Special Moments and Promises Kept

Last night I wrote the final chapter, dotted the final i, and crossed the last t.  100 Happy Moments crossed a huge hurdle by reliving the most difficult evening of my life, my family's life- the death of my mother.  As I wrote the final words of the book, the final words my father said to my mother, tears poured down my cheeks-at one point I had to stop and compose myself.  It felt like I was in the nursing home room again.  I thought to myself, "Why am I doing this to myself?"  And I remembered my mother's smile, our promise that made her strong to do whatever she needed to do to live, and the happy moments Dad and I created to make every day for her special.  And I remembered the importance of letting people know that if you have a loved one who is sick with cancer and you don't know what to do to help her- just give her a happy moment- visit, go to a movie, wear a smile, or give her ice cream.

Serenity

The Fourth of July week end officially kicks off summer vacations.  I work for my home town school system, so my vacation lasts ten weeks.  Vacations also bring projects, and I'm determined to finish mine before I head to any celebratory weekend cookout.

This past week I tackled my fireplace makeover.   Three months ago I watched a fateful HGTV episode.  Their expert designer told me I had to paint my "outdated" brass fire place enclosure black.  (They actually chuckled at their client's brass fixture.)  They continued to explain how to strip my painted brick of its outdated color and replace it with new, fresh stone tile and matching grout.  We used a glass tile instead.  But, they weren't done.   No, my update wouldn't be complete without some kind of mantle.  This addition proved difficult because our fireplace is rather small.  But, my husband and I persevered.  This morning, I put the final fixes on the mantle, touch up paint and caulking.  Now, as they say on HGTV, it's time for the staging.

To the mantle we added some votive lighting, a beach knick-knack, and of course, I added a "Willow Tree" collectible.  Because the fireplace is a relaxing focal point of the room, I added the "Serenity" angel.

What projects will you do this summer?  Will your project add serenity to your life space?  Are your projects bringing "Happy Moments" into your life?  Please leave your comments...

Writing a Memoir

As a School Adjustment Counselor, I write a lot.  Report writing includes daily, monthly, and quarterly reports.  Sometimes I'm required to write behavior reports following weeks of observations and interviews.  Some reports require in-person presentations at education team meetings.  All of these reports require time sensitive deadlines.  I find it pretty easy to finish these tasks on time and get the reports to the proper people.

Why do I bring this up?  Do you see my blog post dates?  Seriously.  Can you imagine the procrastination that occurred over the past months in writing my book?  Really.  I sat at my computer many times to write only to jump up and walk out of the room.  I wrote and rewrote the same chapter, the same eleven pages, for a month before I finally stopped and moved on to another chapter.  I completed thirteen chapters of the book in three months and then couldn't write a decent paragraph.  What was going on?  It was time to visit my Muse.

Last summer I completed a tele-seminar with Lisa Tener, called "How To Bring Your Book To Life."  In the seminar I met my Muse which helped me to tap into my creative spirit.  This time, my Muse taught me that my procrastination served an emotional purpose.  I neared the completion of my book, "100 Happy Moments:  A Daughter's Memoir of Her Mother's Struggle with Cancer."  My mother passed away after a three month battle with cancer.  As I approached the completion of the book, I faced another ending with my mother:  the book.  That realization opened my eyes.  I cried, a lot.  Then, I sat at my computer and started writing and writing.  The next thing I knew, I completed a chapter.  I found myself at my computer the next day writing again.  Four hours later I finished another chapter. I produced five chapters in May and look forward to completing the book in June.

I've learned a lot in this writing process.  I can't compare time sensitive, on-the-job, report writing to non-fiction memoir writing.  In other words, personal emotions can block the writing process along the way and cause me to miss self imposed deadlines.  Thank goodness for my creative Muse!  Taking time to reflect and tap into that creative energy identified and released the emotional block.   Once removed, the writing flowed.  Writing this book has been an amazing journey.  Developing a new friendship on this journey made it wonderful.   Thank you, Lisa, for your guidance, wisdom, and friendship.

Happy New Year, Mom

Before I make any resolutions on this New Year's Eve, I think it would be a good time to take stock in my accomplishments in 2009.  I started my year involved in Native American studies, particularly the healing aspects.  A large group of women dwindled down to a smaller group of women.  I was and still am unsure why so many women dropped out of this training, but I was glad that I stayed with the program.  I walked away knowing more about myself, my inner strength, and depth of outer intentions.  I hope that makes sense to you.  I think it prepared me to finish what I started a few years earlier with my writing.  

Writing, Writing, Writing...

Yes, my friends, I write every day now. I am down to the wire and have two weeks to finish

my book. Actually, my class ends in two weeks, but I will continue writing when the class ends.

As of this moment, I've written thirteen chapters. There are twelve more to go. I write every day,

I already said that, right? Please excuse the redundancy, but I am going to write this blog without

too many edits. Let's see how far I get.

Healing Together With Songs

This past Sunday the Hospice of the North Shore sponsored their "Mass of Remembrance." The Mass is held every six months for grieving families who received medical services from Hospice of the North Shore. Volunteers and medical personnel from Hospice and representatives from several religions took turns at the podium reading poetry, prose, and prayers of healing to the families in attendance. Each Hospice worker lit a candle following their reading regarding the loss of a parent, child, sibling, friend, or spouse. In all, six candles were lit. Throughout the service, the Ecumenical Choir filled the chapel 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Tuesday Morning, Melissa Ethridge appeared on Good Morning America. Robin Roberts introduced her this day to remind us of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Both Ms. Roberts and Ms. Ethridge are survivors. Both of these women use their public careers to promote women's health in a positive and proactive way. They joined together on this morning, a few days before October crisply crept in, to herald in this very important month.