breathing

thinking

smelling

tasting

touching

seeing

hearing

understanding

smiling

loving

“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” ― Dr. Seuss

The smell of freshly cut green grass

The clean, fresh scent of the air after a summer rain

The sound of the Red-winged Blackbird

The beauty of a field of corn

An icy glass of fresh, homemade lemonade!

Watching a Red-tailed Hawk soaring across the sky

Seeing a field filled with lightning bugs

The beauty of the stars in the sky

The pinks and blues of the sunset

The silent glide of an owl

Summer is a treat for the senses!

Not many things have been tasting good lately, but when nothing else tastes good, a banana is always sweet and delicious!  Hooray for bananas!!

I love sitting on our deck and being amazed by the many shades of green in nature: the trees, the grass, the corn…

When I am facing challenges, and feeling worried, the kind and helpful nurses from Crossroads Hospice always know just what to say to make me feel better, and to help me worry less.

The perfect weekend pick-me-up:  getting together with my closest friends and their families for a day of laughter, reminiscing and good food  (3 kinds of bacon, prize-winning blueberry pie, cherry crumb pie, bratwurst, the best deviled eggs, corn salsa ….)

I am so grateful for the boys (now young men) who have been good friends to my daughters, during their “growing up” years.  It was not unusual for my 2 daughters to  be the only girls in the group from the time they were 6 or 7 until now.  The boys never excluded them from any games, or activities, and treated each of them like “one of the gang.”

I love watching the YouTube videos made by my friends and former students.  The videos always make me laugh, and I can watch them over and over again.  Thank you, Alexander, Ricky, Mario, Alex, David, Jon, Gabe!

I thoroughly enjoyed a long-awaited visit from my good friend, Tim, from Pittsburgh.  He brought his lovely wife, Dee Ann, and his daughter, Adriane with him.  We spent hours reminiscing and catching up on all that has happened in our lives in the past 25+ years.  Such a great time!

I love telling visitors about the flamingo sent to me by my dear friend, Carol.  They smile and nod, and then when I show them the flamingo, and they see that Carol wrote my address on the flamingo’s back, and her return address on the flamingo’s underside, and slapped the postage on the side of the flamingo, their mouths drop open, as they exclaim, “we didn’t know she actually mailed the flamingo all by itself….  not in a box!!!!  We didn’t know you could do that!  That is so cool!!!!”  Then I tell them she fastened the flamingo’s legs to the stem of the flower she game at the flash mob performance.  And they giggle!  Thank you, Carol, for such a thoughtful and conversation-provoking gift!   I love it!

Every day I am awestruck when I look at the gigantic basket of flowers from the flash mob performance.  So many individual flowers, each with a name and many with a note of thanks, or friendship, or good wishes!  It is truly a gift which keeps on giving!

I appreciate the thoughtfulness of good friends, and friends that I don’t even know.  The good friends who send cards and letters; the friend who has opened a Ruth (Radney) Barnes Benefit Fund at Huntington Bank; the friends who sent financial contributions after the flash mob performance; and the Inky Impressions Stamp Club of Wooster for their beautiful hand-made cards!

Each day brings new surprises and joy!

• A strong faith
• Unconditional love
• Honesty
• Trust
• Fairness
• Humor
• Strength
• Calm
• Joy
• Courage

My parents have been gone for many years, but their gifts to me will last forever.

Traveling through Amish country to my sister’s house (No, she’s not Amish.)

Watching my nephew start the charcoal grill with a flame thrower…  very effective!

Delicious roasted corn, dipped in melted butter, sprinkled with just the right amount of salt.

Hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill.  Cooked to perfection!

Seeing family members I hadn’t seen in years.  When did the kids grow so tall?

Looking at old photographs, and trying to figure out the identity of the people in the pictures.   I’m not sure how my nephews managed to find the worst picture of me ever taken, but they did.  Lots of laughs and giggles!

Homemade ice cream!!!!!!!  Sweet, creamy, delicious!

Launching wish lanterns into the sky.  A little scary, but fun.  Glad we didn’t burn down the neighbor’s barn.

A group picture of 40 members of my family: all eyes are open and everyone is smiling.  Perfect!

Time for good-byes…  hugs, tears, smiles, more hugs, more tears.

One of the things that binds us as a family is a shared sense of humor.  ~Ralph Fiennes

These moments fill me with joy and hope and love and I am grateful:

The start of a new day – new opportunities, a fresh outlook, a hope-filled heart.

An evening at our favorite pizza place, talking and laughing, and savoring each bite of cheesy, oregano-flavored goodness!

