(Photo by Microsoft Clipart) ~~ What is one thing that you still remember to this day that warms your heart and puts a smile on your face? I’ll bet it was something spontaneous and incidental but you still remember it as if it was just yesterday….where you were, who was with you, the sounds and smells.

It’s not anything big – you tune into the little things. It may be a twinkle in the eyes of a loved one as they tell you some exciting news or read something to you that inspired them.

My husband wrote a poem years ago that is one of those special little things that means a lot to me. I have it hanging on the wall.

He was taking some classes in college at the time and not long before that we had left our roots in Toledo and Cape Charles, VA and headed west.

It was 1969 and our trek was similar to a modern-day wagon train except we were in our Volvo station wagon with 2 dogs pulling a U-Haul. We had no jobs and knew no one in Denver and no clue where we were going to stay. You wonder whether we were adventurous or ….. better not say.

It turned out to be adventurous as we have lived in Colorado now for 39 years and have more stories to tell of those times. But for now I’ll share the poem he wrote:

When, in a distant place by the sea
And I was young and free and alone
I searched for a special someone
To walk beside, someone I didn’t know
And you were there.

Later, when we left the sea
And came to the mountains
The vastness of this new place
Filled me with fear
But you were there.

I roamed from job to job
From trouble to trouble
Searching for something from within and without.
Yet never quite finding and feeling the doubt
You were there.

And now in this time of finding
This time of happiness and joy
This time of reaching and growing
This time especially for sharing
You are there.

Used By Permission – © Jim Ruppel

The little things make life worth living. All over the world little things are happening this moment. People are giving, and sharing. The sun is shining and the streams are flowing. There is good all around in just taking notice. We don’t have to do extravagant things and make a big noise to touch someone’s heart. It’s the little gestures and kind words – the little things that mean so much.

Do you have some special moments, those little things, you’d like to share?

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(Photos by Microsoft Clipart) ~~ We have a 2-year old grandson and I’m constantly amazed at how he’s constantly present and in the moment. He doesn’t think about what happened yesterday or what he’s going to do tomorrow. It’s right now. That’s all he thinks about and what he is involved with.

Can you remember what it was like to be that free spirit? Can you remember what it was like to see a car, a dog or an airplane for the first time? Oh, the wonder and innocence of a child.

Did we lose the curiosity and pure excitement of just being alive every day? Thrilled with the little things like ants crawling across the sidewall or captured by blowing bubbles hours on end. When did we get so serious?

There are some things I’d like to unlearn and roll back time and go back before it was learned. When it shows up again I’ll pass. Wouldn’t it be nice to undiscover anger, hate or greed?

Yes, we have responsibilities and we know things won’t get done if we don’t do them but I think we take it too far and get stuck. We don’t know how to chill – lighten up and just laugh out loud. We get too concerned about what others might think or the next deadline.

I love it when our grandchildren come up and spend the weekend. They’re all boys ranging in age from 2, 8 and 13. It’s a span from toddler to preteen and testosterone. I learn a lot from them and about myself when they come.

I learn what is the latest music on YouTube, how to dual with light sabers and catch up with the latest Shrek videos I didn’t get to see at the movies. I crawl under the table in the pretend fort and jump on the bed with them. On special moments they climb up on the kitchen counter ready to talk and I don’t want to miss it.

I don’t want to miss it. Miss life and the mystery of life. Children will teach you how if you’ve forgotten. Just watch and listen and follow their lead.

Next time you hear a child giggle pay close attention and feel the joy that comes from the depth of their soul and the freedom of spirit. What would you like to see through the eyes of a child?

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(Photos by Microsoft Clipart) ~~ It’s Memorial Day weekend, amidst the barbeques and family gatherings it’s a time set aside when we remember those who have given so much – life and limb – to keep us safe. As Bob Schieffer said this morning on a television program called Face The Nation, “…not as God has made them but as war has left them.”

My father served in World War II and the Korean Conflict and my father-in-law served in World War II. Both are no longer with us today.

My husband is a Vietnam-era veteran and my son-in-law served in Desert Shield/Desert Storm. They both served their country and I’m proud. There are many that have served and haven’t come home and many more that are still engaged in war for this country and many countries all over the world yet to come home.

Growing up, Dad would tell us many stories about the war. One, in particular, I remember was when he told of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima, Japan. He said they were the closest unit to the bombing and were the first ones deployed and on the scene to secure the area. He spoke of what it looked like in contrast to what he had seen before. Everything was leveled with white ash all over – no trees, no buildings. Nothing was moving and there appeared to be nothing alive. I still have that image of how devastating that must have been.

No one can be fully prepared for this devastation. No matter what your political views or on what side you take your position, war is hell on both sides – for the ones winning and the ones losing. It’s not a win-win proposition.

I think of the stories told in World War I (the war that was supposed to end all wars) when the opposing sides would break from fighting on Christmas and eat with one another and play cards.

It is my prayer that one day we will find a way to end the conflicts and fears and live together in love and harmony in our homes, communities and countries throughout the world.

No matter where you are or what country you live in, if you have lost loved ones in war or are remembering family and friends who have not fought in war but are no longer living, may you find comfort and peace in the arms of an angel on this Memorial Day Holiday weekend that we celebrate in the United States.

Video – In The Arms Of The Angel – Sarah McLachlan and Josh Groban from Daving83 on YouTube

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(Photo by Microsoft Clipart) ~~ (Meme – according to Wikipedia – it is any unit of cultural information as a practice or idea, that is transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another.)

I’ve seen others tag each other on other blogs and thought it was interesting but have never taken the chance to enter in and play until now. I’m cheating and using most of what Patricia wrote when she tagged me. Won’t you take the plunge and join me in the fun.

