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Some day, you will wake up and realize that life as we know it is limited. Perhaps that seems like a common sense statement, and it is. Yet, it isn’t something we generally take time to ponder.

When we are young and have what appears to be a full life ahead of us, we take everything for granted. We are invincible and indestructible. As time passes and life’s experiences take hold, we start to make adjustments with our lives. Those who are wise, begin to see that for every choice there is a consequence. That we have to take responsibility for our actions. Later in life, as we look back, we see the results of those actions.

For most, the results are positive and satisfying, for others, they are filled with regret and guilt. No matter what your fortune may be, your family background, or your environment, sometimes bad things happen to good people. At times we may be placed in situations where we feel we have no choices, and the one we choose may not necessarily be the right one. We all make mistakes. Forgive yourself and move on.

No one ever goes through life unaffected by difficult times. What does happen is that some learn from the experiences presented to them, them make adjustments and changes where necessary, learn the lessons, let go, and move on. We can never ‘undo’ anything once it has happened, but we can learn and decide whether or not to do them again.

When we get tot the point when most of our life is behind us, we again find ourselves thinking differently. Some things just aren’t that important. So we let them go. We begin to change our priorities. What once was important, no longer is. Our goals, our incentives, our motives, our thoughts and our actions begin to take on a new meaning and direction. Perhaps we realize that there are no guarantees in life. We have no promise of tomorrow, or the next second for that matter.

For some, once this realization sinks in, they begin to re-evaluate their life and priorities. They understand that the ‘important’ things in life simply aren’t ‘things’. The important stuff are the ‘things’ that no amount of money can buy. They are not material. They are spiritual and emotional.

It amazes me how some people declare they have no ‘faith or spiritual’ side. That’s sad. At times, many of us who have a spiritual side may have doubts or question our ‘faith’. We may wonder why certain events occur, how a spiritual leader could/would allow any negativity and/or tragedy to occur. I have no answers for them. Some might say it was fate, they were in the wrong place at the wrong time, it was a result of their actions, or just unlucky. Perhaps it is a combination of all those things, or none.

Faith does seem to become more prevalent in our lives as we get older, or when a significant event occurs. Maybe we don’t want to take any chances…so we start to enlist in some faith.

As our lives come closer to the end of what we know it to be, we may also realize just how much we have. It can be measured in material and monetary form, but the wise know that those things are a temporary satisfaction. The things that truly matter are unseen, cannot be measured but can only be felt. The most important of them as physical beings is love. It is an emotion. It has been described in many ways and forms by poets and writers. It is expressed in words by parents, siblings and friends. It is felt by lovers with passion. The words “I love you” may be spoken freely by some, for others it is such that it may only be whispered to a select few. Regardless of how it is felt or expressed, it is meant to be something one feels from deep within… the core of our being…some call it our soul.

Many things have been done in the name of love. For those who have loved and lost, then may be reluctant to open up their hearts to love again. For those who love and are fortunate to have that love returned, are truly happy and content. For all, if you find love, a feeling that can change your world, your life forever in a positive way…grab onto it! Hold it close, nurture it, protect it, share it, enjoy it. Love isn’t’ always easy, but it is always worth risk. If it enters your soul, you know that you are blessed.

Be grateful. Explore it. Treasure it. Believe in it. Accept it. Once you reach a certain age, and you have not experienced a deep love for another, you have lost the most important and vital part of life.

PRB 08-07

® All rights reserved.

Some day, you will wake up and realize that life as we know it is limited. Perhaps that seems like a common sense statement, and it is. Yet, it isn’t something we generally take time to ponder.

When we are young and have what appears to be a full life ahead of us, we take everything for granted. We are invincible and indestructible. As time passes and life’s experiences take hold, we start to make adjustments with our lives. Those who are wise, begin to see that for every choice there is a consequence. That we have to take responsibility for our actions. Later in life, as we look back, we see the results of those actions.

For most, the results are positive and satisfying, for others, they are filled with regret and guilt. No matter what your fortune may be, your family background, or your environment, sometimes bad things happen to good people. At times we may be placed in situations where we feel we have no choices, and the one we choose may not necessarily be the right one. We all make mistakes. Forgive yourself and move on.

No one ever goes through life unaffected by difficult times. What does happen is that some learn from the experiences presented to them, them make adjustments and changes where necessary, learn the lessons, let go, and move on. We can never ‘undo’ anything once it has happened, but we can learn and decide whether or not to do them again.

