Fond memories of my Mom

My Mom used to sing this song to me.  She is no longer here on earth, so when I saw this sign at a local craft show I had to buy it.  Thanks for the memories, Mom.  I love you. xoxo

A Stumpbled Upon Story

This morning I stumbled upon this story while checking the stats of a Christmas photo contest.  

Life is a funny thing.

And, even if just for a moment, I was reminded 

to have a little faith in the good. 

~ Alexia Richards

Little did I know that by clicking a few links I would soon be on the back roads of Virginia on a dark, cold Christmas Eve night sitting on an old wooden bench by a church as an amazing and gifted young lady exposes the depths of her heart as she tries to bring hope to a family that has suffered a terrible loss.  In the true spirit of the Christmas Jar, this is a family she has never met. 

Stories like Alexia Richard’s touch my heart.  She is a young and gifted writer.  I don’t know if she realizes the power of her written word.  She is struggling with life, as we all do at times.  She inspires hope by sharing her story, letting the rest of us know that we are not alone in our struggles.  She is true to herself, knowing she is not perfect.  None of us are. 

Take a few moments and read her story, this is the true spirit of Christmas.

Christmas Jars

Outside My Window - Photo by Art Miller

Cardinals outside window during snow storm
12/25/2010

Quote of the Day - by Richard Paul Evans

The most important story we will ever 

write in life is our own—

not with ink, 

but with our daily choices.

~ Richard Paul Evans

Beyond Justice - WOW!!

Joshua Graham takes you on the ride of your life in this book. Graham does an amazing job weaving a spine chilling, heart pounding, thought provoking tale. I finished this book in less than 24 hours. I stayed up way past my bedtime and was late to work the next day just so I could finish this book.

Sam Hudson's last day of life as he knew it was like any other typical day. He goes to the office for a full day, dashes home to spend time with his family, argues with his young son thereby angering his daughter as Dad will sometimes do, then dashes off for a dinner meeting. The typical everyday hectic life for most of us, until he arrives home to find his family brutally attacked and dying. His wife, Jenn and daughter, Bethie ultimately die from their injuries. His son, Aaron remains on life support as Sam finds himself wrongly accused of the brutal murders of his wife and daughter. As Sam fights for his innocence he finally accepts help from the most unlikely person, his next door neighbor and his wife's pastor, Dave. Through Pastor Dave's friendship Sam is introduced to the people who stand by his side until the end, believing in him and fighting for his innocence. One of these includes his attorney, Rachel.

After Sam's murder conviction, we continue with him on his journey as he spends the next three years of his life in prison for crimes he did not commit. During Sam's stay in prison we are introduced to memorable characters that we both despise and love including Butch the prison guard, The Bishop, fellow cellmate Possum, and Sonja Grace. We read as Sam goes through the stages of grief not only for the loss of his wife and daughter, but the loss of life as he knew it. While in prison Sam finally learns who was responsible for the murders of his wife and daughter. The author takes us on another wild ride with this story line. Brent Stringer, a local newspaper reporter and budding writer goes to great lengths to frame Sam and other fathers in the area for similar murders. Stringer is the epitome of evil. He uses every resource to frame his targets including identity theft, cyber stalking and rummaging through trash cans to find everything he needs to make sure his intended targets are found guilty.

While in prison Sam is allowed to have 15 personal items, one of which is his dead wife's bible. Sam is not a big believer in organized religion, he's really not a huge fan of God, but slowly he starts reading parts of the bible and starts questioning his beliefs and disbeliefs. Who, in the midst of tragedy, has not questioned the existence of God, been angry at God and railed at God? We all talk the talk, but are we able to walk the walk? We watch as Sam struggles with the whole `God' thing as he fights to stay alive in prison, which is a hard thing when you are a convicted child rapist and murderer.

We then follow Sam after his conviction is overturned and he fights for custody for his son who has lingered on life support through the years. His son, Aaron, is the one thing that has kept Sam fighting while in prison. Sam learns that although there are miracles in life, everyday living can still be a struggle. It's how you chose to react to these struggles that make life worth living. Sam's new found faith is put to the test when he feels he must forgive Brent Stringer for the death of his wife and daughter. Sam reaches out to Stringer so that he can personally forgive him, Stringer rebuffs his attempt. Stringer and Sam continue to verbally spar about God, but after once Same presents Stringer with a bible and he begins his own journey with God do Sam and Stringer each perform the ultimate sacrifice for each other. No spoiler here!

This spellbinding chill reminds me of many great writers including Grisham, Patterson, and Child. You anxiously wait to turn the next page to see what will happen. Yes, there is a sprinkling of spirituality in this book. But I think we all struggle with our spirituality at some point in our lives. I cannot emphasize enough the amazing tale Graham has woven. The characters, courtroom, and prison scenes are more than believable. I haven't had a book capture my attention like this in months. I am an avid reader, and typically read 3-5 books per week. This one will stay with me forever. Kudos to you Mr. Graham.

