GBE...LAUGHTER

I went to read Word Nerd's post and realized that she and I were on the same page this week. I was going to change my post, but then I decided she wouldn't mind and I would share a couple of stories from the past on uncontrollable laughter. The kind I love the most...good timing or not!

I was in high school, it was the Christmas holidays. You remember that time when you had a few weeks off from school right?. The "story" we told our parents was that we were going to the movies, then to the midnight movie...effectively extending our curfew by a couple of hours! SWEET FREEDOM FOR MANY HOURS! What kind of mischief could we get into?!?

As we drove along one of the teen passengers had the idea to go way out in the country. He knew of a spot off of the interstate that had a little road that led down the levee. A secret place where WE could see people coming, but they couldn't see us! BRILLANT! Unfortunately he didn't quite get the spot right, we turned off and went down the levee...without any road! The car ended up getting stuck and it would take most of us to lift it up just that little notch to get it unstuck and back on straighter ground. Mark, who is a life long friend of mine had night blindness..but that never stopped him. He got out and was lifting and pushing with the rest of us. After a while, he got a bit overheated so he took off he brand new suede and camel hair coat he had gotten for Christmas a few days before and placed it on the top of the car. After much heaving we managed to loosen the car and get it free. We climbed back in and took off. After a few moments, Mark started to shiver and realized his new coat was on top of the car. Just at that moment the coat went flying off...into the other lane and was run over by an 18 wheeler. Nope..I didn't say a thing. We dusted it off, put it back on him and sent him home...blind and unaware of the 18 tire marks down the back of his expensive new coat! I think he got grounded for about a month! We still laugh about that incident some 30 years later!

A few years back, one of my dearest friends lost her mother. At the funeral her and her 5 siblings insisted I sit up front with all of them during the funeral. Her mom lived in a tiny town where most of the folks knew everybody. My friends brother (who is extremely mischievious) decided that this little gossipy town needed something to talk about. Unbeknownst to me, he told a few key "gossipers" that I was the illegitimate child of their mom and they had just found out! I couldn't figure out why everyone kept staring at me and whispering. When he whispered the reason...I went into..not giggle, not laugh but SNORT mode of laughter! In fact all of us, but the eldest daughter who is very straight laced got the giggles. We never told her what had happened! I'm sure my friends mother was laughing along with us! She would have appreciated that kind of thing!

Laughter. I am glad it is one of our release mechanisms. I can't count the times when I've been in a situation and somehow something funny happens and the gloom and doom that was overhead disapates...even if for a brief while. Remember to laugh  now and again. It's good for your soul, good for those around you...it's just a good thing in life. Have a great week my friends. Remember you are important and you are loved!

GBE Week 26- SURPRISES

The year was 197...GAG...COUGH...memory lapse..NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS I refuse to date myself! Anyway, mid 70's...OKAY EARLY 70's are you all happy? It was Christmas time. My brother had arrived a few years earlier and he was now too big to share a room with any of us, my parents decided to turn our "play room" into a bedroom for ME! For some reason my parents thought because I was disabled, they would have a better chance giving the room to me (it had a front door to it) than to my older sister. Boy...what they still don't know about their decision to put little blue eyed, paraplegic ME in that room (evil grin).

Okay, back to my story..it was Christmas time and I was in a full swing "hippie" mode. Long hair parted down the middle, blue jeans, you know the look! I had requested to decorate my new room in purple, I'm talking carpet, walls, bedspread, curtains...that got shot down. So then I requested a grape vine be painted on my wall...well my mom thought I had lost my mind over that request (and decades later, what adorns the walls of Americans and other countries? GRAPEVINES! I should have patented that idea!). So for Christmas I put on my list I wanted electric hair curlers, jeans, tie dye shirts, and beads to hang on my door. As the holiday drew nearer, the tree went up and under the tree was a BIG square box that weighed a ton with a name tag that said Taina, MY NAME on it! I should have been excited, but I figured it was some sort of hope chest, or something boring...not at all what I had requested from good ole St. Nick.

On Christmas Eve we have a family tradition where we are allowed to choose one box to open. This Christmas however, I was given what gift I was to open! What the hay?!?! It was a cute little necklace from Avon...yay family..it was not hippie style at all, not a peace or love sign, no yin yang...just a cutsey little necklace that I'd file away in the jewelery box for later use! I was hoping this wasn't an indication of what Christmas morning was to bring. What could be in that heavy huge box? Nothing from my Christmas list I was quite sure.

