Love and Kindness

Wise Moms

Edited and updated May 12, 2019.

Backstory

This week’s musings are about your mother and the place you held in her heart. It’s all in how you look at it. This may present some new perspectives.

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Wise Moms – #499

There is a time in life when your mom is not so smart. It’s the age when you know much more than she does. She is so out of it; and you are so cool . . . except for that one time that she was right. Or was it two times . . . or maybe three.

Then the years fly by and your mom somehow gets magically wiser. As you progress to the stage of a young mother yourself, you understand for the first time what your mom was all about. So she wasn’t trying to stifle you . . . she wanted to protect you. She didn’t want to make your life a living hell . . . she just wanted your room cleaned.

And know that when she is no longer here on earth with you, your mom will still linger – in your heart, your words and deeds. You’ll find yourself saying something she said . . . or voicing the exact same cautions that she did. You’ll cry at the same kind of movie. Memories of what you shared will make you smile – or laugh out loud.

You see, a mother isn’t just on hand until you’re 18, or until you’re through college or until you marry. A mother is forever. Treasure yours while she is here and remember her when she’s gone, for she is never far away. Her love and her teachings still guide you.

When you need her, you’ll feel her essence, her warmth, her glow. You don’t have to be able to see her. You can feel her in your soul.

Thanks to all the mothers remembered with love.

P.S.

We like to repeat this show at this time of year, as a reminder of the role mothers play, forever.

[Show #499]

Giving and Getting Help

Backstory

There was a time when I was overwhelmed with responsibility. The stress was showing – and fellow Rotarians stepped in and provided help that made a difference and kept me sane. It taught me several things. I’d like to share them with you today.

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Giving and Getting Help – #263

There are times in life when we are called on to do things that are difficult. They seem to come in threes, these times of challenge. And when they occur, they seem to define us wholly.

Instead of being a multi-faceted human being, we start to think that we are nothing more than the care giver, the mother figure, the easily disposable employee.

So many people are struggling today. It is very possible that you may be called on to give help, jump in, provide a safety net or a soft place to land. It’s also possible that you become the one who needs help.

When suddenly called on to take a difficult new role, it’s important to keep your perspective. You are the same person as before the challenge occurred. You may feel overwhelmed at the beginning. But you can figure things out. You always have.

It’s said that God never calls on us to do more than we can. Pray for strength if that’s where you get spiritual courage.

Be willing to ask for help yourself if it gets to be too much. Look around and you may find willing, loving helpers in places you would not imagine. Speak out and let the help come forward.

You CAN make it through these times. Easy? No. Doable? Yes.

God bless you.

P.S.

A friend told a story about noticing that the lady at the muffin stand, where she stopped each morning for years, did not look or sound good that day. She took time off from work to get the vendor to a doctor – and saved her life. Who knew that a customer would go to those lengths of caring? Selfless help is all around but people must KNOW there is a need. Be willing to step up when you feel that things are not right. Be willing to ask for help when you need it. Test human kindness. You may be delighted with what you discover.

[Show #263]

Be There

(Edited 3-24-19)

Backstory

Remember the days when “Party” was a call to arms? All aboard, and the louder the music, the better. Then we kind of settle down. Favorite get-togethers involve smaller crowds, family; people whose company we enjoy. After that comes the time when you may decide not to accept every invitation. It gets involved to get ready, arrange to get there, attend and get back. If you’re tempted to skip it, consider this.

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Be There – #603

Recently, I told you about the surprise birthday party in my honor. It lasted one afternoon. But the aftermath is what I want to share with you, because that event had a life of its own. It was like seeing a movie that keeps repeating in your head.

For weeks, I went to sleep remembering a vignette or a conversation or a hug shared that afternoon. I knew the memories of that day would be with me forever.

But the good part is that it gets to play over and over WITH OTHER PEOPLE as well. Every time I get together with a friend who was there, or a relative who helped plan or run the event, the warm rush of affection happens all over again. I hear what THEY took away; entirely different from what I did.

So the gift provided by the folks who planned and attended that surprise party did NOT fill just one afternoon. It became another story that is part of my life. How precious!

So I have a suggestion for you. If you are invited to a surprise party . . . or any such event . . . GO! Make the time, go out of your way to get there. Does it matter if you are in the crowd? Yes, it does.

You are giving the gift of time and sharing, to someone you care for, who no doubt loves you in return. The scope of the gift you provide by your attendance is immeasurable. It will pleasure the person honored with happy memories and provide stories to tell, for years to come. Don’t miss it. Be there.

P.S.

I just got one of those printed books that pile together all the photos posted on your Facebook page for the past year. Being someone who always forgets to take photos, I was delighted to see all those that others had posted on my page. What an easy, simple way to keep the memories of all those special events that were important enough to share with friends.

