Enjoy all the moments in life!

Day 20- Thankful for a weekend that was filled with moments that took my breath away. Seeing a once in a half century formation of the Aggie Band-Corps of Cadets at halftime and later in day the opportunity to spend time with people that had a profound effect on my career. 
What about all of the small things I over look on a daily basis? Today, I was given a rare gift of spending a few hours with a dear friend not seen often. I tried to embrace the "moments" such as listening instead of talking, thanking those helpful in the service industry and waiting for a young boy to dig deep in his pocket to count out change for prized item. Below is a story of a student that had a teacher using a moment in class to teach a life lesson "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." (author of this quote is not known)


MOMENTS THAT TAKE OUR BREATH AWAY by Linda Patton
I had a very special teacher in high school many years ago whose husband unexpectedly and suddenly died of a heart attack.
About a week after his death, she shared some of her insight with a classroom of students. As the late afternoon sunlight came streaming in through the classroom windows and the class was nearly over, she moved a few things aside on the edge of her desk and sat down there.
With a gentle look of reflection on her face, she paused and said, "Before class is over, I would like to share with all of you a thought that is unrelated to class, but which I feel is very important.
Each of us is put here on earth to learn, share, love, appreciate and give of ourselves. None of us knows when this fantastic experience will end. It can be taken away at any moment. Perhaps this is the powers that be way of telling us that we must make the most out of every single day."
Her eyes beginning to water, she went on, "So I would like you all to make me a promise. From now on, on your way to school, or on your way home, find something beautiful to notice. It doesn't have to be something you see it could be a scent - perhaps of freshly baked bread wafting out of someone's house, or it could be the sound of the breeze slightly rustling the leaves in the trees, or the way the morning light catches the autumn leaf as it falls gently to the ground.
Please look for these things, and cherish them. For, although it may sound trite to some, these things are the "stuff" of life. The little things we are put here on earth to enjoy. The things we often take for granted. We must make it important to notice them, for at any time...it can all be taken away."
The class was completely quiet. We all picked up our books and filed out of the room silently. That afternoon, I noticed more things on my way home from school than I had that whole semester.
Every once in a while, I think of that teacher and remember what an impression she made on all of us, and I try to appreciate all of those things that sometimes we all overlook. Take notice of something special you see on your lunch hour today. Go barefoot. Or walk on the beach at sunset. Stop off on the way home tonight to get a double-dip ice cream cone.
For as we get older, it is not the things we did that we often regret, but the things we didn't do. Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

The Ya Ya Sisters!

Day 17- I am thankful my Ya Ya sisters! Like most, I discovered the world of facebook a couple of years back and slowly friends and family were located. So fast forward to October 2009 when I get a friend request from childhood pal named Terri, I could not remember the last time we saw each other. We spent months messaging back and forth, trying to learn all about each other's lives across the miles and the years. Others from my childhood soon joined in the online mini reunion. Terri suggested we meet when I was in the area


during my summer visit to my parents.

Have to admit, I was a bit nervous as I drove up to her home, after all 30 years is a long time. My fears were erased as petite blond in heels ran to meet me and nearly knocked both of us over with a hug. As we sat and talked, it seemed neither the years nor miles mattered as we could have talked and laughed for days. During that fateful summer it seemed my childhood was coming back to life as Robyn, Lynda and others welcomed me with open arms. It was hard to leave them behind and move to the big city when I was in Junior High but that was the hand dealt and now I was cashing in my chips for holding onto the right cards.

The four of us used facebook to keep with each other's lives, compare notes on our separate 30th HS reunions that summer and just laugh at each other. We soon added a fifth member of the group, Pauline. Seems all we were missing was a good old fashioned slumber party.


We have just completed a year of birthday celebrations for each sister( no matter what) and a few slumber parties. Since Terri is the oldest or should I say first on the calendar, so she earned a surprise Birthday party. Months of planning, sweating out the details and some small white lies to keep her guessing...the greatest surprise was done! The Ya Ya sisterhood was formed and we had our first Queen of the Ya Ya's- title given the month of your celebration, she quickly proclaimed herself Queen Forever...yea, whatever!

The past year has been more than slumber parties, wine tasting or matching shirts. We are there for each for in times of celebration and in the hour of need. We have held each other in great sorrow as a loved one passed or sat bedside at the hospital praying for one's health to improve. We have formed a bond that started in 1st grade and will last a lifetime. This sisterhood is unique as its members. I am so blessed and comforted to call this group my "sisters" : Terri-our most generous, humorous and compassionate one and loves to hug the stuffing out of you. Since she is the go to gal for every non profit charity or committee ever formed she feels she has earned an honorary medical degree, we just humor her by calling her Dr.!

