Friendship Thursday 10

This weeks friend is Stephanie. Stephanie and I met on a travel assignment in 1999. We became instant friends. She has been my off and on New Years Eve buddy for the past 12 years. We spent New Years in NYC for the Millenium and I can't imagine doing that with anyone else. We did Key West in 2011. The only one we haven't done is Vegas (Stephs fav place). Maybe someday.

Stephanie is one of the smartest nurses I know. She went back to school in her 30s to get a masters degree in nursing so she could be an educator. She sure has taught me a few things over the years and I am sure she is an amazing educator for the ICU she works for in Detroit. If you ever want to learn something about nursing or just want to have a day of fun and laughter, call on Stephanie. She is always good for those things.

"Approach the New Year with resolve to find the opportunities hidden in each new day. "
~Michael Josephson

It sure has been fun to approach new years with Stephanie. We have both found opportunities in it I believe. May you find a friend so dear to spend New Years Eve with or any other day for that matter.

        Now Go Out and Hug a Friend Today
 

Why People Like the Clown

This is a story I have shared in the past, but felt like resharing it in case some of you have not heard it. Or in case you just wanted to hear it again :0). It is 100% true and happened to dear old me.

 

A friend of mine in England stumbled upon a short story/poem in her local library. And when I say stumbled, I mean literally... she was walking down an aisle of books when one fell off the shelf and landed on the ground in front of her opened. She decided to look at the page before putting the book back and below is the story that was opened to her. She knows I am a clown and found it interesting, so she sent it to me via email. Little did she know that I had an AMAZING clown experience just a week earlier that makes the story that much better!

 

Why People Like the Clown

 

“Why do people like me?” asks the clown, “Is it because I make them laugh?”

“They enjoy laughing, certainly,” says his friend.

“Or is it my colourful clothes, large shoes and big smile?”

“They enjoy those too.”

“But you don't think they’re the real reason?”

His friend pauses- and then speaks.

“The real reason why people like you is this: you always get up.”

“How do you mean?”

“Whatever crisis has occurred, however hard you’ve been knocked over or sent tumbling, you always get up! With you the story’s never over. Whatever the disaster, the story gets up and goes on.”

“I suppose that’s right-”

“More than the funny man, you’re the resurrection man. And if it’s true for you, it might be true for me as well. That’s why we like the clown.”

From One Minute Mystic by Simon Parke

  This is a young orphan in Russia who laughed at me while I threw snow on myself. Not exactly the same as getting back up after falling, but it seemed a little appropriate since this child has surely been knocked down his life a few times and he got up and laughed in spite of it all :0).

In the infamous words of Paul Harvey, and NOW for the rest of the story... The short version of my coinciding clown experience is... A GI doc, who I had started to develop a bond with at work, died in a car crash.  A crash that his wife and kids were in, but survived. I went to visit his family and two sons ages 6 and 8 just to say hi and let them know how much their dad meant to me. The 8 year old was born with Cerebral Palsy. With my connections to Easter Seals and knowing other kids with this infliction, I felt a bond with him immediately. His 6 year old brother was adorable as well!  I had brought clown noses and balloons just in case :0)... well, I sensed these kids were ready to play and oh was I right. We played and laughed and giggled for almost two hours. At one point, the 8 year old kicked a big red ball at me and knocked me over... AND he LAUGHED AND LAUGHED! So, I got back up.. a few seconds later he kicked the ball again and knocked me over again AND he LAUGHED AND LAUGHED... so, I got back up... this went on for about 5 rounds of knocking over and laughing... So, clowns do get back up :0)... and kids get back up too!!           Now Get Up and Go Out and Hug Someone Today

Life Obstacles

I just saw a video of a young man who went blind at 2 due to cancer. He started skateboarding at 10 and continues today. His name is Tommy Carroll. The short video sure is inspiring and a nice reminder that my obstacles are relatively easy to overcome.  Color blindness is a lot easier to overcome than true blindness :0).

You can see the video at www.2guysphoto.com or at www.bebravebesafe.com

We all have obstacles to overcome, no denying that. Some of ours are greater than others, but I feel every obstacle is just another life challenge that can be overcome. Tommy thinks so too. So, what are your obtacles? Which ones have you overcome and which ones do you still need to overcome? And what do you want from it all? It is up to you to make it what you want. Good luck.

