Chicago Marathon 2009

Smiling at the end

I love my family. Each person is unique of course, but overall they are kind, caring, unselfish, generous.

For example, my brother-in-law has run for several years now in the Chicago Marathon. While he's running, he raises money for the Crisis Center of Southwest Suburbia. This facility shelters victims of domestic violence on a moment's notice. It's a good organization.

He was disappointed in his performance this year because, even though he completed the race, he got worn out at the 20 mile mark, six miles short of the finish line.

To a runner that may be important. To the rest of us, it is simply amazing.

The way I see it, unselfishness counts in that final six-mile push -- even if it isn't a "personal best."

I love the runners' quote from Isaiah,

"Haven’t you known? Haven’t you heard? The forever God who created the ends of the earth doesn’t faint, never wearies? His understanding is so vast, it can’t be search.

He gives power to the faint; to the weary He gives strength. Even the youths faint, and the young men drop in their tracks.

But those who serve the Lord renew their strength; they mount up as though on eagle’s wings. They shall run and not be weary. Those who simply walk will not faint."

Special Family Time

Second cousins bonding

Last weekend, our family gathered for our fourth Family Reunion in, oh, probably 20 years.

While they have not been evenly spaced, each has been wonderful. Maybe this past was the best of all. (Of course, I felt that way after the last one too.) What a great bunch of people!

31 of us showed up, and we had a wonderful time. There were bikes and water activities for the kids. Talented women brought their craft and party skills for spontaneous events.

One spouse makes beautiful glass beads as a hobby, and brought a sampling available for purcase at modest prices.

One couple brought their incomparable pizza/salad skills.

Skilled hands make great pizza!

Dinners were organized by men’s night, women’s night, and catered night.

An uncle, for whom this was his first reunion, commented with happy surprise, “Our extended family is comprised of warm, intelligent, and supportive people...”

I would add to that, “funny” people. One of my impressions is that we laughed for three days straight.

Now the principles of respect, joy, caring, sharing, and unselfed love that brought one family together in harmony and brotherly love are universal principles. They operate impartially for the whole family of man.

Selfishness, criticism, and gossip are foes to peace, harmony, and good-will. They have no place in families, reunion plans, or gatherings of any sort.

One of my prayers in preparation for this family occasion was to honor God, the source of all good, as responsible for gathering those who would be blessed.

Can you imagine my gratitude for the harmony, spontaneity, and good-will expressed?

Who to vote for?

Palin - a feisty VP choice

Who to vote for?

The Democrats made a point of giving Americans hope for change.

The Republicans are emphasizing experience and proven ability to work across the aisle (in the Senate – being able to work with the opposition to get laws passed).

In a different context a friend told me the other day of a business colleague who had been promoted to a major management position. However, this person came with no management experience. He was, she said, making a lot of disastrous “beginner mistakes.”

There are so many unanswered questions. How can we tell who will make the best decisions in such an uncertain and interrelated world?

Well, history can be helpful. New Testament Bible history, specifically. Jesus didn’t get involved in politics. When his life hung in the balance, and he was asked if he was indeed a king, Jesus replied that his kingdom wasn’t of this world.

While Jesus paid taxes, his concern was that people find a new and loving relationship with their God that in turn leads to greater caring, more honesty, less selfishness. He taught people to lean on that God – Spirit, Truth, Love – for their needs.

Not bad advice today.

We can pray that this one infinitely wise Mind governs this and all other nations as they co-elbow for equality and respect among the countries of the world. That no matter who is elected, that person and his administration be controlled by one infinite intelligence that unites rather than divides, that brings the spiritual qualities needed for good leadership.

We can all pray to support a righteous government.

Want to stay connected? Try love!

John Templeton was an philanthropist and a shrewd global investor.

In a tribute to this deeply spiritual man from Presbyterian roots, Gary Moore writes in tomorrow's The Christian Science Monitor, “John worked very intentionally to live the spiritual qualities he prized. And while he may have valued reason, prosperity, tradition, and spirituality, he gave top priority to love, the connecting force that holds us together despite our differences – even the largest ones.”

“Love, the connecting force that holds us together despite our differences.”

Don't you love it!

Families are often like that. Siblings and relatives can be totally unlike in their careers, marriage partners, life-styles, their worship, or non-worship. If they weren’t family, they would have little in common.

Yet when they come together for holidays or other gatherings, they come with love that finds expression in respect, appreciation, and warm affection.

