When It All Comes Crashing Down

Seven years to the day, our world seemed to come crashing down. What should have been a day filled with fond memories ended in a scar seared day.

See seven years ago to the day, our son Ethan who was 7 at the time, had a front heavy, 200 lb television fall on his head. What began with a joyful, fun day at Greenfield village riding Thomas the train ended with a 911 call, an ambulance ride to not 1 but 2 hospitals, a skull fracture, broken eye orbital and emergency surgery.

It was one of the most terrifying days of our lives. One that even as I type, the emotions flood back to the pain, the horror and the fear we felt. Hearing my son scream from the basement, yelling "Jesus" as I rolled the television off his head to see a pool of blood surrounding him. Screaming for my husband to call 911. It was a nightmare.

A nightmare, as we waited which seemed like an eternity for the ambulance to arrive. The ride to the hospital where I prayed, worshipped and continued to tell my son to talk to me to keep him from passing out.

And yet one of the most terrifying moments of my life became one of the most miraculous seasons we would ever encounter. What seemed like our world crashing in on us, lead to our miracle season.

When it all comes crashing down, it's an opportunity for God to step in and show Himself faithful. When death was knocking on the door, God brought peace, life, hope, favor, healing and blessing. When it all comes crashing down, we rode the waves of faith and set our eyes on Jesus. Miracle after miracle that showed God's perfect timing, faithful hand and constant presence.

Miracle 1:
The ambulance could only drive a certain distance from our home so instead of our first choice hospital, Children's, we ended up at St John Moross. What seemed like a detour, lead to a divine appointment. We waited for the neurologist to arrive to determine the best course of action. Dr. Ham was on call that Sunday night at St. John's but worked at another hospital. And not just any hospital, yes, Children's, and he was the head neurologist on staff! Oh God...Your timing perfect! Your provision faithful. So of course when we explained how we ended up at St John instead of Children's......Miracle one....papers to transfer Ethan to Children's.

Miracle 2:
As Ethan sat in the 1st ER at St John, he was calm, had minimal pain, received no pain medicine and normally with that size of an open wound, they would have attempted to at least close it up to prevent infection even if would have to be reopened later for the skull fracture repair. Yet for what I would say would be a God delay, led to waiting for the doctor's orders. Orders that not only got us transferred to Children's but then to the referral of the best plastic surgeon on staff.

When you ask a doctor, "If this was your child who would you have work on him?", you know you are going to get the best recommendation. And once again, God gave us the best. In our time of need, He lined us up with the dream team for Ethan's care. The head neurologist who performed the surgery, and the best plastic surgeon to stitch up the wound. We never did get a count on the stitches because they described it as a baseball stitch by the way they had to close it.

Yet God showed off because the plastic surgeon performed his last surgery on Ethan before moving back to Canada the following week. Oh God, you astound me! Your timing is perfect!
Miracle 2: Dream team to recovery

Miracle 3:
After a week in the hospital, a week at home, Ethan was able to return to school with no cognitive damage. He didn't have a concussion. He didn't have any neurological damage. My boy was whole. We prayed and believed for minimal scarring. Seven years later unless you knew, you can barely see the scar that goes from his left temple down to his right eyebrow.
Miracle 3....my son not only lives to show the goodness of God, but is a bright, handsome, thriving young man of God!

Oh my God! You saved us when it all came crashing down. As I look back on that season, it felt overwhelming. It was scary. Death was knocking at our door. BUT GOD, You were faithful, and You remain the same yesterday, today and forever. I thank You today that You remain the God who saves us when it all comes crashing down.

Picture with Sir Topham hat, and Ethan had just gotten the yellow Star Wars shirt. So proud to wear and sad when they had to cut it off him in the emergency room. He was so happy when someone regifted him the same shirt during recovery at home.

A picture of our family this past Easter 2016. JESUS the name above all names! Ethan is on the far left no longer wearing Star Wars shirts but growing up to be a fine, young man.

To the Love of My Life....

Happy Birthday to the love of my life

My life was made better

Since becoming your wife

You're gentle, your kind

My sweet, handsome man

Who's always willing

To give others a hand

And yes, you're Dad

To a very large crew

But there is no doubt

All five adore you

The way that you pour 

Your life into them

It's a blessing to see

Our God you've shown them

And you've been my rock

Through every season

My constant companion

My voice of reason

Who's held my hand

Kissed me goodnight

Who's walked through the storms

And the good times in life

So on this day

It seems only fitting

That I speak these words

And tell you my thinking

That you are amazing

You are a star

You have made a difference

Being the person you are

I speak God's blessings

The whole year through

That 2016 would unfold for you

Abundance and health

Prosperity too

That all that you set your hand upon

God will see you through

This is just the beginning

Of your greatest days ahead

Keep your eyes on Jesus

And the promise that He said

That He has a plan

Designed just for you

It's a plan of hope

A plan to prosper you

That you will be a blessing

And people will be amazed

God will be glorified

As you live out your days!

