22 Tuesday Apr 2008
Posted in Being Thankful, inspiration, life, thoughts
I am renewed.
13 Sunday Apr 2008
Posted in Adventures
Tags
I put this list together recently for someone who asked for ideas on fun things to do in and around the DC area, so I thought I would share. This is just a start – if you have any ideas please let me know and I will update the list.
1. Visit vineyards – there are several vineyards in Virginia (about an hour drive). The views are fabulous, you can do wine tastings and have a wonderful picnic – lots of these vineyards have great springtime events. There are also companies that do local vineyard tours for a very resonable price. Visit the vineyards in the Northern Region: http://virginiawines.org/wineries/r-northern.html – here is a link to a great local wine blog where there is a wealth of information: http://vinespot.blogspot.com/; and here is a link to a company that does tours: http://www.vawineadventures.com/
2. Visit Hillwood Museum & Gardens – right in the heart of DC – http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org/ – the estate once owned by Marjorie Merriweather Post. This includes a wonderful home/museum and magical gardens. You can even have afternoon tea there!
3. Visit the National Arboretum: http://www.usna.usda.gov/ – I lived in DC for 20 years before I discovered this place, and I can’t believe I waited so long!
4. Take a haunted history tour of Old Town Alexandria: http://www.alexcolonialtours.com/graveyard.html – a lot of fun, especially after happy hour 
5. Visit Mount Vernon: http://www.mountvernon.org – VERY important to honor our founding fathers. Mount Vernon was the home of George Washington, it is a remarkable place.
6. On that note, If you want to drive 2 hours – go see Monticello, the estate of Thomas Jefferson: http://www.monticello.org – this is also a must-see
7. Go to the Baltimore Aquarium – http://www.aqua.org/ – less than an hour from DC
8. Have brunch at a restaurant at Eastern Market in DC – then shop the open market as well
9. Walk around Georgetown, visit the university and go to Dumbarton Oaks Gardens http://www.doaks.org/Gardens.html
10. Have a picnic on the mall. Check out the Smithsonian museums, etc
11. Go to the National Zoo (it’s owned by the Smithsonian and it’s free!)
12. Take the Metro (we have the best subway in the country – and it is sure to imporess)
13. Go to Happy Hour or dinner somewhere in Adams Morgan
14. Visit the LIncoln and Jefferson memorials
11 Friday Apr 2008
Posted in Being Thankful, Health & Wellness, inspiration, Learning, life, Quotations, thoughts, work
Tags
- Mary Anne Radmacher
10 Thursday Apr 2008
Posted in Children, community, life, make a difference, suicide, Taking Action
The death last week of Nick Freeman, a popular, well-liked, teenager in my community has hit me pretty hard. There are questions swirling in my head, along with a picture of him — as my son and I saw him earlier on that horrible day. I just can’t get him out of my head. Why was he in so much pain? What were his final thoughts? Why did he feel so hopeless and helpless? The pain must have been unbearable, and I have pain in my heart for him, his loved ones, and his friends.
My letter to Nick
Dear Nick -
You were well-liked, loved by many, and obviously made a positive difference for many of your friends and classmates. From what I can tell, you always made people feel included, you made them laugh – and they all looked up to you. What a great legacy for such a young person, surely it’s one to be proud of. I did not know you, but I can feel the pain of your leaving us along with everyone else in our community. I hope that you have found peace and happiness – and I know that you are looking out for all of your friends as you did when you were here. It seems that heaven has gained an angel. I hope that you have found happiness – may you be at peace.
To our community, his friends and family – now what do we do?
The question that really needs to be asked is, “what can we do about this?” Well, for Nick we can honor him and the wonderful legacy he has left behind (just read his guest book and you will see). But for others, we can can help to prevent such tragedies by getting involved and taking action.
According to the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention:
Suicide is the third leading cause of death of young people aged 15-24 in the United States. Four thousand suicides occur each year in this age group alone, exacting an enormous toll on our Nation’s families and communities. More youth die by suicide than from malignancies, congenital abnormalities and infectious diseases combined — and these suicides are largely preventable.
from www.youtube.com posted with vodpod
I have decided to participate in the upcoming AFSP Out of the Darkness walk in honor of Nick, my mom, my childhood friends – and for others who left us way too soon in a state of hopelessness. I plan to show that there is hope, and help – anyone care to join me?
07 Monday Apr 2008
Posted in Being Thankful, Children, community, inspiration, Learning, life, Quotations, suicide, thoughts
Tags
I have been struggling with sadness this past week – hard to understand why such sad things happen. Here is my mantra for the coming week. Thanks to Dirt Diva for this:
Ask for guidance in seeing the truth concealed in your personal challenges.
Bless your difficulties and ask to see their hidden guidance.
Have the courage to accept what you discover and to initiate whatever action your healing requires.
02 Wednesday Apr 2008
Tags
Children, drug overdose, grief, high school, sons, teenagers
Yesterday I picked my teenage son up from school and took him to McDonalds on the way home. While sitting at the drive-thru, we saw many kids from his high school walking home. I noticed 2 boys walking together and for some reason thought to ask my son if he knew them. My son said he knew them, not well but from time-to-time they would say ‘hello’ to each other in the hallways, and he told me that they were seniors. I commented on their style of dress and how young they looked.
I called my son right after school today, my typical mom check-in call to make sure he was ok and on his way home. He told me he stayed late to get some help with his math. Before I got off the phone, he said, “Mom, remember that guy we saw yesterday in front of the McDonalds?” I said yes. He said, “well, he died yesterday, they say killed himself.”
My heart dropped. I felt a sharp pain shoot through my body. This is the teenage boy we saw yesterday walking in front of our car. This was someone who was once someone’s beautiful new baby boy, full of promise and hope. He was a son, brother, cousin, grandson, friend and student. I cannot imagine the pain of those around him, and the pain he must have been feeling to end up this way. This is so sad and so senseless. Now I can see that my son is in pain. He says he is sad, but mostly mad at the boy for doing such a stupid thing.
I will keep him as well as his loved ones in my thoughts and prayers, and I will consider this a reminder of how precious life is.
Tonight I will hold my son a little closer, and make sure to let him know how much he is loved.
01 Tuesday Apr 2008
Posted in Being Thankful, family, Fitness & Health, goals, Health & Wellness, inspiration, life, Taking Action, thoughts
It’s no secret that I am on a journey of self discovery – more recently getting more conscious about myself, my choices, and my life. The truth is, it’s a double-edged sword.
One of the the areas in which I have gained some clarity is around what I want for my life. I can honestly say that 12 months ago I would have never been able to do this. A year ago I was not as frustrated or moody, but I was also not as conscious.
With that said, here is a list of the 7 things that I want for my life:
1. To live in a place that feeds my soul
2. To have a job that makes my heart sing
3. To make more than six figures (financial security), and have money in the bank (more than 50k, other than my retirement accounts)
4. To be a Lifelong learner
5. To be fit, healthy and happy (is this 3 or 1?)
6. Relationships that feed my soul, and my intellect
7. To have my children be healthy, happy and confident
Simple, right?