Andy Andrews - The Traveler's Gift

Andy Andrews takes us on a magical ride back in time.  This story starts with the downfall of David Ponder.  At the beginning of this story we find Dave Ponder going through the worst time of his life.  First he loses his job, and then his investments don't come to fruition.  By not being the breadwinner in the family Ponder suffers the loss of his self-confidence and ultimately his passion for living. Ponder feels that he can no longer provide for his wife and ill daughter. After a car accident during an emotional meltdown, he is rendered unconscious and is transported back into time to seven key points in history that include the the discovery of the new world, Civil War, Holocaust and World War II.

At each meeting Ponder is given a letter from each of these historical figures that include Anne Frank, Christopher Columbus, Harry Truman and Abraham Lincoln.   Andrews skilled writing brings these historical figures to life.  I sat in that hidden room with Anne Frank and watched this young teen still find joy in the world. I was on that battlefield during the Civil War speaking to a young Joshua Chamberlain as the cannons fired and smoked awed by his courage.  I was in that darkened tent on the hill speaking to Abe Lincoln with his craggy face, and deep baritone voice.

The letters contain an important lesson for both Ponder and reader to use in their own life, to make them want learn to be a better person--by choice.  Everything in life is a choice. 

As the reader we are fortunate to travel with Ponder back in time to witness history through the eyes of these amazing people.

The Seven Principles outlined by Andrews in this thought provoking book are:

      1.     The Buck Stops Here - I am responsible for my past and my future. 

~“God did not put in me the ability to always make the right decision.  He did, however,

 put in me the ability to make a decision and then make it right.”  - Ergo, we all make mistakes.

~“My energy will go into making a decision.  I will waste none on second thoughts.  My life will not be an apology.  It will be a statement.”  WOW!  Powerful words

 2.     I will seek wisdom – I will be a servant to others.  

~“Knowing that wisdom waits to be gathered, I will actively search her out. 

 {Let me say how happy I am that Wisdom is a Woman}. 

~“My past can never be changed, but I can change my future by changing my actions today.” 

~“He who serves the most grows the fastest.”

    3.     I am a person of action - I seize this moment.  I chose now.

~“No longer will I dwell in a pit of despair, moaning over squandered time and lost opportunity.”
- See No. 1 above.

~“I will walk with a spring in my step and a smile on my face.”  

~“I choose now, I am courageous.”  

   4. I Have A Decided Heart -  My destiny is assured.

~"I am passionate about my vision for the future."

~"I will lay my head on my pillow at night happily exhausted, knowing that I have done everything within my power to move the mountains in my my path."

~"I will not wait.  I am passionate about my vision for the future.  My course has been charted.  My destiny is assured.  I have a decided heart." - Per Nike, JUST DO IT!

   5. Today I will choose to be happy - I am the possessor of a grateful spirit.

~"Greatness does not care if one is a boy or a girl.  If, in fact it's what's inside us that makes all the difference, then the difference is made when we choose what goes inside." - It's all a choice. 

~"Today I will choose to be happy.  I will greet each day with laughter." 

~"I am the possessor of a grateful spirit." - Gratefulness cures all that ails you. 

"My God has bestowed upon me many gifts, and for these gifts I will remember to be grateful." 

   6.  I will greet this day with a forgiving heart -  I will forgive myself.

~"I now understand that forgiveness has value only when it is given away.  By the simple act of granting forgiveness, I release the demons of the past about which I can do nothing, and I create in myself a new heart, a new beginning."

~"I will now and forevermore silently offer my forgiveness even to those who do not see that they need it.  by the act of forgiving, I am no longer consumed by unproductive thoughts.  I give up my bitterness.  I am content in my soul and effective again with my fellowman."  - I can't add to this, it's perfect.

   7. I will persist without exception - I am a person of great faith. 

~"Reason never makes room for miracles; faith releases miracles.  Reason can only be stretched so far, but faith has no limits.  The only limit to your realization of tomorrow is the doubt to which you hold fast today."

~"There will never be a reason to lose faith." 

When Ponder wakes in the hospital he finds that he still has the seven letters.  It wasn't just a dream.  We then see Ponder as he peers into his future being the man God had intended him to be teaching these seven principles to the world.

After reading this book, I purchased a copy of Anne Frank's Diary.  I read this book back in middle school, but after reading this book I had to read it again with my 42-year old eyes, heart, and spirit.  I know there are things I can learn from Anne Frank now, things that I wasn't able to grasp at the age of 13.   Mr. Andrews makes me want to learn more about these historical figures and their role in history. 

This book is so inspiring!  It's a must read!  I am SSOOO happy my sister mentioned Andy Andrews in an email.  Her email has led me to Mr. Andrew's amazing books.  

