I would have been chatting with someone if my account was open. I was so productive at that hour and crawled back into bed at 5:30, realizing that many times I had allowed Facebook to eat up many of my middle-of-the-night hours without accomplising much, anything.
So sad that Facebook is closed; looking forward to getting it back, thankful that I got this lesson and that I will give that social networking tool only the time that it deserves and get the sleep that I crave. A lesson that is very inconvenient (which ones aren't?) but well learned!
Facebook 'once removed', lessons once learned!
This past weekend I found out what it means to have Facebook 'once removed'. A person with a malicious and greedy heart hacked into my Facebook account and tried to get unsuspecting and trusting people to give them money - supposedly to help me get back from London where I was mugged and left without my wallet, credit cards and phone. A cyber criminal after me while I grieve.
So Facebook shut me down.
I was in Chicago to memorialize a wonderful man who died to avoid hitting an out-of-control driver who ended up on his side of the road. The last thing in the world that I could worry about was my account on the computer.
Oh don't get me wrong. I am in contact with many people on Facebook and have come to rely on it to retrieve messages. I would have probably even argued that I don't waste time on it. Until it was gone and I had extra time to do other things.
I didn't go on it for pleasure - often - but now that I don't have it back up yet I have more time for other things.
Last night I was wide awake at 3:00 a.m. Not unusual.
I worked at the computer for awhile and realized that I would have been chatting with someone if my account was open. I was so productive at that hour and crawled back into bed at 5:30, realizing that many times I had allowed Facebook to eat up many of my middle-of-the-night hours without accomplising much, anything.
So sad that Facebook is closed; looking forward to getting it back, thankful that I got this lesson and that I will give that social networking tool only the time that it deserves and get the sleep that I crave. A lesson that is very inconvenient (which ones aren't?) but well learned!
Facebook 'once removed', lessons once learned!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
The Joy of Neighbors
I returned to Nashville from Chicago last night. It had been such a draining trip - seeing old friends who have become family by choice, burying a dear friend, facing my own mortality.
I sunk in the seat on the airplane as it taxied on the runway. Oh, but every bone in my body pounded, and every vein in my heart ached.
As soon as the big bird in the sky went up it felt as though it was descending to my destination. It was good to be back home, but so much had transpired in this one emotional weekend.
Oh God! Please take away this hurt and replace it with love.
My friend, Lesa, picked me up from the airport. With her keen counseling background Lesa listened, gave me love, and then prodded me to move through each part of grief, without getting stuck.
When we drove into my driveway, even in the dark, I could see my flowers smiling at me. Oh, I have such a happy yard and it was there to embrace me. God's gifts...
Then I noticed that my lawn was freshly mowed as I heard the neighbor's front door squeak open. Pat walked out and gently sent out a 'Welcone Home'. I thanked him as tears welled up in my eyes, and then I thanked him for mowing my lawn. He said that Bridget, his perky 13-year-old daughter watered my flowers every night and he mowed the lawn. He told me that he buried a friend at one time and he knows the pain.
Lesa reiterated her thank you's for mowing the lawn and taking care of my happy yard.
"That's what neighbors are for. That's what neighbors do", Pat said, as though it was an unspoken pact when you lived next door to someone that you just helped them out when they were in need.
Lesa, neighbors, flowers...God was busy replacing the hurt with love. I just have to open my eyes and see...
I sunk in the seat on the airplane as it taxied on the runway. Oh, but every bone in my body pounded, and every vein in my heart ached.
As soon as the big bird in the sky went up it felt as though it was descending to my destination. It was good to be back home, but so much had transpired in this one emotional weekend.
Oh God! Please take away this hurt and replace it with love.
My friend, Lesa, picked me up from the airport. With her keen counseling background Lesa listened, gave me love, and then prodded me to move through each part of grief, without getting stuck.
When we drove into my driveway, even in the dark, I could see my flowers smiling at me. Oh, I have such a happy yard and it was there to embrace me. God's gifts...
Then I noticed that my lawn was freshly mowed as I heard the neighbor's front door squeak open. Pat walked out and gently sent out a 'Welcone Home'. I thanked him as tears welled up in my eyes, and then I thanked him for mowing my lawn. He said that Bridget, his perky 13-year-old daughter watered my flowers every night and he mowed the lawn. He told me that he buried a friend at one time and he knows the pain.
Lesa reiterated her thank you's for mowing the lawn and taking care of my happy yard.
"That's what neighbors are for. That's what neighbors do", Pat said, as though it was an unspoken pact when you lived next door to someone that you just helped them out when they were in need.
Lesa, neighbors, flowers...God was busy replacing the hurt with love. I just have to open my eyes and see...
Sunday, August 23, 2009
The comfort of three little words
When I moved from Illinois I moved away from many good friends; so close that I could easily use the word 'family' with many of them.
Since moving away I have felt the power of the words 'I love you' whether they are said over the phone or in person. I prefer watching the words slide easily through the lips of someone special, but when distance gets in the way, the words through the phone earpiece are a welcome whisper.
Are the words 'I love you' repeated too many times, or not enough? Or just enough?
I was in Chicago on business in June and I was fortunate enough to be able to spend Father's Day at Willow Creek Church. It was a great service,complete with many hugs, tears,laughter and 'I love you's'.
Last Tuesday I got a phone call about a good friend from Chicago that was in a horrific motorcycle accident. As he lay, fighting for his life in a coma, brain revealed to expose the brain and allow swelling, my heart was in so much pain.
Talking and crying with my friend, Ed, brought comfort to my heart.
When I was at Willow I was speaking to Tom, the wonderful man in the accident, while Ed waited on the sidelines so we could spend some precious time together.
Tom and I said out 'See you laters', we hugged a hug that sent special thoughts to each other. Tom and I have always had a special bond.
Ed reminded me of the hug and said I could find comfort in knowing that the last words we spoke to each other were 'I love you, Tom" "I love you, Sandy." Ed remembers because it struck him that people don't typically tell each other these three protected words. They are reserved for the selected few. Many times long after it is too late.
Tom is still fighting to return to us; my days are spent in prayer for him and his wonderful kids. There is a heaviness as I wait to hear of any progress; but I can rest in the crook of the comfort that the last words imprinted on Tom's heart from my mouth were "I love you'.
Do we say those three little words enough? Or too late?
Since moving away I have felt the power of the words 'I love you' whether they are said over the phone or in person. I prefer watching the words slide easily through the lips of someone special, but when distance gets in the way, the words through the phone earpiece are a welcome whisper.
Are the words 'I love you' repeated too many times, or not enough? Or just enough?
I was in Chicago on business in June and I was fortunate enough to be able to spend Father's Day at Willow Creek Church. It was a great service,complete with many hugs, tears,laughter and 'I love you's'.
Last Tuesday I got a phone call about a good friend from Chicago that was in a horrific motorcycle accident. As he lay, fighting for his life in a coma, brain revealed to expose the brain and allow swelling, my heart was in so much pain.
Talking and crying with my friend, Ed, brought comfort to my heart.
When I was at Willow I was speaking to Tom, the wonderful man in the accident, while Ed waited on the sidelines so we could spend some precious time together.
Tom and I said out 'See you laters', we hugged a hug that sent special thoughts to each other. Tom and I have always had a special bond.
Ed reminded me of the hug and said I could find comfort in knowing that the last words we spoke to each other were 'I love you, Tom" "I love you, Sandy." Ed remembers because it struck him that people don't typically tell each other these three protected words. They are reserved for the selected few. Many times long after it is too late.
Tom is still fighting to return to us; my days are spent in prayer for him and his wonderful kids. There is a heaviness as I wait to hear of any progress; but I can rest in the crook of the comfort that the last words imprinted on Tom's heart from my mouth were "I love you'.
Do we say those three little words enough? Or too late?
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Imagine that you are right where you are supposed to be!
Happy Birthday Deb!
It was my girlfriend's birthday and I had forgotten that I had told her a couple of weeks back that I would take her out for her birthday! As I was busy trying to get everything to fit into my day I became aware that I had committed myself to one more thing. Or rather, a text message on my phone reminded me of my offer of a celebration!
Deb drove into my driveway as I walked out of the house with a 'Happy Birthday' tiara on my head, a light-up necklace around my neck and a BIG birthday cookie/cake and gift in my hands.
Deb let out a squeal and her whole body exuded excitement.
All of my fatigue from the day dissipated.
We skipped into the first honky tonk downtown Nashville, ate a quick meal of something made of grease, fried in grease. We greeted our friends, the musicians, listened as they sang to Deb her birthday song and went to another honky tonk.
Our fun attitude and loud laughs attracted new friendships, as did Deb's birthday announcements on her head and around her neck.
We laughed, we made new friends, we danced and went home with memories and phone numbers of new friends.
All of this was a reward for being my word. I had committed myself and I went...and I am so glad I did!
Another great night - Deb's celebration and Music City - all wrapped in birthday paper with a big bow on top.
It was my girlfriend's birthday and I had forgotten that I had told her a couple of weeks back that I would take her out for her birthday! As I was busy trying to get everything to fit into my day I became aware that I had committed myself to one more thing. Or rather, a text message on my phone reminded me of my offer of a celebration!
Deb drove into my driveway as I walked out of the house with a 'Happy Birthday' tiara on my head, a light-up necklace around my neck and a BIG birthday cookie/cake and gift in my hands.
Deb let out a squeal and her whole body exuded excitement.
All of my fatigue from the day dissipated.
We skipped into the first honky tonk downtown Nashville, ate a quick meal of something made of grease, fried in grease. We greeted our friends, the musicians, listened as they sang to Deb her birthday song and went to another honky tonk.
Our fun attitude and loud laughs attracted new friendships, as did Deb's birthday announcements on her head and around her neck.
We laughed, we made new friends, we danced and went home with memories and phone numbers of new friends.
All of this was a reward for being my word. I had committed myself and I went...and I am so glad I did!
Another great night - Deb's celebration and Music City - all wrapped in birthday paper with a big bow on top.
Friday, July 31, 2009
I answered the phone last night and the voice on the other end said, "Sandy, I don't know what my God-given gifts are!"
