My Forrest Gump Moment

Today I did not want to blog. My ongoing efforts to write seemed futile.

I grabbed my coffee though and came to the computer and thought about one of my favorite films Forrest Gump! What would Forrest do? Laughing out Loud–I thought-he would continue with the race and run until he was done.

I realized I am not quite done with blogging. I am purpose-driven and working on a goal. I have picked up a few new bloggers that have engaged with me about their lives and I am touched. The blogging is worth the effort I thought. It is helping in a way I did not know it could.

Today is a new day.

Ten years ago most commentary we would read would be one-sided. Your favorite news paper or magazine would run an article perhaps on some political subject that left you fuming. I mean you were pissed off. Today they are dying by the dozens.

Since then a little thing called a blog took over. It popularity soared. Blogging has perhaps become the watchdog for when other forms of media seem to be getting it wrong or missing alternative solutions.

This is what attracted me to it. If you’ve never realized that blogging has an extensive network of helpful links, you would be mistaken. The visibility of what we have is an experience like no other.

It is a wonder that so many that blog are actually writing about the very subject of blogging. I like that because it helps with perspective. So I continue my quest and wait for my Forrest Gump MOMENT. How about you? Can you explain to me what keeps you going on with your blogging?

Five Steps To Reading Blogs

Your blogger and her family thinking in the rain about my next blog post!

Information is the cornerstone of life. We sometimes take it for granted. The necessity of information flowing seamlessly is sometimes lost as we go about our lives organizing and processing all the data that comes our way.
For myself I enjoy original insights. I am into learning something new and unusual. I get tired of the same old thing. There is nothing so cool as the innovation of information as we discover a new book or a new way of doing something. In fact the element of surprise is always exciting as we are discovering fresh information. Perhaps that is why I gravitate to blogs. Blogging brings originality to a whole new level. Typically the blogger is alone ( in my case) pondering her information to share and then putting it out there for others to enjoy. No one is making the blogger change her words. She is writing with a hipness she can call all her own.
Blogging has brought me new friends. For that I am grateful. I usually take my Mondays to read new material from many of you and ponder your thought processes. It is cool to be in your life-like this. The computer lifts me up and takes me on a rocket ride into each and every one of your homes. Bring it on I say.
This friendship I know is different from normal ones I have. I am sad to say I do not know most of you in real life. Yet I am glad to call you my friend. Recently if you have followed my writings, you know I was sharing on the wonder of friendship ( https://alesiablogs.wordpress.com/2013/03/14/come-now-lets-settle-the-matter/ ) . I have been learning to revitalize and renew my close friendships. It is the same to a lesser degree in blogging friendships that I honor you by reading your blog. So I have thought about the steps of what it means to be a good friend to my close friends, but also our friends in cyberspace. Here are some steps to reconcile each of us to each other. These five steps to reading blogs will surely bring readers to your very own blog! I believe it. Here we go:
1. Think about ways I can reflect on my life through what I learn from you all. It may mean wrapping my mind around things I have never thought about before and even to the point of changing my point of view because I have learned something new.
2. Pay attention to what someone is saying. It is important to listen and show you are intentional. There is nothing worse than someone taking you for granted.
3. Affirm that person. This means with our friends show them grace and love. For my blogging buddies it is important as a blogger to show how important you all have been to my information intake now. I do not rely on just the news or media, but I am looking at the blogging world and saying, “We ROCK and we have good information to share with each other!”
4. Be at Peace and love what you are doing and read blogs that are good and what you want to read about. For your own writing–write what your passion is about. Life is too short to not. Take it from me. I have survived cancer and I am here to tell my story, but I am also hear to read yours. It is what drives me and motivates me to no end.
5. Last but not least is I PRAY for you guys as I PRAY for my close friends I know God has put in my life.

Who Do I Bequeath My Blog To?

God knows I get kind of weirded out when I am about to fly somewhere even if it is for vacation. Shit-why did 9/11 have to happen as it has weirded me out with flying ever since?
So this whole vacation thing has me thinking about my will. Who am I going to give my blog to? Who would care for it in my absence? You blogger comrades know exactly what I am talking about. We love our blogs! I think….hum
So I decided to write in my will a little something to all of you. So while in my absence you all must refer to this page as needed. NOW I have not left yet for vacation, but when I do keep these words in safekeeping for me. Remember too I love y’all! God HELP me–I can’t stand being suspended in the air to get to my vacation spot, but there is no choice in the matter so here it goes:

I ALESIA BLOGS of the state of WASHINGTON & county of KING being weak in body but of sound and perfect mind (this may or may not be true), memory, reason, and understanding now calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it’s appointed of God for all flesh once to die do make ordain and declare this my last will and testament and desire it to be received by all as such first my body to the Earth (how will that happen if I die in a plane crash? ) from whence it was taken my soul to God who gave it. Touching my worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me with in this life I will and positively order that it be dealt with and disposed in the manner following and herein after mentioned by those to whom I shall commit its future management….

