A Monday memory.....

Oh, the traffic!

Here we are again, just days before Thanksgiving.  What has come to mind are the many hours I spent while I was in college, then my daughters were in college, traveling "over the river and through the woods" to go - home.

No one tells you when you are filling in those dreaded college applications that it might be a good idea to actually consider the location of the school, what transportation links are available, and the number of colleges in a given area.

So it came as a bit of a shock the first time I tried to make my way home my first semester away.  Who knew there were literally hundreds of colleges in New England?  Who knew there was only one approach to the Mass Pike?  Who knew everyone would be leaving on Wednesday.  After lunch.  Who knew it could take more than six hours to get home?

Those bus stations can get pretty crowded, let me tell you.  And the buses?  After finally making my way to the George Washington Bridge bus terminal one time, I then had to take a "local" bus across the bridge to a spot where my Dad had agreed to meet me.  I managed to finally get a standing spot on one bus just as it was getting ready to depart. Problem was, I was all the way in the rear of the bus.  With a large old fashioned suitcase.  And I was the first stop off the bus.  I'm sure you can picture the um, understandably unhappy people who had to try and let me pass them.  Lets just say they were glad to see me get off.

I have a confession to make.  Based on that first experience, and a few other trying times, I did begin a pattern of skipping a few classes in order to leave early and beat the New England rush.  No, it wasn't right.  But I tried to justify it by telling everyone, "I'm from New Jersey" - to which people would often just nod and say, "Oh, well then, sure."  Professors?   I don't think they looked at it quite the same way.

When our daughters went off to college, they encountered similar challenges.  Sometimes rides could be caught with a friend.  We did a "switch"  a few times between daughter #1 in upstate New York and my nephew down this end at West Point.  And there were several times the Englishman and I each did a four hour up then back run.

So in addition to blessings too numerous to count this Thanksgiving,  I am most grateful that my little family all live in the same state and only one member has to drive just under two hours for our gathering.  

If you know someone looking at colleges, you might want to suggest they check the traffic reports on Wednesday, just so they're prepared.

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

"When I look back over my life, the times I was happiest was when I was doing for others."

                                                                               ~ Vincent R.

My father shared this thought with me two weeks before he passed away.  

I was speaking with friends earlier this week about service, volunteer work, helping others, and it brought my Dad's words back to me.

My Dad had a wonderful way of listening intently when people talked.  If you expressed an interest in a new subject, within days he would produce a book he had found on it for you or some research about it.  Not because you had asked, but because he thought you might like it.

He told our family a story one night which really touched my heart.  He worked in the City and would walk through the large terminal mid-town to catch the bus home in the evening.  One particular night, he happened upon a woman who looked in distress and was begging for money.  He told of how he sat down next to her, to actually speak with her and find out how she had ended up there in the terminal.  She spoke about her children and situation.  After listening to her tale, he gave her whatever cash he had in his wallet before resuming his trip home.  His kindness in recognizing this woman as a person, someone who deserved perhaps a little time as well as some money, spoke volumes, I thought, about the kind of man he was.

My Dad taught me that doing others doesn't always have to be a grand gesture or something monumental.  It can be as simple as a smile, holding a door, or looking someone in the eye and really listening to them when they speak.  To let them know, they matter.

I was so very blessed growing up because I always knew I mattered to him.  

And he was so right.  The times when I am doing things for others does bring me happiness - whether it's something for my family, crocheting scarves for soldiers, donating to a charity, or smiling at the grumpy check-out lady in the supermarket and really meaning it when I say, "Have a good day!"

Tip for a Tuesday....

Stash some cash....

Years ago I read a suggestion in one of Sarah Ban Breathnach's books about tucking a one hundred dollar bill in a pocket of your wallet for emergencies.

Why such a large amount?  Her reasoning was that if it were a large bill you wouldn't be inclined to spend it unless it truly was an emergency.

I actually did that for many years.  These days, since money seems a little tighter, I've switched to keeping two or three twenty dollar bills, folded up, and hidden in my wallet.

It gives me some peace of mind, knowing I have "backup" so to speak.  I have had to use it from time to time, when I have found myself short of cash or didn't make it to the bank as planned.

It's also something to think about, in light of the recent storm, when so many places lost power.  If the bank can't open, you can't get cash.  In some instances, people found they couldn't purchase gasoline with their credit cards - it was "cash only".

A small stash of money in the house might also be a good idea.  Just in case.

Provided of course, you remember where you've put it.

A Monday memory....

Giggles.....

There is no sound more glorious than that of children giggling.  One can't help but be caught up in the pure joy that emanates from their souls.

The Englishman recently showed me a montage of video clips of our girls when they were quite young.  What struck me the most, was that in every single instance, they were all grinning and giggling.

What a gift!

To be able to go back and peek once again at those moments.  

Those precious, precious moments, when they were completely themselves and filled with laughter.

And then yesterday, to sit Miss M in front of my computer and watch her face light up as she watched her "Mommy" and "Aunts".  To see her get caught up in their joy and to giggle aloud with them.

One particular clip captured our girls in their Grandma's kitchen, one Halloween night, bobbing for apples.  M sat enraptured,  then started cheering them on, shouting "You almost got it" and "Try again", with fits of giggles as she watched.

Then we went outside and created our own memories, just us two.

Hope this makes your day just a little bit better.

It most certainly made mine!

(fingers crossed it works - this is my first time posting a video!)

Friday Foto

The setting sun, on November 8th.

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

Goodness!  He is probably right - so I'm am taking steps to stop myself from telling my brain such silly things as "I can't remember" or "I couldn't possibly do that!"  From here on I will, as the song says,  "accentuate the positive".

Wednesday's wisdom....

Don't look too far down the road....

During difficult times, such as the storm we've just come through, serve as a reminder to me to try to remain only in today.  If I just look at what is happening in this day, and not try to look at the whole picture or stretch to see what may lie ahead, I can cope better.

In the past, when confronted with a looming financial crisis or an extended family member's health problems, I concentrated my thoughts on dealing with what was in front of me and not worrying about the possibilities that might be out there.

Having gratitude for even the smallest of blessings is a tool I utilize on a daily basis.  I've been waking up each morning for the past week with continuing gratitude for the basics of electricity, heat, gasoline in my car, and food in my refrigerator.  

Thankfully, my family and I have everything we need today.  What will happen with the Nor'easter, scheduled to descend upon us this afternoon, I have no idea.  But for today, all is well.

I sincerely hope and pray it is the same with you and yours.