Greensboro, NC – April 30, 2012

It has been a long journey for Trish Holder, who acted as the LEED project manager throughout the process.  The Holder-Raines couple registered the home for LEED certification in October 2008 while it was under construction.  They have been living in the home with their two children since it was completed in January 2009.

“We’ve been pacing ourselves,” joked Holder, a professional writer and marketing consultant for the commercial HVAC industry.  “LEED certification was always a goal, but not necessarily a priority.  Work, kids, and life had a way of taking precedence.”

The Challenges of Becoming LEED Certified

Part of Holder’s goal included being the first single family home to be LEED certified in the Piedmont Triad, an area that includes three of North Carolina’s major cities, Greensboro, High Point, and Winston Salem.  Holder never dreamed that after four years they would still manage to be first, but a prevailing lack of consumer awareness about LEED and a weak construction market helped to hold their place in line.

Even if the awareness was there, few builders or homeowners are up for what is arguably the toughest green building standard out there.   In 2008 when the Holder-Raines family began building the Greenspiration Home, the process was even more challenging.  Few builders, much less sub-contractors, had even heard of the USGBC or LEED certification.  That made finding suitable, enthusiastic partners for the project difficult.

LEED certification requires the involvement of multiple parties who take on key roles in the certification process.  This includes an accredited Green Rater who has direct exposure to the project and a LEED for Homes Provider organization that serves as the liaison between the Green Rater and the USGBC to make sure all documentation is in certifiable order.

“Four years ago, these entities were few and far between, and those that had been approved for the practice where just getting their ‘LEED-Legs’ so-to-speak,” said Holder. “It made for a lot of missteps along the way.  We’d think we understood a strategy, only to find out that we didn’t do one little thing right and we’d have to redo it in order to get the LEED points.  That was frustrating, and in some cases expensive.”

Green Building:  From One Homeowner to Another

While Holder frequently put LEED certification on the backburner, developing Greenspiration Home into an educational resource for homeowners became a high priority – if not an obsession.  Over the last few years she has given hundreds of people personally guided tours of her home, speaking candidly about her experiences building green, both good and bad. She has also spoken at numerous events including the National Association of Environmental Law Societies (NAELS) Conference hosted by Vermont Law School.   But most of her energy has been poured into www.greenspirationhome.com, an online publication she and her husband created to help homeowners navigate the process of building or renovating green.

“It’s like Better Homes & Gardens, only more technical and without the recipes,” said Holder.

Content includes anecdotal lessons about everything from a home’s heating and cooling system to sustainable floor coverings.  Informed guest bloggers write about their own personal green building and renovating experiences.  The site gets thousands of visitors each month, many of whom return again and again.

“We get great feedback – especially from women who appreciate the fact that we are giving them real information, not just fluff.  But we’re doing it in a manner they can relate to.  That’s something no one has ever done before.”

It is a fitting distinction given that the LEED certification process of the Greenspiration Home was instigated and driven by the actual homeowner.

“Getting LEED certified is gratifying because we worked so hard to get here.  But this house, and all we have done with it to educate consumers, far exceeds what will be inscribed on a plaque,” said Holder.

The LEED for Homes certification program provides the framework for independent, third-party verification that a particular home complies with the LEED for Homes Green Building Rating System as developed by the US Green Building Council.  Greenspiration Home is the first single-family home to achieve LEED certification in Greensboro, NC.

Share The Positive!

While there are many fundamental ideas which apply to parenting boys or girls, there are certain areas of concern which are specific to one gender or another. Our friends at iMom have shared some tips to raise positive and healthy boys and girls.

For Moms of Boys:

As a mother of boys, you already recognize their innate differences from your daughters. But what do you do with these differences? How do you uniquely parent your boys so they become responsible, mature men?

The following 7 tips may help. Dr. James Dobson, author of Bringing Up Boys, brings us his suggestions:

Dr. Dobson’s Seven Principles for Raising Boys:

1. Channel Their Energy
Understand that your boys will have more aggressive and excitable behavior than your girls. Instead of trying to squelch their energy, channel it into something productive.

