No Greater Love Than a Wanted Child - A Daughter

I wish I had words to describe my love and admiration for my daughter. I try -- but come up short. I have watched her survive great trauma in her young life and she never complains. She was a little girl when her father was in a serious car accident, leaving him disabled. She did everything she could to help me, encourage me and make me laugh. She was strong and a wealth of support for her mom. She has lost friends to cancer and suicide but is always the first one to console those around her.  She has lost much and endured immeasurable pain.  She is always first to offer a helping hand.  She lost her brother when he chose to walk away from our family seven years ago and broke our hearts.

Her dad and I were told we would never have children.  After 14 long, difficult years of waiting, we had our baby girl -- and now she is a mom. 

My daughter on the left.  Her daughter on the right.

Does Your Dog Talk to You? If Not.....Why Not?

Any dog owner will tell you that anyone can learn the language of DOG very quickly.  All you have to do is learn to listen. They enunciate clearly.  Having that type of relationship with your fur friend is also difficult because you always know when it is time for them to cross the Rainbow Bridge.  I believe they prepare us for their final good-bye.  

We have rescued more than two dozen dogs over the course of many years and it is never easy to say good-bye.  It doesn't matter if they were with us for a couple of years or close to twenty.  I dread the day each time as I realize it is getting closer.   But I will never allow my dogs to suffer by keeping them alive for my selfish reasons.  My dogs talk to me and if you are prepared to listen then you will be able to talk to them as well.

Rescue dogs make the best pets.  They communicate their appreciation of being rescued in a variety of ways.  Mostly you see it in their eyes but their actions speak louder than any human words.  Their constant need to have you in their sight or touching you while they sleep are a couple of ways they let you know how much they love you.  

Do You Have Health for Your Time Tomorrow?

I live in a world of miracles.  Every.  Single. Day.  Do you have any idea what that feels like?







Now many of you will nod and agree that life, in itself, is a daily miracle.  But I am one of those fortunate people who gets to experience outstanding miracles on a regular basis.  I get to be the recipient of hugs and I mean, really big tight hugs....when I have been able to give someone hope who has lost hope.

I am a health coach.  I have been one for thirty-five years.  I am also a symptomologist.  A WHAT?  I assess a client's symptoms and determine what nutrients they are missing in their diet that is causing distress.  So what in the world does that mean?

TAKE TIME FOR YOUR HEALTH TODAY

SO.......

YOU HAVE HEALTH FOR YOUR TIME TOMORROW

The Circle of Life is Simple and Complex

Ever notice that people say "Spring is Here!"  They also may say, "So glad winter is over!" and "Autumn is my favorite time of year."  I believe we often relate to the seasons of our lives in the same way.  Spring brings new birth after the dark days of winter.  The autumn of our lives is that time when we are slowing down but still enjoying the effects of summer, that exciting fun time of our lives.

Beautiful garden all around...and no WORK!

I especially enjoyed spring this year.  I have attempted to take a few moments each day to relax on the deck with a tall drink -- watching the dogs roll in the grass and raising their heads to smell the airwaves. It has been many years since I have had a yard allowing me to do this.  I KNOW! What did I ever do to deserve that?  The fruit trees are starting to sprout buds.  The berry bushes are bursting with new growth.  I have no clue what lurks beneath the topsoil but waiting with great anticipation.

Why Is It Taking So Long To Get There?

Many of us have read The Station by Robert J. Hastings at some point in our lives.  I have read it numerous times over the years.  It never gets old or dated.  It is always a fresh message.  It always bears repeating.  It is unadulterated truth.  Read it.  Think about it.  Pass it on.

Tucked away in our subconscious is an idyllic vision.  We see ourselves on a long trip that spans the continent.  We are traveling by train.  Out the windows we drink in the passing scene of cars on nearby highways, of children waving at a crossing, of cattle grazing on a distant hillside, of smoke pouring from a power plant, of row upon row of corn and wheat, of flatlands and valleys, of mountains and rolling hillsides, of city skylines and village halls.

Is It True that Time Heals All Wounds?

Who is the one person in your life you never thought would walk away....and then they did?  How did you handle it?  

That was the question posed to me for this month's writing challenge.  Immediately, a flood of emotions and memories almost overcame me.  

 Does time heal all wounds?  

These scars can be reopened by triggers and often are unexpected.  Birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, a memory, a person from the past can all trigger the emotion that is still raw - no matter how much time has passed.  This creates a feeling of hopelessness - knowing there is nothing you can do to change it.

Have You Considered a Cruise to the Bahamas?

Two days before heading to the Bahamas, the ferries leaving our coast were canceled due to bad weather.  It was our only means to get to the airport and I was definitely concerned.  The next day there was a window of escape, and we rushed to the mainland to spend the night at the airport.  

If you have ever been to a conference of any description, you usually have great anticipations of gaining knowledge and having fun.  I have been to a few writers' conferences and thought I knew what to expect.  I was elated when the Seymour Agency's Winter Escape Cruise far exceeded my expectations.  The editors, film producers, publishers, and other representatives promised to make this cruise a significant one.  It did not disappoint.

It was my first cruise and considering I don't tolerate temperatures above 70 degrees very well, I was concerned.  It was confirmed many times that I would need a sweater to handle the AC in the meeting rooms.  What a waste of suitcase space.  I was uncomfortably hot from the moment I landed in Miami until I got home. 

Be What You Want Your Kids to Be

A story worth remembering and thinking about......  

A successful businessman was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business.  Instead of choosing one of his directors or his children, he decided to do something different and called all the young executives in his company together.

He said "It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO.  I have decided to choose one of you."  The young executives were shocked as the boss continued.  "I am going to give each one of you a seed today.  This is one very SPECIAL seed.  I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from this seed.  I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO."

Jim, one of the executives, went home and excitedly told his wife the story.  Together they got the pot, compost and soil to plant the seed.  Every day, he watered it and watched it closely to see the progress.