Life is Good

My friend Akasa Wolfsong has gifted me with this Life is Good award. If you know me, you must also know that I'm am tickled "pink" with the recognition. While there was a time in my life when I would have argued against the notion that "life is good" I am glad to say that for me, today, where I am, it is good. For that I am grateful. And as Pam pointed out on her blog this morning, joy just may be one of the keys to unlocking the secrets that make life so special.

Along with the award came some questions. I always kind of worry about lists like these because I want my answers to portray my deep, insightful side. I'm not sure if I'm feeling insightful today but here's my best shot!

Now for my ten questions....

1. Who is your favorite poet?

Can you ever go wrong with Dr. Seuss or Mary Oliver? I've never much been into poetry. A lot of it is kind of hard to understand. A lady in my writing, circle, Carol Folsom, has written some really great poems which make me want to read more. That's what good writing is all about, I think.

2. What has been your most embarrassing moment?

I'm wondering out loud here, if it was so embarrassing, why would I write about it here?

Most of my embarrassing moments occur when I'm in a situation where I have no clue what is going on. Like the time I was about to have my first child. I was all of 19 years old. I knew, of course, how babies were made, but had not read one book or taken one class on how they came out. I didn't know about being shaved "down there" and I didn't know about enemas. I was a good girl. I did what the nurses told me. I draped the hospital gown around my humongous belly not bothering to tie it in the back. I sat on the toilet thinking I was going to explode before the baby even started down into the birth canal. After what seemed like an eternity, I cleaned myself up and headed back to the labor room. I hadn't made it half-way there before I had to make a hasty about turn and run for the bathroom. Damn if my bare bottom wasn't exposed to the entire hallway. The last thing I heard before slamming the bathroom door was my husband and doctor having a good chuckle at my expense. I seriously considered never coming out!

3. What is the one thing your Grandmother/'s impressed upon you that you really took to heart and still live by to this day?

When I think about my paternal grandmother I think about her smile. She seemed to be to be always happy. She was a one-woman welcoming committee at the retirement home where she lived out her final days. And she believed in the power or prayer. I can still remember the feel of her hand as she'd pat my cheek, and say in her southern drawl, "Oh, May-ree."

4. Helium Balloon Ride, Ocean Parasailing, Deep Sea Fishing or Experiencing the Wilds of Africa - which one would you choose to show your adventurous side and why?

Balloon Ride, for sure. I like the idea of floating above the tree tops. From the ground, those balloons remind me of multi-colored magic carpets.

5. If you could choose a charity to give to what would it be?

Something that would promote peace, and/or help children and women. There are some good ones out there. My favorites would be Women to Women International, and Maithri'sPossible Dreams. I am also partial to the ministry I started at church, the Guild of the Christ Child, to help indigent moms. The gifts aren't large but the love behind each one is huge.

6. If you could choose a living person of today to spend the whole day with who would it be
and why?

This is a hard one. I don't think I could pick just one although Michele OBama would be near the top of the list. Vying for the # one spot would be Weneki, LG, Jon Katz and Maithri. Then, of course, I'd have to have another whole day to spend with the bloggers I've come to love. You know who you are.

7. What is your favorite meal?

I think it would have to be something that contained a big piece of red meat. Steak, roast beef, juicy hamburger. Followed up, of course, with a slice of chocolate cake or fried ice cream.

8. What is your favorite holiday of the year?

I don't particularly like the Hallmark-ization of Christmas, but I like the simple pleasures of that season. The smells, the sights, the look in kids' eyes, random acts of kindness, traditions, midnight mass, children's choirs.

9. Tell one thing about yourself that others do not know.

I think I'm pretty much an open book. I'm not good at keeping secrets - my own or others. What you see is what you get.

10. What did you want to be when you were growing up?

A mom. A June Cleaver/Donna Reed kind of mom. I know now 1950's moms were not always what they seemed. Sometimes being a mom means taking the apron off and getting dirty. But the notion that a loving mom was home baking cookies while her kids were off at school is still a mind picture I don't like to give-up. Not very realistic, I know, especially in this day, but I like the idea of a kinder gentler time.

Also, for a while I was pretty sure I was going to be the pretty sequined lady that road an elephant in the circus parade and swung on the trapeze.

In other words a sequin-wearing, trapeze-flying, cookie-baking mom!

Now I think I'm supposed to pass this award on to others and ask ten different questions. Sticking with my tradition of NOT forwarding chain letters I'm going to throw the award out to everyone. Life is good for everyone, not just bloggers. And if you feel like answering any of these questions you can do so in the comment section.

Thanks again AWS.

Wishing you a Life Is Good kind of day,

Merry ME