Anyone, Anytime

Anything can happen at any time to anyone.  Read that again...

ANYTHING.... can happen at   ANYTIME... to ANYONE.

Let it sink in your mind and heart... Anyone (including you).

Today a coworker of mine called and said he would be out for the rest of day day as his wife and children were in a side impact car accident.  They were making a left turn at a green light and a car impacted them from the opposite lane.  The children were crying, everyone's backs and necks were hurting, the wife shaken and worried for her family and feeling guilty for she was behind the wheel.  Husband in shock as his family could have been no more....

The person driving the other vehicle did not stop, but rather sped away to escape the scene of the accident.  In an act of mercy and heroism, the car behind the one struck chased after the perpetrator at full speed with the intent to stop him or at least get the license plate information.  The perpetrator never stopped, but partial tag information was retrieved.  The police showed up, documented everything, and the family returned home to rest and contemplate seeking medical review.

It happened to her.  It happened to him.  It happened to his neighbor. It happened to her brother.  It happened to his uncle.  It happened to her daughter.  Things happen that harm or kill someone every day and it is only a matter of time until something... SOMETHING... will happen to you or to the ones who are dear to you.  It is absolutely unavoidable that harm will befall you at some point in your life.  In preparation for the inevitable, one should do the following:

1) Follow and ACT upon the inclinations of the heart and spirit
2) Maintain the best relations with your family and friends
3) Turn any grudges into acts of kindness
4) Ask for forgiveness from those whom you have wronged
5) Tell the ones you love that you love and are thankful for them
6) Do your best efforts always so you have no regrets
7) Be there for those in need so you are cared for when in need
8) Have your will updated yearly

The point I am trying to make is to not try to PREVENT a harm from befalling you (it will happen anyway), but to advise you to be sure you are LIVING a life that at its end you are content and pleased with how you utilized it.

My best wishes and kindest thoughts go out to the families of those who are struggling.

On no soul does God place a burden greater than it can bear. ~God


PS: I had a dream in the early morning about being in a car accident.  It was with someone I worked with. I need to heed my dreams more often...
  

Memorial Day

Should one say "Happy Memorial Day"?  'Happy' seems to be an inappropriate word intermingled with what is the American Memorial Day.  This day is a solemn one as we remember those who have died for the greater good of our country.

We have set aside the last Monday of every May to recognize the US Armed Service members who have died while on duty, at home or abroad.  We have been doing this since the American Civil War ended in 1865, when the union veterans wished to honor the Union soldiers who had died.  When World War I came about the honor was extended to honor all Americans who have fought and died while in service.

What do you do on Memorial Day as a family?  For us, we spend time together, cook out, enjoy each other and feel the freedom that we all have been given by those who have fought for it.  I have not lost a family member to a war, or in service, but my father served as a lieutenant in the Vietnam War and came home, injured, afterward (but alive though, Thank God).  I was not even a 'twinkle in the eye' of my father at that time, but if he had not come home alive, I would not be alive to tell you about this right now.

Society has also morphed this day into an excuse to show the other American sentiment of shopping.  Memorial Day, as a federal holiday, spurs store sales advertised weeks in advance and women and men plan to take an additional day off of work just to recoup from exhaustion following the frenzy.  Others have taken this opportunity to go to the beach and soak in the sun and bikini bodies as this time of year kicks off the summer fun.  The evenings then bring about parties and fireworks which light up the sky in brilliant reds, blues and golds.

I hope that, while we indulge in our rib roasts, celebratory toasts, bikini boasts, and shopping totes, we will remember that if it weren't for the men and women who were selfless enough to recognize the need for defense of this country and our freedoms (speech, religion, self expression, pursuit of happiness, etc), that we might not have had these joys today.  They put their lives on the line, and lost them, for our days to be lived with freedoms that few others can enjoy so fully. They are lost, but they are not forgotten.

Freedom is not Free

When it Rains, it Pours

The phrase "When it rains, it pours" is so true.  This last week has been quite an event to take in and deal with.  Here's how it went...

