I watched a TV show last night where the lead character woke up after 6 years in a coma. Not only did he have almost perfect recall of what happened before he fell asleep, he also woke up with extra sensory perception, as a part of his brain never tapped into had been somehow stimulated. Although that part made for the main storyline...I was lost in the what happened during the six years he was sleeping sidebar.
And, as you can imagine, a lot happened in 6 years.
He asked his doctor to call his mom, but she had passed away. When he saw his fiance', he learned that she had moved on with her life. As she tried to fill him in on what had been going on in her life, she made a few news event and pop culture references, telling him about a musician he hadn't heard of. She then said "I'll bring you her CD" catching herself with "oh wait, do you know what a CD is?"
I turned off the TV and marveled at the "coincidence" (which I don't believe in) of my watching that program on this particular evening. You see I really don't watch much TV so the timing of my landing on that particular show with that particular storyline wasn't lost on me. It was the eve of the six year anniversary of Phil's death.
I know this sounds crazy but I've laid awake at night and imagined some sci-fi plot that makes it possible that he walk through the door. Maybe he had amnesia or was captured by aliens, who knows...but somehow he walks in and we pick up where we left off. I know a lot has happened in six years, and like the character in the TV show, I know picking up where we left off would be difficult. But still...what would he ask? What would he be amazed about? What would he think about the world, politics, pop culture, today's current crop of country artists? What would he think about me...and his girls?
I thought about how Laura was 10 and Elise 13 when he died. Now almost 17 and 19, he would marvel at the young adults they have grown into. Although technology has progressed, because Phil was always an early adopter,I don't think he'd be too surprised at where we are 6 years later. He had a cell phone before most people did, paid over a thousand for a video camera that now costs a quarter of that, and even sold a guitar or two online before I even heard of eBay. I do think he'd appreciate the digital advances in media, however, and I'm sure we'd have a different (very expensive) TV than I do now! And, this whole social network thing and blogging would be new to him.
As I write this, I realize I don't have one digital photo of Phil, which is why he isn't on any of these pages. I really do need to go to the photo albums and scan some in.
Yeah...a lot has happened in six years, but one thing remains constant. One thing hasn't changed and never will.
Love.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Oh, for the love of....Dogs?
It's no secret to those who know me that I love animals... especially dogs. I'm a strong believer that children and animals need our special protection because they have no voice of their own. They enter the world completely full of trust and can be molded and affected completely by those who have the power to do so. And if put into the wrong hands whether through cruelty or ignorance, that power can have horrible consequences.
Fortunately, our society is becoming more aware and less tolerant of abuse against children. Through education and the media, it is more likely that known abuse of a child will be reported now that at any other point in our history. That is less the case for animals.
Some people may notice the dog chained to their neighbor's dog house in the worst cold or the worst heat...and ignore it. Some people believe dogs belong outside. Or that chaining a dog is perfectly acceptable. It's none of their business. Extremists for the cause of animal rights, like extremists of any cause have made some skeptical about getting involved.
As summer approaches, I'm asking you to open your eyes, ears and hearts to the animals around you and be their voice if you spot abuse or neglect.
It isn't acceptable for a dog to be left in a hot car, even if the windows are cracked. It isn't acceptable for a dog to be chained outside with no protection from the elements. If you see a dog chained in the sun, odds are the owner doesn't care enough to keep the water bowl filled either. That animal is suffering and living a tortured life.
Maybe you don't want to get involved. You don't want to be on the bad side of a neighbor who treats his dog that way, right? But there's a lot you can do anonymously. You can call the humane society and make a report so they can investigate. Take down the license number of the car and call the police; or report the car to the customer service center of the store. No one ever has to know it was you that made the call, but you'll feel better.
Last night my dogs were frolicking in my fenced-in yard. I heard a ruckus that sounded like a real dog fight and then a yelp--and I came running. I figured the two "boys" were fighting over a chewy bone again and called them into the house. It was then I saw a large puncture wound on Charlie's left side. The trip to the 24-hour emergency room vet was traumatic. It was heartbreaking to watch him in stress and pain. 8 staples later, we were home, but I found myself lost in thought about "the least among us". Although I don't exactly know how Charlie got his injury, I thought about the many animals who have been purposely abused and injured. Or those ignorant pet owners who may not think they are purposefully causing pain--but they are.
