The Wind

(photo borrowed from usps.org)

Earlier today my sister called me to chat a bit and while on the phone, she came across a card that had the following message.  We all go through tough times in our life, and this outlook made me smile.

One of the things that surprised me about sailing is that the same wind can take the boat in all directions.  It depended on where I steered with the rudder and how I set my sail.  I’m trying to apply this principle to the rest of my life.  I can’t control the winds that blow, but with God’s help I can set sails accordingly.  I can look for the beauty in people who treat me unfairly. I can try to counter criticism with affirmation.  Even contrary winds can be used by God to teach me something new.

Sometimes when you are in the midst of turmoil, it is difficult to surrender without feeling like you are giving up.  However when you reach this point this is the time to stop and drop to your knees and pray, because without God’s help there is no idea where you will end up.  More than likely, you will end up in the same situation at a different time with a different person  going through the same thing.  Unless you look to God, many of us don’t learn the lesson that is in front of us, staring us in the face.

Not to be completely thought-fragmented but this card has encouraged me to have a giveaway.

There is a book that I read recently and I value the lesson in this book.  It was originally written as a business book… a book for management and employees, but it applies to many different relationships in life (parent/child, husband/wife, management/employee).

So I will be giving away this book next Friday, November 6th.  (I can’t believe it is 2 days away from November.  It feels like it was January just yesterday).

To enter:

1.  Comment below about your Halloween plans. 

2.  Tweet about this awesome contest. :-) Come back and leave a comment and a link to your tweet.

3.  Become a follower on this blog.

* Please leave separate comments for each entry

Oh!  Stay tuned.  I will be having a scrapbooking related giveaway VERRRRY SOOOON.

What Makes You Smile

Thank you DAD! 

My father is one of those men that is not only my father, but also my best friend.  It speaks pretty loudly to the kind of man that he is because I am not his only child to call him their best friend.  Actually, six of us do!

He is an amazing man that encourages us all to continue growing stronger and learning in all areas of our lives.  After all, God didn’t put us here to become stagnant.  And despite what Lauren thinks, no one knows EVERYTHING.

We’ve all experienced not-so-enjoyable moments and stressful situations in life.  It’s almost inevitable, but it’s how we respond to those situations that define the kind of person that you are.  These are all situations that we can learn from and our responses should get better each time and hopefully grow more mature as we learn.

One of the best bits of advise that he’s given me is to be kind, be strong, and always forgive.

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. – Ephesians 4:32

Although, we are human!  It’s not always as easy as it sounds, right?  Well wrong.  We are in control of our thoughts.  We are capable of choosing to go walking around pissed off, with a chip on our shoulder, or feeling like a victim.  Then again we are also capable of taking control of our outlook on life and choosing to be positive.

My dad shared this knowledge by telling me one of his college stories. 

No it’s not that kind of college stories… Goodness, what did you do in college?

He conducted an experiment.  He would take his subject talk to them about something that really upset them.  Sometimes, it would take a bit… but, soon he would find their button and the subject would open up and share about whatever it was that upset them, it be their job, school, professor, husband/wife, boyfriend/ girlfriend, kids, or parents.

After he encouraged them to talk about the negative subject, only re-upsetting themselves as they retold the stories.  He would wait until they were apparently upset and then hand them a piece of paper and pencil and then ask them to list things that made them happy.  As he handed them the paper, he would begin timing just how long it took for them to change their mindset and begin to think of things of a positive nature. 

As he explained this to me, he made me realize that we all have a switch and that we are in control over that switch. 

Can you instantly begin thinking of things that make you happy?  How long does it take you to be positive after focusing on negative thoughts?

Some people may take seconds, minutes, hours, days, and some may not be able to begin thinking of “happy thoughts”.  As we mature and gain control of our mindset then it is much easier to truly be kind to even the person that is creating those negative emotions.  I always try to remember that God created them too, and that He made us all.  Who are we to chose to be rude to one of His creations?  We are ALL human.  We ALL make mistakes.

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. - Colossians 3:13

Welcome to SCA

SCA? What the heck is SCA?  You mean you DON’T know.  Just Kidding. ( I had an extra shot of espresso today.  Please excuse all “smart-butt” comments).

