The pandemic claimed another wonderful life this weekend. In reality, we are losing about 900 people a day here in the states and each one of those people is more than a statistic. These are real people, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters. They are grandparents, friends, and loved ones. 

This weekend claimed the life of a wonderful man. We had not spoken in probably ten years as divorce shifted the family and communication. In learning of his passing I find myself saddened and thinking back on only fond memories. He was a great man. He was always up for a good chat and offering wisdom. He was kind with a wonderful laugh. My heart goes out to my former family members and to all who loved him. 

It is not the first life lost during this pandemic that I had some connection too. I'm grateful I have not had it hit closer to home. But at the same time the numbers are growing and I still see people fighting for their kids' right to play sports and refusing to wear masks properly in public. I just do not understand. I can only suppose that this pandemic has not yet touched close enough to their loved ones to get their attention and respect yet. I hope they stay so lucky but I hope they will join in doing every possible thing to keep our family, friends, and community safe.

This is not political. This is not a trick or a hoax. This is a pandemic. They have happened before, this one just requires a little extra effort in helping it go away. If you want to return to some sense of normal, if you want to have your kids back in school or your big events back; please just follow the guidelines. It is so simple that even my preschooler and infant can do it. First, wear a mask, yes it may be a little uncomfortable to you will get used to it and it is sure less uncomfortable than a ventilator. Second, wash your hands. Third, define your core group of ten people or less and other than seeing those people, Stay Home. Fourth, take care of each other.

I'm grateful to have a clear, science based understanding of what is happening. I'm grateful to have my husband's knowledge of pandemics. I'm grateful to see friends who are recovering from this. I'm grateful for every person who wears a mask to do their part. I'm grateful for those who are staying home as much as possible. I'm grateful for those who are working the front lines trying to help sick people get better. I'm grateful for family and all my loved ones. I'm grateful to choose family over school and outings. I'm grateful to be doing what I can to keep my community safe. I'm grateful my girls are more than willing to wear the mask on the rare occasion we do have to get out. I'm grateful to have known my former grandpa. I'm grateful for all he taught me. 

How can you help to end this pandemic? What can you do to keep your loved ones and everyone's loved ones safe?

May today remind us it is more than numbers on a page. May we open our hearts to all those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. And in respect, may we all do our part to keep each other safe. Thank you. Have a beautiful day!

Thank you to all the veterans out there who served our country. Today is your day. Whether you served one tour or through retirement, you deserve some recognition. 

It is a hard job. It requires doing things that test the body and the psyche at times. It leaves wounds that cannot always be seen to the passerby. Yet you did it for them, for more than just family and friends, you did it for the whole country. 

I do not always agree with the steps our military is sent to carry out. I also do not have half the intel and experts guiding my opinions on it. No matter whether I agree in my limited view or not, I will always respect and support the men and women out there working hard every day for our freedoms. 

Today is your day. Do something that lifts your spirits. Do something that brings a smile to your face. Be with the ones you love, if it is possible. If not, I hope you have the opportunity to hear their voices at least. 

I'm grateful and honored to have several veterans in the family. I'm grateful for those who are still serving in one way of another. I'm grateful for their safe return stateside. I'm grateful for each time I get to see them and even though I don't make a big fuss, I hope they know how proud I am of them. I'm grateful for those who served even when they didn't hear the supportive words behind them. I'm grateful for those who make a point to show their respect to veterans and service members. 

Have you hugged a veteran today? What can you do to make today special for someone who served?

May today give the respect that veterans deserve every day. May we be humbled in remembering their service and sacrifices. Have a beautiful day!

You know how some days just go a little sideways? Today was one of those days where the timing just didn't line up and orders got mixed up and communication lines got crossed. It wasn't a bad day, just a little off.

As I finished up the last errand, car full with a variety of filled orders and two kids in a tired-hungry melt-down, I sent a message to my husband asking if he could please meet me at the garage to help me unload. Much to my relief his answer was yes and he helped me scoop up kids and bags and make it inside in half the time. Thank goodness for the parenting "team"!

After lunch my oldest daughter was talking about how she wanted kitty cupcakes for her birthday. I pulled up a couple bakery websites and found that none, locally, are currently making cat cupcakes at the moment. So I pulled up Pinterest and found a wide range of difficulty levels to making cupcakes into kitties. 

