Thanksgiving Day... Every Day

Thanksgiving Day.

I spent the morning visiting across the miles, via cell phone, Skype and Face Time with friends and family.
With the technology of today I was able to be part of a lazy morning bed cuddle with my grandson, joined in the making of Challah bread  from scratch, be a shoulder to lean on and a comforter to someone who is part of a journey to a very special person who is nearing the end of their physical journey in life and share laughter and hugs with friends.  I even managed to catch a part of the Thanksgiving Day Parade!  All of this before 2:00 in the afternoon.  I was later blessed to spend the evening with friends where there was shared memories, new faces and laughter.

I took some time and looked at Face Book.  So many people giving thanks a questioned popped into my head.  Why do we wait for a Holiday to give thanks.  I understand that we are Thankful on a daily basis, but do we express it?  Do we tell the person bagging our food in the grocery store "Thank you"?   Or how about the person on the other side of a work phone call?  Okay, so we may say it, but do we truly mean it?  Are you really thankful for the Gas Station attendant behind the counter, or do you feel they are just doing their job?  What about the person who picks up your garbage, reads your electric meter or delivers your mail?  A few years ago I made it a point to look at the name tags of anyone who is doing a "job" for me, the teller at the bank, the cashier at the grocery store, the guy at Best Buy who helped me figure out my new phone that has way to many options and buttons for me to understand, and said  "Thank you Theresa for ringing up my groceries" "Thank you Albert for helping me figure out this button"   You would be surprised at some of the reactions.  Most are genuinely grateful that you recognize them as a person, some look a bit confused, thinking they should know you from somewhere else, others look a little perplexed.  But all smile.  All are validated that they are part of my journey whether they realize it or not.

If you give a smile, the simplest act of kindness, most times you will get one in return.  Now I do know there are some people in this world who are on the "Woe is me train" and no matter what you do they are going to be negative, mean and no matter what you do, it is never enough.  You know what I do with them?  I smile, thank them and refuse to carry the burden they are trying to give me.

So even though Thanksgiving Day is over.  Why not try to carry the spirit of it everyday in a different way, by simply acknowledging that everyone around you deserves to be thanked for crossing your path on this journey in life.  We all influence each other as we walk down the path of life maybe a little bit of thanks will help someone over the bumps in the road.

Jo

Okay, I did it!  I got through the first week of work and only had one instance where I had to leave the desk and have a quiet moment to myself. 

It feels good to be back at work.  The interactions with travelers, residents and co-workers has done my spirit a world of good.  It is wonderful to feel needed and appreciated especially by those I help whether it be a simple thing of retrieving their mail when they have forgotten their mailbox key, filing a three inch stack of paper or taking a reservation for a 3 month stay at the resort.  To be needed, to be helpful, to serve one another.  After all, isn't that what humanity is all about? Isn't helping one another get through this journey we call life the thing to do?  

I was amazed that my brain retained and brought forth the things I needed in the short amount of time I had to "get back into the swing of things"  The brain is an amazing organ.  It tells us to breath, keeps the body safe by distinguishing danger, is able to recall good memories that bring smiles to our faces and joy to our hearts  but can also shut out painful memories.  The brain is the most complex part of the human body. This three-pound organ is the seat of intelligence, interpreter of the senses, initiator of body movement, and controller of behavior. 

Upon some research I learned some very fascinating facts about the brain.

1. Water. The brain is made up of about 75% water.
2. Blood. As with oxygen, your brain uses 20% of the blood circulating in your body.
3. No pain. There are no pain receptors in the brain, so the brain can feel no pain.
4. Fat. The human brain is the fattest organ in the body and may consists of at least 60% fat.
5. Size at birth. At birth, your brain was almost the same size as an adult brain and contained most of the brain cells for your whole life and stops growing at age 18.
6. Oxygen. Your brain uses 20% of the total oxygen in your body..
7. Unconsciousness. If your brain loses blood for 8 to 10 seconds, you will lose consciousness.
8. Speed. Information can be processed as slowly as 0.5 meters/sec or as fast as 120 meters/sec, about 268 miles an hour.
9. Wattage. While awake, your brain generates between 10 and 23 watts of power–or enough energy to power a light bulb.
10. Tickles. You can’t tickle yourself because your brain distinguished between unexpected external touch and your own touch.
11. Gray matter. The brain’s gray matter is made up of neurons, which gather and transmit signals.
12. White matter. The white matter is made up of dendrites and axons, which create the network by which neurons send their signals.
13. Gray and white. Your brain is 60% white matter and 40% gray matter.
14. Neurons. Your brain consists of about 100 billion neurons.
15. New neurons. Humans continue to make new neurons throughout life in response to mental activity.

Now that we all know a little bit more about the brain... go out and learn one new thing today... create a few new neurons!

Thanks for stopping by to read my ramblings.  

Jo

“Rabbit's clever," said Pooh thoughtfully.
"Yes," said Piglet, "Rabbit's clever."
"And he has Brain."
"Yes," said Piglet, "Rabbit has Brain."
There was a long silence.
"I suppose," said Pooh, "that that's why he never understands anything.” 
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Saturday, November 2^nd was Paul’s Memorial.  It was well attended by family and friends, or so I’ve been told.  I don’t remember much of it.  I feel that my brain has decided some things are best remembered in very small doses.  There was a wonderful sharing of memories by several family members and friends, even an email read from a nephew in New Zealand.   It touched my heart to hear that Paul’s journey in this life touched so many others in a very special way and that he shared so much life with others.

 They say a picture can say a thousand words.  A few pictures that I shared at Paul's memorial.  

The pictures will never show, the man I came to know.

I have been trying to convert the PowerPoint presentation that I made, into a video, but for the life of me, I can not figure out how Paul did it!  I have the program on his computer, but after four tries, it still is not turning out correct.  I guess I should have sat and watched how he did it in the past. He always did the conversions for me.  It is just one more thing that reminds me of the loss I suffer with him gone.  His absence overshadows various parts of my life and will do so for a long time.

In my heart, I believe that Paul will always have his loving arms wrapped around me.  He will always be my love, my knight in shining armor, my M'Lord.  I know there is no single "should have done" or "could have done" or "did" or "didn't do" that would have changed a thing.  I also know that if love could have saved Paul, he would still be here at my side.

Many have approached me or sent emails asking that I continue writing this blog.   I will attempt to write something….  thoughts, feelings, observations, in the coming weeks.   Not sure how it will turn out, but I’ll give it a try.

 The family who came to share their support, love and precious thoughts have all gone back to their own lives.  Walking their own paths, as they should be.  Their presence was the greatest gift they could have given me.  

Today, I start back to work.  I begin to walk a path of near normalcy. *smile

I do not know what the future holds, none of us do.  We make our plans and never really give much thought to the “What if’s” in life.  

To everyone who shares my journey.  May you always hold love in your heart, peace in your mind and know that you are a very important part of my journey.

Love and those all important hugs,

Jo