I hit what I thought was Hero Hubby’s number…

to inform him that I was on my way.

When I looked up to where my cell phone rests while driving…

in a holder attached to the windshield…

I realized I had dialed my brother, Tim instead.

There he was, smiling at me from the darkness…

in this exact photograph.

I like to think he really does.

I recently took a trip home to Washington state…

to visit friends and do some business.

It was my first time back alone.

As I sat on a bench in Sea-Tac airport…

during a layover…

I had a lot of time to think.

“As Americans, we haven’t learned…

to say ‘no’ to distractions”…

says Dr. Shanon Brooks.

He isn’t wrong.

For me, being in Washington this past year…

didn’t involve a “yes” or “no” response to them.

They were present in the form of  tasks…

things to cross of lists…

people to interact with.

Except this last time.

Tears flowed freely…

along with thoughts…

and approximately 3 tons of grief…

sitting on my chest like an elephant.

The ponderings swirled in and out…

of a mind that was filled…

with memories and emotions…

on life without Tim.

Upon taking off…

I took the time to pen some of them.

I love the Pacific Northwest.

While many speak of light deprivation…

and feeling waterlogged…

I drown out such statements…

with childhood memories of growing up…

as the older sister of a young boy destined for greatness.

Now, seemingly mundane tasks or daily events…

are highlights and gifts within a mind…

desiring to keep memories alive.

In recent years…

Tim was always asking me to “come home.”

Busyness on both of our parts…

my large family…

his commitments to teaching and coaching…

always crowded out any reason…

to act on that request.

He always ended coming here in the end.

How ironic, that he would be the reason…

I have been home 3 times since September.

There are people who ask consistently…

how we are doing.

Still others…

desperately wish this was over.

I want to say…

that neither position is a bad one.

I wished it was over, too.

What it is, rather…

is a new beginning.

And the terrain and geography…

aren’t familiar, comfortable, or easy.

There are still many jewels in all of this.

Tim, the consummate educator and mentor…

hasn’t lost his touch where I am concerned.

Sea-Tac airport has stepped things up a notch…

since I was a kid!

In fact, much of Washington has!

Starbucks, Nintendo, Microsoft, Costco…

and other fine establishments…

envied elsewhere in the nation…

are but a few of the start-ups since my childhood.

There is a beautiful atrium/food court/storefront area…

in one section of the airport that wasn’t there back then either.

It now sports one of my favorite stores…

chock full of artsy, creative flair…

in the form of a myriad of products.

Tim would go to their original storefront with me…

laugh and roll his eyes…

and then proceed to buy me their gift certificates…

on holidays and birthdays!

I simply love it.

Sitting on that bench with a tear streaked face…

I realized yet again…

that life always presents us choices.

When I focus on my personal loss…

it can honestly not only overwhelm…

but begin an emotional downward spiral…

leading to utter despair.

Focusing on life…

and one that produced an incredible legacy…

and the eternal life upon which I place my hope…

always leaves me smiling…

even through those tears.

Tim’s legacy is stellar.

His leadership produced an impact

much like the stars…

seen here in Fireworks’ window.

Each one representing an individual…

touched by his influence…

which continues to produce impact…

within those who were in his sphere.

That’s real love.

It takes a lifetime to craft, build and accomplish.

It comes from individuals who say to the world…

“Here I am!”…

and leave it, having created change.

For the better.

For the greater good.

This much I know…

beyond all doubt.

Tim was that person.

And I will see him again…

in an eternal home…

where there are no tears…

and only all that is unfathomably good.

Yes, dear readers I have eternal hope…

and the tremendous gift of legacy…

even though, for now…

no one was physically present…

at the other end of the phone.

has come to an end.

Many stated along the way….

“You must’ve worked hard with Son #2.”

Or…

“Wow, you must know a lot of Shakespeare!”

In reality…

while both are certainly well meaning…

neither is true.

Leadership Education…

flourishes from a place of passion.

When we feed our passion…

we become inspiring.

When we’re inspiring…

we give off an energy…

that inspires others to their passion!

Just ask Preston Helms…

seen here with his mentor, Angela Ward

or Dr. Shanon Brooks….

who are both exemplifying these principles.