2. Protect Their Spirit
Understand that there are many harmful things in this world which can wound your boys’ spirit. Dobson advises, “deal decisively with bullies, reduce exposure to media violence, and watch for signs of depression, withdrawal or lethargy.”

3. Keep Them Close
Maintain close relationships with your sons. Keep communication open, provide guidance, and discipline out of love.

4. Provide Them with Role Models
Provide your sons with healthy male role models. If their father is not in the home, consider a trustworthy family member or friend to spend time with them.

5. Give Them Your Time
Give your sons plenty of your one-on-one time. You may need to make changes in your own schedule, but give your sons both quality and quantity time.

6. Affirm Their Value
Dobson advises, “Counteract the effects of male-bashing in our culture by affirming a boy’s masculinity and his value as a person.”

7. Nurture Their Spirituality
Make your sons’ spiritual development your first priority in parenting by helping them develop their relationship with their God.

For Moms of Girls:

For girls, the challenges–and their remedies–are sometimes quite different from what moms experience in parenting their boys.

Here are some key areas where parenting your daughter may be unique.

1.  Teaching her that her worth is based on more than her appearance.
Our culture and its media send one consistent message, day-in and day-out: how she looks is everything. If you want to protect your child from the disappointment that values like these will certainly cause her, you must give her something to put in its place. Your job is to show her—in the way you value yourself and other women—that we are more than what the eye can see.

2.  Protecting her purity.
You are the last line of defense between your daughter and a world that would encourage her to give up the innocence of childhood far too soon. If you don’t put boundaries in place that prevent her from experimenting sexually, who will? Don’t underestimate the pull of curiosity, boyfriends, and the influence of her more worldly friends. And don’t let her be in situations where she’s forced to be strong before she’s ready for that responsibility.

3.  Teaching her to handle “mean girls.”
There’s something about the way girls—even little grammar school girls—socialize that can bring out the worst in children. Odds are, your little girl will be the “odd man out” on the playground at some point, and she’ll have to know when to let it go and seek out more authentic friendships, and when to stand up for herself. Help her to have the confidence to understand that when this happens, it’s because the other child(ren) has failed at being kind—not because she has failed at being worthy of kindness.

4.  Teaching her not to BE a “mean girl.”
I know what you’re thinking. “This one doesn’t apply to me. My child isn’t the bully.” But let’s be honest—every bully has a mom, and she’s probably almost always in denial about her child’s capacity for meanness. Have you ever laid down the law with your child about the level of kindness you expect from her toward others, and what the consequences will be if you ever find that she’s treating another child unfairly? Maybe we should all do one another a favor and have those conversations whether we think they’re needed or not…

5.  Helping her to balance femininity and strength.
The women’s movement did a lot for girls, opening doors of opportunity for all. But help your daughter to understand that equality isn’t sameness. Our femininity is what makes us distinct—we are made to be different from men for a reason. To deny that in some misguided effort to project an image of equality just strips us of what makes us, well—us! Help her to learn to be smart and strong like Ginger Rogers, who did “everything Fred Astaire did, except backward and in heels.”

6.  Protecting her safety.
It’s a sad reality that we live in a world where danger is a constant companion. Keeping your daughter safe will look different at various stages of her development, but you must be vigilant always. Take a long, hard look at her potential exposure to predators online, and in her real-world routines. Teach her, in age-appropriate ways, how to protect herself in various situations. As she becomes a teen and has more freedom, make sure she knows how to be safe on the road and on a date.

7.  Modeling for her what a good wife and mom looks like.
There is no other single factor that will influence how she carries out the roles of wife and mom in her own life more than what she observes in you. Live your own life with the kind of integrity and wisdom that you want her to embrace; and odds are, she will.

© 2011 iMOM. All Rights Reserved. Family First, All Pro Dad, iMOM, and Family Minute with Mark Merrill are registered trademarks.

Share The Positive!

She always thought her struggle had been unique, until she attended a writer’s workshop ran by Lisa Fugard, a celebrated Hay House author.  In this workshop people had to complete the sentences: “I used to …” and “And now I…” After listening to these other women’s tales, Marianne realized what a powerful motivational tool such stories would be for the many women in Pasadena who are starting their own businesses.

