Where Do I Turn For Peace and Help?

I went to visit a friend yesterday who is a very good person and does kind things for others. I noticed a new wooden plaque by her front door that said “This house is protected by Guardian Angels.” It made me smile and immediately I thought of angels around us and the angels in my life. The same day I heard a story of a 13 year old girl recovering from surgery having a tumor removed. When she awoke she named for her parents all the deceased relatives who were in the hospital room watching over her. She fell back asleep and upon waking told them again “all the children in this intensive care unit are being watched over by angels.” Later that evening I received an email from my daughter who is on a church mission in the Philippines. She mentioned in the letter “we can call on angels to help us, they are there waiting for us  and wanting to help.” I have certainly experienced times in my life when I needed peace or  guidance  or a boost in my moral and have called on angels. When I feel scared I ask angels to surround me and watch over  me . When my son was touring across the country with his rock band I often petitioned the Lord that angels be with him and protect him. There have been living angels that bring me joy and peace.

I was on a trip with my 18 year old daughter to Chicago back in 2001. We were sightseeing and returned for her  friend’s car and it had been towed. We called the number on the wall and got the address.I had my trusty city map and we started walking to the car impound lot as the sun was setting. The neighborhood we were in was very nice but started declining the further we walked. A city bus pulled up next to us and opened the doors. The driver said “where are you girls going?”. We told him and with disgust he shook his head and said “get on this bus, where are you from?” We visited with him and watched the scenery as we drove through the city projects. It looked like something we  had seen in  the movies. He stopped the bus and pointed across the street to the impound lot, that was fenced with barbed wire and barred windows. He said “you girls cross the street, don’t look at anyone, get your car , drive that direction and don’t look back.”   

We did as he told and I thanked God that night for a guardian angel. There are living angels that can help us and angels around us that we can’t see. This has given me time to reflect on those moments where angels have helped me.

 Who and where are your guardian angels? Do you call on them for help? What are your experiences with angels? Do you sense or feel them or do you see them?

Always a mother

I have told my kids "once a mother always a mother". I don't know how not to be one. I just keep finding people or things to mother. I was happy to meet a woman in a public bathroom today cleaning off the counter and when I looked at her she said " oh such a mother thing to do isn't it?" I laughed because I realize so many mothers out there will clean up wherever they are because that is what they are used to. I don't cut my husbands food on his plate but I do pick up his shoes and socks and clear his plate from the table.. I can't sit still if I see a mess somewhere and no one is doing it. I know it may sound a little codependent. Remember that word? That was a buzz word some years back and all of us mothers who were great caretakers found a new diagnosis for our neurosis. I have always wanted to be a mother and have always taken care of so many. When my mom became ill when I was 12 I immediately took on the role as her caregiver. It didn't end for a long time. She moved in with us after her stroke in 1999 and lived with us for nearly 5 years. It was a bittersweet experience. I will always be grateful for the things it taught me and my children. The kids even appreciated the ways they learned to serve. I became her parent in many ways and had to give back what she gave to me for half of my lifetime. I look at all the things I mother, the neighbors dog ( we are taking care of for 5 weeks), flowers in the garden and fresh cut, older people that look like they need a hand, my grandchildren,my neighbors who don't like to cook,any project that needs done I take it on like a mother. You know how we kiss a scraped knee when it is hurt, or put on a band aid when someone falls.  What kind of things do we take on thinking we could make it better or put a band aid on to lighten someones load?

This was graduation evening 2011

My first day as a blogger

There's wonderful blogs that are so entertaining and creative by these new technologically savvy moms. They have great pictures of their children (they're all budding professional photographers), taking pictures of feet, half a body, a hat, toes,and a nose. All those things that were thrown away when we developed pictures like that when my children were little. I got their 3,6,and 9 month old photos at kiddie camera in the mall or Olin mills. Either way, I am not a budding photography or a young mother. I am a mother, grandmother retired Life Coach and a budding writer. I need a place to vent and allow my thoughts to come out on print. I am almost an Empty Nester . Our youngest daughter just graduated and is moving on to college soon. I have felt a little lost and wondered where my role in life is now. Graduation was the most difficult.I kept thinking this is the last one of these I will go to of my own children. I called in for her on Senior ditch day and felt sad it was my last phone call to the school. When I received her last report card I cried too. I had all her friends over for graduation dinner and cried knowing that most likely they would not be in my living room or kitchen as a group ever again.It is a time of transition for me. I don't necessarily mind transition I know there is growth in it. I just usually avoid pain if possible.This has been painful. I will miss having the responsibility of raising , teaching, nurturing,and being the boss. Therefore, I will write about what I am experiencing in my transition.I have had many experiences in my lifetime that have been both painful and joyful and writing has been my greatest friend and therapy. I wonder what other mothers feel when their last child leaves home?