Enjoying our three daughters, giggling, chattering and having fun together

The excitement of my youngest daughter, Kari, as she prepares to move to her first apartment

The willingness of my husband, Dave, to help her with her move

The arrival, from North Carolina, of my brother, Gary, his wife, Elizabeth, and his oldest daughter, Kim!!!  Let the fun begin!

The gifts from my dear friend, Carol!  Copies of the Beacon Journal article, a hand-crafted card/poster, filled with cheery colors, and lovely words, and a very thoughtful, and much appreciated gift for Kylia!  Thank you, Carol!!!

The arrival of a treasured flower from the wedding bouquet of wonderful Lucy Anne!!  Thank you, thank you, Lucy Anne!!!  I love it!!!  And thank you, Crystal, for sending it to me!  Amazing and greatly appreciated!

Friends who stay in touch with me, almost daily.  Sharon, Carol, Crystal, Jean, Gayle, Katie, Diane, Mark, my sister, Faun, Peg, Kathie……

Having dinner at Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen twice in one week!!!  YUMMMM!

I’m making the most of every moment.  Hope you are, too!!

Seeing a beautiful sunrise this morning

The peaceful stillness of my home in the early morning hours

The warmth of my husband’s smile

The sweet taste of a ripe banana – the one food that always tastes delicious to me.

Looking through pictures from many years ago, and remembering happy times with family and friends

Sitting on our deck, enjoying the warm breeze on my face

The joy of doing every day tasks, like washing dishes, preparing lunch, making the bed.

Going for a ride in our “new” Acura.  Actually, it’s a 1998 model, that we purchased at an auto auction a year ago, but it had major overheating issues, which our friend, Andrew, was able to repair for us!  Had the first ride last weekend, and have been enjoying short trips in it all week long!  It may be 15 years old, but it looks and feels so luxurious and comfortable!

Eagerly anticipating the arrival of family members from North Carolina and Florida!

My mouth is watering thinking about the corn roast my nephew, Joe, has planned for our family this weekend!  We haven’t been together for a corn roast in 25 or 30 years!  I can’t wait to see everyone, and to sit around the fire, telling stories and jokes, laughing and feeling the love of my family surrounding me.  I am soooooo excited!!!

May your weekend be filled with many simple pleasures!

Last week was a busy, wonderful week, with so many highlights.  Here are some of my favorite positive moments:

An early morning ride to Akron to have breakfast with Bill Jones, master leather craftsman, and creator of the most beautiful leather handbags and belts anywhere.  Bill is an octogenarian and a man of many talents.  He loves to tell jokes and stories, and he regaled us with tales of his adventures – and there were many!  Wonderful conversation and good food shared with a man who won our hearts years ago!

The opportunity to see the CVS store where my daughter, Kylia is the assistant manager.  It looked beautiful, and we met so many nice co-workers of Kylia’s.  We were hoping to meet her boss, Nick, but he wasn’t there.  I later learned he was waiting to surprise us at Hardesty Park, as part of the incredible flash mob!

After the surprise at Hardesty Park, I enjoyed a delicious meal at the Blue Door Café, with my daughters and my friend, Katie!  Scrumptious food, great conversation (mostly about the flash mob) and lots of laughter.

A Google Hangout (video chat) with my niece, Kim, who lives in North Carolina.  She teaches in an elementary school, and pioneered the “flipped classroom” in her area.  Kim and I have always had very similar ideas about teaching and learning, and both of us have had a passion for utilizing technology to enrich children’s learning experiences. Loved being able to chat with her, and to see her!  Even had a few minutes to chat with her son, Carlos, who is now in college!  What fun!

Another evening, two of my best friends stopped in, and Kylia and Kari and I went to dinner with them, at a local restaurant that I had been wanting to try,  The manicotti baked in a stone oven caught my eye on the menu, and it lived up to my expectations!  Yum!  Lots of giggles, chatter and yumminess!!

One of my friends brought me a giant container of blueberries!  I LOVE blueberries!  Our local grocery store only sells very tiny containers of them, and they’re pricey.  What fun to have a big box of them!

My friend, Shelli, sent lots of photos from the homeschoolers picnic that was held last Sunday, at a park on the shore of Lake Erie.  I got to experience the joy of that day all over again, just by looking at all the snapshots!  So many wonderful families!  How fortunate I am to know all these terrific people!

On Friday, I received a large envelope from our friend, Bill Jones, the man the man we met for breakfast on Wednesday morning.  In the envelope was a lovely letter saying how much he enjoyed seeing us again, and a stack of papers filled with comics, jokes and stories.  Bill is a man with a great sense of humor, a tender heart, and kind spirit!  So grateful to know him!