My daughter, of course, found ones that were incredibly detailed and realistic looking even. I gave a little chuckle and told her that while I appreciated her confidence in me, I thought we should maybe look for something a little bit easier. She looked at me, head slightly cocked while she gently patted my arm and said, "It's ok Mommy, Sweetie, I will help you. We are a team and I know we can do it together." 

Did your heart melt? Because mine did. Have I mentioned I adore this child? Anyway, it is true and I tell her all the time that even if neither of us know the answer we can figure it out together because we are a team. It is what I told her this morning as she was panicking at overhearing the nurse on the phone say I needed to take her to the ER. (Everything turned out fine.) It is what I tell her when we can't figure out why a toy isn't working or where her favorite something disappeared. We are a team. We have each others' back. And we can figure it out.

So I ordered some supplies and while the supplies I requested are still a a grade or two below the professional ones she saw, I think we have a pretty good chance at making some cute cupcakes. We are a pretty creative and capable team, after all.

I'm grateful for my team. I'm grateful to have such a wonderful family. I'm grateful to be so blessed to have a wonderful husband and co-parent. I'm grateful for my adorable, sweet preschooler. I'm grateful to see the kind person she is growing into. I'm grateful to be moving through some of the turbulence we had been having and move into a hopefully smoother phase for a bit. I'm grateful for my cuddly little one too. I'm grateful to see how my dreams have come true in this beautiful family and team I get to call mine. 

Who is on your team? How do they make you stronger while supporting who you are as an individual? 

May today remind us we are stronger as a team. May we have a deep connection with our family team. May we see the ways we are all a team as the human race. Have a beautiful day!

Last night I stayed up later than usual so I could watch the tribute to John Lewis. He was a great man and I wonder why it is that we celebrate people so much more in death. I knew some of the great things he had done but I learned even more last night. He modeled what it means to be the change we wish to see. He didn't just speak it, he acted!

I have good ideas. I have a good heart. But I will admit that up until a few months ago I was incredibly naive to all the ways racism is ingrained in our country. I have been learning. I have a long way to go in the learning process and I will never fully understand. I hope to educate myself so I can raise my girls to be better, know more, and have those blinders removed. But is that it? Is that where it stops? Is educating the next generation enough?

Isn't that just saying that they will fix it? Are we really going to leave our messes for our children to clean up? And would we really be okay letting injustices go on in the meantime?! 

I realized last night from my place on the couch just how little I have DONE. I talk about being the change and I try to put positive messages out int he world and help those who come to me. But when I really break it down, the people I help are either paying me or friends and family. There are very few instances of deep help that I have given just to give and this awareness hurts my heart. 

I could say it begins with me but to be frank and honest that is complete b.s. It doesn't start with me because the crusade has been going for decades. The mere fact that it hasn't gotten further is heartbreaking and angering all at the same time. I will not let these feelings be pushed down and placated, I will put them to use. I will quit merely talking about being the change and start acting. 

John Lewis was a brother and friend to this country. He saw the ways it could be better and he acted. We owe it to him to keep the fight going. We must not let his efforts stop just because he is gone. Our children deserve to live in a country that is free. Everyone deserves to be free and until every person can be treated with equal respect, dignity, and rights, we are not free. 

Please stand with me. Don't let the sign in the yard be "enough". Don't let a couple shared Facebook posts be the end of your effort. Look in the eyes of every child, of every color, of every background, and of every orientation and see the divine child there. This has gone on long enough. It is time to stand. Who out there is willing to throw away your blinders, apologize for not seeing it sooner and stand for what is right?

I'm grateful to feel this passion surge through me. I'm grateful to have watched this special tribute. I'm grateful to witness the guilt I feel and know that I can start making changes today. I'm grateful for John Lewis and everyone who has been fighting this battle longer than they should have had to. I'm grateful for their persistence and their willpower. I'm grateful for the ways they made change happen. I'm grateful for a model to strive toward. 

Rest in peace, Mr. Lewis. Know that we will win this fight. There will be freedom.

What will you choose? Silence is a side. 

May we fight for the country we were promised, with freedom and liberty for all. May we let go of white privilege knowing we only win when we have true equality. Let your passions spark and find a way to make change. Have a beautiful, powerful day.