[Show #603]

Hodgepodge of Stamps

(Edited 3-10-19)

Backstory

Learn something new every day. It’s advice I try to follow. Sometimes it leads to unexpected or colorful new knowledge. That’s what happened here. A discovery led me to explore something I would normally take for granted. My curious nature always “wants to know the story.” This time it led me to stamps.

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Hodgepodge of Stamps – #192

When an elderly relative passed on, I was helping sort through her belongings. Someone gave me a box of stamps to inventory.

There was a treasure of stamps worth 15 cents and 23 cents and 10 cents . . . a nickel . . . even 1 cent. There were dozens of different designs and colors, each a miniature masterpiece of graphic art.

Some stamps had no denomination on them. The United States Post Office website has a place that shows how to determine their value.

That led me to the new FOREVER stamps. You purchase them at the going rate and they retain their value, even if mail rates go up in the future.

I also found that you can have customized stamps created, bearing your own image or message. How cool is that?

I asked who from the family wanted the box of lick-able old stamps. After all, they have a monetary value. But no one wanted to play with small denomination stamps that were not self-sticking. They invited me to keep them.

Well friends and relatives have been fascinated receiving my correspondence and cards with as many as ten different stamps on the envelope. I let them decide for themselves why the conglomeration. It sure has become a conversation piece.

P.S.

The U.S. Postal Service will release new stamps this year in honor of military working dogs. Four designs feature a German shepherd, Labrador retriever, Belgian Malinois and Dutch shepherd. The illustrations are in red, white, blue and gold to represent the American flag and patriotism. Also later this year, watch for stamps featuring a painting of tennis champion Maureen Connolly Brinker, designs from artist Ellsworth Kelly and engines from the Transcontinental Railroad,

[Show #192]

Cabin Fever

(Edited 3-3-19)

Backstory

Today’s story could refer to January of this year and the Polar Vortex. The Northeast became a dangerous frozen tundra. Morbid cold demanded staying indoors, often for days. Particularly challenging if the kids were cooped up too.

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Cabin Fever – #534

Remember back to the really harsh winter? If you were anywhere in the Northeast, you had snow, snow and more snow, And extended cold like you had not experienced in decades. First it was pretty, then dangerous, then annoying, then downright nasty.

It was hard to get anywhere. You did best to stay indoors and not cause problems for yourself and others by being out on the roads.

Schools were closed, offices were locked up, retailers were shuttered, grocery stores were out of milk, bread, beer and TP.

And the big result, at one time or another, was CABIN FEVER! Think back to how you dealt with it, and let me know. We’ll do a show about beating cabin fever, so you’ll have the tools, when the next nasty winter rolls along.

One option for a lucky few was to jump on a plane and fly to a warm spot.

Folks with a winter home in Florida got plenty of company during that winter, and were no doubt delighted to provide a temporary escape for friends and family from up north.

But most people had to tough it out, right there at home, shoveling driveways, contending with slow-downs and fighting cabin fever.

So remember, share how YOU addressed cabin fever that winter. How did you keep spirits up and bodies entertained. And listen in for a report before the blustery beast hits again this year.

P.S.

Friends and relatives in New Jersey had experiences that probably helped them avoid cabin fever last January. They made it through weeks without power in the storm known as Sandy. That was in October 2012.

[Show #534]

Snow Birds

Backstory

It takes a lot of planning and logistics to leave your primary residence for two or three months and live elsewhere – even if the elsewhere offers warm breezes and sunlit skies. It was a big decision to make and here’s the dilemma that we faced.

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Snow Birds – #187

This year, we wintered in Florida. We left our permanent residence behind and rented someone else’s home for the two coldest months of the year. The sun shown daily and the dress of the day was shirtsleeves. It was wonderful.

I’m still trying to come to terms with becoming part of the great exodus southward. They call us snow birds.

Actually, it’s the natural things to do, just as the birds do. It makes sense to remove your body from the environment where it will shiver and ache as the cold wind blows.

And yet I felt that I had abandoned my place in life by taking the easy way out. Perhaps I would have been made stronger or smarter or more resilient if I stayed in my snow-swept home.

Would Valentine’s Day have been more romantic up here? Would the St. Patrick’s Day beer have been greener?

To my neighbors and friend back here, I apologize for not donning my boots and wool-lined gloves, For never scrapping ice from my windshield.

For not being able to join in the myriad of complaints about the road conditions and the salting crews and the electrical lines down.

But you know what? Next year . . . I’m heading south again!

P.S.

We’ve wintered in St Augustine, Tampa and The Villages. Looks like we’ll experience Sarasota next. What is your favorite Florida winter get away site?

[Show #187]

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