Dear Reader:

Don’t we all have those days that just seem to start out wrong and go downhill from there? After the first five things in our to-do list goes ” south” we know it is probably going to continue unless we re-create or re-prioritize our expectations.

Yet… have you noticed how many inspiring stories have evolved from the pandemic? It was as if each person was mired down in life, unhappy and unfulfilled. Life post-pink slip became the welcoming catalyst to a new improved world for many people. They only discovered their true passion after getting laid off.

I was fortunate I realize, upon reflection, that though teaching didn’t pay much it did provide security, especially as a single parent with three children. And I did love teaching… as difficult and time-consuming as it was. But the one thing I did right was to put myself out there to story tell at conferences, conventions that lead to conducting workshops for teachers with my buddy, Carol Poole, that lead to leadership roles at the state level and then scholarships to travel. I realized my passion was storytelling and helping future teachers through summer workshops and college courses acquire the ability to integrate it into their curriculums.

Then when I turned sixty-two years after being diagnosed with breast cancer another passion opened up -writing. I started the blog Chapel of Hope Stories-and the rest is history! No doubt God sent His guardian angels to keep me heading in the right direction. These angels still are my family and friends who encouraged me and visually / physically took me to St Jude’s Chapel of Hope.

I could easily relate to a televised story yesterday on Joe Treat, who at 62, found his passion creating animals from driftwood. He had never done anything artistic before but he could ” see” animals within drift wood he picked up on the shore. One day, with no prior training he started creating sculpted animals from driftwood and displaying them in the front yard. Cars started slamming on brakes and knocking on his door to purchase them.

So until tomorrow… Put yourself in a position that when opportunity comes to knock… you are ready to open the door.

” Today is my favorite day” Winnie the Pooh

I kept Eloise and Lachlan Saturday … we had fun! Bazooka bubblegum and all!