Mothers... it's that time of year when we all think about mothers. I was lucky to have the best Mother possible... I just didn't realize it until I was in my 20's. Maybe the teenage years are a lesson so that when we have our own children we will know that this stage will soon pass.
What can I say about my mother that someone else has not already said about their own mother. We read all about every kind of mother in the aisle of Hallmark and we are reminded to buy our mothers flowers and little gifts to say thanks. But, really what if we had to say it with our own words??
My mother was not one to tell me she loved me out loud ... but, after having my two children I felt the need to know... to hear it... to feel it in my heart. I would speak to my mother every day on the phone and finally one day... I did it.. I told my Mother "out loud" over the telephone wire that "I love you" now at this time she says... "oh, Debb".. and I said say it to me... so she said it "out loud" and said "you know I do I don't have to say it" Well, I've always been the person that I need to see it, hear it and feel it and then I would believe what a person said. Well, with each of our following telephone calls we always ended with "I love you, Mom and she would say "You know I do, Debb. This was usually followed by a little hhmph sound coming from her end of the wire as if she were saying "after all of these years, Debb, you should know".
Well, I was then 35 with three children of my own and it was all to soon to say goodbye. She fought the good fight starting with breast cancer, then lymph nod and at the end cancer of the brain. May 1995 she was referred to a larger teaching hospital three hours from our hometown. She was brave and proud till the end. My sisters and I split care taking duties, while my father and brothers did their best to be helpful in any way they could. This was a humbling experience not only for my Mother; but, also myself... as I was now doing things that she was mortified that I would have to do. My sisters and I all became very intimate with our mother's daily needs. I hope that this made us stronger women if not better daughters and mothers.
My Aunts (of previous post) were also in attendance and did their share of helping, hand holding and praying. During this time... my mother was unable to use the telephone and she would tell me that this was God's way for us "girls" to get use to not talking to her every day. We all lived with in 10 minutes of each other; but, each of us girls had a time we would call our mother and if we were unable to get her we would then call each other to see where she was when she should have been waiting for our calls. This was well before the cell phone in every hand stage.
If you have never taken care of someone with a terminal illness, watch some one who is in pain lose the will to fight anymore, see that the treatments are only prolonging life not curing the disease ... you will know how hard this was for me. I would leave work and go straight to my childhood home with a prayer on my lips ... begging, God, please let her be OK... only to return to my own home after my sister relieved me of my duties with a prayer, Please, dear God, don't let her suffer any more. Sadly, in Sept 95 she passed away with family and friends around her and that's the way she wanted to go. This is a life altering experience and I hope that I was a good daughter to her til the end.
So, if you are lucky to have a mother... hug her, hold her tight, embrace her life, rejoice in her and your time together, honor her and be proud of the woman she was, is and will be; because, life is so short and time is so fast and dear. Precious few of us realize how dear our mothers really our until we no longer have them with us. We forget to honor them for their sacrifices, for their determination to give us a better life than their own, to thank them for instilling their virtues in us, to teach us that life is not always fair; but, that with will and determination we can overcome anything and be a virtuous person.
Happy Mothers Day, Mom... "you know" ... Some say Love is a river... from The Rose... sung at my mother's funeral...yes, that song will bring my tears ... a mother's love or love for a mother... it is one of the deepest loves in the world.
Showing posts with label Daily Inspiration ..... Show all posts
Showing posts with label Daily Inspiration ..... Show all posts
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Joy...
Joy... every one's talking about it... have you heard about Joy?? Do you feel Joy?? Do you want some Joy?? Do you already have Joy?? Who or what brings you Joy?? Do you allow others to take your joy from you?? Do you allow bad circumstances or situations take your joy?? Do you find you are Joy less??
Everyone has to have a little Joy in their lives... what would life be without Joy?? Joy can come along and surprise even the most downtrodden person and bring them a smile, a little pitter patter pat in their heart and a little moment of reflection and thanks. A lot of things bring me Joy... the usual are ... my children, husband, family, sisters, brothers, parents and friends... but, what else brings joy to me....
A sincere smile or a nice comment... sometimes that alone can get me through the darkest days. A husband that loves me no matter my deepest, darkest "leave me alone" moods... he loves me even when I am unlovable. My children can give me such Joy by just a look, a hug or a pat or just a smile because they are my children. My sisters who laugh with me as well as at me and still loves me just because they do. My true friends when I need one really badly and when I just want to be left alone.