But what of beginnings…

and opportunities…

for personal growth and development?

Well…

this Director…

Preston and Michael Eastman

realized, as Oliver DeMille says…

‘…that often, it can be easier to talk about another’s educaton…

than it is to pursue your own.

Just make the commitment and lead out.

Be the lever that moves their world.”

When you lead with passion…

others flourish.

This Director…

Steven Sabel

and Producer of the Redlands Shakespeare Festival…

recognizes the potential in passion…

along with its ability to inspire others…

and has invited Preston…

to pursue the role of Catesby…

in Richard III…

at his independent theatre…

in Los Angeles, California…

for the month of June.

Am I excited?

Ecstatic, actually.

But what of my own passion…

that moves and inspires others?

Well…

I continue, as best I can…

to lead out.

I hope you will as well.

The world desperately needs leaders.

Listen to what these moms are saying…

about the opportunity…

to cultivate passion…

rather than simply utilizing skills.

“Dr. Brooks provides a breath of fresh air, regarding organic TJEd! Involved in the creation of it, and having used it with his own children as well as college students; he provides encouragement for the young and old, home educating moms that are searching for something greater for their children in regards to education and beyond. He is truly a great mind and I’m thankful for the opportunity to be mentored by him.” ~ Crissy

“Leadership Parenting with Dr Brooks was an easy, comfortable transition, into taking the time to focus on MY education; and has made me really start thinking about what I want to learn and how to get there instead of continuing to bemoan my lack of one!  Online class was easy, even for this non-techie mom with a screaming toddler (mute buttons are great) running around. I loved being encouraged by moms that have been implementing TJEd for awhile, as well as hearing the fears of those just beginning. Dash over and sign up! You won’t be disappointed! After all… where else can you learn Tools of Leadership while wearing Smurf PJ pants?” ~ Melissa

“Thank you for all you do. Thank you for “introducing” us all to Dr. Brooks. Our “homeschool” experience would be a very sad thing without my mind being opened this way.  My 4-year-old, not knowing what it meant,  told someone we did “Leadership Education” when he was asked about going to school. Simple… not easy… for sure!” ~ Morgan

“After 21 years of private and public school experience, I gained a new perspective on the fundamental purpose of education, teaching and mentoring. I am interested in this approach and how it can empower my own child and the students I reach on a daily basis. I hope to continue to research this method and the benefits of Leadership Education.” ~Racquel

New classes are being formed for the first week in June.  Simply click here to register.  Use code myeducation for a single class discount, and bundle for the multiple class discount.  Registering immediately insures that classes will be held due to minimum student requirements.

Here’s to finding and cultivating your passion!

There is simply nothing to say today except Thank You.  Remembering our fallen soldiers and their families this day.

Freedom isn’t free.  So very grateful.

The above song has been made famous…

over and over again by various groups.

I remember it best sung by the Osmonds…

in footage shown from when they were little.

It definitely describes the traveling group…

of my brother, Tim, sister-in-law, Nancy…

and three of our combined children.

My nephew Nicholas…

was turning 16.

Son #1 had six months prior.

Son #2 and the others were tight…

Nancy and Tim had known one another since Jr. High.

They decided to traverse the Atlantic to celebrate.

It was one of three fabulous trips…

Tim and our two oldest boys did together.

The Marinaces…

were living in London where Peter worked.

Nancy had a friend stationed at The Salvation Army’s…

International Headquarters.

She, Nicholas and Son #1 would stay there.

Son #2 and Tim bunked with the Marinaces.

This was clearly a “close-to-no-budget” trip…

in many ways.

Housing? Check.

A huge expediture covered.

My only reservation was the traveling piece.

You see, my brother Tim…

was an incredibly “lucky” individual.

He could jiggle the gumball machine handle…

and empty the machine.

His math prowess…

coupled with a phenomenal memory…

once help a friend win thousands…

at a Blackjack table in Vegas.

But when it came to travel…

look out.

This was travel of all types.

At times, even being on foot was sketchy.

He had been on a plane with a confirmed bomb…

was notorious for being seated…

next to every kook on the planet…

bumped one time for a week and stranded in a seedy motel…

the list goes on and on.

“I can’t believe that I’m sending you across the Atlantic with two of my children,”…

I told him on a visit prior to the trip.

