For this Gift of Life I have been given,
it is my responsibility to be useful and kind.
Here is one of my favourite poems: 


Outstretched Hand  

Each of us was made by God
and some of us grew tall.
Others stood out in the wind
their branches bent and fell.
Those of us who walk in light
must help the ones in darkness up.
For that's what life is all about
and love is all there is to life.

Each of us was made by God
beautiful in His mind's eye.
Those of us who turned out sound
should look across our shoulders once
and help the weak ones to their feet.

It only takes an outstretched hand.

~~ Rod McKuen -  Stanyan Street and Other Sorrows (1967)

for a while
to do something useful
enjoy myself
for the wings and beer
teach the next generation how to make borscht?

I don't think any explanation is needed. I'm wearing a purple tank top ;>)

F A B U L O U S !!!

The image is the front of the birthday card my daughter gave me this year. 
She knows that I have had  several brain attacks that left me with new lesions each time. I'm glad she thinks I am still fabulous.

I am happy with my life.  Recently a friend who I hadn't talked to in a long time, remarked at how happy I seemed.  "Are you reeeeeally that happy?" 

Well, hell yes! 
and grateful----
especially grateful.... 

Amazing Grace, by Wintley Phipps At Carnegie Hall, gospel singer Wintley Phipps delivers perhaps the most powerful rendition of Amazing Grace ever recorded. He says, "A lot of people don't realize that just about all Negro spirituals are written on the black notes of the piano. Probably the most famous on this slave scale was written by John Newton, who used to be the captain of a slave ship, and many believe he heard this melody that sounds very much like a West African sorrow chant. And it has a haunting, haunting plaintive quality to it that reaches past your arrogance, past your pride, and it speaks to that part of you that's in bondage. And we feel it. We feel it. It's just one of the most amazing melodies in all of human history." After sharing the noteworthy history of the song, Mr. Phipps delivers a stirring performance that brings the audience to its feet! 

http://www.karmatube.org/
 

	In a rare interview with PBS, Wintley Phipps shares more about his journey.
	Learn about the connection between "Negro Spirituals" and the history of African Americans.
	Do some research into your own past and discover the music of your roots!

WhoooHoooo! this one made me laugh.  Hope you enjoy it too.

RealQuestion? Is there such a thing? a question is only an inquiry based on observation or belief.  WHAT IS THE INTENTION? - do you really want to know? or are you trying to bring up a subject to discuss, or just making conversation, or......

Whether you are the asker or askee, there will be a motive of some sort:
--what's the weather forecast for tomorrow?
- do you believe in God
- are you going to do the dishes?
- when are you going to grow up and take responsibility...?

After my brain injury, I took every question at face value.  I could not read tone of voice and  facial expression.  So the question, "Mom, are you going to do the dishes?" became a puzzle when my son asked me.  We were sitting in my living room having coffee, and he asked me that.  I was confused.  Why was he mentioning dishes?  Dishes were in the kitchen.  Did he mean am I going to do them NOW?  I wasn't because we were here talking.  I was wracking my brain trying to figure out an appropriate answer.  Time was passing and I wasn't coming up with anything.  I became stressed. 

So it turns out, that my son  really wanted to know if I wanted him to either help me do the dishes, or else he would do them if I wasn't going to in a reasonable (?) time period (?) that existed in his mind.  But I know that only  in retrospect-- after he explained it all to me.  Which took a lot of time listening and figuring out again.
Why not ask me directly? - do you want me to wash the dishes now/help you wash the dishes now?  Then I could have answered yes or no and it would have been very simple.

Maybe real questions are the ones that can be answered with words like  Yes, No, 
Maybe, I Don't Know.....hahhaha like how often is THAT going to happen! or "I think  it's going to rain tomorrow, but I could be wrong", 

Maybe  a Real Answer t is more crucial than a real question.... but who can judge?
I don't know ;>)