American Indian Proverb

"Only when the last tree has been cut down;
Only when the last river has been poisoned;
Only when the last fish has been caught;
Only then will you find that money cannot be eaten."
~ American Indian Proverb

 

Otters holding hands

This has got to be the most touching video I have EVER seen. These otters aren't just holding hands, one actually reaches out for the other one after they get separated!

Time for an Escape!

I've used visualization before. I believe it's what helped me get my Camry. Yes, I visualized myself owning a Toyota Camry and the next thing I knew I had a Toyota Camry!

I've been without a car for the first time in my legal driving life for over two years now. My last car was declared "totalled" after it was hit while parked in front of my home.
Believing in the philosophy that "everything happens for a reason," I have learned to appreciate alternative means of transportation and it couldn't have come at a better time with the rising gas prices and all. But even so, having your own vehicle does allow you a certain freedom. A freedom I once took for granted and now highly appreciate...

... going where I want to go when I want to go there!
And what better way to get there than in my own Ford Escape!

Is it coincidental or can you actually acquire anything, even materialistic things, through visualization?

If we create what we desire, and our desires are of good intention, then I believe it works with all things.

So... here is a picture of my new titanium green, metallic Ford Escape. (the windows are tinted, but I'm the one in the driver's seat!)

Just feel better...

Music is full of emotion... I am full of emotion.

Music can be loud... I can be loud.

Music can make you happy... I like to be happy.

Music can make you cry... I feel better after I cry.

My son....

For one reason or another I've been having a difficult time putting my thoughts into words. Not verbally, that rarely happens, but in writing. It has been frustrating, VERY frustrating and the more frustrated I got the harder it was to write... so I didn't ... until now.

I was blessed with the most amazing child, my son, Cody.  In his second year of college he made the President's Honor Roll.  He didn't do it by taking easy classes either, he had Calculus, Chemistry and Physics!  And not only is he keeping his grades up, he works full time, is financially independent, and spiritually sound. He sees the light through the tunnel and does not let that veer from his sight.

That's him in the picture. It was taken during his baptism. It has not been retouched with Photo shop or anything else. That's exactly how the picture came out. Prior to taking it, Cody had been crying and yet there are no signs of tears or unhappiness in his eyes.

Yes, I believe he is my angel and that I have been given a gift.  As to why?  I haven't a clue.  I am no one special.  I haven't done anything extraordinary in my life but yet I have been blessed with a child who has touched my heart and brightened my world so immensely. The world can be pretty ugly and mean and people aren't always nice and respectful. I haven't kept my son sheltered from  all the hatred and ugliness. He has seen many sides of humanity and yet he is prevailing and shining in spite of it all. He gives me strength just by his presence. He listens to my incessant babbling even when I can't listen to myself anymore. He’s steady and steadfast and has grown into a fine young man.

Is it how I raised him? I tried but it sure wasn’t by example. Maybe by an example of what NOT to do. Yes, I am his mom and I believe he is my angel but I also believe we all have faults and it's our faults that make us strong and compassionate.  I have never tried to hide mine from Cody and there are times I just plain couldn't. It wasn’t always the right thing to do but it happened and we survived. To quote Izzie from Grey’s Anatomy,  

"I believe in the good.

 I believe we survive.

I believe that believing we survive is what makes us survive.”

Cody wants to be an Oceanographer. I don’t know a whole lot about Oceanography, in fact I don't care for the ocean much at all. But it's not what I like that's important, it's what he likes. There is no doubt in my mind he will succeed in whatever he chooses to do. That’s just how he is.

Cody,
There are no words to describe how proud I am of you!

You deserve the world and more.

You make things shine with your peaceful serenity and I know that you will achieve whatever you believe.

Stay strong, calm and true.

I love you!

"Always and forever" ... Mom

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

"There are only four questions of value in life, Don Octavio.

What is sacred?
Of what is the spirit made?

What is worth living for and what is worth dying for?

The answer to each is the same: only love."

 

 ~ from the movie, "Don Juan DeMarco"

 

 

Today and every day...

Cherish and honor the ones you love,

and the ones that love you.

Nobody Dances Anymore

I love music. As far back as I can remember I have always loved to sing and dance. Not that I can do either one very well, but as the saying goes, "If it feels good, DO IT!"

I remember a day when my son was around 8 years old. I was in the kitchen cooking spaghetti... dancing and singing "opera" and playing air drums with my wooden spoons. In the middle of a twirl, I saw two of my friends, male friends, staring at me. Surprised and embarrassed, I asked how long they had been there. They replied, "Long enough!" When I looked at my son who had let them in, he just smiled at me in admiration. No look of embarrassment or "I gotcha!" on his face at all. That's just what his mom does when she cooks, right?