Our radio station, WQMX, has a weekly pet adoption feature on Thursday morning. We have learned of situations that have put most of these homeless animals in their circumstance that most people would find appalling. And in so many cases, there are people who had to have seen something, had to have known. It is our station's goal to not only raise awareness but also find loving homes for these wonderful animals.
If you or someone you know is thinking about getting a pet, before you spend money at the pet store or go to an expensive breeder, visit your local animal shelter or humane society. For a look at some of our featured pets, and for more for information and links to numerous non-profit animal rescue organizations click here:
http://www.wqmx.com/pet_rescue.asp
Note: The 7th annual Pet Expo is at Hardesty Park in West Akron this Saturday June 7th and will feature tons of rescue organizations on location with loveable pets you can take home that day. The Pet Expo is presented by radio stations WQMX, WONE and WAKR.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Proms and Graduation Parties
My youngest daughter is going to prom tonight. And, she graduates from high school in 2 weeks. I was telling my friend Shannon it feels kind of strange to know I've bought my last prom/homecoming high school dance dress.
She asked me if I felt sad. I pondered that for a moment. Not exactly sad; but I do feel something that is somewhat hard to explain. A mix pride and relief.
The relief is that I am that I'm at the end of the long tumultuous high school years with both my girls. Although I admit, I won't feel really comfortable until my baby is home safe tonight from the whole after prom thing. It seems every year you hear some story about kids and accidents and....well, I don't want to think about it.
And then there's the pride part.
I'm proud of both my girls, no doubt. Laura's motivation for life is inspiring. She's graduating from high school one year early. And she isn't waiting for fall to start college classes. She's starting this summer to get some of the tough classes out of the way. My oldest, Elise is successfully finishing her first year of college in San Francisco.
But I've decided that I'm proud of myself too. I did it! I got my girls through the challenging years of high school as a single mom. Although I know we've still got college to get through and my job as a mom will never be done, this one phase that I feared so much is almost behind me.
When Phil died I made a promise that my girls would be my highest priority. I was going to focus on my daughters and my career and put everything into supporting my family. Then, once they went off to college, I could focus a little more on me.
So, as I start planning Laura's graduation party, I'm thinking ahead...and I'm going to plan a second graduation party--for ME! Why not? I'm thinking it's really the parents who should get the graduation party. We're the ones who dealt with the raging hormones, stayed up worrying countless nights, struggled as our kids hung with friends we didn't care for, and boyfriends we wanted to clean a gun in front of.
yeah...I'm going to have a graduation party and invite friends who have accomplished this same huge task...as well as my very cool extended family. Sometimes I feel like it really did take a village to get my kids through high school. It's the beginning of a new phase of life for both of my daughters. And now, it's the beginning of a new life for me, too.
Now that's worth a celebration!
She asked me if I felt sad. I pondered that for a moment. Not exactly sad; but I do feel something that is somewhat hard to explain. A mix pride and relief.
The relief is that I am that I'm at the end of the long tumultuous high school years with both my girls. Although I admit, I won't feel really comfortable until my baby is home safe tonight from the whole after prom thing. It seems every year you hear some story about kids and accidents and....well, I don't want to think about it.
And then there's the pride part.
I'm proud of both my girls, no doubt. Laura's motivation for life is inspiring. She's graduating from high school one year early. And she isn't waiting for fall to start college classes. She's starting this summer to get some of the tough classes out of the way. My oldest, Elise is successfully finishing her first year of college in San Francisco.
But I've decided that I'm proud of myself too. I did it! I got my girls through the challenging years of high school as a single mom. Although I know we've still got college to get through and my job as a mom will never be done, this one phase that I feared so much is almost behind me.
When Phil died I made a promise that my girls would be my highest priority. I was going to focus on my daughters and my career and put everything into supporting my family. Then, once they went off to college, I could focus a little more on me.