Let’s begin with a bit of background.  Way back in the day when I began this blog (last November), I stated in my profile that I was a Christian.  That’s true.  I am.  I believe in God.  I love God.  I so bad want to be the woman that He designed me to be.  However, my free will gets in the way.  Why in the heck did He give us free will?  Ugh!  I can totally hear Him up there belly laughing and answering my question.  He wants to be loved.  He wants us to WANT to spend time with Him.  He WANTS us to desire to do the right thing. 

I get it.  I do.  Who wants to be in a relationship when they feel like they are making that person spend time with them.  Who wants to go on a date with someone to only watch the person spend the entire night playing on their phone throughout the entire date.  (Seriously, be considerate!  Not that I know anyone that does this… I’m a people watcher & I see it happen).  Recently I went out to eat with Lauren and witnessed a guy spend most of a date on his phone.  Which brings me back to the title.

SCA is Struggling Christians Anonymous and I am a member.  Like I said before I am a Christian, but I am also human.  As I watched this scenario unfold the last time I went out to eat, I couldn’t help but think of 1 Corinthians 13:4

Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy (jealousy)…

And I couldn’t help but wonder… because it was obvious that this girl was jealous of a cell phone.  Yes, jealous of a cell phone.  All she wanted was some of her boyfriend’s attention (I didn’t see wedding rings).  So as I observed this couple and thought of this verse I wondered how often Corey & I have been here.

We both enjoy our phones.  He loves all the sports apps and I like to read blogs.  I wonder how often he was upset that I was giving my phone undivided attention and he was hurt and I know that I’ve felt that way.  I realized that jealousy comes in all shapes and sizes.  There are many things that can get in the way of people interacting and truly relating to one another and touching each other’s hearts.  Jealousy (or envy) isn’t always about being jealous of your significant other giving their kindness to another person of the opposite sex but just giving positive attention to anything or anyone.  When someone doesn’t feel loved, or they feel ignored, belittled, demeaned, or disrespected it doesn’t take much for them to get upset about their significant’s positive attention going elsewhere.

However, I know from experience that usually those that are in a good relationship rarely feel jealous, because they are secure in their relationship.  They know that they are loved above all else (Except God, hopefully)…  they feel respected, they feel enjoyed, they feel cherished, they feel pursued. 

Wait!  Isn’t that the kind of relati0nship that God wants from us?  For us to WANT Him…  For us to WANT to know Him better…  For us to read want He has to say.  It is!

The funny thing about that is that when I was find myself in a good positive relationship I have to work harder at my relationship with God.  Yes, you read that correctly.  When life is good, I’m out there happy and enjoying myself.  I am thankful and I appreciate all that God does in my life, but I find myself opening the Bible less.  I am distracted by all the bliss surrounding me.

However, when life keeps throwing curveballs I turn to Him to fill me up with love, understanding, support, and to remind me of who I am when I feel belittled.  That isn’t how it is supposed to be. 

Here I was enjoying a nice dinner with my daughter and watching a couple’s lack of interaction and I could feel God completely calling me out on my own lack of interaction in my relationship with Him.  Not to be gross, but I felt as if I was being told that He didn’t want to just be an emotional tampon.  There to soak up the sadness, loneliness, and be supportive.  He wanted to enjoy the good times too.  He wants to take long walks on the beach (a.k.a spend quality time with me reading the Bible and getting to know Him better). 

As I reluctantly looked back at the couple, and watched the guy tapping away on his phone I vowed to set aside some “date time” with God.  I want to let him know how thankful I am that He is so persistent,  that He makes me feel so loved, and I want the opportunity to let him know just how much that I love Him by pursuing Him too.

Just one question…

A girl went to her friends house and she ended up staying longer than planned, and had to walk home alone..

She wasn't afraid because it was a small COMMUNITY and she lived
only a few blocks away.

As she walked along under the bike trail Diane asked God to keep her safe from harm and danger.

When she reached the alley, which was a shortcut to her house, she decided to take it.

However, halfway down the alley she noticed a man standing at the end as though he were waiting for her.

She became uneasy and began to pray, asking for God's protection.

Instantly a comforting feeling of quietness and security wrapped round her, she felt as though someone was walking with her.

When she reached the end of the alley, she walked right past the man and arrived home safely.

The following day, she read in the newspaper that a young girl had been raped in the same alley just twenty minutes after she had been there.

Feeling overwhelmed by this tragedy and the fact that it could have been her, she began to weep.

Thanking the Lord for her safety and to help this young woman, she decided to go to the police station.

