Garden of Life #7

While I was growing up, my "Garden of Life” included a best friend who was always there for me. Elementary school was not the most enjoyable time of my life, especially when I was in the fifth and sixth grades. I was the one the kids always picked on or bullied mercilessly. I remember nights when I’d lie in bed with tears in my eyes, hands clenched in fists, wishing that I “fit in,” that I “belonged.” I kept wishing, but it wasn’t meant to be. There were days when I’d tell my Mom that I wasn’t feeling well in hopes she’d let me stay home. She was a pretty savvy Mom and she would take my temperature, look me up and down and say, “No temperature, dear. If I can go to work when I’m not feeling quite up to par, then you can go to school when you’re not.” I knew she loved me but I sure didn’t love school.

No matter what happened during my school day, though, my best friend always made me feel better. He offered a shoulder to cry on and unlimited love and support. I would sit down with him and tell him all my “trials and tribulations” and he would quietly listen while I worked all that frustration out of my system. I remember a girl named Rebecca who was a new student and befriended me for a little while but then abandoned me to go hang out with the other girls. My best friend never did that; his loyalty was endless. It made me feel better to know that, in his eyes, I was ok just the way I was and that I was actually someone he looked up to. Because of the way he made me feel about myself, I felt the same way about him.

By the way, my best friend’s name was Thunder and he was a beautiful black German Shepherd dog with silver and tawny markings. We loved each other unconditionally for the 10 years I was blessed to have him in my life.

Have YOU appreciated and loved your “pet(s)” today?

Until next time. . . remember the roses.

Garden of Life #6

My "Garden of Life” (please see my posts from last year) revolves around one stable structure – the house where my husband and I have lived for over 13 years. It’s the first one we ever bought together. After all our Navy years of living in barracks, aboard ship, in apartments and in rentals, we purchased a place we could finally call our own. At the beginning, it was quite a novelty as we moved in and made it our home; then, after a while, not so much so. We “settled” in, took it for granted, and the only time it became a top priority in our minds was when something broke and needed to be repaired.

Through the years, an occasional “thought” would cross my mind that we were very fortunate to have a home. I’ve seen people lose their houses to fire, tornadoes, hurricanes and, lately, the economy. When we first moved to Florida, I worked for a charitable organization and met folks who couldn’t afford to purchase any house or apartment to shelter their loved ones. After I’d spend a day listening to them, I’d go home, walk through my front door, look around, and count my blessings.

That occasional “thought” suddenly took on blinding proportions when the earthquake and tsunami hit Japan on 3-11-11. I watched the television in horror as walls of water swept away hundreds of homes. Many people are missing and those who survived are spending their days and nights outside with no place to get warm, no food to eat, no water to drink, no place to rest, no loved ones to cherish – all of these precious elements comprise the basic comforts of “home.”

Have YOU given thanks for your “home” today?

Until next time. . . remember the roses.

(Please continue to keep the people of Japan in your thoughts and prayers.)

Garden of Life #5

Sometimes, in our "Garden of Life" we take for granted the very people who are the closest to us -- our spouses. We might have a bad day and end up taking it out on them. We might forget to say "please" and "thank you" for everything they do for us. We might forget an anniversary or a birthday and say a quick, unthinking "sorry." We might "tune out" when they are telling us something that has happened to them during their day. For those of you who may be experiencing these types of situations with your "significant other," I submit the following:

There Was a Time. . .

There was a time when I was lonely,
Then you came.
We built our friendship
Slowly, carefully, tentatively.

There was a time when my life was dark,
Then you brightened it.
You showed me how to chase
Away the shadows of mistrust.

There was time when I felt unloved,
Then you loved me.
No strings, no pressure --
Just "unconditional" love.

There was a time when I was sad,
Then you brought happiness.
You helped me shed my tears and
See the rainbow beyond the storm.

There was a time when my life was empty,
Then you filled it
With forests and beaches, autumn colors,
And winter wonderlands.

There was a time when I was afraid,
Then you brought courage.
You said we could face together
Whatever Fate might bring us.

There was a time when I stood alone,
Then you joined me.
We stood on an altar and
Pledged our lives and our love.

There Was A Time. . .

But that was before You.
Thank you, my Love, for changing my life. . .
And Times.

(From Marie to Husband, Joe; 1991)

Have you let your spouse know how much he or she means to you today?

Until next time. . . remember the roses.

Garden of Life #4

One of the most beautiful elements in my "Garden of Life" is music. I started singing and playing guitar in junior high school then did solo work and sang in choirs right up to the present day. My love of music came from a Mom (singer and dancer) who listened to all the pop musicians current for her time -- Tom Jones, Elvis, Engelbert Humperdinck, etc., and my Dad (played piano by ear) who enjoyed movie music -- "Dr. Zhivago," "Cleopatra," -- and classical works -- Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture." For me, it was The Carpenters, Neil Diamond and more musicians, bands and movie scores than I could ever list here.

Now days, many of those "old" songs take me back to nostalgic times in my life -- school, college, church, my wedding, and so much more. I've listened and sung to music when I felt joyful. . . and let it heal me like a soothing balm when I've felt sad. It is certainly true when they say "music is a universal language" -- it can be a complex process to write and perform, but one which, when completed and heard, touches the most simple emotions of people all over the world.

Have you listened, danced or sung to your favorite music today?

Until next time. . . remember the roses.

Celebrate Life Everyday

This week we’re celebrating my Dad’s 80^th birthday.  He has to be the ‘youngest 80-year-old’ I know.  The key obviously is staying active in both body and mind, and he does both.  I wrote this poem for my Dad and want to share it with you.  Maybe it will brighten your day and remind you just how special your Dad is.

Dad

The calendar says you’re 80,

But to me it just seems wrong.

I’ll always be in awe of the

Way you stay so strong.

Even though we live so far apart,

You’re always present in my heart.

Through every trial and tribulation,

Through happy times and sad,

You’re always my foundation,

I hope you know this, Dad.

A sturdy hand to hold,

A shoulder on which to cry

I’ll never be too old.

What we have is special,

No one can take it away.

The lessons that you taught me,

I remember every day.

Though it’s seldom said out loud,

It seems the perfect time to say

You make me feel so very proud

And I love you every day.

Happy Birthday Dad

by Kathy Keefe

^©2010

Express your feelings of love and gratitude today and everyday.  Feelings kept inside are fairly useless, but when they are said aloud can make a lifetime of difference in someone’s life.  Always remember your roots, those paths you traveled, they are the reason you are where you are today.  “If it wasn’t for them, you wouldn’t be you”.  Celebrate Life, everyday! 

Garden of Life #2

As part of my continued journey to "stop and smell the roses" (See, Garden of Life #1), I sat on my patio, in my favorite chair, and sipped from a glass of rich, merlot wine. It was a lovely, balmy Florida evening as the sun began to dip toward the horizon behind the oak trees. I marveled at the vast array of colors -- pink, lavender, violet, coral, gold, turquoise, jade -- spreading across the sky. The vivid and subtle hues were more breathtaking than any human artist could ever lay on canvas.

As I watched the changing sky I thought, "How many beautiful sunsets have I missed during my life because I was rushing from here to there? How many more opportunities do I have left to watch Mother Nature create her fleeting, artistic masterpieces in the heavens above?"

How many more chances do YOU have?

Slow down and catch the next sunset. . .or sunrise. . .and as you watch the miracle unfold, count the simple blessings in your life. Like colors in the sky, they are infinite and meant to be treasured.

Until next time. . .remember the roses!