Happy Birthday Michael Flosky

I love and celebrate you!

Counting My Blessings

It may look an ordinary jar. Perhaps a bit too small when you think about what its for, but this represents a journey I took over this past year. This is a thankful jar, my thankful jar, filled with blessings both big and small from 2015. Inspired by a post I saw on Instagram, I set off to the local craft store to find these glass containers for the ladies in my Bible study and myself.

See far too often in life, our focus is on the negative. We can only see what we don't have, where we aren't yet, the struggles, the pain, and we forget to measure the successes, the joys, the blessings and answers to prayer. This jar represented a culture change in my thinking, my way of living, as I began to keep track of all that God has done in my life and in essence, a place to go back to when life is tough. I proudly marked my jar Jubilee as 2015 was declared, a year of personal freedom, a year of restitution of property and year of the simple life. I was excited to embark for what lied ahead.

I have to admit this process of thankfulness started off very slowly. It remained empty for several weeks until I realized I was making this a lot more difficult than necessary. There were no rules when filling the thankful jar. No measure of certain size necessary....just simply what are you thankful for? What blessings have you seen in your life?

From there my jar begin to fill with simple joys, gifts and life events that told the story of my past year. Here are a few of the things that filled my jar in 2015:


A unexpected encouraging note and gift from Sara, a beautiful writing/journal set. What a blessing to have friends that will not only pray with you when you share your heart but also find a way to say I'm supporting what God has called you to do.

Another one read "Blog"....yes almost a year ago I started this personal blog "There Are No Ordinary Days" where I write about my life experiences to share and encourage others on their own personal journey.

Raise....March 2015 I was give a full time pay status at church which included health benefits for my family. What a blessing as my husband was going through a transition of helping his Dad liquidate and sell the family business after over 20 years of working there! God's timing is perfect and that paved the way for our future endeavor later in the year.





Free American Idol tickets....I'm a huge fan of the show and heard they were coming to Detroit to film. Blessed by a friend who posted on Facebook "free tickets!" I believe God gave me the right timing to see her post. First to say "I'll take them!" Those tickets were a hot commodity! My boys and I enjoyed a once in a lifetime opportunity of being a part of the show. We got to see Ryan Seacrest face to face and see the show right at the front of the stage. It was amazing! It was fun, and I was the cool mom who go the boys out of school early!

Finding something that was lost that was precious to me! Faithful
God..... even in the little things God shows He cares!

The list does go on and on, a family cruise with the kids, speaking opportunities, singing live on the TCT show, unexpected inheritance money, areas where we gave and saw how it blessed others. Far too many to list.

Truly, my life is filled with blessings and even as I grabbed pictures on my Instagram roll, I realized there were many that were never written down and put in the jar. My thankful jar is just small measure of the big picture of the hand of God on my life. The every day ordinary things that we forget to include like the gift of life, our freedom, health, a home, a car, food that we expect and forget to give thanks for.

So as we move into 2016, I'm starting this over again. A journey of thankfulness, a journey of blessings. Looking at this new year filled with expectation and thanks to God for all He has in store for my life. I encourage you to do the same. Go grab yourself a jar, begin to jot down what you are thankful for because there are no ordinary days, and there are always blessings coming our way!

Who Doesn't Like to Be Booed?

Last night, I came home late in the evening from my Bible study. There greeting me at the door was a wonderful surprise. A cute, little pumpkin filled with assorted candy, gum and special treats. I was like a kid in a candy shop. I love surprises! I really do. I unlocked the door, dragged my sleeping husband off the couch to take a picture. I then pulled out the note that read:

Who doesn't like to be BOOED? I rummaged through the package looking at all the carefully selected treats and then I realized, "Wait, this isn't for me! Its for the kids." So, I tucked the gift away from finding to reenact the surprise for my children the next morning.


This morning, my alarm sounded at 6:30 AM, and with ease, I jumped out of bed. In great anticipation, I placed the surprise back out on the porch and headed to my kid's rooms to wake them up. One by one, "Its time to get up. I have a surprise for you. Get dressed, get ready, and I'll show you." There was a buzz of excitement brewing through our household this morning, and it was an instant shot of motivation for the early morning rise.


