Enlightened Purrs...pective
Drew…a picture in my mind
Have you had or made a friend so very easily right from the very beginning of meeting them?
Did it just click? You would finish each other’s sentence and laugh at the same stupid jokes. And you’d like the same foods or feel the same emotions.
That’s a gift!
A blessing!
Someone told me that people are brought into our lives for specific reasons and at a particular time in our life and sometimes, when it deems necessary, that person may be taken away for a transfer to another location or possibly death. But their impact on our lives creates who we are today. And we have to be grateful for their coming and for their departure. No matter how hard the loss is, it’s a part of the “blue print of our lives”.
No lie…when I heard this I thought the person’s message was ludicrous, crazy, made up…whatever!
But I have become to believe this to be true.
And I must tell you…I literally despise the departure part of my blue print.
I just want that person, that friend, that certain someone to stay. Stay right there. Don’t move.
But then my world would actually be out of sync. I’d miss something somewhere somehow because I wouldn’t have my eyes open enough to meet the very next person. I’m not saying once someone is gone another person simply takes their place. It’s a matter of allowing the world around me to be open and aware of the endless possibilities. And no one could ever replace that special someone because . . .
That’s it…they’re special.
Just like Drew!
I began working out in October of 2006. My father was diagnosed with lung cancer and I needed an avenue to release negative energy and something for myself to focus on. I started working out at Curves which is an all woman fitness program. Not that I was looking for a Co-Ed facility, it’s just that I didn’t feel challenged enough so I moved on to a Health Club. This is where I met Drew. He was a personal trainer who also held classes in kick-boxing, circuit training and boot camp.
Could I possibly do these things? They looked so hard. I am not strong enough or fit enough or I’d look ridiculous with these people.
Well, according to Drew…I was wrong! There is nothing you can’t do if you put your mind to it. And hey…that’s what I always used to say and now say again … all the time!!!
So our friendship began.
Working out…a chore? Not with Drew! It was hard, don’t get me wrong and he pushed even when I whined. He understood my whine but plugged along right there with me sometimes even training along side of the rest of the boot camp gals. But we laughed and shared stories even secrets about liking the “Twilight” series or favorite songs heard on the radio. No matter the conversation topic, an hour long training session seemed like only 20 minutes. It didn’t feel like that the next day, but, because of the camaraderie it was simply…a blast!
Now I train one on one with Drew. I’ve left the Health Club and it’s just us! Well for at least the next 3 weeks.
January 2011, Drew is moving to Jacksonville, Florida.
My blue print is smeared with tears. The ink had not even set on the paper and he got a great job offer that he just can’t pass up. His career is off and running with me tripping behind and dropping my step, my dumbbells, weight ball and whatever other type of workout equipment we used to handle.
We wouldn’t just work out. We’d talk about my day at work, or my kids, plans for the weekend, the world around us, favorite musical artists, crazy stories about our friends, my veggie diet, his stigma with blood, Mason his nephew, our families…everything. And it was easy! After the work out, we’d hug say good-bye and say, “see ya Wednesday!”
So…Drew…See ya soon? See ya whenever?
So…my friend for life…my one particular wall of my blueprint…I love you…I can’t wait till we see each other again…good luck to you…I will miss you…but I’m grateful for you…and you’ve changed my life for the best…I am who I am because of you!
Keep climbing!
Cat
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Enlightened Purrs…pectives
In 1934, the Good fellows were organized to aid families with children providing them with clothing, shoes and sometimes gifts during the Christmas holiday. Turkey’s were also distributed to families during the Thanksgiving Holiday. My mother, the oldest daughter amongst 6 boys and 2 sisters, shared stories of when she was a little girl growing up in Detroit during the early 1930’s. My Grandfather worked for Chrysler at the time and my Grandmother stayed home with the children. The depression had hit hard and the family just made due with love, Catholic faith and the food that either my Grandfather was able to provide or the support of the Good Fellows. People knew that when school began the next day that the Good fellows came to their homes because they would wear their shiny new shoes, hats and gloves.
Today, 76 years later, the Good Fellows are still making sure that there is “No Child Without a Christmas”.
From the brief bit of family history, this is where my purrs…pective begins.
Christmas…my favorite time of year.
A time for caroling, for fresh fallen snow and children’s laughter, sharing stories of past, and a time for love, gift giving and wishes for a new year to come. But for some families it is the scariest time of the year. There may not be food on the table or heat to keep them warm. Gifts won’t be placed under the tree nor stockings by the fireplace. Unimaginable!
The opportunity arose with a letter from the Westland Good Fellows. There are families in our area without food, clothing and gifts for their children.
“Will you help?”
No question! I continued to read about a particular grandmother who has had her grandchildren living with her from birth. The 12 year old little girl and her 10 year old brother had a mother in a Detroit jail for drug solicitation and other fines. It has been over a year since they’ve seen or talked with her. Nightmares, tears and abandonment filled their tiny hearts and the thoughts of Christmas were far away. I asked our family here at Carpet One if in place of drawing names and buying gifts for our Christmas exchange if we could adopt this family and provide them with clothes, food and toys so their Christmas could become a reality. And they stepped up without hesitation. Before long our Christmas Giving Tree was adorned with packages wrapped with love and anticipation of smiling happy faces.
This past Saturday was set aside for the Good Fellow’s drop off and pick up program. Over 800 families came and picked up items that were donated from the Westland Community. Canned good, hats, gloves, school supplies, Grocery Gift Certificates, clothing and toys had been bagged up according to each family’s individual needs.
