Goodbye Ol Friend

Theo and his hands free phone, Ha Ha Ha. He is funny!!!



 

It is with great sadness I write this post. My dear friend Theo died on Dec. 18th. Not only was he a dear friend, but he was my absolute favorite clown in the world! And for those of you who know me, know that is saying something. I know quite a few clowns and a lot of wonderful clowns too! But Theo is my favorite because he covers all bases of a clown. His comedic timing is top notch. He can read any comic situation in a flash and feed off it. He always makes the other person with him look like the star! That is not easy, but he does it with everyone... seasoned clowns, newbies, kids and adults. On top of all that he always knows when to pull back the reigns and just BE. Give the person he is with some time, or some encouragement, or just BE there to love whoever is in his presence. That is one special talent let me tell you!

Theo and a friend at his local hospital.

I was fortunate enough to meet Theo in Russia in 2000. We instantly became freinds, as he does with many people I am sure. We have stayed in touch over the years via email and Christmas greetings. We periodically would meet up to see each other and clown together in Russia, usually at a summer camp. One summer we were the heads of the Elephant Family! Every other Family Group had a mama and papa and one English speaking Head and one Russian speaking Head. Not us! And we loved it! Neither of us spoke Russian. We took turns being the Mama, but the truth is he made a better Mama AND a better Papa! It was non stop laughter that summer for sure.

Theo and his adorable granddaughter! Man did she love him!!

I was also fortunate enough to meet up with Theo in his home town of Heerhugowaard, Holland! I went this past April... took me long enough! And just in time too. He was recovering from surgery for bladder cancer and doing well at the time. So well in fact that we actually got to clown in a hospital in Holland! What a real treat that was for me. To clown with Theo anywhere is a treat.. to clown with him in a hospital is a treat.... but to clown with him in a hospital in Holland where he was treated for cancer, was MAGICAL!!! There is no other word to explain it and I will treasure and hold onto that memory for a lifetime. It should get me throught the rough days ahead.

Theo and Friends gathering around the nurse's station where he was treated. That day he was the clown!

And no matter how rough it may be for me over the next weeks and months as I grieve and say goodbye to my freind... it will be even harder for his family. So keep them in your prayers please. I was also so happy I got to meet his entire family in Holland. I had met his daughter in Russia, but not his sons and wife. They are all such lovely people which did not surprise me in the least.

Theo being "rescued". Sadly, they could not rescue him from cancer!

Theo and his grandson. They sure did love to play together!!!



I want to leave you with a quote that was shared with me by a friend recently. Timing is everything eh?! This quote speaks volumes I feel and I imagine Theo would fit the bill nicely if he lived in the 17th centruy.

"The arrival of a good clown into a village does more for its health than 20 donkeys laden with drugs."      Thomas Sydenham, Seventeenth-century British physician.

Theo is 6th from the left. I am on the end to the left. We said goodbye to Lake Seliger that night. Tonight I say goodbye to my dear 'ol friend! May he find rest and PEACE!!!

         Now Go Out and Hug a Friend Today!!!
                            
 

Kids at a Crossroads

GeGe and "her" kids!!!

                                                                   

I have a friend who has an aunt who runs a non profit in Peru. It is called Kids at a Crossroads and I believe in their mission 100%. GeGe is doing everything she possibly can to help these children be educated and possibly get out of poverty. She works tirelessly year round to help these children!

Learning to Read and Write

                                                             

Now the holidays are upon us and she likes to give "her"  kids some Christmas cheer. Wont  you help? For just 5 dollars she can provide a toy, cup of hot chocolate, and a Christmas cake to these kids... not to mention all the SMILES!!!!

Look at that SMILE

                                                                                

   Now I know people who spend hundreds of dollars on their own kids and family. That is great. Holidays are for families! But I want to encourage each of you to take this time and think about what else is important to YOU and your family and kids. Take this time to educate your kids about other people/kids who are LESS FORTUNEate! Maybe spend just 5 dollars less on your own family and use it as a springboard for education of the world. I am just saying :0).