By 7:15 AM, all five were ready and waiting by the front door. Guesses of a new car, vacation, even Grandpa being home early from Africa were offered. I like that my kids think big! The best way I knew to surprise them was having them all close their eyes and count One, Two, THREE….Open!

They screamed in delight. Ethan, our oldest, read the letter to the group, and then I shared the best news of all.  Not only do we get to enjoy all these treats, but we get to BOO someone else. I told them my plan, and their smiles widened.

Who doesn't like to be BOOED!?  I thought about that and took me back to my childhood days when I had a terrible accident on my bike. It was September of 1983, and I was six years old. We were living in Springfield, Virginia at the time at 6777 Turlock Drive. Our house was a butter cream ranch with a walk out basement that lead to a gated backyard. Many great memories of playing on the swing set and the mini playhouse which was once transformed into a snack bar for our neighborhood circus. Those were the days!

Turlock Drive was a steep road that emptied out to a culdesac at the end. Our house was at the perfect start point to ride your bike allowing gravity and momentum to push you to swift speeds requiring very little peddling. I know because I tried it, and one day momentum was not my friend. As I got about half way down the road, I noticed a car pulling out of the driveway ahead. Needing to slow down quickly, I slammed on the brakes of my banana seat bike and went head first over the handle boards. Ouch!!  It was not a pretty site. I landed face first and ended up looking pretty beat up with a large goose egg on the right temple of my forehead and huge scrap down the front of my nose.

 

Thankfully, there were no serious injuries, but kids were pretty cruel at school because I remember being teased saying I had chocolate all over my face. God, however, had a way of bringing some joy to my life during this time. Thirty years later, I can still remember my Mom calling me upstairs. "Carolyn, come here." I met her at the front door where I was instructed to look outside on the porch. There sat a special gift package filled with stickers, pencils, erasers and candy just for me! Oh how my heart danced with glee as a thoughtful neighbor had surprised me. It truly brightened my day, the season, and its funny how all these years later, I can still feel that joyous memory.

So, who doesn't like to be Booed? Everyone needs encouragement in their life, and as I look at how a thoughtful gift, a friend lunch, a needed hug, a welcoming smile, an encouraging word, a favorite Starbuck drink delivered or a pay it forward at the drive-thru can make such an impact on an encouragement deprived society.

Let's boo the socks of each other. Lets be people that are constantly looking for ways to encourage others. So, many times, we wish that it was us being booed, and there's nothing wrong with that. But I do believe the greatest joy comes when we seek out to bless others.

Proverbs 11:25 tells us "A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed." Let's take the BOO challenge. Ask God today who you can encourage and how you should do it. Because after all, "Who doesn't like to be Booed?"

Dear Mom.....I get it

Dear Mom,

Its hard to believe its been four years since we said goodbye. In some ways, it seems like just the other day when we got the call. Words that I wasn't ready to hear, "Its time." As hard as that moment was, I am grateful that I had those last hours to be with you.

Four years has also felt like a lifetime. Days and years that are now void of your presence. Moments that I wish you could share with me as I watch my children grow up. I've learned a lot over these years without you, and I just wanted to say, "I get it".

Just the other day, Bec and I were talking about our busy schedule. Running our kids from here to there, juggling the games, practices and the impossibility of being in more than one place at once. We both agreed we don't know how you did it, but we get it. We now get while you were always carting your laundry around, folding it in the van as you watched the boys played baseball because you didn't want to miss a thing.

We get it after a long day, how many times you were doing this all on your own while Dad was out to sea. No wonder there were days your patience ran low. We get it. Oh do I get as a mom, some days I just feel spent. I think I'm still adjusting to the fact that I'm actually an adult, a wife, a mother. No one actually handed me the adult card. It seems surreal sometimes as I watch my children growing up. I've learned so much from your example, and I get it.

I get now why you would stay up way into the wee hours to catch up on the housework. I often find myself doing the same because waking up the next morning with an edge on the next day feels much better than pots in the sink and the piles of laundry. I've taken on some your habits like emptying the trash far too often, but I rarely pick up lint. And I'm no where near the laundry folder like you were!

I get it now why many times your vacations became road trips to visit family and friends. We moved around for so many years, and there is something nostalgic and wonderful about going back to see our old homes, schools and friends from past days. I've enjoyed too reliving the memories as now I am getting older.