“Yes, it is definitely an act of bravery,” he replied.

Despite our banterings off they went!

Upon landing in London:

“Hello, Mom?”

It was Son #1.

“Um, well…

I fell asleep on the plane…

and the stewardess threw away my retainers.”

Just that quickly we were an extra $500 down.

My brother was quick to grab the phone.

“I feel terrible.

If it’s any consolation…

he searched through every bag of garbage for our section…

on an international flight…

while some wack-job woman practiced various yoga poses…

over the back, up and around my seat.

She brought her own meals in carry on luggage…

and prepared them on her tray table as well.

I guess I wasn’t paying attention.”

I’m used to reports like this.

Steeling myself against this turn of events…

I managed inquire of him…

“Can you try and maintain some sense of parental responsibility?”

Arrogant and rude, I know…

but at times, necessary when you’re the “big sister.”

“I’ll do my best.  Promise.”

He did better than best, actually.

Two days later…

our father suffered a heart attack.

We decided to forego telling the travelers…

as he was stable, and there was simply nothing they could do.

Then London was bombed.

Someone on the East Coast phoned us at 5:00 a.m.

We had just recently moved…

and had no media input to our house.

I phoned the Marinaces.

My darling brother…

in all actuality a pillar of responsibility…

had been seated by that phone for hours…

knowing I would call in tears.

It rang 1/2 a time.

” Teri, we’re fine,”

were the first words out of his mouth.

They had actually been on The Tube…

which is London’s form of public travel…

just 9 hours before.

Feeling especially jet lagged and tired…

they decided to sleep in…

and forego their morning trip…

which would’ve had them right in the heart of London.

Here’s my point.

Life is messy…

short…

and lots of the time quite inconvenient.

What you do with it…

is what matters and makes or breaks the quality.

“Ifs”, “Ands”, “Buts”…

and the constant temptation to have “ducks in a row”…

often stymie us from living in the now.

Seizing the moment…

and celebrating what you have…

often produces “never-to-be-duplicated again” results.

It’s a definite lesson…

that bears the effort of keeping to the forefront of daily life.

Here are but a few of their experiences.

Wimbledon.

Excellent seats, tons of experience.

Thank you, Eileen Bobbitt…

who lived in London for over 20 years…

and told them how to work the ropes…

while others waited in ridiculous lines outside.

V-Day…

where the Queen…

(yes, they took this picture and were this close)…

honored WWII veterans…

from every country…

in a very moving outside-in-the-park ceremony…

complete with fly-by…

and a dropping of the “poppies.”

(Yes, they brought some home.)

The Queen unveiled…

this beautiful memorial to WWII Women.

They went to museums.

The Globe.

Explored and honored ours and Nancy’s families..

Salvation Army history.

They got to experience the then-newly-built Churchill Museum.

And, according to them, saw Uncle Tim in action…

as his teaching, challenging, mentoring prowess took over!

They walked and talked…

celebrated…

and experienced.

Life.

Friendship.

History.

Seizing the moment.

Suzanne is not to be underestimated…

as I have previously told you!

They got to go to the Hard Rock Cafe…

with a twist.

Suzanne knew the individual in charge…

of rotating memorabilia.

Down into the archives they went…

to experience first hand…

instruments owned and played by famous individuals.

This happens to be Jimi Hendrix guitar.

If I listed all of the experiences…

it would take 5 posts!

The takeaway?

(And I’m preaching to the choir here)…

Experience the present…

because it will become the future…

and often the circumstances in between…

dictate that things will, indeed, be different.

Money, convenience, and safety…

are at times definite traps…

to the rewards of seizing the moment…

any moment…

to walk side by side…

enriching relationships…

with those we love.

May we seize some today!

]]> http://www.tommymom.com/side-by-side-or-seize-the-moment-15044/feed 0 http://www.tommymom.com/i-love-being-mom-15008 http://www.tommymom.com/i-love-being-mom-15008#comments Wed, 23 May 2012 10:00:40 +0000 Teri http://www.tommymom.com/?p=15008  

Here is my new bracelet.

There isn’t a thing I don’t love about it!

The title, proudly shown up front.

The “enders” on either side.

(The other side says “I Love My Family.”)