Joy can come to us in such a way that it's a pleasant surprise... something as little as a kind word when you really need one, a nice cashier at the store, a helpful clerk, someone letting you enter a long line of traffic... what simple acts of Joy have you encountered?? Do you return that Joy?? If not to that person than to the next person you meet?? Isn't that what life is all about... encouraging each and everyone we meet, to bring Joy into lives that may not have any Joy or needs a little more, bringing our loved ones joy as well as sharing it with strangers.
With every positive there is always a negative... do you know people, situations or things that steal your Joy?? I have encountered a few people that seem to take the Joy out of my life, situations where it is hard to see the Joy and certain things that I really struggle with to maintain my Joy. I am trying to not let this happen, by limiting my exposure to people who like to steal my Joy, I am trying to stay out of situations that steal or deplete my Joy and staying away from things that suck the Joy right out of my life. This is my life (as well as your life is yours) and it's a precious commodity and we only have a certain amount of time in our lives... why allow others, situations or things take our precious Joy???
When a person is Joyful I think that it can be a positive not only for them; but, the people they encounter everyday. Think about the Joyful person that you meet ... do you not try to reflect their Joy onto others after meeting them?? Don't you feel a little more upbeat after the encounter?? Do you feel an uplifting of your mood?? Don't you want to share and spread the joy among others??
Have you ever met someone that is joyless?? ... downtrodden?? ... down in the dumps?? ... woe is me?? ... nothing is good in my life?? ... I have it so bad?? ... my life isn't as good as yours?? I have been used and abused so why look up and try to find Joy?? How do you come away from these encounters... with me it's like I soak up their negativity and question my own Joy and feel as if I shouldn't be as Joyful due to their negativity and the "lack of" in their life. Almost, as if ... if I have Joy in my life it's unfair to show my Joy when others have none. I am firmly saying to you and myself... don't let this happen... your Joy is your own and don't let someone take it due to their insecurity, bad mood, bad outlook on life or their nae saying. Don't rely on others to bring you Joy... bring it on yourself, share it, spread it around and savour each Joyful moment.
It is hard for me when I encounter negativity that I don't also "catch it" so to speak... everyone wants to belong to the club, be part of the group, be part of the cliche; but, if it's negative it can't be good for you. It just steals your Joy and happiness and brings you to a cross road ... do you choose to be part of the group or do you choose your own path and seek Joy?? I for one want to pursue Joy and Joyful moments yet to be... find Joy in the little things as well as the big... I want to dwell in the Joy of each moment and let it fill me up.... I want to share that Joy with others in the hope that they spread the Joy far and wide.... and I feel that at some point that Joy will come full circle .... that the Joy will be unlimited to all....
I have always been someone who wants to be "part" of the team; but, secretly I enjoy being a loner. I long to be part of "the group"; but, realize that it goes against my inner peace if it is among negative people. I find my Joy in very simple things, too ... quilting, sewing, reading, decorating and improving my home with "touches of me", I enjoy gardening and I enjoy nothing more than spring, summer and fall and the opportunity to sit on my front porch swing and watch the river flow while I talk to family and friends, read, crochet or just daydream the time away.
Where do you find your Joy?? Is it in the most simplest of things?? Isn't that what Joy is .... just the small things in life that make us stop, think and smile to ourselves... we received Joy and we were touched. Now, if only we share that Joy with others is the world complete... Share your Joy... Be Joyful ... Spread the Joy and see what blooms in your life as well as others....
as always, please leave me a post or contact me.... info on left sidebar.... thanks, Debb
Everyone has to have a little Joy in their lives... what would life be without Joy?? Joy can come along and surprise even the most downtrodden person and bring them a smile, a little pitter patter pat in their heart and a little moment of reflection and thanks. A lot of things bring me Joy... the usual are ... my children, husband, family, sisters, brothers, parents and friends... but, what else brings joy to me....
A sincere smile or a nice comment... sometimes that alone can get me through the darkest days. A husband that loves me no matter my deepest, darkest "leave me alone" moods... he loves me even when I am unlovable. My children can give me such Joy by just a look, a hug or a pat or just a smile because they are my children. My sisters who laugh with me as well as at me and still loves me just because they do. My true friends when I need one really badly and when I just want to be left alone.