She felt she could recognize the man, so she told them her story.

The police asked her if she would be willing to look at a lineup to see if she could identify him..

She agreed and immediately pointed out the man she had seen in the alley the night before.

When the man was told he had been identified, he immediately broke down and confessed.

The  officer thanked Diane for her bravery and asked if there was
anything they could do for her.

She asked if they would ask the man one question.

Diane was curious as to why he had not attacked her.

When the policeman asked him, he answered, 'Because she wasn't
alone.

She had two tall men walking on either side of her.

Amazingly, whether you believe or not, you're not alone.

Forwarded Email

I feel like it has been FOREEEVVVVEEERRRRR since I have connected with the Internet.  I have missed you.  I have still been reading your posts via Google Reader on my phone even though I haven’t been faithfully leaving comments. My bad :-).  Please forgive me.

Today I received a forwarded email from a friend and thought that I would share it with you.

This explains why I,(We) forward jokes.

A man and his dog were walking along a road.  The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead.

He remembered dying, and that the dog walking beside him had been dead for years.  He wondered where the road was leading them.

After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road.  It looked like fine marble.  At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight..

When he was standing before it he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother-of-pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold.  He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side.
When he was close enough, he called out, 'Excuse me, where are we?'

'This is Heaven, sir,' the man answered.

'Wow!  Would you happen to have some water?' the man asked.

Of course, sir.  Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up.'The man gestured, and the gate began to open.

'Can my friend,' gesturing toward his dog, 'come in, too?' the traveler asked.

'I'm sorry; sir, but we don't accept pets.'

The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going with his dog.
After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road leading through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed.  There was no fence.

As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book.

'Excuse me!' he called to the man.  'Do you have any water?'

'Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there, come on in..'

'How about my friend here?' the traveler gestured to the dog.

'There should be a bowl by the pump.'

They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it.
The traveler filled the water bowl and took a long drink himself, and then he gave some to the dog.

When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree.

'What do you call this place?' the traveler asked.

'This is Heaven,' he answered.

'Well, that's confusing,' the traveler said.  'The man down the road said that was Heaven, too.'

'Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates?  Nope.  That's hell.'

'Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?'

'No, we're just happy that they screen out the folks who would leave their best friends behind.'

Soooo...

Sometimes, we wonder why friends keep forwarding jokes to us without writing a word.
Maybe this will explain.

When you are very busy, but still want to keep in touch, guess what you do?  You forward jokes.

When you have nothing to say, but still want to keep contact, you forward jokes.

When you have something to say, but don't know what, and don't know how, you forward jokes.

Also to let you know that you are still remembered, you are still important, you are still loved, you are still cared for, guess what you get?

A forwarded joke.

So, next time if you get a joke, don't think that you've been sent just another forwarded joke, but that you've been thought of today and your friend on the other end of your computer wanted to send you a smile.

You are all welcome @ my water bowl anytime!

I Declare!

Lately, Corey & I have been hearing a LOT about the power of words. It seems to be coming from so many different areas of our lives. Our small group had a guest speaker come to talk to our group about that very thing. Corey was able to hear him, I had a doctor appt in Texas at the time. I was sorry that I missed it. Fortunately, I heard that the powerful voice of the speaker was able to reach so many that were there to listen.

We all know that this very topic was marketed via a book and a DVD a few years ago which is called The Secret. So many people really appreciated the concepts in the book and what I found ironic is that this concept is actually biblical. Again, it was the book and not the Bible that people were dropping off at Corey's office for him and friends were calling to tell him about it. I was very excited to see what a surge the book was creating in so many people. While I wish that I could have witnessed that same surge of people fired up about receiving the same message via the Bible, I was glad that the message was out there.

Today I came across the same message on a blog, Everything Beautiful, and what I love is that Liz is giving all the glory to God. I really hope that you drop by her blog at least to take a look at a few of the scriptures that she has listed as sources to support her point.

Here are two of the examples that Liz had posted:

James 3.3-5 (Msg)
A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything or destroy it. It only takes a spark to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell.

Ephesians 3.20 (Amplified)
Now to Him who is able to carry out His purposes and do superabundantly, far over and above all that we dare ask or think (infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes or dreams). According to the power that is at work within us.