And my “bling” beads…

which I can interchange…

with different colors…

any time I want.

I was extremely humbled…

as well as blessed…

by the response to my guest post…

over at Hip Homeschool Moms.

It has really had me thinking…

more than I normally do…

about the job entitled ‘Mom.’

Today is short and sweet…

with a list…

of Why I Love Being One!

I hope you’ll leave a comment…

adding to my thoughts.

Come back Friday…

for the story of My Brother, Tim…

and his trip to London…

to visit the “freshly featured” Marinaces.

It certainly won’t disappoint!

Now here they are…

in no particular order…

1. I love being Mom, because there is nothing else I’ve ever done that consistently and faithfully challenges me as an individual more.

When people ask whether or not I get bored…I would like them to submit to a drug test in order to see what it is they’re smoking!

2.  It’s a profession where critical thinking skills are paramount, and all of the players involved give you lots of opportunities to fine tune them!

Simultaneous vomit and diarrhea, blood, fire, smoke, and sudden screams.  This isn’t for wimps.  And I’d bet money that first sentence got a rise out of you!

3.  It’s a profession where humility is not only an asset, but something you will experience.

Remember the “glory days” pre-children, when yours were “NEVER going to do/act like that?!”

4.  It’s the most exponentially influential position the world has ever known.

Don’t believe that statement?  Go into anyone’s home that is blessed with grandchildren, stare long and hard at their multi-generational family photo, ponder what their family is like and how their children live, and re-read the above…whether those ponderings be good or bad.

5. To quote Son #3 when he was 3: “Mom is WOW! spelled upside down!”

An expert has spoken.  I rest my case.

Stay the course, Mom!

There are hundreds standing alongside you…

even if you can’t always see them!

I hope every one of us FINISH STRONG!

Love you,

I’m guest posting today over at Hip Homeschool Moms. While the subject matter and story are familiar, there are new thoughts and applications. To read on, click here.

Happy Monday!

So glad you could (re)join us. 

We left off with the Marinace’s moving to London for 3 years for Peter’s career.

Some of you expressed your lack of enthusiasm for being “put on hold.”

Hey, we’re here every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

It keeps you coming back!

Daniel and “Uncle Tim”

“When Daniel was a toddler, we moved to London where Peter had a position in commercial banking.  In the fall, we had done a trip home to the U.S. and Daniel seemed to be losing weight.  I took him to the doctor in November, and he didn’t ask me anything about symptoms.  He thought Daniel possibly had the flu.

Right around Thanksgiving, we had dear friends visiting and their child got the flu.  Again, we thought Daniel caught the bug; but it was very troubling, because when he threw up, nothing was processed.  One evening he was particularly uneasy and lacking in peaceful rest at bedtime.  I took him into my bed because of this.  He started having seizures and didn’t recognize me.  At 4:00 a.m., we raced to the hospital, and I jumped out of the car and ran inside with this lifeless, limp little body in my arms. I remember saying to the nurse, ‘Please, please help me.  My child is dying.’  Within 25 minutes, the staff figured out that Daniel was diabetic; and that his number was so high he was nearly gone.  At the time of this occurrence he was 2 years old.  The diagnosis was Type 1 Diabetes.  He was, in fact, so bad off that we had to take another ambulance and go to a hospital ICU where he had his own nurse for 7 days.  They had to be extremely careful replacing the fluids and nutrients he had lost because of the potential for brain damage.  We were in shock.  I remember thinking, ‘We waited 17 years and just got him!  Please, please God, don’t take him now!’  I called home because it was Thanksgiving, and all of my family was at my sister’s home for the holiday.  My dad came through with that character I mentioned before.  He got on the phone, called all of our family together, and even though ocean’s spanned our physical contact, we were united in prayer.

The thing is, I had taught over 600 children.  They possessed a gamut of childhood maladies and illnesses: Autism spectrum, dwarfism, to name a couple, but I had never had a child with diabetes in my class.  I think that is why I wasn’t aware of the signs: bed wetting, extreme thirst, fruity breath smell.