This year, I had my 20 year class reunion, and went back to the Cape. What fun to see classmates from some many years ago and catch up. I enjoyed taking Mike by my old high school, Snake Pond, Osterville Baptist Church but couldn't get on the base to see our house. We spent the day with Yvonne and her family too. 

And just the other day, I got a text from Meredith as the Floskys were at Disney World. You know my friend, Sherida, from 5th grade?! She recognized my in-laws at the park. Meredith sent over a picture asking if I recognized this face. All because of my Facebook posts. Can you believe it? Twenty-eight years later? I was jealous I personally didn't get to see her, but Disney sure got it right "Its a small world after all!"

I get it now why you baked the pumpkin bread every year, pretzel rings at Christmas and those gooey-bars. Such enjoyment to see the family so delighted to smell it baking in the oven. You'll be happy to know that your pumpkin bread is the grandkids favorite!

I get it now why you learned when you were sick to finally ask for help, let people in and ask for forgiveness. Life is too short to carry grudges and not build relationships. I'm working to get those things right, Mom.

And Mom, I finally get how much of a staple you were in our lives. Our family has not been the same without you. All the little Joanne-isms are things I now delight to see in myself and my children. I appreciate your ability to be so organized and multi-task. I have recognized that was a gift you passed down to me. We may not have always appreciated you untying our shoelaces, but I get it. I have a lead foot like you when I drive, but I still don't think I could ever walk as fast as you. Although, I'm enjoying a lot more walks these days. Its been good for the soul.

I see how the little things you did like folding our laundry, dropping off junk mail and dancing to your favorite song were your joys. We still have dance parties from time to time, and I miss having you as my dance partner. I get why having your family over to enjoy a meal even if you didn't actually sit down to eat with us (well sometimes you did when we told you to) were your ways of showing you loved us.

So, I'm sorry that its taken me so long to get it. But oh I see it now, and I'm grateful for the years that I had on this earth with you, the legacy you left for my family and the hope that you shared with me in Jesus. I can't imagine what you are experiencing right now in heaven. But I get it....that I will see you one day. That my hope and rest comes from having Jesus in my heart. Only He has gotten me through these years without you.

Finally, I get it....that life is but a breathe. Its just a fleeting moment. So, I'm living to make every moment count. I get it. You lived and taught me that. I miss you. I love you and forever you will be cherished in our hearts. Until we meet again...

Your Grateful Daughter,
Carolyn 


 Our last family vacation with Mom...summer of 2011 Story Book Land


Mom's Pumpkin bread was a must bake this week, and an all time comfort food in this house. The tradition lives on.

When the Wind Gets Knocked Out Of You

Thinking back to my childhood days, its a time filled with wonderful memories of visiting my grandparents in New Jersey. Both of my parents grew up in the same area. Its where their love story began as they met attending high school together. German class to be exact. Where my dad used to crack his knuckles sitting behind my mother to get her attention. It must have worked because they fell in love, got married, had a family and here I am. So, its where we returned to visit with family and friends during the holidays and summer months.

Jersey vacations take me back to a time of ease where we looked forward to Tasty Cakes in the bread drawer, jersey corn and swimming in the pool. Countless walks up to Sheeters, a penny candy store in town after we had collected all the loose change in every nook, cranny and drawer around my grandparent's house. For a reward, each of us got a quarter which went a long way as we picked out our favorite sweets to fill a small, brown bag. Cigarette gum sticks, tootsie rolls, swedish fish and shoelace licorice were a few I enjoyed.

Vacations in Jersey were enjoyable with lots of time playing with the cousins. In particular, I remember the park across the street where we as kids would play on the swings, tall slides, monkey bars and the merry go round. Its hard to find a merry go round now a days. Probably because there were too many accidents on those things. However, just the other day I found one. What a delight to spin my own children round and round and see the smiles on their faces. It also helped navigate my next train of thought for this blog.

Oh the merry go round where everyone ventures to stand, sit or hold on for dear life. For the more daring, brace your legs and be hands free to take the thrill to whole new level. Faster, FASTER is encouraged by all as one or maybe two spin it round and round before letting go or jumping on to join in the fun. Can you feel it? Have you experienced it? The thrill of the merry go round.

One time in particular when it was my turn to be the spinner. I was giving it my all. Running as fast as I could round and round to the delight of the riders. In a split second, my whole momentum changed and instead of hopping on to enjoy the ride, I slipped and landed right on my stomach and got the wind knocked out of me. It was the strangest sensation. I wasn't quite sure what to do at that moment. As I struggled to get up, I remember trying to talk and not being able to. Seconds that seemed to last for eternity as I waited for the breathe to return to me. It wasn't a pleasant feeling at all, and definitely not one I wanted to experience again. 