This message is SO true. We have the ability to change our situations by the way that we approach them and the things that we say. When I was young, my grandpa used to tell me that it isn't so much WHAT you say but the WAY you say it. (Even as a young child I had the tendency to be a bit ... um, well... direct). As a mother, I realize more than ever the power of words. The words that I choose to use while loving, playing with, teaching, and disciplining my children all make an enormous impression. However the words that I speak OVER them and pray over them are just as POWERFUL. The way that you talk to someone and about them behind closed doors can impact that relationship greatly. Those words are so powerful that they not only affect those that you are talking to, the ones that you are talking about, but they also affect you and YOUR belief system about that situation.

An example:
If you truly want something to be successful but all you do is whine, moan, and groan about how terrible it is, then eventually all you focus on is the negative aspects. Your negative words and thoughts have declared negativity over that situation and negativity is what it will reap.

Instead of praying for someone's sickness, pray for their HEALING!

However in the same sense, when you focus and speak positivity over your life and declare God's word in prayer you will begin to see God's work in your life. I not only pray this over my own life but I pray this over all that read this and all those that don't.

Pray for those that need your prayers, declare God's word over their life. Pray positively.

A Beautiful Getaway

DISCLAIMER:
Lately I have been busy working on another project so I pre-post for the week. I know that during the week I will be swamped with work and will be unable to take the time to blog. I do stay caught up on reading your blogs on my phone. I can't always comment on your posts because of my fickle phone service, but I am reading them. So I was glad that I had a few blogs pre-posted for this week before I was whisked away on my birthday getaway.

A BEAUTIFUL GETAWAY

This last week, Corey surprised me with a vacation to celebrate my birthday. It was so amazing and so sweet. He took me on a long and windy drive with views like this...

It was truly breathtaking. I have to admit, I enjoyed the drive to Big Cedar Lodge as much as I did the actual place. We had a great time together.

We arrived at the Lodge at night and it was beautiful! I was breathless when I saw it... both from laughing really hard (Corey & I were having fun joking around) and from the site of it. You have to keep in mind, I had no idea where we were going. I had no idea if he was going to take me to a 5 star resort or a tent. I have to tell you that nightfall is definitely the best time to arrive. I wouldn't have changed a thing. The lights were gorgeous reflecting off the lake. It was... okay I'm running out of adjectives to say that it was amazing. But yea, it was amazing! Here is the view from our room:

I took this picture as soon as we woke up (almost 11:00). I felt like a rockstar, sleeping in that late. It felt GOOD! Since Corey & I were in such a hurry to get out of the house while the kids were okay with us leaving we BOTH forgot our coats. This just gave us an excuse to do a little shopping at Branson Landing.

The fountains were a fun distraction from shopping. While we were here Corey informed me that the designer of these fountains was the same designer for the fountains at Bellagio. AND that they were going to be designing fountains for Jenk's RiverWalk. I hadn't heard that bit of news so I was excited to find that little bitty out. (I know it doesn't take much to get me excited).

Later that night snow began falling and created the most beautiful scenery ever. Like I said earlier... it doesn't take much... just a little bit of precipitation in the form of crystalline water ice and I'm exstatic. It was everything Corey could do to keep me from going out & making snow angels. (I didn't have the kids with me to use as my excuse). He did sit in the car while I walked around taking photographs in the snow. I couldn't help myself. It's hard for me to stay indoors when it's snowing outside.

Ducks synchronized swimming
(Yes I know that they are really eating)

I truly love this weather.

We had an amazing time during out trip and enjoyed having the opportunity to relax, sleep late, and spend some time together.

Feeling Not Good Enough?

I am sad to say that I have heard quite a few people say this lately. Men that don't think that they are measuring up and providing enough for their families, women that feel like they aren't good enough mother's, friends, with their careers, and just people in general.

Last night as I was driving home I felt a huge urge to write about this in general but more than anything to write a special note to one dear friend. I want her to know how I see her, how others see her, and more importantly how God sees her.

He created you, perfectly!
You are beautiful
You are peaceful
You are not only smart but you share your wisdom.
The sound of your voice calls others to worship God
You have put yourself in the midst of people that are not Christians and you witness to them through your actions and God's Word.
You have a magnetism about you that draws others to you.
Others can come to you & talk with ease & have a meaningful conversation!
You open up easily therefore making others feel safe so they can be open.
You have a colorful style that radiates happiness and joy. You are a joy to watch & admire.
You are loved!