I arrived shortly after lunch with the gifts we had collected. I came with not a single concept of what I would encounter. I was overwhelmed with the graciousness of people and the volunteers that were made up of all age groups.
Heartwarming!
Then Judy walked in the door with 10 year old Adrien. A beautiful little brown eyed boy with feverous anticipation of seeing his gifts. He said he didn’t believe in Santa, which broke my heart a bit. But I said, “Adrien, I’m Santa along with my friends from Carpet One. Santa is someone who loves children and wants them to have a wonderful Christmas. And all of us want that for you and Arion.”
He said with the tiniest smirk, “But, you’re not fat!”
I love that boy!!! Gave him the biggest hug and said “thank you, you made my day!”
I also told him he had to wait to open the presents until Christmas day and made sure that they had a tree to place them under which they did. Adrien and his Grandmother presented me with a card for all the gang at Independent Carpet One wishing us a very Merry Christmas.
This is what this time of year is all about.
Christmas…
Sharing with others a little bit of who we are, sharing our time, our gifts, our love and helping each other when there isn’t anyone else to turn to.
Judy, Arion and Adrien are now a part of the Carpet One family. We’ve adopted them for as long as they’ll have us.
I want to take this moment to wish my dearest friends… A Very Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah and Happy New Year.
When asked…Will you help?
Don’t hesitate. You may be the one asking one day
Keep Climbing!
Cat
In 1934, the Good fellows were organized to aid families with children providing them with clothing, shoes and sometimes gifts during the Christmas holiday. Turkey’s were also distributed to families during the Thanksgiving Holiday. My mother, the oldest daughter amongst 6 boys and 2 sisters, shared stories of when she was a little girl growing up in Detroit during the early 1930’s. My Grandfather worked for Chrysler at the time and my Grandmother stayed home with the children. The depression had hit hard and the family just made due with love, Catholic faith and the food that either my Grandfather was able to provide or the support of the Good Fellows. People knew that when school began the next day that the Good fellows came to their homes because they would wear their shiny new shoes, hats and gloves.
Today, 76 years later, the Good Fellows are still making sure that there is “No Child Without a Christmas”.
From the brief bit of family history, this is where my purrs…pective begins.
Christmas…my favorite time of year.
A time for caroling, for fresh fallen snow and children’s laughter, sharing stories of past, and a time for love, gift giving and wishes for a new year to come. But for some families it is the scariest time of the year. There may not be food on the table or heat to keep them warm. Gifts won’t be placed under the tree nor stockings by the fireplace. Unimaginable!
The opportunity arose with a letter from the Westland Good Fellows. There are families in our area without food, clothing and gifts for their children.
“Will you help?”
No question! I continued to read about a particular grandmother who has had her grandchildren living with her from birth. The 12 year old little girl and her 10 year old brother had a mother in a Detroit jail for drug solicitation and other fines. It has been over a year since they’ve seen or talked with her. Nightmares, tears and abandonment filled their tiny hearts and the thoughts of Christmas were far away. I asked our family here at Carpet One if in place of drawing names and buying gifts for our Christmas exchange if we could adopt this family and provide them with clothes, food and toys so their Christmas could become a reality. And they stepped up without hesitation. Before long our Christmas Giving Tree was adorned with packages wrapped with love and anticipation of smiling happy faces.
This past Saturday was set aside for the Good Fellow’s drop off and pick up program. Over 800 families came and picked up items that were donated from the Westland Community. Canned good, hats, gloves, school supplies, Grocery Gift Certificates, clothing and toys had been bagged up according to each family’s individual needs.
I arrived shortly after lunch with the gifts we had collected. I came with not a single concept of what I would encounter. I was overwhelmed with the graciousness of people and the volunteers that were made up of all age groups.
Heartwarming!
Then Judy walked in the door with 10 year old Adrien. A beautiful little brown eyed boy with feverous anticipation of seeing his gifts. He said he didn’t believe in Santa, which broke my heart a bit. But I said, “Adrien, I’m Santa along with my friends from Carpet One. Santa is someone who loves children and wants them to have a wonderful Christmas. And all of us want that for you and Arion.”
He said with the tiniest smirk, “But, you’re not fat!”
I love that boy!!! Gave him the biggest hug and said “thank you, you made my day!”
I also told him he had to wait to open the presents until Christmas day and made sure that they had a tree to place them under which they did. Adrien and his Grandmother presented me with a card for all the gang at Independent Carpet One wishing us a very Merry Christmas.
This is what this time of year is all about.
Christmas…
Sharing with others a little bit of who we are, sharing our time, our gifts, our love and helping each other when there isn’t anyone else to turn to.
Judy, Arion and Adrien are now a part of the Carpet One family. We’ve adopted them for as long as they’ll have us.
I want to take this moment to wish my dearest friends… A Very Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah and Happy New Year.
When asked…Will you help?
Don’t hesitate. You may be the one asking one day
Keep Climbing!
Cat
Monday, November 15, 2010
Healthier Living Installation
Welcome to a better world of flooring installation!
Carpet One Floor & Home's installations offer a superior level of care and health benefits for your family. Our installation process minimizes allergens, dust, mold and odors and encourages better air quality in your home. Our cushion is hypo-allergenic and 100% recyclable. You and the planet can breathe easier!
Enlightened Purrs...pectives
T.E.A.M.
Ok … now don’t get all ‘skitzed” out because you recognize the format of the word team in my title.
“Here we go another motivational discussion from little miss cheerleader.”
Ok … well maybe a little bit of motivation.