Yesterday, my good friend, Demetrius, stopped by with her husband and their children!  What a delightful afternoon!  We had a good time visiting with them, reminiscing and catching up on everything that has happened in recent years.  Perfect way to spend Sunday afternoon!

I am trying to catch up on all of my mail and emails and messages.  I am deeply grateful for the kindness of so many people.  Thank you for the cards, visits, calls, text messages, Facebook messages and offers of assistance!  I am amazed by the number of people that are willing to pause in their busy lives to do so many kind things for me and for my family!   

This past Wednesday, my daughters, my husband, my dear friend, Crystal, and a huge group of other dear friends surprised so much, that I haven’t been able to find the words to express my gratitude, until now…   At least I’m hoping I’ll find the right ones now…

A surprise stop at Hardesty Park…  Why would Kylia take me there?  She said she wanted to show me the “new swings”????  “Why?” I wondered.  As we passed the first entrance, I saw that the park seemed to have a crowd of people, all wearing white and milling about.  Kylia pulled in the second driveway…  Then I saw a man with a video camera pointed directly at our car.  He looked so familiar.  It was Mark, Crystal’s husband.  He was smiling a very big smile.  Hmmmmmm.

Seeing Crystal.  She came walking toward us from the park pavilion  and hugged me, as my tears began running down my cheeks.  I had no idea what was happening, but I knew it was no coincidence that we had stopped at Hardesty Park, and “happened” to run into Crystal and Mark… with his video camera…. Then Crystal took my hand and said, “Come with me!”

Looking around as Crystal led me to a red lawn chair, and asked me to take a seat.  I had already spotted my husband, Dave.  What was he doing there and why did he have his video camera?  I wasn’t able to process the information I was taking in.  It felt like a dream.

Seeing a peaceful army of the “angels in white.”   Why were they here?  Why were they forming a group directly in front of me?  I couldn’t imagine what was going to happen.  Then I began to look more closely at the angels’ faces.  Many of them were people I knew.  But there were, also, many that I didn’t know.

The next minute or two is a bit of blur…  I do remember hearing the music beginning to play a familiar tune, then the lovely voice of Carole King, sweetly singing “You’ve got a friend.”  I smiled, but the tears were flowing.

Watching the graceful beauty of the dance and and hearing all the angels singing.  As I looked across the rows of people, first crouching, then rising, and all of them singing along with Carole King.  So many familiar faces from:  northeast Ohio homeschool families; families that I had spent so much fun time with as a sitter; Jimmy’s Café; the Cleveland Metroparks; the Good List Daily and the We Love Gratitude sites; CVS; my church; the Polar Express; my high school, not to mention those dear caring people who didn’t know me, but wanted to be there because they knew someone who knew me.  Singing to me!  Dancing for me!  Smiling at me!  Unbelievable!

Time flying by so quickly.  The song ended, and the dancers formed a line to greet me, led by Crystal.  Each person gave me a hug, a flower and a beaded necklace,  and each one told me they loved me or shared their reason for being there, or how I had touched their lives.  Two young daughters of a dear friend of mine approached with their flowers and necklaces.  They stretched their arms out to hug me.  Each of them was wearing a sign which read, “Representing Demetrius.”  So precious!  With each flower, each hug, each necklace, I felt my love and joy grow!

Loving my daughters, Kylia and Kari, so much for helping to plan this amazing surprise, and for participating in the dance, and for sharing their love with me!  I was so proud of both of them.

Seeing my dear husband, Dave, near the end of the line.  It was a powerful and emotional moment for both of us.  He is so happy when things like this happen for me, and I am so glad that he was there to share it with me.

Not wanting it to end.   After the last person had hugged me, Crystal announced that it was time for everyone to say “Good-bye” to me and head for home.  Already?  Waving good-bye to all my friends, old and new, little ones and teens.

Pointing at a man sitting at a picnic table behind me, and calling him, Tim.  He said, “I’m not Tim.”  He was far enough away that I hadn’t seen him clearly, so I walked over to him, and he said his name was Bob and that he had spent a lot of time at Jimmy’s Café where Kylia had worked.  I immediately knew who he was, and surprised him by saying his last name before he did.  I learned later that Bob had been at that picnic throughout the song, and doing all the motions from his seat.  He’s not able to be up and about for any length of time, but it didn’t deter him from participating.   I’m so thrilled that Bob was there, and so grateful that the flash mob gave Kylia an opportunity to reconnect with one of her favorite people.

Looking at the basket heaped with colorful silk flowers, each with a tag identifying the giver, many with added words of love and support…  overcome with emotion.