And it's true. This kind of love transcends differences. It isn't critical, it doesn't gossip. It isn't resentful and doesn't hold grudges. It keeps busy doing good.

Love is an amazing universal connecting force that flows through generous hearts.

Panning for gold

Modern gold rush

Apparently people are panning for gold once again in the American west. Books like the one above are popular. The 49ers of 159 years ago created a brief and wild era as people from all walks of life tried to make their fortunes by panning for gold.

A few became wealthy; most were disappointed and resumed their lives wiser, if poorer, for their efforts.

Most folks regard the past with mixed feelings. Unhappy events make a greater impression than happy times and have a way, if given free rein, of monopolizing memory.

Bad, distressing, or unhappy past events should not be given free rein. For nearly everyone there is also good in the past, and it’s important to identify that good – because good is timeless.

John Greenleaf Whittier wrote, “All of good the past has had remains to make our own time glad. . . God’s love and blessing then and there, are now and here and everywhere.”

It’s a bit like panning for gold. As I understand it, you stand in or next to a shallow river and put a scoop of water, sand, and gravel into your sieve. The water washes away any muck, and in the remaining sediment miners hope to find some bright flecks of gold. It is relatively easy to remove the gold, and toss away the sediment.

So when we have occasion to pan our memories in the river of life, let’s be alert for those small bright flecks of goodness. Gently remove them, place them carefully where they won’t get lost, and throw out the sediment of unhappiness.

This doesn’t mean ignoring evil, or not coming to terms with abuse. It does mean that in spite of difficult times, goodness in some form was present and needs to be identified and celebrated in the present.

I remember reading an emotionally difficult autobiography of a man badly abused by a mentally ill mother. As a little boy he barely escaped her attempts to kill him. Finally a teacher at school recognized the signs of physical abuse and rescued the child – decades before teachers were taught how to look for abuse in their classrooms.

That teacher was a gold nugget in this boy’s tragic childhood.

The youngster overcame the effects of terrible cruelty and, as an adult, helps other children recover from abusive situations.

Every fleck of goodness adds to the substance of good in our lives. They help us live in and appreciate the “now” of God’s love.

Finding the child heart

Kite flying - pure joy!
This little girl takes advantage
of a windy day at a nearby park.

"Life goes on.” That was the title of a great family TV show two or three decades ago. Life does go on, and times are too adventurous to be left behind.

Smart young people, in my book, are those who, while embracing new ideas, have also learned to value the generations on whose shoulders they are standing.

Smart senior citizens, in my book, are those who increase their circle of friends to keep including young people. Otherwise, how common that sad lament, “All my friends are dying.” Why would anyone limit their circle of friends only to those the world categorizes as “old”?

Because it’s comfortable? Because young people bring new ideas that require some mental wrestling? Because we don’t have to stretch mentally when we stick with friends of our own generation?

Youngest grandson came for two nights this past weekend. He had a whole list of activities for us. I harnessed some of that energy to clean old winter leaves and dirt from the garage floor. What a great worker!

He discovered my Xooter scooter, and nothing would do but for me to ride my bike while he propelled himself on that scooter until he was worn out. We decorated a gingerbread Christmas train – yes in May – until the kitchen was a mess of sticky frosting ambushes.

Amazing Gingerbread Train

Friends come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and ages. It’s OK to push outside our comfort zones and to value those younger, older, and from cultures different from our own. In fact, life requires it.

Everyone has some spark of the divine. As we seek that spark in our “new” friends, as well as our established friendships, life becomes the spiritual adventure it is intended to be. That doesn’t mean danger and excitement, so much as exploring new mental and spiritual horizons together.

“Love never loses sight of loveliness. Its halo rests upon its object. One marvels that a friend can never seem less than beautiful.”

Lion hug

For you animal lovers, here’s a YouTube video.

The story says that a woman in Columbia found a lion cub, who was wounded and hungry. She took him home and raised him until he was too big. She then gave him to the local zoo, where she visits him every day.

The deep affection between them is clear.





American religious leader, Mary Baker Eddy, viewed animals from a spiritual perspective. She wrote, “Understanding the control which Love held over all, Daniel felt safe in the lions’ den, and Paul proved the viper to be harmless. All of God’s creatures, moving in the harmony of Science, are harmless, useful, indestructible.”

More than sledding

Wheee!

