On Christmas Eve 1985 in Frankfurt, a young American soldier on guard duty experienced a heartwarming moment. A jovial group of German locals, slightly inebriated, offered him a bottle of wine while singing festive wishes. This unexpected gesture transformed his cold, lonely night and left a lasting impression.
Yesterday was my last therapy session with my long-term MST/PTSD therapist. She helped me through nearly four years of “stuff” …… some of it hellish, some of it hard, all of it a learning experience. Enticing me out of long entrenched comfort zones that were no longer beneficial to me, was probably not that easy.…
If you ever had the chance to meet my dad, it is unlikely that you would have forgotten him. For those who knew him and loved him, don’t be sad that he is gone. Be happy that you knew him. What an amazing life. From plowing fields behind horses and delivering milk in wagons, the…
Well, here it is. April 12, 2020. Easter Sunday. I doubt there are many people that would have believed the difference between Easter last year, compared to this year. I can speak for myself and say I wouldn’t have believed it, had anyone told me this is the way it would be. We are several…
#ProjectZen #Day24 #GratitudeProject I have a private message sitting in my Facebook inbox from a friend. It’s from someone I knew over 25 years ago when I was in the Army in Germany. We weren’t “close friends” back in the day, but we did work together, and he did train me in a new job.…
#ProjectZen #Day23 #GratitudeProject Yesterday we received food from the Eastern Illinois Foodbank pop-up pantry in Champaign, Illinois. We are so thrilled! Produce, frozen chicken, snacks, canned goods, and smiles. With me not being able to work right now and as of yet not eligible for aid of any kind, getting a little help and love…
#ProjectZen #Day22 #GratitudeProject 60 F. degree days amaze me in the middle of Winter. It’s February 22, 2017 in Champaign, Illinois and I have my front door open, and the screen door window is cracked open. The windows in my kitchen are open. Stale indoor air baked by our furnace is filtering out and fresh…
#ProjectZen #Day21 #GratitudeProject I am grateful for those who create Beauty. For every book I have read. For every song I have heard. For every dance, film, and play I have seen. For every painting and photograph I have studied. I am grateful to all who create Beauty. Without their creative expression, the voice given…
#ProjectZen #Day20 #GratitudeProject I was five years old when my mom presented me with my first official fancy china cup! I was thrilled! It’s such a small cup, festooned with happy creatures (a duck, a frog, and two mice) flowers, butterflies…..in cheerful colors. I can’t even begin to tell you how happy this cup made…
#ProjectZen #Day19 #GratitudeProject Day 19 is a good day. I am grateful for good days. Those of you that know me personally know I live with a chronic, incurable disease that has altered my life a great deal. Maintaining energy levels just to do normal, every day things can be challenging. Sometimes, like this morning,…