“The fact is that women setting up in business are the largest sector of overall new business owners,” says Marianne.

Continuing, “but women starting up in business face more hurdles than men; the key ones being self-doubt and lack of support. This is why I set up the Women’s Business Momentum Center, to help women to build or expand their business and transform their ideas into vision, action and profitability.”

Following her experience at Lisa Fugard’s workshop, Marianne came up with the idea of running the “Her Story” event. It’s a unique opportunity for local women to come together, to be inspired, to connect and to feel heard.

“I invited Lisa Fugard and nineteen other women with stories to come and share their stories with other women starting out in business. They will share their success stories by using “I used to…”  “And now I…”  For women, storytelling and having a strong support community is essential for them to thrive.  The power of hearing your own story through the mouths of other women and knowing you are not in this alone is priceless” adds Marianne.

The Her Story event will run on May 31st from 12 noon to 8pm at Women’s City Club in Pasadena.  Attendees will have a chance to listen to others’ stories, to ask the panelists questions and start to work on stories of their own.

“We are anticipating around 100 attendees and think that tickets for the event will soon sell out,” said Marianne.

She continued: “Although this is a full day event, women can attend any part of the program depending on their availability and still enjoy the benefits of connection, inspiration and motivation.”

Tickets for the event can be purchased here.

For more information on Marianne Emma Jeff, please visit: http://womensbusinessmomentum.net/about/

******
About Her Story

Her Story is a motivational event that will be held by the Women’s Business Momentum Center on the 31st May 2012 from 12 noon to 8pm at the Women’s City Club in Pasadena.  New York Times Celebrated Hay House author Lisa Fugard will be the key speaker and a panelist on the day.

The Women’s Business Momentum Center was set up in 2005 by Marianne Emma Jeff to help women to succeed in business. The Women’s Business Momentum Center (WBMC) is designed to help professional women to build or expand their business and transform their ideas into vision, action and profitability.

The Women’s Business Momentum Center offers a range of services for women embarking on their first venture and established entrepreneurs developing the next phase of their business.

For more information on the event, please visit: http://womensbusinessmomentum.net/about-her-story/

Share The Positive!

Your beliefs create and shape your reality. Whatever you believe about your self, your relationships, your money supply, your health and your job is what you are manifesting as your reality. That’s right, look at your world around you and you’ll discover your beliefs. The state of your affairs your life is in says nothing about YOU, it simply reflects the thoughts and belief systems you’ve believed to be true. If you want to manifest something new in your world, first believe that you have the power to change that particular situation and then start feeling what it is like to be living in a whole new world.

“If you believe you can, you probably can. If you believe you won’t, you most assuredly won’t. Belief is the ignition switch that gets you off the launching pad.” ~ Denis Waitley

Every belief you have carries an energetic frequency unique to it. You can only manifest into your world that which resonates with the vibration of each belief. Each time your mind entertains the thought, “I am sooo happy” it simply programs your body to start stirring up a soup of emotional chemicals in the brain that correspond with ideas of joy.  Therefore, your beliefs are constantly manifesting your experience of reality.  You can choose to make your body believe in thoughts you desire or dislike, and your reality will take on either experience.  For example, try holding your mouth in the “smile position” for as long as you can throughout your day.  It may feel fake a first, yet in a few hours you will honestly feel more appreciation for life and joy inside.  It’s that simple!

“The outer conditions of a person’s life will always be found to reflect their inner beliefs.” ~James Allen

All the actions you take in your life are based upon choices you make which are inherently based on your belief systems. If you have a deep belief that it is silly to practice smiling all day long, then you won’t be able to make the conscious choice to make your mouth form even the most subtle grin.  You live your entire life as if your unique engrained set of beliefs are completely true, giving your beliefs even more power and building up even more evidence to support the validity of these beliefs.  You are then caught in a crazy vicious circle that is like a “belief- merry-go-round” that is constantly spinning in the same cycle and often undesirable direction. Every experience you have then reinforces your belief system until finally your mind completely buys into the illusion that your beliefs ARE REAL! The truth is there is nothing real about any beliefs. They are all fabrications of the mind. The only thing that is real is that which doesn’t change or die.