In January my grandson and I had a great one-on-one vacation. We drove to the Wisconsin north woods to visit relatives and engage in great snow activities. We sledded, snowshoed, baked cookies in a happy extended family setting.

One day my cousin was supervising some sledding behind their house. I stood nearby, camera in hand, to catch some of this fun. I wasn’t participating in the sledding activity, became of a hurting back. I was praying, however -- from the standpoint that this pain was trying to suggest I could be separated from God’s love – a relationship I hold very dear. Or that God was too busy to care for every detail of His universe.

It wasn’t a prayer to God as a super person to stop what He was doing and look after me, so much as an affirmation that an infinitely good God who is Spirit and Truth infinitely maintains harmony. If God is wholly good and fills all space, then this pain could not be a reality in His presence. A loving God doesn’t send evil. He sends harmony.

Now at that point in my prayers, it occurred to me that I had been indulging in some pretty self-righteous criticism that morning. Right now, I have no idea what it might have been. But at the time it seemed important and troublesome.

Big deal! Who doesn’t criticize? Well, yes. Except that I had lately been making a fairly successful effort to see beyond the human scene. To discern more of God’s goodness and His good creation. So criticism now stood out by way of contrast as a backward step in a forward spiritual journey. This kind of negative thinking was no longer comfortable.

So I began undoing that criticism, replacing the “wrongs” I had been anguishing over with what was clearly right about the person or situation (while I don’t recall the specifics, I do remember the process!) appreciating the good qualities – what God knew from His vantage point to be enduring and true.

This happy mental conversation took place even with great laughter and fun punctuating the snowy scene all around. About midway down the hill, the boys were packing snow into a little jump for the sleds in hopes of gaining some “air time.”

My cousin clowning on a tube

Then my cousin said, “Sandi, why don’t you go down the hill? I’ll hold your camera!”

Moment of truth. Do I really believe that God, Spirit, is my whole substance and my only substance? That matter cannot make laws to undermine God’s harmonious control?

The feeling in my back hadn’t changed. It still hurt. But thought was moving, so I trusted God, divine Mind, as the source of that movement and settled onto the sled behind my grandson. We sped down the hill landing with a bump on the other side of the jump. And that was the last time all day that I thought about my back. In fact, it’s been uncomplaining ever since.

I just love adventures in learning more about God’s great love.

A finishing touch to our lives

The movie, “An unfinished life” reveals the unavoidability of forgiveness. There’s a sub-theme with a bear in it. The first time I saw this tough but sweet film, I couldn’t figure out how the bear related. The second time it was obvious.

Einer, a Wyoming rancher whose son had been killed a decade before in an auto accident, needs to forgive his daughter-in-law Jean – the driver during the fatal accident. Mitch, his best friend, has been badly mauled by a bear and requires some daily care.

Meanwhile Jean has been living with the terrible guilt of believing she was responsible for her husband's death. Suddenly she shows up, desperate after fleeing an abusive boyfriend.

Although he allows Jean to stay, Einer won’t or can’t forgive. And the bear becomes a metaphor for their lives – how they are all stuck regretting the past, unable to advance. As the story unfolds, Mitch forgives the bear and cajoles Einer into releasing him at night from a small tourist zoo.

The granddaughter Einer didn’t know he had, now nearly ten, becomes the catalyst that softens his heart, enables him to come to terms with life, and to ultimately forgive.

As the bear, set free by Mitch’s generous spirit, walks off into the wilderness, so forgiveness enables Einer and his small family to reverse the downward spirals of their lives and move forward together.

What can be added to this tender lesson?

If we are to live our lives to the full, we must forgive, plain and simple. That doesn’t mean we subject ourselves to further abuse. It means we drop the burden of hate, anger, or resentment from our own shoulders and rediscover the joy of sprinting ahead.

Jesus, who understood a lot about life and human nature had some choice words about forgiveness.

In today's language, he might have said, “If you want God to forgive your dumb and bad mistakes, then you need to be generous about forgiving others their dumb and bad mistakes as well.”

How long? However long we keep doing things we wish we hadn’t. That's a kind of love that adds a dimension of grace to our lives.

If you are interested, the official trailer follows:

Sorting

What's useful?

and what needs a new home?

“I wish I lived closer. I am a great organizer and pitcher!” My friend in another state heard I was majorly reorganizing my rooms and furnishings.

As I see it, God thought my friend's reorganizing and tossing was a great idea, because He/She sent my sister and my cousin this afternoon, and we had a pitching party!

