Hello Jan, I thought I was the only person who likes to walk through the graves, every time I go to Buenos Aires I stay near the Recoleta Cemetery and I love visiting it, I find so much history and art there.
Because of my work, as you can imagine, I always have moments of joy with the children, they make me bring out the child that lives in me and I really enjoy what I do. Hugs
Hi Elizabeth ~ I looked up the Recoleta Cemetery & it sounds like an awesome place to walk -- especially with all the history & monuments!!! My little cemetery is the last home (in Ohio) of the Wyandot Indians before the US Gov't moved them to a reservation in Kansas. That removal was called the Trail of Tears. There's still an Old Mission in the center of the cemetery that served as their church. I swear I feel their warrior strength there.
What a funny story. You have such a positive outlook! For most of my life laughter was a prominent part. My grandmother always said that "laughter is the best medicine," and in my early years we many "belly laughs" to the point of not being able to breathe. I miss that so much. What happened? My life seems to have done a 180 on me and I don't know why. I'm the same person and I do occasionally laugh to myself, but it seems people and the world have changed. People won't even look at each other let alone laugh. Anyway, I seriously cannot remember when I last had a good laugh, certainly not since the "pandemic." It so sad and it hurts to accept this "new normal." This ain't living, Jan.
Dear Philip ~ Most of my life I’ve been a happy person – with the regular challenges of life. I really liked my teaching career, but about 21 years ago I got a new principal – and he didn’t like me. I was shocked because up until then I had been popular with the students & the administration. That loss of respect started me on a year of depression. I swung between anger – wanting to “punch his lights out” and lethargy – trying to put one foot in front of another. I should have gone to a doctor or therapist to see if my depression was situational or clinical but out of pride I struggled by myself. I did journal every day – in the form of a letter to God. I tried to adopt a healthier lifestyle with better foods & more exercise. I knew intellectually that movement was one of the keys to relieving depression. I often wonder if I had a chemical imbalance & I would have gotten relief a lot sooner if I had taken some meds.
I think like grieving a death I got better when I started accepting what was. It felt like eternity grieving that loss, but one day in my letter to God the thought that I needed to retire emerged. It actually felt like 1000 pounds had been lifted off my shoulders. I felt lighter. I laugh now with friends that maybe my last ovary died. It was about that time in life when I was going through physical changes too.
I was no longer angry or fearful. I started looking forward to the future. Even though the world is a sucky place, there really is a lot of joy here. Retirement has turned out wonderfully. I have found so many places -- in my own little corner of the world -- to serve others with my talents. I surround myself with positive people & things. I have a personal mantra. I read a lot of inspirational, self-help books. I really like You Can’t Afford the Luxury of a Negative Thought from the LIFE 101 Series. I take at least one trip to Sanibel Island to rejuvenate in Nature each year. And, of course, I still talk to God.
Thanks for reading my blog. You're making a difference in my life. Good luck with finding a better normal. It's waiting for you! xoxo
What a beautiful post. I needed this so much! Thank you for taking the time to make my life brighter. There is hope and God willing, the future will be better. Oh, I really enjoy your writing so please keep sharing and making us laugh! Always the best, Philip
Coming back on here tomorrow to comment more. Hang in there! Keep the Faith! Laugh! The world certainly has changed, but God's still here. He's seen worse...
The reward of getting older is the ability to look back at situations in our lives and be able to laugh at ourselves. Although not familiar with Our Town. One of my favorites, Spoon River Anthology deals with the same concept of looking back at one's life. I admire your ability to see life through new eyes.
Roy -- Spoon River Anthology was part of our Jr. English curriculum every year. Loved it! "Our Town" by Thornton Wilder is played on a bare stage with no scenery or props. The actors portray everyday people & families going about their business -- while Emily watches from afar. It is very powerful.
I especially liked George Gray's character's epitaph in Spoon River Anthology. I have it saved somewhere and re-read it often. The Marion Palace theatre did a presentation of Spoon River Anthology. The audience sat in bleachers on the stage facing the seats and one by one the characters came out in costume and read their parts. I enjoyed that very much as well as a behind the scene tour of the theatre. I think it was about 20 years ago on Halloween.
Live, laugh and love. Someone said that. Oh...nothing can be truer. I laughed over a few videos I have seen lately. I saved them and replay them when I need to laugh. 😄😄
Jan~what a delightful read, yet, a needed reminder for living and laughing.
Laughter is good medicine and is an important part of our daily living. My soon to be 91 yr old mother lives with me and I am her caregiver. In her many visits with her heart doctor, he consistently tells her to make sure she is laughing at least once a day.
After making arrangements with one of my daughters to come and stay with her grandmother, I was able to travel and attend my 50th year high school class reunion.....Needless to say in those two days there was much laughter from our reminiscing, sharing and being together....it was fantastic medicine!!
Loved hearing your mom's doctor prescribed her laughter -a-day. Glad you had a great 50th reunion. Mine was good too -- no one trying to impress each other anymore. Hope you had a good laugh sometime today.
I wish!!! we got to know you better when we where neighbors , we would probably had a lot of laughs and stories to tell now! And you are correct! laughter is the best medicine !!!!! Love your stories
Hello Jan, I thought I was the only person who likes to walk through the graves, every time I go to Buenos Aires I stay near the Recoleta Cemetery and I love visiting it, I find so much history and art there.