So, as I start planning Laura's graduation party, I'm thinking ahead...and I'm going to plan a second graduation party--for ME! Why not? I'm thinking it's really the parents who should get the graduation party. We're the ones who dealt with the raging hormones, stayed up worrying countless nights, struggled as our kids hung with friends we didn't care for, and boyfriends we wanted to clean a gun in front of.
yeah...I'm going to have a graduation party and invite friends who have accomplished this same huge task...as well as my very cool extended family. Sometimes I feel like it really did take a village to get my kids through high school. It's the beginning of a new phase of life for both of my daughters. And now, it's the beginning of a new life for me, too.
Now that's worth a celebration!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Happy Mother's Day
In honor of Mother's Day, here are a few great quotes from some pretty smart women.
If you bungle raising your children, I don't think whatever else you do well matters very much.
-- Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis
A mother's arms are more comforting than anyone else's.
-- Princess Diana
A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.”
--Tenneva Jordan
It is not until you become a mother that your judgment slowly turns to compassion and understanding.
-- Erma Bombeck
Though motherhood is the most important of all the professions--requiring more knowledge than any other department in human affairs--there is no attention given to preparation for this office."
--Elizabeth Cady Stanton
All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother."
-- Abraham Lincoln
When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts.A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.
--Sophia Loren
Making the decision to have a child-it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.
--Elizabeth Stone
There is no friendship, no love, like that of the parent for the child.
-- Henry Ward Beecher
The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness.
--Honore de Balzac
If you bungle raising your children, I don't think whatever else you do well matters very much.
-- Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis
A mother's arms are more comforting than anyone else's.
-- Princess Diana
A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.”
--Tenneva Jordan
It is not until you become a mother that your judgment slowly turns to compassion and understanding.
-- Erma Bombeck
Though motherhood is the most important of all the professions--requiring more knowledge than any other department in human affairs--there is no attention given to preparation for this office."
--Elizabeth Cady Stanton
All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother."
-- Abraham Lincoln
When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts.A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.
--Sophia Loren
Making the decision to have a child-it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.
--Elizabeth Stone
There is no friendship, no love, like that of the parent for the child.
-- Henry Ward Beecher
The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness.
--Honore de Balzac
Thursday, May 8, 2008
10 Reasons To Smile
Today I attended the "Go Red For Women" luncheon to benefit the American Heart Association. I've sat through a number of these types of charity luncheons over the years, and I must admit, I have found myself looking at my watch and zoning out while presentations and less than exciting speeches are made. Not today.
The food, provided by the Hilton Fairlawn was delicious and appropriately heart-healthy; but it was the speakers who made the event. While we ate, there was a brief, educational talk by Suzanne Hughes RN, with accompanying bullet points on the screen about heart disease and what we should know to stay healthy, plus life-changing warning signs that many of us miss. There were brief testimonies from women of all ages who had experienced some level of heart disease and survived to share their story of inspiration and encouragement. But the highlight was the humorous talk given by keynote speaker Dr. Kay Potetz, professor at Baldwin Wallace, who is motivational speaker and humorist. I sure wish I had a professor like her when I was in school!
Dr. Potetz had us in stitches with her simple message about the health benefits of a positive attitude and in particular, of smiling. It sounds too good to be true, but there is no denying that everything she said was true. She had facts and figures from research studies mixed with silly photos of animals, kids, and people to prove her point, that smiling can change everything.
Here are 10 great reasons to smile.
1. Smiling makes us attractive. We are drawn to people who smile. We want to know a smiling person and figure out what is so good. Frowns, scowls and grimaces all push people away -- but a smile draws them in.
2. Smiling Changes Our Mood. Next time you are feeling down, try putting on a smile. There's a good chance you mood will change for the better. Smiling can trick the body into helping you change your mood.
3. Smiling is Contagious. When someone is smiling they light up the room and change the moods of others. A smiling person brings happiness with them. Smile lots and you will draw people to you.
4. Smiling Relieves Stress. Stress can really show up in our faces. Smiling helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed. When you are stressed, take time to put on a smile. The stress should be reduced and you'll be better able to take action.
5. Smiling Boosts Your Immune System. Smiling helps the immune system to work better. When you smile, immune function improves possibly because you are more relaxed. Prevent the flu and colds by smiling.