For the next 2 1/2 hours I asked questions and Larry D-U-G deep in the buried recesses of his head - and heart, and exhausted we started laughing. We uncovered buried treasure!
It is amazing that we live in this body of ours - our temple - 24 hours a day, and we don't know who we are. If we don't know who we are, how can anyone else know us?
Our God-given gifts are the things that are so natural to us they are like breathing air. They are the things that give us energy; the hobbies that we spent most of our time on when we were growing up.
To some it may be that they loved - and still love to draw, paint, sing, be creative. An artist? An artist can express his/her creativity in many ways, not merely the obvious one, like having work in a gallery or being a musician on stage.
You played teacher when you were growing up? Maybe a consultant, speaker, pastor, or even...a teacher?
Take a piece of paper, make three columns, and put these headings at the top of each section:
Personality Traits, Hobbies, Experiences
Under each column, with no humility, but honesty and openness fill in the blanks. For example under the heading of Personality Traits I put: loves to laugh - loud laugh, great sense of humor, big smile, funny, love to read and learn, cherish girlfriends, too loud sometimes, love to talk, love people, love music, good writer, organized, etc. You get the picture. It took awhile to put the wall of humility down and jot down who I was: like saying that I am funny.
But I started to see who I was created to be: working with people, teaching, laughing, loving. Bingo! An inspirational speaker...teaching people to uncover their dreams.
Who are you? What are your God-given gifts?
s we hung up the phone Larry was humming; he was excited about exploring how toi use his gifts that have always been there and are breathing or the first time in a long time.
Dig deep inside of your soul...who were you born to be?
For the next 2 1/2 hours I asked questions and Larry D-U-G deep in the buried recesses of his head - and heart, and exhausted we started laughing. We uncovered buried treasure!
It is amazing that we live in this body of ours - our temple - 24 hours a day, and we don't know who we are. If we don't know who we are, how can anyone else know us?
Our God-given gifts are the things that are so natural to us they are like breathing air. They are the things that give us energy; the hobbies that we spent most of our time on when we were growing up.
To some it may be that they loved - and still love to draw, paint, sing, be creative. An artist? An artist can express his/her creativity in many ways, not merely the obvious one, like having work in a gallery or being a musician on stage.
You played teacher when you were growing up? Maybe a consultant, speaker, pastor, or even...a teacher?
Take a piece of paper, make three columns, and put these headings at the top of each section:
Personality Traits, Hobbies, Experiences
Under each column, with no humility, but honesty and openness fill in the blanks. For example under the heading of Personality Traits I put: loves to laugh - loud laugh, great sense of humor, big smile, funny, love to read and learn, cherish girlfriends, too loud sometimes, love to talk, love people, love music, good writer, organized, etc. You get the picture. It took awhile to put the wall of humility down and jot down who I was: like saying that I am funny.
But I started to see who I was created to be: working with people, teaching, laughing, loving. Bingo! An inspirational speaker...teaching people to uncover their dreams.
Who are you? What are your God-given gifts?
s we hung up the phone Larry was humming; he was excited about exploring how toi use his gifts that have always been there and are breathing or the first time in a long time.
Dig deep inside of your soul...who were you born to be?
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
No Rainbow Without Rain
As I sit here at the computer I have the windows wide open and I am enjoying the soft sound of the steady rain as it hits the rooftops, rain gutters and the ground. The streets are silent as weary workers sit at their dinner tables or are plopped in front of the TV, trying to leave the stress of the day behind.
I peek out my window and I can't help but stare at my flowers - all over the yard - looking like a symphony of color - all separate by themselves but living in harmony.
I can't help but think how much we are like flowers. We start out as seed and we grow as we are watered. Many times in life we are not watered and we hesitate to get water for ourselves so we stagnate. And we lose our colors and our leaves and petals begin to droop.
We dread the rain in our lives but without it we would never see a rainbow, we would never get the growth that we crave.
I listen to the rain and I smile as I feel my spirit being watered.
I peek out my window and I can't help but stare at my flowers - all over the yard - looking like a symphony of color - all separate by themselves but living in harmony.
I can't help but think how much we are like flowers. We start out as seed and we grow as we are watered. Many times in life we are not watered and we hesitate to get water for ourselves so we stagnate. And we lose our colors and our leaves and petals begin to droop.
We dread the rain in our lives but without it we would never see a rainbow, we would never get the growth that we crave.
I listen to the rain and I smile as I feel my spirit being watered.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Take a Brick Out of the Wall That Stops You From Your BIG Dream
We spend our lives building walls around ourselves,trying to get to know who we are and mixing more mortar while insulating ourselves from the people who are waiting outside for the gates of our hearts to open up.
Some of us take a long time to allow the walls to come down, but when they do...
I grew up in a family of 12 kids ("Cheaper by the dozen", my dad would chuckle, "It's a lie!")
I found that I developed into the person that my brothers and sisters perceived and created me to be. And somehow I lost myself along the way, bit by bit.
A year ago I started getting tired of looking at people over the top of the wall. So I began the journey of my lifetime with the first step and have been walking blindly down the path of my life.
I have the same life that so many others have lived: growing up without knowing that dreams can come true, marrying a man who showed up for the wedding but not for the marriage - and verbal abuse rears its ugly head after a couple of years and gets progressively worse - and I put up with it!, 30+ years of compulsive overeating and a daughter in an eating disorders clinic; not to mention DUI's running rampant among my siblings, and multiple eating disorders among my sisters. On top of all of that a gaggle of family members that live life among themselves and have ostracized me, the 'black sheep of the family', the 'different' one.
As I moved away from my siblings, divorced the man who beat up my esteem and 'thought' I had left the past behind. I started to find out who I am. Oh, not without pain.
And then I got it...everything I had gone through was to help others overcome their walls, fix the scrapes from their brick scrapes and teach them how to fall madly in love with themselves - the way that I learned to find, accept and love the woman that I was created to be.
Brick by brick, the pain subsided and my pain became my power. Once the lessons are extracted from experiences, the pain is gone, and you have a story, a lesson to pass on. Your life is used to make others lives better...and that makes every hurt worth the pain.
How many bricks do you have up? Are you tired of trying to see outside of the wall that you have built? Are you ready to break through your wall, one brick at a time, so yu can run free...wherever you want, being you, magnified?
What are you waiting for?
Some of us take a long time to allow the walls to come down, but when they do...
I grew up in a family of 12 kids ("Cheaper by the dozen", my dad would chuckle, "It's a lie!")
I found that I developed into the person that my brothers and sisters perceived and created me to be. And somehow I lost myself along the way, bit by bit.
A year ago I started getting tired of looking at people over the top of the wall. So I began the journey of my lifetime with the first step and have been walking blindly down the path of my life.
I have the same life that so many others have lived: growing up without knowing that dreams can come true, marrying a man who showed up for the wedding but not for the marriage - and verbal abuse rears its ugly head after a couple of years and gets progressively worse - and I put up with it!, 30+ years of compulsive overeating and a daughter in an eating disorders clinic; not to mention DUI's running rampant among my siblings, and multiple eating disorders among my sisters. On top of all of that a gaggle of family members that live life among themselves and have ostracized me, the 'black sheep of the family', the 'different' one.
As I moved away from my siblings, divorced the man who beat up my esteem and 'thought' I had left the past behind. I started to find out who I am. Oh, not without pain.
And then I got it...everything I had gone through was to help others overcome their walls, fix the scrapes from their brick scrapes and teach them how to fall madly in love with themselves - the way that I learned to find, accept and love the woman that I was created to be.
Brick by brick, the pain subsided and my pain became my power. Once the lessons are extracted from experiences, the pain is gone, and you have a story, a lesson to pass on. Your life is used to make others lives better...and that makes every hurt worth the pain.
How many bricks do you have up? Are you tired of trying to see outside of the wall that you have built? Are you ready to break through your wall, one brick at a time, so yu can run free...wherever you want, being you, magnified?
What are you waiting for?
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
I lifted up the phone out of its cradle as it shrilled in the late afternoon yesterday.
"Hello, Sandy Griffin? This is Centennial Hospital. Your mammogram report...you have lumps in both breasts."
When the nurse with the gentle voice on the other end inquired on availability to make a followup appointment I hesitated and made it for two weeks from now.
I hung up the phone and stood, paralyzed by the words that were spoken so routinely.
My first reaction was to ignore the call, act as though they never really called.
Darn! Why did I answer it? Why didn't I let it go to voicemail?
I immediately went into the yard and mowed the lawn. I guess I was trying to control and take care of what I was able to take care of.
After I finished and the yard looked great I went inthe house and cried. Now what?
I called the hospital and made an appointment sooner. The still-kind nurse said it is real coomon for women to want to hang up and think - or not think - about the words that were spoken.
I rescheduled my appointment for two days later and sat down and cried.
"Oh God, I have done so little with this life you have given me. Tell me what to do, let me know what your will is, and then let me step into it."
A day and a half later it is amazing the plethora of thoughts and emotions that have been going through my head.
In this short time I have evaluated my life, my actions and what I still want to accomplish. I have drawn closer to my girlfriends, and they have been phenomenal. They truly have exemplified family to me. They have been a big hug in this game of life.
The words, "Sandy you have lumps" may just be the words that I needed to hear to realize I have the life I always dreamed about. Work, friends and love - thank you God!
"Hello, Sandy Griffin? This is Centennial Hospital. Your mammogram report...you have lumps in both breasts."
When the nurse with the gentle voice on the other end inquired on availability to make a followup appointment I hesitated and made it for two weeks from now.
I hung up the phone and stood, paralyzed by the words that were spoken so routinely.
My first reaction was to ignore the call, act as though they never really called.
Darn! Why did I answer it? Why didn't I let it go to voicemail?
I immediately went into the yard and mowed the lawn. I guess I was trying to control and take care of what I was able to take care of.
After I finished and the yard looked great I went inthe house and cried. Now what?
I called the hospital and made an appointment sooner. The still-kind nurse said it is real coomon for women to want to hang up and think - or not think - about the words that were spoken.
I rescheduled my appointment for two days later and sat down and cried.