Christmas morning arrived and in usual Taina fashion I was up and at em by 5am. Yes folks, I was that dreaded child that gets SO excited over gifts that I can't sleep, they drive me NUTS! I shake my gifts (and sometimes yours)  and listen, smell them, look at the box size and weight of the gift...doing calculations of what they could be...and on a FEW occasions, I may have even tried to loosen the tape to get a peek! I could barely move this big box, but when I did, it sounded as if dozens of little "somethings" were rolling around it it. Maybe the "hope chest" was filled with dishes and I had broken them all shaking the box. Crud, how was I going to explain that one? After opening many gifts, I was FINALLY allowed to tear open that big heavy box. As I gazed into the box, I saw many rectangle objects wrapped up in newspaper. As I started to undo the things...BRICKS. I had gotten a box of bricks? What? Was this the new 70's version of coal? Hold on here, I wasn't perfect, but I sure wasn't bringing up the rear of Santa's naughty list either! I got a little further and started to find MARBLES. Okay this is getting weird family, and y'all thought I was off with the purple room request?. Digging further down, I noticed that there were smaller square packages wrapped up in newspaper. As I unwrapped the first smaller object I found....BEADS!!! Tons of beads to hang up on my door! I have not a doubt the entire neighborhood heard my gleeful scream!

I'm pretty sure it was Christmas night that I started bugging my parents to help me get them up! And man oh man-when I say I was the envy of all my neighborhood friends, that's an understatement! Awesomely cool parents who although wouldn't enlist in the "purple room" theory, they still delighted their daughter by letting her embrace her "hippie" mode. Yes, God sure did bless me when He decided to pop me into my families lives. He knew EXACTLY what He was doing. But then, He always does!  Below is a poem I keep at my desk. It reminds me that I am who I am for a purpose and that Taina, is a very special person created to smile, love and live her life the best way she can.

Heaven's Very Special Child

A meeting was held quite far from earth

It's time for another birth,

Said the Angels to the Lord above.

This special child will need much love.

His progress may seem very slow,

Accomplishments he may not show,

And he'll require much extra care,

From the folks he meets way down there.

He may not run, or laugh, or play

His thoughts may seem quite far away

In many ways he won't adapt

And he'll be known as handicapped.

So let's be careful where he's sent,

We want his life to be content,

Please Lord, find the parents who

Will do a special job for you.

They will not realize right away,

The leading role they're asked to play,

But with this child sent from above,

Comes stronger faith and richer love.

And soon they'll know the privilege given,

In caring for this gift from Heaven,

Their precious charge, so meek and mild,

Is Heaven's very special child.

Life isn't always fair. There are many times we have to face difficult seasons in life. Remind me when the gray skies seem to overwhelm me that I can get through those times. That good days are around the corner and to not loose sight of what makes me special. Being me. Our packages don't matter, it's what is inside that does. Allow those in your lives to be themselves, don't try to force your hand because they don't see things your way or won't abide by what you feel is the way they should be handling things. We all handle things in our own way and that should be respected. Don't ignore people, or think by distancing yourself that a lesson will be taught. All that will do is cause hurt all the way around the room and waste the thing we should hold precous above all...our time here on earth. To forgive, to accept, to have faith and to give love freely is what we are here for. Remember always you are important and you are loved. And that YOU have a purpose here. You don't have to be the best of the best..just try being you. Thanks for stopping by...have a good week my friends.

GBE 2 Week 24---Popularity

I was going to start this paragraph and blog with a "when I was in grade school..." then I realized that I had held on to the notion of "popular" much longer than that. It's only recently that I've truly come to understand that "popularity" can be deadly to you. It doesn't allow the things most important about you to shine through. And that folks is a real shame.

Most people love to hear that we're a decent person, a good friend, a good parent, good spouse, etc. In all honesty, those kind of comments make us feel good about ourselves. They give us what we feel is validation on a job well done. But who are we competing against? Wanting that top spot in the "land of popularity" is actually just asking to be put on display...spotlight shining down... to be judged. Society has really screwed around with our heads folks. As that saying went in the last century STOP THE MADNESS!