“Beliefs have the power to create and the power to destroy. Human beings have the awesome ability to take any experience of their lives and create a meaning that dis-empowers them or one that can literally save their lives.” ~Anthony Robbins

Beliefs are the steering wheel that directs your manifesting vehicle down specific roads of reality. You can experience only as much joy, success, and abundance as your belief system will allow you. Take a moment right now to close your eyes, and ask yourself, “What do I most want to believe is true, to manifest the life I deserve to have?” Perhaps it is something like, “I can have a career that I deeply love and that takes care of me financially and I am becoming a money magnet!”   Or you may want a better relationship by saying, “My ideal mate is very attracted to me and desires me deeply.  The loving Universe is supporting me in creating my ideal relationship now.”  Simply take a few minutes to write down whatever this new empowering belief is that you would like to manifest.

“In any project the important factor is your belief. Without belief there can be no successful outcome.” ~ William James

Now that you have created your new beliefs that support the reality you desire, read over your words daily and let this feeling of having this sink deeply into your heart. Feel it is true in your guy and affirm out loud each day this new truth is your reality at least 5 to 7 times. Remember that you can do this same exercise with any belief that you would like to start believing at your core.  As you go through your life, continue to collect more data to support your new empowering belief, and soon you will start living your life as if this belief is completely true. Then, the desires that you hold near and dear to your heart will easily begin to appear in your reality.

Image: Markuso

Share The Positive!

Largo, FL (Grassroots Newswire) May 10, 2012  -

Each year, individuals and groups from around the world travel to Walt Disney World Resort to take part in one of the several Disney Y.E.S. programs offered throughout the Resort.  Most of the programs take place in and behind the scenes of the world-famous Theme Parks.

Areas of study include career discovery, life management, physical science, natural science, history, and art and humanities. The programs use varied resources onstage and backstage to bring real world examples to the learning experience. These two- to three-hour interactive educational experiences are available at both the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California. They are led by professional Disney facilitators who help guide the students and assist them in understanding the key lessons.

For more information on Disney Y.E.S. Programs, visit www.DisneyYES.com or call 800-603-0552.

Note to editor: Disney is unable to provide photographs for this event. You may wish to contact the participating schools directly for photo availability.

About the Disney Y.E.S. Program

Disney Youth Education Series programs are designed to help students get a better understanding of various school subjects through the experiences and attractions offered at Disney Theme Parks. Specially-trained Disney facilitators use captivating materials and breathtaking experiences to open your students’ eyes. Disney Y.E.S. field studies allow students to see how principles they’re learning in the classroom are making exciting things happen every day in Disney Parks. Programs are taught daily with curriculum covering Arts and Humanities, Leadership, Career Development, Natural Science, and Physical Science.

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Share The Positive!

SUCCESS STORIES NEEDED!
Women who have lost more than 50 pounds and achieved a favorable weight following Dr. Fuhrman’s Eat To Live plan!

Dr. Fuhrman will be appearing on a segment of the Dr. Oz show which will be taped, Friday, May 18, 2012 from 3:00 – 5:00pm.

Dr. Fuhrman will be discussing his Eat To Live diet plan. We need woman, ages 25 to 55 who have lost who have lost more than 50 pounds and achieved a favorable weight, to be featured on the show. We need up to 15 woman, some of which will be appearing live at the taping! You must have amazing “before” and “after” photos that you are willing to share.

If you meet this criteria, or know someone who does, and would like to be considered, please email your contact information and before/after pictures to pr@drfuhrman.com or call
(800) 474-9355 ext. 237 or (908) 237-0200 (during business hours).

Deadline for submission is Monday, May 14th, before noon, so email or call today!

Let us know if you can appear in the studio if we arrange for your transportation and hotel in NYC, or if you just want to share your story and pictures.

Share The Positive!

1. Be the early bird.

Have your ducks in a row before your kids get up…

Quiet Time, Showered, Dressed, Lunches and Breakfast Made, Gear Packed

2. Eat a good breakfast.

Coffee doesn’t count, but an apple and a glass of milk do!

