Green Smiley Monday
It is Monday again. The time seems to fly. I have been trying to get fit again. I have walked almost every day for the last few weeks. My walks almost always end with the climb up the hill to our condo. I am always out of breath when i get to the top. I wondered why it wasn't getting a lot easier. Then it occurred to me - as I get fitter, I walk faster! Duh...
I thought I would have some down time when our Neighbourfest was over. Not so much. Now we are starting a community initiative - a traveling coffee table - we have a folding table, some chairs and we are going to park ourselves where people are, offer them a coffee and chat. The goal is to promote a sense of community. We are in a bit of a hurry as the weather is cooling off. I think it will be coffee and hot chocolate!
Teri's journal got me thinking. I am so glad that she have evolved - she is embracing life. I don't think I am there yet. I do embrace life. But I miss Lisa so much that I still have a little cry almost daily. I am trying to live the life I think Lisa would want for me. She used to tease me about going back to work each time I came back from teaching overseas. She knew I had to stay busy. So now I am still busy but doing things I enjoy; though I must admit, I enjoyed my job working with elderly residents and their caregivers. I loved the challenge! It is too stressful now though.
A very green smiley is a lunch I had with a friend and former colleague. She finally shared with me that she is in a relationship. She said she was embarrassed as she feels like a teenager agaiin! I still smile when I think of the smile on her face! She has been on her own for 30 years!! I just kept saying "I am so happy for you". Her friend is a retired maintenance man who worked at one of the facilities I filled in at. She asked him if he knew me. He said "Yes, she is the one who turned the place around". I often wonder if I really made a difference. He said it was chaotic when I got there. I guess I did make a difference. Can you imagine, I still have insecurities!
Lisa - Your motto was "Live Laugh Love". I am working on it. I miss you always and love you forever, Mummy
I thought I would have some down time when our Neighbourfest was over. Not so much. Now we are starting a community initiative - a traveling coffee table - we have a folding table, some chairs and we are going to park ourselves where people are, offer them a coffee and chat. The goal is to promote a sense of community. We are in a bit of a hurry as the weather is cooling off. I think it will be coffee and hot chocolate!
Teri's journal got me thinking. I am so glad that she have evolved - she is embracing life. I don't think I am there yet. I do embrace life. But I miss Lisa so much that I still have a little cry almost daily. I am trying to live the life I think Lisa would want for me. She used to tease me about going back to work each time I came back from teaching overseas. She knew I had to stay busy. So now I am still busy but doing things I enjoy; though I must admit, I enjoyed my job working with elderly residents and their caregivers. I loved the challenge! It is too stressful now though.
A very green smiley is a lunch I had with a friend and former colleague. She finally shared with me that she is in a relationship. She said she was embarrassed as she feels like a teenager agaiin! I still smile when I think of the smile on her face! She has been on her own for 30 years!! I just kept saying "I am so happy for you". Her friend is a retired maintenance man who worked at one of the facilities I filled in at. She asked him if he knew me. He said "Yes, she is the one who turned the place around". I often wonder if I really made a difference. He said it was chaotic when I got there. I guess I did make a difference. Can you imagine, I still have insecurities!
Lisa - Your motto was "Live Laugh Love". I am working on it. I miss you always and love you forever, Mummy
Replies
I love Lisa\'s motto: \"live, laugh, love\". The idea of a travelling coffee table is so special! What a wonderful way to reach out and care! May this coffee table go from strength to strength!
can you set up your table near me...... I\'ll take the hot choc!!!!!
keep walking,,, love ya!
I love the idea of a traveling coffee table! To cool. Way to keep up with your walking. I always try to remember Jeremy\'s laugh and yes he would want me to be sad and miss him but he would also want me to live a life of joy and do things that would make me feel good about myself! Love you and your LISA!
Marlene I am certain that you made a difference! You are a wonderful person that truly makes a difference to each person you meet. I think your coffee table idea is another example of making a difference! Love you!
What a wonderful thing, to know that you made a difference in something that needed to be fixed! You do so much good Marlene, I\'m sure your Karma account is in the Billions of Karma dollars.