I have some extra luggage in my spare compartments, I have wrinkles, I screw up all the time and I have to learn a lesson in life yet again and start anew. That is called being human. I'm no longer here to meet your standards society. I'm not here to be your best buddy, the person with the best advise, the cleanest housekeeper. I am not some person you thought I was or you wanted me to be. And I can't be that person for any of you. I am only me. 

Popularity? Send it to hell in a hand basket with a cherry on top. I really could care less. I'm good here. Just being plain ole me. Thanks for stopping by friends. Remember you are important and you are loved. Have a good one and make it count...by just being the wonderful you that you were created to be.

GBE 2 Week #23----OWNERSHIP

There comes a time in life when we must take an honest inventory of ourselves rather it be health, relationships, mental, physical of spiritually...and in some cases all of the above. In order to do the "honest" part of the inventory, we have to take ownership of the good, the bad and the downright ugly that we all have residing inside of us at one time in our lives or another.

I have been going through my own inventory lately and in doing so, taking ownership of my thoughts, my reactions, as well as my actions. Taking ownership means taking responsibility, being accountable for all the "stuff" that makes up who you are currently. And hopefully, deciding to place a new and improved order for the stock you shall put on your inner shelves. We are worth spending a little more effort or mental money to get ourselves to a better place. There is always room for change and improvement in life. Always. Oftentimes we do ourselves a great diservice by thinking we are just fine the way we are, we don't need to change..it's "the other guy" that needs to do the changing". WRONG.

Keep in mind what I said earlier, ownership of all things within us, that includes the good inside. Life can be a hurricane, sometimes a Category 5 one at that. We are the trees during the storm that have to bear the weight of the wind and rain...learning to bend but not allowing the storms of life to break us is a great lesson to apply in life.. By taking ownership of the good in you, that inner strength that you might not have even known you posessed can be lifesaving!

The miracles of life...they can be huge, such as a baby being born that has all the odds stacked up against it and sure enough, that baby pulls through and just thrives. Miracles can also be as small as a cocoon hanging from a branch that opens up and out flies a beautiful butterfly, or the tiny seeds on this Earth that blossom and become the very food sources that keep us alive and well. Creating your own miracles in life can be done by taking ownership of them. The "CPR" of miracles: 1. Command  2. Promise and 3. Risk. Command to yourself that things will get better, promise yourself and keep that promise of making that turn around the curve in life to a better way to live. To let your light shine!  To accomplish this we have to take risk, you must put yourself out there in order to get it done. Scary yes, worth it..you bet! (shout out to Pastor David for the CPR's of miracles!).

Thanks once again friends for dropping by and visiting for a while. Always remember, you are important and you are loved! Have a great week and remember to make it count!

GBE Week #21-CLARITY

I remember a few months ago pulling over on the side of the road in my old neighborhood racked with tears, hardly able to breathe. I prayed this prayer "God, if You can hear me, PLEASE give me some clarity. My eyes are so clouded it's as thick as the Mississippi mud and my heart doesn't know which way to turn. Please God, can you hear me? If so, send an answer."  And He did. Now I am not here to tell you what you should or shouldn't believe in, my belief system is just that...MINE. But I know where I was then and I know where I'm at now and although some days can be rough, the waters have cleared considerably.

I have been shown that I AM a good person, not perfect but I try and I'm trying harder each day that I'm blessed with to learn and apply. I've learned to be more open and honest with those around me. Most of the people in my life haven't liked that new side of me...but I have to be true to myself. I have to start with liking who I am- embracing who Taina is, not what other people want Taina to be. I have seen much clarity as to where I came from, the things that happened in my past that damaged me and how it damaged the life I went on to live...damage by the bucket loads. I've decided to stop that cycle. I've taken steps to embrace what is going on in life, physically, spiritually and emotionally with me, work through those issues with as much honesty as I can with myself and really see where I need to apply more work. It isn't always easy to look at yourself with clarity and truth. However, the past is the past, it must be forgiven and the slate wiped clean on my own self as well as those who have hurt me for me to move forward. Although this part is a daily struggle, I remind myself each day I AM WORTH THE EFFORT and to not allow words to sting me as much as they use to. I am only in control of my own personal space and I'm trying to make it a nice place to want to visit.

