Jewels

As I look around I see all a facets of this life, I use the metaphor "facets" because I see my life as a jewel. Light (life) bounces all around and shines back at others. We go though different phase, friends, struggles, highlights, and day to day living, but I've learned that my attitude makes all the difference. I have learned to be at peace with my life, the good and the bad. The part that sparkles the most is my family.
My husband is WONDERFUL, he's caring, honest, loving and kind. He cares deeply for me and shows it each and everyday. We have an easy relationship, we respect each other, and care about each others lives. I'm lucky.
Our family is also one of the facets in my life.
I miss my family, my grown children with a deep ache, my grandchildren, their lives, their growths, their special moments, but in my heart, I know I'm close, I'm with them. I miss my friends, I only had a few, but I miss them too. I have made new friends, and that has been a great liberation for me, as they have "taken me in" just as I am, not what I can do for them, or title I posses, but just because. These women are spectacular each in their own way. However they do not replace family. My family is the most precious thing to me. I don't own them, I don't posses them, I just love them with all my heart.
Our oldest daughter and her husband have just become "parents" to a 7 year old girl named, Sylvia Nanjala, she lives in Kenya and they support her. She is beautiful. Becky hopes to go meet her next year on a mission trip.
Our youngest daughter is expecting in March of 2009, she hopes for a girl, she has 2 boys. She is excited and scared at the same time. Life will be busy for this family for at least 18 more years.
Our son has 3 children, they are wonderful parents and wonderful grand kids, they are one of the facets in my life.
They all posses light, they reflect that back to me and my life, that jewel glows brighter. Peace

Changes

The older I get, the more I think about the changes in my life. They fall into categories: 1. Changes I've made. 2. Reluctantly made changes. And 3rd. Forced change.
Each day is a change. Our date changes, our routine sometimes changes, (thank goodness), and well I guess that is what keeps things fresh. It is said that people in general hate change. But, I like it, it keeps me guessing, aware, alive, moving forward. Wouldn't it be awful if each day were the same as yesterday?
It would be like being in prison. I was thinking about that the other day. I actually know someone who will spend the rest of their natural life in prison. No freedom, no choices, no changes. Oh, maybe to the menu of the day's food, but no changes. Day after day, the same. Year after year the same. Nothing to look forward to, except maybe a visitor now and then, but after a few years I think that would dwindle...oh change would be wonderful for this individual, low boredom threshold, but that was given away with the freedom. Imagine, no vacations, no events, no room for change, no freedom to make changes, no changes at all. Same clothes, same walls, same view..........oh I know I'd go crazy, not to mention being with the same people you were forced to be with day in and day out.
So...really is change that awful? I think not. I know I have the ability to change. I love to see what the day will bring me, what present it holds for me, what adventure I can make with my choices and changes, whether it be in attitude or mood, or decision of what to do that day. Changes have been an integral part of my life, change has made me "who I am" today. I feel like I've not been a spectator of my life but a full-blown participant. Oh yes, there are some who are spectators, the live the small, flat-butted life, watching their lives go by and not having any desire to have a say in it, no, no changes for them. No names, no judgement, just an observation, but true none the less.
Changes I've made...I've moved, gotten a divorce, remarried, started my own business, learned to drive a motorcycle and a golf cart, took up golf, laid down golf. Became outspoken on domestic violence, stepped out of my shell, and into the world.
Changes reluctantly made...not too many here, just a few because of growth issues... lost touch with those once part of my inner-circle.
Changes forced to make...buried parents, grandparents, cut off communication with people who are judgemental and self absorbed and tiny in spirit and kindness.
Each choice has shaped me, whether I liked it or not into me, just me, and I do like me, I know my Heavenly Father likes (loves) me, so that's about as good as it gets. Change is good. As far as my life...I want to go out with my hair on fire. With zest, vigor and skid marks. Heck I only get to do this once, so I'd better take care of this present and change today for the better. Peace!

Reaquaintance

This has been quite a morning, after i finished my work and emails I happened to go on a website that allows you to peek into the lives of people you once went to school with. For me, high schools, well, that's been a long time ago. Faces, really not recognizable if met on the street, however faintly familiar are attached to some of the names. Thank goodness maiden names were there for the women, and some I still didn't remember. I left a few hello's not knowing if these will in fact ever be read by their profile owners, but my friendly nature compels me to do so. To my delight I was contacted by a friend from the late 60's, that I'd left a hello to. I must say I had a terrible crush on in my junior year in high school, and he even attended a picnic with my family out near Iowa City on hot summer's day. Fleeting is a word that would describe our relationship as he was older and off to college. Our paths have not met since that summer, yet I smiled as I read his words. He is on a journey to find enlightenment, and I am on a journey to life each day as a gift. We are not so different, yet our paths are, I believe are the same, yet very different..... I guess, simple is the word that delights me, I live very simply, yet I believe I stretch each day to it's fullest, and give all the glory to my Lord. I know that I'm not the wisest person on the planet however I choose to go for the truth, or the truth as I know it. It makes my days longer, my eyes clearer and my sleep sweeter. I am neither judge nor juror. I am excited about life, the good and the bad, the ups and the downs, it's part of the rhythm of life. At times I whine, but then since I have no cheese, I quit....ha ha. I've had moments of deep sadness that have made me a better, stronger person, more caring, less judgement I believe. I enjoy an even keel, a calm sea, and a gentle breeze. I hope my friend finds what he is searching for, he'll find it in quiet, peaceful times, and gentle smiles for those that love him. Peace

A new day a new "thing"

Hi, Nancy nurse here, It's funny how life throws ya a curve once and again. I don't like to talk about medical maladies however this one is a growing concern in the medical field. Vitamin D deficiencies. I was just diagnosed, it has a long litany of side effects. Suppressed immune system, bone loss, 70% greater chance of death...the list goes on and on. That might explain why I was so very sick in the spring and could not get better! So, I am speaking out, asking you to ask your doctor at your next appointment, or if you have a blood draw coming up to have a Vitamin D level checked. Normal range is between 32 - 100, I was at 24.7, and had symptoms I was unaware of having. However my doctor spotted them. I will not list them as I don't want people doing the self-diagnose thing. Don't go out and buy mega doses of this vitamin, you should not self-diagnose, you need to be seen by a professional. I have been placed on 50,000IU for 8 weeks, dosing one pill a week, then I will get a recheck.

Physicians are saying with people being indoors, lactose intolerant and other factors this deficiency is showing up more and more. My neighbor who is 70, her tongue was cracking down the middle, Vitamin D deficient. Who knew?!?

So, be your own health advocate, ask for a check and stay healthy!