Big hugs,
Terry
YAY for the walking!!! My lazy butt is struggling with it.....no excuses!
I\'m glad I can inspire and give hope to others. That\'s certainly my goal...sometimes I wonder if I make a difference. Much like you, sometimes it\'s hard to SEE ourselves as others see us. Good to know we can and we DO make a difference. We ALL do!!
Embracing life can be SOOOOO hard after losing a child, and after any number of other major setbacks and life shocks. For me, it\'s a daily choice, and it\'s getting easier to say YES to life with each passing day.
I think the traveling coffee table is a marvelous idea!!! Very unique and I\'m sure will be greatly appreciated and enjoyed by all! KUDOS!
Love you my sweet friend!
Love to Lisa!
Marlene, I am glad you have been doing the community coffee table.
What a wonderful idea. I don\'t know most of the people on my block!!!
Not sure it would go over. I should come check it out. hugs, rose
YOU do make a difference with your presence dear Marlene. I will never forget the first time I met you in Park City. You popped your head in the conference room and wanted to know if you were in the right place. :) I knew then that I had met a kindred sister of the heart and the rest is history.
I adore the idea of a moving coffee table and that is one thing that we have noticed about our new island home. The sense of ohana(family) is so very strong among us and to feel that kinship and support is simply the BEST!
You can embrace life and miss Lisa all in the same breath. It is not an \"either or\" kind of moment, yet a \"both and.\" I can be living life to its fullest and missing my Douglas and I know that he understands and keeps offering me the nudge.
I always am thrilled to hear of your adventures and also appreciate your vulnerability. I guess it\'s a little too soon to be getting that suitcase out for India, yet I\'m sure you are planning in your head. :)
Your journal offers hope and that is the light that we speak of that is needed as a glimmer, a spark, a seed, whatever one desires to call it. I often look at where a seed can sprout, in a sidewalk crack, out of a rock in the middle of an arid desert, on a sandy beach, under a bridge in a cosmopolitan city... All it needs is some oxygen, water and sunlight... That is often all we need as well.
May we each remember to BE that oxygen, water and sunlight for one another and cheer one another on as we grow and evolve.
With love and gratitude to YOU,
XO Joanie
Well said - \"working on it\" - it\'s a process I\'m learning from all of you sisters of the heart. Thanks you for always being there, Marlene. (((hugs))) Vicki
Marlene, you most definitely have a positive influence and more than you know! Those ripples you make in the water make a very wide circumference. What a great idea about the traveling coffee table! I love that!
Good going on the walking too! I tend to start and stop so I better get moving again. Thanks for the motivation!
Love you1
Diane
The traveling coffee table is a wonderful idea of creating a sense of community. Everyone seems to want to fit in somewhere, be a part of something good. You & your neighborhood friends are providing that for others. Good for you!!
I\'m with you sister, about trying to get fit. Perhaps we can be support pals for each other. : ) Keep up the good work Marlene.....you are such a good example for others!
Much love
Vicki
Of course, you make a difference ! You were the first one I met, at the Tahoe retreat. Taking me under your wing, finding us food and staying with me, while I ate a sandwich...It all meant a lot to me :)
The traveling coffee table sounds so cool!! It wouldn\'t work on my street, as I live on a long street, with lots of space between the homes. Some idiot would run over me, lol. I love the idea, wherever the space permits.
I need to start walking too, but can\'t seem to make my lazy behind do it !!
I am sure you will be fit, very soon. Kudos !!
(((HUGS)))...Julia
Marlene, you do make a difference! I enjoyed our conversations at the Boston retreat and how you speak of your love for your daughter. You make such a difference in Cevyn\'s life too. Professionally, I am sure your clients were blessed.
I still cry often too. Our loss is a profound loss, indeed.
I love Lisa\'s motto. She\'s a wise woman, now Angel.
Enjoy your new endeavor. Love to you and Lisa, Linda
I love coffee and your traveling coffee table. You certainly do make a difference in so many lives. So often you inspire me to just get up and go on when I\'m having a hard day.
Loving thoughts for Lisa and her precious mom.
Just keep putting one foot in front of the other....