Adventure

I felt the need for some adventure this week. Travel is always an adventure and I've been doing a lot of it. Plane, Trains, Automobiles, Buses, Light Rails..... I haven't taken a boat yet, but that can easily be arranged. There is something about travel that is so "adult". Managing schedules, getting to locations, figuring out what to do when you get lost. All part of it.
I think it is the excitement and anticipation that can be invigorating or a little anxiety producing. I used to LOVE to fly. I don't as much anymore, I think the anxiousness takes over and there are so many more hoops than air travel pre 2001.
I'm disciplining myself to travel with my passport every time I get on a plane so I am ready for anything that comes up. This week it was handy. I decided to head to Vancouver to see the city while hosting the Olympics. I'm sure it was decorated for the event and I want to return when it has gone back to what ever normal is for Vancouver. But, it has wonderful architecture, a nice waterfront, friendly people, and an air of sophistication about it. It certainly is in a beautiful setting with the mountains all around.
The travel by train, the Olympic atmosphere, the excited activity in the area, and lovely vistas made for a terrific adventure. I'm so glad I went, though at one point I did ask myself "What are you thinking?"
I'm mindful as I get older that adventures are rewarding and worth the twinge of nervousness associated with them.
I wonder what adventure is in store for me today in Seattle?

Fun!

Birthdays are fun! I had a blast celebrating mine, two sons' and grandson's yesterday. The really great thing is that I truly feel everyone had FUN! Family events, at least with my family, can be touch and go. Kindness and courtesy always-but, I think fun was the word of the day. They not only dutifully participated in craft-making but would have done even more of it if I'd bought more supplies! Who'd have guessed? Ezra was the main do-it-yourself tye dye cupcake decorator and did two! He only ate the top half of the second. I love his mismatched socks. You can't go wrong with some chalkboard fabric for a tablecloth, some gel icing and white iced cupcakes, a little polymer clay and some chili.
Mindful of how important fun is-I tend to take life a little seriously. I can't wait for the next birthday!

Love, Love, Love

Valentine's Day is just a recognized reason to share the LOVE! I'm all about it and probably don't express it nearly enough. I'm planning to spend more time DOING it this year. Hoping to get all of the family that is available next Saturday at my house for a big Birthday and Valentine's celebration. My two sons, grandson, their paternal grandmother, and I have birthdays between the end of January and the end of February and then there's Valentine's Day. Hope you are spreading some love today.
It's really what life's all about and the more you give away the more you get in return. Do something loving for someone today-you'll be glad you did.
Happy Valentine's Day!

Down to the River to Pray

It was an emotional day for the Knopfs, friends and family yesterday as we said a formal goodbye to Bill. As with all families there are some strained relationships that are forced to cross paths at times like these. Awkward moments and rehashing of "should I have said or should I have done" add to the emotion, too.
I was very proud of my children for having the desire to sing and the incredible courage in the midst of their grief to stand up in front of a couple of hundred people to do something for their relatives and to honor the memory of their grandfather.
I am mindful of the incredible power of love today and my heart overflows with it for them.

It's the little things

This is an update on my Loose Change the World endeavors and spreading some love with my free printables from Kind Over Matter.
I put together some things to carry in my purse. It is a challenge to do this unobserved. I left a card at the bank Friday and the card and change in the change holder at the grocery today. It was fun! How about you, spread any love lately? Mindful of the fun of giving things away and brightening someone's day with a surprise.

Heartbroken

I am mindful of the heartbroken feeling when losing a loved one today. Amy is on her way home again to be with her family. The boys are so very sad. A day which should celebrate Eric's birth into this world is dimmed by the loss of his "Pop". Heartbroken for them and all who loved Bill Knopf. He was a man who lived life well, who knew who he was, and loved generously. I was lucky to know him and to be with him and Shirley yesterday.

I love this anonymous poem and it comes to me when someone I love dies.

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there, I did not die. - - Anonymous.

Sweet peace, my friend, I see you even now in the glint of the fallen snow.

It's All About the Love

I can remember when our current pastor came all of the video and info about him and his ministry contained a theme that I held as true. I would look at my two good friends and at the end of any meeting or conversation regarding his pastorship and we would say aloud to each other and smile-"It's all about the Love". And, it is really. Whenever I think of what I'll leave this world and those in it, it all comes down to that-Love. It is the part that stays.
I reminded my daughter of that as she cried over leaving her grandfather for what will most very likely be the last time. His love for her, which has partly made her who she is and who she will be to others, will still be floating around the earth long after he is gone through those he loved. And while she always thought he would know her children and they-him, in a way they will through her. He has been her father figure-dependable, strong, challenging, accepting, safe and wise. He has been the longest, older male relationship she has had in this family full of women. She has only aunts and only one uncle by marriage that she has been close to and he has always lived out of town.
And, too, my friend Sue's blog also brought this to mind today. So, I have decided to make regular post on this blog about loose change and what I am doing with it to spread love and hope on a regular basis. You can read about one woman's mission here-
Loose change the world
Mindful of love today.
Wanna spread some?