The current meme was passed on to me by Patricia Singleton who writes for Spiritual Journey of a Lightworker. The article that Patricia wrote is called Tag—You’re It—Another Meme.

HERE ARE THE RULES TO THE MEME:
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Share 4 things in these themes.
4. Tag 4 random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs. (I am only tagging anyone who reads this and wants to participate. It is not required. Only do it, if it is fun.)
5. Let each random person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website. (My title is the only notification you are getting if you choose to participate.)

4 JOBS I HAVE HAD:
1. Nanny – I’ve always loved kids and enjoyed mine when they were little and I now enjoy our grandchildren so I thought, “Why not.” I watched a baby girl at the age of 3 months for 5 months until her daddy quit his day job to watch her and go back to school. It was a great experience.
2. Secretary/Admin Assistant for most of my life since I graduated from high school – actually thought I would do something different but since I took typing and shorthand in high school I always seemed to fall into this type of work.
3. Self-employed entrepreneur (Wisdom For The Ages) as a facilitator and speaker and now writer on this blog. This is the heart of what I love – learning to connect with people and talk and listen to their stories.
4. Currently working as a document specialist – data entry. It’s funny – I really like it and look forward to going to work every day. To some people, they might think how can you do such a mundane job but to me I welcome it as I get to work without any constant interruptions or answering of phones. I quietly work away in my little cubicle.

4 MOVIES I CAN WATCH OVER & OVER:
1. “It’s a Wonderful Life” – an old 1940’s black and white movie you usually see on TV around Christmas. It’s become a tradition for me to put it on Christmas eve with nothing but the Christmas lights on, the house quiet and everyone else in bed.
2. “Sleepless in Seattle” – I’m a softy for those chick flicks and a happy ending.
3. “Lady Hawk” – an old medieval time love story with a beautiful black Friesian horse. That’s what I enjoyed the most was the horse trotting to the music.
4. Anything funny and on the light side – Steve Martin and Peter Sellers movies.

4 PLACES I HAVE LIVED:
1. Philadelphia – actually a small borough south of Philly (Norwood) – with my parents and sister. It’s where I grew up and graduated from school. Nothing too exciting about it with the refineries and typical suburbia.
2. Cape Charles, Virginia – first place where I truly felt at home with my grandparents. I loved being with them and my cousins and the beach. Good memories.
3. North Denver, Colorado – where we settled in shortly after we got out of the military and headed west for the first time leaving roots and family.
4. Bailey, Colorado – a small town in the mountains almost 50 miles from downtown Denver at an elevation of 8500’. We’ve lived here over 25 years and it is our slice of heaven – our home.

4 TV SHOWS THAT I LOVE (when I watch TV it’s mostly reruns):
1. Frasier
2. Northern Exposure
3. Men in Trees
4. Boston Legal

4 PLACES I HAVE BEEN ON HOLIDAY:
1. Virginia
2. Ohio – not for the holiday but to visit my husband’s parents
3. Colorado
4. Colorado – sounds boring but we’ve never gone anywhere for the holiday except to visit family if we’re living there.

4 OF MY FAVORITE DISHES:
1. Shrimp Cocktail
2. Wine and Cheese
3. Veggies and Dip
4. Lobster and Crab (I miss my seafood from Virginia)

4 WEBSITES THAT I VISIT FREQUENTLY: (It was so hard to just pick 4. I read so many. In addition to Patricia’s choices here are some more great sites to check out in spreading the love around.)
1. Spiritual Journey of a Lightworker found at http://patriciasingleton.blogspot.com/
2. The Next 45 Years at http://www.thenext45years.com/blog/
3. Blogging Without A Blog at http://bloggingwithoutablog.com/
4. She-Power.com found at http://she-power.com/

4 PLACES I WOULD RATHER BE RIGHT NOW:
I’m happy and content right where I’m at right now. Anything else would just be icing on the cake.

4 BLOGGERS I AM TAGGING:
I am not tagging anyone specifically. If you would like to be tagged to do this meme then go ahead. Have fun with it.

Thank you, Patricia, for tagging me and all of the readers that choose to participate. I used this meme as an opportunity to share more of my life with my readers.

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As I sit here this evening at my kitchen table writing a post, the light is waning but it’s still bright enough to look out back across the field and see something wondrous and beautiful – 3 bull elk grazing. This is my slice of heaven sitting in my home with the Rocky Mountains all around and wildlife close by.

They were there in our neighbor’s yard early this morning before I left for work and again this evening on my return. As my husband took pictures, he was amazed of their size. Their racks are some of the biggest he’s ever seen still in velvet and not fully grown yet.

Here are some pictures (elk photos are copyrighted by Jim Ruppel):

Not only the elk gave me a send off this morning and a greeting this evening but a rainbow peaked out from some early evening thunder clouds off in the distance having just moved through.

~~ (Rainbow Photo by Microsoft Clipart)~~
Whew!! No matter where you live there’s beauty all around and it’s your slice of heaven too.

From the mountains where I live, to the beaches on either coast, to the southern bayous over to the desert, to mention a few – this is a beautiful world.

These are just some of the many blessings graciously given us at no charge and, “Oh” how they touch my heart and soul in this little slice of heaven.

“A Moment of Happiness”
A moment of happiness,
you and I sitting on the veranda,
apparently two, but one in soul, you and I.
We feel the flowing water of life here,
you and I, with the garden’s beauty
and the birds singing.
The stars will be watching us,
and we will show them
what it is to be a thin crescent moon.
You and I unselfed, will be together,
indifferent to idle speculation, you and I.
The parrots of heaven will be cracking sugar
as we laugh together, you and I.
In one form upon this earth,
and in another form in a timeless sweet land.

~~Jalalu’l-din Rumi

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