Archive | May, 2009

Photo Shoot

13 May

I’m sure it’s no accident that some of the events happening in my life right now are happening before Anna leaves for Thailand.

She leaves on June 15th … only a little over a month away, and I already miss her!

Last week I found out that my story of Liz’s Letter is going to be included in the September issue of Angels on Earth magazine.

Today I got an email requesting a photo of Liz (no problem) as well as a current photo of me (problem).

Luckily Anna finished work early and as I picked her up I told her I needed her to take a picture of me. Oh, yes and by the way could you do my make-up?

Being the great daughter that she is, she agreed and we worked for about 45 minutes pulling it together.

We came up with the photo on the right side of my blog. It’s me.

Anna not only took the picture, but she downloaded it and sent it to me so I could send it to the photo editor.

I never could have done it without her help … but now I have them and can use them again if the opportunity arises.

I don’t know how long I’ll be able to hold out before I flee the country for Thailand …

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A Poem for Today

10 May

 

I got a poem the other day from my friend, Linda Turnbull.  Linda and I are in the same “club.”  Her daughter, Julie, died in an off-campus fire at Miami University of Ohio in April, 2005.

We are always connected to our children – no matter where they are – no matter how old they are.

 The Cord

We are connected,
My child and I, by
An invisible cord
Not seen by the eye.

It’s not like the cord
That connects us ‘til birth
This cord can’t be seen
By any on Earth.

This cord does it’s work
Right from the start.
It binds us together
Attached to my heart.

I know that it’s there
Though no one can see
The invisible cord
From my child to me.

The strength of this cord
Is hard to describe.
It can’t be destroyed
It can’t be denied.

It’s stronger than any cord
Man could create
It withstands the test
Can hold any weight.

And though she is gone,
Though she’s not here with me,
The cord is still there
But no one can see.

It pulls at my heart
I am bruised…I am sore,
But this cord is my lifeline
As never before.

I am thankful that God
Connects us this way
A mother and child
Death can’t take away!

(Author unknown)

More Mother’s Day Gifts

9 May

Anna’s Mother’s Day gift to me was a gift certificate to my absolute favorite charity – KIVA.  If you aren’t familiar with KIVA it is the latest in micro-lending.  For $25 you can lend money to women and men across the globe who are entrepreneurs.  They pay you back over a period of one year.  So, it’s a loan program – not a hand out.  You choose who you wish to loan to.  I’ve been a member of KIVA for almost a year, and as of today have made 12 loans.

Anna and I sat down this morning to finalize my Mother’s Day loan, and it didn’t take long to make our pick — in fact our pick was made for us …  by Liz.

The very first loan application we saw was for a 20 year old woman living in Peru named Lizbeth!  Are you kidding me??

Anna and I looked at each other and burst into laughter.  How could we NOT choose Lizbeth??  Of course we did.

Another stunning example of how Liz shows us that she is still very much a part of our family!

I love you Liz and Anna!  I am SO BLESSED to be your Mother!

I Long for NYC!

8 May

Exactly one year ago tomorrow Anna and I jetted off for five fabulous days in the Big Apple.  I fell completely in love with New York City and I want to go back.

Thinking back on our trip, I have a huge longing in my heart to relive it all again exactly as it happened. 

The Universe has been reminding me of my wonderful trip in many ways over the past couple of days.  I really don’t need any reminding, I completely keep re-hashing it all again and again wishing I could turn back the clock.

But … it’s all so good.  And, of course, Liz is in the midst of it all.  (Why would this surprise me?)

Yesterday I received a call from a publisher in midtown Manhattan.  I was thrilled to learn that Angels on Earth magazine will include my story of Liz’s Letter in an upcoming issue.  I’m giving Liz major credit for this marvelous happening in my life.

Why, you may ask?  Well, first of all I have tried for at least two years to get this published by a major magazine with no luck.  Last week, after changing the title of the story to, The Unexpected Blessing, and making a few other changes, I decided to give it another try and sent it on to Angels on Earth.  Of the 12 months of the year it could be published, it will be published in the SEPTEMBER issue.  Why is that significant?  Because, Liz was born on 9/12 and she died on 9/20 … September plays a very significant role in the lives of my family and I … so of course it would happen in September.

Secondly,  Sunday is Mother’s Day … receiving this wonderful notification so close to this special holiday says Liz.

So, thanks Liz … aside from another trip to NYC, I couldn’t have asked for anything better.  I can scarcely fathom the number of people who will now  read our story.  And, I know it will reach those who are hurting and in need of an encouraging word.

This morning, I turned on the television only to see Matt, Meredith, Al and Ann in the crown of the Statue of Liberty … then Ellis Island, all places Anna and I visited just one year ago.   Why, Al even boarded one of the same buses that Anna and I rode on many times!  It shuttled us all through Manhattan and we saw all the wonderful sights of the Fashion District, Central Park, the Empire State Building, Ground Zero, Tribecka, and  Times Square,  just to name a few.    Oh, the yearning!!! 

It’s no accident that those segments ran today – Oh I get it,  Universe – I get it, really I do!

Happy Mother’s Day Everyone!

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