Stunning Finish . . . Stunning Season!

What a season!  What a series!  What a finish!
If you live in the Chicago area you know what I’m talking about . . .
Our Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup last night after a tough tough series with Boston.  The Hawks gave fans a magical season . . . a season to remember . . . a season I hate to see end.  There was so much I loved about this team this year but the one thing in particular was that they were a “team” mentally and physically . . . they talked the talk and walked the walk.  At no time in any interview all year did I hear one of the players taking individual credit . . . it was always the team . . . the guys . . .  “we” . . .  our goal.  They are a class act team . . . a team that young kids can look up to . . . a team I’m proud to love!

The Wedding

A wedding . . . a ceremony between two people
Two people making the commitment to love each other through good times . . . and hopefully through the rough patches as well
Family and friends celebrating and sharing in the love

I just got back from Marquette Michigan where I celebrated with my 40+ year friends.  One of my friend’s daughter married her prince charming!  We spent the weekend laughing and crying . . . happy tears of course and loving that we were able to share this special day. 
The wedding ceremony was held in Presque Isle  Park which overlooks Lake Superior. A perfect day . . . sun glistening over the lake, temperature around 75 degrees . . .  truly a picture perfect backdrop!
The bride so beautiful in a gorgeous dress suited for a princess.  I honestly I believe she had to win the prize for the most excited bride ever.  I don’t think she stopped smiling for 3 days!

Sharing these special times with friends . . . friends that you love like family . . . truly priceless!

Storms . . .

Thunder . . . lightening . . . teeming rain
Startled . . . I wake from the shaking pane
I lay there listening . . .  to the course of its path
Wondering, will there be devastation in the aftermath
How lucky I feel . . . lying safe in my bed
When so many others have suffered widespread
It’s always my mantra be thankful with what you’ve got
Even when you think it’s not a lot!

Reflections From a Retirement Party

On Friday, I celebrated with a colleague . . . a dear friend really as she will be retiring a the end of the year.  Friends/colleagues past and present also came to wish her well. 
Retirement parties are always a time of reflection . . . a time that we look back on the years we have spent encouraging, teaching, and caring for children from all walks of life.
Retirement parties have us taking a look back on our career . . . wondering if we did enough . . . enough to make that difference in a child’s life. 
Retirement parties also have us taking a look to the next chapter of our life . . . the life away from children . . . a life that hopefully we can make a difference in other ways . . . because after all, we are teachers . . .
Retirement parties . . . bitter sweet for sure . . . yet exciting non the less!

The Little Gift . . .

There is an old saying . . . it’s the little things that count
Thoughtful gestures, a smile, a compliment, a helping hand
Little things that really make your day . . .
Little things that touch your heart in a BIG way . . .
Yesterday, my heart was filled . . . my day was made
A little gift appeared on my desk chair
A little gift that meant so much to me
A little gift that each time I look at it, I smile
A little gift that warms me up because it was so so thoughtful
A little gift that means A LOT to me
Thanks Michelle, for the little gift that overfilled my bucket today!