1) Continued 'Grandpa watch' for whether he was willing to keep fighting to live even though he was exhausted with life.  It took an understated threat of going to the county nursing home for him to want to eat and work on moving better.  Mom came home for a break in the care taking and was crying in exhaustion.  People, don't be so domineering over your children.

2) My husband came one step closer to joining me.  He is overseas and a few things have to happen for him to be able to come home to me here.  One step just completed and so we have 2 steps left.  We are very excited about it though, and it is making daydream about our future again (much to the hesitancy of my husband).

3) A bunch of tornados hit my area here and killed over 300 people.  It took out whole towns and left almost the whole northern half of the state without power.  Having no power leaves you to figure out what to do with what you have.  Candles become heaters for water.  Old magazines become firewood, bottles are used for all sorts of things, and dusk is when you actually go to sleep rather than stay up all night.  I think I'll miss it a little actually, life without power, but am still glad to be able to see the toilet without a flickering wick next to it.

4) Osama is now dead.  This was a big surprise and, like most people, we want it proved rather than just believing it.  I see it as a good thing that justice has come, but I fear of the ignorance of others coming back to do more harm.  I hope they don't release any photos, that's just inappropriate.

Lots to think about, lots to do.  So I am going to go do it now.  Toodles!

Princess Mania

The world is a buzz about the upcoming marriage of Miss Kate Middleton and HRH Prince William to a point of frenzy. Women's wardrobes are being updated to match the soon-to-be Princess's (or whatever name the Queen decides upon) collection, the headlines on the major networks are talking about her transportation more than the uprisings in Libya, and commercials are going wild with the sale of replica engagement rings.  What I would like to discuss, however, is not this event that has taken the world by storm, but rather what are we all in admiration over?  What's to awe: the wedding, the life, or something else?  Is that 'royal world' really a wonderful place?

First off, I doubt that the lives of the royals are all that they are cracked up to be.  If you have to worry about cameras and microphones recording your every move, wink and puff (of whatever substance you may puff) then I would not be so excited.  Yes, it comes with some money, some perks (private entry to almost any place imaginable), and some palaces... but where is the freedom in all that?  If you want to go out for some ice cream at 1AM, nope, have to call the guards to clear the place for security risks.  If you want to go get a new piece of lingerie to surprise 'Willy boy' for a special anniversary do you have to get the Queen's permission to ensure her that you are not getting center-cut-out style?  Having people watch every move I make gives me chills and I would not want it for all the jewels in the Kingdom (or the world for that matter).

For those who don't want to imagine about that kind of pressure, suppose you dream of that royal life because of hunky Prince William.  Oh ya, he had his days of 'drool on pillow' hotness, but as it happens to all men, his hair keeps falling and the reality of 'manly' forgetfulness begins to show through.  A princess may have the prince, but a pauper may be better at remembering your favorite flower/pastry/book without an assistant to tip him off on the right answer. Good men are everywhere, you just have to hunt them down and not lower your standards for the schlup next door.

What is the rest of the buzz about...the clothes and castles?  These days the absence of royals in big ball gowns and chunky jewels doesn't leave much of a difference from the clothing you would find in the streets of Milan or Paris.  In regards to the castles (with A/C systems installed), I am sure they are quite wonderful to live in, given that you have maids and butlers to help you do all the necessary tasks such as brush your teeth and take out the trash.  I give in to that one, I myself would certainly appreciate the absence of cleaning the bathroom.

So, not to be all negative sounding about the delightful event of a royal marriage, but the point of this is to advise those of you who are buying the cheap replicas of the engagement rings, the Barbie-wanna-be Kate dolls, and who are staying up late for any word on which wedding gown she will choose ....MUTE THE MANIA! You can have all that splendor for yourself (minus the stress) by just getting a good education, staying out of debt so you can build a spectacular 'castle' in the country, and be sure that you WILL find that awesome husband who will wake you up to a fresh cup of coffee and pastry without you having to order it from the butler.  Cheers!