It Makes Perfect Sense....

If you don’t have confidence in yourself, get off your rear end and do anything 
that will make you feel better about yourself. ~ Wayne Dyer

My sister and I with Wayne Dyer - Maui, HI 10/2009

A Book About Golf, But Not Really....The Nine Lessons by Kevin A. Milne

One of my favorite authors, Jason Wright, recommended this book, but it was about golf. Anyone who knows me...well they know that I abhor sports of any kind, and especially golf. No wheels, balls, hoops, or racetracks for my personal viewing. But golf? Ugh. But I decided to take a leap of faith and order the book. Once I received the book it languished on my bookshelf for about a month before I decided to put it to the test. Well, I was in for a huge surprise. What a great read! You've probably read the other reviews about the characters of the book including August, London and Erin. Mr. Milne weaves a thought provoking and heart warming tale of love between a husband and wife (both Erin and August as well as his long dead Mother, Jessalyn and his father London), lost love and respect between a father and his only child as well as the fear we all have of bringing a child into this great big world. 

The night August finds out that he is going to become *GASP* a father, he is so angry he decides to blame the one man that made him feel inadequate at being a prospective father, by being a terrible father in his eyes...his very own father, London. August made it perfectly clear to his wife, Erin, that he never wanted children. August jumps in his car, leaving his wife at home alone and drives to father's house and pounds on his door to place all of the blame at his father's feet. Little did August know that his moment of anger would be the bridge back to his father, his dead mother, his wife, his heart, and God. 


Yes, this book had golf analogies, but not boring, senseless analogies. Those are big words coming from me, hater of sports. But I must say that I actually learned from London's Nine Lessons. The book made me stop and think about my own parents, my childhood and upbringing. There have been many times over the years where I thought my parents could have done more, could have done better, could have been more. After reading Mr. Milne's book I know now that I can give my parents a mulligan, especially my Mom who is no longer on earth...and maybe someday my only son and child will give me a mulligan. Oh, and until I read this book I never knew what a mulligan was...Thanks, Mr. Milne for the lesson.

A Secret Gift

Here is story that caught my eye on CBS Sunday Morning a few weeks ago, that has led to me to yet another book I must read.   I received an Amazon.com gift card for Christmas and have ordered this book.  I can't wait for my postman to deliver it this week!  Take a few minutes to watch the video, it's well worth the time.

From the author's website:

Shortly before Christmas 1933 in Depression-scarred Canton, Ohio, a small newspaper ad offered $10, no strings attached, to 75 families in distress. Interested readers were asked to submit letters describing their hardships to a benefactor calling himself Mr. B. Virdot. The author’s grandfather Sam Stone was inspired to place this ad and assist his fellow Cantonians as they prepared for the cruelest Christmas most of them would ever witness.

Moved by the tales of suffering and expressions of hope contained in the letters, which he discovered in a suitcase 75 years later, Ted Gup initially set out to unveil the lives behind them, searching for records and relatives all over the country who could help him flesh out the family sagas hinted at in those letters. From these sources, Gup has re-created the impact that Mr B. Virdot’s gift had on each family. Many people yearned for bread, coal, or other necessities, but many others received money from B. Virdot for more fanciful items-a toy horse, say, or a set of encyclopedias. As Gup’s investigations revealed, all these things had the power to turn people’s lives around- even to save them.

But as he uncovered the suffering and triumphs of dozens of strangers, Gup also learned that Sam Stone was far more complex than the lovable- retiree persona he’d always shown his grandson. Gup unearths deeply buried details about Sam’s life-from his impoverished, abusive upbringing to felonious efforts to hide his immigrant origins from U.S. officials-that help explain why he felt such a strong affinity to strangers in need. Drawing on his unique find and his award-winning reportorial gifts, Ted Gup solves a singular family mystery even while he pulls away the veil of eight decades that separate us from the hardships that united America during the Depression. In A Secret Gift, he weaves these revelations seamlessly into a tapestry of Depression-era America, which will fascinate and inspire in equal measure.

Optional video link from CBS Sunday Morning

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/11/28/sunday/main7096415.shtml?tag=contentMain;contentBody

Dan Caro - An Amazing Spirit

I had the pleasure of hearing Mr. Caro speak a few years ago, and am anxious to read his book.  He has an amazing spirit that touches my heart.  I'm putting this book on my reading list for 2011.

Here is his bio from his website:

Dan Caro was born in Metairie, La. on November Sixteenth, 1979. 

At the age of two, an unthinkable event would change his life forever. While in the family garage, the pilot light of a hot water heater ignited gasoline fumes and Dan sustained third degree burns to over seventy percent of his body. After being rescued by local firefighters, he was rushed to New Orleans Charity Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. While in ICU, a Shriner from the Jerusalem Temple in New Orleans, La. contacted Dan’s parents and told them about the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Immediately, Dan was transported by medivac to the Shriners Burns Hospital in Boston, Ma. where he would undergo many reconstructive surgeries and other treatments throughout his childhood.

