An Important Message

I received this in an e-mail and opened it today. It really made an impression on me because of the message. I hope you'll take the time to read it. Posting it here is my way of sending it on.

"Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living. One night I took a fare at 2:30 am, when I arrived to collect, the building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window. Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once. But, I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door. This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself. So I walked to the door and knocked. "Just a minute", answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor. After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 80's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase.

The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware. "Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness. "It's nothing", I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated". "Oh, you're such a good boy", she said.

When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, and then asked, "Could you drive through downtown?" "It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly. "Oh, I don't mind," she said "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice". I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. "I don't have any family left," she continued. "The doctor says I don't have very long." I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. "What route would you like me to take?" I asked. For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing. As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, "I' m tired. Let's go now".

We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair. "How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse. "Nothing," I said "You have to make a living," she answered. "There are other passengers," I responded. Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly. "You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said. "Thank you."I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life. We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, ~BUT~ THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL. You won't get any big surprise in 10 days if you send this to ten people. But, you might help make the world a little kinder and more compassionate by sending it on."

Thank you, my friend...Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance. Please continue to pray for our troops and their families.

2008 So Far. . .

We're a week into 2008 and I've already taken action toward my New Year's resolution-I've gone back to Bulldog! Bulldog is the gym I joined almost four years ago. Back then I became a "regular" and I was in the gym 7 days a week, lifting weights and doing a minimum of 60 minutes of cardio exercise a day. I felt great, dropped 2 sizes and even developed a butt, not an easy task for someone who's genetically programmed to not have one. For a variety of reasons, I fell into a pattern of going on a hit-and-miss basis, then eventually I quit going altogether. Once I stopped exercising, the pounds just kept multiplying until I couldn't stand it anymore. In March of 2007, I decided I'd had enough and began a diet that has produced a 55-pound weight loss so far. I would like to lose another 30 to 40 pounds but realized that I needed help so I've added weight-training and cardio back into my life. I've also accepted the fact that losing the weight is the easy part; keeping it off is the real challenge. I plan to do so by exercising and developing more lean muscle to help keep my metabolism going. The motto at Bulldog is, "The only way to abuse your body by not using it". . .I love that!

Today as I sat at work and watched the winter sunset through the window in my office, another thought came to me. In February my husband and I will celebrate our third wedding anniversary. The reason the winter sunset brought that memory to me is because I watched the same type of sunsets through the same window right after we'd set a wedding date and that's how I chose the colors I used in my wedding. Seeing those colors in the sky once again made me feel happy inside because of the good memories of my wedding. I wish everyone could experience the kind of happiness I feel on a daily basis.

If anyone actually reads this blog, please feel free to comment. I would love to hear your New Year's resolutions or happy winter memories you have.

Please continue to pray for our troops and their families. God bless everyone!

Happy 2008!

Today is the last day of 2007. In fact, we only have a few hours left! I hope it was a good year for everyone. I also hope that whatever you didn't achieve in 2007 will be achieved in 2008.

Every year I wonder what will be different at this time next year. Whatever happens in the coming year, I'm sure I'll be able to handle both the good and the bad.

I wish everyone lots of happiness, success and contentment.

Please continue to pray for our troops and their families. God bless everyone!

Another New Year

It's been a long time since I've been able to write anything. For whatever reason, words escaped me and the stress I felt completely went against the relaxation I normally feel while I'm writing. I thought I give it a try again tonight to see what happens.

Tomorrow will be New Year's Eve and I'm already wondering about what changes will take place in the coming year. 2007 was overall a pretty good year. Candie survived her first test as a military wife, the deployment of Thomas to Iraq. She grew into quite a strong woman, but then she comes from a long line of strong, independent women. It seems to be a trait that comes from my mother's side of the family. Thomas returned to her in October and it was a joyous time in her life. I'm proud of my son-in-law and daughter. I hope 2008 will see their love and marriage grow stronger with every passing day.

During this year I also gathered up all the willpower I possess and began a new diet and exercise regimen which resulted in a 55-pound weight loss. Part of my success comes from the fact that, rather than being driven by appearance, my motivation came from the desire to be the healthiest I can be. I've also accepted the fact that losing the weight is the easy part; maintaining my ideal weight will be harder. However, I'm up to the challenge and I can honestly say I'm happiest when I'm exercising on a daily basis, whether I'm lifting weights or walking.