Life is a lot like that incident on the merry go round. As we live life with relationships, job opportunities, following our dreams or the call on our life, we too may get the wind knocked out of us. Opposition that will challenge what we are made of or a blow to the very core of our being. Seasons where we feel like the very breath we have is being taken right out of us. Those are some painful times that can define how we approach and live life. We stagger trying to catch our breath, evaluating what just took place and left in wonder of what just happened. We then began to choose to ride again or walk away because of the pain. 

This past summer, I had a relational conflict that literally emotionally knocked the wind out of me. It completely took me by surprise, and it hurt to the core. My character was misjudged leaving me feeling mishandled and mistreated. It hurt deeply and for weeks I felt completely shattered. I was staggering around heartbroken. I was gasping for breath trying to figure out what just hit me. I must have replayed the moment in my mind a million times. Seriously, a million! Rehashing what was said and how I was treated. So many questions of why and so many feelings that I didn't want to feel. Feelings of anger, self pity, resentment, frustration were a few. I'm not sure I can put into words all that I felt. I just knew it hurt. The pain was real, and I needed my wind back.

How do we get our wind back?What do we do with these moments or better yet how de we respond to perilous times? We just commerated the 14th anniversary of the September 11 attack. A time where our nation was blinded sided as a terrorist plan unveiled before our eyes and left our nation in disbelief, horror, helplessness and fear while thousands died. And though we can never take away the reality of that very, awful day, it was a time we began to see and experience what our nation was made of. Land of the free and home of the brave as many displayed their patriotism. People gathered to help clean up the rumble. Candle light vigils, benefit concerts, displays of the American flag began to erupt all across the nation. Many flooded the church looking for hope and peace in a time where fear was rampant in so many hearts. Even though the years have gone by, we have vowed to never forget. It has forever changed our lives and the core of our nation.

In the same way, I had to look at myself and realize what I was made of. Would I allow a day, a moment to define me? Would I give in to whatever others thought or said about me? Would I take a look and evaluate myself where I missed it? What would my future look like?

All I can say is its a process. An ongoing process, where we allow the Lord to come in and heal our hearts, speak to our spirit and move us forward. It requires forgiveness, admission and a willingness to learn when you just want to sit and feel sorry for yourself. At least that has been my journey…..

In the most realness of these moments, I rested in the fact that my hope is in the Lord. My confidence is in Him. I got to the arms of Jesus and just let Him love me. Love me in my brokeness. Love me in my weakness. I literally talk to Him in the rawest form possible. Pouring out on Him my grief, my sorrow, my pain. Holding nothing back because HE already knows my feelings. The amazing part is that as I bear my soul to Him an exchange takes place. A beautiful exchange of love that says He understands. He is there. He is listening, and He cares.

As I feel safe, secure, overwhelmed by His gentleness to care for me, I was able take the next step to go back to the moment that was so painful. Introspection....looking at myself. This can be so difficult and painful, but I always try to look and ask 'What do I need to change? What could I have done differently? What did I learn from that painful moment?' I never want to imagine that I am not at all responsible for a moment that took place in my life. Somehow I got here, and I need to understand how and why. Self examination which has often for me lead to repentance. 

Sifting…..seperating the truth from the chaff. What was truth in that situation? What was not? Understanding that just because someone says something about you doesn't make it truth. I really struggled with this one. My husband just plainly asked me "Is it true? Are you what they say you are? Did you do what they said you did? If no, then let it go." 

Forgive and forgive again. Whether its yourself, whether its others. Forgiveness is so vital to the healing process of living and breathing again. We cannot hold on to the wrongs that have taken place in our life and expect to move forward. It will hold us captive until we fully release any weight of unforgiveness. I'm not willing to hold on to any weights and carry them for the rest of my life. I want to be free. 

We must never forget. There is always a lesson to be learned. That is what life is. An ongoing classroom experience through the highs and lows of life that can determine our future course. I want to ever be a student, learning, growing and becoming the full person of who God has called me to be.

So the next time, life knocks the wind out of you, recognize its just a moment. Realize, you can get back up. Remember, you will breathe again and do yourself a favor, get back on the merry go round! Life is too short to let it take your breath away! Enjoy the ride friends!

And His Name Was….

