March 18 - Day of Remembrance

Today is a day to remember, to cherish all that I have and to be grateful for the time I did have with my father.

Today was my Dad's birthday. He was only 49 when he died in 1972. Yet from him I learned so much.
I still remember the man who came to me at his funeral and said that he would miss my dad so much. This man was the caretaker at the bank and he told me how much my dad's interest and greetings meant to him each day. That was my father though - it did not matter what a person did. He treated everyone the same - from the president to the caretaker. And he did not suffer fools - whether the person was the president or the caretaker! No one was better than anyone else. Thanks Dad - that is a legacy I hope I have passed on to my children and the children I teach.



Chapter 10 of Gail Meekin's "12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women" hit a chord with me. I needed to be reminded that I do have much in my life - from husband and children, to friends and a job I love. Too often we don't take the time to appreciate those around us. We may dwell on what we don't have rather on what we do have. Grief over my Mom still has a hold on me - this blog, my 101 list, the people I am learning from, my baby steps into the art world - all are helping.
I have started my gratitude journal as mentioned by many people. It really puts into perspective how rich we are in love and intangible things.
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I left this post and came back -and in that time the news of Natasha Richardson's death was announced. How fragile is our time on earth. I am reminded of how important it is to live each day as if it is your last - tell your loved ones how much they mean to you, settle differences, do what you love.
Live, laugh, love - words to live by.