Looking back, that was a big moment in my life. A time when I realized how important it was to be myself. That showing my vulnerable side to others allowed them to be more comfortable around me. I made three people smile that day... two friends and my son and that made me feel good... real good!

The video below is by a group called Brandtson. It's called "Nobody Dances Anymore". I love it because it's real. I hope it brings a smile to your day... and if you feel like it, dance!

It's going to be a good day!

To all who know me well this may come as a surprise, but sometimes I'm at a loss for words. Or it may be that I'm full of words but don't know how to express them very well.
For those times, I listen to music...

As I Wander...

"All that is gold does not glitter.

Not all those who wander are lost."
~ J.R.R. Tolkien

 

 

(Pictured: Edited version of "Wandering", by Patricia Gale)

My nephew

Andy

picture by Andrew Hull

My nephew, Andy, will be graduating this year with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Arts. He will be continuing his education at one of 3 very notable Universities of which he will receive his MFA (Master of Fine Arts) degree.

Amazingly gifted, Andy has been the inspiration of many, including my own son and I am certain he will be a positive contribution to the artistic industry.

I love you, Andy, and I am sooooo very proud of you!

~ Aunt Sheryl

My Family

The following was written by a little girl in pencil on lined notebook paper. It had been framed and was sitting on her mother's nightstand when she found it some 40 years later. It's rather silly and somewhat corny, but that's because I am the one who wrote it.  I'm posting it because it reminds me how much I really do love and need my family. That no matter how hard I have tried to push them away, they were always there for me... even when I wasn't there for them.

My Family

I have a family who knows when I'm sad,

And helps when I need it without getting mad.

And when I am angry they don't get upset,

But comfort and talk to me and help me forget.

They are there when I need them but will leave when I say.

And I hope that they know they are never in my way.

Not diamonds, not pearls, nor silver or gold,

Could ever replace the love that they hold.

And I hope there are more with a family as kind,

A family they love, a family like mine.

Beautiful Peace for Beautiful Birgit

 

My friend's mom, Birgit, passed away the other day. I only knew her for a short while but I felt as close to her as I do my own mom. So much like my own mom I could talk to her about anything. Share with her the simple, silly things that only a mom would listen to. But my feelings can in no way be close to what my friend must be feeling. The only thing that makes it better is in knowing that I have been blessed with having two wonderful mom's in my life. Two beautiful angels who are, in my eyes, what God is all about... kindness and caring without judgment.

I love you, Birgit, and I will miss you
 

Maybe if I didn't have so many of these kind of days, I wouldn't have to connect so many dots!

~ Meesharie

You may have it, too. It manifests itself like this: This afternoon I decided to water the lawn, but as I reached for the hose, I noticed the car needed washing, but as I headed for the garage to wash the car, I noticed the mail that I brought up from the mailbox yesterday was still unopened, so I laid my car keys on the table, started going through the mail, throwing the junk in the garbage, but noticed that the can was full, so I decided to first take out the garbage, but then I thought since I was going to be near the mailbox when I took out the garbage I might as well pay some bills first, so I found my checkbook and started to write a check only to notice that it's the last one, so I went to my desk to get another book of checks, where I found a can of Coke that I had opened this morning, but as I moved the Coke to dig for the checks I noticed it was getting warm, so I decided to put it in the refrigerator and headed for the kitchen, but I noticed the flowers on the kitchen counter needed water, so I set down the Coke and discovered the reading glasses I had searched for all morning, so I headed for my desk to put them away, but first, I'd better water these flowers, so I put my glasses back on the counter, filled a pitcher with water, and suddenly noticed that someone had left the remote control on the kitchen table, which means that, when we try to watch TV tonight, we'll start looking for the remote but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table, so I decided to put it back in the den where it belonged, but first I'd better water these flowers, but as I started to pour water into the vase it dripped on the floor, so I put the remote control back on the table, found a rag, wiped up the spill, and then headed down the hall trying to remember what it in the hell it was that I was going to do today!

(Found posted by MansonM at JoeUser.com)

Where do I begin? Well, that would have to be with what I cherish the most... my son, Cody. He's a tough act to follow but I'm his mom so it can't be that tough... right?

Captured by Cody

Cody drew this picture of a man he saw playing guitar down by the beach where we live. I have never met him nor have I heard him play, but his music will forever warm my heart.

Mr. Music Man...

May you feel the warmth of all the hearts you have touched...

Thank you for touching mine.

~ Meesharie