There are people in you life that have a way of brightening up your day. You know that ones that bring a smile to your face and perhaps leave you feeling better than when you met them. This was the case for him…..a person that I encountered during a common errand while driving the mom car around with my list to do on very ordinary days.

There are people in you life that have a way of brightening up your day

Perhaps as I tell the story, it may seem minuscule but yet that's what stood out to me. It was simple yet profound. It mattered. It made a difference in my day, and I left feeling challenged and introspective. He had inspired me. "Who?" you ask. "Tell us who you are talking about."

Him….he was nameless up until a week ago, and yet our relationship began when I arrived at my local credit union. He was an employee there. We met in the drive-thru. He greeted me with a friendly hello and took my transaction. He noticed me not just as a customer but as a mom. Before we finished, he asked, "How many kids are in the car? I can't see through your tinted windows." "Five," I told him, and he sent over enough lollipops for my crew. Not just a mix of them, but all the same flavor. I was impressed with his intuition. How could he have known that an uproar might occur over who got which flavor? He finished with "Have a great day" as we departed ways.

Seems simple enough and yet this was the same greeting every time we met, but each time more friendly as if we had known each other for years. "Hey there!! How are you?" He even recognized when I was on my own and commented that it must be nice as a busy mom to get some time alone. He didn't leave me empty handed either. Even with my empty car, 5 lollipops sent over for when I picked up the kids. He remembered there was five. Impressive!



Thoughtful, caring, friendly is how I would describe him. Simple yet profound ways to make a person feel recognized, and I didn't even know his name. I hadn't take the time to be on a first name basis. Yet, I thought highly of him. At one point, I felt maybe I was special until I heard him have the same greeting with the car in the next lane. Nope….he made everyone feel special. Even more reason to admire this young man.

Thoughtful, caring, friendly is how I would describe him.

A couple weeks back I pulled up to bank, and there he was. "Hello sunshine," I thought. I was happy to see "my friend" and the first thing he said was "Oh good, I was hoping to see you this week before Friday." I inquired why, and he went on to tell me Friday was his last day. He had gotten a new job. I didn't want be nosey and ask where, but he continued to carry on how he got a manager job at Tim Hortons. "In the area?" I asked. Didn't want to intrude too much, but I was curious. "No, no. Up in New Baltimore I'll start out at 26 mile location. I used to work there before I came to the bank and now they want me to manage 3 of their new locations they are building." "Great." I responded. I could tell he was excited about the opportunity. Good for him! Someone recognized this young man's potential, and I was happy to know he was moving on to a great opportunity.

I was taken back at his wanting to be open and share this experience with me, and also that he wanted to say goodbye. I had made the list. I would miss my friend. My ray of sunshine who still remained nameless. Surely, I couldn't ask his name at this point. I never had before and felt it was a little too late and out of place at this point. I wished him the best of luck and told him we would miss him. He thanked me, and we departed ways. Who knows if I will ever see my friend again?

I left taking in the conversation just had. The impact he had made on my life. The simple gestures of kindness that he had infused into my days, and I have to imagine so many others. He didn't just do his job well, but he affected people positively in the meantime. He was love with skin on.

Simple gestures of kindness that he had infused into my days

See it doesn't take much to impact a person's day. A simple smile, hello or taking the time to engage and show interest in another human being. Minute ways that we can impact our world. This past week it was sad to go to the bank knowing I wouldn't see his smiling face. I pulled up to make my transaction, and he wasn't there. She was there instead. Cordial, efficient, non invasive…..no judgement. I just noticed the vast difference. 

If we're not careful, we all can be that way. Busy in life, doing our thing, running our course, getting it done but making little to no impact. Life is but a breath and then its gone. I want to be one that makes a difference in my simple, every day life. I want to be like him!

You'll be happy to know I did however take the opportunity to ask her his name. "What was the name of the young man that worked here that left to manage at Tim Hortons?" She opened up and answered. "His name was Scott." "Thanks," I said. I was happy to finally have a name to put with his face.

I was happy to finally have a name to put with his face

Scott oh Scott! I'm going to miss you my friend. Your simple ways impacted my ordinary days and inspired me to live as if everyone I encounter is a friend. God bless you. I'm the more better from having met you. You inspired me. You impacted my heart. I'm grateful for the footprint you made in my life.

As I wrap up this latest posting, it seems fitting to quote these simple words from a very wise woman who lived a self-less giving life that inspired many around the world. May we all live more thoughtfully taking time with simple ways to show love because there are no ordinary days.