3. Leave the nest on time.

Lower your stress by not running late.

4. Greet your kids joyfully.

Soar together into the afternoon.

5. Exercise and make time for family fun.

Health and laughter are good for all.

6. Birds of a feather flock together…for dinner.

No TV, gadgets or distractions.

7. Make time for sweet pillow talk.

Let the dishes, emails and the TV wait.

8. Get your ducks in a row.

Review to-dos. Lay out clothes. Read emails. Check calendar. Plan dinner. Pray.

9. Go to bed on time.

A rested mom is a patient and loving mom.

“He will cover you with his feathers,

and under his wings you will find refuge.”

© 2012 iMOM. All Rights Reserved. Family First, All Pro Dad, iMOM, and Family Minute with Mark Merrill are registered trademarks.

Share The Positive!

A hospital room may not be the typical yoga studio…and Geri Topfer and Penni Feiner of Kula for Karma are not your typical yoginis. The two can often be found along with their team of over 350 Certified Yoga Alliance volunteer teachers leading therapeutic yoga, meditation, and breathing techniques, helping patients find inner peace while undergoing chemotherapy, bone marrow transplants, surgery, and other treatments. Kula for Karma is an innovative 501©3 organization, promoting wellness among society’s most vulnerable populations at no cost. Kula is pioneering the integration of therapeutic yoga, meditation, and stress management into mainstream medicine and healthcare.

“We believe in partnering with health professionals in treating the whole person, not just the disease,” enthuses Kula for Karma’s founder Geri Topfer. “Being part of this exciting wave of integrating medicine and mind body approaches to healing is changing the face of healthcare.”

Research supports the use of yoga as a complementary prescription to achieve optimal results. “Yoga has a dramatic effect on improvement in reducing insomnia, nausea, aches and pains, and increasing the tolerability of chemotherapy,” says Dr. Andrew Pecora, chief innovations officer and professor and vice president of cancer services, John Theurer Cancer Center (JTCC), based at the Hackensack University Medical Center, NJ. Yoga also helps empower cancer patients to manage pain that may cause anxiety and depression.

Kula for Karma inspiring women in Rwanda

Oncologists at JTCC now regularly prescribe yoga through Kula Care, Kula’s hospital-based program, to complement radiation and chemotherapy treatment. At JTCC, there are five daytime yoga classes per week for patients, with one additional evening class being added for the staff as part of a new Kula initiative called, Caring for the Caregivers.

“Many healthcare providers and family members are emotionally overloaded and their need for healing support are often unmet,” explains Geri. “One of the biggest epidemics in our country is compassion deficient disorder. Kula is committed to creating awareness and helping this population manage stress and learn to balance their own needs while caring for others. “

In addition to hospitals, these two dynamos and their team can be found in prisons, drug treatment facilities, veterans’ centers, homeless shelters, and group homes for at-risk youth.

Kula for Karma's global reach: Rwanda

“We’re a yoga studio without walls,” says Geri, who has been an instructor for close to 15 years. While working as a magazine advertising director, Geri discovered yoga after a colleague recommended a class to help reduce her anxiety of public speaking. “During my first class, I felt like I had come home. I fell in love with the philosophy, the rigorous physical practice, the music, and the spandex. Although I still have a lot of anxiety and fear, the skills I’ve learned through yoga help me tap into my inner warrior.” After many years of yoga training, Geri had a vision and the seed for Kula was planted.

After three years as program director, Penni, became Kula for Karma’s executive director in September of 2010. As a business owner, Penni unites her business acumen, passion for yoga, and musical talent, to create a tapestry of consciousness. Penni is committed to Kula’s growth and expanding Kula’s reach in the most organic, fluid way.

Kula means community and karma means selfless service. These two peaceful warriors eat, sleep, and breathe all things Kula in an effort to make the world a better place.

Kula for Karma has over 70 programs in the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut area. Some of the populations Kula is passionate about include children with autism and other development disorders, war veterans who are managing posttraumatic stress, at-risk and abused children and teens, victims of domestic violence, female sex trafficking victims, wheelchair bound seniors, and men and women with HIV/AIDS.