6. Smiling Lowers Your Blood Pressure. When you smile, there is a measurable reduction in your blood pressure.
7. Smiling Releases Endorphins, Natural Pain Killers and Serotonin. Together these three make us feel good. Smiling is a natural drug.
8. Smiling Lifts the Face and Makes You Look Younger. The muscles we use to smile lift the face, making us appear younger. Don't go for a face lift, just try smiling your way through the day!
9. Smiling Makes You Seem Successful. Smiling people appear more confident, are more likely to be promoted, and more likely to be approached. Put on a smile at meetings and appointments and people will react to you differently.
10. Smiling Helps You Stay Positive. When we smile our body is sending the rest of us a message that "Life is Good!" It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
This was one of the most remarkably entertaining and informative events I've attended and a great example of how a charity luncheon should be done. Each segment moved quickly. The speeches were brief and to the point, chock-full of information that was as easy to digest as the meal. But Dr. Kay Potetz's use of humor to deliver a message about smiling was ironically...well...funny! And brilliant. So force yourself to smile when you make your donation to The American Heart Association. For more information you can call the American Heart Association local chapter at 330-664-1908.
Note: additional reasons to smile came from an article on About.com From Mark Stibich, Ph.D.
The food, provided by the Hilton Fairlawn was delicious and appropriately heart-healthy; but it was the speakers who made the event. While we ate, there was a brief, educational talk by Suzanne Hughes RN, with accompanying bullet points on the screen about heart disease and what we should know to stay healthy, plus life-changing warning signs that many of us miss. There were brief testimonies from women of all ages who had experienced some level of heart disease and survived to share their story of inspiration and encouragement. But the highlight was the humorous talk given by keynote speaker Dr. Kay Potetz, professor at Baldwin Wallace, who is motivational speaker and humorist. I sure wish I had a professor like her when I was in school!
Dr. Potetz had us in stitches with her simple message about the health benefits of a positive attitude and in particular, of smiling. It sounds too good to be true, but there is no denying that everything she said was true. She had facts and figures from research studies mixed with silly photos of animals, kids, and people to prove her point, that smiling can change everything.
Here are 10 great reasons to smile.
1. Smiling makes us attractive. We are drawn to people who smile. We want to know a smiling person and figure out what is so good. Frowns, scowls and grimaces all push people away -- but a smile draws them in.
2. Smiling Changes Our Mood. Next time you are feeling down, try putting on a smile. There's a good chance you mood will change for the better. Smiling can trick the body into helping you change your mood.
3. Smiling is Contagious. When someone is smiling they light up the room and change the moods of others. A smiling person brings happiness with them. Smile lots and you will draw people to you.
4. Smiling Relieves Stress. Stress can really show up in our faces. Smiling helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed. When you are stressed, take time to put on a smile. The stress should be reduced and you'll be better able to take action.
5. Smiling Boosts Your Immune System. Smiling helps the immune system to work better. When you smile, immune function improves possibly because you are more relaxed. Prevent the flu and colds by smiling.
6. Smiling Lowers Your Blood Pressure. When you smile, there is a measurable reduction in your blood pressure.
7. Smiling Releases Endorphins, Natural Pain Killers and Serotonin. Together these three make us feel good. Smiling is a natural drug.
8. Smiling Lifts the Face and Makes You Look Younger. The muscles we use to smile lift the face, making us appear younger. Don't go for a face lift, just try smiling your way through the day!
9. Smiling Makes You Seem Successful. Smiling people appear more confident, are more likely to be promoted, and more likely to be approached. Put on a smile at meetings and appointments and people will react to you differently.
10. Smiling Helps You Stay Positive. When we smile our body is sending the rest of us a message that "Life is Good!" It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
This was one of the most remarkably entertaining and informative events I've attended and a great example of how a charity luncheon should be done. Each segment moved quickly. The speeches were brief and to the point, chock-full of information that was as easy to digest as the meal. But Dr. Kay Potetz's use of humor to deliver a message about smiling was ironically...well...funny! And brilliant. So force yourself to smile when you make your donation to The American Heart Association. For more information you can call the American Heart Association local chapter at 330-664-1908.
Note: additional reasons to smile came from an article on About.com From Mark Stibich, Ph.D.
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