Type 1 Diabetes has an assumption on the part of most people.  People tend to lump it with Type 2 Diabetes which is not necessarily insulin dependent.  You can cure Type 2, because the body in this case has the ability to restore the pancreas.  Type 1 has no options.  You are dependent upon insulin (in Daniel’s case a pump), to BE your pancreas. Another misnomer, is calling it juvenile diabetes.  You don’t outgrow it.  That’s why we always choose to call it insulin dependent or Type 1 Diabetes.

Having an illness this severe has, in many ways, made Daniel an old sort of soul. He has to deal with things that other children don’t.  I remember once when a friend of ours died, I was really, really crying.  He came and sat down next to me and said, ‘You know Momma, everyone has something in this life.  I just got mine early.’  We were watching Extreme Home Makeover when he was 6 or 7, and there was a child with an illness that wasn’t doing well at all.  Again, wise beyond his years he said,’ Oh, mama, when he gets to heaven, he will have a new body just like I will and be perfect!’

One thing he, along with Peter and I, had always hoped for was a sibling.  That dream came true a little over a year ago!

Once again, we were blessed to be parents!  Benjamin’s adoption was very, very different.

  It was open, his birth mom came to the house and interviewed us.  At the time, she still hadn’t decided whether or not to place with us.  Peter welcomed her in, asked if he could pray with her and us, and at that time expressed that he wanted what was best for this baby and family.  This young lady was from a very moral, upstanding family and they were all embarrassed.  Peter’s prayer and lack of wanting to just serve himself clinched the deal!  I was kind of like the “cool aunt”, but Kelly loved Peter! The parents would come and have game nights with us, she chose to decorate the nursery with me, and yes, I was fine with it all!  I was just so very grateful for the opportunity to parent once again!  These two birth parents were seniors in high school.

We have since done panel work with Kelly regarding open adoption.  Daniel was a part of this process as well.  There were 12 couples present and we spent 3 hours counseling them.  Don’t be frightened of open adoption!  I want to reward people for choosing life, for being brave and making a very tough decision.  I want to affirm them.  They realize that they’ve already made a poor decision!  I want to speak and model life from a loving God! Couples ask about discussing these consequences with other siblings already in the family.  Daniel asked to answer this question!  He was 9, and I thought that this would be interesting! He said, ‘Well I would say, only tell the other children what they can handle for their age!’  Daniel still asks us things.  One question is, ‘Why don’t my birth parents come around?’ We have simply said, ‘That’s not how it was set up.’ I think it is so important to not appear as if you’re hiding something.  It just isn’t in our DNA to have family secrets.  We’ve shared what we’ve needed to at the moment, and plan to always affirm that the boy’s mothers were lovely girls who got into trouble and wanted what was best for them.  In wanting the best, they decided to place them in a family.  We impress for our kids that here was a plan, and the plan was to be with us eventually!  Kelly’s family is very much in our lives.  Benjamin’s grandmother comes and visits. She is nearly my age, so we have become friends.  She is gracious and warm, and her children call me aunt.  The key is respecting one another and having healthy boundaries on all sides.  We do!

When Kelly made the decision to give us Ben, she asked Daniel if he was ready to be a sibling.  He replied so sincerely, ‘Oh Miss Kelly, I have wanted to be a sibling ever since I found out what the word meant!’

Kelly has gone on with her life and is doing so well at university.  We were talking and she said one of the most exciting things was the day Ben was born.  She said, ‘I was waiting for Suzanne to come so I could present her son to her.’

I wasn’t able to actually be there for the birth.  Kelly ended up having an emergency C-section.  The neatest, neatest thing was that we were all there later together as a family! 

We went home that evening, in order to respect their last night together.  That was hard, but so very necessary.  The next morning at 9:00, Kelly called and asked me to come to the hospital and have a sleepover with she and Ben!  Man, I was there!  I went back to that hospital armed with hip magazines and an itinerary of fun planned…but we actually just visited, loved each other, and discussed the plan for loving this baby! Kelly definitely sees Benjamin as ours but loves him like a nephew. 

That family is so very sweet and loving and such a wonderful group of people!

I do want people to see that I’m a huge advocate for education here.  It just looks so very different in my life. This is very interesting to me.  I think my teaching skills have drawn me to do pro bono things. For example, Adoption Panels and Type 1 Diabetes.  Daniel attends public school in a great district here in Illinois.  He had a bus driver who wrote him up for cheeky and drunken behavior on the bus.  Daniel is a normal child like every other, but he’s not cheeky! When his blood sugar was tested, it was 54!

