It matters to this one

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Passion Woman

I'm off today in preparation to go visit Mary Beth in California - I'm so excited!!! At Mary Beth's suggestion (and because I have the time) I'm going to tell the story of Passion Woman. Back in 1996 or 1997 (I can't believe it's been over 10 years!) I started using Passion Woman to celebrate Valentine's Day. It came about for two reasons. First, I had so many female friends and co-workers who either didn't get Valentines from their honeys or who were single. Second, my daughter had asked me (in so many words) how come all holiday gift givers were male...even the Easter Bunny is portrayed as a boy. So, Passion Woman was born.

Passion Woman brings gifts that inspire your passion for life. For my friends, it was a balloon, a chocolate and a Valentine's Day wish. One year I made little notebooks, one year I gave out candles and one of my favorites was a magnet with the quote "Only passions, great passions, can elevate the soul to great things" Denis Diderot (1713-1784).

For my children, it was an ice cream scoop, a cool broom with a decorated handle for inspiring soaring through life. Stuff like that. My husband Mark became "Bobo the Valentine Swine" and my Valentine's Day gift was always being able to spend the money I wanted to be Passion Woman.

It was so fun. The first year there were about 12 recipients for Passion Woman gifts. I think the most passion ever disseminated was for 30. I ordered balloons, bought chocolates and just enjoyed the creativity of coming up with ideas. On Valentine's Day I got up very early and delivered to the gals I didn't work with. Anna became my trusty sidekick, Passion Girl.

Unfortunately, the last few years have been less passionate. I don't really know why. Last year my long-time supervisory had given notice and there was a lot of turmoil surrounding that and I didn't have much spare energy. After spending a year in my new job (the one vacated) I still don't have much spare energy. But I've spent the last several days sharing stories about Passion Woman and her adventures. And Anna saved the day today by dressing in a delightful red dress and armed with Valentines and went off to school as Passion Girl. So, despite her sabbatical, I think Passion Woman will live on.

Happy Valentine's Day ~ may you find soul elevating passion!

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Farewell Heath...

I am very sad about Heath Ledger.

Monday, January 21, 2008

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

"Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to open the doors of opportunity to all of God’s children. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood."

Martin Luther King, Jr
Washington D.C.
August 28, 1963

Now, January 21, 2008, would be a good time also.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

The heartbreak of our children

Being a parent is so hard. The time commitment and physical exhaustion alone equal horrendous. But NOTHING is worse than having to guide your child through heartbreak and disappointment. Nathan had his fair share in both high school and college. (I'll post about all that later.) But this time it's Anna's tears that bring on my own.

They are replacing the Color Guard at Lawrence High with a dance team. My little Anna is a marcher not a dancer. As one of two returning seniors next year, she would have been Team Captain. And she is heartbroken. I have offered her dance lessons, even instrument lessons since the reason she joined Color Guard, just this past fall, was to hang out with her band friends. We are also going to look into her getting to practice with the KU Guard. But for now all I can do is offer comfort for her grief and it doesn't seem like enough.

She was pretty good too. Here is a little video from the show for the parents at the end of band camp. She's second from the left, in braids. She'd been at it about 3 weeks.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

The Holiday Season

As I didn't post during the holidays, I thought I would just put some pictures up.

Anna as Oscar Wilde for Halloween.

Winter Formal with Kristen, Paige (who made her dress!) and Anna.

Coach Grizz

Christmas

and my dog...

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Harry Potter makes you very smart!

If you look at the Harry Potter Party picture in the previous blog, you will see Stephanie. She is wearing the purple shirt and black cape. Here she is in a very fine pig nose. (That's her brother Matt behind her.)