   If you can't donate or don't want to donate to something in another country, then do something on a local level! There are kids EVERYWHERE who need some kind of help, a boost of cheer, a hug or whatever!

 So please go to the link below and learn more and help if you can. Again, if you can't help I feel the very least you can do for these children is to share this link with your friends who might be able to help. I know you ALL have Facebook :0).

 

http://kids-at-the-crossroads.org/
 

http://kids-at-the-crossroads.org/christmas-cheer.html
 

http://files.ctctcdn.com/7e02f96f401/d09223e2-f317-4caf-9d09-674c90f440f8.pdf
 

           Now Go Out and Hug a Child Today!!!

You win some, You learn some

Pogo cellos. Mine looks a little bit different :0)

You win some, You learn some. My friend Danny Donuts said that to me this weekend as we made a few mistakes building my pogo cello. I had never heard that saying before. I am sure it has been used some, but I just had never heard it. And I must say... I like it!!

This is Danny risking "losing" by capturing a flag. He LEARNED it wasn't a flag, but a marker placed there on purpose. And he never fell in the lake, so all is well.

 

Personally I don't mind "losing" at something or even being told I lost or I am a loser at something. Losing is part of life and that is how we LEARN. However, by changing the wording around from You win some, You lose some... to You win some, You learn some implies you never really and truly lose. When you get something wrong or you "lose", then actually what you are doing is LEARNING! Interesting eh?

I like that wording a lot, especially with kids. Kids don't always understand the meanings of words like lose or loser and can mistake them for negativity. So by changing the wording to Learn some, it just might encourage more kids, and even some adults, to try a lot of different things without the fear of losing! It puts a positive spin on life. And you all know how I like to be positive! Whenever you play now, or try to make something, or just do a chore... then you can look at it as having 2 possible outcomes. Either you will win, which everyone likes to win! Or you can learn something. Again, everyone likes to learn, right?!

So, I am going to adapt that motto from now on so I am not afraid to do different things or try new stuff, etc. I will either win or I will learn, which really means no matter what I will WIN!


Now Go Out and Hug Someone Today!!!

I want his gig

I can't believe I have never heard of this man. Raffi! I have never heard his music either, and that dumbfounds me. As much as I love music and children, you would think someone would have told me about him? Nope. Anyway, he sounds like a generous, incredible, talented man. I would LOVE to have his job! Not that I don't like my job, but just check out the faces of the kids in the video! They are priceless! And read the article/interview below. A man with integrity and morals and doing life right, in my opinion! I applaud you Raffi! Now go out and spread the word.

https://www.yahoo.com/parenting/raffi-on-his-new-album-video-and-continued-090025016.html

I just LOVE the faces and reactions of the kids in the video below. Oh to get that kind of reaction from kids, golden! I recommend watching some other videos by Raffi if you have the time. The kids are adorable in every one of them!! Enjoy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oacQL7UQtlk


Now Go Out and Hug a Musician Today!!!

The French Connection

My friend Nigel runs a yoga retreat in the south of France. I met him in 2000 and every summer I told him I was coming to his retreat. But something else would inevitably come up and I didn't make it. Finally, I sold my condo in NH and had the money with no excuses. So I booked my trip a year in advance :0). And I am oh so glad I did!

                                                                   

Entrance to Nigel's place

I hadn't seen Nigel in 15 years, but it felt as if no time had passed. We had kept in touch with emails and Christmas greetings. I was still amazed at how comfortable it felt to be in his presence. I imagine it is like that with him and a lot of people!

Nigel enjoying a cup of coffee

The retreat was exactly what I expected and more! La Roane (pronounced La-RO-awn) is a peaceful, beautiful, serene hamlet to spend time in. I highly recommend it. Even though it is a hamlet, only Nigel lives there now apparently.