"Oh God, I have done so little with this life you have given me. Tell me what to do, let me know what your will is, and then let me step into it."
A day and a half later it is amazing the plethora of thoughts and emotions that have been going through my head.
In this short time I have evaluated my life, my actions and what I still want to accomplish. I have drawn closer to my girlfriends, and they have been phenomenal. They truly have exemplified family to me. They have been a big hug in this game of life.
The words, "Sandy you have lumps" may just be the words that I needed to hear to realize I have the life I always dreamed about. Work, friends and love - thank you God!
Monday, May 18, 2009
One of Nashville's Finest Nights
Yesterday Eddie Bayers (Drummer Extraordinaire) invited his wife, Lane Brody, and me to attend the Country Music induction of Barbara Mandrell, Roy Clark and Charlie McCoy. Being a people lover and a star gazer, I jumped at the chance. I had two hours to decide what to wear, and I looked cute in my black pants and lacy black top as the valet opened our car doors and we stepped out onto the red carpet.
The red carpet...eeeks! This was something I had only dreamed about! Me - on the red carpet, bulbs flashing, people staring, and me gracefully walking to the big doors held open by a tuxedo-attired gentleman.
Enter the lobby of the Country Music Association Hall of Fame building: music playing, servers walking around with trays held up shoulder high as they carried delectable appetizers and goodies around the room for the duration of the evening.
We made our way to one of the bars and order refreshments and toasted what was destined to be an unforgettable evening in Nashville.
We walked around and talked to Nashville's finest: Reba McIntyre, Barbara Mandrell, Emmylou Harris, Roy Clark, Little Jimmy Dickens, Mayor Karl Dean, Little Jimmy Dickens, and many other noteables.
We took our seats in the intimate theater in the hall,and I sat four rows from the close stage. It felt as though we were all congregated in some close friend's living room.
The next three hours were a celebration of stories, laughter, accomplishments, challenges and surprise musical appearances by: Garth Brooks, Reba, Josh Turner, Roy Clark, Allison Krauss, Sonny James and the list goes on and on.
When the final clap was clapped we all exited to the lobby where the bar was still open, the coffee was brewing and the sweets and dessert tables were set up.
It was as if no one wanted to leave the feelings that were residing in all of our hearts as we celebrated life's greatest moments.
Today I woke up, jumped out of bed and grabbed my camera to make sure that this Cinderella night was really real. There it was - in color.
I sighed, sat back and thanked God for yet another gift he gave me - and proceeded to tackle the day that lay ahead of me.
The red carpet...eeeks! This was something I had only dreamed about! Me - on the red carpet, bulbs flashing, people staring, and me gracefully walking to the big doors held open by a tuxedo-attired gentleman.
Enter the lobby of the Country Music Association Hall of Fame building: music playing, servers walking around with trays held up shoulder high as they carried delectable appetizers and goodies around the room for the duration of the evening.
We made our way to one of the bars and order refreshments and toasted what was destined to be an unforgettable evening in Nashville.
We walked around and talked to Nashville's finest: Reba McIntyre, Barbara Mandrell, Emmylou Harris, Roy Clark, Little Jimmy Dickens, Mayor Karl Dean, Little Jimmy Dickens, and many other noteables.
We took our seats in the intimate theater in the hall,and I sat four rows from the close stage. It felt as though we were all congregated in some close friend's living room.
The next three hours were a celebration of stories, laughter, accomplishments, challenges and surprise musical appearances by: Garth Brooks, Reba, Josh Turner, Roy Clark, Allison Krauss, Sonny James and the list goes on and on.
When the final clap was clapped we all exited to the lobby where the bar was still open, the coffee was brewing and the sweets and dessert tables were set up.
It was as if no one wanted to leave the feelings that were residing in all of our hearts as we celebrated life's greatest moments.
Today I woke up, jumped out of bed and grabbed my camera to make sure that this Cinderella night was really real. There it was - in color.
I sighed, sat back and thanked God for yet another gift he gave me - and proceeded to tackle the day that lay ahead of me.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Waiting for my Nephew
When I was pregnant the wait for my 'Labor Day' seemed interminable. When I delivered my third daughter, knowing it was my last child (cancer took away my choice there!),I was happy that I would not have to wait to deliver a baby again. Little did I realize that every time a good friend or a family memeber was expecting a baby, that I would go through the waiting process all over again.
Today as I sit here writing this I am eagerly and impatiently waiting to deliver a baby again. I am not having the labor pains, as my sister-in-law Nia is, but I am having anxiety pains.
Brian and Nia have a beautiful 2-year-old Emily that is also waiting to have a playmate. Imagine her surprise when this tiny bundle comes home and has no interest in Em. At least the first months when eating seems to be the only thing he will want to do.
I spoke to Brian two days ago on Facebook and they still did not have a name picked out. They know it is a boy; they just have very differing ideas on names; one wants traditional and one wants different. Good luck! My thoughts? After Nia goes through the work of delivering this bundle of joy, let her name the baby!! Just my opinion...biased though it may be!
I sit here and marvel at the miracle of birth, thinking how families grow - some go on and on and on. My girlfriend, Erika, had her ninth baby a week ago. She did not break her pattern: boy-girl-boy-girl-boy-girl-boy-girl- and then another boy, John Paul - a Pope in the making?!
My dear mother had 14 kids in 17 years, and even miscarried once. Whew! I need to take a break after thinking about that! The births alone would be a challenge - then they make you take every baby home with you!!
I am rambling as I wait for my nephew, my girls 45th first cousin! yes, 45! The oldest cousin was 41 in December, the newest one - well, hurry up so we can meet you!
Thank you for being in the WAITING ROOM with me as I wait to hear that my nephew has entered our world! The baby with no name. Any ideas for Brian and Nia?
You have kept me from pacing the floor.
Check back...I will let you know when we can relax and celebrate!! Thanks for being here with me!!
Today as I sit here writing this I am eagerly and impatiently waiting to deliver a baby again. I am not having the labor pains, as my sister-in-law Nia is, but I am having anxiety pains.
Brian and Nia have a beautiful 2-year-old Emily that is also waiting to have a playmate. Imagine her surprise when this tiny bundle comes home and has no interest in Em. At least the first months when eating seems to be the only thing he will want to do.
I spoke to Brian two days ago on Facebook and they still did not have a name picked out. They know it is a boy; they just have very differing ideas on names; one wants traditional and one wants different. Good luck! My thoughts? After Nia goes through the work of delivering this bundle of joy, let her name the baby!! Just my opinion...biased though it may be!
I sit here and marvel at the miracle of birth, thinking how families grow - some go on and on and on. My girlfriend, Erika, had her ninth baby a week ago. She did not break her pattern: boy-girl-boy-girl-boy-girl-boy-girl- and then another boy, John Paul - a Pope in the making?!
My dear mother had 14 kids in 17 years, and even miscarried once. Whew! I need to take a break after thinking about that! The births alone would be a challenge - then they make you take every baby home with you!!
I am rambling as I wait for my nephew, my girls 45th first cousin! yes, 45! The oldest cousin was 41 in December, the newest one - well, hurry up so we can meet you!
Thank you for being in the WAITING ROOM with me as I wait to hear that my nephew has entered our world! The baby with no name. Any ideas for Brian and Nia?
You have kept me from pacing the floor.
Check back...I will let you know when we can relax and celebrate!! Thanks for being here with me!!
Friday, April 24, 2009
A Night of Love
'And the winner is..."
The winners of the DOVE Awards at the Grand Ole Opry last night were not only the artists holding the trophies, but every person fortunate enough to have secured a seat for this Christian event walked away a winner.
The talent was phenomenal: Natalie Grant, Brandon Heath, 10th Avenue South, Mary Mary, Chris Tomlin, Third Day and so many more.
Expecting to be entertained there was not a dry eye as we somberly walked out of the theater after the final award was presented.
There was a feeling of unity in that building, but never more so than when Steven Curtis Chapman started to sing his 2008 hit song, Cinderella'. He began:
"She spins and she sways to whatever song plays,
Without a care in the world.
And I'm sittin' here wearin' the weight of the world on my shoulders.
It's been a long day and there's still work to do,
She's pulling at me saying "Dad I need you!
There's a ball at the castle and I've been invited and I need to practice my dancin'"
"Oh please, daddy, please!"
So I'll dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh I'll dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone..."
At the final..."and she'll be gone..." was changed to..."and she'll keep dancing."
The crowd stood to their feet and broke into clapping as the tears rolled down their cheeks.
Steven Curtis Chapman wrote this song for his three daughters, ages 5,6 and 7; special girls that his family adopted from China. When his older daughter, Emily, (he also has two teenage sons)was away at college he realized how quickly she grew up and he wanted to take the time to enjoy Shohannah, Stevie Joy and Maria Sue. He was going to savor the time spent with his 'Cinderellas'.
"All too soon the clock struck midnight, and Maria Sue was gone..."
Tradegy does not play favorites, and the Chapman family are enduring mammoth portions of grief as they work through the grief that tears apart their hearts as they learn to cope with life after the death of a family member.
Graduation party, kids playing outside, Emily's recent engagement - the day had all of the components of a day made in heaven.
Hours before the festivities were to start the 16-year-old son hopped in his SUV to do last minute pre-party errands. As he backed up on the family property he had no way of knowing that little Maria Sue had run behind his vehicle.
The thud, the scream, the tears, the horror, as Steven held his dying daughter in his arms, before she went to her eternal father to be held forever.
Finally, the biggest award of the evening..."And the winner for the Artist of the Year is...Steven Curtis Chapman!"
Applause thundered through the walls as everyone stood to their feet.
There are a lot of reasons why I am standing here,'' Chapman said while standing next to his wife.
"The reason we are standing here, it's nothing we know about music, but it was our ability to communicate the hope that we have. Our hope is not in this life,'' said Chapman, adding that his hope has helped him to have a bolder testimony. "Jesus is coming and He can't come soon enough for me."
