11 Monday Aug 2008
Posted in Adventures, Being Thankful, Children, inspiration, life, nature, travel
Tags
I took a week off from RL and escaped to one of my favorite places. The house that I stayed in inspired me beyond words – to the point where I left with more clarity than ever on how I want to live my life.
30 Wednesday Jul 2008
Posted in Adventures, Being Thankful, Children, life
Tags
Just a short list for today. Not in any particular order:
28 Monday Jul 2008
Posted in Adventures, Children, inspiration, life
Tags
25 Friday Jul 2008
The 9:30 club in DC holds a special place in my heart. Call me sentimental, but I remember the 1st time I went there when I was 20 years old – and was going to see a new group called Public Enemy. This was before they were well-known and their audience was small and somewhat alternative. Needless to say, it was a night to remember…
Fast forward a very long time (no need to mention actual years here). My nine year old found out that one of her favorite bands, Good Charlotte, was playing at the 9:30 club and was begging me to take her. Her suggested alternative was a Panic at the Disco concert somewhere in the midwest. What do I do with a 9 year old that wants to go to the 9:30 club? Aren’t most 9-year olds are listening to Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers? I mentioned that and she didn’t talk to me for the rest of the evening.
18 Wednesday Jun 2008
Posted in Adventures, Being Thankful, Children, Fitness & Health, inspiration, nature, travel
This past Sunday, my daughter and I escaped to one of the most beautiful places on earth. We talked, walked, picnic’d on million-year-old rocks, sang songs, and layed in the grass under the cool sky.
20 Tuesday May 2008
Posted in Being Thankful, Children, life
Tags
I am often amazed and the wonder and magic that my daughter seems to find everywhere. I find her on the stairs discussing a play with her puppets, singing softly to herself while in the shower, in her room on the floor surrounded by books and notes, or in the family room with a host of stuffed animals all facing her in her classroom.
Through her I know in my heart that magic does exist. She brings magic to my life every day. She is a gift to me and to the world, and for that I am thankful every day.
07 Wednesday May 2008
Posted in Being Thankful, Children, Letters to Mom, life
I bought an easel for my daughter at a yard sale this weekend for 3$. One side is a chalkboard, and the other has a giant clip on the top for artwork.
Each day when I come home, I arrive to find that the easel has been strategically placed at the front door with a note for me.
Monday’s note:
Dear Mom,
I am going to Neptune to investigate the dark spot, then I am going mars and will stop by the moon on the way home.
be back at 1:30.
ps. Don’t forget to water our garden
Tuesday’s note:
Dear Mom,
I am going to Italy to see beautiful art and the colliseum, then I am going to Egypt to see the pyramids, and then I will stop by China to see the great wall.
be back at 3:30
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.