OK..I know this is really ridiculous. But I will miss you guys while I am gone….By the way –future management will be SUSPENDED while I am in the plane..Sometimes we just need to go silent and this will be one of those times……..

Come Now. Let’s Settle The Matter

Remembrances of my past came with strong waves of emotion this week. It was as if an avalanche had hit me and I was buried alive. My son had lost his best friend and memories of this past year came crushing down. How many things does it take in my life to die before I will wake up? I was reminded of long ago of my dad’s death, then the loss of my precious childhood dog of 16 years, and more recently a truly beautiful friendship. How do we deal with life’s blows?
In the beginning of this year I began a study on renewing my life to those things that matter most. It hit me that as I saw the simpler things in life beginning to bless me, my heart was becoming wonderstruck. The wonder of nature brought me closer to God. The wonder of expectation opened doors for me. The wonder of prayer is rejuvenating me. Now this week the wonder of friendship is my focus. As I began this study a couple of months ago on the purpose of wonder, I invited five other women on this journey with me. We have been meeting every two weeks and opening our hearts to lead more intentional lives with each other and those around us.
Have you ever thought about how important relationships are in our lives? God made us to be in fellowship with each other for the good and the bad. In fact, friendships have been an important and integral part of my life. I realized how my son who lost his best friend through death has no choice but to move on without him. I have choices in my friendships. As this study began this week in the context of my life’s struggles, I could hear a calling in my heart–Come Now, Let Us Settle The Matter. Stop holding people at arm’s length.
The wonder of friendship and my study of it over the next two weeks I believe will be pivotal as I help my son and myself grow in this area. Reminding myself that no two friendships are the same is important. It is also vital to realize no two people are alike and we must accept people where they are at. If a friendship is not meant to go deeper than do not. Start adjusting your expectations and choose to love people right where they are at. Learning to love people unconditionally should be a pattern worth pursuing. It sure seems worth the effort.
One thing we can remember is that friendships do not happen over night. It takes time to cultivate just as a gardener plants her field, she must nurture it daily so how friendship must be also. I have a lot to learn from a gardener. Today though I wanted to share a few important thoughts on the human mind/soul/spirit that have begun growing in my heart and I hope it resonates with you today:
1. Be You.
2. Don’t Hide.
3. Be Honest.
4. Don’t Procrastinate.
5. Be Intentional.
6. Don’t lie.
7. Be Appreciative.
8. Don’t Do Nothing.
9. Be Alive.
As you think upon these ideas and especially the last one–No One gets out of this world alive so while you have a chance live your life on this earth to the fullest. Come Now, Let’s Settle The Matter and saturate those around you now with your friendship and love.

The Mystery of Prayer

Luke with his Alligator that soothes him.

Almost all of us have something we can not do without. My son with autism has a big alligator he carrys where ever he goes. The crocodile has more miles on it than I care to mention. When Luke walks around in public with his alligator, it is no doubt others become aware of his disability. Most folks are very kind and just gaze at him. Sometimes it is curiosity that sparks people to stare. Sometimes I would explain how the toy helps Luke to be anchored and calm. It is interesting how strangers are so intrigued by Luke and his alligator. They find it fascinating that Luke has been carrying his alligator with him for several years now. In fact, we keep a supply of them around when one breaks.
When I think of Luke’s anchor, I am reminded of my own. It is invisible. However, I have not used it as consistently as Luke uses his. It is prayer in my life. My prayer life consists of a simple rhythm of words I put together to help me deal with life’s challenges. Usually I pray utilizing The Lord’s Prayer centered around doing right,forgiveness, safety, and last but not least allowing me to be used by God to help others in their time of need.
In all honesty, prayer has not come easy to me but I know it leads me to focus on God more. This changes perspectives and attitudes. Prayer also reminds me of our desperate need for forgiveness. Just as we can die from lack of food, we can die from lack of forgiveness. To starve from lack of food is one thing, but to starve from a lack of forgiveness brings it to a whole new level.
Prayer is a mystery to me. It will stay that way I am sure, but it is a good mystery. I know God is watching over me and that is soothing. For Luke, an inanimate object calms and soothes him. For me, it is the invisible. I thank God that Luke is comforted with the alligator. It would be horrible if nothing comforted him. I am also reminded that as I do pray God does have a sense of humor. Who would have ever thought a big alligator from Toys R Us could have such a powerful hold on my son? That is the same powerful hold I seek with God.
Other posts with this theme are:
https://alesiablogs.wordpress.com/2013/02/10/every-morning/
https://alesiablogs.wordpress.com/2013/01/19/nonversations/

Thank You!

Hello from my computer room to yours!