The two amazing women at the helm of Kula for Karma recognize that they are an integral part of a peaceful revolution. “The possibilities are endless. The need for Kula’s programs is monumental and we are poised to meet the need,” declares Penni.

For more information, visit www.kulaforkarma.org or call 888 K4K YOGA.

Andrea Doyle is a New Jersey-based writer.

Share The Positive!

“There is no way to be a perfect mother, and a million ways to be a good one” ~ Jill Churchill (author)

Positive Impact Magazine has created a special section in honor of Mother’s Day to celebrate all the wonderful women who — at some point or another — have devoted themselves to cradling newborns, wiping messy chins, telling bedtime stories, kissing boo-boos, comforting tears, buying school supplies, picking out prom dresses, packing up bedrooms for transitions to the “real world,” and who always remain a phone call away. Mothers do all this and more while instilling lifetime values and exemplifying unconditional love.

Below we have included touching stories, poems, photos and videos from PIM’s contributors and readers who wanted to share appreciation for their mothers and how motherhood has positively affected their lives. Find love and inspiration in their entries and please share your own gratitude regarding mothers in the comment section below. We’ll have the special post live all weekend, so if there is anything you would like us to post in honor of your wives, daughters, sisters, friends or if your children would like to send us something for you, please email info@positiveimpactmagazine.com. Enjoy!

I Love You Too Much – During the summer of 1968, at the tender age of 2 and a half, as a special treat mom took my sisters, brother and me to Cedar Point (Sandusky, Ohio). After a day filled with rides, games, corn dogs, french fries, soda pop, and fun, at sunset we took a boat ride on lake Erie.  As a child, it was the end of a perfect day.  On that boat ride, I became so overwhelmed with admiration, appreciation and love for my mother that I jumped in her arms and began kissing her uncontrollably to the laughter of all those around us.  With this wave of emotion I looked deep into my mother’s eyes and exclaimed:  ”Oh mommy I love you too much!”  With that single statement of a babe in her mother’s arms, it became “our thing.” Even with my two sisters, brother and later three step sisters, only mom and I shared “I love you too much.” Every holiday card, every care package sent to me in college, every card, note, or letter (remember, there wasn’t the internet) mom always signed her special message to me:  ”I love you too much, baby.”  Mom never forgot an occasion or sent a special card as a pick me up or a funny card just to let me know she loved me “too much.”

For forty years, mom and I exchanged “I love you too much” whenever we could. On the eve of mom’s final sunset, I leaned down to her, and began kissing her gently, with tears streaming down my face, I said to my mom: “Oh mommy I love you too much.” My mother, fading in and out of consciousness, opened her eyes and said:”There has never been too much.  I love you my baby.”  Those were the last words my mother spoke to me as she slipped away from us the following night to travel on her next journey. So many lessons my mother has taught me but the greatest of these has been love. . .love with “alls you gots” no matter who’s looking, who’s around, or who knows.  The love shared between those you love can never be too much and as I know. . .never ends. – Submitted by: Tracy Horvath

My daughter Nicole and I are best friends.  We have been through so much together and we are closer than ever.  I just wanted to share this with every Mom out there that daughters are to cherish forever and ever and don’t ever break that bond you have.  She had a beautiful vase filled with roses delivered to me for Valentine’s day with the most incredible card attached…I love her dearly. – Submitted by: Cara Grooms

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“We may not look much alike, but I am my mother’s daughter. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.” –Submitted by: Bailey Foster for her mother, Kathy Burks.