We started our mornings off with some fun exercises with Nigel. He is fun and playful even in the mornings. It was a mix of slow motion stretches, laughter yoga, and spiritual en"light"enment. We did one exercise where we imagined holding a large ball of light and then running that light up and down from our heads to our toes. It truly felt energizing, even if it might have just been my great imagination.

Morning yoga

After exercises we ate breakfast. Then we divided into 2 groups. One group did yoga and the other took a cooking class for vegetarian cooking. In the evenings the groups reversed. Enzo was our chef extraordinaire, and what a delight he was! To me he looked like a cross between Robert Downey Jr. and Danny Devito. Charming and sultry, with fun animated facial expressions. It was so much fun to watch and learn from him. He not only taught us about cooking, but about history of food. For instance he will not cook quinoa (keen-wa) because of political reasons. Apparently the people in Bolivia, where quinoa originated, have to pay outrageously high prices for it because it is exported at a high price. Gotta love a French speaking Italian who lives with passion!

                                                 

Enzo and his animation

Whatever the cooking class made in the morning, we ate for lunch. Whatever the class made in the afternoon we ate for dinner. The food was abundant and delicious! Pumpkin soup, eggplant parmesan, apple tarts, and much much more! Enzo says "the really good chefs use their hands a lot and "feel" all of the textures in the food. It is very sensual and that is what makes the food so good".

                                                                     

Sensual preparations

Between lunch and dinner we had 2 to 3 hours to ourselves. You could relax by the pool to read, nap or go for a walk or a bike ride. One afternoon my friend Nikki (who joined me on the trip) and I went on a bike ride.... through the south of France!! Now how many people can say that? Ha Ha.

Not a bad place for a bike ride

We also went for a few hikes around the area. La Roane is about  0.5 miles from the gorge. We walked around with amazing vista views, with the Aveyron River below and St. Antonin as well. St. Antonin is a semi famous medieval village that has an incredible Sunday market. Made a little more famous by the movie "The Hundred Foot Journey". Cute movie if you are looking for something to watch on a rainy, lazy day.




St. Antonin as viewed from the edge of the gorge. 

We went on a couple of excursions as well. Picnics by the river, and a trip to St. Antonin on market Sunday. We went to St. Antonin on Friday for an hour also, and the disparity from Friday to Sunday was incredible! Few people on Friday, to wall to wall people on Sunday! So much fun to see the difference and feel the energy of a Sunday afternoon there.

Friday

Sunday Market

The whole experience was wonderful. We met some incredibly interesting people as well. An opera singer, a writer for a wine magazine, computer genuises, artists, wiley Welsh women who travel the world solo, silly British men who travel all over to ski, and much much more.

Nikki and I stayed a couple of days after everyone left and got to enjoy Nigel's company when he didn't have guest to attend to. What a treat! We were giving a nice tour of the area, with castles on hillsides, walks thru small medieval villages, and we had coffee with some friends of his who live in an 11th century castle! Coffee was served with gold spoons. Not gold plated, but GOLD. We almost felt like royalty. Nigel has a way of making people feel that way! Thank You Nigel!

There is always so much more to tell than what I can put on paper, so you will just have to go see it all yourself if you can.  www.nigelshamash.com

Now Go Out and Hug Someone!!!

What CAN you Do?

What a stunning image eh? Well, check out the video to see the creativity used to make it! You might not believe it!

What CAN you do? what a great question with the emphasis on CAN! Below is an article and a 4 minute video shared with me by my brother Todd. It is SOOOOO worth the 4 minutes!

http://no-way.dailymegabyte.com/i-was-blown-image-really-was/

The man in the article is told that a lot of people wish they could do what he can do. So he asks the question "What CAN  you do?". I love that attitude. There are a lot of things that other people can do, but I can't. But there are a lot of things I can do that others can't. The point is to focus on the things YOU CAN do, and not things that others do that you can't or anything that you can't for that matter.

You all know my friend Susan. She has limitations, so there are plenty of things she can't do, but there are so many more things that she CAN do and she does them to fullest of her ABILITIES!!