Lynda- our outspoken member and one of the nicest folks you will ever meet. You want her on your side if someone did you wrong because she will have your back. She has the voice of an angel and truly knows everyone in town!

Robyn- our cheerleader and is one of the the funniest story teller I have ever know. She is loved by so many because she is an excellent educator and touched so many lives.


Pauline- our "Saint", as she is kind, reserve, great sense of dry humor and desperately tries keeping the rest of us in line with calm and reason! Her faith is strong and never ceasing. I think she often wonders how she got herself associated with this wild group.

Singer-Songwriter Paul Overstreet in his lyrics said it best in" What are Friends For?"



Ever since I can remember
We've been on each other's side
Kept each other's secrets
Never ever had to lie
You very seldom find one
so faithful and so true
You've always been there for me
and I'll be there for you




Cause what are friends for?
if not to stand beside you
if not to be there when you need them
What are friends for?
If your heart is ever lonely
you can knock upon my door
rest your burdens on me
what are friends for?

These ladies all live within an hour drive of each other and yet, they reach across this great State to include me in their lives, pray for my family and try to help me play catch up for years I was away from them. Yes, I am thankful for facebook for finding my childhood friends and bring us back together...the Ya Ya Sisters are a blessing and I am so thankful!

Thankful #2- My Parents

Today I am thankful for my parents! Mom and Dad were childhood sweethearts and have been married for 58 years. They raised five daughters which at time tested their faith and made many sacrifices for the "girls." Neither had the opportunity to attend college and were most proud when four of their daughters were able to graduate with a degree debt free.

 My sisters and I was blessed with a full time mother, who was home everyday when we arrived from school. She ran a tight ship and chores were done before you even thought about asking to go out with friends.  A talented seamstress, we wore clothes she remodeled ( fancy way of saying hand me downs). It is funny now, but she was sometimes sewing us into our costumes as the curtain was opening for the dance recital. My Mom loved to garden and still takes pride in a beautiful yard, guess I learned this trait from her because I sure can't sew! I know God has a special place in his heart for my Mom as my oldest sister has special needs. Thank you Mom for teaching me to recycle, play catch, bake, enjoy gardening and love the game of Rook! Most importantly for making sure those with special needs are treated with respect.

My Dad, from the time I was in 1st grade till my Senior year high school
was a public servant of the citizens of the State of Texas. Elected and appointed to offices, our lives revolved around the election cycle. Dad made time for his girls but I volunteered to help with some of the not so glamorous chores at our ranch, giving me more time with him. He taught me to hunt, work cattle, back up a trailer, drive a tractor and failed to teach to me be a land surveyor. Not sure where to list all of these on my resume and land surveyor = math, enough said!  I thank him for my love of politics, even picked up a minor in the subject. After listening to hundreds of his speeches, public speaking is something I enjoy.  Dad taught my sisters and I " never forget where you came from, trust God and protect your name, it is all you have!"

I am most thankful that my parents, who continue to lead by example are still here to give me advice, share a joke or just to spend time with.....I love them both!

Time to be Thankful in 2011!

Each year from November 1st till Thanksgiving many including myself will give daily thanks for people and special things in their life. So here is my 2011 edition:

Day 1 and I am thankful for my husband Ray. We met on November 11, 1984 and for him it was love at first sight claiming my blue eyes closed the deal!  I needed more time for him to pass a few tests and he won my heart once I knew he loved the Lord, could two-step, help with domestic chores, wanted children and importantly, he was a great speller and math whiz! Our meeting was arranged  by a mutual friend and she worked hard to make sure we made it down the aisle. Being both from large families, our union was more of a merger than a wedding. Ray is a mild mannered engineer who is content to spend a quiet evening at home, just what his wife the social butterfly would pick as her favorite date night! Over the years we have come to an agreement to help work out our complete opposite personalities: he shops for food by himself because I don't care what items cost by the 1/2 ounce and he knows there is a great possibility I will see someone I know anytime we go out...he waits patiently while I visit with them.

Twenty five years later we have been blessed with two wonderful children and shared times of happiness, sorrow, laughter, tears, health and sickness. 


Thank you Lord for sending me a mate who overlooks my faults, laughs at my jokes, helps me with math and loves me no matter what!