Life Legacy Stories: Taking the Time to Listen

A dear Facebook friend, Becky Shaw Mantooth, recently wrote an inspiring article at her blog Becky's Daily Thoughts about her "dream job"...how she would like to travel the country... even the world and just listen to all the many life stories that people , religions, cultures and countries.  She actually got me to thinking about an encounter I had a few years ago.

These stories of those who are NOT famous, rich and brilliant can be just as amazing...aren't they?  Your blog post brought to mind the most wonderful encounter I had with an older woman in a Walgreen's Drug Store a few years ago.  She was there shopping with a few of her Assisted Living Friends and trying to get around the store with a basket and a walker.  I saw her struggling to get things down off of shelves and carry the basket...so I asked her if I could help her shop.  In the most distinct Brooklyn accent she told me: "Hon, you must be an angel sent straight from God...Yes!"...and for the next hour this delightful curmudgeon kept me enraptured with stories of her family, children and her youth in NYC before, during WWII and after.

Sunday's are for Gratitude

Thank you!!!! To all the people in my life who have guided , taught and loved me along my faith journey...those who are here and those who have passed on. There are some that I wish I had had the chance to tell them, while others I believe knew anyways. I dedicate this song on the First Sunday of April to you (Rose, Helen, Linda, Joan, Deb, Wayne, Paul, Dave, Dad, Nana and many more) and for all of those who daily sacrifice...give of themselves....You are God's angel's here on earth.

Start your week by thanking someone who has gone out of their way to help you, give you a step up... Pay it forward for someone else....tell them Thank you and if you can't tell them...DO what they did for you for someone else!!

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What Does The Ultimate Game of Life have to Do with April Fool's Day?

Another stupid holiday Come and Gone: Bah-Humbug…April Fools Day!!

Please tell me why this day is all so important to people?

I have always disliked…no HATED…April Fools Day!!

Wait a minute…Since my recent participation in The Ultimate Game of Life; I am not supposed to use “absolutes” as there is no such thing as “always”.

Let me restate the above: Since I was young trusting (gullible) child, I have not joined in to the game of tricking or fooling others on this day.

No matter how I have tried to join in or put a smile on my face when someone tries to pull a joke…I don’t quite get the fun of it.  In most cases I believe it makes people look stupid, sets them up to display their weaknesses, doubts or fallibilities. I am always told to lighten up and find the humor in it. 

Bah-humbug!!

Since I have gone through the change there are not too many holidays that I jump in to with enthusiasm… but then I never really quite did as my old fashioned, proper mother with English blood running through her veins was not a great celebrator of holidays; especially those that were drummed up by the card or candy companies.  Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, Traditional Easter…Mum’s and Dad’s Day…you betcha…she would drum up some enthusiasm for the festivities, but…   those holidays would include Valentine’s Day, Halloween, and the commercial side of Easter and St. Patrick’s Day, they were a waste of her time and money.

In her mind, April Fool’s Day was just a stupid day set aside for those folks who loved to pull pranks on others, which she didn’t find humorous at all. (All said with bluster and high brow…give the royal wave at the end)

Oh, heaven forbid…I think I am turning in to my mother!!

…but wait, the saving grace IS the realization that these are beliefs that we can change or eliminate especially if they are holding us back from living the BEST or ULTIMATE Life.