Susan can't walk, but she CAN swim! 

I have said it before. We ALL have disabilities! Some are just more visible than others. AND we ALL have abilities! Some are just more visible than others. Use your ABILITIES in the best way you know how and all will be well.

I feel this is the perfect post as I hit the road on Friday to go to camp. Camp always teaches me so many things! It teaches me about my own abilities. It teaches me to never underestimate someone else's abilities. It teaches me patience... with others AND with myself. Yes, sometimes I need to have patience with myself as I get antsy to do certain things I am just not capable of. But I keep on learning. I hope you continue to learn about your own abilities and patience!

So tell ME... WHAT CAN YOU DO???

Now Go Out and Hug Someone, I know most of you CAN!!!

Mothers are special

She LOVED her grandkids!

My mother was as special as they come! Even in her last few days, as she was actively dying, she gave ME gifts of comfort. Grab a drink, maybe some tissues and read on to see what I mean.


Timing is everything they say. My mom had great timing, especially in the end. I am not sure if you can truly time your own death, but it sure seemed like my mom did it! First she waited til I got home from a wonderful trip to Russia and Holland. She was doing well when I left, so I didn't think she would have died while I was gone, but you never know. When I got back to America my brother had called to tell me she wasn't doing well. I drove home on Sunday April 19th. She was not doing well, but still coherent and could eat and drink and talk to me.


Over the next few days we had some beautiful moments together. On Monday I just sat next to her holding her hand. She looked at me with such LOVING eyes and a sweet smile. She said "I am so happy you are here. I love you so much".  I know my mother loved me throughout my life, but at that very moment I felt ALL the intensity a love can show. Her look burned in my soul that day and it will be there forever. I can never thank her enough for that gift!


My mom giggled and laughed quite a bit the last few days of her life. That really did my soul some good. My mom loved to laugh, but didn't seem to have laughed as much in the past year or so that I could remember. So to see her giggle and be at peace was wonderful. She would giggle at almost anything. She giggled at herself too. She would say something confusing, then say "I am a little confused aren't I?" and then giggle about it. She knows I love to hear people laugh and especially giggle, so I am sure it was just one of many gifts she would give to me.

Nathan, Barb, Kelly and Natalie. What a fun night full of laughs!

On Tuesday she seemed a little more confused than normal. She recognized me as I sat in front of her holding her hand some more. All of sudden she stared into space. Her eyes were wide open, but she wasn't looking at me. She was looking "beyond" me... as she did, this is what she said... "Oh, hi mommy hi daddy. Yes, I can see you. Oh I love you 2 so much! Hi daddy, oh I love you daddy, you were always my buddy. Oh you look so beautiful I want to come be with you. (pause).. Ok, I'll wait." after a couple of seconds she continued "Oh, hi Jesus, Praise Jesus. Thank you for forgiving me Jesus. I love you Jesus!". Her parents died many years ago.


Those may not be her exact words, but trust me when I say it was extremely close to that word for word! It was powerful for me to witness that and again just another gift my mom gave me I feel. I knew at that moment she was going to go be with her parents AND she was HAPPY about it. She wanted to go! She had suffered long enough on this earth and it was time to go. BUT, she also controlled her timing as she told her parents "Ok, I'll wait".


Wait for what you may ask? Well, Weds. was my brother's birthday. We certainly didn't want her to die on that day if possible. She waited til the day after his birthday! Also, she died on Apr. 23rd... the same day my pappa died 14 years ago!! Maybe she was waiting for both things?


On the day of her death, the "magic" continued. She was gradually getting more and more tired and confused. At 9 am I got her to the toilet to go to the bathroom. She could barely stand or respond to me. But she made it to the bed side toilet and did her business IN the toilet. Then I helped her back to her chair.


The Hospice nurse came at 1020 and she wasn't responding. Her breathing was easy and regular, she just didn't wake up. The hospice nurse offered to send someone out to be with me/us for the "last" 24 hrs. I refused, and I am glad I did. It was a moment to be shared alone with family and friends.