I now feel so fortunate to have my educational background.  I have gone in and written a seminar that I give at the beginning of each school year for teachers, parents, administrators, health care professionals at the district level, and even the guys operating the bus barns!  I have handouts that teach them how to read highs and lows, and how to troubleshoot and recognize abnormal behavior.  I have taught spontaneous eating, which isn’t concerned with policies, but rather necessary health for diabetics. We had well meaning substitutes that were rewarding 45 pound kids with Jolly Ranchers!  If this involved a diabetic child….are you kidding me?!

Because I am an older parent, I think that my age and position have allowed me to be less reactionary, so I am able to help and set up these protocols.  When kids within our district are diagnosed, our number is on file so that if those people need help, support and a listening ear, we’re there for them!”

For the past couple of years, this has not been an easy endeavor.  With downsizing, Peter was in a position to take a job in a neighboring state and commute home on the weekends. While the more silent partner for this interview, he wishes to be known as a husband, a father, and a commercial banker. In that order.

It is my hope that in their time here, you have come to see them as individuals doing the extraordinary with ordinary means.

Just like so many other truly exceptional leaders.

“Home Education is any educational pursuit that is grounded in the family’s values, directed by the student, and supported by the parents.  Home Education can take any form.”~ Dr. Shanon Brooks

“Oh my word, Teri, I really can’t believe you’re doing this.”

Me: “You have a tremendous story to tell!”

“Well, I’m sort of embarrassed…and nervous.”

Me: “You’ll be fine. You talk as much as I do. Go!”

“I was born in Mexico to missionary parents and raised in California.  My dad had a church and my mom had to return to work; so my grandparents pretty much raised me.  I think that that plays into me being an old soul.  We were raised Mennonite Brethren, which is a very conservative German group, but not the group that “wears the buns.”  You can put that in there, okay?  I remember when Martha Stewart Living first came on the air and she was teaching people how to iron!  I laughed and laughed because I had been ironing since I was 5!  I’ve always written “paper thank you notes”, worked odd jobs to contribute to the family cash pot, and was the little girl sitting under the quilts at the gathering every Tuesday!

At the same time I’m very outgoing, and love to be on the stage, but in my talented family, I always considered myself to be very mediocre.

Peter and I married really young. We were 22 and 20 respectively.

I attended Seattle Pacific University which is where I met your brother. Tim was “me” in a man’s body. He was funny and so smart…wait, that’s going to sound really poor!

Your brother came from a family with similar values, he was a preacher’s kid, and we connected immediately!  He was “my people.” Peter loved Tim.  When we were together, or with extended family, it was just so natural and very, very fun.  They were so quick! The wit of it all was just hilarious and hysterically funny; yet they never crossed a line in their humor or were off color.  It was that hilarious “pee-your-pants” kind of laughing all the time!

Since Peter and I had married so young, we always had something going on.  We were both from huge families and it never occurred to us that we wouldn’t have a large one of our own.  Yet, we tried to conceive for 10 years and just couldn’t.  Everyone had a reason why things weren’t working out for us.  Peter’s career took him away on business a lot and the timing wasn’t right, I was too high strung, we needed a vacation.  The list really was quite comprehensive.  I remember going in for a final procedure and when it didn’t take, we decided to pursue adoption.  This decision took six months of mourning to both transition and adjust.  My physical body was also thrashed from all of the procedures that go with infertility and I needed a rest.

We decided to go through Bethany Christian Services domestic infant adoption program.  We were now in our 30s and I was still teaching through all of this.  Normally a home study takes roughly 2 years.  Ours went off without a hitch in 6 months!  I turned in my profile books on a Tuesday, and mentally began to settle in for the 6 months-2 years that it takes to be chosen.  Two days later, I got a call!  My case worker said, “Suzanne, are you sitting down?”  She had to ask me that question more than once.  When I replied, “I am now.” She said, ” You’ve been chosen!  Your baby is going to be born in 4 weeks!”  I was about to burst with excitement!  Our suitcase was packed in the living room and I was swamped at school mentoring two new teachers. You couldn’t tell anyone in case things fell through, and I was about to burst with excitement.