When we get tot the point when most of our life is behind us, we again find ourselves thinking differently. Some things just aren’t that important. So we let them go. We begin to change our priorities. What once was important, no longer is. Our goals, our incentives, our motives, our thoughts and our actions begin to take on a new meaning and direction. Perhaps we realize that there are no guarantees in life. We have no promise of tomorrow, or the next second for that matter.

For some, once this realization sinks in, they begin to re-evaluate their life and priorities. They understand that the ‘important’ things in life simply aren’t ‘things’. The important stuff are the ‘things’ that no amount of money can buy. They are not material. They are spiritual and emotional.

It amazes me how some people declare they have no ‘faith or spiritual’ side. That’s sad. At times, many of us who have a spiritual side may have doubts or question our ‘faith’. We may wonder why certain events occur, how a spiritual leader could/would allow any negativity and/or tragedy to occur. I have no answers for them. Some might say it was fate, they were in the wrong place at the wrong time, it was a result of their actions, or just unlucky. Perhaps it is a combination of all those things, or none.

Faith does seem to become more prevalent in our lives as we get older, or when a significant event occurs. Maybe we don’t want to take any chances…so we start to enlist in some faith.

As our lives come closer to the end of what we know it to be, we may also realize just how much we have. It can be measured in material and monetary form, but the wise know that those things are a temporary satisfaction. The things that truly matter are unseen, cannot be measured but can only be felt. The most important of them as physical beings is love. It is an emotion. It has been described in many ways and forms by poets and writers. It is expressed in words by parents, siblings and friends. It is felt by lovers with passion. The words “I love you” may be spoken freely by some, for others it is such that it may only be whispered to a select few. Regardless of how it is felt or expressed, it is meant to be something one feels from deep within… the core of our being…some call it our soul.

Many things have been done in the name of love. For those who have loved and lost, then may be reluctant to open up their hearts to love again. For those who love and are fortunate to have that love returned, are truly happy and content. For all, if you find love, a feeling that can change your world, your life forever in a positive way…grab onto it! Hold it close, nurture it, protect it, share it, enjoy it. Love isn’t’ always easy, but it is always worth risk. If it enters your soul, you know that you are blessed.

Be grateful. Explore it. Treasure it. Believe in it. Accept it. Once you reach a certain age, and you have not experienced a deep love for another, you have lost the most important and vital part of life.

PRB 08-07

Words. That is all we have. Trying to find the right ones when we want to convey an emotion isn't always easy. We struggle to find adequate terms, phrases, and thoughts. Usually they fall very short of what we are trying to say. More often then not, our words go misunderstood. We continue to defend what we mean and say, hoping to make some sense of it to those we are sending the messages to…whether online or in person.



Walk into the world and experience it. Jump right in. forget the words. Just feel it. Use all your senses to appreciate what we are surrounded by. Look into the eyes of someone you care about, and without words, try to convey what you are feeling. It is a spiritual experience. Take someone's hand, just hold it…and with a touch…give your emotions a release to the one you are facing…can you feel it differently if you do it intentionally?




Look at a photo. Relive the day it was taken. What were your feelings that day? Can you truly relive and enjoy that moment in time again…like you did the first time? Close your eyes. Bring that event to the mind's eye and look at it again. Have fun.




Take some time today to use your senses…bring them to a new awareness of you…and your surroundings. Look for positive feelings, emotions. Embrace them. Enjoy them. Accept them. Feel them.




PRB 08-07

® All rights reserved.

Sometimes, when I look out the window and see the magnificence of nature,


I am reassured that life has a purpose...


To everything there is a time and a season


And too often we miss out on the simple pleasures in today's world.


Each day, we are presented with a blank slate and we can write our own story.


The opportunities are endless, the choices are ours.


Each moment is precious, and meant to be utilized in a way that will enhance our lives in some way.


Moments are what we remember,


for nothing ever really lasts more than a moment.


Embrace the day, move forward with a new attitude.


Find contentment in what you have, where you are, who you have become.


That is life.


Enjoy it.



PRB 08-07

® All rights reserved.

This is for the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up barf laced with Oscar Mayer wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying, "It's okay honey, Mommy's here."

Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies who can't be comforted.

This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.

For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes. And all the mothers who DON'T.

This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they'll never see. And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes.

This is for the mothers whose priceless art collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors.

And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal bleachers at football or soccer games instead of watching from the warmth of their cars, so that when their kids asked, "Did you see me, Mom?" they could say, "Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the world," and mean it.

This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner. And for all the mothers who count to ten instead, but realize how child abuse happens.

This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies. And for all the (grand) mothers who wanted to, but just couldn't find the words.