There were a few obstacles to getting this photo taken, but none compared to Tommy's obstacles.


"There's always a way to overcome any obstacle if you want it enough." ~Tommy Carroll


                      Now Go Out and Hug Someone Today


 

Friendship Thursday 9

This weeks friend is Andy Emeritz. I lovingly call him Chicken. Last year we went to Beslan together and had the best time ever. He showed up at the airport dressed as a chicken and I was dressed as a clown of course. We gave ourselves the moniker "Clown and Chicken". Not to rip off the cartoon "Cow and Chicken", but it does have a ring to it. We are not nearly as vulgar as "Cow and Chicken". We are lovable and goofy and we go together like bacon and eggs, peas and carrots, peanut butter and jelly, and a plethora of other pairs.

Andy is a wonderful friend and man. He loves those kids in Russia more than anyone I know. Also he is currently doing his student teaching in Harlem, simultaneously obtaining his masters degree so he can continue to teach underprivileged kids in Harlem. He JUMPS out of bed at 530 am every day now so he can do this. This is a guy who used to love sleeping in til late morning. But those kids mean that much to him and he loves what he is doing! Those kids are blessed to have someone like Chicken on their side, as am I!

                                           He makes for a lovely chicken doesn't he?! :0)

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” ~ William Arthur Ward

Andy is a GREAT teacher!

              Now Go Out and Hug a Teacher Today
 

Celebrate

Yesterday I went to a wedding luncheon. It was fun to celebrate a union of two lovely people. There are other reasons to celebrate of course... birthdays, holidays, pancake days, and really any other kind of day you want to make up. And a good way to celebrate is to add kids. Kids make any celebration more funner! There were about 25 kids at the luncheon and I swear every kid was cute! Is that even possible? It sure seems like it is. I hope you and your friends and family find reasons to celebrate as often as you can!

"The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate." ~Oprah


                    Now Go Out and Hug Someone Today




 

Friendship Thursday 8

Friends, what are friends? To me, a friend is someone you can laugh with, cry with, talk with, and have no judgement thrust upon you. A friend will do practically anything for you and visa versa. I have a lot of friends like that, but one friend that encompasses ALL of those traits AND more is my friend Karen. We have been friends for 30 years and she has always treated me the same, no matter how silly I got or no matter what dumb thing I may have done at any given time. My wish for all of you out there is that you have at least one friend in  your life like Karen. Your life is surely richer for it, as mine is.

        

         "When you face a crisis, you know who your true friends are."  ~Magic Johnson

Let's all wish Karen a Happy Birthday too.  Jan. 21st.

     
           Now Go Out and Hug a Friend Today

Life Without Limbs

A friend of mine sent me the following video. It is 9 minutes long, but even if you just watch the first 2 minutes you will understand why I am sharing it! What an amazing role model the young man is in the video! If you have 9 minutes free, I suggest watching the whole video if you can.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50138905n

It is people like this that get me thinking about my own abilities. I have some great abilities, in spite of my own "missing limbs". No, I am not missing arms or legs, but I have short comeings just like anyone and you do too! It is undeniable. BUT, we all have great abilities within us. Why not focus on those and share them with everyone! That is what I am going to try and do from now on.


              Now Go Out and Hug Someone Today

 

You're Beautiful

Below is a video sent to me by a friend. Johns Hopkins put the video together with the help of some patients, staff and clowns. I thought it was worthy to share. If you have 3 minutes, it will make you smile gauranteed. If it doesn't, have someone check your cranial nerve #7 AKA Facial nerve.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w75xWhtQ3Lk


It also got me to thinking about two other songs that I enjoy. Christina Aguilera's Beautiful....

"You're beautiful
No matter what they say
Words can't bring you down"

So true, don't ever let words bring you down! Words should be uplifting!

Like in James Blunt's song  You're Beautiful...

"You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true."

A lot of people are beautiful. I met a few today at work in the hearts of children. I am sure to meet many many more. You can too if you look for the beauty. Trust me, it IS there almost everytime.

Do you see it? I sure do.  Look really close, these kids are some of the most beautiful in the world!

"Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it." ~Confucius

"Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart." ~Kahlil Gibran


                    Now Go Out and Hug Someone Today


 

Friendship Thursday 7

This week's friend is Reverend Ed "Hopey" Conklin. I met Hopey in Russia at summer camp in 2003. He was there as a clown and he was in my family. Hopey is an amazing wonderful clown who brings smiles and warmth to everyone he meets and touches. It is interesting to me to think of him as a reverend AND a clown. He volunteered as a preacher at his local hospital up until last year. He also clowned at the same hospital twice a month until last year. Health has forced him to "retire" from his volunteering. The hospital will surely miss him, I do know that. Oh, did I mention Hopey is in his 90s! Yes, he traveled to Russia and did clown trips and summer camps well into his 80s. Volunteered into his 90s. I sure hope I have enough energy to do what he has done if I am around that long. Thanks for the inspiration Hopey!



             Now Go Out and Hug a Friend Today

Let the journey continue...

2 Guys Photo (www.2guysphoto.wordpress.com) posted a quote... "The longest journey of any person is the journey inward." I like it. Our whole life is a journey inward in my opinion, which is why it is the longest. I also like Aerosmith's quote "Life's a journey not a destination." Brilliant!

Well, my journey continues this week as I start work with the kiddos. A plethora of emotions have gone thru me this past week and will continue I am sure. All part of the journey. No matter what happens, my journey sure has been fun, eventful and fulfilling... may that continue on... How do you feel your journey has gone? Is going? Will it change? I wish you all the best in whatever journey you are on.

 

Is your journey full of colors and mysteries?

 

 

                                                            Or long and winding?

Or perhaps it is both. Whatever the journey is, enjoy it for what it is. After all.....
It is YOUR journey!

        
        Now Go Out and Hug Someone on Your Journey

Thank God For Kids

Thank God For Kids... "If it weren't for kids have you ever thought... there wouldn't be no Santa Claus, or look what the stork just brought, thank God for kids." A beautiful song by the Oak Ridge Boys. Check it out.

I must say I agree with the Oak Ridge Boys 100%. Kids make the world so much more special with their innocence and honesty and caring. I went thru orientation at Primary Children's Medical Center (PCMC) on Weds and heard two amazing stories. I will share them now.

The first one is about a ten year old boy.... his mom went into early labor and her premature baby had to be care flighted to PCMC. The team of health care providers did everything they possibly could to help the baby survive, but to no avail. A week later the hospital received a letter from the ten year old. He made a drawing of the hospital, helicopter, and people. At the top in big bold letters he wrote
         
                                               " THANKS FOR TRYING"

How special is that. He lost a baby sister and he had  the insight to let the hospital know that he and his family appreciated their efforts, even when it wasn't successful! God love him.

The second one is about an 8 year old boy. One day he showed up at the volunteer office with a bucket of rocks. The volunteer lady thanked him, but had a bit of a confused look on her face. He noticed that and said "look, when you pour water on them they become shiny! I thought some kids here might like that."

Wow, a true gift from the heart AND a lesson to learn too! Just because something or someone looks dirty or dull, doesn't mean they can't shine with a little love and care.

 

 

Thank God for kids, there's magic for a while
A special kind of sunshine in a smile
Do you ever stop to think or wonder why
The nearest thing to heaven is a child

As I embark on my career at Primary Children's I will keep these stories and images in mind. If I ever start to whine about my job, someone PLEASE hit me upside the head, or just give me a gentle reminder that KIDS ARE SPECIAL.

                Now Go Out and Hug a Kid Today
 

Frienship Thursday 6

This weeks friend is Susan Yim... I call her Suse... her family calls her Fran... not sure why?
Susan is singlehandedly the most inspirational person I know. AND that is saying something as I know a lot of inspirational people. The short version of Suse's story is.... she had a massive stroke when she was 23. In the 30 plus years since then, she has gone on to earn a masters degree in MOLECULAR BIOLOGY! She reads Scientific Magazine for FUN! She has skiied, gone sky diving, traveled the world, canoed in Belize, works full time, lives on her own and much much more. All of this without being able to physically do things we take for granted like walk, talk, get dressed on our own, etc. So, if you ever think you are having a challenging day, just think of Suse and know you have it fairly easy.

Oh, did I mention Suse is a Sun Goddess AND she is one of the 3 funniest people I know! Not bad for a self proclaimed NERD! Ha Ha.

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” ~ Hellen Keller

             Now Go Out and Hug a Friend Today