Possible Adoption, Nursing Home Visit

I am so glad the weather is finally getting warmer! Nothing makes me smile like sunshine.

The weekend was great but I have some good and bad news to share. A really sweet 5 year old friend of mine may be up for adoption this upcoming month.

I was blessed to have met her and she is an amazing source of strength. I have mentioned her before, but she has also lost her hands and legs due to a staph infection that led to menegitis. She is very strong willed and always smiling. Amazing how she has even helped me!

I had dinner with her and her foster mom this weekend as they told me the news. I am happy for her but sad for me. Everyone needs to experience a little child such as this. She has provided me an outlook that is so sweet. Wish for her the best as she has a life that will be challenging and she has only just begun.

I spoke at a retirement community this weekend and had such a great time. The room was filled with the biggest hearts. Each time I do this I am opened to others and their experiences and learn more and more.

I had a lady tell me that she had lost her daughter and how she saw parts of her in me. Wow, we had a wonderful chat! The best compliment of the day came from a lady that walked up to me and said "Honey, I didn't hear a word you said but I sure enjoyed watching you!"

Now if that didn't make me laugh out loud! She was quickly told by a friend to bring her hearing aids next time.

No matter if people are listening or not, they are watching. Lead by example. It's what you do when nobody is watching that counts. Have a great day!

Love,
Jen

Do We Create the Journey or Does the Journey Create Us?

This post is long over due and thank you to all who sent me emails reminding me of that! Seriously, what would I do without you.

I have learned a lot about myself through life and the journey I am on, but I've always questioned karma and natural life occurrences. Meaning, are we creating our journey by the things we do and say or do the things we do and say create us?



I pose this question because of the experiences I have had the past few weeks. I have met the first lady, finally found a house, been asked to help make a park handicap accessible, am starting a foundation, been asked to speak a few times and am understanding communication better and better. All of this, however, is because of the people around me and those that have helped create this journey.

But, how is this being done? I truly believe that if this had not happened to me and I had not had seen my friends and family go through what they have emotionally, I would not have encountered the spiritual and emotional substance I have obtained. I am now learning and allowing myself to be guided. It's a combination.

The one piece of my journey that has been difficult to understand is having so much to share but not having my grandfather to share it with. For some reason, God was ready for him sooner than we were ready to let go. He was always in my corner and I do so much today with him in my mind. He was a very smart determined person who raised such a great family. He made every holiday so fun and would always laugh at your jokes, good or bad. He was my rock in so many ways.

I often think of how he would handle everything that I have gone through and it makes me work harder and harder everyday. I think he is always around pushing and encouraging me and giving me that confidence I need at times. He would not allow me to be "down" for very long because he always believed that life had too much to offer.

I have used my frustration, confusion and, at times, sadness, as a way to examine myself and find my strengths. I have found more life in my life, than I ever had before. I am happy to have had such an outstanding role model in my grandfather and happy that he is still helping me create my journey.

Don't stop! Find that person or thing that gives you presents with their presence alone. Life will blossom before you know it. We do influence our journey. Think about your choices, you never know when you may need someone.

Love,
Jen

The Jayhawks & Officially Back to Work

Before I get started, I just want to send a shout out to KU (where Dr. Naismith first invented basketball) for winning the NCAA Championship. Because of this, my brother had the day off from school today!

What a great present to give your fellow classmates and supporters. An executive decision made by those whom (I’m going out on a limb here) thought long and hard about the attendance that would not be in today’s classes anyway?

So, for those who don’t already know, I have returned to the day to day thing people like to refer to as “work”. It’s been great to see so many familiar faces. I held a new title/position for 24 hrs. before becoming ill. So, you can understand my hesitancy in coming back.

But, it’s all good, I have requested a massage every hour to reduce my stress!! Seriously, it’s been one year since I had to talk about contracts and deadlines and figure out how to send a fax (face up/face down?). And our new phone and e-mail system? Wow! I started out with a little over 3,000 e-mails to welcome me back.

My next project? Inventing an object that will start laughing really loud when your email box hits over 99 emails then saying “can no longer process, do it yourself.”

So, how do I do things at work? I have been very successful at taking advantage of my now “prime” parking spots, walking straight up to a door that opens for you (even if you’re having a bad day, this can make you smile) taking a few steps to the elevator and up I go.

I know I have work to do, but I’m trying to tackle the vending machines and figure out how to recruit a Starbucks delivery person (I might put an add on Craig’s list and see what develops). I work within walking distance of Starbucks so I’m constantly feeling taunted!

Wish me luck and I’ll touch base in a few days!

Love,
Jen

Allison, Jack & Faith

If there is determination in this world, it's definitely in these three! Remember Allison, the sea turtle named after a tourists daughter who found her?

I have wondered about her and apparently the flippers are still being researched but what I thought was touching was that she has to push her now 10 lb body off the bottom, just to breathe.

And she is having difficulty swimming, as anyone would. Three flipper turtles can return to the sea but only having 1 reduces her chances of survival. If your interested, you can donate to the flipper fund at Sea Turtle Inc.

And the dog? Well, let me introduce you to Jack. He has an incurable nerve disease that started to paralyze his hind legs. But wait, not to worry. Eddie's Wheels has it covered!

How cool that we can provide a wheelchair to the best animals. They even have snow skis! Truly amazing. Also, don't forget Faith, the two-legged dog in the video below!



It just takes a few people who care to make someone feel like they are worth a million dollars. I have been officially back to work this week with some pretty amazing cards, hugs and genuine friendship!

Just take a minute to care. Really, really care! Find that "thing" that comforts your heart and watch the rainbows appear.

Love,
Jen