Thank you to Dennis for writing the following: He sent this to our facebook at what One Man Do group. I love it! It is a great Christmas gift. Thank you, Dennis.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
Merry Christmas
As some of you know, my husband and I are living with my 92 year old father-in-law. We have been here for four years and it has had a huge impact on our life. The impacts and insights continue almost daily. This Christmas I have been especially touched by the two men who help us care for our 92 year old.
Chris and Marek have become a part of our family and this year I bought stockings that matched ours and hung them above the fireplace.
Chris approached me last week and very shyly asked if I was complete with my holiday shopping. I had barely begun composing the list of what we were buying and gave him that information. He then mentioned that he had noticed the stocking with the embroidered "C". "I am thinking the "C" is for Chris and that it is for me." Chris is normally not shy and I was wondering what he was trying to say. He then said, "If you have not gotten something for me, I have a special item I would like." My first thought was. "Good." I was struggling on what to get this man who loves our 92 year old almost as much as we do.
Chris the asked that we make a donation to the Jesuit Refugee Service to benefit the Haiti Earthquake Relief. Chris had heard a Jesuit speak at church recently. He was deeply moved and wanted to make a difference. His difference is to give his gifts to those who are suffering this year. This is not surprising. Chris is a man who gives daily. He gives not only to us. He works 50.5 hours a week, is actively involved in his homeowners association and the Eastern European community he is a part of. On Sundays you will see him at church volunteering at the "after the service" cafe.
We have honored Chris's wish to take the money we would have spent on his gifts and written a check to the Jesuits. I wanted to send the money in his name but Chris would have none of that. The gift was anonymous. The gift of Chris is anything but anonymous.
If you would like to contribute, you may write a check to the Jesuit Refugee Service/USA and send it to : 1016 16 Street NW Suite 500 Washington DC 20036. Let them know it is for the Haiti Earthquake Relief.
Have a Light filled season.
Chris and Marek have become a part of our family and this year I bought stockings that matched ours and hung them above the fireplace.
Chris approached me last week and very shyly asked if I was complete with my holiday shopping. I had barely begun composing the list of what we were buying and gave him that information. He then mentioned that he had noticed the stocking with the embroidered "C". "I am thinking the "C" is for Chris and that it is for me." Chris is normally not shy and I was wondering what he was trying to say. He then said, "If you have not gotten something for me, I have a special item I would like." My first thought was. "Good." I was struggling on what to get this man who loves our 92 year old almost as much as we do.
Chris the asked that we make a donation to the Jesuit Refugee Service to benefit the Haiti Earthquake Relief. Chris had heard a Jesuit speak at church recently. He was deeply moved and wanted to make a difference. His difference is to give his gifts to those who are suffering this year. This is not surprising. Chris is a man who gives daily. He gives not only to us. He works 50.5 hours a week, is actively involved in his homeowners association and the Eastern European community he is a part of. On Sundays you will see him at church volunteering at the "after the service" cafe.
We have honored Chris's wish to take the money we would have spent on his gifts and written a check to the Jesuits. I wanted to send the money in his name but Chris would have none of that. The gift was anonymous. The gift of Chris is anything but anonymous.
If you would like to contribute, you may write a check to the Jesuit Refugee Service/USA and send it to : 1016 16 Street NW Suite 500 Washington DC 20036. Let them know it is for the Haiti Earthquake Relief.
Have a Light filled season.
Friday, December 17, 2010
End of Year Reflections
The end of one year and the start of a New Year has always been one of my favorite times of the year. I imagine a white board filled with diagrams, words, drawings and possibly even some numbers and then I am able to erase all the overlapping lines and once again I have a brand new, sparklingly clean, white board. A fresh start. A chance to improve. A new beginning.
As we close out 2010 it is a good time to reflect on what you would like to erase and also what you may want to keep.
2009 was a year I wanted to throw a great deal away but 2010 has been a year of treasures. There are memories, situations and experiences that I will be holding on to and bringing out often to ooh and aah over. It has been a good year. We conducted two What One Man Can Do Gatherings, one in Ireland and the other in Austin, Texas. I was able to see my youngest daughter cross the finish line in her very first marathon. My family gathered in Lake Tahoe this year and all the children and grand-children were together along with nieces and great nephews and sisters. I love gatherings, especially with my large family. This year Peter and I celebrated 20 years of marriage and my belief that men leave was shattered permanently. Many gifts and many treasures. I am grateful for 2010.
As I sort through the year, there will be items I will want to throw out, my overindulgence and short term gratification are leaving. They have served me well and I no longer want or need them. In their place I am expanding gentleness of speech and long term fulfillment. I am also playing with the idea of starting a running program (no promises) and growing my meditation and prayer experiences.
What are you planning? What will you keep and what will you toss out?
Here are a few questions that may help you decide:
1.How effective have you been with the time you were given this year?
2.Who are the most important people in your life and how often do you connect with them? Do they know they are important, do you tell them?
3.What do you most regret from this year?
4. What have you done to deepen and/or broaden your relationships this past year?
5.How often have you laughed?
6.Whose life have you improved?
7. Who improved your life?
8.Do you have a dream that you took no action on this past year?
9.What type of communication have you used this year?
10.Who do you want to forgive? Who do you want to forgive you?
Have a wonder filled holiday season. You are in our hearts. Happy New Year!
As we close out 2010 it is a good time to reflect on what you would like to erase and also what you may want to keep.