Joy can come to us in such a way that it's a pleasant surprise... something as little as a kind word when you really need one, a nice cashier at the store, a helpful clerk, someone letting you enter a long line of traffic... what simple acts of Joy have you encountered?? Do you return that Joy?? If not to that person than to the next person you meet?? Isn't that what life is all about... encouraging each and everyone we meet, to bring Joy into lives that may not have any Joy or needs a little more, bringing our loved ones joy as well as sharing it with strangers.
With every positive there is always a negative... do you know people, situations or things that steal your Joy?? I have encountered a few people that seem to take the Joy out of my life, situations where it is hard to see the Joy and certain things that I really struggle with to maintain my Joy. I am trying to not let this happen, by limiting my exposure to people who like to steal my Joy, I am trying to stay out of situations that steal or deplete my Joy and staying away from things that suck the Joy right out of my life. This is my life (as well as your life is yours) and it's a precious commodity and we only have a certain amount of time in our lives... why allow others, situations or things take our precious Joy???
When a person is Joyful I think that it can be a positive not only for them; but, the people they encounter everyday. Think about the Joyful person that you meet ... do you not try to reflect their Joy onto others after meeting them?? Don't you feel a little more upbeat after the encounter?? Do you feel an uplifting of your mood?? Don't you want to share and spread the joy among others??
Have you ever met someone that is joyless?? ... downtrodden?? ... down in the dumps?? ... woe is me?? ... nothing is good in my life?? ... I have it so bad?? ... my life isn't as good as yours?? I have been used and abused so why look up and try to find Joy?? How do you come away from these encounters... with me it's like I soak up their negativity and question my own Joy and feel as if I shouldn't be as Joyful due to their negativity and the "lack of" in their life. Almost, as if ... if I have Joy in my life it's unfair to show my Joy when others have none. I am firmly saying to you and myself... don't let this happen... your Joy is your own and don't let someone take it due to their insecurity, bad mood, bad outlook on life or their nae saying. Don't rely on others to bring you Joy... bring it on yourself, share it, spread it around and savour each Joyful moment.
It is hard for me when I encounter negativity that I don't also "catch it" so to speak... everyone wants to belong to the club, be part of the group, be part of the cliche; but, if it's negative it can't be good for you. It just steals your Joy and happiness and brings you to a cross road ... do you choose to be part of the group or do you choose your own path and seek Joy?? I for one want to pursue Joy and Joyful moments yet to be... find Joy in the little things as well as the big... I want to dwell in the Joy of each moment and let it fill me up.... I want to share that Joy with others in the hope that they spread the Joy far and wide.... and I feel that at some point that Joy will come full circle .... that the Joy will be unlimited to all....
I have always been someone who wants to be "part" of the team; but, secretly I enjoy being a loner. I long to be part of "the group"; but, realize that it goes against my inner peace if it is among negative people. I find my Joy in very simple things, too ... quilting, sewing, reading, decorating and improving my home with "touches of me", I enjoy gardening and I enjoy nothing more than spring, summer and fall and the opportunity to sit on my front porch swing and watch the river flow while I talk to family and friends, read, crochet or just daydream the time away.
Where do you find your Joy?? Is it in the most simplest of things?? Isn't that what Joy is .... just the small things in life that make us stop, think and smile to ourselves... we received Joy and we were touched. Now, if only we share that Joy with others is the world complete... Share your Joy... Be Joyful ... Spread the Joy and see what blooms in your life as well as others....
as always, please leave me a post or contact me.... info on left sidebar.... thanks, Debb
Monday, April 13, 2009
It's all in the delivery....
What a title... think about this... someone tells you really great news, pays you a compliment, offers their help; but, says it in such a way that it is delivered with a ho-hum attitude... are you going to readily respond to this person in a positive light..... no, you will receive it the same way it is delivered no matter the scope of the news.
Now think about someone coming to you and telling you the greatest news, paying you a compliment, offering their help, being kind and generous and you pick up on the sincerity of this person and feel that you are open to their words and deeds.... it's all in the way it's delivered ..... it's the delivery that we will remember.....
