Dear Reader:

It is Saturday and John is returning home today…my son-in-law is such a good husband and daddy…he has missed his little family and is ready to get home to some hugs and kisses. Boo Boo is ready to leave the family alone for their “together” time and head home to check on Miss Lucy…the cat who adopted me…

Going to a conference alone, as I remember, can be rather lonely…even if you do know fellow participants from past conferences. I remember always being ready to get back to my room after the last workshop and call the children to see how everything was going. Just hearing their voices reminded me who “myself” was.

It took me many years to realize that when I look in the mirror…there is more than one reflection staring back. All the people, starting with my parents, who let me know that I was loved and important to them, are a part of who I am now.
What got me thinking, along this line, was a booklet of poetry that Bill Barutio sent me that Beverly (creator of St. Jude’s Chapel of Hope) had written back in the 1980’s when they were living in Savannah, Georgia.

The dedication to her husband read: “To my husband, Bill, without whom I am only me; with whom I am at last, totally myself.” 

It reminded me of a line from Downtown Abby when Ann had just delivered her first child, a little boy, and was showing him to her husband, Matthew. It was an emotional scene and she told her husband that it was he whose love had changed her from a self-absorbed young lady to kinder, gentler soul. He brought out the best side of her for the world to see.

Ann, too, was trying to tell Matthew that through his love…she had found her complete self… capable of being totally herself.

While driving to the luncheon for the Retired Charleston Educators Tuesday…this train of thought popped into my mind. Mentally I began making a list of all the people- parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, teachers, professors, coaches, teaching peers….who all contributed to making me become totally myself.

Isn’t it wonderful that God provides the people we need to mirror the person we are destined to be?

So….until tomorrow…Help us be open to everyone You send  to continue molding and shaping us on our short sojourn through life on earth.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

* Today is Jake’s fourth month birthday! Happy birthday my precious Jakie!

Will catch everyone up on my thoughts while away these past few days on upcoming blogs…the world seen through little eyes.