2009 was a year I wanted to throw a great deal away but 2010 has been a year of treasures. There are memories, situations and experiences that I will be holding on to and bringing out often to ooh and aah over. It has been a good year. We conducted two What One Man Can Do Gatherings, one in Ireland and the other in Austin, Texas. I was able to see my youngest daughter cross the finish line in her very first marathon. My family gathered in Lake Tahoe this year and all the children and grand-children were together along with nieces and great nephews and sisters. I love gatherings, especially with my large family. This year Peter and I celebrated 20 years of marriage and my belief that men leave was shattered permanently. Many gifts and many treasures. I am grateful for 2010.
As I sort through the year, there will be items I will want to throw out, my overindulgence and short term gratification are leaving. They have served me well and I no longer want or need them. In their place I am expanding gentleness of speech and long term fulfillment. I am also playing with the idea of starting a running program (no promises) and growing my meditation and prayer experiences.
What are you planning? What will you keep and what will you toss out?
Here are a few questions that may help you decide:
1.How effective have you been with the time you were given this year?
2.Who are the most important people in your life and how often do you connect with them? Do they know they are important, do you tell them?
3.What do you most regret from this year?
4. What have you done to deepen and/or broaden your relationships this past year?
5.How often have you laughed?
6.Whose life have you improved?
7. Who improved your life?
8.Do you have a dream that you took no action on this past year?
9.What type of communication have you used this year?
10.Who do you want to forgive? Who do you want to forgive you?
Have a wonder filled holiday season. You are in our hearts. Happy New Year!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Holiday Time = Special Opportunities!
This holiday season, unlike any other, arrives with so many new conditions:
"Underwateritis" (inflammation of the difference of one's mortgage and appraised home value)
"The Foreclosure Blues" (the emotional result of abode abandonment)
"Walkaway Syndrome" (a reverse-abandonment condition, though equally as devastating)
No doubt, you know someone (maybe more than a few) suffering from the above conditions. And so, you have to ask yourself, "What can I do?"
Mainly, what you can do is let them know you are there for them.
What you can do is listen; what you can do is empathize; what you can do is be there, whenever they might need someone.
Holidays are especially tough on those going through painful times. It seems the gaiety of others makes one's burdens feel even heavier. Choices are blurred by the intensity of the emotions, and the frequent "get-togethers" make interactions with family and friends unavoidable.
Please know that talking, sharing, and expressing can and does make a difference. Keeping feelings bottled up inside does nothing positive. The simple acknowledge of how we're feeling, what we're going through, is like releasing pressure from a valve. It helps!
This holiday season, be available for your friends and family members who find themselves in unfamiliar territory. It is of vital importance. Never underestimate what one man/woman/child (you!) can do.
No doubt, you know someone (maybe more than a few) suffering from the above conditions. And so, you have to ask yourself, "What can I do?"
Mainly, what you can do is let them know you are there for them.
What you can do is listen; what you can do is empathize; what you can do is be there, whenever they might need someone.
Holidays are especially tough on those going through painful times. It seems the gaiety of others makes one's burdens feel even heavier. Choices are blurred by the intensity of the emotions, and the frequent "get-togethers" make interactions with family and friends unavoidable.
Please know that talking, sharing, and expressing can and does make a difference. Keeping feelings bottled up inside does nothing positive. The simple acknowledge of how we're feeling, what we're going through, is like releasing pressure from a valve. It helps!
This holiday season, be available for your friends and family members who find themselves in unfamiliar territory. It is of vital importance. Never underestimate what one man/woman/child (you!) can do.
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By Dennis Ducey August 17, 1999
Dedicated to the memory of John Denver.
...Once there was a bright and shining Star
who’s voice and words filled my days with joy ---
and whose deeds set an example to guide my way ---
I heard him singing, Songs for all Lovers
Songs that expressed my deepest love - for my lady ---
As if he had looked into - my soul,
and wrote them just for me ---
and I knew that millions felt the same ---
I heard him Singing - Songs for all children,
Songs to End Hunger
Songs to End W-a-r ----
and they touched my soul ----
I heard him Singing - Songs for the Mountains,
Songs for the Rivers,
the Flowers,
and the Trees ----
and they filled my heart with hope and joy ----
I heard him Singing with the voice of an Angle
of his Love for You and for Me -----
and it brought tears to my eyes ---
And now I feel my heart is breaking, there’s an emptiness in side ---
I fear the Light that Brightened my days will shine no more ---
that voice that seem to come from within me ---
that expressed the things I couldn’t find the words to say ---
With the voice of an angle he gave words to my deepest feelings,
words I could not find or express, he expressed with such beauty,
and clarity they spoke directly to my soul -----
He became - - the voice of my soul ------
Oh I know his music lives on and often brightens my days ----
but I never know when his songs will bring tears to my eyes,
or a sense of loss that threatens to overwhelm me ----
And when I think, the emptiness inside me, is more than I can bare ---
I turn to the Mountains and look for there;
I search for him there in the flight of an Eagle,
or the sight of wild horses running free ----
And I hear him singing in the forest, as the wind whispers through the trees
He’s telling us - All that live here - where born to be free ----
I hear him Singing in sounds of the river,
Singing - I want to run Free ------
I hear him Singing in the Cry of an Eagle,
telling us to Be All That We Can Be ----
to stand up for our Mother the Earth,
for the Children, -- to End Hunger, -- to End War ----
and when we do He will be standing there beside us ----
And with a tear in my eye I KNOW he is HERE within YOU, within ME --
And I know the light he has brought into our lives need not go out,
for he has passed the torch to You --- and to Me,
In his songs and his deeds he has shown us the path to a Brighter World ---
Embrace one or more of the causes he worked for, with all your heart and soul,
In your hart you know what to do, find the courage to take a dedicated stand,
and let the knowledge that you can make a difference, brighten your day ---
And if all of that Love him stand up and do one thing to make the world a better
place ---
------- We will surly create a Glow that will light the world. -------