As Steven and his wife walked off of the stage, tears brimming in their eyes and shoulders noticeably slumped, there was a feeling of community in a auditorium filled with 4400 seats, all occupied by people helping the Chapman carry their burden while lifting up prayers for strength to cope and bring hope to the world, faith in a God that is bigger than anything on this earth.
"And the winners are..."
Every person who was blessed to have a ticket to that heartfelt event last night.
"So I'll dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Ohh-oh ohh-oh, I'll dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone."
Dance with the Cinderellas in your life while they is still on your dance floor. All too soon they will be gone...
Subscribe to Sandy's blog
Visit her website: www.sandygriffin.com and order her books on how to put together your Recipe For Happiness.
Sign up for teleclasses, and learn how to 'Be You, Magnified!"
The winners of the DOVE Awards at the Grand Ole Opry last night were not only the artists holding the trophies, but every person fortunate enough to have secured a seat for this Christian event walked away a winner.
The talent was phenomenal: Natalie Grant, Brandon Heath, 10th Avenue South, Mary Mary, Chris Tomlin, Third Day and so many more.
Expecting to be entertained there was not a dry eye as we somberly walked out of the theater after the final award was presented.
There was a feeling of unity in that building, but never more so than when Steven Curtis Chapman started to sing his 2008 hit song, Cinderella'. He began:
"She spins and she sways to whatever song plays,
Without a care in the world.
And I'm sittin' here wearin' the weight of the world on my shoulders.
It's been a long day and there's still work to do,
She's pulling at me saying "Dad I need you!
There's a ball at the castle and I've been invited and I need to practice my dancin'"
"Oh please, daddy, please!"
So I'll dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh I'll dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone..."
At the final..."and she'll be gone..." was changed to..."and she'll keep dancing."
The crowd stood to their feet and broke into clapping as the tears rolled down their cheeks.
Steven Curtis Chapman wrote this song for his three daughters, ages 5,6 and 7; special girls that his family adopted from China. When his older daughter, Emily, (he also has two teenage sons)was away at college he realized how quickly she grew up and he wanted to take the time to enjoy Shohannah, Stevie Joy and Maria Sue. He was going to savor the time spent with his 'Cinderellas'.
"All too soon the clock struck midnight, and Maria Sue was gone..."
Tradegy does not play favorites, and the Chapman family are enduring mammoth portions of grief as they work through the grief that tears apart their hearts as they learn to cope with life after the death of a family member.
Graduation party, kids playing outside, Emily's recent engagement - the day had all of the components of a day made in heaven.
Hours before the festivities were to start the 16-year-old son hopped in his SUV to do last minute pre-party errands. As he backed up on the family property he had no way of knowing that little Maria Sue had run behind his vehicle.
The thud, the scream, the tears, the horror, as Steven held his dying daughter in his arms, before she went to her eternal father to be held forever.
Finally, the biggest award of the evening..."And the winner for the Artist of the Year is...Steven Curtis Chapman!"
Applause thundered through the walls as everyone stood to their feet.
There are a lot of reasons why I am standing here,'' Chapman said while standing next to his wife.
"The reason we are standing here, it's nothing we know about music, but it was our ability to communicate the hope that we have. Our hope is not in this life,'' said Chapman, adding that his hope has helped him to have a bolder testimony. "Jesus is coming and He can't come soon enough for me."
As Steven and his wife walked off of the stage, tears brimming in their eyes and shoulders noticeably slumped, there was a feeling of community in a auditorium filled with 4400 seats, all occupied by people helping the Chapman carry their burden while lifting up prayers for strength to cope and bring hope to the world, faith in a God that is bigger than anything on this earth.
"And the winners are..."
Every person who was blessed to have a ticket to that heartfelt event last night.
"So I'll dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Ohh-oh ohh-oh, I'll dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone."
Dance with the Cinderellas in your life while they is still on your dance floor. All too soon they will be gone...
Subscribe to Sandy's blog
Visit her website: www.sandygriffin.com and order her books on how to put together your Recipe For Happiness.
Sign up for teleclasses, and learn how to 'Be You, Magnified!"
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Good-bye my Special Friend!
Last night I was chatting with my daughter, Jacki, on the phone when a beep interrupted our conversation. I held the phone away from my ear to see if I recognized the number beeping into our mother-daughter reverie.
318?
While I was talking with Jacki I sat down to the computer and looked up the area code. Northern Louisiana? Do I know anyone there?
I hung up the phone and dialed the number that had beeped in minutes before.
"Sandy, this is John Thomas. My mother - your friend - has passed away."
The year was 1985. My mother had recently passed away after suffering from the cruel, but quick, death brought on my Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, better known by the crazy name. Mad-Cow Disease.
After writing to hospitals I was given contact information of people who were interested in networking with other people who lost family members to this crazy, orphan disease.
That was 23 1/2 years ago and I have been friends with Audrey that long. You see, Audrey's husband died from this disease before my mother succumbed to it.
Audrey's presence in my life has been a constant. She sewed a quilt for my youngest daughter, Lauren, when I was pregnant with her; she sewed and embroidered crayon aprons for all three of my girls when they were growing up; we wore Watermelon Festival shirts from Farmerville, Louisiana for years, and I baked with Louisiana pecans at Christmastime for years - compliments of Audrey.
Then came the wonderful day that I flew to meet my friend. That week was one of the most memorable times in my life!
The love, the family she shared, her friends, the catfish, mayhaw and scupperberry jellies, the laughter,the sharing and the love.
For the past 23+ years, every time I have taken a trip I have sent Audrey postcards. I sent them from every airport I had a layover at. Audrey was a part of my every trip, she was always in my heart.
Even as her disease progressed and she could no longer communicate, I loved to send her postcards and little notes - reminders that love was coming from Nashville to her heart.
Parkinson's ate away at Audrey, and this past Christmas I gave her soft embroidered pillowcases for her head. Oh, she loved pretty homemade things.
I would like to think that as she breathed her last yesterday that her beautiful head was lying on that pillowcase that was made with so much love, from Nashville.
Good-bye for now, Audrey. Until we meet again on the dance floor of heaven, my postcards will be sent in the form of prayers. To Audrey's family - thank you for sharing your beautiful mother with me! You will never know how much that - and she -meant to me!
318?
While I was talking with Jacki I sat down to the computer and looked up the area code. Northern Louisiana? Do I know anyone there?
I hung up the phone and dialed the number that had beeped in minutes before.
"Sandy, this is John Thomas. My mother - your friend - has passed away."
The year was 1985. My mother had recently passed away after suffering from the cruel, but quick, death brought on my Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, better known by the crazy name. Mad-Cow Disease.
After writing to hospitals I was given contact information of people who were interested in networking with other people who lost family members to this crazy, orphan disease.
That was 23 1/2 years ago and I have been friends with Audrey that long. You see, Audrey's husband died from this disease before my mother succumbed to it.
Audrey's presence in my life has been a constant. She sewed a quilt for my youngest daughter, Lauren, when I was pregnant with her; she sewed and embroidered crayon aprons for all three of my girls when they were growing up; we wore Watermelon Festival shirts from Farmerville, Louisiana for years, and I baked with Louisiana pecans at Christmastime for years - compliments of Audrey.
Then came the wonderful day that I flew to meet my friend. That week was one of the most memorable times in my life!
The love, the family she shared, her friends, the catfish, mayhaw and scupperberry jellies, the laughter,the sharing and the love.
For the past 23+ years, every time I have taken a trip I have sent Audrey postcards. I sent them from every airport I had a layover at. Audrey was a part of my every trip, she was always in my heart.
Even as her disease progressed and she could no longer communicate, I loved to send her postcards and little notes - reminders that love was coming from Nashville to her heart.
Parkinson's ate away at Audrey, and this past Christmas I gave her soft embroidered pillowcases for her head. Oh, she loved pretty homemade things.
I would like to think that as she breathed her last yesterday that her beautiful head was lying on that pillowcase that was made with so much love, from Nashville.
Good-bye for now, Audrey. Until we meet again on the dance floor of heaven, my postcards will be sent in the form of prayers. To Audrey's family - thank you for sharing your beautiful mother with me! You will never know how much that - and she -meant to me!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Tornadoes are not a joke
I was talking to my sister, Joann, on the phone. She was in Minnesota and I was in Nashville, Tennessee. As I sat peering out of my office window it started to rain - really hard. Talking to my favorite sister, listening to the rain, feeling safe inside - life was good!
The next minute the emergency sirens began to howl and it caught me off-guard.
I grew up in Minnesota - this was not tornado weather. Tornado weather in Minnesota meant that the sky turned yellow and the atmosphere was eerily silent. It had a surreal feel to it.
This looked and felt like a rain storm, and a mellow one at that.
But I decided to heed the call of the sirens. I trudged downstairs, took a blanket and pillow off of my bed and headed for the small bathroom on the main floor. I had determined when I moved to Tennessee two years before that this was the safest place for disasters - the only room without any windows, and in the middle of the house. You see, the houses in Tennessee are not built with basements. When I ask people about this they tell me that the soil here is way too hard, and too full of clay to have basements and swimming pools. It is too costly.
I peeked out of the window to see the rain being blown to the side, uphill. I have never seen a sight like this in my life. There was a slight resemblance to The Wizard of Oz as I watched tree branches breaking and being tossed through the air as if they were weightless.
I turned on the TV in the living room so I could hear updates, and for the next hour I heard about the six tornado cells that were on the ground. The worst one was in Murfreesboro, about a 30-minute drive from my house; the town that my college-age daughter lives in.
I grabbed my cell phone and called Lauren.
"Yes, Mom, I am okay. Yes, the sirens are going off here but it looks okay."
"Are you watching the news?"
"Yes, Randy and I have the TV on."
"Lauren, head for cover."
An hour later when I emerged from the bathroom where I had been reading as I lay on the floor, the sun was trying to peek out.
I lowered myself to the couch and watched the damage that occurred, as reporters told about the devastation that the twister had left in its path: the deaths, the young mother trying to outrun the twister with her 4-month-old baby, the houses that were flattened. I felt sick to my stomach and called to make sure Lauren was okay.
When she answered the phone she told me, in a weeping voice, about the rearranged landscape that occurred less than five minutes from her house.
