The Subject of Life

I always knew life wasn’t easy.

But I honestly thought that….in time, it would become easier. Better. More.

That was my first memory I had on the subject, before I even understood what a subject was. I was so young, too young to be thinking of such things. Yet, there I was. Then at age ten, I grew excited because as I looked around at people I just felt if I had to struggle, at least by the age of 50, or there about, that was when the better life would start to come together. It began as a thought and turned into a goal. All I had to do as the days passed so harshly was to keep right on working for it would lead me toward that better life with each passing year.

I don’t know why I had came to that conclusion at such a young age but it kept a goal alive for me to strive for. I never lost sight of that. It kept me going during the worst of times. I just knew…my day would come.

50 came and went. I told myself, there is no time schedule, per see. Then, 51, 52, 53…………..
…………I guess I am a dreamer.

I suppose….in a small way….it came true. One of the happiest years of my life was when I turned 50. I had hit the prime of my life. I was younger than I ever had been before. I was soaring in euphoria of my own making.

And, as each year passed after that with both up’s and down’s…….I came down out of the clouds for the most part. Well, maybe one foot pointed toward the ground these days.

Even a Dreamer needs to find a base to build from.

The Day is Dawning

The night is welcoming with its peace and silence. It is the best part of a day. There are no outside sources demanding my attention. My mind is clear and free to wander from this moment to the next or slip into a memory.

Memories can be difficult. They can bring a tear for yearning what was or a tear for what you wish you could forget.

Mostly the night’s darkness gives way to light your future. This is where my thoughts usually lay. Wondering how to get from here….to there.

Can I change my course? Does destiny wait for me to find my path? There are so many paths, why am I unsure which is the right path for me? If I make a mistake, if I choose wrong, can I turn around and backtrack? Why isn’t the way lit so I would know for sure? Why is there so much uncertainty in life?

I swore as a child that I would never again ask ‘why’. It is fruitless to ask. There are no answers to be heard. The only answer is within you, how you come to terms with whatever the situation is. It is what it is.

So as the night moments begin to disappear and the light of day just begin to filter in I know that the sounds of life will soon be heard. The silence will be broken as the birds chirp, softly in the distance at first, until others wake and join the chatter. Car engines will roar or a dog will bark, and the sound of a school bus making its stops all will assure me that another day is upon us.

I have survived another night and have been granted a new day. A new day with a clean slate. Mine to fill.

Made In America!

I was very happy to see this recent article and slide show about companies that still produce in the United States, including Harley-Davidson, GE, Caterpillar, and Brunswick produces sleek pleasure crafts. I cannot leave out the Hershey Company, with my favorite Hershey Kisses! (Don't tell my Dad I said that, he worked for 42 years at Nestle, a faithful employee who would never dream of buying anything except Nestle! Sorry Dad.)

Although some of these companies do also produce in other countries, they did not close production here, instead they expanded to other countries. That is what I like to hear.

Click on the Title above to view the article. Also, here are two more links of interest, "You can still buy American" and "How to buy American".

Happiness is...

Are you happy? Could you be happier? Is happiness with you everyday or does it slip in and out of your life? Can anyone be happy everyday or are they refusing to see reality and living in a fantasy world 24/7?

What about the tough times? A death of a loved one or the loss of career both can be devastating but were you able to see the rainbow through your tears?

When my sister, Joyce, died unexpectedly while pregnant I thought the world had stopped. I wanted the world to stop! Yet, when her husband said he picked out a pair of jeans for her to be buried in, my sister, Betty-Jo made the comment, "Oh good, she was dying to get into her jeans!" We all gasped and our eyes bugged out of our heads for about ten seconds; and then, we laughed and laughed. Tears streamed down our faces but we were laughing. Joyce would have thought that was funny, too...if she was beside us. She might have been the one who made the comment herself.

So, there is laughter even in death, its hides mostly, but it will resurface at odd times. Then one day, you will laugh again and not feel gulity to be happy.

I loved Joyce, she was my big sister and to me, she was perfect. She was sweet, kind and lovable. Its been twenty years but the tears flow at the thought of her. Strange isn't it? But that is how it goes.

Joyce brought me happiness and for that I am forever grateful and I smile.

I learned something from her death, I learned that I have to live and enjoy whatever I can before death knocks at my door. And, it will.

Happiness is.......more than a single aspect of life. It is...uh...how you perceive your world and how you pull yourself back together after life kicked you in the teeth.

Happiness is...laughter. It is fun. It is loving and joing others. It is...having a connection with those you love and knowing they are there for you during the worst of times. Happiness is sharing 'this' moment.

Check out this video clip about a research group of young men who agreed to be part of a study for the rest of their lives. These men are now in their 80's and what the study discovered about Happiness. What do you think?