The girls established four categories:

• Sort - what is useful? What needs a new home?
• Keep - because it is useful
• Give away - because it needs a new home
• Toss - would not bless anyone

And everything was consigned to one of these areas. This is proving to be a highly effective approach to clearing out clutter, to discovering what is really important and relevant. I have been able to let go of some things I had previously clung to -- but really had no present usefulness.

This is also an effective approach to life.

We have an opportunity every day, every moment to first:

• Sort thoughts as to whether or not they come from God. Whatever is good and fair and honest comes from God
• Then either keep and honor a thought because it is a useful and from God
• Or give it away because it is so good it needs to be shared! (The neat thing about sharing a good idea is that we are not diminished by sharing. Good multiplies when shared.)
• Or toss it in the trash because it obviously is not from God, therefore cannot in the long run give either satisfaction or blessing

So as I sort through the sorting pile they kindly bequeathed me, I will remember that what is really going on is the sorting of thoughts – determining which are useful and worth keeping or sharing, and which have served their purpose and need to be discarded.

Watching boys grow - one day at a time!

A time for reflecting on

unexpected thoughtfulness and caring

Kim, who has raised two, remarked early on with great enthusiasm, “I never knew boys could be so much fun!”

Her sincere joy shocked me to the core. At that time we had a daughter who was predictably feminine —dolls, an eye for pretty clothes, cheer-leading tryouts, boyfriends.

I would have had no idea what to do with a boy. So it was amazing to me that somebody my peer was finding this preschool male experience fun, stimulating, exciting. And her words came back full force when our daughter later presented us (one at a time) with two grandsons.

Yup, little boys in our lives for sure. We figured out what to do with them one day at a time, often following their parents’ lead, and praying a lot as well.

It was important then, and it is important now, to remember that these boys, and all children for that matter, have an infinitely wise and caring Father-Mother who looks after them, gives them wisdom to discern between good and bad, gives them good and productive ideas and the desire and ability to follow through with these ideas.

Case in point. The other day when asked if he felt older, the nine-year-old thoughtfully replied, “I don’t feel older; I just feel more responsible.”

In fact, he really is showing more self-restraint and consideration for others. And no doubt there was a conversation with a parent somewhere behind that statement. Boys grow up in very good ways, day by day.

His second-cousin is fourteen. As I was ready to leave the Christmas gathering this evening, he saw I had too many bags for one trip. “Would you like help carrying these out to the car?” he offered.

“Sure would!” I replied smiling inside and out.

Boys grow up, day by day. And it shouldn’t be amazing, but it is a wonderful thing to see responsibility in the form of thoughtfulness and caring replacing the stereotypes.

I second Kim’s statement of years ago, amended slightly. “Boys are so much fun, and they are amazing as well.”

Hippo gratitude

It’s always thrilling to me to see limiting assumptions shattered by an occasional exception to the rule.

Especially when that exception springs from love.

Jessica and her family are one of those exceptions.

Click Here for video

Hope you enjoy this romp into the unexpected.

Dogs - partners in play

The Bible doesn’t have much to say about dogs. That could be because the ancient Hebrews didn’t have much use for them. So we must look elsewhere.

Hearts are good. If we look in our hearts, we find that dogs are wonderful companions, ego builders, comforters, buddies, partners in play.

I recently viewed an old 8mm movie of my childhood dog, Cappy. Wherever the kids walked or biked or played (and in those days we did all three - usually outdoors), Cappy was there, participating. He was one of the family, and he felt loved and needed.

Well, here’s a youtube of a 21st century dog -- hanging out with the kids. Who says animals are not intelligent?

Just double click on the arrow in the middle of the photo.




Do you have a dog story you'd like to share?

Never trapped

"The Gingerbread Man" story comes to mind. The rascally cookie dashes away from those who care most about him, sprints from others who clearly want to eat him, and ultimately trusts a con artist who cunningly manipulates the tasty treat to achieve his own goal. The carefree little cookie ends up in the tummy of that foxy fox.

The Gingerbread Man is a secular version of the Prodigal Son - except in Jesus’ account, the son comes to his senses before it’s too late, repents of his foolishness, and is welcomed safely home by a caring Father. A happy resolution is so Jesus.

A friend once told me, “Christ always finds a way to go forward.” Christ is never stuck in a corner.

Sometimes we are faced with two bad choices. Sometimes we have to pick the least bad of the two, and keep moving in the direction of least bad choice. It can feel cumbersome, but if we’re faithful in making the best choice available, progress will be steady.