A tornado, a twister changed so many lives in that one hour as people rushed to get their treats and food for the upcoming Easter holiday.
The Easter baskets. treats, little white lace gloves and the clean house for the relatives were not important any more.
Mother Nature was in control. The creator of Mother Nature was holding the remote control.
Easter came and went, people celebrated, lives went on. But to many here in Tennessee this weekend was a time to hand the control back to the creator. A time to mourn and a time to laugh.
The next minute the emergency sirens began to howl and it caught me off-guard.
I grew up in Minnesota - this was not tornado weather. Tornado weather in Minnesota meant that the sky turned yellow and the atmosphere was eerily silent. It had a surreal feel to it.
This looked and felt like a rain storm, and a mellow one at that.
But I decided to heed the call of the sirens. I trudged downstairs, took a blanket and pillow off of my bed and headed for the small bathroom on the main floor. I had determined when I moved to Tennessee two years before that this was the safest place for disasters - the only room without any windows, and in the middle of the house. You see, the houses in Tennessee are not built with basements. When I ask people about this they tell me that the soil here is way too hard, and too full of clay to have basements and swimming pools. It is too costly.
I peeked out of the window to see the rain being blown to the side, uphill. I have never seen a sight like this in my life. There was a slight resemblance to The Wizard of Oz as I watched tree branches breaking and being tossed through the air as if they were weightless.
I turned on the TV in the living room so I could hear updates, and for the next hour I heard about the six tornado cells that were on the ground. The worst one was in Murfreesboro, about a 30-minute drive from my house; the town that my college-age daughter lives in.
I grabbed my cell phone and called Lauren.
"Yes, Mom, I am okay. Yes, the sirens are going off here but it looks okay."
"Are you watching the news?"
"Yes, Randy and I have the TV on."
"Lauren, head for cover."
An hour later when I emerged from the bathroom where I had been reading as I lay on the floor, the sun was trying to peek out.
I lowered myself to the couch and watched the damage that occurred, as reporters told about the devastation that the twister had left in its path: the deaths, the young mother trying to outrun the twister with her 4-month-old baby, the houses that were flattened. I felt sick to my stomach and called to make sure Lauren was okay.
When she answered the phone she told me, in a weeping voice, about the rearranged landscape that occurred less than five minutes from her house.
A tornado, a twister changed so many lives in that one hour as people rushed to get their treats and food for the upcoming Easter holiday.
The Easter baskets. treats, little white lace gloves and the clean house for the relatives were not important any more.
Mother Nature was in control. The creator of Mother Nature was holding the remote control.
Easter came and went, people celebrated, lives went on. But to many here in Tennessee this weekend was a time to hand the control back to the creator. A time to mourn and a time to laugh.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Birthdays and Emotions
Happy Birthday to me!
I am amazed at the plethora of emotions that birthdays evoke in a human being.
I do not think it is because of the escalating numbers or the candles crowding on the cake, but more of a reality check and emotional overload. I am sure that I am not the only one to feel like this.
A friend was going to fly to Nashville from Chicago to visit, and with one challenge after another, decide late last night not to come.
Well! At any other time this may have been okay, but this is my birthday!
We had planned on spending the next days catching up as I have not seen him in three years, and now I have the next days free.
Okay, that sounds like no bog deal until you think about what I am going to be doing on my birthday night. I live in Nashville...I want to celebrate!
Do I call friends and sound desperate? Do I stay home and feel sorry for myself?
At noon my girlfriends are having a tea party at ever so cute Savannah Tea Cup.
That is such a sweet place.
Then I realize that as much as I like people I do not like people to make a fuss about me. Whew! I am a mess!
I have incredible girlfriends...and I do mean amazingly incredible - Lane, Teresa, Michelle...to name a few...
And I am ever so humbled by their actions to celebrate my day.
Birthdays...laughter, tears, humble, friends, cake, thankfulness.
Happy birthday to the world today...you have all been gift to me!
I am amazed at the plethora of emotions that birthdays evoke in a human being.
I do not think it is because of the escalating numbers or the candles crowding on the cake, but more of a reality check and emotional overload. I am sure that I am not the only one to feel like this.
A friend was going to fly to Nashville from Chicago to visit, and with one challenge after another, decide late last night not to come.
Well! At any other time this may have been okay, but this is my birthday!
We had planned on spending the next days catching up as I have not seen him in three years, and now I have the next days free.
Okay, that sounds like no bog deal until you think about what I am going to be doing on my birthday night. I live in Nashville...I want to celebrate!
Do I call friends and sound desperate? Do I stay home and feel sorry for myself?
At noon my girlfriends are having a tea party at ever so cute Savannah Tea Cup.
That is such a sweet place.
Then I realize that as much as I like people I do not like people to make a fuss about me. Whew! I am a mess!
I have incredible girlfriends...and I do mean amazingly incredible - Lane, Teresa, Michelle...to name a few...
And I am ever so humbled by their actions to celebrate my day.
Birthdays...laughter, tears, humble, friends, cake, thankfulness.
Happy birthday to the world today...you have all been gift to me!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Facebook Panic
On Sunday I opened my Facebook account and was pleased to view a post from my niece, Danielle. Since moving farther away two years ago from my family in Minnesota and transplanting myself from Chicago to Nashville, Tennessee, I have had to rely on networks like Facebook to keep up with the hordes of family members that I don't see near enough.
Excited to read what Danielle wrote on her wall I opened to her page and gasped as I read her post, DANIELLE IS DEAD.
I caught my breath and phoned my daughter, Lauren, who is up-to-date on all of the technology lingo that kids use.
"Lauren, when someone writes that they are dead on their Facebook account, does this mean something other than what I,a post-computer-era person, is thinking?"
Lauren thought about this and said that she dos not know of any other meaning to this phrase.
I told her about her cousin's posting and her immediate response was that 'I feel like I am going to get sick to my stomach'. And then I remembered that the previous week a former high school classmate of hers from Chicago had posted a similar phrase, and a day after the posting was found with a fatal gunshot wound to
the head.
With hands shaking I dialed the number of my sister in Clearwater, Minnesota and asked her when she last spoke to Danielle. They live close to each other and are knitted at the heart.
When I relayed the story to Joann she quickly hung up and called around to find out about this unsettling message - and the reason for it - on Facebook.
She called Danielle's phone, her mother and her sister, Jessica. Only to hear the incessant ringing of unanswered phones.
Joann called her husband Fred who was fishing on the lake with our brother Kevin, Danielle's dad. Kevin had no idea where his 20-year-old daughter was, but he did say she had been despondent as of late.
In a panic , and the need to have answers, Joann called the local hospital and asked for the Emergency Room.
"Yes, Danielle is here. Since you are not a parent or legal guardian we cannot release any informtion to you."
Kevin was given the news and headed to the hospital. Danielle is okay. She was being checked out and having MRI's done, with a condition that was totally unelated to anything that could be connected to the Facebook posting.
What are the ground rules for posting something the world is privy to reading? In this disconnected world we have found ways to connect in any way possible.
Is there, and should there be, a protocol to follow? A common language or set of rules so we are all on the same page, in the same book?
Take heed. think before you write. What may sound cute to you and another friend may be misconstrued by other readers.
Facebook, like anything else in life, needs some thought put into it. We need to think before we write. How seriously should we take the postings on a friend or loved ones Home Page?
When do we know to act?
We can chalk it up to just fun and games, but if someone had heeded the words written on Facebook last week of Lauren's high school classmate, could he have been helped in time?
Do we listen to the hum of bullets or do we overlook them until it is too late to put them back into the smoking gun?
Facebook, social networking. Type out what you mean, keep your personal jokes that are between you...well, between you and your friend and not on the World's Biggest Bilboard.
With the suicide rate climbing, depression running rampant in this country, let's keep Facebook what is is meant to be...a place to keep in touch and connect with friends, family and people from days-gone-by.
Let's use a little thought before we post words for a loving family or close friends to read.
Excited to read what Danielle wrote on her wall I opened to her page and gasped as I read her post, DANIELLE IS DEAD.
I caught my breath and phoned my daughter, Lauren, who is up-to-date on all of the technology lingo that kids use.
"Lauren, when someone writes that they are dead on their Facebook account, does this mean something other than what I,a post-computer-era person, is thinking?"
Lauren thought about this and said that she dos not know of any other meaning to this phrase.
I told her about her cousin's posting and her immediate response was that 'I feel like I am going to get sick to my stomach'. And then I remembered that the previous week a former high school classmate of hers from Chicago had posted a similar phrase, and a day after the posting was found with a fatal gunshot wound to
the head.
With hands shaking I dialed the number of my sister in Clearwater, Minnesota and asked her when she last spoke to Danielle. They live close to each other and are knitted at the heart.
When I relayed the story to Joann she quickly hung up and called around to find out about this unsettling message - and the reason for it - on Facebook.
She called Danielle's phone, her mother and her sister, Jessica. Only to hear the incessant ringing of unanswered phones.
Joann called her husband Fred who was fishing on the lake with our brother Kevin, Danielle's dad. Kevin had no idea where his 20-year-old daughter was, but he did say she had been despondent as of late.
In a panic , and the need to have answers, Joann called the local hospital and asked for the Emergency Room.
"Yes, Danielle is here. Since you are not a parent or legal guardian we cannot release any informtion to you."
Kevin was given the news and headed to the hospital. Danielle is okay. She was being checked out and having MRI's done, with a condition that was totally unelated to anything that could be connected to the Facebook posting.
What are the ground rules for posting something the world is privy to reading? In this disconnected world we have found ways to connect in any way possible.
Is there, and should there be, a protocol to follow? A common language or set of rules so we are all on the same page, in the same book?
Take heed. think before you write. What may sound cute to you and another friend may be misconstrued by other readers.
Facebook, like anything else in life, needs some thought put into it. We need to think before we write. How seriously should we take the postings on a friend or loved ones Home Page?
When do we know to act?
We can chalk it up to just fun and games, but if someone had heeded the words written on Facebook last week of Lauren's high school classmate, could he have been helped in time?
Do we listen to the hum of bullets or do we overlook them until it is too late to put them back into the smoking gun?