I just returned from a Carpet One RNG Coordinators meeting in Phoenix. I have the honor to assist David Smith from Skaff’s Carpet One in Flint, Michigan. I have always returned from gatherings like this with so much more insight than my brain can normally handle. But I am also always excited to take what I’ve learned and institute the ideas into my store or to my peers.
It has amazed me that we’ve been members of the Carpet One Co-Op now for over 13 years and there is so much to learn with every contact I make. The brilliant and devoted men and woman in the flooring industry inspire me at every turn. Taking time out of their schedules to improve not only their store’s environment but those of all the Carpet One members is an unselfish act. “Together we are ONE” is a strong and constant message we all must believe and live by if we wish to build our brand and succeed in this tough and trying economy.
I remember joining Carpet One in 1997 and participating in numerous seminars over the years with John Umbaugh, Liz Calendrino, Sally Kelly, Ronnie Thomason, Brian Metcalf, Bob Hutter, Jonathon Trivers, Sam Allman, Tim Landry, Jim Aaron and other brilliant facilitators. The overall message has always resonated…
”Together Everyone Achieves More!”
During the coordinators meeting in Phoenix, the message continued and to me, stronger than I’ve ever felt.
“How do we get more people involved?”
“How do we engage the members more?”
“What tools can we provide to assist with getting more people into our stores?”
“What’s the best format of advertising?”
“The Product selection that we have, is it enough?”
“How do we stay above the competition?”
The initiatives and the ideas and the “how to’s” kept coming and the answers were all being shared in an overwhelmingly dynamic network.
No matter if you belong to a Co-Op like Carpet One, Abbey or Flooring America, no matter if you have a business with a sizeable staff and no matter if you have families to care for…we all have to work together, support each other learn from each other to keep our lives functioning. To keep our lives focused with faith and trust and believe that each member has a purpose and a belonging. Let’s face it, it’s tough out there guys and we have to stay tough and maybe get even tougher, smarter, challenge ourselves everyday and “not give up the ship.”
Sorry, I still have the ship posters in my store. I am a product of the BHAG!
I don’t know about you, but I am geeked about January’s Convention in Dallas. I can’t wait to see my friends, to learn something new, to share great ideas, to find new and better ways to raise my margin, to achieve a higher average ticket, find another avenue of advertising, compete better with the box stores and Empire and basically to get the consumer to realize we are the best answer for their flooring needs.
We are it! We are ONE!
And…we have so many wonderful tools to prove it!
So, whether or not you’re on the Advisory Council or a RNG Coordinator, Marketing Committee member, larger store or smaller store, mom or dad, sister or brother, your input is always needed. Your presence is important to the growth of our group and to your business and to your family.
“By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” – Luke 21:5-19
Until we meet again, thank those around you this Thanksgiving holiday for supporting you this far and creating a life worth living. And when the Christmas and New Year festivities arrive take a moment to breathe and appreciate your teammates, co-workers and family.
“There is greatness all around you- welcome it! It is easy to be great when you get around great people.”
Keep Climbing!
Cat
T.E.A.M.
Ok … now don’t get all ‘skitzed” out because you recognize the format of the word team in my title.
“Here we go another motivational discussion from little miss cheerleader.”
Ok … well maybe a little bit of motivation.
I just returned from a Carpet One RNG Coordinators meeting in Phoenix. I have the honor to assist David Smith from Skaff’s Carpet One in Flint, Michigan. I have always returned from gatherings like this with so much more insight than my brain can normally handle. But I am also always excited to take what I’ve learned and institute the ideas into my store or to my peers.
It has amazed me that we’ve been members of the Carpet One Co-Op now for over 13 years and there is so much to learn with every contact I make. The brilliant and devoted men and woman in the flooring industry inspire me at every turn. Taking time out of their schedules to improve not only their store’s environment but those of all the Carpet One members is an unselfish act. “Together we are ONE” is a strong and constant message we all must believe and live by if we wish to build our brand and succeed in this tough and trying economy.
I remember joining Carpet One in 1997 and participating in numerous seminars over the years with John Umbaugh, Liz Calendrino, Sally Kelly, Ronnie Thomason, Brian Metcalf, Bob Hutter, Jonathon Trivers, Sam Allman, Tim Landry, Jim Aaron and other brilliant facilitators. The overall message has always resonated…
”Together Everyone Achieves More!”
During the coordinators meeting in Phoenix, the message continued and to me, stronger than I’ve ever felt.
“How do we get more people involved?”
“How do we engage the members more?”
“What tools can we provide to assist with getting more people into our stores?”
“What’s the best format of advertising?”
“The Product selection that we have, is it enough?”
“How do we stay above the competition?”
The initiatives and the ideas and the “how to’s” kept coming and the answers were all being shared in an overwhelmingly dynamic network.
No matter if you belong to a Co-Op like Carpet One, Abbey or Flooring America, no matter if you have a business with a sizeable staff and no matter if you have families to care for…we all have to work together, support each other learn from each other to keep our lives functioning. To keep our lives focused with faith and trust and believe that each member has a purpose and a belonging. Let’s face it, it’s tough out there guys and we have to stay tough and maybe get even tougher, smarter, challenge ourselves everyday and “not give up the ship.”
Sorry, I still have the ship posters in my store. I am a product of the BHAG!
I don’t know about you, but I am geeked about January’s Convention in Dallas. I can’t wait to see my friends, to learn something new, to share great ideas, to find new and better ways to raise my margin, to achieve a higher average ticket, find another avenue of advertising, compete better with the box stores and Empire and basically to get the consumer to realize we are the best answer for their flooring needs.