Ultimately, as a result of the burn injuries, Dan lost his right hand, most of his left hand and is severely scarred. In the mid 1980s, reconstructive surgery that would give Dan the use of a moveable thumb was performed on his left hand. Since then, Dan has been living life to the fullest in the face of his adversity. His relentless attitude and resiliency would consistently prove that nothing is impossible; including his lifelong dream of becoming a musician.

Dan, at the age of twelve, began drumming in spite of his loss of fingers. He plays by using the left thumb to grip one drum stick, with the other drum stick attached to his right wrist by a wrist band and rubber bands. With this simple device and an undying passion for music, Dan has become a very respected drummer in the New Orleans area. His unique personal style and musicianship has landed him countless gigs with some of the world’s greatest performers such as Ashish Khan, Michael Ray, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Karl Denson, Marshall Allen and Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey.

In addition to music, Dan is an Ambassador for the Shriners of North America. He is a professional speaker who shares stories of fulfillment and achievement; A prime example of bravery and courage.

I Must!!

The WonderKid

My 15-year old son asked me to take him to a local department store to so that he could shop for his Dad for Christmas. We went in; my son did his thing buying what he thought were funny gifts for his Dad. Oh, the humor at this age.

As we were walking to the car I was doing a quick tally in my head.  As I opened the car door I was thinking I got off awfully cheap for what we had purchased. My son was now waiting in the car for me; I turned the dome light on and checked the receipt. Sure enough, I was not charged for an item. I looked at my son and said, "She didn't charge us for the shirt. You KNOW I have to go back in and pay." My son cut his eyes over at me as only a teenager can and quipped, "Come on Jesus, can't you let it go this one time? Don't you get tired of walking on water?" He just cracks me up. He knows his mother well and KNEW there was no way I could leave the parking lot without paying. Funny Boy.

Christmas Jars - A Book to Inspire You to Give

One of my favorite Christmas books is a short, heartwarming, inspiring book perfectly named ‘Christmas Jars’.  I gave my Christmas Jar yesterday afternoon and what a wonderful feeling you receive when you give.  Not to mention the joy and fun of skulking around as you try to leave the jar anonymously!

Here’s my story:

My Christmas is now complete!  After skulking through Wal-Mart to see if my recipient was working on Christmas Eve, I finally spied her on checkout #13!  Who knew 13 could be so lucky!! 

Earlier this week, my son and I checkout through our Christmas Jar recipient’s lane, and since I live in small town I am familiar with most of the workers at my local Wal-Mart, but I had never seen this young lady before.

We were next in line, waiting patiently with all of the other holiday shoppers as this young lady was trying to wait on the person in front of us.  I noticed that she kept coughing, her eyes were watering and finally she took a few seconds out of her job to use an inhaler.  I wasn’t sure if she has asthma or not, but I could she was in distress.  She continued to bury her face in the crook of elbow and cough as she tried to check and bag the groceries.  My heart went out to her.  It was our turn and I asked her if she was okay and she shook her head ‘no’ as her eyes watered.  Once she caught her breath she stated that she had bronchitis as well as pneumonia, but she HAD to work.  I kindly told her I hoped she felt better and wished her a Merry Christmas. 

After my son and I placed our groceries in the car and drove home we talked about how things must be hard for her if she had to work while being so ill.  That’s when we decided that she would be the recipient of our Christmas Jar this year!  I had to ask for help in delivering the Christmas Jar since I didn’t even know her last name.  I asked a Special Angel who works at Wal-Mart to assist us in this joyful giving.  So in the midst of the Christmas Eve madhouse at Wal-Mart this big hearted Angel agreed to help!  I ran back out to my car and retrieved the Christmas ‘tin’ and a copy of the book ‘Christmas Jars’ that I had placed in a large manila envelope.  I delivered it to the Wal-Mart greeter with instructions to give it to the unnamed Wal-Mart Angel to do her part!!  I hope the Christmas Jar brings this young lady joy this holiday season!!

The Four Cardinal Virtues

This is called the Hua Hu Ching, written by Lao Tzu.  It’s the unknown teachings of Lao Tzu.

 Number 51 says,
 ‘Those who want to know the truth of the universe should practice the four cardinal virtues.

Photo from www.tuvy.com

The first is reverence for all of life.  This manifests as unconditional love
 and respect for oneself and all other beings.

The second is natural sincerity.  This manifests as honesty,
simplicity and faithfulness.

The third is gentleness, which manifests as kindness, consideration for
others and sensitivity to spiritual truth.

The fourth is supportiveness.

This manifests as service to others without
expectation of reward.”