Facebook, social networking. Type out what you mean, keep your personal jokes that are between you...well, between you and your friend and not on the World's Biggest Bilboard.
With the suicide rate climbing, depression running rampant in this country, let's keep Facebook what is is meant to be...a place to keep in touch and connect with friends, family and people from days-gone-by.
Let's use a little thought before we post words for a loving family or close friends to read.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
An Unexpected Valentine
My oldest daughter Jacki and I worked the Working Women's Survival Show in St. Louis last weekend.
As I entered the Convention Center on Friday morning to check in for my speaking engagement, I encountered Russian comedian, Yakov Smirnoff. I immediately recognized him from the time I watched him perform in Las Vegas 23 years ago!
I introduced myself to him and we talked about humor; the topic that we are both experts on.
Yakov reached on the counter in the office for a show program and he circled the times that I was speaking and we said our "See you later's"; excited at the obvious feeling of synergy.
Later that afternoon I began my presentation, the door creaked open slowly as to not disturb the flow, and in walked Yakov. My newest best friend!
During the course of the speech Yakov and I bantered back and forth; the audience seemed to eat it up. There was something good happening here. This was good entertainment.
The next day Yakov invited Jacki and I to join him and his very charming 18-year-old daugher, Natasha, to join them for a Valentine's Day dinner and the theater.
What an unexpected treat. We encountered a man that the world perceives as merely a comedian, but is so much more than that.
Working with - and coaching - artists, I have found that many times (more times than not), there is so much ego involved that it blocks out any chance to get to know the person under the narcissism.
Jacki and I were blessed to enjoy an evening with one of the most considerate, well-mannered men I have ever encountered; a man who is well-known, yet does not use his bragging rights to pump up his own ego; a man that exudes love and a big heart. A man who teaches about laughter and love - and lives his talk.
What an unexpected treat this Valentine's Day turned out to be!
Ah! What a country!
As I entered the Convention Center on Friday morning to check in for my speaking engagement, I encountered Russian comedian, Yakov Smirnoff. I immediately recognized him from the time I watched him perform in Las Vegas 23 years ago!
I introduced myself to him and we talked about humor; the topic that we are both experts on.
Yakov reached on the counter in the office for a show program and he circled the times that I was speaking and we said our "See you later's"; excited at the obvious feeling of synergy.
Later that afternoon I began my presentation, the door creaked open slowly as to not disturb the flow, and in walked Yakov. My newest best friend!
During the course of the speech Yakov and I bantered back and forth; the audience seemed to eat it up. There was something good happening here. This was good entertainment.
The next day Yakov invited Jacki and I to join him and his very charming 18-year-old daugher, Natasha, to join them for a Valentine's Day dinner and the theater.
What an unexpected treat. We encountered a man that the world perceives as merely a comedian, but is so much more than that.
Working with - and coaching - artists, I have found that many times (more times than not), there is so much ego involved that it blocks out any chance to get to know the person under the narcissism.
Jacki and I were blessed to enjoy an evening with one of the most considerate, well-mannered men I have ever encountered; a man who is well-known, yet does not use his bragging rights to pump up his own ego; a man that exudes love and a big heart. A man who teaches about laughter and love - and lives his talk.
What an unexpected treat this Valentine's Day turned out to be!
Ah! What a country!
Going Through the Insecurity Line at the Airport
I stood in the long line at airport security, awaiting my turn to apologize to all of the people lining up behind me for taking so long to undress, take off my coat,belt,jewelry, shoes; and deposit my cell phone in the bin. I crossed my fingers as I walked gingerly through the rigged doorway, praying that the obnoxious buzzer would not go off.
As I sauntered closer to undress, I was acutely aware for the first time in my life how much our past insecurities come into play in the short time we are standing in line, waiting to see if we pass the test.
I watched in amusement as the gentleman ahead of me grunted and started to sweat as he fumbled with his belt. Next came his shoes, watch; and then his phone came out of his pocket; and his computer was placed in a bin.
I laughed as I commented to this anxious man about how our past comes into play as we try to hurry through the process. I removed my shoes, and in my head I could almost hear one of my brother's saying, "Hurry up! You are slower than molasses!"
I tripped over the hem of my pants and got my shoes deposited in Bin #1. Whew!
"Come on, Sandy! If you don't hurry we are all going to be late for school. It will be all your fault!"
Then, as if in slow motion I remove my jacket, take my phone out of my pocket and retrieve my laptop out of my carry-on; where it has wedged itself haphazardly in the bag and fights with me for control. Bin #2.
I lay the carry-on bag on the moving belt when I hear a gruff voice tell me to put the bag on the belt lenghthwise. "Okay Mother, I am trying my best!"
My purse gets set down on the belt as I watch my personal belongings disappear into the MRI-looking machine, and I pray that all of my treasures come out at the other end intact and accounted for.
As I get through the magic door that tells the world - with a sound so loud that I am sure that the death penalty must be punishment for whatever I forgot to remove -whether I might be a terrorist or not. I start to gather all of my belongings as the person behind me makes me feel like I am the only one who has ever taken THIS long to get through Security.
I am a grown woman. I have traveled all over the world. I can teach - and talk - in front of thousands of people. And yet I get in that security line at the airport; and every time I do I feel like an adolescent that is not capable of doing anything right.
Just a Security check? Oh no! It is so much more than that! It is a check on all of the hidden insecuirites from the past - when we didn't move fast enough,forgot to do exactly as we were told or felt like we had to apologize for, well, everything.
Security? I think there should be a blinking, neon sign that beckons us to get into the 'Insecurity' line. I'd be first in line, no cuts.
As I sauntered closer to undress, I was acutely aware for the first time in my life how much our past insecurities come into play in the short time we are standing in line, waiting to see if we pass the test.
I watched in amusement as the gentleman ahead of me grunted and started to sweat as he fumbled with his belt. Next came his shoes, watch; and then his phone came out of his pocket; and his computer was placed in a bin.
I laughed as I commented to this anxious man about how our past comes into play as we try to hurry through the process. I removed my shoes, and in my head I could almost hear one of my brother's saying, "Hurry up! You are slower than molasses!"
I tripped over the hem of my pants and got my shoes deposited in Bin #1. Whew!
"Come on, Sandy! If you don't hurry we are all going to be late for school. It will be all your fault!"
Then, as if in slow motion I remove my jacket, take my phone out of my pocket and retrieve my laptop out of my carry-on; where it has wedged itself haphazardly in the bag and fights with me for control. Bin #2.
I lay the carry-on bag on the moving belt when I hear a gruff voice tell me to put the bag on the belt lenghthwise. "Okay Mother, I am trying my best!"
My purse gets set down on the belt as I watch my personal belongings disappear into the MRI-looking machine, and I pray that all of my treasures come out at the other end intact and accounted for.
As I get through the magic door that tells the world - with a sound so loud that I am sure that the death penalty must be punishment for whatever I forgot to remove -whether I might be a terrorist or not. I start to gather all of my belongings as the person behind me makes me feel like I am the only one who has ever taken THIS long to get through Security.
I am a grown woman. I have traveled all over the world. I can teach - and talk - in front of thousands of people. And yet I get in that security line at the airport; and every time I do I feel like an adolescent that is not capable of doing anything right.
Just a Security check? Oh no! It is so much more than that! It is a check on all of the hidden insecuirites from the past - when we didn't move fast enough,forgot to do exactly as we were told or felt like we had to apologize for, well, everything.
Security? I think there should be a blinking, neon sign that beckons us to get into the 'Insecurity' line. I'd be first in line, no cuts.
Monday, February 2, 2009
How Clean is my House?
cLast week I got a phone call. The 700 Club was going to be interviewing me!
Well, let me back up a little.
I met a woman who is producer for the 700 Club. She read my book and called to set up an interview. This was last May.
The interview was approved and I have been waiting for a call to set up a time for the taping, and the call came. I waited for them to give me a time and studio for the taping and then I heard the words, "We will be at your house at 9:30 a.m. next Thursday!
At MY house? EEKS!
I think that I keep my house clean. And it looks okay.
But then I started looking at my house through the eyes of a camera lens.
My videos on the shelves were not real neat; the games on the game shelf - well, we played with those and put them back quickly.
The woman on the phone said they would take pictures of me sitting at my desk...Okay, now I have to straighten up my office. It isn't too bad. That's what I thought until I looked at it as the rest of the world would see it. The books shoved on the book shelves; the dust on my desk, the work to be done in baskets on the table. Whew! I am tired already!
What about my hardwood floors in the foyer? Would the footprints show? Should it be more shiny?
My windows? I don't have time to call in a window washer...besides, it is so cold out!
As I walk around my house, the house that felt perfectly comfortable until THAT phone call has become a different place - knowing that I am inviting the whole world into it.
How clean is my house? Let's just say that I thought it was perfect until I look at it through someone else's eyes.
Imagine your house being filmed as it is...can you feel my pain?
Well, let me back up a little.
I met a woman who is producer for the 700 Club. She read my book and called to set up an interview. This was last May.
The interview was approved and I have been waiting for a call to set up a time for the taping, and the call came. I waited for them to give me a time and studio for the taping and then I heard the words, "We will be at your house at 9:30 a.m. next Thursday!
At MY house? EEKS!
I think that I keep my house clean. And it looks okay.
But then I started looking at my house through the eyes of a camera lens.
My videos on the shelves were not real neat; the games on the game shelf - well, we played with those and put them back quickly.
The woman on the phone said they would take pictures of me sitting at my desk...Okay, now I have to straighten up my office. It isn't too bad. That's what I thought until I looked at it as the rest of the world would see it. The books shoved on the book shelves; the dust on my desk, the work to be done in baskets on the table. Whew! I am tired already!
What about my hardwood floors in the foyer? Would the footprints show? Should it be more shiny?
My windows? I don't have time to call in a window washer...besides, it is so cold out!
As I walk around my house, the house that felt perfectly comfortable until THAT phone call has become a different place - knowing that I am inviting the whole world into it.
How clean is my house? Let's just say that I thought it was perfect until I look at it through someone else's eyes.