We are it! We are ONE!
And…we have so many wonderful tools to prove it!
So, whether or not you’re on the Advisory Council or a RNG Coordinator, Marketing Committee member, larger store or smaller store, mom or dad, sister or brother, your input is always needed. Your presence is important to the growth of our group and to your business and to your family.
“By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” – Luke 21:5-19
Until we meet again, thank those around you this Thanksgiving holiday for supporting you this far and creating a life worth living. And when the Christmas and New Year festivities arrive take a moment to breathe and appreciate your teammates, co-workers and family.
“There is greatness all around you- welcome it! It is easy to be great when you get around great people.”
Keep Climbing!
Cat
Thursday, October 21, 2010
1400 North Wayne Road
Westland, MI 48185
734-734-6200
CARPET
HARDWOOD
LAMINATE
VINYL
TILE
ON SALE NOW!
ABOUT US
Enter to Win $5,000 in Lees® Carpet
Submit your best Household Tip in the Save Our Sanity Contest and you could WIN a house full of Lees® carpet.
CARPET
HARDWOOD
LAMINATE
VINYL
TILE
ON SALE NOW!
ABOUT US
Enter to Win $5,000 in Lees® Carpet
Submit your best Household Tip in the Save Our Sanity Contest and you could WIN a house full of Lees® carpet.
http://links.carpetone.com/r/0GQKCGD/AZ/TTF/PJ/5VFTA/9M/h
CARPETONE.COM
CONTACT US
PRIVACY
UNSUBSCRIBE
See your local store for complete details of the Lees® Carpet Lifetime Stain Warranty.Save Our Sanity Contest Abbreviated Rules. No Purchase Necessary. To enter for free and/or for complete Official Rules, go to http://www.householdsanity.com/. Ends 12/30/2010. Open to legal residents of U.S. and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 years of age or older or the age of majority in their state/province of residence at the time of entry. Subject to complete Official Rules. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: CCA Global Partners, Inc. d/b/a Carpet One Floor & Home, 670 North Commercial Street, Manchester, NH 03101 © Carpet One Floor & Home ®UNSUBSCRIBEYou are currently subscribed as cathy@carpetonefh.com to receive email advertisements from Carpet One Floor & Home. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, simply CLICK HERE and you will be promptly removed from our list. Please do not reply to this email as we are unable to respond to messages sent to this address. Contact us c/o Blueport Commerce, Attn: Privacy, 85 River Street, Suite 8, Waltham, MA 02453.
CARPETONE.COM
CONTACT US
PRIVACY
UNSUBSCRIBE
See your local store for complete details of the Lees® Carpet Lifetime Stain Warranty.Save Our Sanity Contest Abbreviated Rules. No Purchase Necessary. To enter for free and/or for complete Official Rules, go to http://www.householdsanity.com/. Ends 12/30/2010. Open to legal residents of U.S. and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 years of age or older or the age of majority in their state/province of residence at the time of entry. Subject to complete Official Rules. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: CCA Global Partners, Inc. d/b/a Carpet One Floor & Home, 670 North Commercial Street, Manchester, NH 03101 © Carpet One Floor & Home ®UNSUBSCRIBEYou are currently subscribed as cathy@carpetonefh.com to receive email advertisements from Carpet One Floor & Home. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, simply CLICK HERE and you will be promptly removed from our list. Please do not reply to this email as we are unable to respond to messages sent to this address. Contact us c/o Blueport Commerce, Attn: Privacy, 85 River Street, Suite 8, Waltham, MA 02453.
Monday, October 18, 2010
The Save Our Sanity Contest and Lees Carpet
Carpet One Partners with the Accidental Housewife for a Lees Contest
Monday, October 18, 2010
Manchester, NH, October 20, 2010--Carpet One Floor & Home is hosting an Save Our Sanity contest with the help of best-selling author and TV personality, Julie Edelman, The Accidental Housewife, and her home sanity saving tips. The contest will run in tandem with the launching of Carpet One Floor & Home’s re-revolutionized Lees® carpet, and will offer consumers the opportunity to enter their own sanity saving tips at HouseholdSanity.com for the chance to win $5,000 in new Lees carpet.
Julie Edelman, The Accidental Housewife, is a New York Times best-selling author of The Ultimate Accidental Housewife and television personality regularly seen on "The Today Show", "The Doctors", and "Rachel Ray Show.” She is known all over the country for her trademark humor and inventive tips for common household problems. Edelman is excited to promote Carpet One Floor & Home’s Save Our Sanity Contest and is a big fan of the Lees carpet line. “Lees carpet is the perfect sanity saving flooring,” says Edelman. “It’s comfortable, stylish, durable, stain-resistant and completely worry-free! It’s perfect for any homeowner who has an active family and is looking for a hassle-free flooring option.”
The Save Our Sanity Contest kicked off on October 1 and will run through December 30. During the contest period, consumers are encouraged to go online to HouseholdSanity.com and visit the interactive contest website to read fellow consumer sanity saving tips along with some of Edelman’s own savvy tips on flooring, household maintenance and decorating. Site visitors can also submit their own tips. For every ‘Sanity Saving’ tip submitted, the consumer will be entered into the contest for a chance to win the $5,000 Lees grand prize. In addition to the grand prize winner, four first prize winners will be awarded a new Mint Floor Cleaner.