At noon, she hadn't changed much from 1030, but something told me she might not last much longer. So luckily I called my brother at work and told him he might want to come home. He got permission from his boss and got home at 1:25 PM. If he hadn't left work early, he would have been home around 2:45. She died at 2:25!


I also called her sister Shirley who was in town. She and my Uncle Tommy got there around 1 pm. It was very special to have them there as well.


My friend Karen had texted earlier to ask if I needed anything. I asked her if she could bring some bottled water over, not knowing the timing of it all of course.


So, with my Aunt and Uncle at her side. My brother Todd at her side. My friend Karen at her side, and I behind her wrapping my arms around her chest. She had her last moments on earth. And it got even better!!


After I called my brother and Aunt earlier, I got my mom's bible and placed it on her lap with her hand on it. It is a beautiful bible that she had been reading the past 6 months. She hadn't read the bible in years til then. Her sister Starla gave it to her as a gift, so I am sure that prompted her to read it. But I also know my mom has always had a strong faith and she probably felt this was the time to start reading again! Timing!!

My mom reading her bible. March 23rd, before I left for Russia. 

As she started having some irregular breathing, I sensed the time was getting close. So out of nowhere I just started reading the bible to her. She had 2 bookmarks in it. One for our neighbor Kathy's favorite verse and one for her sister Starla's favorite verse. Our Uncle Tommy had told me his favorite verse has always been Psalm 23.


So, I read Kathy's favorite verse to my mom. It was Proverbs 3:5-6. It talks about Trusting in the Lord. After reading it, I kissed her on the cheek and told her that was from Kathy. Kathy has been a huge help and dear friend the past few years. So I know that made my mom feel loved and happy. She took a couple of more steady breaths...

My mom and her sister Starla

Then I read Starla's favorite verse to her. It was Psalm 121. It talks about help from the Lord. After reading that verse, I kissed her on the cheek and told her that was from Aunt Starla. Again, I know that made her smile inside and feel loved and happy. She took a couple of more steady breaths...


Then I read Psalm 23. It is probably the most well known verse in the bible. It is the one that says "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil" and so on... Well I got down to the last sentence, which I am not even sure I had ever noticed... but it reads...

"And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever"

I swear as God is my witness, as soon as I said the word forever my mom took ONE more deep breath and that was it. She died in that moment!

Now Go Out and Hug a Mother Today!!!

Part 3, Love

The other Arnella. She gave the BEST hug!!

To me there is nothing more warm and endearing than a great hug from a friend. A hug from a child is also extra special! The children of Russia hug openly and freely. I like that! I can't count the number of hugs I received in Russia, but EVERY single one of them was welcomed and full of LOVE!! The 6 year olds in Russia hug  you like they will never see you again. The teens hug you like you are family and very dear to them. Boys and girls hug alike. Men and women grab a hold. The world definitely needs more huggers and love in general.

My dear sweet Anya just oozes the essence of love in my opinion. She is wise beyond her 22 years. We had great conversations about life, meanings, love and more as we held hands and just enjoyed the presence of each other. When she was 8 we bonded! That bond is unbreakable, just like love! I love her as much as I love any other being on earth, and the thought of her and the way she shares herself and thoughts with others is so heartwarming!

Anya with Vika's grandpa. He is a sweet dear man!

At "camp" the English kids showed love to the orphans thru play. They also hid Chocolate Easter eggs for the orphans as a show of love I feel. The orphans in turn helped the English kids with their "homework". Journals they had to write in Russian. In essence, the orphans became teachers and that is a form of love really!

In Beslan I met a beautiful young lady named Arnella. She came on the last day to watch our show. I don't know if she is part of the school? A friend of a friend? I should have asked. Anyway, she has a radiant smile and contagious laugh. We talked for a few minutes, took some fun photos, and hugged. I could just feel the LOVE she sends out to the world! And I am sure she does it without even knowing it!!