This weekend was a weekend to celebrate our great country and spend time with family. Any other year there would have been a big gathering of aunts and uncles, cousins, and kids running around at my parents' house. This year it was a quiet gathering of just my husband and I with our kids playing at my parents' house. 

It was still a lot of fun as we enjoyed family time outside, but like many things this year it was different. We waved and talked to my aunt, uncle, and one cousin from across the street but there were no hugs and passed drinks. In fact, my husband and I only saw fireworks from our vehicle as we drove home to put the baby to bed. 

The division and separation was felt, even as we had a fun relaxing weekend. Which brings me to our country, a country that was built on dreams. We have a giant rip in the fabric of our country, a rip that has always been there and I am ashamed to say I am just fully seeing it at the magnitude it exists. We are divided by racism, by inequality, by judgment, and lack of basic respect and love for our fellow Americans. 

It is time to live up to what this country was supposed to be; free from oppression with love and justice for all. We fought for freedom from England. We fought for freedom for slaves. We fought for equality for women. We fought for equality for African Americans, but we have fallen short. It is time we fought to make this country what it was always supposed to be, free and equal for EVERYONE. 

We do not need guns and killing to make this country what it can be. We need words. We need education. And above all we need to get out of our own way and make these changes, now. It is time for tough conversations. It is time for opening our hearts. It is time for not just apologies but for taking the steps to see that change happens. 

We can do this. But we need to open the conversation to every group of people, every race, every orientation, every minority, every religion, every disability, everyone. And then we need to listen, not just to hear but to understand and change. 

I'm grateful for a country that has such strong, passionate people. I'm grateful for the beautiful mix of beliefs, ethnicities, skills, and other difference that gives us new perspectives. I'm grateful to admit my naïveté. I'm grateful to open myself to these hard conversations so that I can grow and change and be a better person. I'm grateful for the beautiful people in my life that are walking me through some of these conversations. I'm grateful to still believe we can make America great. I'm grateful to believe we have enough dreamers and enough activists to see this through. I'm grateful to be committed to not letting it fall in the cracks again.

I'm grateful for a quiet weekend with family. I'm grateful to see how much I took for granted before. I'm grateful to hold hope that someday we can return to some form of normalcy again with big family gatherings and hugging the people we meet. I'm grateful for faith that my girls will live in a better society because of the challenges we face today.

What changes do you want to see? What steps can you take to walk in love today? Who can you open the door to tough conversations with so we can all begin healing and making this country the great place it was meant to be?

May today give us the courage to run toward change. May we enbrace the conversations that challenge us so we may grow together. Have a beautiful day!

Yesterday started off lovely as my husband and I took the girls out to a walking trail and enjoyed some nature time. There were other people out but we purposely chose a path a little harder to get to and it paid off even for a beautiful Saturday. We had plenty of space to wander along.

As we finished up at the park we decided to grab some lunch on the way home. Up until this point we have only picked up food and taken it home but the place we wanted had a packed drive thru and no one at any of the outdoor tables. My husband went in to order as I cleaned off a table and got the girls and myself situated. 

Overall it was a fine experience and gave the girls a change of scenery that they haven't had much of for months. One other group came out to the tables and my preschooler asked about her own mask because the other group had theirs. I told her we had forgotten them in my car when we took her dad's car out but it would be okay since we were just going to eat and go and we were outside away from others. 

Unfortunately the woman from the other table felt the need to respond to this with a rebuke directed to me. I do not like confrontation and had no response so I just chose to keep my attention on my children. It saddens me though to see all the hostility in the world right now. 

Between fears and pandemic, racism and violence, and now masks becoming a politically heated topic I feel like we are living on a volcano that is going to blow any moment. As an empath it is painful and draining. My energy has become an ocean of waves and I find myself trying to bring it back into balance while still meeting my family's needs and caring for my clients. 

So what do we do when the ocean is calmer than the land? How do we find our common humanity and kindness for each other when the world seems split into so many fractions? Where do we start?

We start with ourselves. We start from the heart. We take the next steps from a place of compassion and grace for where other people are coming from. And we do our part to put love back into this wounded world.

I'm grateful to see bigger things at play as mother nature moves her pawns. I'm grateful to know that to "win" doesn't mean someone else has to lose. I'm grateful to believe we can use these challenges to grow and change Together. I'm grateful to believe. I'm grateful to have faith that humanity and love can come out on top. I'm grateful to be vigilant of my own energy as I strive daily (and sometimes hourly) to find balance in the waves. I'm grateful to know my strength and know I can survive this. I'm grateful to give love.