An interactive magazine, which will include lots of ‘Sanity Savers’ from both The Accidental Housewife and contest entrants, will be available online during the contest. This interactive magazine will also feature the SOS Podcast Series starring Julie Edelman, the Accidental Housewife in episodes based around tips for different rooms in your home. The SOS Podcast can also be viewed at Carpet One Floor & Home’s YouTube Channel.
To learn more about Lees carpet and the Save Our Sanity contest, visit RelaxItsLees.com.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Manchester, NH, October 20, 2010--Carpet One Floor & Home is hosting an Save Our Sanity contest with the help of best-selling author and TV personality, Julie Edelman, The Accidental Housewife, and her home sanity saving tips. The contest will run in tandem with the launching of Carpet One Floor & Home’s re-revolutionized Lees® carpet, and will offer consumers the opportunity to enter their own sanity saving tips at HouseholdSanity.com for the chance to win $5,000 in new Lees carpet.
Julie Edelman, The Accidental Housewife, is a New York Times best-selling author of The Ultimate Accidental Housewife and television personality regularly seen on "The Today Show", "The Doctors", and "Rachel Ray Show.” She is known all over the country for her trademark humor and inventive tips for common household problems. Edelman is excited to promote Carpet One Floor & Home’s Save Our Sanity Contest and is a big fan of the Lees carpet line. “Lees carpet is the perfect sanity saving flooring,” says Edelman. “It’s comfortable, stylish, durable, stain-resistant and completely worry-free! It’s perfect for any homeowner who has an active family and is looking for a hassle-free flooring option.”
The Save Our Sanity Contest kicked off on October 1 and will run through December 30. During the contest period, consumers are encouraged to go online to HouseholdSanity.com and visit the interactive contest website to read fellow consumer sanity saving tips along with some of Edelman’s own savvy tips on flooring, household maintenance and decorating. Site visitors can also submit their own tips. For every ‘Sanity Saving’ tip submitted, the consumer will be entered into the contest for a chance to win the $5,000 Lees grand prize. In addition to the grand prize winner, four first prize winners will be awarded a new Mint Floor Cleaner.
An interactive magazine, which will include lots of ‘Sanity Savers’ from both The Accidental Housewife and contest entrants, will be available online during the contest. This interactive magazine will also feature the SOS Podcast Series starring Julie Edelman, the Accidental Housewife in episodes based around tips for different rooms in your home. The SOS Podcast can also be viewed at Carpet One Floor & Home’s YouTube Channel.
To learn more about Lees carpet and the Save Our Sanity contest, visit RelaxItsLees.com.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Enlightened Purr...spective A Community of Love
Enlightened Purrs…pective
A community of love…
Have you ever experienced this? Have you ever found yourself amongst friends and felt so secure, so wrapped in comfort, so peaceful, so happy, so blessed and oh so very loved? I pray that you have and I believe if you are reading this I know you have because you are a friend of mine, I’ve worked alongside of you, you may be a member of my family or a member of my church. I have a number of loving communities surrounding me every day, but yesterday and this evening I experienced the greatest forms of a love and compassion.
I’ve lived in the Dearborn area most of my adult life. I belong to The Church of The Divine Child where I am a Eucharistic Minister, Lector and recently joined the Usher’s Club. My children have gone to school at Divine Child from first grade on with my oldest daughter Chelsea graduating. After my divorce, my twins and I moved only thirty seven homes away from the church/school. This is my community of faith. I belong, I’m peaceful, I’m comfortable and I am loved.
This afternoon, two young men were in a fatal automobile accident on their way to take photos of the Senior Cheerleaders for their yearbook.
Paul, a college Senior and a recent graduate from Divine Child and Wayne, a Divine Child Senior.
20 years old and 17 years old.
These two very talented, loved, adored and respected young men lost their lives today.
News went out via High School email, texting, Facebook, twitter and by phone, believe it or not!
A prayer service had been announced for 7:00pm.
I live on the street where my church stands and I watched the cars drive by and park on all the surrounding corners. I watched the kids walking down the sidewalk with their parents as I myself traveled.
Silence!
Every pew was filled with members of the parish, high school students, family and friends. Sobs, tears, silence and question filled the air. Even though there was great sadness and loss, there was love surrounding every one present. People came, not to even say anything to the families, but to let them know their community was here for them holding them in their arms of love.
It’s amazing to me, that when there may be sadness there is also a balance of joy and hope.
Yesterday, I experienced the promise and dedication of marriage as my longtime friend and colleague joined hands with the love of his life.
Jake Larson, my adored Shaw sales rep. married Erin at a most lovely ceremony at the precious and spiritual Church along the shore of Orchard Lake. Again, the community of faithful friends and family witnessed and shared in one of the greatest days of a man and woman’s life. Together we danced, dined, shared and heard stories of the past and the memories to be made. Happiness was abundant. The bride and groom were strategically placed in the middle of the room with all the tables surrounding them with a community of love.
Applause!
Communities join together for support, for faith, to share the joys and sorrow, to be silent, to applaud, to hold in the palm of their hands, to guide, to walk alongside, to cry for and with, to teach, to learn, to carry, to be carried.
You and I my friend are blessed.
And when you feel that life just can’t go on, or when you have something you want to share and are so overjoyed about, when you feel loss or confusion or when you don’t feel there is no one listening… you will be surprised at just how very blessed you and I are.
Your community will be there for you.
They will surprise you.
Just open your eyes or answer the phone or email.
“I believe for every drop of rain that falls, a flower grows.”
“I believe that somewhere in the darkest night, a candle glows.”
“I believe above the storm the smallest prayer will still be heard.”
