Grieving During the Holidays

 In the last week, I've had a good friend to die and another is on life support.

Susan Peters was a walking light.  She glowed.  People were drawn to her.  And she was love personified.

She died suddenly in an automobile accident.  Suddenly, her life was snuffed away. This beautiful person..

And then there's Steve Strode.  A beautiful, kind person who is clinging to life after a case of road rage.  He was beaten to a pulp and prayer warriors are surrounding him...hoping he'll make it.

Father God, welcome Susan to heaven with harps. She is a beautiful person who will be a great addition to your orbit of angels.

And pray that Steve pulls through. He is an angel on earth as he gives so much and cares so much.

Let him wake up and begin the recovery journey while he pray hard....HARD!

In my way, I love them both and lift them both up in prayer.

Human contact

You simply can't make authentic connections via Facebook, email or even on the phone.

I'd been trying to connect with a media type but she wouldn't return my call.  Then, I found out that she was invited to a party of an organization of which I'm a member.

Problem #1:  There was no assurance she'd be there.

Problem #2:   He was freezing cold out and I lived far from the party site.

Never mind, I thought.  I'll take my chances.

So, I braved the cold and drove in the dark to an uncertain outcome.

But everything was working:

SHE WAS THERE!  I scampered up to her, introduced myself and engaged in brief banter. 

PLUS!  I met several others I craved to introduce myself to.

As soon as I got home, I sent out "It was nice meeting you" emails to each.  Of the five I emailed, I got kind responses from three...including the contact I wanted to meet.

So, the human contact is key - ALWAYS!

Amid the Gloom, be joyous

Mass shootings....Anti-semitics on the rise...a pervasive atmosphere of conflict and hate.

This is the situation in the world today. 

And yet Christmas and the season are still on the calendar.

As we are steeped in the horrendous news, let's rise above this and 

be joyous

celebratory

and LOVING!

Vietnam

During my formative years.  the Vietnam war dominated the news. I met a guy who was a Brigadier General who served in Vietnam and had vivid memories of two friends who served there and were never the same.

So, I've had a fixation about it. I''ve always been intrigued and always wanted to go.

Recently, a travel agency advertised a trip to Vietnam at a can't-resist price. So, I've decided to go -- with one exception!  I'm not going to endure the dread of going on a super economy flight.  With the crying babies, the coughers and the uncomfortable seats, I decided to zap the flight portion of the package.

So, I'm going Business Class!

Yea...it's more expensive but I get great treatment, I can roust about in the space reserved for the special people.

So, this is a GO!

I'm going to Vietnam!

Shutting Down

We're in the final stretch of the year and I'm making the announcement:

I'M SHUTTING DOWN 2022!

I'm saying NO to new assignments.

I'm saying NO to requests for favors that are really work related!

I'm saying NO to working on any end-of-year committees.

I'm saying YES to vacations, YES to leisure and YES to ME!

 

My Brother is Coming to Visit Me!

 I am SOOO happy!

My Brother is Coming to Visit Me!

A month ago, he announced that he was coming and I'm so happy!

My Brother is Coming to Visit Me!

I haven't seen him in years and crazy schedules have kept us apart!

So, I am beyond thrilled that

My Brother is Coming to Visit Me!

I'm going to sing it to the rafters as I do my happy dance!

Why am I so happy?

BECAUSE

My Brother is Coming to Visit Me!

The Scream

There is an ad running in Chicago showing a woman strolling down the street when a swarm of thugs surround her and rob her.

The only sound is her screaming.

It is a powerful ad that is polarizing the city pitting political parties against one another.

I have expressed my opinion on this and been attacked because I appear to be siding with one party over the other.

Crime is out of control and I don't care who is to blame.  We need leaders with effective solutions and lawmakers willing to put in place measures that do not favor the thugs. They laugh at these ineffective laws.

I've been attacked and robbed at gunpoint and that shaped my views.

I don't care who takes on this challenge but it must be addressed or there is no hope for us.  We would also be at the hands of thugs who rob, kill and attack with no regard.

Time for change.