Six weeks later, we got the call at 4:00 a.m. Daniel Cole was born, weighing 10 lbs. 4 oz.

At the time of the call, we didn’t know his gender.  He was born at a very small hospital over an hour away.  We jumped into our car and raced there; where we were greeted by a huge man with a grin on his face and a whole panel of nurses.  It was his grandfather, and he was waiting for us! We were not supposed to meet his mother.  She wanted a closed adoption.  It was a lovely young girl that had gotten herself into trouble.  Her dad said, “Wait here.” When he returned, he said, “Won’t you come and meet my family?”  And there she was…his mom! I went to her and said, “You are so brave, and lovely and gracious!  Thank you!”

His grandmother then turned to me and said, “Are you ready to meet your son?”  His mother stayed back, but the rest of us went charging to the nursery…and there was Daniel!

I was crying so hard I couldn’t see.  The family asked what his name was, and I said, “Daniel Cole.  Cole because it’s cool, and Daniel, because my daddy’s name is Daniel and he’s the godliest man I know.”  The attending physician in the nursery for the babies came over and said, “Is this who I think it is?  The parents of this precious boy?”  It was honestly a very holy and sacred time.  He gathered us all around, including the grandparents and prayed over all of us.  It was beautiful.

We have never seen them again, we don’t know one another’s surnames, we send pictures annually to them through the agency, and at 18 they would love to meet Daniel to see the young man that he has become.

When Daniel was still very young, Peter’s career took the Marinaces to London, England where they lived for several years.

What they didn’t know, was that there were some very dark days ahead…

The conclusion of this interview will be published Friday. 

See you then!

that Leadership Education works.

When you trust the process…

practice the principles…

and engage qualified mentors…

success is a natural by-product.

Each.and.every.time.

It is amazing to both experience and watch…

and it never gets old…

wherever and whenever it occurs!

“Come to the edge…

it’s too high!

Come to the edge.

We might fall.

Come to the edge.

And they came.

And he pushed them.

And they flew.” ~ Garland Wright

And as I said…there’s simply nothing like it!

Thanks to our family…

for driving hours and hours…

in order to be at Son #2′s Opening Night.

And an equally sincere and overwhelming thanks…

to The Klemens Family for being his second family…

and home away from home…

for countless rehearsals!

To the Oliver DeMilles, Shanon Brooks…

Bruce Browns, Angela Wards, Tim Drivers…

and countless others in this world…

who dare to live life on the edge…

so that many will fly…

your examples reap eternal benefits.

Performance schedules…

for the Redlands Shakespeare Festival…

can be seen here.

We hope to see you there!

If you are interested in learning more about the opportunity to better understand Leadership Parenting, there is still time to register here and join us this Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 10:00 MDT on a free webinar with Dr. Shanon Brooks. Hope to see you there!

I was cooking along…

with big plans for the rest of this week…

when lo and behold…

I was summoned for jury duty!

As in…

I had to “drive down there for real”…

rather than just call in.

One afternoon and morning later…

I was dismissed…

right along with my plans.

Therefore…

I shall punt.

I’m going to continue to feature…

fabulous and fascinating women…

intermittently throughout May.

And after that…

who knows what the future holds?

People are fascinating!

I love featuring them.

Speaking of which…

through a bizarre twist of events…

my parents “across-the-street-neighbor”…

contacted me a few days ago…

in a bind…

wanting to know if I could help.

I met her sister today…

and was fascinated!

In helping her aging mother and stepfather…

I found out some very interesting and remarkable things.

Please welcome my new found friend, Cindy Howe.

I met her at the hospital…

where her step dad was admitted…

very unexpectedly after a fall while vacationing.

Cindy lives three hours away.

Their family was in need…

of us moving the parent’s car…

so that a grandchild…

who is being flown down from Washington state…

can drive them home.

Whew!  I hope you’re keeping up.

We have become fast friends…

and the kind that will carry on…

in less than 8 hours flat.

She’s amazing in my book!

When I told her I had a blog…

and wanted to feature her…

she laughed hysterically.

Cindy…

oh Cindy!

Here you are!

