SanTanValley.com

Gosh,

I wrote the following in October of 2011.  Almost to the day of my year anniversary.....of becoming a Step Mother to 4 young children.  A set of triplets, now age 10.  And a (now age) 12 year old.  I think my reasoning behind posting this on this particular day is in honor of all of you Mother's out there.  Just remember that anyone can be a mom, but it takes a certain someone special to be a Mother.  I hope you'll take note in all the energy I put into this.  I'd really be curious to hear your take on such...energy.  I'll give you a hint.  I'm trying to "draw" from a child. A letter which I never presented to them.

May your children bless you daily and may you embrace selfless laughter at their silliest stories.  Happy Mother's Day. 

Lessons If You Listen

The decision to surrender the rest of my body, mind and spirit unto this day was deliberate.  To sacrifice myself, in order to redeem someone else’s worth, will in the end prove healthy and hopefully we’ll soon see some changes in gratitude for my efforts.

I rarely ask from anyone anything in return.  However, this time I believe it would benefit both that are involved.  Give unto me as I’ve given unto you.  Present to me your awareness but no need to ask for my forgiveness.  Respect me even though you are a child.  Growing up in such a complex world even I can’t explain to you, nor understand.  But, that doesn’t justify unwarranted or unacceptable behavior.

Open up to me while continuing to be your self.  There is no need to hide behind walls or be the tough kid on the block.  Value yourself and really get to know your abilities and capabilities.  Take responsibility for your actions and feel good about it.  There should be no humiliation in digging deep.  So please do not try and take the easy way out for there is no easy way.  Trust in these words for I’ve lived them.  I’ve tried them.

The only reason I am writing to you this eve is because I genuinely care.  I am willing to be taken by the wind and be struck by the bolts of lightening that taunt me.  I have no problem with the mist cascading over my tired being and the thunder rolling loudly in my consumed mind if it gets us to where I wish we could be.  Some day.

The time is now if you wish for it.  Take control of your destiny.  Stop and think about what you are most likely taking for granted.  I have no problem explaining to you what I mean by that statement.  Please ask if you do not understand.  Finding the light in such dark circumstances has proof of challenges but if it were easy, everyone would do it.  Never give up on yourself.  Meet and greet your desires with a strong heart and structured mind.  Embrace each day and look at it as a blessing, not a right.  It’s a reward earned, it is not an award.  You are only deserving if you can thankfully and graciously receive constructive criticism, for it honestly is in your best interest.

Look, listen and feel.  Don’t continue to strive for mediocre.  You can be the best of the best and I know you feel this.  You simply don’t know how to achieve this, or most importantly convey it.  I’ll offer you this hint of advice.  It’s called work.  Everyday we are alive we are met with obstacles.  Everyday more from us is required.  Are you up for it?

The books, The Hunger Games (as well as Catching Fire & The Mockingjay) made me think that it’s not so far fetched that we aren’t living, fighting and playing these games ourselves.

Every day life presents us with feast or famine, obstacles and hurdles, mazes or miles and miles of clear, straight paths.  Whichever we decide to take will lead us into our destination.  Our fate of where we believe we belong.  A place we call home.  How, given the “Games” will we continue to manage our homes, furnishing them with all life’s necessities, especially the fuel for our bodies and minds in order to stay healthy and sane?

“Honesty, is such a lonely word
Everyone is so untrue” ~ Billy Joel

It has come to my awareness that this day is National Honesty Day.  First and foremost, as much as I dig Billy Joel I cannot accept, believe or even become a participant to and of those lyrics. 

I wrote this piece several years ago when I was working with alcoholics and drug addicts.  I read it at an open forum and received many tears and praise.  After reading it again years later I still believe in The Power.  You need not be suffering from an addiction or mental illness to get and feel my words.  I hope to reach the readers on many different levels and wish to release The Power within yourselves.  

I was having a random conversation this morning with my step daughter, Samantha Keefe. Because she is the only girl of 10 year old triplets amongst three brothers (two are her triplets and one is age 12), the thought of asking her, “How can you possibly focus at school or in life in general when you are amidst constant distractions?” This is what she said:

Have you ever gone in search of something but you don’t know exactly what that something is?  We do this commonly at home or otherwise, however this little game will provide us with subtle, encrypted codes and GPS coordinates.  Would you like to play a little game, people?

WARNING:  THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION MAY CAUSE PANIC, ANXIETY, CURIOUSITY, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE and COULD LEAD TO POSSIBLE OBSESSION, ADDICTION OR….BOTH.

As I was driving around San Tan Valley this day I was on a particular mission. I cannot go into detail about that mission because I plan on making another “Nuts & Bolts” story out of it. It was a sunny, not-too-hot-prior-to-noon morning and the coordinates in my GPS brought me down this rocky, dirt lined road where I happened upon…..this:

Some will beg to differ that a significant other can complete you.  I, however am not begging to differ.

We met twenty some odd years ago.  We worked together and had a strong friendship.  After about a year we lost touch.  Until….(fast forward to February, 2010.)