OK, now picture this in a negative way...someone points out your faults, your mistakes, your limitations, your inadequacies and it's delivered in such a way that you feel small and very unworthy... well, your going to feel beat down, defensive, your going to walk away feeling really bad about yourself and wondering if you can ever be as perfect as some people.
But, if you take another look and someone points out the same faults and it's delivered with tact and consideration of your feelings. If it is delivered knowing that you are doing your best, that you are trying and it's just a reminder that you need to be more aware of your faults... if it is pointed out in a way that is fair and unbiased .... this is a little easier to take then hearing it from someone that is not being considerate of your situation.
At times, I think we all feel that "our family, our job, our problems, our health, our issues" are the only thing that matters first and foremost in the world ... that we tend to see our self in a different light than what we see others ....that we may be too ready to judge others with out knowing the "whole story". Try putting yourself into some ones shoes and see what they are facing, dealing with, trying to handle in their lives and their job before you are so apt to judge someone at face value. I know for myself... I seem to get wrapped up in my own life, my children's, my family and in my own little corner at work; but, when we live and work with others we need to be more aware of others and the challenges that we all face in our daily lives.
Next time you find yourself either on the giving or the receiving end of a message... just remember.... that it's all in the delivery .....
this is a little bit off subject; but, check this out.... now we are talking delivery... .... this will make you weepy... get the Kleenex ... Susan Boyle delivered....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-KiGva9dV4
Now think about someone coming to you and telling you the greatest news, paying you a compliment, offering their help, being kind and generous and you pick up on the sincerity of this person and feel that you are open to their words and deeds.... it's all in the way it's delivered ..... it's the delivery that we will remember.....
OK, now picture this in a negative way...someone points out your faults, your mistakes, your limitations, your inadequacies and it's delivered in such a way that you feel small and very unworthy... well, your going to feel beat down, defensive, your going to walk away feeling really bad about yourself and wondering if you can ever be as perfect as some people.
But, if you take another look and someone points out the same faults and it's delivered with tact and consideration of your feelings. If it is delivered knowing that you are doing your best, that you are trying and it's just a reminder that you need to be more aware of your faults... if it is pointed out in a way that is fair and unbiased .... this is a little easier to take then hearing it from someone that is not being considerate of your situation.
At times, I think we all feel that "our family, our job, our problems, our health, our issues" are the only thing that matters first and foremost in the world ... that we tend to see our self in a different light than what we see others ....that we may be too ready to judge others with out knowing the "whole story". Try putting yourself into some ones shoes and see what they are facing, dealing with, trying to handle in their lives and their job before you are so apt to judge someone at face value. I know for myself... I seem to get wrapped up in my own life, my children's, my family and in my own little corner at work; but, when we live and work with others we need to be more aware of others and the challenges that we all face in our daily lives.
Next time you find yourself either on the giving or the receiving end of a message... just remember.... that it's all in the delivery .....
this is a little bit off subject; but, check this out.... now we are talking delivery... .... this will make you weepy... get the Kleenex ... Susan Boyle delivered....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-KiGva9dV4
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Morning Post....
Good Morning just a little inspiration to get you through the day....
Say a little one .... it's Thankful Thursday.
Today we have Thankful Thursday and I don't know about you; but, I do have a lot to be thankful for in my little life. We all have something to be thankful for and I bet if you gave it some thought you could come up with a few. Being thankful is so much easier than being ungrateful. Being thankful makes us so much more aware of all of the things in our lives even the littlest. For instance, coming home from work today there were three of the ugliest ducks I have ever seen nesting around my snowball bush... now for a moment I thought some pretty ungrateful things and almost blew the horn to rustle their little feathers and then I thought... well, I am thankful they are in the yard and not doing the doodoo on my front porch. See, I turned that around to a thankful when I could have been out there chasing them with a broom off my porch.
We need to be thankful for the stages in our lives and appreciate them more. We are all at different stages in our lives; but, we are sharing a major portion of these time with co-workers. Who else would you want to spend eight hours a day with??? OK, maybe some days aren't the greatest, some may feel longer than an eight hour day, some days we feel overworked, underpaid, unappreciated and to top it off we're having a bad hair day, we have PMS, menopause and we are too hot to think; but, when all is said and done.. we have to be thankful for each other and the time we have together. I for one wouldn't trade any of you for anyone else. I am thankful for each of you.