While I have paraphrased this…

I’ll let Cindy tell her own story.

“After my children were grown, I felt a real desire to return to school in order to take things up a notch where my community service and volunteerism were concerned.  I was turning  54 at the time, and managed to graduate at the age of 56; because I went to summer school as well.  I have a degree in Human Development with a minor in Aging as well as Gerontology.  A Human Development degree is interesting, because it can go in several directions.  You can apply it to social work, education, or even health and human services.

What I realized during this time, was that I am honestly a sponge!  I learned that I simply love learning!

As Americans, we typically spend a lot of time planning for our futures from a financial perspective.  We save and are even willing to hire someone else to manage and oversee our assets.  What isn’t normal, is the fact that we as a nation of people are living longer and longer.  We aren’t planning for that from the perspective of maintaining our personal freedoms.

Individuals that live in cities within the nation that have efficient public transit have few issues.  In other words, the need for reliance upon a vehicle can be minimal.

However, the vast majority of individuals who reach an age where they can no longer drive, suddenly realize that they are losing their freedoms. Many are rendered quite helpless in the face of longevity and no support system.

My husband always says, “You don’t know what you don’t know.”

It really is the truth.

Are you aware that within the Boomer population, 10,000 people turn 65 each and every day, and will continue to do so for the next 18 years?

The impact that this is going to have on availability of social services within communities is huge!  According to the 2010 Census the fastest growing segment of older adults is amongst those turning 85 and above!  In fact, over those same 18 years, the percentage will increase by 360%.  Senior needs at 65 vs. the needs of those same individuals at the age of 85 look tremendously different.

Last year, I decided to make a difference and produce an impact for the better where these current statistics and my own community were concerned.

I received a Federal Grant with which I developed The Navigator.

It is a community transportation guide that was developed with the intent of providing easy, affordable access to medical appointments, entertainment, shopping and visits with friends or relatives.

In this pamphlet, I placed a grid map of the city, with a key to where libraries, senior centers, hospitals, and other desirable services are located.

I worked at helping to make seniors aware of their options.

I have to confess, that this year I didn’t feel as successful in my project.  I had a city grant that was modest, and I set out to speak to numerous charitable organizations within the city, about changing their mission statements to include and recognize services for older adults.  For example, Rotary, National Charity League, Soroptomists and others have really large numbers of people upon which to rely for resources.  The challenge though, is in the fact that most all services by these organizations currently target children and older youth.  Organizations that are non-profit that are “mom and pop” grassroots types, generally are full of tremendous intent but are sadly, lacking in laborers and funding.

While I worked very hard to make higher profile groups aware of need, for many it will take a universal change at the national level to adjust their focus.  I’m not giving up; it’s just a bit daunting.  In the meantime, I’m working on starting a healthy dialogue between cities where government lines are perhaps crossed.  For example, if an individual resides in one town that borders another, but has an appointment with the doctor in the next city over; currently, no services are recognized to cross those boundaries.  I’m working to make transportation agencies aware of the needs as well as offering suggestions for solutions to these current challenges that end up penalizing individuals that need assistance.  This area of our population and the needs as well as markets that it affords are currently endless with possibilities.  It is my hope that people with a passion and joy for this type of work and service will rise up to fill those needs.”

Our conversation today was so rewarding.  I came away feeling very blessed.  Cindy is amazing. She’s humble, she’s a generous spirit, she’s a world changer…one grass roots level need at a time!  One of her current thoughts is for seniors who sell their vehicles, due to either a lack of desire or ability to drive themselves any longer.  She is wanting to pursue a concept where they will bank the monies from their vehicle sales into an account with a company that will recognize it; and exchange it for transportation to and from necessary venues as the needs arise!

I am humbled by the creativity and ingenuity that freedom affords to mankind.

And I am grateful that I am both a woman and a mother; so that I can be alongside such incredible inspiration and greatness.

I hope you are privileged with a beautiful celebratory Sunday, and that you are inspired by other women who will be experiencing the same!

Much love to each of you,

And the winner of the Love Crazy bracelet by the incredible Reagan McCune is…Cherylyn Klemens!!! Congratulations and Happy Mother’s Day, Cherylyn! ( Admit it, you thought I forgot, didn’t you?)