Meeting the famed Jewel Cardwell, from the Akron Beacon Journal.  I couldn’t believe she was there.   For me?  Amazing!

Arriving home, after an eventful day, and collapsing into my favorite chair.  Looking at Facebook and seeing my picture everywhere.  Notifications telling me who “liked” my posts and photos, and who left comments and who shared posts about me.  So much to read, all of it wonderful, but overwhelming.  I barely looked at my computer the rest of the day to give myself a chance to recover from all of the excitement.

Discovering the next morning, that things were growing bigger, rather than smaller.  The first thing I saw on Facebook was that the flash mob was front page news on the Beacon Journal…  Oh my….  I was stunned!

Receiving a phone call from Crystal to see if I was OK.  She knew it was a lot to take in, and talking with her helped me immensely!  Thank you, Crystal!

Seeing the video for the first time.  It was just like reliving that unbelievable day.  Wow!

Thank you to everyone who planned, participated or wished they could attend and participate, Jewel Cardwell and the Akron Beacon Journal, the photographers, the videographers, the poster creators and signers and all those who have called or written or emailed to say they loved the flash mob, or the video or the article in the BJ or me!  In deepest gratitude for each and every second of joy and love YOU have brought into my life.  I am so honored and humbled!

David and I met in 1972, when we both worked a local bank.  He was not cut out for banking.  He could do the job easily, but he was bored, and longed to be back at a job that he truly enjoyed.  We spent many hours talking during slow times at the bank.   We became great pals, because we shared so many interests and a similar sense of humor.  In 1986, I moved away, and Dave and I lost touch with each other.   Twenty-five years later, we were reunited, and discovered that our friendship had only deepened during the years apart, we instantly knew that the other was the person we had been seeking.  In September, 2012, we were married.  I am so happy and grateful to be his wife!

We have a connection that is deep and strong.  We still spend hours talking, but we also spend hours, just being together quietly.

He is kind and compassionate..  In every business he’s owned or managed, he’s listened to everyone’s sad stories, and tried to help them, by staying open later to accommodate their needs, or reducing a price, even if it cost him money, or going out of his way to find what they were seeking.  He is always thinking of nice things to do for others.  He can’t knowingly hurt any person or any animal, regardless of how they treat him.

Dave has a tender heart.  All you have to do is see him with people he cares about, or with little children, or our family and friends, and you will see the tenderness in his eyes and his warm smile.

He is patient and calm, never in a rush.  I have a tendency to become flustered if I’m trying to get something done, and it’s not going as quickly or easily as I had hoped.  He pats me on the shoulder, and says, “Take your time!  There’s no rush.”   If I have a busy day, he always tells me to “Relax.  There’s no need to rush.  Sit with me and let’s visit!”  I love hearing those words, and I cherish the many hours we have spent relaxing and visiting.

He loves my daughters as if they were his own.  He is there for them if they need him.  He listens to them, offers them guidance, teases them and is constantly looking out for their best interests.

He is intelligent and knowledgeable    At first when we reconnected, David couldn’t understand why we homeschooled.  He teased me frequently about playing hooky, or cheating the system, but over time, he has grown in his understanding of it.  School was not his favorite place to be when he was younger, but learning was something he did naturally and easily, and continues to this day.  He loves to read, and to watch documentaries. He’s traveled extensively, and there is seldom a place mentioned that Dave has not visited, or studied.   He is an encyclopedia of knowledge on a wide range of subjects, from food to history, to the law, politics, sports, cars, motorcycles, geography and more.  He learns from every person he meets.  People have always said that I have a wealth of knowledge about many things, but I think sometimes that Dave’s knowledge rivals Google…

He has the most genuine, loving, kind smile.  When he smiles, my whole world looks brighter.

He is generous.  Whatever he has, he shares willingly.  When he had a pickup truck, if a friend or family member needed to use it, there was never a question.  Take it!  If he’s eating, he’s willing to share his food with me and anyone else at the table.  He doesn’t like it when people don’t let him pay for something.  He wants to be sure they are compensated for what they have done.  He has a very giving spirit.

He is supportive.  I could not have made it through the past few weeks, without Dave’s love and support.  When I hit my lowest moments, he is there to sooth me and hold me tight.  We don’t have to talk; he just holds me close.  He has held my hand through every frightening moment, and looked in my eyes, and said, “We’ll get through this!”  When I’m overwhelmed by details or problems, he handles them.  He keeps me grounded and calm.   As angry and sad as he feels with this entire situation, he is my rock.

David is my husband, my best friend, my partner, my true love, my confidant, my joy and so much more.

I love David with all my heart, and I can never express how grateful I am that we found each other again after so many years apart.  Each moment has been the best moment!