remembering

Looking Back

Backstory

To celebrate a special birthday, family and friends prepared a video about my life. I wanted to tell you about it. It may show how some ideas for Consider This came about. May I have that privilege?

Looking Back

Hey, I’m back to that surprise party again – the one they gave me on my birthday. What a delight it was to be in the company of so many who cared enough to come out and spend an afternoon with me.

My son Michael put together a video about my life – much of which was a surprise to some. Friends from the old days didn’t know about this radio show. Grand-kids were amazed to hear about my life before they came along. As the video wound through the years in photos, it was humbling to see so many opportunities presented and accepted.

New friends didn’t know I came from coal country in Northeast Pennsylvania and decided on my career path at age 7. That’s when my first story was published. Then there were the 30 years I lived in New Jersey, where we raised our 3.7 children.

The video mentioned my travel to Caribbean islands and Germany and Poland and the number of times to Hawaii.

It covered my 20-year career, first in association management and then as a keynote speaker, facilitator, and consultant. I worked with more than 200 different organizations.

Few of the 62-people watching the video had been part of my whole, long and bumpy life. But my sister Karyn had been there, and she told the story with affection, adding whimsy and color to the broad strokes. I am so grateful for the attention and the interest, and the love.

P.S. What aspects of your past would you like to be known?

[Show #604]

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Mom’s Butterfly

Backstory

In my family, my late mother’s “signature” is a butterfly. We believe it shows her presence among us – like when that beautiful creature flew past my mom’s great-granddaughter, just as she was saying her wedding vows. Here’s another story of her presence.

Mom’s Butterfly

I watched a beautiful butterfly the other day and felt that my mother was so close. She loved butterflies, especially Monarchs. I can’t help but feel her presence when I see one. Have you ever had that experience?

My mom meant so much to me that in traumatic situations, I can’t keep from talking to her, even though she is no longer here, and trying to hear what her advice would be.

One time, I received a call that my pregnant daughter had been rushed to the hospital. She and the baby were both in distress.

I had a six-hour drive to where she was. All during the drive I listened so hard to hear my mom. Why wasn’t I remembering what she would say to comfort me, guide me, help me along this painful drive?

I got to the hospital well after dark. As I ran to the lobby door, a Monarch butterfly flew by.

“Oh mom,” I cried, “all this time I was wanting you, you were already here, watching over your granddaughter and great-granddaughter.”

I looked again – but the beautiful butterfly was gone.

Then it occurred to me – When is the last time you’ve seen a butterfly at night? They’re not out at night.

But mothers are. Mothers are wherever you need them; whyever you cry out to them. They come on the wings of butterflies – or is it – on the wings of love.

P.S.

If anything was ever connected to magic moments, it is mothers. Leaving this world does not seem to change our connection with the one who gave us birth. Whether you hear yourself sounding like your mother, remember her fondly, or laugh out loud as you recall adventures together, your mom is yours, forever.

[Show #330]

Creating Memories

Backstory

My daughters and I were laughing about a party held at our big New Jersey home decades ago, when they were still small. It was hilarious to hear their take on the party from their aspect, as a young child on the side-lines.

Click to listen or follow below to read.

Creating Memories – #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.

We celebrated my mom’s 75^th birthday some 20 years ago, and family members are still posting photos, remembering the laughs and memories it conjured up. We plan to put those photos together into a book. Of course, we have planned that, for twenty years now.

[Show #603]