Thankful Thursday is a day to thank someone for no other reason then them being in your life. Thank someone just because they make you smile or just because they don't. Thank someone who you love and also the one that you don't love as much. Thank someone you enjoy spending time with and the ones you don't. Thank each other for the little things, the big things and for nothing at all. Thank you for reading my blog. But, most of all thank the person who turned the A/C on at work.
Just a short note to offer each of you (and to myself, too) encouragement today .... Thankful Thursday. I do have to admit that keeping a positive attitude, an upbeat mood and looking only at the bright side is pretty hard at times. Life and people can really drag a person down so if you feel like your faltering in any way.... just hang on... because ....
Alone we may falter; but, together we can stand tall (or short whichever the case may be) and face any challenge.
Stay Positive... Stay Strong.... Stay Happy... no matter what comes at us today. Stay tuned .... for daily words of encouragement, laughter, hope, peace or just a word or two.
Say a little one .... it's Thankful Thursday.
Today we have Thankful Thursday and I don't know about you; but, I do have a lot to be thankful for in my little life. We all have something to be thankful for and I bet if you gave it some thought you could come up with a few. Being thankful is so much easier than being ungrateful. Being thankful makes us so much more aware of all of the things in our lives even the littlest. For instance, coming home from work today there were three of the ugliest ducks I have ever seen nesting around my snowball bush... now for a moment I thought some pretty ungrateful things and almost blew the horn to rustle their little feathers and then I thought... well, I am thankful they are in the yard and not doing the doodoo on my front porch. See, I turned that around to a thankful when I could have been out there chasing them with a broom off my porch.
We need to be thankful for the stages in our lives and appreciate them more. We are all at different stages in our lives; but, we are sharing a major portion of these time with co-workers. Who else would you want to spend eight hours a day with??? OK, maybe some days aren't the greatest, some may feel longer than an eight hour day, some days we feel overworked, underpaid, unappreciated and to top it off we're having a bad hair day, we have PMS, menopause and we are too hot to think; but, when all is said and done.. we have to be thankful for each other and the time we have together. I for one wouldn't trade any of you for anyone else. I am thankful for each of you.
Thankful Thursday is a day to thank someone for no other reason then them being in your life. Thank someone just because they make you smile or just because they don't. Thank someone who you love and also the one that you don't love as much. Thank someone you enjoy spending time with and the ones you don't. Thank each other for the little things, the big things and for nothing at all. Thank you for reading my blog. But, most of all thank the person who turned the A/C on at work.
Just a short note to offer each of you (and to myself, too) encouragement today .... Thankful Thursday. I do have to admit that keeping a positive attitude, an upbeat mood and looking only at the bright side is pretty hard at times. Life and people can really drag a person down so if you feel like your faltering in any way.... just hang on... because ....
Alone we may falter; but, together we can stand tall (or short whichever the case may be) and face any challenge.
Stay Positive... Stay Strong.... Stay Happy... no matter what comes at us today. Stay tuned .... for daily words of encouragement, laughter, hope, peace or just a word or two.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Morning Post...
I started sending the women I work with these "little post" by email at the first of the year... I received a lot of feed back... so I am going to share them with you, also.
Good Morning,
Say it after me.... it's Marvelous Monday (again) and we are people with a mission.... do our best, be our best and we best be good while were here.
Just a short note to offer each of you (and to myself, too) encouragement today .... Marvelous Monday. We are rested and recharged and we are ready to face the week ahead with prayers, wishes, and each other. Alone we may falter; but, together we can stand tall (or short whichever the case may be) and face any challenge.
Stay Positive... Stay Strong.... Stay Happy... no matter what comes at us today. Stay tuned .... for daily words of encouragement, laughter, hope, peace or just a word or two.
Good Morning,
Say it after me.... it's Marvelous Monday (again) and we are people with a mission.... do our best, be our best and we best be good while were here.
Just a short note to offer each of you (and to myself, too) encouragement today .... Marvelous Monday. We are rested and recharged and we are ready to face the week ahead with prayers, wishes, and each other. Alone we may falter; but, together we can stand tall (or short whichever the case may be) and face any challenge.
Stay Positive... Stay Strong.... Stay Happy... no matter what comes at us today. Stay tuned .... for daily words of encouragement, laughter, hope, peace or just a word or two.
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