More often, if we can find it, there is a third less obvious, but clearly inspired, choice that comes from sitting down with an open heart and asking that Higher Power variously called God, Truth, Father, Mother, Allah, “What shall I do? What do you want me to do? How can I be of service today?”

When asked from a quiet and honest heart, answers come. This is my sense of Christ speaking to us when we are ready to hear. Sometimes we may not like what we hear because it goes contrary to our “wants.”

I’ve gone kicking and screaming in the “right” direction many a time. When we are willing to follow that answer (with or without the kicking and screaming) the very action of courageous choice lifts the burden of indecision and reaches out to bless others.

Those obstructing mental walls somehow dissolve as we forge out of self-centeredness into participating in God’s good plan.

Even if ignorance, carelessness, or self-will has launched us pell-mell into trouble, Christ always has an alternative.

A time to dance, and a time to be quiet

Ellen is a trooper. She’s the mother of a guy I dated in Junior High, and we’ve stayed in touch these many years. We went to an indoor concert last week

The catch is that we weren’t quite sure what we were getting into, only that it would be different. A lively and delightful Cuban Salsa band invited the audience to dance in the space between the stage and where the seating began.

We totally enjoyed watching the dancing. I counted 32 couples just before intermission. These included what appeared to be grandmas and sons, dads and daughters; a family with children dancing enthusiastically; there were couples with polished moves, and people just having a good time.

Ellen and I struggled with the volume issue though. In case you’re wondering, it was REALLY loud. So in spite of the joyous dancing, we left at intermission.

So what did we learn from this experience? We learned to be adventurers. To push beyond our comfort zones. We succeeded in looking for the good. We found we could have a happy evening together in spite of the volume. We also discovered that it was good to know when it was time to leave.

While the instruments drowned out even the singer, which we found odd, we heard quieter messages that united our hearts in companionship for the evening.

That’s not so different from everyday life. Sometimes the volume or the momentum of the day would try to upstage or push aside the inner stillness that speaks to our hearts and restores our peace. It’s important to know when to step aside and find that quiet space that challenges the rush and noise.

It’s also important to know that we CAN step aside. It’s in that quietude that balance is restored, perspective broadens, alternatives appear. Claiming our special space is as old as civilization.

Christ Jesus called it prayer. And he advised that the best way to hear what God is telling us is by going into the closet and shutting the door – closing out all distractions.

Not a bad idea.

Respect for life - even when it's homely

I guess it’s a Chicago area phenomenon, the 17-year cicadas. They have been singing to us, in some areas VERY loudly, for over 3 weeks now.

My friend, Marge, has been teaching her boys respect for life with these small alien things – which have the disadvantage of not being beautiful. They do not hurt people or other animals. They are not skillful flyers. This failing makes them easy to catch, mid-air delicacies for dogs, squirrels, seagulls and anything else that’s hungry.

We peer at each other as these six-legged wonders tickle their way up my arm. Perhaps they do not think I am so pretty either.

The frenzied decibals of the early June mating calls are already diminishing. Soon they will be silent 17-year memories. What’s to be learned from these infrequent visitors?

I think Marge has it right. To give us human beings a gentle opportunity to step away from the fear and arrogance whose tendency is to destroy anything that’s different; to appreciate and value uniqueness; to teach children the fathering qualities of compassion and curiosity, and the importance of protecting the helpless.

-----------------------------------------------
The one Spirit includes all identities.

God is the Life, or intelligence,

which forms and preserves the individuality

and identity of animals as well as of men.

This creation consists of the

unfolding of spiritual ideas and their identities,

which are embraced in the infinite Mind

and forever reflected.

Mary Baker Eddy
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About cicadas

Helping adult children find their paths

Here's a reply from Rob's mom (See "Trusting your intuitions," June 6 post) -- which is so humble, so earnest, so wise, it deserves its own space.

_____________________________

One of my standpoints as a Christian Science mother has always been:

I don't know what God is working out for my children or what human path they should choose, as I am not their real Father-Mother, the All-knowing.

So I turn to God at every opportunity to ask Him if and how I can help my children, remembering He has a much better plan than I could ever come up with.

I know that I don't have to pray that God will give ME the answer as to what I should tell them. I say to them (now as adults) that I have no idea as to what they should do or what God is telling them, but I certainly can help them discover what that is! And most of the time, it seems to work pretty well!

