Stuck

I don't want to be stuck anymore!  24 hours of pity party and then I am on my way to getting unstuck!

Words + Actions = Truth

 For someone to be truthful your words and actions must be inline.

Words + Actions = Truth

Things that make me happy!

• Really strong coffee
• Seeing my son succeed
• The things my husband does for me, just for me!
• Being in the middle of the desert with no one around
• People who smile
• Sunflowers
• My dogs
• Students who love to learn
• Silly little kids and silly big kids
• Border collies herding
• Hiking with my dogs

Death of a Friendship

There are some people that come into your life and stay forever.  They are so comfortable and fit so perfectly.  You are a more complete person and a better person when you are around them.

Then there are others that have come into your life for a reason, but they don't seem to fit into your life for the long term.   These are people, that in the short term are perhaps fun to hang with, you share something in common, you learn from, but, in the end there isn't enough depth to last.  Or perhaps something difficult has happened and there is not enough trust, faith and friendship to allow you to overcome the troubles.  This is the friendship that has died recently for me.  It is still sad, and I still miss that person, but I am a better person without them.

Why do I write about this?

I think that every life has those friendships that are permanent and those that are fleeting.  It takes strength of character to know when a friendship is influencing your life in a way that is inconsistent with whom you want to be.  It takes strength and wisdom to allow that friendship to dwindle and drift away like the tide. 

I still see this person every now and again.  Each time my decision is confirmed.  I am a better person without that influence on me. 

What I have learned from training dogs

• When it doesn't feel like there are enough successes in life, lower your criteria for success.  A high rate of reward is important.
• Sometimes sitting down and observing is a powerful tool
• Click N Treat whenever possible.  People and dogs like to know they are doing a good job.

What I am thankful for today

• That there is enough coffee in the world today
• My dog seems to be feeling better physically
• I learned something useless and fun that made me smile
• In spite of the fact that I am grumpy my husband still loves me
• The sun is out
• Of course that I have a roof over my head, I can pay my bills and put food on the table
• My son is starting his second semester at college and still loves it

A touching way to look at loss

A "friend" on FaceBook lost her mother and described her loss as follows:

My mother died early on the morning of Sept. 25, surrounded by family and friends. It was peaceful, profound, and as she wished. Somehow, in my mother's inimitable fashion, she found a way to mix tears and laughter right to her last breath. Still not sure how she pulled that off, but she did. One final gift to those she loved, that shared laughter and tears.

I could share a lifetime of stories and photos of her, but right now, my heart is too full. Like a glass filled to overflowing, any movement threatens to spill things further, and I'd rather keep these emotions quietly held within me for a while. Maybe I'm just hoping my body and soul can absorb a lot of this, if I just give it time.

Probably enough to share this image. When the sidewalk was being repaired outside her apartment building's door, no one thought to notify the old lady who was in a wheelchair! Ready for an outing, Mom and her companion got to the door only to discover fresh concrete. In typical Mom fashion, she didn't throw a hissy fit. She made the best of the situation, and with the help of a friend, boldly signed her name.

I know that sidewalk will last for years. I also know that very soon, no one will be walking across that section who remembers "Betty." Doesn't much matter... she carved her name and herself forever deep in the hearts of everyone who knew her. Her name is there within us for all time, written in the indelible ink of love.

Thomas Campbell wrote: "To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die."

Wheels up, Gras... you are loved, always. Not enough words to say how much you will be missed.

Loved the description -- "my heart is too full. Like a glass filled to overflowing, any movement threatens to spill things further, and I'd rather keep these emotions quietly held within me for a while. Maybe I'm just hoping my body and soul can absorb a lot of this, if I just give it time."