A penny for your thoughts...huge milestone moment

A penny for my thoughts...

I started blogging around December and really in earnest, beginning the first of the year.  It's one of the few resolutions I've made and actually stuck with (don't ask me how the diet is going!).

My blog was never something I considered as a financial proposition.  It's been more about tapping back into my creative side and finding a friendly, open place to share stories and thoughts.

But just for fun, I decided to apply for #GoogleAds on my blog.  I was declined the first time back in early January…then approved about a month or so ago.  I don’t know what the criteria is or why I was accepted the second time around.  The only thing I know for certain is that as of March 3, 2015, I very literally earned a penny for my thoughts!

Laugh if you will, but it gave me a real boost in my week and I plan to print and frame it next to my first Scripps Howard check (another proud moment).

I’ve always believed we celebrate our own moments and make life special.  This is one of those moments I wanted to share as I see it as a significant little milestone in my life.  #followingmydreams and hoping you all do the same!

M

Inside Out and the True Beauty of Living

For a friend, who shares the same sadness.  Something I wrote a long time ago before the greatest loss in my life.  I hope this brightens her day.

Thanksgiving, 1994

Inside Out

I see you inside out as I look at you each day

I see you safe and sound though some have more to say

In your eyes I look past the surface, beyond mortality

And see your blessed soul reaching out for eternity

I can't picture troubled seas that plague you in the night

No earthly obstacles can hold you back from His guiding light

All I truly see is the love you give and the knowledge you impart

It shines back brightly when I look from inside out my heart

I am thankful for the love we share as fathers and daughters do

Mostly I'm grateful for the Father shared from above in us two

Because I know the truth in Him and that you know the same

I know this every time we share and speak of love in his name

I pray for strength for you and me and all others in our place

For peace inside that calms the storms that we need not embrace

So if you're ever wondering just how you look to me

Dad, you've never looked better though some might disagree

But share with them what you've shared with me and they will see

A different light, a marvelous view, your true life inside out

There rarely seems a moment fit for these feelings in my heart

I can only hope and pray you see the same in me

When you go wondering how I am, just look inside out my heart

And I will do the same - I love you Dad

M

Success Metrics and Your Collective Whole

May 5, 1992

Success is not measured by the name on a desk, a given title...or even a job description.  Success comes from within and is a feeling of accomplishment measured by your own self worth.  It doesn't include bottom lines, bank accounts, or any other tangible monetary metric.  True self worth can come from work or home or just living life in a way that stays true to your convictions and brings you peace at the end of each day, knowing you've done your absolute best.

Any aspect of one's life that fulfills the standards set forth by you, not societal norms.  It's not the size of a house, but the quality inside that house...the people contents, not collective objectives...but your collective whole that makes it home.

M

TBT - Somewhere in the Middle

TBT - 1/15/1994

I am of no origin

Standing still in time and space

Waiting for enlightenment

Expecting wisdom, realizing ignorance

Seeing the future repeating the past

Trying to break the cycle without knowing the course

Believing in everything, standing for nothing

I think of me as a formidable one

Capable of expression

Yet the ability to say nothing at all

I speak of times to come

Through traces of what used to be

Somewhere in the middle

I'll find the rest of me

M

The uninvited, but welcome dinner guest #Facetime (not so new find Wednesday)

Cheers to #Facetime

I was traveling for work this week, leaving our two younger boys in the most capable hands of my husband.  It’s been several months since I last traveled and even longer since I was away for more than a night.  And three nights away seemed an eternity to our ten-year-old.

Let me just share the day by day texts, #Facetime chats, and how he ended up joining one of my dinners.

First Night Away:

iMessage

Sunday 7:55 p.m.

Missed Facetime call

Me: Love you.  Still at dinner.

Christian:  I miss you so much (multiple emoticons crying, frowning x12)

Me:  Miss you too baby.  Did you see what I left on your bed?

Christian:  Yes I love it.  Also I am pooping so please don’t text me right now I will text you when I get done

A few minutes later ….

Christian:   Hi mom I miss u so much and I love it (a deck of cards) and dad made meatloaf.  PS this is Pete also here’s a joke.  This isn’t to u just a joke.  U piece of (insert pile of poop emoticon here).  Lol

Sunday 10:08 p.m.

Me:  I love you too sweet dreams

Monday 6:54 a.m.

Christian:  Hi

Monday 10:58 a.m.

   Me:  Love you

Sidebar:  Christian’s basketball team won, but he was disappointed and sad, wishing to play more time on the court…and missing me.

Facetime call accepted Monday 8:30 pm (short call…tears, hiding in pillow)

Monday 9:03 pm

Me:  Don’t let anyone take your power away.  Believe in yourself.  I believe in you and I love you.  You are exactly who you are meant to be in this moment and you will keep doing even more J

Monday 10:09 p.m.

Christian:  Love u 4 every day of my life 

Sidebar:  Made me cry when I read it.

Tuesday 6:25 a.m.

Me: Now u making me cry.

  

Fast forward to my last night away, dining with colleagues.  I saw a couple of missed Facetime calls, but I hadn’t had a chance to call home.

Now, I’m not really superstitious, but I do believe sometimes things happen for a reason.  As I sat around a lovely table, full of conversations, a nice glass of wine, and great colleagues, something unexpected happened.  The lights went out.  They came back on, then off, then on, then off for good.  The servers quickly brought out candles and flashlights and the natural flow of conversation was abruptly interrupted.  Just as I was looking around at the dark, yet charming candlelit atmosphere, I saw a silent glow coming from inside my evening bag.  It was Christian trying to Facetime me . . . for about the 4^th time in an hour.

It didn’t take me any time at all to decide to take his call.  But what happened next was as much a surprise as the unexpected blackout.

Conversations were happening in every direction, across the table, and across the room, and suddenly a new comer.  He’d arrived fashionably late, joined by one of the biggest innovations for working parents.  Facetime does exactly what it says.  You get face time with your kids anywhere in the world.  And the travel miles don’t seem so far away, and the anxiety usually subsides and they are able to sleep after a goodnight talk and quick nighttime prayer.

Tonight, I’d say we broke the travel barrier in that restaurant and took Facetime to a new level.  It started out as an impromptu hand off to a colleague on my left…and turned into 1:1 conversations between one 10-year-old and six individual business leaders.  As the phone made it’s way around the table, he answered questions about homework, missing his mom, advice for dads (he had none BTW), and sports. 

As the last person at the table handed him back to me, I was waiting with a smile.  Great friends and colleagues sharing family time with us…telling my son what a great mom I was and encouraging him for just about everything in life.  All in a matter of a few stolen moments.

You’ve guessed by now who came to dinner.  My son, already networking and using technology like a pro…a future captain of industry…but today just a sweet kid missing his mom.  Regardless, thankful to my indulgent colleagues for adding a +1 to dinner, turning a surprise blackout into one of those moments to be seized, embraced and treasured…#thanksstevejobs #I love Facetime. We are a #modernfamily too!

M