Shineshine, glorious sunshine

At last the sun is shining in Michigan! The summer days that we long for have been delivered to us as a gift; wrapped in bright sparkly blue skies and tied with rays of glorious sun. The birds are singing once again, frogs and insects hum along, and the laughter of children at play fills the air. Flowers are fragrant and colorful, trees are laden with new growth,fields and lawns spread plush emerald carpets beneath our bare feet. Warm breezes brush our cheeks, toss our hair, and flutter our skirts. We are free from the icy confines of our winter home. We open our windows and doors to evict winter from each room. We defy long nights behind us, and welcome long days ahead. Classrooms of teachers and children are enjoying their last days together. They have spent a year creating memories that will bond them eternally. It's with bittersweet fondness that the last stories are told, and last adventures are shared. The sunshine warms our shoulders and our hearts, and carries us through these final shared moments. Our last days are captivated by sincere smiles,hugs, and parting tears. Small treasures are given as tokens of thanks; handfuls of dandylions, painted rocks, crayon colored pictures, an apple... Sunshine carries us into futures full of hope due to glad pasts that have been neatly folded up and tucked away.

Haiti stories of Hope

In disaster there are always stories of hope, strength, and miraculous love. This earthquake in Haiti has shook the world. In the core of the human spirit there is compassion, and it drives us to cry for strangers who are suffering, and it moves us to sacrifice and reach out to help. I am blessed by the workers who are flooding into Haiti bringing supplies, organization, manpower, and love. In helping Haiti they are restoring the belief in the human spirit to the world. As we give money, service, and prayers to those that are suffering we are giving hope to everyone who has ever been, or ever will be helpless.

happiness

2 blogs, 2 ideas... The upside2 explores happiness and the upside of life. Is happiness all it's cracked up to be? It seems I've spent the first half of my life pretty happy. I'm naturally happy, and I would say it's pretty easy for me to see the upside of life. I was born this way, I don't have to work at it. So many people are seeking happiness, and I just have it. I'm the rose colored glasses, and glass half full type... I'm not really sure why so many people find it elusive. I'm also not so sure it's all it's cracked up to be. There is definitely a downside to being on the upside. My question for the second half of my life is, what is life like on the downside? Is it all that bad? So many people spend a lot of time there. What is it like to be constantly seeking happiness when you really aren't sure it will truly make you happy? For the second half of my life which side will be the best side to live on? The upside or the downside? I have until my 50th birthday to decide.