Not Somehow, but triumphantly!

A friend of mine shared the story below about her mother's mantra. I like it! 
I think we can all use this mantra to help get us thru life! Live life with zest. Don't just do it somehow, but do it TRIUMPHANTLY! I really like that word, don't you?

When her first marriage ended in divorce and she was challenged with raising 3 children herself, she forged a new career in the Ohio Council of Churches Office of Social Justice-- 
        Not somehow, but triumphantly.

 When meeting her first grandchild and sharing the thrill of motherhood with me meant flying to London, she packed her bags and took off---- 
       Not somehow, but triumphantly.

 When spending time with my family and me meant camping out on a communal farm in Vermont, helping feed goats & chickens, she put on jeans and boots-- 
      Not somehow, but triumphantly.

 When her second husband died suddenly, thoroughly shaking the foundation of the new life they had built together in Arizona, she forged a new identity as a writer and teacher-- 
   Not somehow, but triumphantly.

                 When

When some hardships come your way

Just remember, you can say

Not somehow, but triumphantly!

When you're suddenly alone

Good examples you've been shown

Not somehow, but triumphantly!

When sometime you're maligned

You can win by being kind

Not somehow, but triumphantly!

Should you whimper, should you whine

You miss a chance that you could shine

Not somehow, but triumphantly!

Climb to the top, to the tippy top
Do it as a walk or do it as a hop.
I can't quite say it as elegantly
As "Not just somehow, but Triumphantly!"

             Now Go Out and Hug Someone Triumphantly

Be the root

A friend of mine sent the following to me earlier in the week...

There's a saying from Tyler Perry in one of his plays that says "Find 2 or 3 people in your life that's like the roots at the bottom of that tree you are blessed. Those are the kind of people that aren't going nowhere. They aren't worried about being seen, nobody has to know that they know you, they don't have to know what they're doing for you but if those roots weren't there, that tree couldn't live. A tree could have a hundred million branches but it only takes a few roots down at the bottom to make sure that tree gets everything it needs. When you get some roots, hold on to them but the rest of it". 

Not sure who Tyler Perry is, but it is an interesting statement. My friend who sent this to me considers me one of her roots. I am honored by that thought! I must be a Banyan tree, because I have hundreds of roots! I love each and every one of them too! Thanks to all my roots out there, I appreciate the life sustaining needs you provide to me!

   

                             Now Go Out and Hug Someone Today

Cute and Funny

A friend of mine sent me the story below about her adorable 2 and a half year old son..... Names are changed to protect the Cute and Funny.... I added explanations in parentheses...

OK a couple funny things: I asked Henry (her son) if he knew that I had a name other than mommy. He said yes. I asked what's my name. He said" your name Aunt Sally". (His cousin calls his mom Aunt Sally)How cute is that. Then I was asking him if he knew who my dad is and he said yes its" daddy" (meaning Joe/HIS dad) I told him no. He guessed again"um, my am your dad?" I tell him " no Henry you are not my dad. Grandpa Jim is my dad." He says ooohh. I ask if he knows who my mom is and he says with such enthusiasm "aunt Mary be your mom!"(Aunt Mary is his aunt) No... "Maria (his sister) your Mom?" Now this child can tell you that the sun is a star and that the earth goes around the sun. He can tell you how the train engine makes steam. He names types of dinosaurs and says he wants to be an astronaut and zoom to the moon on a rocket ship and 5,4,3,2,1 blast off! But what silly perceptions about family relationships he has. Also Maria decided she would like to be called Jupiter. Henry said he was Mars then and I am Venus and Daddy would be Saturn. So Maria said our kitten socks could be Pluto. Henry says in a you're ridiculous tone of voice " NOoo socks can't be Pluto socks a cat she not a planet!" We were all crackling up! Hope you get a chuckle too!

I don't know about you, but I think it is funny that he is wicked smart and can't keep his family order in order :0)... And that he recognizes that Socks is not a planet, but doesn't recognize that he and his sister are not :0)... Hope you got a chuckle today from the Cute and Funny

                                             My cousins dog Charlie is Cute and Funny too!