Keep Climbing!
A community of love…
Have you ever experienced this? Have you ever found yourself amongst friends and felt so secure, so wrapped in comfort, so peaceful, so happy, so blessed and oh so very loved? I pray that you have and I believe if you are reading this I know you have because you are a friend of mine, I’ve worked alongside of you, you may be a member of my family or a member of my church. I have a number of loving communities surrounding me every day, but yesterday and this evening I experienced the greatest forms of a love and compassion.
I’ve lived in the Dearborn area most of my adult life. I belong to The Church of The Divine Child where I am a Eucharistic Minister, Lector and recently joined the Usher’s Club. My children have gone to school at Divine Child from first grade on with my oldest daughter Chelsea graduating. After my divorce, my twins and I moved only thirty seven homes away from the church/school. This is my community of faith. I belong, I’m peaceful, I’m comfortable and I am loved.
This afternoon, two young men were in a fatal automobile accident on their way to take photos of the Senior Cheerleaders for their yearbook.
Paul, a college Senior and a recent graduate from Divine Child and Wayne, a Divine Child Senior.
20 years old and 17 years old.
These two very talented, loved, adored and respected young men lost their lives today.
News went out via High School email, texting, Facebook, twitter and by phone, believe it or not!
A prayer service had been announced for 7:00pm.
I live on the street where my church stands and I watched the cars drive by and park on all the surrounding corners. I watched the kids walking down the sidewalk with their parents as I myself traveled.
Silence!
Every pew was filled with members of the parish, high school students, family and friends. Sobs, tears, silence and question filled the air. Even though there was great sadness and loss, there was love surrounding every one present. People came, not to even say anything to the families, but to let them know their community was here for them holding them in their arms of love.
It’s amazing to me, that when there may be sadness there is also a balance of joy and hope.
Yesterday, I experienced the promise and dedication of marriage as my longtime friend and colleague joined hands with the love of his life.
Jake Larson, my adored Shaw sales rep. married Erin at a most lovely ceremony at the precious and spiritual Church along the shore of Orchard Lake. Again, the community of faithful friends and family witnessed and shared in one of the greatest days of a man and woman’s life. Together we danced, dined, shared and heard stories of the past and the memories to be made. Happiness was abundant. The bride and groom were strategically placed in the middle of the room with all the tables surrounding them with a community of love.
Applause!
Communities join together for support, for faith, to share the joys and sorrow, to be silent, to applaud, to hold in the palm of their hands, to guide, to walk alongside, to cry for and with, to teach, to learn, to carry, to be carried.
You and I my friend are blessed.
And when you feel that life just can’t go on, or when you have something you want to share and are so overjoyed about, when you feel loss or confusion or when you don’t feel there is no one listening… you will be surprised at just how very blessed you and I are.
Your community will be there for you.
They will surprise you.
Just open your eyes or answer the phone or email.
“I believe for every drop of rain that falls, a flower grows.”
“I believe that somewhere in the darkest night, a candle glows.”
“I believe above the storm the smallest prayer will still be heard.”
Keep Climbing!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Enlightened Purrs...pective Please don't Go!
Please don’t go!
There’s a song resonating in my brain tonight. Actually there are three songs, but one remains so evident that it has driven me to awake from my slumber and begin to type away on my laptop.
“Babe, I love you so. I want you to know. At least in my lifetime, I’ve had one dream come true. I was blessed by someone like you….please don’t go! I want you to stay” – KC and the Sunshine Band.
Settle down, I’m not going to share a love story with you. At least not the type you may be thinking of. Like so many songs written, they have special meanings to people or maybe they are interpreted differently depending on the moment.
My moment…
I have a dear friend who I hold close to my heart who has been struggling with cancer for close to seven years now. He was afflicted with a tumor on his brain which began to hinder his driving and depth perception at first. After a number of surgeries and chemo treatments of all types he began to lose strength in his right arm and then his legs. His speech started to alter just a touch but recently the words just don’t seem to find their way to be expressed the way he would wish. He knows the word, he knows the context but something prevents it from being delivered. But he’s so patient. Never lets down his guard. He never shows signs of weakness. He smiles. He jokes around. “I’m ok!” he says with conviction. Where ever his strength and determination comes from is truly an amazing thing! If you think I’m positive, you ain’t seen nothing.
I have tried to “hang out” with him as often as possible. I took a trip one summer with my mother and three children up to Gladwin where he also had a carpet store. Silly guy it should have been a Carpet One store but, non- the- less. He’s forgiven! We’ve gone to a number of Detroit Tiger games, dinners, lunches, visits with him and his mom and an awesome Hardwood Trip to Quebec thanks to one of our Manufacturers. Last week, before my summer convention, we made plans to dine at an elegant and super delicious Italian restaurant for today’s date. When I called just as a reminder I found no one at home. Hmmm… I tried his cell phone and was greeted by a young girl’s voice. Hmmm….
I know where he is.
The hospital.
But as usual, “hey I’m doing ok. Could be worse, I’m sorry I forgot to call you about dinner.” Paul explained. He was having even more difficulty walking and needed to go the hospital. He attempted to explain the circumstances and he made requests for no visitors at this particular moment. He would let me know when it was a good time.
There are some people in our lives that you just wonder, ”why him?” Why does anyone have to suffer from these diseases?
Our time on this gracious planet is so short. We are given moments to cherish. We are blessed with people in our lives. He have moments handed to us that make our hearts skip a beat. We meet someone and in an exact moment and you know this person is so very special “I can’t let you go.” We become selfish. The minutes together aren’t appreciated until their gone and yet those minutes that we share are sometimes the very best that life can grant.