The teachers of Beslan

The teachers of Beslan exhibit more love and ways to love than anyone else I know. They have suffered great loss and tragedy in their lives, yet they love unconditionally and continously. Guiding children AND clowns thru life and it's meanings. Everyone should be blessed with the love I feel from them and the children of Beslan!

Love can never be overstated or overused in my humble opinion. Love is boundless! Love triumphs over anything! It can not be extinguished, even by the cruelest of hateful acts! Love is ever growing and we must spread it freely!

Now Go Out and Hug Someone Lovingly Today!!

Part 2, Play

Playing Evolution

This may be the longest post of the week. I do more playing in Russia than anything else. It starts as soon as we arrive. Well, actually it starts when I get to the airport in America. I dress as a clown or atleast a pseudo clown when I travel to Russia. Reactions in an airport are always amusing. Kids tend to smile, giggle and interact with me. Adults will usually do a double take. Fight attendants always smile, although I am never sure if they are happy or thinking "not another clown on our flight". I HAVE taken a few photos with flight attendants over the years, usually with them wearing a nose, so I presume they are happy to see me. If not, they fake it well.

Flight attendant to Beslan

In Paris we had a 3 hr layover. Our luggage had a 17 hour layover, but that is a whole other story. It did arrive in Moscow in time for us to take it to Beslan, so no worries! Maybe it wanted to see the Eiffel Tower while in Paris?

Anyway... in Paris I roamed around the airport a bit. As I walked thru the terminal I heard music from a piano. Then I saw a beautiful young lady dancing ALONE. What a travesty. I casually sauntered over to her and "mirror" danced with her a bit. There was a railing between us. She followed my dance to the end of the railing and we joined hands and danced for reals for a few minutes. It ended in a lot of twirling and I, in true clown fashion, spun away dizzily and kept on walking as the music had stopped. The young lady smiled and waved as I continued my journey and some of the waiting passengers gave us a well deserved round of applause. I felt it was well deserved anyway. She was an elogant dancer after all.

In Russia we are happily greeted as we come thru customs. Then we drive to Maria's dacha where Elya is always ready to play. Elya is Maria's 6 year old daughter, and even though she plays with a lot of clowns while I am there, I still feel like I am HER CLOWN!

Elya in her Easter Dress

Traveling from Moscow to Beslan, in clown WITH other clowns now, is always full of play. One guy named Aslan gestured for my juggling balls and proceeded to juggle FOR ME! He had a huge bright smile and I felt as if we were instant friends. When we returned a week later to fly home, Aslan was still at the airport and called me by name.

Aslan juggling

In Beslan the fun continues with HUNDREDS of kids waiting our arrival! I am supposed to "teach"a master class when I go, but that just never seems to happen really. This year I brought balloons and was going to "teach" the kids how to make a sabachka (dog). I had a couple of teenage interpreters, but things got lost in translation I guess. By the first few minutes there were 50 kids running around the room laughing, playing, making a lot of noise with the unmade balloons! I guess they need the release :0). Halfway thru the "class" one of the head teachers, who is my friend, came in and her eyes got really big. She just rolled her eyes and gave a smile and a shrug. I never know if the teachers are truly OK with the way my classes go, or if they are just tolerant of me :0). The kids and I always have fun though, so I try to block any negative thoughts. Next year however, I will not bring balloons :0).

As I walk thru the school halls I hear echoing calls of "Cheep, Cheep, Cheep". Russians have a hard time pronouncing the short "i" sound, so my name comes out with the long eeeee. Cheeeeep. I love it! The big phenomena of this trip was The Selfie! I used to not like selfies, and still don't like my own.. but when the kids run up to you and say "Selfie?" with phone in hand, it is hard to resist. I must have been in about 200 selfies and enjoyed each and every one of them. Mostly because of the smiles it produced for the kids! It is always all about the kids and I will do almost anything for their laughter and smiles. As Garth Brooks and Billy Joel sang I am Shameless!

One of the best Selfies!