A final note--I think that when they call, if I say "well, here's what I think..." that kind of conversation won't go far and they may stop calling.

I often find my best approach is to ask them low-key questions about how the decision they are wrestling with will affect various aspects of their lives, and let them reason out the answers as I listen. And then encourage their best answers.

I hope that the way that I handle it, I will still keep getting the calls and we'll keep the lines open so we both learn.

________________________________________

This sounds like a mom who has learned how comfortably God mothers both her and her children. What do you think?

Families are for caring

Significant day

Recently I was an honored guest at an eight-year-old’s First Communion. He was well aware of the significance of this special occasion, and basked in the approval of teachers, peers, and family as he accepted God into his life.

The priest’s sermon extolled family. He told us that what we do is more important than what we say – a wonderful launching point for discussing the many opportunities parents have for character building by example. But the sermon took a different direction – that parents should not just talk about church, but actually bring the children to church. He said at their church they were all one family who cared for each other.

His words struck me as a worthy aspiration for every church family – to care for one another.

I immediately thought of my own church family – of individuals who are hunters and gatherers. They hunt for those who need nurturing, and gather them into their arms – literally and figuratively. They find ways to include them and to make them feel useful and appreciated.

I’m not real good at that, so those who spot and utilize these opportunities for compassionate caring hold a special place of awe approaching sainthood in my heart.

There are other unsung saints as well. One church member just donated a kidney to a high school classmate who was having trouble finding a match. Would every Christian Scientist do this? Probably not. But it was his way of being family to a stranger who had now become a friend. It was incredibly selfless, compassionate, and generous. He says simply that Christian Scientists and doctors share a common goal – healing. And the donation was his contribution.

Every family should be known for such caring for one another.

Happy Mothering Day

Everyone can mother

In the United States, Sunday May 13 is observed as Mother's Day - where everyone has a special opportunity to honor their mothers. Many families get together today, just for this purpose. But - what if our mom is no longer here? Or what if we don’t happen to be a mom? Or what if we aren’t able to appreciate our mom? Are we doomed to aloneness?

It can still be a happy mothering day -- a day about what we have to give and can share, rather than about what we do not have. Every one of us can, and need to, express the essential qualities of mothering.

Single dads may be most in tune with this fact. They find they can comfort, nurture, nourish, cook, do laundry, as well as coach soccer without sacrificing their manhood. In fact this kind of no-apology-mothering -- being and doing the things normally associated with moms -- enhances genuine manliness, rounds out the full character of what it means to be a dad.

So whether you are a man or a woman, whether you are mothering goldfish, cats, dogs, nieces or nephews, grandchildren, neighborhood kids – rejoice in these opportunities.

Have you ever thought of God as your mom and the source of all the mothering you have ever done or seen?

Like as a mother, God comforteth His children;

Comfort is calm, that bids all tumult cease;

Comfort is hope and courage for endeavor,

Comfort is love, whose home abides in peace.
Maria Louise Baum

Whoever you are, the whole world needs your mothering, and you have something special and unique to give.

Family

“God sets the solitary in families.” These comforting words fit -- whether we are praying for AIDs orphans in Africa, the displaced and endangered in Darfur, or anyone who feels lonely or insecure.

Willing, grateful, happy and generous hearts somehow attract similar companions. Yet even those who are still learning that kindness and appreciation are their true nature, are loved and cherished by their Maker.

I’ve found it really helpful to lean on God’s love as my first, last, and primary relationship. I lean on Him/Her in the middle of crowds. And when I’m alone it’s always instructive and comforting, and sometimes exciting to listen for the input of universal Truth.

A friend took the initiative to be part of a family. She prayed first to ask God how better to praise and honor Him/Her. She then decided to begin the process of adopting a child from another country. Each step was successful, and eventually she brought her baby girl home. In the several years since she has blossomed by sharing her happiness and humor one-on-one as a single mom.

And if you are already part of a family, appreciate it. Family is special. It’s amazing how far a little honest appreciation and praise goe to make family relations even more pleasant. And if we're looking for them, the opportunities are there.

Man is the family name
for all ideas, — the sons and daughters of God.

Someone sent a great news video of a Canada goose who thinks she's part of a human family. Dan adopted her when she was a fuzzy orphan gosling. Apparently she imprinted on him. She and the beagle and Dan are family. Two and a half years later, she has resisted the call of the wild to stay with her human family. They go boating together, play together, relax together.