Remembering, and learning from, Matt

One of my friends and colleagues on the My Healing Place Board has put together a terrific blog in honor/memory of her son, Matt, who unfortunately took his own life.  Check out this wonderful blog at: www.livingwiththelossofachild.blogspot.com.  I highly recommend Janie’s blog for everyone given that we all walk through the shadow of loss, grief and trauma, at different times in our lives, and in many different ways.

Melody

Earthly Connections …

For 12 years I had the privilege of working internally for a long-term care company that provided services in residential settings to seniors and persons who were developmentally disabled.  Since starting my own consulting business, I have continued to work with a variety of long-term care providers, and am blessed to be able to do so. 

The men and women in long-term care communities make a huge, positive difference in our society and in persons’ personal lives on a daily basis.   They make connections with their residents and, on a more global level, with policymakers who make decisions about Medicare and Medicaid on behalf of their residents.

Working alongside long-term care professionals, and supporting them, is a privilege.  Here’s a narrative, musical example of the many good things happening in our skilled nursing facilities, including for persons at the end stages of their lives.  This link was sent to me by a friend with whom I worked many years ago in the long-term care profession, and I think it is a very powerful story about connections.

On this Earth Day, here’s to great connections for you and yours!  Melody

http://youtu.be/NKDXuCE7LeQ

Easter/Passover Blessings and New Beginnings

However you may celebrate spring, Easter, Passover, or a typical Sunday afternoon, many blessings.  Here is part of a poem by Peter Menkin that was read in church today by our pastor.  It meant a lot to me, and I thought I’d pass it along.  Blessings, Melody

 At the intersection of Easter
we wait with thoughts of new life,
the life of a baby, the life of the Baptized,
the life of the lamb, and the memory of slaughter,
of the death is fresh, but forgotten for the time
we say, He is risen! He is risen indeed!!

Those bones, those bones, those dry bones
are linked, renewed, given flesh, given life.
More than renewal, like freshness, like birth…
Out of the tomb, white as lightning, transfigured…
we are mystified, believers, quiet in surprise,
wondering at the miracle and hearing how the Apostles
told their friends the tomb is empty.

He is risen! He is risen indeed!!

Engagement

Earlier this week the following sweet and poignant Email crossed my desk.  It resonated with me, and I thought I’d share it on this Academy Award Sunday.  My assumption is the attribution is correct.  Regardless, the message is powerful and a good reminder of the need to embrace, experience, and engage in, our rich journeys as fully as possible.

Melody

Written by Regina Brett, at 90 years old:  “To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I’ve ever written.  My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying  alone.

8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.

12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an  answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ‘In five years, will this matter?’

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does 

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.

35. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the  most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved. 

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come…

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.”

Remembering Jeffrey Zaslow

Earlier this year I received an Email from fellow author Jeffrey Zaslow, with whom I had corresponded a time or two over the years, but never met.  Jeff’s amazing books and articles in the area of end-of-life times, especially The Last Lecture, have touched me, and I so admire his work. 

Jeffrey was writing to let me know that he had a new book being released called The Magic Room.  I promised to purchase the book, and make mention of it in an upcoming blog.

Like many others, I was shocked to read that Jeffrey Zaslow was killed last Friday in a car wreck in Michigan as he traveled home from a book talk.  I am so incredibly saddened by this loss, especially for his family and friends. 

Perhaps we can all honor this outstanding writer and reporter by purchasing The Magic Room or one of his earlier books.  Certainly I intend to do just that, as I once again remind myself how fragile and unexpected life’s journeys can be.

Written in admiration/memory of Mr. Jeffrey Zaslow, Author (1958-2012)

Melody

Knowing …

Below is a spiritual meditation about knowing that struck a chord with me.  Here’s to more real knowing in this New Year for all!

Melody

If I knew you and you knew me,

and each of us could clearly see

By that inner light divine

the meaning of your heart and mine;

I’m sure that we would differ less

And clasp our hands in friendliness,

If you knew me, and I knew you

Howard Thurman, Meditations of the Heart

A Must Read: Callins’ first novel

A dear friend of mine and first-time author, Cindy Callins, has a novel hot off the press called Under the Windmills.  Check it out; I hear it is great.  I’m looking forward to the read.  Melody