There are times when you may feel like you are not measuring up or not good enough but please shake that thought away. It is not of God! God is a God of love. He pours his love into you and I'm sure his arms are wrapped around you! (He is always with us). As someone else said, we are definitely good enough... good enough to die for, good enough for Jesus to die for us!!

I pray for anyone who is reading this, who has had those feelings and felt that weight on their shoulders... I pray that those feelings be removed and that they are able to see their true worth. That they are able to see themselves as God sees them. That they can see His child (YOU) who He loves and adores. That their heart swells as they see the pride in their Father God as he rejoices in them.

As a parent, I don't love my kids any less when they don't obey and I NEVER think that they are not good enough for ANYTHING. I know that when they do obey their lives are smoother, less bumps and bruises, and I'm sure the same goes for us. When we choose to obey God things are much easier for us as well, but I know that He doesn't stop loving us. I have made SOOOO many mistakes in my life, and I am so thankful for His grace and His love. And while there are times I feel like I don't deserve it I am enjoying doing what I can to show Him how much that I love Him, and that I am thankful for His love.

Embrace the Moment Monday #2

This is quite the post to follow up the Chicken & CPR post. LOL.

FYI: The giveaway post will come later this evening and will close at midnight on Friday.

When I think of the word love the first thing that comes to my mind are the people in my life that I love. Then of course I am drawn to the true source of love and that is Jesus. There have been times in my life that I would love to forget. I literally shudder when I think of those awful hurtful memories. However, I also embrace them because they make me face that amount of grace & love that God has had over me & my life. I am truly overflowing with gratitude for the protective coverage that He has had over me. Seriously, I have trouble forgiving myself for many of the ignorant choices of my past and I work every day to forgive those that have hurt me. So needless to say, I can't understand, but am extremely thankful for His love & grace.

Have you ever felt like things couldn't get any worse and, of course, they did? I unfortunately have experienced that way too many times. However, each and every time I was given strength to overcome each and every obstacle. God has always been a part of my life (I just wasn't always a good listener and not as obedient as I should have been). Like any loving parent will tell their child, "They have set rules & boundaries for their protection and if the child will follow those rules and learn what the parent is trying to teach them, then life will flow a bit more smoothly. PLEASE don't get me wrong here... I am not saying that when someone tries to do everything right that nothing wrong will happen in their life... not at all. I love the idea of potty trained puppies that stay small, cute & cuddly & rainbows 24-7, but we all know that is unrealistic. Instead, they will have peace to make it through the situation because of their faith in God. (AND they won't receive AS MUCH trouble by bringing more hardship upon themselves).

Like most females (I said "most" I left room in there for the exception), I enjoy being pursued, sought after, thought of, and I enjoy feeling loved. I can honestly say that I have felt very loved by God. There were times in my life that I flat out rebelled, but He always pursued me! Times when I felt abandoned by those I cared about here on Earth, but through my tears, I knew that I was not alone. When I simply would take a walk through the park, and would feel overwhelmed by the beauty that God created just FOR US... I felt LUCKY and very thought of! And when I think back to all those "close calls" and unanswered prayers, I thank God for loving me so much that He protected me and for holding out on those prayers with something better in mind for me. I honestly can't think of ANY greater love than this! I would love to spend the rest of my life showing HIM just how much that I also love Him!

TO GOD: Thank you God for everything that you do in my life. I really appreciate you in so many ways!!

P.S. I am terrible about praying in front of others (easily embarrassed) so this is probably the closest that I have come to that. Thanks for sharing this first with me!!

Please join us, link up and share your Love Story on Embrace the Moments Monday with Mr. Linky below.

Embrace Each Day

Due to some Oklahoma Bloggers having a night out (Thank you Dawn's Diversions for organizing it), I have been introduced to some new blogs (new to me anyway) and one that I enjoyed immediately was Having a Ball. She posted a video that seems to have already made it around the Internet and somehow slipped by me.

It seems that God has been knocking at my door (& yelling through it ) lately, trying to encourage me in ever so subtle ways to EMBRACE EACH DAY!! This video was sending the same message and I got the message and I think that I just might be able to retain it for more than 48 hours. (That has been the routine in the past... I get the message, embrace, & slow down for about 2 days then life slowly, but surely, returns to normal).


I really have so much to say on this thought but I think that Lauren said it best as we stepped outside this morning to go visit her cousin.