I have a friend who I love from the deepest part of my heart. I don’t believe I ever told him that. But, he knows!
“Please don’t go. Don’t go away! I want you to stay. Cause I need you so. Please don’t go!”
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.”
- my favorite quote.
I love you Paul.
I always will.
Keep climbing!
Cat
There’s a song resonating in my brain tonight. Actually there are three songs, but one remains so evident that it has driven me to awake from my slumber and begin to type away on my laptop.
“Babe, I love you so. I want you to know. At least in my lifetime, I’ve had one dream come true. I was blessed by someone like you….please don’t go! I want you to stay” – KC and the Sunshine Band.
Settle down, I’m not going to share a love story with you. At least not the type you may be thinking of. Like so many songs written, they have special meanings to people or maybe they are interpreted differently depending on the moment.
My moment…
I have a dear friend who I hold close to my heart who has been struggling with cancer for close to seven years now. He was afflicted with a tumor on his brain which began to hinder his driving and depth perception at first. After a number of surgeries and chemo treatments of all types he began to lose strength in his right arm and then his legs. His speech started to alter just a touch but recently the words just don’t seem to find their way to be expressed the way he would wish. He knows the word, he knows the context but something prevents it from being delivered. But he’s so patient. Never lets down his guard. He never shows signs of weakness. He smiles. He jokes around. “I’m ok!” he says with conviction. Where ever his strength and determination comes from is truly an amazing thing! If you think I’m positive, you ain’t seen nothing.
I have tried to “hang out” with him as often as possible. I took a trip one summer with my mother and three children up to Gladwin where he also had a carpet store. Silly guy it should have been a Carpet One store but, non- the- less. He’s forgiven! We’ve gone to a number of Detroit Tiger games, dinners, lunches, visits with him and his mom and an awesome Hardwood Trip to Quebec thanks to one of our Manufacturers. Last week, before my summer convention, we made plans to dine at an elegant and super delicious Italian restaurant for today’s date. When I called just as a reminder I found no one at home. Hmmm… I tried his cell phone and was greeted by a young girl’s voice. Hmmm….
I know where he is.
The hospital.
But as usual, “hey I’m doing ok. Could be worse, I’m sorry I forgot to call you about dinner.” Paul explained. He was having even more difficulty walking and needed to go the hospital. He attempted to explain the circumstances and he made requests for no visitors at this particular moment. He would let me know when it was a good time.
There are some people in our lives that you just wonder, ”why him?” Why does anyone have to suffer from these diseases?
Our time on this gracious planet is so short. We are given moments to cherish. We are blessed with people in our lives. He have moments handed to us that make our hearts skip a beat. We meet someone and in an exact moment and you know this person is so very special “I can’t let you go.” We become selfish. The minutes together aren’t appreciated until their gone and yet those minutes that we share are sometimes the very best that life can grant.
I have a friend who I love from the deepest part of my heart. I don’t believe I ever told him that. But, he knows!
“Please don’t go. Don’t go away! I want you to stay. Cause I need you so. Please don’t go!”
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.”
- my favorite quote.
I love you Paul.
I always will.
Keep climbing!
Cat
Thursday, April 22, 2010
To the ONE who inspires me...
Enlightened Purrs…pective
To the One who inspires me…
As I sit tonight on my bed with my PC on my lap, I reflect on the day’s events. All the people I came in contact with, all the opportunities placed before me, all the lessons I’ve learned, the joy of my children, the blessings of friends, my passions, my loves. How did I ever deserve this? Who brought this all to me?
Earlier this evening, I attended a Relay for Life meeting. As I sat there in my chair, each person expressed their reasons for walking this coming May 22nd for 24 hours.
“I walk for a cure.”
“I walk for my grandmother who just passed away this Tuesday from cancer.”
“I walk so that my children may never have to say I have cancer.”
My turn…
”Three years ago this coming Monday April 26th, my father passed away from lung cancer. Three years ago this coming June 9th we walked our first Relay for Life in his honor. I walk again for the one who inspires me.”
I am often reminded about why I deserve these blessings, the joys, the loves, my passions and opportunities. Not every day, but when I’m supposed too or when the moment is right or when I need a little reminder, I stumble across the most beautiful, tiny, piece of silver. A single solitary insignificant coin smiles at me. My little “dime from heaven”.
When my brother died about 15 years ago, I didn’t understand why I hadn’t dreamt about him. I wanted to but was never granted that wish. Even though I knew he was where he needed to be I just once wanted to feel him there. It wasn’t until someone asked why I had all these coins in a shot glass on my window sill that I understood I had been guarded. For months I had found dimes, not pennies, not nickels, not quarters but dimes in the most obscure places and when they should not have shown up. A woman asked if the coins were all the same and I said yes. She didn’t view them from far away but in the same sentence asked if someone close to me had recently passed and if the coins in the tiny glass were dimes. An immediate yes to both came from my dropped mouth. “Your brother is letting you know he’s there. He’s doing ok. He loves you. It’s the spirit’s way of communicating.”
Now I know you’ll think I’m a little off, and I am sure those who know me well sometimes say that to my face, but hear me out. My mother shared with me that very next day, this most peculiar coincidence. She had also been finding dimes over the past few weeks. I explained to her what I had been told about the dimes and we wept. Twelve years of finding dimes on just cleaned carpets, flower beds while planting the spring’s annuals, in a shoe as I prepared to place on my feet, under a pillow just before slumber, we became content knowing we weren’t alone and love surrounded us always. Then cancer took my dad.