Imagine your house being filmed as it is...can you feel my pain?
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Daily Surprises
I drove to Borders Bookstore today to look at book covers as I near the end of the writing of another book. Or so I thought that was what I was going there for!
I entered the store and headed for a quick trip to the bathroom and noticed a pleasant looking man sitting comfortably in a chair reading a book about Computers for Dummies.
When I came out of the bathroom I made a comment to this man (Steve, I would soon find out)about my need for a pre-Dummies book on computers. He chuckled and we started to talk.
He told me how he was writing a book; I told him about my latest project. He inquired as to whether or not I would reveal the name of my upcoming book. Of course I would: Breaking the Food Chain: Freedom from Bottomless Hunger.
He asked where I get my information and I told him about my compulsive eating disorder, and he had tears in his eyes. He was shaking his head and pointing his bent finger back at himself.
I began to explain how this book shines the light on food disorders; that have very little to do with eating.
As I continued Steve was shaking his head faster and faster.
When I finished he asked for my card and asked when this book would be available for purchase.
We were exchanging contact information when a man walked up to me and said he was listening and he wanted me to have his card. He was also writing a book and didn't know why, but he was supposed to connect with me.
We stood there in Borders - three strangers that now felt a connection, not knowing why; just knowing that something had happened in that store.
When I got home I signed Steve and Byron up for my monthly newsletter and right away Byron e-mailed me back and told me that his wife is reading the newsletter.
When I walked into Borders I thought I was there to look at book covers; little did I know that there was a bigger plan at work. I can't wait to see how it plays out!
Life's Daily Surprises!
I entered the store and headed for a quick trip to the bathroom and noticed a pleasant looking man sitting comfortably in a chair reading a book about Computers for Dummies.
When I came out of the bathroom I made a comment to this man (Steve, I would soon find out)about my need for a pre-Dummies book on computers. He chuckled and we started to talk.
He told me how he was writing a book; I told him about my latest project. He inquired as to whether or not I would reveal the name of my upcoming book. Of course I would: Breaking the Food Chain: Freedom from Bottomless Hunger.
He asked where I get my information and I told him about my compulsive eating disorder, and he had tears in his eyes. He was shaking his head and pointing his bent finger back at himself.
I began to explain how this book shines the light on food disorders; that have very little to do with eating.
As I continued Steve was shaking his head faster and faster.
When I finished he asked for my card and asked when this book would be available for purchase.
We were exchanging contact information when a man walked up to me and said he was listening and he wanted me to have his card. He was also writing a book and didn't know why, but he was supposed to connect with me.
We stood there in Borders - three strangers that now felt a connection, not knowing why; just knowing that something had happened in that store.
When I got home I signed Steve and Byron up for my monthly newsletter and right away Byron e-mailed me back and told me that his wife is reading the newsletter.
When I walked into Borders I thought I was there to look at book covers; little did I know that there was a bigger plan at work. I can't wait to see how it plays out!
Life's Daily Surprises!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Live moments...with who you can...while you can...
Weekends...we look so forward to them and then ZAP! Before we know it they are gone and Monday comes - way too soon!
This weekend my friends, Bruce and Gail, came to spend some time with me in Nashville. I met these two wonderful people when they were passing through Nashville months ago and a friend wanted us to meet. Thinking it would be a five-minute introduction we agreed to say Hello!
There was an instant connection.
Last Thursday I answered the phone and Bruce was on the other end.
"Sandy, what are you doing this weekend?"
Ah, music to my ears!
So Bruce and Gail spent the weekend at my house.
It was sharing, laughter and eating together. It was bonding in its purest form. It was adding other people to our circle...and laughing and loving them too.
It does not always work out that you get along with both people in a couple, but this was a friendship made in heaven. There is a feeling of mutual admiration, love and fun. To add to the mix they introduced me to their wonderful friend, Robin, and we all felt an instant kinship. To add to the fun Robin and I talked fast and a lot, and at times rivaled the best comedy routines in the comedy clubs.
Gail and I sat on my bed until 2:00 in the morning, growing closer as only 'real' sisters can. When she retreated to bed we were 'pinky swearing' that we would keep in our hearts all that we had shared.
A month ago I met a young man that is a son of a speaker I know. He stayed at my house the night before a flight out of Nashville (he is from Mississippi), and he was in Nashville again this weekend and stopped in and slept in his old bedroom.
Lauren - my charming daughter - came over and added to the house busting at the seams with fun, love and laughter.
Moments - that's all we have...yet we let time pass and forget to savor the moments!
Whoever you are with - cherish them - every touch, each look that is passed between you, every chuckle...tuck this all in your heart!
While you are still able - enjoy the moment, laugh and love - all that you can with everyone you can!
This weekend my friends, Bruce and Gail, came to spend some time with me in Nashville. I met these two wonderful people when they were passing through Nashville months ago and a friend wanted us to meet. Thinking it would be a five-minute introduction we agreed to say Hello!
There was an instant connection.
Last Thursday I answered the phone and Bruce was on the other end.
"Sandy, what are you doing this weekend?"
Ah, music to my ears!
So Bruce and Gail spent the weekend at my house.
It was sharing, laughter and eating together. It was bonding in its purest form. It was adding other people to our circle...and laughing and loving them too.
It does not always work out that you get along with both people in a couple, but this was a friendship made in heaven. There is a feeling of mutual admiration, love and fun. To add to the mix they introduced me to their wonderful friend, Robin, and we all felt an instant kinship. To add to the fun Robin and I talked fast and a lot, and at times rivaled the best comedy routines in the comedy clubs.
Gail and I sat on my bed until 2:00 in the morning, growing closer as only 'real' sisters can. When she retreated to bed we were 'pinky swearing' that we would keep in our hearts all that we had shared.
A month ago I met a young man that is a son of a speaker I know. He stayed at my house the night before a flight out of Nashville (he is from Mississippi), and he was in Nashville again this weekend and stopped in and slept in his old bedroom.
Lauren - my charming daughter - came over and added to the house busting at the seams with fun, love and laughter.
Moments - that's all we have...yet we let time pass and forget to savor the moments!
Whoever you are with - cherish them - every touch, each look that is passed between you, every chuckle...tuck this all in your heart!
While you are still able - enjoy the moment, laugh and love - all that you can with everyone you can!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Yesterday Hope Was Born
I woke up this morning with a light heart. Then I remembered. We inaugurated a new president yesterday.
I am not saying that the outgoing president was not good; I am not saying that I agree with all of the promises of the incoming president.
But there is a change taking place, and there is a feeling of HOPE.
Hope: the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best
As our economy started to go down at a rate of a toboggan heading down an icy Minnesota hill, we allowed our hopes and dreams to slide down with the shrinking numbers on pieces of paper.
It seems you cannot be in a conversation more than ten minutes without anyone talking about foreclosure, job layoffs and rising food costs. Fear has enveloped this country like a coat that people are not willing to take off and hang up on the rack.
Yesterday as we watched the gavel of leadership being passed from one powerful leader to another, words were being spoken among the masses that had been tucked in the archives of dictionaries from by-gone days: proud, grateful, trust, choices, greatness, prosperous, powerful, journey.
Words of a future, words of hope.
You may feel that an era has ended - which it has - and the winds of change that are blowing across this mighty country of ours will be the whirling dervish that envelopes the world in anticipation of better things to come.
Start to pay attention to the sounds and sights of hope: laughter, hugs, playfulness, excitement, promises, enthusiasm and faith.
Faith for things we cannot yet see, but trusting that they will be there; faith that when we take our next step without seeing the staircase, the step will materialize. Faith in taking chances with your dreams, trusting that when you take that giant leap of faith, the net will appear.
Today I woke up with the dream of a day, a year, a life filled with light. And then I realized that the bright light was coming from within.
Let your light shine...dare to hope...it's yours for the taking.
I am not saying that the outgoing president was not good; I am not saying that I agree with all of the promises of the incoming president.
But there is a change taking place, and there is a feeling of HOPE.
Hope: the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best
As our economy started to go down at a rate of a toboggan heading down an icy Minnesota hill, we allowed our hopes and dreams to slide down with the shrinking numbers on pieces of paper.
It seems you cannot be in a conversation more than ten minutes without anyone talking about foreclosure, job layoffs and rising food costs. Fear has enveloped this country like a coat that people are not willing to take off and hang up on the rack.
Yesterday as we watched the gavel of leadership being passed from one powerful leader to another, words were being spoken among the masses that had been tucked in the archives of dictionaries from by-gone days: proud, grateful, trust, choices, greatness, prosperous, powerful, journey.
Words of a future, words of hope.
You may feel that an era has ended - which it has - and the winds of change that are blowing across this mighty country of ours will be the whirling dervish that envelopes the world in anticipation of better things to come.
Start to pay attention to the sounds and sights of hope: laughter, hugs, playfulness, excitement, promises, enthusiasm and faith.
Faith for things we cannot yet see, but trusting that they will be there; faith that when we take our next step without seeing the staircase, the step will materialize. Faith in taking chances with your dreams, trusting that when you take that giant leap of faith, the net will appear.
Today I woke up with the dream of a day, a year, a life filled with light. And then I realized that the bright light was coming from within.
Let your light shine...dare to hope...it's yours for the taking.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Laugh at Anything You can
Happy National Chocolate Mint Day!
I had two of my three daughters, Jacki and Lauren, with me in Nashville for the weekend. Jacki drove from St. Louis with her girlfriend, Karen, who happened to have a birthday while she was here. Lauren lives in Tennessee, about 30 minutes from where I live.
Sometimes life get so busy and we forget to laugh and have fun. And then we get together with the people that bring out the giggles in us and we remember how good it feels.
And this was one of these times.
We headed to downtown Nashville on Saturday night to enjoy some of the amazing music the city offers. For those who have not experienced this city I encourage you to make this a priority.
The talent in the city is incredible, but along with the tunes comes the spirit of fun and enjoying life: the laughter, the sunging, the dancing, the feeling of enjoying life when the world is struggling.