How will you make a difference for the better? How can you give LOVE to the world no matter where they stand? How can we work together to heal this?

May today remind us we are stronger together. May we stand together to raise us all up to new levels of understanding and compassion. May we find equality, love, and healing. Have a beautiful day!

What does brave look like? Is it the firefighter running into a building to save someone trapped inside? Is it the person that stands up to a bully or speaks out against injustice? Is it the people who work to keep us safe?

These are often images that come to mind when we think "brave". But what about the million every day ways that we can each choose to be brave? 

Perhaps it is sticking to our values even when challenged. Perhaps brave is being able to speak up and admit we were wrong about something. Maybe brave looks like a parent fighting for services for their child. 

Brave could be wearing the clothes that express who we are, even if it goes against the "norm". Brave could be trying out for the team, applying for the job, or asking to run the committee. Brave may even just be opening our minds and listening to someone else's perspective.

We are born brave. We take first steps. We dream. We try our best. We "leave the nest". Sometimes there are challenges that make some of these things look a little different. Perhaps that first step came in a wheelchair. Perhaps leaving the nest was more of a symbolic milestone due to obstacles. Yet no matter what it looks like there is bravery inside of each of us. There is a power driving us to do our best.

I'm grateful to witness the ways my girls are brave. I'm grateful to see the unique strengths they each have and how they use it to fule their bravery. I'm grateful to know I have this bravery at my core. I'm grateful to know I can use this to make a difference in my life and in others' lives. I'm grateful for all the people being brave today. I'm grateful to see how many ways from great to small we can show our bravery. 

How can you show your bravery today? How can you encourage the people around you to be brave? How can we band together as one to be brave and make big changes?

May today illuminate all the bravery happening around us. May we allow our bravery space to surface and find ways to make a difference. Have a beautiful day!

When you look at the leaves in the picture above, what do you see? Do you see one is brown and one is green? Do you see one is old and one is new? Do you suppose one is soft and one is crunchy?

What do you see when you see the footprints in between the leaves? Can you tell who made them? Perhaps you can assume from other objects in the picture that a child made them. And when you picture that child, what do you picture? Do you picture your own child, niece, or nephew? Perhaps you picture your grandchild or the sweet little one that lives next door. 

We have all heard that it takes a village to raise a child. So if our children are growing up thinking that gangs, violence, or any other unhealthy habit is the only option; who has failed them? We all have. If the precious child that left these innocent footprints grew up to hate, just because the color of skin they saw on their neighbor; who has failed them? We all have. 

We do not have to know someone personally to be able to make a difference. We do not have to be in the situation to be in the "fight" for change. It is all of our responsibilities to spread love. Perhaps you call that God's love, perhaps it is universal love, or perhaps it is just common humanity. It doesn't matter what you call it. It doesn't matter what you look like, what the person next to you looks like, or what the person half a world away looks like; we all deserve love and respect! 

My heart aches as I watch cities falling to violence and riots. My heart breaks to know that there are people that can carry so much hate and ignorance in their hearts to believe it is ever ok to treat anyone less than the child of god that they are. We have failed them. We have failed to show them the good and teach them love. We have failed the people who are harmed at the hands of the violence. 

Not every cop is racist. Most are not, but if even one gets through the screening process then the system is broken. Not every person of color is a gang member, an illegal, or out to steal jobs or anything else. Most are not, but if we allow our view to be skewed by the few then our society and our mindset is broken. Not every while person is racist or turning a blind eye. I would love to say most are not but the best I can do is say that I believe that most feel how wrong it is in their hearts and just don't know how to make a difference. The simple fact of calling this all out by segregating and focusing on our differences is a glaring red light that there is a huge problem that needs fixed. It needed fixed a thousand years ago. It needed fixed a hundred years ago. And I am heartbroken to see we are still broken as a human race.

I cannot say what it is like to live in the fear or the discrimination that other people have had to live. But I can say without a doubt that we ALL need to start speaking up, reaching out, and fixing this together. I pray we can do this without violence and without the loss of more innocent lives. We have to make a change, a million changes really.