I know (much more than I use to) what I want out of life and who I'd like beside me on that path. That part isn't easy either as not all parties at this time and place are willing participants in any type of peace treaty. But I have an abundance of faith, I've always been optimistic and I refuse to give up on any of  them, but I can't fix them either, they have to find their footing themselves. I have the clarity of vision to know that I'm not always going to be strong enough to handle some things that come down life's highway, that's when I look up and ask Him to be strong enough for the both of us. I refuse to be classified as seeing through "rose colored glasses" or a "Pollyanna" type of person just because I choose happiness, peace, understanding, forgiveness and love. I am who I am. I am strong as I am weak, I can smile brightly as well as cry a river of tears, I can fall down, but I get up, I might wobble, but I keep going. I am Taina...I love with all I have and I won't apologize for wearing my heart on my sleeve. I can see clearly now that I'm on the right path and it will eventually lead to greener pastures, with flowers all around and blessings in abundance. Believe and you shall receive. Ready...set...PUSH FORWARD.

Thanks for stopping by my friends. Remember that you are important, loved and appreciated! Have a great week..make it count!

GBE Week 20--- BALANCE

Balance...what the heck is that? Beats me! I no more know about balance than the man in the moon. I am instantaneous, I can't balance my checkbook for the life of me, I don't follow the food pyramid (the new one or the old ones) for a "balanced" diet....DIET...it starts with the word DIE for Pete's sake!  I forget to call friends that are in hard times, I forget what months I'm on the food ministry (thank goodness for reminder emails), I forget to do the homework assignment for my class! Yeah-that word balance, the word gives me hives.

I went to services tonight and the topic was boldness, then the pastor went on to say (as I was getting my bold act all ready in my head) that sometimes we beat things into the ground and repeat and repeat and don't turn our focus on the man upstairs. Again, a balancing act. To be bold, but be bold about the right things...but what ARE the right things? Am I hearing me, OR am I hearing Him? Sigh...I am a work in progress. I think I will remain so until my last breath. Hopefully a work that is learning a better way to live, a better way to treat others and myself. But it seems to always boil down to a balancing act. And I think I have vertigo...of life.

Maybe the most important thing about balance is to keep trying. Don't give in, don't break during the storm but learn to bend. Believe in what you believe and don't stop trying to find that balance that works just for you. Hey, a girl can hope can't she? Remember you are important and you are loved. Have a good week my friends.

GBE 2 Loyalty

This week's assignment with the writing group GBE 2 is "LOYALTY". After thinking on this for a while I decided to write about the two things in life lately that have been a constant source of loyalty for me. I hope you enjoy my little story.

On nights when I can't sleep, I feel two things close by, one right beside me, warm and comforting, the other in my heart telling me that all things in life happen for a reason and that I do not walk alone on this journey called life.

When tears fall freely down my face and it seems that I can't get control of them, I feel that warm body next to me, instantly knowing I need some love and comfort. I also feel in my soul Him who tells me that He also is right beside me and won't walk away, no matter what I have said or done...past or present.

Days and nights when the pain in my body sometimes get to be so unbearable and I wonder if I am strong enough to stand it, or will it ever let up? Again, I feel that loving constant warmth that seems to know that I am in pain and might need a nudge to let me know I'm not alone at all...cuddling up next to me either in bed or on the sofa or recliner. And the quiet voice in my heart that says "child, have faith and hold tight; better days are coming". And I know I'll be okay.

My sweet Teaza, a gift to me 8 years ago that has been my constant source of unconditional love. She sits by my side on the floor, lies by my side in bed or sits in the recliner as I read. It doesn't matter to her if I'm happy, sad, crying, lonely, lost or hurting. She just loves me, is always glad to see me, understands when I can't be as happy as her. She just loves and loves and loves. If only we humans could learn from our furry friends what a better world it would be. And my Jesus...through Him all things are possible. Sometimes I forget that He is there and I ask for His forgiveness. When I get caught up in myself, my situation, my questions, my fears...I am learning to talk to Him more and more and put my trust in His capable hands. That God is in charge of all things, and His divine plan will be laid out for me to see if I just have patience and believe.

To have two such wonderful sources in one person's life...that is a blessing. I hope you have your source of loyalty as well. It sure does make the good days better and the not so good days easier to handle. Have a good week and remember...you are important and you are loved.