Again I experienced nothing throughout the night, not a glimpse, not a whisper, not a smell, not a cold breeze, no assurance that I would be ok.
Oh how I missed him!
Nothing for five months until the night before my mother and I prepared to go to Venice and cruise the Greek Islands with my dear friends, did I have a dream about my mother’s suit case. My father was angry and told me to get the suitcase from the basement for her to use. “Make sure you bring enough money,” he said. Let me tell you, neither of us are procrastinators. Our suitcases were packed and the dream made no sense. But I could have used a bigger suitcase for my clothes and shoes. Yes, once again, those who know me well know that I am high maintenance and come prepared. Stop laughing! My mother agreed to bring the larger suitcase for souvenirs and remembrances. She offered her suitcase and as I began to unzip the larger, rolling bag a tiny shimmering most radiant silver coin fell to my feet.
“Travel safe my love. Take care of your mother. Here’s some money for you.”
Dimes from heaven!
I am, I have, and I am blessed because of my father. I can’t begin to share with you the love we had for each other. He is my reason. My father’s greatest attribute was his way of making you feel like you were the only person that mattered. That you were his universe at that time you were with him. You would have a friend for life. There would be nothing he wouldn’t do for you. Love poured from every morsel of his body. He used to tell my three brothers and me, we had “the edge”. And he was so right, because when you are loved like we were loved, there was nothing stopping you from succeeding.
To the one who inspires me… I walk for you!
Thank you for the beautiful, shiny, silver pieces of heaven that you surprise me with. I love you!
Keep Climbing!
Cat
To the One who inspires me…
As I sit tonight on my bed with my PC on my lap, I reflect on the day’s events. All the people I came in contact with, all the opportunities placed before me, all the lessons I’ve learned, the joy of my children, the blessings of friends, my passions, my loves. How did I ever deserve this? Who brought this all to me?
Earlier this evening, I attended a Relay for Life meeting. As I sat there in my chair, each person expressed their reasons for walking this coming May 22nd for 24 hours.
“I walk for a cure.”
“I walk for my grandmother who just passed away this Tuesday from cancer.”
“I walk so that my children may never have to say I have cancer.”
My turn…
”Three years ago this coming Monday April 26th, my father passed away from lung cancer. Three years ago this coming June 9th we walked our first Relay for Life in his honor. I walk again for the one who inspires me.”
I am often reminded about why I deserve these blessings, the joys, the loves, my passions and opportunities. Not every day, but when I’m supposed too or when the moment is right or when I need a little reminder, I stumble across the most beautiful, tiny, piece of silver. A single solitary insignificant coin smiles at me. My little “dime from heaven”.
When my brother died about 15 years ago, I didn’t understand why I hadn’t dreamt about him. I wanted to but was never granted that wish. Even though I knew he was where he needed to be I just once wanted to feel him there. It wasn’t until someone asked why I had all these coins in a shot glass on my window sill that I understood I had been guarded. For months I had found dimes, not pennies, not nickels, not quarters but dimes in the most obscure places and when they should not have shown up. A woman asked if the coins were all the same and I said yes. She didn’t view them from far away but in the same sentence asked if someone close to me had recently passed and if the coins in the tiny glass were dimes. An immediate yes to both came from my dropped mouth. “Your brother is letting you know he’s there. He’s doing ok. He loves you. It’s the spirit’s way of communicating.”
Now I know you’ll think I’m a little off, and I am sure those who know me well sometimes say that to my face, but hear me out. My mother shared with me that very next day, this most peculiar coincidence. She had also been finding dimes over the past few weeks. I explained to her what I had been told about the dimes and we wept. Twelve years of finding dimes on just cleaned carpets, flower beds while planting the spring’s annuals, in a shoe as I prepared to place on my feet, under a pillow just before slumber, we became content knowing we weren’t alone and love surrounded us always. Then cancer took my dad.
Again I experienced nothing throughout the night, not a glimpse, not a whisper, not a smell, not a cold breeze, no assurance that I would be ok.
Oh how I missed him!
Nothing for five months until the night before my mother and I prepared to go to Venice and cruise the Greek Islands with my dear friends, did I have a dream about my mother’s suit case. My father was angry and told me to get the suitcase from the basement for her to use. “Make sure you bring enough money,” he said. Let me tell you, neither of us are procrastinators. Our suitcases were packed and the dream made no sense. But I could have used a bigger suitcase for my clothes and shoes. Yes, once again, those who know me well know that I am high maintenance and come prepared. Stop laughing! My mother agreed to bring the larger suitcase for souvenirs and remembrances. She offered her suitcase and as I began to unzip the larger, rolling bag a tiny shimmering most radiant silver coin fell to my feet.
“Travel safe my love. Take care of your mother. Here’s some money for you.”
Dimes from heaven!
I am, I have, and I am blessed because of my father. I can’t begin to share with you the love we had for each other. He is my reason. My father’s greatest attribute was his way of making you feel like you were the only person that mattered. That you were his universe at that time you were with him. You would have a friend for life. There would be nothing he wouldn’t do for you. Love poured from every morsel of his body. He used to tell my three brothers and me, we had “the edge”. And he was so right, because when you are loved like we were loved, there was nothing stopping you from succeeding.
To the one who inspires me… I walk for you!
Thank you for the beautiful, shiny, silver pieces of heaven that you surprise me with. I love you!
Keep Climbing!
Cat
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