It’s been a while since I’ve expressed how thankful I am for all my blessings. I’d like to take this moment to do nothing but express my gratitude, so here we go!
“Gratitude helps you to grow and expand: gratitude brings joy and laughter into your life and into the lives of all those around you.” -Eileen Caddy Continue reading February Gratitude
Today I tagged along with my son Barrett’s class on one of their CBI (community based intervention) trips. Barrett is in a self-contained autism classroom at one of our local middle schools. In addition to academics (yay!), the curriculum also includes “life skills,” in order to prepare these children for a (hopefully) more independent life. Eventually vocational skills will be incorporated into their education. The CBI trips give the students a chance to interact with the community and learn how to behave appropriately in social situations. Continue reading Brunch at the Wildflower Eatery
Just like for most of you, for me December came and went in a blur. I honestly don’t know what happened. Pffft – gone. As is par for the course with most families I know, our month was filled with endless activities. The boys’ birthday at the beginning of the month had us off and running from the start. Adding to the madness were the annual holiday events that are scheduled around the kids’ extracurricular actives: band concerts, dance recitals, class parties. There are the Christmas traditions of buying our tree, decorating the house, trimming the tree, baking, tours of Christmas lights and holiday movies to watch. There were the mom chores including the Christmas cards, shopping, wrapping, menu planning and party hosting. Wow, I am exhausted just typing this. But actually doing it? That’s a good tired.
“Being a hero is about the shortest-lived profession on earth.” – Will Rogers
“We are all the hero of our own story.” – Mary McCarthy, author.
Who is your hero? It sounds like a simple question, but for me it’s not. The dictionary defines a hero as, “a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for brave deeds and noble qualities.” I find the definition, although accurate, hard l to live up to. I think we can all agree that our military is full of heroes, but we also have personal heroes. What makes someone a hero to each of us is subjective and a one-size-fits-all definition doesn’t apply. Over the years I’ve considered many people I’ve admired to be my hero, but they never seem to maintain their elite status in my eyes (like the Rogers quote above). My own values and experiences have changed the qualities I consider necessary to have such a label. For instance, as a child my two heroes were Chrissy Everett and Farrah Fawcett. Chris I can explain (until years later when a family member had a rude experience with the tennis player), Farrah not so much. Today most of my heroes usually work in the classroom or in autism centers. I also experience a bit of hero worship towards some of my favorite authors. Continue reading Who’s Your Hero?