A Tiny Spark of Inspiration

Sometime I look out and see nothing but the fog. Gray, dense & overwhelming. Other times there's a burst of color that explodes in my mind when I'm inspired. Like any good swift kick, all it takes to start the ball rolling is an "ah ha" moment.

As I said in my last post, I've been tinkering on Facebook. I've found some old friends from way back and it feels fabulous to rekindle these connections. There are many others who I have yet to find, but I'm sure that when the time is right, we'll come together.

Meanwhile, I've been doing some thinking lately about where I want to go, and how I want to lead my life. Now that I've got a 6th grader (a.k.a. "tween") in the house, I really have to buckle down and start dredging up some super-positive habits. I need to start changing things about me, or at least modifying things.

Hmmm... where do I start?

My self is the first thing on my makeover list. Got to start dusting off the fitness DVDs and sprucing up my eating habits. Now that it's summer (although you'd never guess it's summer if you live in VT where the sunshine has been nearly non-existent) I'm going to start enjoying the great outdoors with the boys; hiking, biking, swimming, walking, rollerblading, and exploring the sights. I'm even thinking about doing plyometrics at the gym with Birdie and taking a Zumba class.

My job is the next thing that I need to change. I really need to find something new, maybe inside a school or hospital so I can really make a difference. Meanwhile, I have to garner more knowledge in order to expand my horizons. I want to talk to an advisor at the community college and get a direction, although I'm leaning a bit toward health care.

Baby steps to a brighter future.

I'll need an angel to guide me and a drill sergeant to keep me in check. Any volunteers?

My Bucket List: 21-30

Here is my third installment of The 101 Extraordinary Things I've Always Wanted To Do (Before I Die).

This list is merely my reminder of what I want to accomplish over the next 50 years, if I am blessed to live that long.

I'd be ecstatic to fulfill even just 20% of this entire list, because one just never knows what the future holds. But I'm gonna die trying. Wish me luck!

21. visit Sequoia National Park to see the magnificent Redwoods
22. fly in a glider over the Autumn foliage in Vermont
23. go windsurfing in Aruba
24. ski at some of the best resorts in Colorado
25. see a live performance by Cirque de Soliel
26. adopt a baby girl (once the boys are in high school)
27. write a children's book
28. take an art class & expand my creative horizons
29. have lunch with my mom, sisters & John Edwards (the medium)
30. learn how to golf with Hubby

A Life Letter to My Sons

Thursday April 16, 2009

My dear sweet boys,

Not a day goes by that I don't thank God for giving me the privilege of being your mom. If I could stop the hands of time so I could keep you young, I would. In fact, I'd turn the clock back to the days that you were both babies, so I could relive every single day from Thursday October 28, 1998 until Monday September 10, 2001. Then keep rewinding over & over.

But I know that's impossible so I will try my best to guide you through this sometimes charming, sometimes catastrophic ride called Life.

I pray with every beat of heart that I will live long enough to hold my great-grandchildren in my arms as I sing them lullabies. However if for some reason I cannot be there, I want you to honor these keys to life:

always respect your fellow man, regardless of your differences
always be polite & courteous
reach out to those less fortunate than you
pay it forward
treat people the way you would want them to treat you

extend tokens of appreciation & affection
don't be afraid to express your true feelings
be honest, loyal & dependable
question authority without confrontation
your actions speak louder than words

Also please always remember that...

work is always secondary to family
having a passion for something is one of life's treasures
a higher education will enhance your future
you can only make a first impression once
punctuality shows respect
when you commit to something, follow it through to the very end

a tattoo is permanent
no President has ever had their ears or tongue pierced
drugs destroy brain cells
smoking is a filthy, cancerous habit
someone is always watching you
you must be willing to pay the consequences for your actions

it's okay to admit when you are wrong
an apology is more effective with sincerity
humility is more honorable than pride
words are very powerful weapons

the words "I love you" are not just a phrase; it's a feeling
a pet is a lifetime commitment
it's vital to give back to your community
laughter is the best medicine
it's okay to cry

a gentleman always holds or opens a door for others
women enjoy sincere compliments, not catcalls
sex and making love are two different things
you must ask your future in-laws for their blessing
it is noble to get down on one knee when proposing

romance is one of the keys to undying love
endearment is a valuable part of any relationship
communication will simplify your life
fidelity, trust & devotion strengthen your bond
it's never too late to start over

no matter where you go, I will be with you in spirit
you have made me very proud
the world needs positive role models, so be one
your home should always foster love & support

Although the path to your future may have been unclear, my goals for you were always decisive. I believe that I was put here to leave you with a legacy of love, hope and honor.

I have always loved you more than mere words could express. And if I should ever be asked what good I have done for mankind, I would confidently say that I was a good mother.

Hugs and Kisses,
Mom

If I had 90 million bucks

The other day, out of the blue, my son asked me what I would do if I had 90 million dollars. Instantly I said I would share it. And I meant it. I would really spread it around.

Of course I would take care of my family first. I'd invest a good portion in trust funds and hire someone to design a secure financial portfolio for each of my children, all of my siblings and my parents (including my in-laws). Then I would become an anonymous philanthropist.

I consider myself a relatively simple person; my needs take priority over my wants. That is not to say that I do not have the most expensive taste of anyone east of the Mississippi. When it comes to spotting the highest priced item in a store, it's a sure bet it has made my toes tingle as I raced at full speed from across the room to touch it, all the while salivating like a wanton dog.

But I have become alarmingly practical in my old age, and I can thank my hubby for that. He is the epitome of simple & practical, and that's why I love him. When we met we were so polar opposite. Yet now we sometimes don't even have to utter a word to know what the other is thinking.

We hadn't exchanged gifts at birthdays, Christmas or Valentine's Day for years until the kids started noticing. So a few years ago we began buying small practical things for each other to amuse the kids. For instance, back in 2006, my Mother's Day present was a baseball mitt. Why? Because that's what our sons love, and my husband wanted me to enjoy it with them. It worked out well for awhile, but now they both throw so hard that I spend more time cowering away from their throws than actually participating in the game. Although he's only 8, my youngest can fire a baseball fast enough to knock out all of my teeth. No lie! Still, I cherish that glove... though it doesn't get much use.

Anyways, if I had 90 million dollars, I would share it with the hungry, the cold, the homeless, the sick, and the deprived. And I would find them all at the animal shelters and rescue facilities. I'm not a big fan of breeding because it's my view that there are way too many dogs & cats on this earth already and countless animals are abused, overlooked and abandoned by their owners to justify adding to the population.

Lastly I would share my 90 million dollars with wise men & women who aspire to make to world better, people who give of themselves to help mankind, people who have sacrificed to save the lives and souls of others, people who unselfishly bestow our society with compassion and charity, people who inspire others to live their dreams, people who are not afraid to face the storm for the sake of their neighbor, and people who genuinely appreciate the gift of giving.

So to sum it up... If I had 90 million bucks, I would pay it forward.