      Now Go Out and Hug Someone who is Cute and Funny!!





 

It's not the years in your life... A Tribute

My dear friend Eleanor Hoppe died recently. There will be a memorial today for her, and I felt like leaving a tribute to her. We all know Lincoln's famous quote about "It's not the years in your life"... Eleanor added her own twist with this...

                                  It's not the years in your life
                                  But the Life in your years
                                  Accentuate the laughter
                                  Eliminate the tears

I love the final two lines. Now Eleanor had a lot of years in her life, but she also had a lot of LIFE in those years. I only knew her for the past few years, but that was enough to feel her joyful spirit. She was a wonderful funny poet and below is one of my favorites of hers.

                                   
                                                      Life's Kaleidoscope

                                               I have had my "down times"
                                               I'm sure there will be more
                                               But mostly I've had "up times"
                                               Although, who's keeping score"

                                               I'd rather list the good times
                                               Not just take them for granted
                                               Life can seem good or bad --
                                               Depends on how it's slanted

                                               We've all shouldered burdens
                                               Some more, some less, I'm guessing
                                               But do we take time out
                                               To recognize a blessing?

                                                    Eleanor was a blessing indeed

 

"Eleanor's kaleidoscope"

 

                             Now Go Out and Hug Someone Today

Friend of the week..

This weeks friend is Bonnie Stearns. Bonnie is inspirational in many ways. She had to live with a clown for the past 40 plus years, literally! :0)... she is an artist who teaches pottery to local kids and adults in Brattleboro, Vt. She has traveled to Russia and worked with Maria and the children there. I am thinking of her this week because her mother died last week. Her mom was a lovely, fun woman as well! I got the pleasure of clowning with her a few years ago on her birthday. She was an amazing poet as well. I know Eleanor will be missed, but I know Bonnie will find ways to help others to help her thru the grief.

"Lay a flower on a stone. Wash away now from the shore. In a few days they'll be gone. But for you it's evermore" ~Emily Cavanagh



                     Now Go Out and Hug Someone Today
 

Death, It's inevitable...

Death... sometimes it comes inevitably too soon... sometimes it doesn't come soon enough. I am learning it is very hard to watch a loved one suffer! I am starting to understand what Dr. Kevorkian might have been thinking. We are humane to animals by not letting them suffer and euthanize them. Why can't we do this with humans? There is no right answer to that I am sure, and I am not trying to start a debate. Just realizing a few things out loud on paper or computer as it is. Even with all this, there are folks out there who suffer so much more and who have to watch others suffer so much more, so I will try not to complain. I just hope my dad doesn't suffer too much more, and that he gets his just rewards to wherever he goes next.

Also, it got me to thinking... I really should have an advanced directive in place. Not sure if a blog counts as an advance directive, but I will put it out there right now. If I am ever in a state (and I don't mean Hawaii or somewhere nice) where I have no quality of life, please don't force feed me... and please don't feel bad when I die... I want a big party when I die... filled with laughing and clowns and kids!! Because I will be on to my next big adventure, bigger and better than here I imagine :0).
And if this counts, I designate my friend Karen Evans to be my power to be to make all decisions regarding my health and finances!  Hopefully some legal beagle won't block this request of mine!

 

 

"Like a bridge over troubled waters. I will lay me down"

 

Now Go Out and Hug Someone Today

 

Spring into March...

It is almost spring here in Utah. Although snow is coming back this week to make a special appearance. I can handle it though. I really don't have much to handle if truth be told. I keep reading about and seeing kids who have the real problems and it just makes my troubles melt away. I recommend everyone go out and find someone less fortunate (especially children) and just spend some time with them. You should learn quickly that your troubles can be minor comparatively. Kids who have to deal with fighting cancer, parents being killed in accidents, and many other tragedies will teach you more about life than you will ever learn from a book or probably even your own experiences. So, if you are feeling a bit down, go volunteer with some kids who have had real challenges. It will surely lift your spirits believe it or not.

Looks like a long unending path eh? Well, that can be what life looks like too. When I walked this path it was a fun adventure with a startling view at the end. Just like life I think.

                    Now Go Out and Hug Someone Today