Remember Maddie James

Please visit this website to read about my daughter's friend who has said goodbye to her 5 year old Maddie. It is so sad to have to say goodbye to your child. Her mother, Kajsa and her father have created a foundation to donate on behalf of Maddie to the Ocean Institute in Dana Point for the new Seaside Learning Center. This was a favorite place of Maddie's. What a precious child, a life taken to early, but memories left that will last a lifetime.

http://maddiejamesfoundation.org/her-story/ 

You just have to Live

One of my favorite scenes from the movie, Tuck Everlasting, is when Tuck visits Winnie the summer she turned fifteen. He said to her, "Do not fear death, but rather the unlived life. You don't have to live forever....you just have to live." And she did.

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

If speaking to a spiritual novice during the darker days of human evolution, one might explain God, metaphorically, as if "He" were angry, testing, and judgmental.

To someone a bit more savvy, during easier times, one might explain God, metaphorically, as if "She" were always loving, nurturing, and forever conspiring on our behalf.

And to someone on the verge of a total breakthrough, during the latter days of human evolution, one might explain God by asking them to turn up the music, take off their shoes, walk in the grass, unleash the dogs, free the canary, catch a breeze, ride a wave, dance every day, get up early, take a nap, stay out late, eat chocolate, feel the love, give stuff away, earn it back, give some more, and laugh.... Really.

Really, really.

Catch a breeze,
The Universe

Red WIne, Dark Chocolate and Sadie cat

Nothing brings the peaceful state of BEING like a glass of red wine, dark chocolate and sitting on the couch petting a needy cat. That is where I found myself tonight. No phone calls, no working on projects. Just feeling the peace that petting a cat who is in need of purring. What satisfaction there is in that for me. I rescued three of my cats from a breeder who was not high quality. I feel my cats are lucky animals. I have a friend who has rescued Golden Retrievers and I see in her house the same love I have for my animals. How lucky these unsuspecting animals are to have been welcomed into a loving home. How my heart aches for animals who are less fortunate. Why are some animals chosen by people only to be chained up to protect their residence and spend a lifetime of being chained up, never knowing they are really loved. Do they even miss it?

Sadie, our “middle child” is the most timid and I had the realization today that maybe in some way, she senses that she doesn't get as much time as the others. We have Portia, who is 16 years old and sleeps most of the day. We have Lexi who is five and is like the alpha cat and who is very bonded with me. She sleeps up by my head every night. Sadie is four and is the loner. She meow's the loudest when she wants our attention. And her voice sounds so forlorn. Mini is the also four, but came to us at the same time as Sadie, rather under nourished and in need. We didn’t think she was going to make it, but now she is so attached to Papa (Jim) and loves to be groomed by him several times a day. Anyway, tonight I became aware that Sadie has her own special needs and when she is so vocal in the morning and is waiting for me to come into my studio to pet her on the couch, that she is in NEED. She loved all the attention she got tonight and I found it a blessing for me as well. Petting a cat makes you sit still for awhile after a busy day and reflect on how wonderful life is. Thank you Sadie for bringing me peace.

Thought for the week

Low days exist to remind you that you still have choices. High days, exist to remind you of how fast you rebound ... among other things. Boing, The Universe