We walked along Broadway – the main street in Nashville that visitors frequent – and walked into the places that had loud, fun music blaring through the open doors. As soon as we walked into the establishments of music and celebration our feet started moving, heads started bobbing and it was not long before we were on the dance floor. The dance floor being anywhere we could move our body between the tables. We felt alive and were ready to enjoy that fact!
As we neared Paradise Park – a replica of a trailer park, complete with plastic chairs and old tires lying around - we looked in the open windows to check out the activity when some guys invited us in – through the big, low open windows. Without thinking Jacki, Karen and Lauren grabbed their hands and crawled in through the open cavity in the wall. It was only a few seconds before the bouncer, a has-been from his WWF days - ran over to escort them to the front door to have their ID’s checked.
“We do have doors, you know. That’s what they are for!”
After that the laughter continued for the remainder of the night. This was not a catastrophe but a story to be told and retold, always culminating in bales of laughter.
People come to Nashville for the music and stay for the fun and the laughter.
The dancing continued, the giggling never stopped and a good time was had by all.
Nashville, Los Angeles, Olive Branch, Wheaton, Elgin…wherever you live is the place to chuckle and have fun. Don’t wait until you get older, make more money, have nicer clothes or less stress. That day will never come. There will always be something more to strive for.
Make a conscious decision today that you are going to laugh at everything you can today. Laugh at the little things. Laugh at mishaps. Just laugh.
And watch the whole world laugh with you!
I had two of my three daughters, Jacki and Lauren, with me in Nashville for the weekend. Jacki drove from St. Louis with her girlfriend, Karen, who happened to have a birthday while she was here. Lauren lives in Tennessee, about 30 minutes from where I live.
Sometimes life get so busy and we forget to laugh and have fun. And then we get together with the people that bring out the giggles in us and we remember how good it feels.
And this was one of these times.
We headed to downtown Nashville on Saturday night to enjoy some of the amazing music the city offers. For those who have not experienced this city I encourage you to make this a priority.
The talent in the city is incredible, but along with the tunes comes the spirit of fun and enjoying life: the laughter, the sunging, the dancing, the feeling of enjoying life when the world is struggling.
We walked along Broadway – the main street in Nashville that visitors frequent – and walked into the places that had loud, fun music blaring through the open doors. As soon as we walked into the establishments of music and celebration our feet started moving, heads started bobbing and it was not long before we were on the dance floor. The dance floor being anywhere we could move our body between the tables. We felt alive and were ready to enjoy that fact!
As we neared Paradise Park – a replica of a trailer park, complete with plastic chairs and old tires lying around - we looked in the open windows to check out the activity when some guys invited us in – through the big, low open windows. Without thinking Jacki, Karen and Lauren grabbed their hands and crawled in through the open cavity in the wall. It was only a few seconds before the bouncer, a has-been from his WWF days - ran over to escort them to the front door to have their ID’s checked.
“We do have doors, you know. That’s what they are for!”
After that the laughter continued for the remainder of the night. This was not a catastrophe but a story to be told and retold, always culminating in bales of laughter.
People come to Nashville for the music and stay for the fun and the laughter.
The dancing continued, the giggling never stopped and a good time was had by all.
Nashville, Los Angeles, Olive Branch, Wheaton, Elgin…wherever you live is the place to chuckle and have fun. Don’t wait until you get older, make more money, have nicer clothes or less stress. That day will never come. There will always be something more to strive for.
Make a conscious decision today that you are going to laugh at everything you can today. Laugh at the little things. Laugh at mishaps. Just laugh.
And watch the whole world laugh with you!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Weight a minute, Oprah!
You would have to be living under a rock if you don't know that Oprah's weight has escalated again. I have heard people ask again and again, "Why doesn't she just quit eating?"
"She has so much money - she can afford cooks, personal trainers and counselors."
As a recovering over eater, compulsive over eater, I know what it is like to have a relationship with food.
Let's give Oprah a break. Let's look at the good that she is doing for the world: Habitat for Humanity, her schools for girls in Africa and all of the numerous charities that we never hear about.
Oprah...food - her drug of choice. OR, Oprah...a lover of humanity.
It seems that the more we focus on food the more that we gorge ourselves. The more we focus on the outside world - the less we focus on the inside world.
Oprah, give yourself a pat on the back!
To everyone who reads this: Focus on the good that you are doing in your life. Watch the Oprah show and listen to her words and change the world right along with her.
When you hear someone berate Oprah for her weight gain, change their focus: don't even make a comment on her weight, start singing her praises for her heart...her HUGE heart that she shares with the world!
"She has so much money - she can afford cooks, personal trainers and counselors."
As a recovering over eater, compulsive over eater, I know what it is like to have a relationship with food.
Let's give Oprah a break. Let's look at the good that she is doing for the world: Habitat for Humanity, her schools for girls in Africa and all of the numerous charities that we never hear about.
Oprah...food - her drug of choice. OR, Oprah...a lover of humanity.
It seems that the more we focus on food the more that we gorge ourselves. The more we focus on the outside world - the less we focus on the inside world.
Oprah, give yourself a pat on the back!
To everyone who reads this: Focus on the good that you are doing in your life. Watch the Oprah show and listen to her words and change the world right along with her.
When you hear someone berate Oprah for her weight gain, change their focus: don't even make a comment on her weight, start singing her praises for her heart...her HUGE heart that she shares with the world!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
So how was YOUR New Years's Eve?!!
After the hangovers subside and the last of the beer bottles are picked up, people will recant the evening they spent saying - or is it slurring? - good-bye to a year grown old, and welcome in new stories in the numbers of 2009.
My New Years Eve was fun...quiet by most people's standards, but just the way I needed it to be.
I went out with my dear friend, Vance, and his sister, Marcia, who drove to Nashville to join in the festivities. We met up with some of his co-workers who I also happen to love spending time with, and we went to a bar with 80's music. I just knew that it was going to be a good night when the bouncer at the door carded me! I even had Vance take a picture of that! That hasn't happened for...well, anyway, that was a great start!
After being hit on by a young man, we headed downtown to our favorite hangout. What a nice surprise - my friend, Daniel, was up on the stage playing the guitar and rocking the place. We sat at the table closest to the stage and sang and laughed and watched the hmm! crazy people, getting more out-of-control by the minute. I just knew that I never looked like they did when I was younger and drank a lot...I was a much more mature drinker!
A young girl was standing by our table and as I started singing - quite loudly - with everyone else to the song, "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue' she kept trying to get me to dance. My instinct not to dance with her proved to be a good one as she leaned down by our table and proceeded to get rid of her breakfast...and lunch...and dinner... on the floor and on Marcia's pant legs...poor Marcia! Then I noticed that I was wearing a meal and a half on my pants!
After we cleaned up, Vance joined in with his own story as a young couple danced by the table, knocked into it or maybe just lost their balance as they tried to prop each other up, and left Vance sitting in his chair with a lapful of beer...someone else's drink conveniently set on our table.
We laughed some more and decided the fun was over. We had watched the ball drop an hour earlier and decided to call it a night. When we were walking back to the car we passed a middle aged gentleman who obviously could not find a restroom and was watering the frozen flowers in a planter in a very public area. From the length of time he stood there he must have thought the flowers were really thirsty!
As Vance drove toward my house to drop me off we laughed uncontrollably as we recanted the whole evening, and it was soon apparent to all of us that we had a great time with great stories.
As we turned onto my street the sweetest vision greeted me. Someone - I have NO idea who - had decorated my mailbox with fun Silly String and had a Happy New Year hat perched on top of the mailbox pole. I jumped out of the vehicle and immediately got my camera out, took a picture, and turned to Vance and Marcia in the car and said, "Someone likes me; they really like me!"
With that I went in to the house with a big smile on my face and plopped on the bed. What to other people could seem like a boring night was to me a evening filled with one story after another, and no hangover.
So...how was YOUR New Years Eve?
My New Years Eve was fun...quiet by most people's standards, but just the way I needed it to be.
I went out with my dear friend, Vance, and his sister, Marcia, who drove to Nashville to join in the festivities. We met up with some of his co-workers who I also happen to love spending time with, and we went to a bar with 80's music. I just knew that it was going to be a good night when the bouncer at the door carded me! I even had Vance take a picture of that! That hasn't happened for...well, anyway, that was a great start!
After being hit on by a young man, we headed downtown to our favorite hangout. What a nice surprise - my friend, Daniel, was up on the stage playing the guitar and rocking the place. We sat at the table closest to the stage and sang and laughed and watched the hmm! crazy people, getting more out-of-control by the minute. I just knew that I never looked like they did when I was younger and drank a lot...I was a much more mature drinker!
A young girl was standing by our table and as I started singing - quite loudly - with everyone else to the song, "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue' she kept trying to get me to dance. My instinct not to dance with her proved to be a good one as she leaned down by our table and proceeded to get rid of her breakfast...and lunch...and dinner... on the floor and on Marcia's pant legs...poor Marcia! Then I noticed that I was wearing a meal and a half on my pants!
After we cleaned up, Vance joined in with his own story as a young couple danced by the table, knocked into it or maybe just lost their balance as they tried to prop each other up, and left Vance sitting in his chair with a lapful of beer...someone else's drink conveniently set on our table.
We laughed some more and decided the fun was over. We had watched the ball drop an hour earlier and decided to call it a night. When we were walking back to the car we passed a middle aged gentleman who obviously could not find a restroom and was watering the frozen flowers in a planter in a very public area. From the length of time he stood there he must have thought the flowers were really thirsty!
As Vance drove toward my house to drop me off we laughed uncontrollably as we recanted the whole evening, and it was soon apparent to all of us that we had a great time with great stories.
As we turned onto my street the sweetest vision greeted me. Someone - I have NO idea who - had decorated my mailbox with fun Silly String and had a Happy New Year hat perched on top of the mailbox pole. I jumped out of the vehicle and immediately got my camera out, took a picture, and turned to Vance and Marcia in the car and said, "Someone likes me; they really like me!"
With that I went in to the house with a big smile on my face and plopped on the bed. What to other people could seem like a boring night was to me a evening filled with one story after another, and no hangover.
So...how was YOUR New Years Eve?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
