Day 37 in Review

Prayer: Yes
Scripture: Yes
Silence: Yes, it was very quiet here today — and it continues to be!


The Deed/The Day: Today I did what I always wished I had accomplished for my mom before she died suddenly 20 years ago. But I was a self-centered college student back then. I hardly enough sense to look in the mirror and seek how desperately I  needed a brow wax. Writing a thank you note to my mom? Thank her for raising me right? I didn't even considered it — even with all the extra brain power I undoubtedly hid under my thick mane of blonde curls and product. I never did wrote that letter. But today, I wrote one to my dad.


I like to write and all. But this note flowed quickly and precisely, unlike any news story or blog I've hammered out. I hardly thought about what I wanted to say, it just came out — like diarreah of the fingers. And ten minutes later, I sent it to him. (I hope he doesn't mind that I'm sharing. But I want anyone who will listen to know how much I admire him and my mother and how I am grateful I am to them for all the wise choices, and sacrifices, and encouragement they offered us):


Dad:

I am just sitting here thinking how fortunate I have been, and wanted to make sure you know how thankful I am to you for making so many of my life blessings possible. 

 I know it took a lot of work to get us there. Family fighting and yelling and screaming and physical violence were not part of our child raising. You and mom showed us the importance of "being on the same page" and that marriage is important and worth working for. We lived in a nice house. We had clothes to wear. We ate well and were around friends and family who were cut from the same moral fabric. You taught us to value education and the pursuit of knowledge, travel and experience. You taught me in particular, that I could do anything — and enthusiastically! You showed us that hard work and study yield successful careers. By your example, you schooled us the greatness of music and humor. And most importantly, you exemplified a reliance on faith and God, which has carried me far in my life.

There are many other things for which I am thankful to you. But I believe these to be the key fundamentals of my life. As a parent, I now know how incredibly difficult and daunting it is to envision these things for my children — and make sure we instill these values in their lives. I don't know how you did it, but I am grateful you did. And I hope I can leave the same legacy for Ben and Marley.

Thanks for everything you have done for me. I love you very much!

I think he knows after all the years that I am grateful for everything he and my mom did to prepare my brother and me for life. But I am relieved to have shared that in a direct way. It makes me think — who else needs a heartfelt "thank you?" How 'bout you? Anyone come to mind?

Words of encouragement/advice: Raise your hand if you hate getting forwarded inspirational emails. I detest them so that generally I delete them without even looking. Sometimes it's very cathartic to click down my inbox listing with a "duh-duh leet, duh-duh leet, duh-duh LEET, LEET, LEET!"


But my sweet aunt sent one today. Never wanting to even theoretically hurt her feelings, I cracked it open and took a peak. Ugggh! A Words to Live by List! The worst — almost as bad as the forward this to 20 friends or you'll have bad luck email. But I continued on, remembering how lovely and loving my Aunt Pam is and always has been to me. And what a nice surprise to find these three little gems:


"All things in life are temporary. If going well enjoy it, they will not last forever. If going wrong don’t worry, they can't last long either."

Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, GOD smiles from above and says, "Relax, sweetheart, it's just a bend, not the end! 


WORRYING does not take away tomorrow's TROUBLES; it takes away today’s PEACE.


Final thoughts: A friend, my career mentor who I will call "Friend/Former Boss-Lady/Person-Who-Gave Me-a-Chance-and-Taught-Me-Stuff-Even-When-I-Was-a-Big-Inexperienced-Risk," or FFBLPWGMACATMSEWIWABIR, shared a link to Ricky Gervais' Easter blog in the Wall Street Journal today. I'd take almost anything she says or posts as gospel truth. But this link — well, it's right up my alley no matter who suggested it.

Oh boy is his blog of his good food for thought. Not to mention, Ricky Gervais is just honkin' hysterical. As we round the corner into Holy Week and Easter and all that comes with it, his words are something to consider. Enjoy:

http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2011/04/14/an-easter-message-from-ricky-gervais-why-im-an-excellent-christian/