Like so many for the past few years I have been out of sorts. It seems for me that things have happened in a whirlwind making it hard to catch up, catch my breath and my focus.

My guy had hip issues and finally got it replaced in the summer of 2019. Three days later my mother passed away. My hands were already full and just got fuller; not to mention my mind. I planned to be Dale’s helper, of course I did. I also got everything my mother neeed so that she would be okay without me running over every day to help with one thing or another. My mind and body was pretty stressed out and to be honest I was looking forward to this small break from long and gruelling days with my mother. Anyone that knows her and me knows she was very demanding. I was her perfect pawn because I am very empathetic and a helper. That was a moment in time that I wouldn’t repeat. But I made it through with the help of family and friends; for them I am thankful.

Fast forward just four months and there was talk of coronavirus in other pasrts of the world but making their way to the USA. To add to that, Dale slipped and tore his quadricep 90% through on the same leg his hip was replaced. More surgery and more down time for him, for us. Covid-19 seeped in through every crack of every country and it hit hard and fast. As everyone reading this is aware, it caused us all to make major changes in our lives. Sadly, covid is still with us but is slowing…but enough of that subject here.

As I try to see things in a positive way, it’s sometimes difficult, especially when you hear the news in the world. As Ann Murray sang back in the 80’s, “we sure could use a little good news” – it’s still the truth today. The best I can do is pray to God for peace within me and within everyone in the world. The next best I can do is to be the peace, be the good, be the kindness I seek for all of us. It’s truly uplifting to see how one kind word or gesture can lift someone’s spirits, including your own.

I have fairly recently learned that I am too kind for some. I send gifts to family and friends and most of the time, they’re received well but not always. I’m a giver and a do-er, I feel that some friends and family think less of me for whatever reason, but I can’t change what they think. Maybe I’m awkward. I blame that on how I was expected to be during my growing years. I’m not cool. I’m not fashionable. I’m not fancy. I wish I was but one thing is certain, I am real. I am sincere. I’m authentic. I’m kind. I won’t trade any of that to be cool, fashionable, hip or fancy.

Like most of us I have dreams, goals, plans, intentions and so on. I have fallen off the cliff I was climbing and I had/have to start over. In the assemblance of readiness, I discovered there is more than one hill to climb. That to me is exciting; a breath of fresh air! I can actually choose a different cliff to sit upon. I can shift my intentions. I can recreate my present every single day. I have learned that it’s even okay to change my direction as each day unfolds. I AM alive with dignity and strength. I can leave old baggage where it is and move on without it. I have great visions of a future filled with love and dreams fulfilled.

I stand tall because He holds me up and strengthens me.