Statistics can be a cool thing. I just wanted to mention a few tonight about my blog. This blog has went over 10,000 views in over 60 countries since its inception last year. I have had just about 1500 comments also. My first 5000 views came from May-December of last year. The last 5000 came in the first 8 weeks of this year. When I receive an award from my writing-it feels me with joy and I am pinching myself. Be assured I am reading through many of your blog posts and I hope in some small way my success would encourage you to keep writing. I am not at all tech savvy, but in time I have been able to figure out different things on WordPress to make my page more user-friendly. For example, I have on the right side of my page my top 8 posts that you can see highlighted by a grid of 8 photos. These are the ones you all liked the best or viewed the most. Now March is almost here. I can not wait to see what is around the corner with spring on its way!!

I Did It My Way

Photo taken of the Cascade Mountains reveals the majesty of our world around us.

I am not into reblogging, but this one from a peer of mine who is speaking from her experiences with the dying just about choked me up beyond words. She interviewed the dying and asked what regrets they had in their lives. As a cancer survivor on more than one occasion, I truly get this list. Most with good health will not, but you do have a chance to. Review this now and see what you can do to change your ways:
http://www.alternet.org/5-top-regrets-people-have-end-their-lives

Men Part II

My youngest son having fun with my post op ace wrap after surgery.

My youngest son sharing the love!

Elijah and Linus!

Your blogger and her family thinking in the rain about my next blog post!

It is once again time to bring up some “men” issues. It was not so long ago, men were my topic as duly noted here https://alesiablogs.wordpress.com/2013/02/01/men/ and believe me this woman made note of her men problems. Today is yet another time to bring the subject up. Here are my 5 tips to living with men:
1. Just let them have the damn remote control.
2. Make a specialty wall just for their baseball caps.
3. Let farting techniques become a contest in the home.
4. Give everyone their space ( this comes in handy during farting contests).
5. Let them know they are loved all the time.
Today was a “softie” list as I look at my family and can not believe the miracle I see in my home. My house would just be empty without the sound of my men.

Pina Colada

I was definitely a product of the music of my times.

I love Sirius Radio and listening to the hits from American Top 40. Today I really got a kick out of the songs from this week for 1980. Each song took me away to the oblivion of love gone wrong. With Valentines around the corner, it is time to think of doing something special for your loved one. Sometimes we take our partner in life for granted. It should not be so. After finally hearing one particular song, I realized how we are not so different from the songs of 33 years ago. Rupert Holmes wrote Escape (The Pina Colada Song) which is an eclectic song about a man reading a news ad that a woman placed looking for a new lover just to find out the ad in the paper was placed by his own partner. It reminds me of how we try to find someone else to love us when we have that love right next to us.
I decided to look up more information about Rupert, the songwriter and singer, and found out how much our home lives were similar. He has an autistic son and he had a daughter who died at the age of 10 of a brain tumor. It was strange reading the similarities in his life to my own as I was drawn to this silly song. Rupert has gone on to writing some magnificent Broadway plays that are full of heart and soul ( http://www.rupertholmes.com/index.php ). In fact his play’s recordings of Edwin DROOD is number one for 2013 on Amazon.
Finally do not forget to do something special for your loved one. Maybe it will be as Rupert sang his song that you too realize how lucky you have it with the guy or gal sleeping right next to you. Here are a few of the lyrics that just put a smile on my face just like it did 33 years ago when I did not care the least for boys:
If you like pina colada,
And getting caught in the rain,
If your not into yoga,
If you have half a brain,
If you like making love at midnight,
In the dunes on the cape,
Then I’m the love that you’ve looked for,
Write to me and escape.

Happy Valentine to my Man as I hear him snoring right next to me.

MEN!

A photo I took a few years back of my husband and son number 2 which proves my unspoken theory MEN never grow up.

After a serious blog post yesterday, it is back to my usual rantings and this one is about MEN:
I live with my husband, two sons, and a boy dog. My sons and dog are teenagers. Seriously they are 19, 15, and 13 years old. I have not lived with a woman in almost 30 years. Therefore, my childhood did not prepare me for the onslaught of manliness. I grew up with only a sister. Now she was a force to be reckoned with, but she pales in consideration of the enormous amount of testosterone that has invaded every room in my home. For example, there seems to be an aversion to bathroom and kitchen etiquette. So simple a task is all I ask of them. My female mind can not wrap itself around the fact that anyone would not think about the other person coming after them:
Should I go on? The other amazing thing about my husband and sons are that they are all 5 foot 7 inches! However, their asses are of all variety of sizes. Hence , my dilemma in sorting out their underwear. Putting the appropriate ones with the assigned dresser drawer can be daunting! How dare they even bug me when they do not have the right ones and have to look in another’s drawers? Well I guess you can call that the punishment I have rendered upon them for the naked toilet and paper towel holders!
The latest craze that I am getting miffed about is that no male species in our home wants to flush the toilet. I just have one question for you guys out there? Is there some kind of water shortage that I am not privy too? In all honesty, I love them all with every ounce of energy I have left in me that is after cleaning up after them!