The picture below speaks volumes to my Mother’s Day wish this year. My journey has had plenty of challenges in life, and Mom has been a great influence. I am proud of my mom. She is a smart, brave, and a confident woman. She knows what she likes and probably more importantly, knows what she doesn’t. She showed me that to be particular in what I want is my right. Looking back, of all the gifts my mother has given me, this year I highlight the language I was given. I am a CODA, which is an acronym for hearing children of Deaf adults. I speak and perform about my journey of being raised in a Deaf home and the adversities during my childhood with the hearing world. It was through my experiences that I married my husband of 10 years, whom is Deaf. We now have three hearing children and use sign language as our primary communication.  I thank my mother for teaching and sharing with me this beautiful language. As a mother, I turn to my children and ask them to embrace this language as I much as I do. When communication is key, sign language makes it possible to engage with my mom. ILY mom! — Submitted by: Liysa Callsen

The Melody Gardot song below, “If the Stars Were Mine,” says everything and more about the appreciation I feel for my mother, Kristy McDonald. I love and adore her for all she does and has done for me and my sisters. She is my SHERO and just knowing she will always be there for me means the world. Love ya mom! –Submitted by: Amber McDonald

I wrote the poem below on Easter, one year ago, en route to my mother’s funeral service. Her name was Francine Sellet. She was amazing. I was sitting bedside her at the time of her passing and, although it was good to steer her through her cancer pains and other medical issues toward a much better home at God’s side, it was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I miss her daily and hope she knows, from her very lofty vantage point, that all seven of her children adore her and love her and hope that her pain free days in Heaven are all she wished for. I am as good as I can be as Mother’s Day approaches and I can only look upward. –Submitted by: Lyn Marinello

MOM
From my earliest recollections, MOM meant “master of magic”
A positive energy undenied; a lesson to learn from anything tragic.
She’d feed the masses with whatever was near
Pray for a steak; and bulls would appear.
She taught us that play didn’t require joysticks and Xbox
And there’s always a choice – no matter the knocks.
She mothered us all; and fathered us too.
She thrived on her family; overjoyed as it grew.
She instilled many things in each life she did touch
Love of God first; faith’s your greatest crutch.
Music soothed her soul; a gift she loved and shared
Beholding many talents; blessed beyond compare.
She turned molehills into mountains; pocket change to riches
The wit that she possessed, kept us all in stitches.
And our laughter made her joyous. Her heart would beam so bright.
As long as there was family, she knew Heaven shined its light.
Her house was always open to all who needed rest
Every person that she greeted was a potential future guest.
Her table always offered an extra chair and plate
Her arms were always open – of this there’s no debate.
She encouraged each of us to pursue our wildest dreams,
Never doubted our abilities, instead assisted in our schemes.
And as we grew, so did her pride. Her kids were her whole world.
And as each of us married, that pride multiplied; unfurled.
Cally, Billy, Danny, Jimmy, Lynnie, Skipper, Skeeter;
Lisa, Lisa, Colleen, Jamie, Victor, Cara – it just gets sweeter.
Now stir in some grandkids, Alli & Nick, Dayna & Joel,
A dash of Sierra, Cheyenna & Robert makes ‘em whole.
Now Danny, another Robert, Danielle & Michael to boot.
Rebekah then follows and they are all just too cute!
Deanna and Miles are next in the order
Then Ava & Hannah round out the grandkid border!
She cherished each one ~ as a gift from above;
She did all she was able to shower each one with love.
The thrill of this growth was only surpassed
By Julia, Montana, Roary & Lily; although her Julia passed.
For her endeavors to date, God bared His great grace.
She met Alfonso and her heart surely did race.
His devotion to her showed through dance and through song.
Their love is eternal. Bound by faith; it is strong.
He nursed her through illness. Sang her through pains.
Danced her through triumphs. Held her hand through the strains.
She continued her gambling; continued her joys;
Delighted in her girlies and simply thrived upon her boys.
As I sat and held her hand for her final day on earth,
I assured her of her family’s love and urged her toward rebirth.
I started with Alfonso and moved on through the crowd
Said that each of us adored her and thanked God for time allowed.
As she took her final breath; although my heart did break,
I knew what would be greeting her when, in Heaven, she did wake.
I think that I can safely say, for family & friends far and near
We’re excited that you’re finally home, but my God, you are missed here.
Enjoy when Julia sings. Greet your mom and dad with glee.
Hug Joanie over bingo. Bask in the company of Thee!
Please know that we will miss you! You’ve left a trail of joy and love.
Always selfless and forgiving ~ revel in your days with God above.