In September, the entire family rejoiced over the birth of my niece's son, Daniel. Daniel is my mother's first great grandson. My sister is now a grandmother! I have become "Aunt Grandma".

There were heartaches this year, too. My friend, Doug, lost his son in August and his sorrow is still overwhelming at times. If I could, I'd take away his sadness. I pray that he will experience a little relief in the coming year. Also, my father-in-law, Albert, passed away after a short battle with cancer. I didn't get to spend as much time with Albert as I would have liked, but I'm very thankful that he and my husband reconciled shortly before Albert's passing.

Overall, it's been a good year filled with a little sorrow, laughter, good times and growing friendships. I'm grateful for the new friends I've made, the new level of friendship I have with friends I've known and the health and happiness of my family. I pray that 2008 will be a good year for everyone I know. I thank God for the gift of such a wonderful, happy life.

God bless our troops and their families. Ease their pain at being separated from their loved ones and bring them all home safe.

Let's Say Thanks

Let's Say Thanks

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season! My son-in-law is home from Iraq with my daughter and I'm very grateful for that. However, I am having a difficult time remembering that there are so many of our troops still overseas. I've been sending postcards to our troops through the "Let's Say Thanks" web page. I've included a link here for you to follow. Please consider doing this as many times as you'd like. In fact, I have it saved it to my "Favorites" and go to it often. It won't cost you anything but the time it takes to type your name, city and message!

Please continue to pray for our troops and their families, especially now during the Christmas season.

The Fall Season - Once Again!

Now that the time has officially changed from my beloved daylight savings time to standard time, fall is officially upon us. I love the spring and summer months because of the activity and anticipation of new adventures. However, this fall has already brought some interesting changes in my life.

First was the arrival of Thomas from Iraq. Candie, and many other Army families, had been anxiously awaiting the return of their loved ones, almost since their deployment in August 2006. Then midway through the deployment came word that the deployment had been extended. I was proud to see my daughter recover from her disappointment and continue to be a source of encouragement and comfort to her husband, Thomas. Now that he has finally returned they will be able to live and love as a married couple again. It's a reminder to me that she is a grown, independent woman now.

The other change in my life was one that I'd thought about as a vague possibility someday, but was totally unprepared for. This past Halloween was the first since 1975 that I was not out trick-or-treating with one of my children! Not that my youngest didn't trick-or-treat, she just went with her friends and one of their moms. It was her first move toward independence from me. I must admit, this development left me with mixed emotions! I often joke with my younger kids, telling them that when I had them, they'd promised not to grow up but they did anyway. My poor husband tried his best to comfort me, but I was beyond being consoled. So, in order to fill the evening, we attended the vigil mass for All Saints Day then went to Target. Life, it seems, goes on and we either sink or swim with each life-changing moment. Personally, I've always chosen to swim so next year will probably dress-up in some sort of costume and hand out candy.

Please continue to pray for our troops and their families. They need extra prayers now that the holidays are close at hand.

Prayers Answered & Birthday Weekend

First I must start out by saying that the Lord has answered my prayers and brought my son-in-law home from Iraq, safe and sound. He called me yesterday morning a few hours after he landed in Hawaii. It was wonderful to hear his voice and he was so happy to be home with Candie.

They will now have the chance to be a normal married couple for a while, which they deserve. Candie has been a good military wife, loyal and full of love and support for her husband while he was deployed. It was hard on her and I can't even begin to imagine how she mustered up the inner strength. I'm proud of her and the woman she has become.

Thomas also made a huge sacrifice in leaving his beautiful bride and their home together to serve his country. He is everything I hoped for in a son-in-law and I'm so proud to have him in my family. I have prayed many hours for them and know that they will be blessed with a wonderful marriage and a loving home.

Also, this was my birthday weekend and having Thomas arrive safely was the best gift I could have received. My sweet husband sent me to Hawaii to spend some time with Candie earlier this month, so this has probably been one of the best birthdays of my life.

Please continue to pray for our troops and their families. God bless everyone especially Thomas and Candie.