Serendipity

Michael Wesley Collins [I came across this on Facebook this morning and it hit me hard enough that I felt compelled to share here. I did not know this man, yet I have seen the faces of homeless people and they look just like you and I. We have a problem with homelessness and this just brings it to the front again. Deb]  R.I.P Michael Wesley Collins, he took his own life Wednesday, this is what he wrote about homelessness at the end of November 2018. -- Vernon Smith "Homelessness is no joke. Ta king a journey through being homeless and penniless has given me a new perspective on what hardships homeless people endure. Once you're in it, it's very, very difficult to escape. You run into chicken-egg problems again and again and it leads to an inevitable downward spiral. For example, you can't get a job because you're homeless and you're homeless because you can't get a job. Imagine having no car, being filthy and trying to show up to a job intervie...

My home...ever so briefly As I sit here, picking up the pieces of my life and moving forward...the man that still holds onto a piece of my heart passed away this morning at 5:15 CST.  It's been a struggle, not so much for me, but for his devoted family to be there by his side watching him fade from his life...and it is for them that my heart aches. They are all good people, people who have touched my life and have helped me get through the past several weeks. Whatever he became through his life, whomever he was...there was a part of him that was good...loving...sensitive...and kind. These are what I will focus on in my memories of him...forgiving him for what he did to me, because it's something I need to do. Today, as you go about your own lives, think about those in it that perhaps can use a little forgiveness. It doesn't mean you will forget what's been done to you...only that in order to find peace in your own lives, it may be something you need to do ...

A beginning...or...an end? As I sit here tonight, there is a lot going through my head. Last night, I received some news that although wasn't surprising, has effected me to some degree. I may be a lot of things, but cold-hearted isn't one of them. I have talked a lot about a man, who I spent 3-1/2 weeks with, got to know, and learned that he wasn't the kind, sweet man he pretended to be. And regardless of what I feel, it is unfair to continue speaking about that brief time ... now when he lies on his death bed in a hospital. He had another stroke two days ago, and this time, things are far worse.  He was completely paralyzed from what I understand, he could not talk and could only blink his eyes. His prognosis for recovery wasn't good.   Tonight though, the information came that said he now can't swallow, and they are forcing fluids into him, trying to make him comfortable...he doesn't have long to live. I find it very sad to know that his life is ...

My mom on her wedding day That's the day that changed the lives of my brother, sister and I forever.  February 8, 1975.  It's etched into my brain so that I can never forget that our mom was taken from us. It was a Saturday morning, like most others that Winter, where my mom would often get dressed-up in her one-piece snow outfit and take off for a while to enjoy the outdoors on her snow mobile.  That morning, it was mid-morning when she left...asking me to make sure that our dad got his hot lunch when he came in from doing chores at the dairy farm where we lived.   I said I would.   Dad came in for lunch about noon, and we (Dad, my brother, sister and I) all ate and talked about whatever the subject might have been that day.  After a bit, Dad headed back out to return to the barns which were less than a 5-minute walk up the road from our house.   I can't remember what I was doing at the time, maybe cleaning up after the meal and d...

By definition , a "bucket list" is defined as:  A list of things to do before you die. Comes from the term "kicked the bucket".  I don't know anyone who has actually made up their own bucket list, but for fun, I thought I would!  Here goes: 1.]  Road trip to the Oregon coast.  (I am very fascinated by the rugged coast there!) 2.]  Publish at least one novel.  (Lifetime dream of mine, as you know!) 3.]  Go on a cruise to Alaska.   4.]  Road trip to Maine's coastline.  (I want to scope it out because I'd love to move there!) 5.]  Cruise to Caribbean. 6.]  Buy my own home.  (Where ever I do settle for my final years on this planet.) 7.]  Travel to Michigan to spend time with my friends there.  (You know who you are!) 8.]  Travel to Ireland and/or Scotland. 9.]  Buy a new, expensive camera. 10.]  To go shopping for my home without any worry of how much things will...