I heard today…

I heard today of a passing,

Expected but painful in it’s loss.

I heard today of a birth,

And joy in celebration.

I heard today of a fine dinner

Cooked by a young couple for a grandmother.

And the thought occurred:

In this one day is the perfect depiction of Life.

And I gave Thanks.

An Old Message with Kick…

Things change from year to year but in doing so in many ways, it stays the same.  There was, and will be struggle, and what seems to count most is not what happens but how we deal with it.  How we survive I guess.  After all survival can be victorious, making us stronger, even if in our minds, or it can minimize us making us wonder what the hell happened.  Life has never been promised to be a nirvana/ heaven, or permanently happy.  Life is hard work.  Happiness and joy are more a by product of surviving that hard work.  It’s temporary but oh my so sweet.

via Closing Off One Year – Believing in Another

Today

Today is mine.  If I live in the shadows of others it is my choice. But today the sun shines and I live in the purity of self, hoping days end will show Grace, Kindness, and Love, Creativity and Generosity. (I do so hate those ending in sloth, laziness, neglect, and ignorance – you know – most days 😕 😁 )

HELP! One of Those Critical Moments When Common Sense Hits and Words Must be Said…One of Those Critical Moments when My Light Hearted Muse Steps Aside and I am at The Mercy of My Poetic Muse

HELP!  One of Those Critical Moments When Common Sense Hits and Words Must be Said…One of Those Critical Moments when My Light Hearted Muse Steps Aside and I am at The Mercy of My Poetic Muse

Be what you know

You should be.

See your vision 

Of what that is.

Show what you know 

You should be.

Show your vision of what that is.

Live what you know

You should be.

Live your vision

Of what that is.

Not from what you have been told

But what YOU know from your heart and soul.

Now that is living!

Michael, Suzanne, Africa..Help!

Michael, Suzanne and Africa..Help!

If you could do one thing in your life that would make a difference to the world..what would it be?

While you ponder the possibilities I’d like to tell you about a couple who decided to do just that. 

Suzanne F. Stevens is a world leader in leadership.  She is a leader in optimizing.  World wide.  You really need to look at suzannefstevens.com to understand.  

Her husband, Michael K. Gingerich has been a successful business man who has joined the cause.  He not only believes in The Cause but has devoted this year..maybe more, to a world shaking idea.  Now really when was the last time your world was shaken?

They both have given up life as we know it.  Sold their home, gave away possessions for the adventure of a lifetime.

My request of you who follow me, who are new to this site, or perhaps found me through some weird tag, please check them out.

suzannefstevens.com

http://www.igniteexcellance.org

youmewe.ca

Linked-in – http://www.linkedin.com/in/suzannefstevens

FaceBook – – http://on.fb.me/eEPF9T

YouTube – http://www.youtube.com/user/suzannefstevens

Twitter – http://twitter.com/SuzanneFStevens

 Please step forward..and. Lord I know I know there are many causes out there…but just take a look..if for no other reason than burning bridges asks this,

Was it a Dream?

Was it a dream????

I have had the honor to attend several deaths through out my decades in nursing.  Probably more than a hundred.  Most have been good, some inspiring and a few …well…

One I will remember forever, even though this one time I was not there.

Many many years ago…read decades here.. I worked in a nursing home.  Most of the home comprised of private apartments and we also had a small twenty-eight bed sick unit.  When I made rounds each day I always stopped in to see one particular couple.  They were English and very proper and deeply in love even after almost seventy years of marriage.  Just being around them made you feel good.

I was with the doctor the day he had to tell Mr. M he had lung cancer and not long to live.  No this is not a smoking story – the man had never puffed in his life.  After the doctor left I returned to see how my English gent was doing.  I asked him how he felt about the news.  He said, “Chris I am ninety-two years old.  I am a Christian so I know I will see my sons and other family that have passed.  But life is precious and if I was two hundred it would still be too soon to leave it.”

As the next few weeks passed Mr. M got weaker and finally ended up in our sick unit, bed ridden and emaciated.  I had Monday and Tuesday off so when I gave report to the next shift on Sunday I said that Mr. was weak but holding his own.

I went off to enjoy my days with my young family.  Just after midnight on Monday I had a dream in which I woke up in my bedroom to find Mr. M standing beside my bed.  He was smiling.  I was distressed and asked him what he was doing there.  That he was sick and had to get into his bed.  He smiled and said that I did not understand and to come with him.  I found myself standing bedside his bed in the Home.  He was standing beside me and then I noticed he was also peacefully in his bed.

I could not formulate any thoughts, let alone words and just stared at him.  He smiled again and said that he had to go but he was going to tell “them” how kind and good I was.  I panicked once it dawned on me what he was saying.  I found myself begging him not to tell anyone.  I said “they” knew me and knew I was not good and please please don’t say anything.  He smiled again, so sweetly, and then he was gone.

I woke to find myself sitting up in bed.  I looked at the clock – it was two-twenty a.m.  Thinking what a strange dream it was I went back to my slumbers and forgot about it.

Wednesday I returned to work and was getting report from the night staff.  I pointed out that they forgot report on Mr. M.  The nurse said that he had died. After what felt like a long pause I asked when he died.  Two-twenty Tuesday morning.

For several days after that I was not sure what to do with that information but I felt like there was something I was supposed to do.
His wife kept coming to mind but I resisted thinking sure I’m supposed to go to this old grieving lady and tell her I spoke with her dead husband.  But the thought would not go away so feeling forced and more than a little stupid I went to the apartment.

We chatted about nothing really and then I told her bout the dream.  I wasn’t sure what to expect but she just quietly said, “Thank you dear, I knew if there was a way he could  let me know he was alright he would.  And he has.”

I don’t think of it often, but every now and then……