The weather in Beslan was perfect! 65 and sunny the whole week! Except the last day, when it SNOWED! I kid you not! I thought that was perfect actually. As most of you know, I LOVE the snow. And this was a "warm" fluffy snow, perfect to play in.

We went to the cemetery on our way to the airport. We go every year to bring flowers to the victims of the seige. It is moving and emotional every time. The 2 times I had been there I have cried many buckets of tears! I don't know if it was the snow or what, but this time I felt like playing. It dawned on me that I never got to play with these children who were killed for no reason. I decided then and there that I wanted to play with them (symbolically of course) and they deserved to have a clown play with them. So I did.

I did not ask for permission (better to ask forgiveness), I just played. It felt so right and happy and peaceful to me. Nobody stopped me or gave me dirty looks. And my sweet dearest Anya gave me a warm smile and said "I am Happy you played with the kids". That was all I needed to hear to know it was OK for me to play at the cemetery.

We flew back to Moscow and the play continued. We went to Maria's Spring "camp" for the orphans. We played games the whole weekend. Samurai, Evolution, Boppity Bop, Name games, and more!

Playing Boppity Bop

It is so much fun, and our play is not limited just to the orphans. The "camp"is a mini resort in the country and other families come here for getaways. Of course that means there are kids. At breakfast I clowned a bit with a 4 year old girl nearby. She was so delightful! On the second day she was playing with me and just chattering away. I followed her moves as she chattered and we just played. At one point she turned to her grandmother and said "the clown understands everything I am saying". Ha Ha, of course I did! A nearby friend had to tell me what she had said. I do not speak or understand Russian, but I do speak the language of 4 year olds in general. This beautiful Russian girl gave me a decorated Easter Egg as a gift as I left. Her smile never dimmed as I walked away.

Arnella was her name. I met another Arnella I will tell about later.

At the camp we had a group of English kids join us as well. In England they take Russian language classes and their teacher knows Maria. So they come to Russia for two weeks to experience the culture and learn more of the langauge. It was fun to watch them play with the Russian kids.

A last farewell Sunday (Easter Sunday in fact) at Maria's and then we flew to Holland. At Maria's I got to play some more with Elya, including Blindman's Bluff. Her giggle as I bumped into walls was music to my ears. We played a bit more and then said our goodbyes the next day. Russia can be so bittersweet!

Now Go Out and Hug A Play Mate Today!!!

Eat, Play, Love. Part 1 EAT

                                                  

Perogie is a traditional meal in Beslan! Yummy!

Russia Always refills my soul! This trip, as most trips are, was full of Eating... Playing... and Loving. I was originally going to title this post Eat, Play, Sleep to make it a bit different than the book title, but it wasn't as appropriate. We didn't do much sleeping on the trip and we did way more loving.

Actually, I am going to break this into 3 posts, so the length doesn't disinterest you. In the Russian culture, food is a sign of friendship. I have MANY friends in Russia. So whereever we go there is always food ready and available. Our running joke to each other is "Is this first lunch or second lunch? First dinner or second dinner?". It is not uncommon for us to be eating a second dinner AT MIDNIGHT!! I am not sure if that is typical Russian or just typical of my friends. It doesn't really matter to me, it is just typical period. And I love it!

Beslan school's cafeteria

Of course every time I come home I have go on a detox diet to lose the 10 pounds I gain there. Ha Ha. It is soooo worth every morsel to share that "friendship"with everyone there I know.

Some of the most amazing people I know! Breakfast time.

And Beslan is the worst! Or BEST depending on how you look at it. Everyday there was massive amounts of delicous Perogie. Perogie is a pizza like food, but different. You have to eat it to believe it! Yummy!

We are extremely active with playing there, so the food is also fuel. Tune in tomorrow to read about my personal playing experiences!

Now Go Out and Hug a Chef Today!!!

