Pass the gravy…

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A few simple words.  Reminders of how to be better human beings. 

At least one might think so, but not in present times where heated opinions wrap themselves in animosity and people elect to hide behind their walls of indifference. 

Sad, really.

On this day where the majority of the world gathers to give thanks, how wonderful it would be if everyone could just drop their collective, combative, rhetorical outbursts and give pause to all things positive in life. 

Just one day.  A few hours even.  Look around and rejoice in what life has put on your table.  Focus less on what’s missing and spend time just giving thanks for family, friends and the gift of one more sunrise.

Just one day.  Set aside the endless debates orchestrated by social media connections.  Take a good look around at how fleeting this life is and how a brief moment of time can impact all that surrounds us.

Just one day.  Today is a good place to start.  For the love of God, leave all the damn negative discussions at the door and… pass the gravy.

Be thankful.

 

From Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop:
. What were you writing about at this time 5 years ago? What has changed/stayed the same? Sadly, nothing much has changed. The drama continues, on many levels. I keep wondering why such issues emerge with such negative energies always around the holidays. What should be a time of joy and togetherness finds people, especially families, glaring at each other from different corners of the universe.
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The bells will toll…again.

Seventeen years.  Painful memories embedded in this passage of time still cut so deeply in the minds and hearts of everyone.  Thousands of innocent lives disappeared in screaming clouds of choking dust as we watched so helplessly, and cried, as hatred and pure evil worked in concert to wreak havoc in our country.

Seventeen years.  Back to that unfathomable time which united people as the realization set in that life, as we had come to know it, would never again be the same.

Bands of intense emotions, saddled with fear, created a common ground of brotherhood and caring.  At least for most of these past years, at least until the tragic anniversary each September 11th.  Here, on this one day, the political debates and constant combative undercurrent takes a slight rest as we quietly memorialize all who perished at the hands of radical extremism.  

Once again, as memorials are held throughout the United States, bells will toll at 8:46 a.m., 9:03 a.m., 9:37 a.m. and 10:03 a.m., times of the various attacks which took place on 9/11/01.  Names will be read and we again will pause to remember. 

But, we will never, ever, forget!

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“No day shall erase you from the memory of time”

 

 

 

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Popsicles…

As with every year that passes, the seasons move along quickly, orchestrated, it seems, by the retail market.

We just celebrated July 4th.  Families have been heading to a favorite vacation getaway or to someplace new and hopefully exciting.  Summer is in full bloom.  Almost.

Heading into the almost end of July finds everything “Summer” on sale and, of course, all the school supplies are out everywhere.  Yes, I know that this is directed mostly at college students and the parents who will be helping them prepare for the return, or start, of higher learning. 

But really.  We just got to this point of sun, sand and shore.  Warm summer nights.  Lemonade stands. Quick, gushing rainstorms.  Rainbows.  Fireflies.  Popsicles.  Sleeping with a fan in the window, always searching for that cool spot on the bed sheets.  Popsicles.

I know, I know.  I mentioned Popsicles twice.  Made you think back, didn’t it? 

Our old memories are good ones.  Simpler times where we made our own fun.  Fun that wasn’t dictated by electronic gadgets cemented in children’s hands at every opportunity while the beauty and adventure life can offer speeds past. 

Now, August waits outside the summer door.  Kids will be moping, having been away from the classroom too long.  Other kids just want to have more fun and start panicking as one more school year draws near.  Parents silently rejoice.  The retailers will soon be pushing Halloween and Thanksgiving items and, of course, Christmas…which is just 5 months away, in case you were wondering.

My advice?  Stop right this moment!  Cherish every summer moment and remember…you’re never too old for a Popsicle!

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