Dear Reader:

I was recently catching up on (artist) Kelly Rae Roberts’ latest post. She was talking about how important it is to take time to write down our personal beliefs. She first wrote a manifesto in 2012 when she found this God Wink…a heart-shaped rock.

A manifesto is normally defined as a a public declaration of intentions, opinions, objectives, or motives. We are now hearing from both political parties (during their conventions) concerning what their manifesto is all about.

But shouldn’t it be just as important, in fact more important, to first start with our own personal manifesto and then match our beliefs and opinions to the political party whose plans for the future come closest to matching our own set of values and morals…not vice-versa?

This is what Kelly wrote in 2012 which she, then, shared with her readers:

I believe:

That telling the truth about your beautifully messy and magnificently complicated life is a transformative gift. For yourself. And for anyone who’s listening.

That creativity reveals, saves, and inspires.

That beauty is mandatory.

That when all else fails, love always wins. A family that is fully connected shows parental guidance at its best with sacrifice for each other and others outside the unit paramount to caring for our fellow man.

That nothing is wasted, and that everything shapes us.

That kindness changes everything. Like in a break-your-heart joyful way.

That what we’re doing matters, and that we are 100% enough (as is).

That when we play big, we give others permission to do the same.

That beginnings, middles, and endings all hold a sacred place in our heart and  lives. 

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

*Kelly recently shared a few new thoughts while living through this Covid19 quarantine. It is changing the way she sees and reacts to the world now. Being forced to slow down has been good for their family…mentally, emotionally, and physically. There are some attributes their family wants to keep from the quarantine and slowing down to enjoy the special moments of life is one.

Hello from here where quarantine life is settling in. There have been some hard days, some good days. I’ve been reminding myself that it all matters. There is beauty in the mess, and there is also just mess in the mess, too. It’s all ok.  …

I have taken time to really look at my nine-year-old son these days and see what he needs and what his expectations from us should be…so I wrote this Child Manifesto to him from us….John and me. 

So until tomorrow….Let’s take the gift of time we now have to re-evaluate our lives and our loved ones in it…What can we do differently to make larger differences in our lives, as well as, their lives?

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

*I had my monthly oncology visit yesterday morning and it went very well…even my white cell count was up just a little. Dr. Jeter now has a full time medical oncology nurse working along side her…since she is carrying quite a load.

We had a great conversation and it felt like we all had known each other before the appointment… by the time I left. Then I had another surprise…Jake’s and my birthday is Sept 24…it was exactly a month from yesterday.

I was going to make sure I didn’t have an appointment on my birthday…but that wasn’t even an issue…I got my birthday month off…and don’t have my next visit until October. What a great birthday gift….time!

Peeks Around Family…

Tommy and Kaitlyn are staying now with Kaitlyn’s parents until their home is ready to occupy…the part-time rental they were living in was needed by some of the landlord’s family. So Kaitlyn’s nice family took them in…Kaitlyn and Tommy are enjoying Susan’s cooking and the area for riding bikes with their little dogs is great…Pip and Atticus.

Pip is now well-known for his light blue bow-tie…I can hardly wait for the calendar to come out with our precious Pip as a calendar month dog!

***Mollie sent me this picture the teacher sent…and she noticed that Eloise is a foot taller than the other children her age (on the left in gray t-shirt)…I reassured her she was just planning on being a super-model! 🙂