The Essence of Our Mission

I woke up this morning thinking about Jerry McGuire, well not Jerry himself so much, but what he was trying to do. Sometimes we get so many things going and we lose sight of the moment or we allow the busy stuff of life to take over. When I think about what really matters to me, there are only two things, my family and my writing.
Last week, we spent 4 days with Denny’s brother and sister in law. They came to Henderson from St. Louis; we did the Vegas thing, cooked some awesome meals, cooled off in the pool and had some… well some very meaningful conversations.
After several years of the 9-5 routine I’m now able to spend the greater part of my day writing, I can go to writer’s meetings, workshops, and am part of a Creative Women’s group. I can set up book signings and do poetry readings, work on my novel about Ireland and almost have enough poems for a 2nd book of poetry.
Next week I look forward to wagon rides with Oliver, the playground at the park, a game of tennis with Jeff and a good chat with Rose, the kind of visit only two women could appreciate.
Most of all I look forward to …
the being with,
the spending time
with the folks that mean the most to me, my family.

My Personal Mission Statement

To live each day with balance, giving the attention and care needed to whomever, whatever calls for my help. To personally grow from that process into the person that God created me to be.
I will live so that when I face the end of my life,
I will know that I had elevated myself to a level that I could reach
and then stretched beyond.

Reflection

I am a woman of many faiths. I am a citizen of the world. I have my own inner flame and yet, I will be glad to share yours. I know you have something I can learn.

I’ve prayed to God and have had many conversations with Buddha. I’ve traveled, toured, met people and made friends from Dublin to Bangkok.

I’ve known folks who say things and I would wonder why, only to find it was me who did not understand. I’ve stayed the same over the years and yet, am nothing like I was 20 years ago.

I enjoy many types of music; I’ve gotten high singing worship and never tire of helping Jimmy Buffett find his lost shaker of salt.

I’ve sung the praises of golf with the best of them. I’ve had times of great weakness and then shown strength that not even I recognized.

I am a woman of all ages, I am young enough to run and old enough to fear the loneliness I see in family and friends at the nursing home. I read good books and listen to great speakers and have cried with dad as he loses his eyesight and hearing.

Call it midlife, the change of life, maybe enlightenment; I’ve known great joy and tremendous sorrow. I lost a niece who was only 22 years old and must be content with an autopsy that has no answer.

I’ve raised two boys and the only regrets are that I didn’t hold them longer, tighter. Their faces could still use a lot more wet, mushy kisses- or maybe mine could.

Good kids, happy kids but grown up now and on a journey of their own, choosing their way, rising to their own levels of awareness.

There are no regrets in life, only new days – new ways and hopefully a love that grows stronger for the purpose we are here to accomplish.
Barbara Botch
From Poet's Crossing

Julie and Julia
I just came home from seeing the most wonderful movie. I cried from beginning to end. What a joyful, uplifting beautiful portrayal of two women, their lives and the people they loved.
I loved Paris, the food, the wine, the Brie.
Oh! The Valentine’s party,
Julia’s sister.
Ahh..when they danced.
It's a movie for everyone, especially writers, bloggers, cooks, everyone! I couldn’t wait to get to my computer.
So many great lines.
“Do you have any power?”
“Never apologize, no excuses.”
The egg, the pearls.
Hope you'll go see it!
Until next time. a very passionate
Bon Appetit!

How Did I Do That?

Last night I was driving home on Horizon Ridge and noticed where the restaurant Chicago’s Own used to be. There’s another restaurant there now, but the memory that came back to me was the night Denny and I ate there; the night before I went to Ireland by myself for a month.
Going to Ireland for a month by myself had been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember, just my backpack, a laptop and me. I was looking forward to seeing all the friends I’ve made over the years, meeting new ones, but most of all I was looking forward to writing.
I worked on and re-wrote some of the poems I had already written, and wrote several new ones in that month. I traveled around to see the sites, sometimes with friends, other times by myself, finding new pubs, restaurants, bookstores and quiet time.
Now, 3 years later, I look back and say, “How did I do that?”
Although I’ve been to Ireland several times before, sometimes with Denny, other times with our son, and even more times with different girlfriends, I had never ventured out alone, across the pond by myself for that long. I couldn’t help but wonder,
How was I able to do that?
Recently while at our Creative Women’s Group, we were talking about all the different goals we have, the dreams we would like to realize, what we want to write next, where to go, what to do… when my friend Ann made a good observation.
She said, “Maybe it’s good to stop once in a while and think about what we’ve already done, what we’ve already accomplished."
How brilliant is that! I thought. So, for now,
I’m going to sit back and revel in the fact that I went to Ireland for a month… by myself. What have you already done? What is your Oh my Gosh! How did I do that moment?

From the Heart

While waiting for the 2009 Preakness to start, we were enjoying highlights of previous years.
At one point, the commentator was talking about how a particular horse had come from behind, and then broke away from the field to win.
I thought what a great phrase!
“To break away from the field.”
I have to wonder what it would be like if we found what we loved doing, did it and not only did it, but broke away from the field to do it our own unique way.
If it’s from the heart, seems to me it would have to be a good outcome.

Simplicity is the new rich

As time goes by, I believe the less we have, the more time and energy we have for the important things in life; like spending time writing, playing in the water with our grandkids, reading and enjoying the recent cool nights listening to The Bridge- channel 33 on Sirius/XM Radio with your first and foremost favorite person in the world. I do believe that there really is only one simple truth to life and that is You! What is your truth?