This is for all the mothers who go hungry, so their children can eat. For all the mothers who read "Goodnight, Moon" twice a night for a year. And then read it again. "Just one more time."

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school. And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.

This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.

This is for every mother whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls "Mom?" in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home -- or even away at college.

This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up. Right away.

This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to reach them.

This is for all the step-mothers who raised another woman's child or children, and gave their time, attention, and love... sometimes totally unappreciated!

For all the mothers who bite their lips until they bleed when their 14-year-olds dye t heir hair green.

For all the mothers of the victims of recent school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting.

For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely.

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to be peaceful, and now pray they come home safely from a war.

What makes a good Mother anyway? Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips? The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time? Or is it in her heart? Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time? The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby? The panic, years later, that comes again at 2 A.M. when you just want to hear their key in the door and know they are safe again in your home? Or the need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?

The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our thoughts are for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation...

And mature mothers learning to let go.

For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.

Single mothers and married mothers.

Mothers with money, mothers without.

This is for you all.

For all of us.

Hang in there.

In the end we can only do the best we can.

Tell them every day that we love them.

And pray.

Please pass along to all the Moms in your life.

"Home is what catches you when you fall - and we all fall."

Since today is Mother’s Day, I thought that this would be a nice tribute to Mother’s…especially those who have had to deal with a handicapped child, an elderly parent, or their own personal struggle.

I firmly believe that God chooses and gives ‘Special’ people the challenge of dealing with this type of adversity because He knows that they can handle it; it will make them more compassionate to help those around them that need understanding and strength in their lives.

So, Mother’s Day is a good day for reflection, particularly to be grateful for all who have somehow influenced and been there to help another to get through this struggle we call life. Happy Mother’s Day, one and all…

Hugs,

Patty



The Special Mother
by Erma Bombeck

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures and a couple by habit.
This year nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children. Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children are chosen?
Somehow I visualize God hovering over earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.
“Armstrong, Beth; son. Patron saint...give her Gerard. He’s used to profanity.”
“Forrest, Marjorie; daughter. Patron saint, Cecelia.”
“Rutledge, Carrie; twins. Patron saint, Matthew.”
Finally He passes a name to an angel and smiles, “Give her a handicapped child.”
The angel is curious. “Why this one God? She’s so happy.”
“Exactly,” smiles God, “Could I give a handicapped child to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel.”
“But has she patience?” asks the angel.
“I don’t want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she’ll handle it.”
“I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I’m going to give her has her own world. She has to make her live in her world and that’s not going to be easy.”
“But, Lord, I don’t think she even believes in you.” God smiles, “No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect - she has just enough selfishness.” The angel gasps - “selfishness? is that a virtue?”
God nods. “If she can’t separate herself from the child occasionally, she’ll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn’t realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a ‘spoken word’”. She will never consider a “step” ordinary. When her child says ‘Momma’ for the first time, she will be present at a miracle, and will know it!”
“I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty, prejudice...and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side”.
“And what about her Patron saint?” asks the angel, his pen poised in mid-air.
God smiles, “A mirror will suffice.”

Success. How do we measure it?
Is it in money? In possessions? In friendships?
Some day, when our numbered days run out,
We will be thought of and perhaps memorialized.
Will we have made a difference?

Who will remember us? Why?
Truly, the best way to be remembered…is to be a memory.
Life is filled with opportunities to make life better
Not just for ourselves, but others too.

I do not want tears at my grave,
I want smiles.
I do not want hateful thoughts,
I want happy memories.

Seize the day…begin to make your life worthwhile
Reach out to someone in need
Comfort them. Listen to them. Help them.
Your reward will be in the giving.

Find your comfort in sharing,
Get your pleasure from doing,
Make life worth living by being
Start by being a memory.

PRB
01/07

® All rights reserved.

To those of you who take the time to read my blogs…please understand that I write what is easiest for me to relate to…not necessarily what I have experienced. There probably is a touch of both in my writing, as it is easier to write something if you can also ‘feel’ the emotion put forth. I have always considered myself empathetic. I not only listen when someone speaks to me from the heart…I tend to ‘feel’ the emotion that is also relayed to me. I have been told by a few people that this is a gift, something to be shared…and so I try. If you read into my words…then please know that they are just that… words. Sometimes they do reflect parts of me…but only I know for sure when they do.
I hope that as you read some of the things I post…you will be comforted, uplifted, reflective, happy, educated, or just enjoy the words for what they are. So please come back again, and know that any comments you make are read and appreciated.

What is the best, funniest or most interesting pick up line you got or used? Come on now...it could be fun...

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