Because of my work, as you can imagine, I always have moments of joy with the children, they make me bring out the child that lives in me and I really enjoy what I do. Hugs
Hi Elizabeth ~ I looked up the Recoleta Cemetery & it sounds like an awesome place to walk -- especially with all the history & monuments!!! My little cemetery is the last home (in Ohio) of the Wyandot Indians before the US Gov't moved them to a reservation in Kansas. That removal was called the Trail of Tears. There's still an Old Mission in the center of the cemetery that served as their church. I swear I feel their warrior strength there.
Wow, very interesting. I'm going to read about it.
I agree wisdom does come with age. Laughter is good medicine at something or yourself Life is to short not enjoy this ride we are on.
You are right Jan. Laughter is the best medicine. I do try and do that with family and friends. As often as possible. Thanks for sharing!
What a funny story. You have such a positive outlook! For most of my life laughter was a prominent part. My grandmother always said that "laughter is the best medicine," and in my early years we many "belly laughs" to the point of not being able to breathe. I miss that so much. What happened? My life seems to have done a 180 on me and I don't know why. I'm the same person and I do occasionally laugh to myself, but it seems people and the world have changed. People won't even look at each other let alone laugh. Anyway, I seriously cannot remember when I last had a good laugh, certainly not since the "pandemic." It so sad and it hurts to accept this "new normal." This ain't living, Jan.
Dear Philip ~ Most of my life I’ve been a happy person – with the regular challenges of life. I really liked my teaching career, but about 21 years ago I got a new principal – and he didn’t like me. I was shocked because up until then I had been popular with the students & the administration. That loss of respect started me on a year of depression. I swung between anger – wanting to “punch his lights out” and lethargy – trying to put one foot in front of another. I should have gone to a doctor or therapist to see if my depression was situational or clinical but out of pride I struggled by myself. I did journal every day – in the form of a letter to God. I tried to adopt a healthier lifestyle with better foods & more exercise. I knew intellectually that movement was one of the keys to relieving depression. I often wonder if I had a chemical imbalance & I would have gotten relief a lot sooner if I had taken some meds.
I think like grieving a death I got better when I started accepting what was. It felt like eternity grieving that loss, but one day in my letter to God the thought that I needed to retire emerged. It actually felt like 1000 pounds had been lifted off my shoulders. I felt lighter. I laugh now with friends that maybe my last ovary died. It was about that time in life when I was going through physical changes too.
I was no longer angry or fearful. I started looking forward to the future. Even though the world is a sucky place, there really is a lot of joy here. Retirement has turned out wonderfully. I have found so many places -- in my own little corner of the world -- to serve others with my talents. I surround myself with positive people & things. I have a personal mantra. I read a lot of inspirational, self-help books. I really like You Can’t Afford the Luxury of a Negative Thought from the LIFE 101 Series. I take at least one trip to Sanibel Island to rejuvenate in Nature each year. And, of course, I still talk to God.
Thanks for reading my blog. You're making a difference in my life. Good luck with finding a better normal. It's waiting for you! xoxo
What a beautiful post. I needed this so much! Thank you for taking the time to make my life brighter. There is hope and God willing, the future will be better. Oh, I really enjoy your writing so please keep sharing and making us laugh! Always the best, Philip
Coming back on here tomorrow to comment more. Hang in there! Keep the Faith! Laugh! The world certainly has changed, but God's still here. He's seen worse...
The reward of getting older is the ability to look back at situations in our lives and be able to laugh at ourselves. Although not familiar with Our Town. One of my favorites, Spoon River Anthology deals with the same concept of looking back at one's life. I admire your ability to see life through new eyes.
Roy -- Spoon River Anthology was part of our Jr. English curriculum every year. Loved it! "Our Town" by Thornton Wilder is played on a bare stage with no scenery or props. The actors portray everyday people & families going about their business -- while Emily watches from afar. It is very powerful.
I especially liked George Gray's character's epitaph in Spoon River Anthology. I have it saved somewhere and re-read it often. The Marion Palace theatre did a presentation of Spoon River Anthology. The audience sat in bleachers on the stage facing the seats and one by one the characters came out in costume and read their parts. I enjoyed that very much as well as a behind the scene tour of the theatre. I think it was about 20 years ago on Halloween.
Live, laugh and love. Someone said that. Oh...nothing can be truer. I laughed over a few videos I have seen lately. I saved them and replay them when I need to laugh. 😄😄
Great advice.
The way I remember you and your coworkers was always involved and having a good time. Trust me when I say that gets carried on!
Living in the moment requires us to acknowledge them as they come and I think that takes practice.
Good stuff!
Living & enjoying the present moment is definitely the key -- but throwing in a few good memories (which include you) is "icing on the cake." xoxo
Jan~what a delightful read, yet, a needed reminder for living and laughing.
Laughter is good medicine and is an important part of our daily living. My soon to be 91 yr old mother lives with me and I am her caregiver. In her many visits with her heart doctor, he consistently tells her to make sure she is laughing at least once a day.
After making arrangements with one of my daughters to come and stay with her grandmother, I was able to travel and attend my 50th year high school class reunion.....Needless to say in those two days there was much laughter from our reminiscing, sharing and being together....it was fantastic medicine!!
Thank-you for sharing!
Loved hearing your mom's doctor prescribed her laughter -a-day. Glad you had a great 50th reunion. Mine was good too -- no one trying to impress each other anymore. Hope you had a good laugh sometime today.
I wish!!! we got to know you better when we where neighbors , we would probably had a lot of laughs and stories to tell now! And you are correct! laughter is the best medicine !!!!! Love your stories
Barb ~ is this you?
Yes
You are showing up (posting) under MY name. I don't know how that happened. I was wondering if you can change that?
I’ll try, saw that also, couldn’t figure it out!!!!!
Don't worry! I'll just know it's you. xoxo