I'm grateful to have led a sheltered life. I'm grateful for the blessings I have had and still have. But my heart aches that these basic privileges are not afforded to every single human. I'm grateful to have a diverse group of friends to help teach me. I'm grateful to embrace a variety of perspectives to help give me a more rounded picture of what is happening. I'm grateful for every police officer who is honorable and risking their lives to make the world a better place for every person. I'm grateful for every person who finds the strength to peaceably protest injustice and stand up for what is wrong. I'm grateful for every person in power that takes the steps to make real change. I'm grateful for every person in the "village" who steps up to teach love and respect. I'm grateful for every person who makes a difference and every person who demands change. I'm grateful to have faith in humanity as a whole and to hold hope that we can fulfill Dr. King's Dream and more.

What can you do? How can you make a difference where you live?

May today remind us that we are all children of god. May we stop looking at what is outside and seek to see each other through our hearts. May we find the courage, wisdom, and strength to fix what is broken and begin healing the many, many wounds it has caused. Have a beautiful day.

 

Tonight was my daughter's Christmas program. It was her first Christmas program and performance in front of a big crowd. She did great!

As someone who was an extremely shy kid, I was in awe of her spunk and confidence up on stage. As any three year old she was back and forth between singing and being distracted. Her biggest distraction was trying to get one of her friend's attention to point out his brother was there. 

I loved trying to pick her voice out of the crowd. It was also fun watching her dance and even her funny distractions. I think the best part of all was her sheer excitement at being there. She was not ready to go when the program ended, even after another fifteen minutes of cookies and socializing.

It was fun watching my daughter. It was also fun to see all the different personalities all gathered together. Some of her friends sang while others were shy. There were a bunch of red Christmas dresses while others opted for other colors or styles of outfits. Every child was unique in their own ways and each one had something to bring to the show. 

I'm grateful to get to watch my daughter's program. I'm grateful to prioritize her show and take the night off work. I'm grateful to beam with pride and love at her performance. I'm grateful for her spunky and confident nature. I'm grateful she has such a determined and precocious personality (yes, even though it makes my job a little more challenging some days). I'm grateful for all the teachers and their efforts, not only for this program but each and every day. I'm grateful for this night with family and friends.

What type of personality are you? What personalities do you tend to hang around? What combination of people make up your "tribe"? 

May today remind us it takes all types to make the world operate. May we celebrate each and every one for their unique contributions. Have a beautiful day!

Today was a great day! My daughter's first day back to school included a happy face and barely a wave as she marched into class. She had plenty to tell us when she came home after playing with her friends. 

The sun was shining. The grocery shopping went smoothly. And I even got the last box of Pumpkin Spice Cheerios! 

My husband was off today so we all got to enjoy lunch together. We ate out as a special treat and I even treated myself to lemonade instead of water. 

When we got home from lunch I talked to my daughter about how some kids do not have any books to read. She was shocked as reading is her absolute favorite thing to do. I told her that her school is holding a book drive to help collect books for kids who don't have any. She asked me how they do that and I told her that it means kids like her give away books they no longer read. At first she was very skeptical and said maybe we should give away some of my books. I showed her the stack of books I had pulled out to give away. She went through her shelf and found four or five to donate. I was really impressed because she even gave away one of her musical books. 

Last weekend we had written a letter to Santa. I explained to her that Santa, like Jesus, tries to bring things we need. He might throw in something we just want or he might pass that information on to moms, dads, aunts, uncles, or grandparents to handle the wants. I told her to think about what she really needed and then we would write a list. The picture above is her list; she dictated and I wrote. 

She had been emphatic about everyone having a merry Christmas. Today I got to point out that by donating books she was doing her part to ensure everyone would have a merry Christmas. It warms my heart and reminds me that I can give in more ways myself.

I'm grateful for a great day. I'm grateful for the beautiful ways to give during this season. I'm grateful to see my daughter growing into such a kind and generous person. I'm grateful to let her be a part of the giving. I'm grateful she picked a book to give to her sister for Christmas from her own collection. I'm grateful she is also offering to donate some of her toys too. I'm grateful for the ways we can help our community and other families have a great holiday season. I'm grateful to have my heart swollen with love.

How can you make a difference for someone else's holiday? Is there something you can give away you aren't using? Can you donate some time?

May we open our hearts this year to those around us. May we find ways to brighten the season and spread love. Have a beautiful day!