"Hey Mom, look at this whole pretty world!
(Getting louder)
It's Pretty!! IT'S PERFECT!
(Hands held out high)
I LOVE YOU GOD!

I love her excitement and enthusiasm. Her zest for life and for this incredible world that God has put us on encourages me each and every day.

Of course this remarkably profound statement was followed by this one as we were then driving down the street behind a bright yellow van.

"Hey Mom, look at the van in front of us. It's not orange and it's not yellow, It's HOT yellow!!"

What can I say... it works for pink.

12 Days Update

Our family had a bit of a late start due to Evan being a bit sick but we are back and making up for lost time. We do know how to count in our household but we are going to be skipping around a bit.

#5. After digging through the attic (this will be a future Tackle-It-Tuesday project) and finding the coats that I had set aside last winter. We made the drop off, the kids are really getting excited about helping others and I am thankful because I have been trying to REALLY build it up for them.

#6. Well each time we pass a bucket we give change... Lauren & Evan love ringing the bell. We usually let them ride the pony at the grocery store but throughout the holidays they have chosen to give their pony-money to others. (My hand is over my heart & I am teary-eyed.... because yes I am THAT proud).

#9. We have been doing quite a bit of "free" babysitting but it hasn't been limited to just the neighborhood and due to many people that I know traveling, no one has needed anyone for the full week.

Internet, Tomorrow we will be passing out dinners and I will keep you posted about the outcome. Happy Holidays.

We Are Not Worthy

A few nights ago, the moon was so breathtaking and bright that the night sky was a beautiful blue. The roads were busy with people traveling home from work but I wasn't the only person that pulled over on the side of the road to get a picture. (I had to actually get out of the car because the vibration of the motor was causing the picture to be too blurry... and let me tell you it was... COLD, but worth it).

Later that evening my husband told me that the moon was the closest to the Earth that it has been or ever will be again during our lifetime. So needless to say, I was very pleased to have a picture to remember the moment.

At moments like this, I am so thankful to be able to enjoy all these experiences that God offers us. I feel extremely fortunate and so thankful for his amazing grace. Because let's face it...

(Doing my greatest Mike Meyers' SNL Wayne's World impersonation)...

We are not WORTHY! We are not WORTHY!

The Cab Ride

The Cab Ride

So I walked to the door and knocked. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.

There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.

She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.

She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated'.

'Oh, you're such a good boy', she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?'

'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly.

'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice".

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued. 'The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.

We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired. Let's go now'

We drove in silence to the address she had given me.It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.

Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

'How much do I owe you?' she asked, reaching into her purse.

'Nothing,' I said

'You have to make a living,' she answered.

'There are other passengers,' I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.

'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said.

'Thank you.'

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift?

What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.

But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, ~BUT~THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

CNN Hero of the Year

A MOXIE MOM'S HERO
Seriously, if I had only known that this contest existed I would have nominated my husband. He really is an amazing man that gives lots of his time & resources to helping others, everything from buying groceries, paying their bills, yard work, helping pay for their cars to be fixed, moral support, and even helping them rebuild their home when someone was living in an unsafe environment. He really does a lot for others and for our community and I love that about him. I do believe that we are all supposed to take time and give to others whether it be time, friendship, moral or financial support, but what my husband is best at is giving others hope and happiness. He is great at making others smile and helping them enjoy themselves (much of the time he makes them laugh at his expense). I'm only sorry that I wasn't aware of this contest in time consequently, I'm announcing the WINNER of A MOXIE MOM's Hero of the Year Award:

Congrats Corey. We love you!!

Now, as far as CNN is concerned they are putting together their own contest. These men & women are wonderful applicants (I still think that Corey would have won), so choosing just one may be difficult. I really enjoyed reading about the wonderful things that they are all doing!!!

I'm a strong believer in "paying it forward". I want to say a special thanks to any and all of you that aren't on the list that donate your time and your efforts to helping others in need, thank you for sharing the love!!!

Here's a list of the TOP 10 Heroes with details about why they are being considered for this honor. I'm not campaigning for any particular person so here is the why & who so that you can make your own choice.

Top 10 List

All those listed have taken the time and put forth lots of effort to help others in need to make our world a better place. Please take a LITTLE moment to vote. Most people do these wonderful deeds out of the goodness of their hearts I think that honoring them is a nice way for us to say that we appreciate them (and hopefully motivate more people to think of other's needs).

Vote Now