Random Thoughts

Miracles ARE all around us! I just read this from a friend of mine in Texas. I had to share this awesome news!

Daniel Beckworth wrote:

It dawned on me the other day that many people have no clue about some old customs of the road.
  It used to be when a driver signaled to merge to the next lane, many people would flash (on, off) their headlights to let the driver know that they were clear to merge over. It was most common place with big rig drivers yet many other drivers did it also.
  When you drove down roads less traveled or smaller 2 lane (one lane each direction) roads, when a driver passed you from an on coming direction you might see them give you a "Hi" sign. Simply holding up an open hand or the fore finger pointing up, a way of acknowledging that they see you. When one travels down dirt roads this too is a common old timer custom. I personally find it  a little silly that some clubs or drivers of particular vehicles (jeeps)  think they created the "Hi" sign, when in fact it dates back to the days of the horse drawn wagons.
  On the flip side I recently noticed a new sign, when there is a caravan traveling on dirt roads the first driver will often hold up a number of fingers noting how many vehicles in his or her party. The last car often holds up a hand in the shape of a zero to let you know that that vehicle is the last in that party.
 When driving down those same roads mentioned previously, don't tailgate, if your in the lead and you have vehicles tailing you, pull off the to the shoulder to allow them to pass when it is safe to do so.
  Don't be surprised to see a vehicle pull off on the shoulder of the road and travel a ways before making a turn. It is not only a way to turn safely off the highway or roadway, it also helps to prevent accidents. When I was being taught to drive by my step father, if the on-coming lane was clear for more than a mile and we were making a left turn, we often would drive on the opposing side of the road to make our left turn. Again preventing accidents and being courteous.
  When traveling down dirt roads around rural homes, I was always taught to be polite and not tear up the roads for those who lived on then. Those people out in the middle of no-where depend and rely on the roads to be passable. My step dad always said, you never know, one of those residents lives may depend on that road being passable.
   Another courtesy in more rural areas is never to move through a closed gate to enter the property. It is customary to honk 2 polite beeps and wait for the residents to come outside. The residents will do one of three things; 1) motion for you to enter. 2) approach the gate, opening it for you, or 3) they will simply approach the gate or fence and speak to you through it.
  Having traveled many of these kinds of roads the majority of my life, I felt is was a good idea to pass on this little bit of old timer stuff to others.
 Safe travels!

 Having had a mother who passed away from side effects of Breast Cancer, I have been on the awareness campaign for some time now, to be truthful my mother and I had been on the campaign since the late 70's. Back then there wasn't the huge walks, Avon campaigns and pink ribbons everywhere.
  It really wasn't until Susan G Komen not only give to the cause to find a cure, to raise awareness, they also educate and arrange for people who could not afford to have mammograms preformed, preformed. They have made great strides to inform people that Beast Cancer is not just a woman's battle. Men and Boys have been diagnosed as well.

 Cancer is cancer is knows nothing of genders nor ages.

 My niece has joined an effort called "Not Just October". No, offense meant, it is my belief we have awareness months or certain times of the year for a reason. So that it remains important...Just like we wouldn't want Christmas all year long.
 It seems to me that once a person is diagnosed, it is not just an  October thing.  I have had/have many a friend who are battling breast cancer or whom have had it, that whenever I see something I think they would enjoy that honors their journey, or  that will aid in support for them, I share it with them all year round.

For myself it is not just an October thing.

  There are so many illnesses, mental diseases and other causes that deserve just as much celebration of awareness, my personal vote is to keep October Breast Cancer Awareness, but celebrate the survivors and those engaged in battle year round in a personal way.

 For those looking to pick up some Pink Ribbon Goodies, check out KC lights, Ford ink Ribbon Warriors, Avon, City of Hope and Susan G Komen. Just to name a few.

As the leaves fall off the trees they trigger many a memory. Some are really recent, some aren't. September begins a series of dates of meaningful people in my life. It seems always to be a time of great introspection, from now through the beginning of  November, there are anniversaries of births, and deaths that have affected me profoundly. 
 Birthday include my father, my oldest son and my best friend whose birthday was 9/11. Octobers birthdays are that of my mother, an Elder Tub, the Godfather of my children, John. 
 September is also a month of deaths, one on 9/3/14; another on  9/14/14; a few years back was the death of one of my education mentors Barbara Hall. Right around the corner is October, which floods my mind with fun memories of my mother and that of dear John, for it is also the month that he passed.
 It is a gray time, emotionally for me which tend to flow out through random writings.

Awaiting the seasonal winds to blow away some of the internal chaos, to gain clarity to enjoy the present that much more.
 Falling leaves, falling tears, tears of healing, tears of sorrow,  tears of joy.

 I cared very much about my mother when she died, yet it came down to money. My mother was cremated, it had never been discussed prior to her death. I choose from by following the patterns of the majority of  my mother's immediate family and cost effectiveness.
We brought our own container in which to place her ashes, we choose the cardboard box rather than the more expensive pine box. All in all, it still was a price out of our range. We borrowed the money to take care of what had to be done until we could sell some of her possessions.
My mother was in great debt even prior to her illness,it was a huge challenge to say the least.
 When it came to giving her a funeral or memorial, again to do so in what has become an expected way, would have cost us more of what we did not have at that time.
 Through the help and guidance of  many a dear friend we came up with a plan. We picked my mother's favorite place to spend time. It happened to be a park that had a stream with ducks, an annual pow-wow that she loved to attend, great times with old friend, family, and lots of trees.
  I got word to family and friends, I gathered up photo albums, some subs from a local deli, some beverages, and paper goods. We sat at picnic tables under the trees and shared.
 There was no clergy, no official to over see. There was an out pouring of love, remembrances and support. Not many attended and that was good, for I knew there were those such as my husband who do not have it in them to attend such gatherings.
 I was adopted by my Sister Dee, her husband Del and her family, a honor I will always treasure.
  The service or ceremony if you will, ended with myself, my niece Chey, and my nephew Kota walking the streams barefoot and laughing.  A wonderful way to end the day!
I have never regretted this day nor the way we choose to celebrate my mother's life.
 
In today's world it seems that there is a status associated everything. How much we spend on gifts, how much we spend on homes, how much we spend on clothing, baby showers, weddings, even memorials and funerals.
 There is a notion that one must spend lots of money, for then in some circles it states how much you care about a person.

 Thanks to an Aunt for sharing with me that on Sept 3 a good soul was called home and I for one am grateful he is no longer in pain.
Each person has their own way of dealing with death, some sit by a sick and loved one day and night, offering support in a way they see fit. Other's run away as far as they can, yet a few can see the illness in its truth, the truth of it's end result, and are of the mind set to remember then they way they were.
 Are any of these ways wrong, no just different. We knew that one day this would happen, heck it happens to all of us eventually.
 Whether or not there is a funeral or a memorial, does not matter, at least for my immediate family, for we had said our good byes in our own way, the way of the spirit.
 As spiritual beings the petty drama that people create in the end really doesn't matter. What matters is seeing the larger picture, the times shared with that loved one in ways no one else has. For every person has their own special relationship and special moments with that one person who has crossed over. Not everyone will know everything,well except for the person who crossed over.
 So long good soul, so long.