Abundance

I was at my friend's house recently and saw a poster board with some inspirational words such as Laughter, Happiness, and more. One word stuck out to me and it was abundance. I wasn't sure how abundance would be considered inspirational or good AND I actually saw the word as A Bun Dance... it made me chuckle in more ways than one.

What is A Bun Dance was my first thought. Is it when you just shake your buns ala Shakira or Beyonce? Then I thought how does ABUNDANCE fit in here. Being a "minimalist" to the best of my ability, I don't see how abundance can be a good thing. As I thought about it though I realized abundance can be a good thing...

To me however, abundance is only good if it doesn't take up physical space. Abundance is only good if it takes up conceptual space. At least that is how I feel. That doesn't mean I am right, it is just how I think and feel.  For instance... an abundance of clothes or houses or even money is not a good thing to me. BUTT (sorry, couldn't resist), aBUNdance in the forms of Happiness, Love, Joy, and Hugs is most definitely good!

So I say to wake up every morning and do your own little Bun Dance to get your day started. Kinda like a rain dance, but different. Can't hurt, right? Then think about the 'things' you truly want an abundance of. I want an abundance of Fun, Laughter, Love and Hugs in my life. So that is what I will strive for. I am so blessed of course, that my abundances will most likely come easy to me. Will they come to you easily if you open your heart and mind to them? Let me know!

I really like this quote from Steve Maraboli. I have no idea who he is or what he does, but these words are wise. Go plant something today!

“Plant seeds of happiness, hope, success, and love; it will all come back to you in abundance. This is the law of nature.” Steve Maraboli

Now Go Out and Hug Someone Abundantly!!!

Meditation or Medication

I certainly can be more skillful and graceful!!

A coworker made a joke yesterday, when I said "meditation" as a response, she said "or medication".  One letter separates the two words. So close, yet so different, yet so similar. To me, meditation is a form of medication. It is not always effective, but it certainly helps. I know medication is needed in a lot of situations. But I also know that sometimes all you need is meditation or a form of relaxation. Look for those other forms. And if you truly need medication, by all means use it appropriately.

Hugging ourselves! I like that!

I try to meditate at times. Sometimes I do, and sometimes I don't really do. The point is to keep practicing! It is a skill that needs to be learned over time and for some of us (me especially) it takes longer to learn how to quiet the mind and let your soul truly speak to you! Give it a try!

                  Now Go Out and Hug Yourself Today!!!

Laugh Like a Dawg

Man, Look at that smile! If you listen closely, you can hear him LAUGH!!

                                                      

A dear friend passed away recently. He battled cancer for over 20 years. They would treat it, get it to go away for a bit and it would return. I don't even know how many times it came and went. At least 4 or 5 I am sure! He was a Brown's fan and he fought like a Dawg!


He also laughed like a Dawg too! I will always remember his big booming boisterous laugh! Not loud "in your face" laughter,  but a laughter of someone who loved life! I will always remember my friend's laugh.


Strange enough, the cancer didn't even kill him. He had a huge heart, and I guess the cancer just wore it out. Someone with a "normal" sized heart would have probably succumbed to the cancer years earlier.


I will also remember a great lesson he taught me early in my nursing career. Even before I was officially a nurse! I was in nursing school and he needed shots of neupogen once a week. One week he didn't have anyone to give it to him, so I was called into duty. I had not even given a shot to a real person in school yet. But he made me laughing the whole time I was preparing the shot and while I was giving it. He made it so easy for me, and I can never repay him for teaching me it is OK to laugh at almost anything, but especially if you have cancer!


There have been more than a few times in my nursing career I had to do something I wasn't comfortable with or dreaded. I would think of John and laugh and it would make things easier. Part of the reason I try to live a happy, care free, laughable life is because of the inspiration he gave me over 20 years ago! I don't even think I ever thanked him! Thanks John!


I am not sure what happens after death, but I IMAGINE my friend is sitting on a bench with his father and telling jokes and laughing! I know his family misses him dearly! I hope and pray they hear his laughter in their dreams!


Now Go Out and Hug a Dawg Today!!!