Kelly, I have often told you just how much I admire your ability to teach, encourage and truly change lives. I hope you know, deep within yourself, the magnitude of transformation your actions effect in the grand scheme of things. I have seen the degree of importance you have made for others long before you were ever hired to 'officially' guide families in need. I am not trying to just fill up blank space when I tell you how awed and inspired you make me. The sheer numbers of those whom you have freely shared your bottomless well of knowledge and encouragement, and your willingness to really use that hard earned Advocate Doctorate Degree from the School of Life to make a difference for others is not just an empty description and lip service. You are the person I was thinking of when I created this award. I thought this kind of acknowledgment needed to be publicly shared to show of my appreciation and thanks, for whatever that it is worth to you. Even though you are the epitome of what I feel this award embodies in my mind, the ruler by which I have always used to measure others against for a 'You Made A Difference Award', I have found myself unable to paint a mental picture with words vibrant enough, deeply enough, clear enough or worthy enough to do justice to how I feel. At the end of your life, you will be able to look back and know you gave all that you are, and that the gentle wave of your spirit has spread and grown into a tidal wave that has made all the difference in the world.
28 February 2011
14 February 2011
A Not So Famous Love Letter To My Husband...
Happy Valentine's Day to the only man who can make me laugh... even when we are bailing water out of a leaky boat... with a teaspoon.
The only man who can bring to me the warmth of the sun within him, to warm and light our way even in the coldest and darkest of times.
There is no more honorable man I could ever be more proud of.
There is no friendship I value more, with a bond of depth and strength, that could only have been forged by who and what you are.
I am humbled by the gift of your love that has become my rock.
You inspire me daily to want to strive harder, to be worthy of, and return to you, all that you have given to me and more.
For it is YOU who taught my heart to beat.
You who taught my love to shine.
You who taught me how to accept that which could not be changed and then attempt to turn it into something that could bring peace, not despair.
You have taught me how to fill my life with what could be, not with what has already past by.
You have given me the strength to endure and to keep anchored all that we have been blessed with.
Your love has given me wings to fly and then encouraged me to use them... often.
I can no longer imagine a world without you in it.
When my life is done, I want to able to look back and know that I will have given to you, everything that was within me.I Love You.
Famous Love Letters - Robert Peary...
[wow... I forgot to post this before Valentine's Day!]
At the bottom of this post I have listed a few of the sites I have researched for this series of love letters...
At the bottom of this post I have listed a few of the sites I have researched for this series of love letters...
Robert Peary (1856-1920) was born in Cresson, Pennsylvania. At 24, he joined the navy, which gave him leave of absence for Arctic exploration. He made his first expedition to Greenland in 1886 with his lifelong associate Matthew Henson; on his second expedition in 1891 he discovered Independence Fjord and brought back evidence of Greenland being an island.
Attempts to reach the North Pole in 1900, 1902, and 1905 all ended in failure. Finally, in 1909 he announced to the world that he had succeeded. That same year his rival Dr. Fredrick Cook claimed to have reached the Pole a year earlier. Cook's claim was dismissed, and Peary's was eventually accepted, in spite of widespread doubt. He retired as a rear admiral in 1911, and lived with his family in Eagle Island off the coast of Maine until his death nine years later.
August 17, 1908
S.S. Roosevelt,
My Darling Josephine: Am nearly through with my writing. Am brain weary with the thousand and one imperative details and things to think of. Everything thus far has gone well, too well I am afraid, and I am (solely on general principles) somewhat suspicious of the future. The ship is in better shape than before; the party and crew are apparently harmonious; I have 21 Eskimo men (against 23 last time) but the total of men women and children is only 50 as against 67 before owing to a more careful selection as to children... I have landed supplies here, and leave two men ostensibly on behalf of Cook.
As a matter of fact I have established here the sub-base which last I established at Victoria Head, as a precaution in event of loss of the Roosevelt either going up this fall or coming down next summer. In some respects this is an advantage as on leaving here there is nothing to delay me or keep me from taking either side of the Channel going up. the conditions give me entire control of the situation...
You have been with me constantly, sweetheart. At Kangerdlooksoah I looked repeatedly at Ptarmigan Island and thought of the time we camped there. At Nuuatoksoah I landed where we were. And on the 11th we passed the mouth of Bowdoin Bay in brilliant weather, and as long as I could I kept my eyes on Anniversary Lodge. We have been great chums dear. Tell Marie to remember what I told her, tell "Mister Man" [Robert Peary, Jr.] to remember "straight and strong and clean and honest", obey orders, and never forget that Daddy put "Mut" in his charge till he himself comes back to take her. In fancy I kiss your dear eyes and lips and cheeks sweetheart; and dream of you and my children, and my home till I come again. Kiss my babies for me. Aufwiedersehen.
Love, Love, Love. Your Bert
P.S. August 18, 9 a.m. ...Tell Marie that her fir pillow perfumes me to sleep.
13 February 2011
Famous Love Letters - Robert Burdette...
April 25, 1898
And when I have reasoned it all out, and set metes and bounds for your love that it may not pass, lo, a letter from Clara, and in one sweet, ardent, pure, Edenic page, her love overrides my boundaries as the sea sweeps over rocks and sands alike, crushes my barriers into dust out of which they were builded, over whelms me with its beauty, bewilders me with its sweetness, charms me with its purity, and loses me in its great shoreless immensity.
Robert Burdette, minister, to Clara Baker. They were married the following year.
10 February 2011
Obituary Review [Warning: Humor Ahead]...
My husband (as usual) sent me this unusual obituary that apparently has longevity in terms of time since publication... as you will see. He passed this along to me, because his co-workers all wish they could have sat down with this gentleman and had a beer.
Richmond Times-Dispatch
Frederic Arthur (Fred) Clark
Frederic Arthur (Fred) Clark, who had tired of reading obituaries noting other's courageous battles with this or that disease, wanted it known that he lost his battle as a result of an automobile accident on June 18, 2006. True to Fred's personal style, his final hours were spent joking with medical personnel while he whimpered, cussed, begged for narcotics and bargained with God to look over his wife and kids. He loved his family. His heart beat faster when his wife of 37 years Alice Rennie Clark entered the room and saddened a little when she left. His legacy was the good works performed by his sons, Frederic Arthur Clark III and Andrew Douglas Clark MD, PhD., along with Andy's wife, Sara Morgan Clark. Fred's back straightened and chest puffed out when he heard the Star Spangled Banner and his eyes teared when he heard Amazing Grace. He wouldn't abide self important tight *censored*. Always an interested observer of politics, particularly what the process does to its participants, he was amused by politician's outrage when we lie to them and amazed at what the voters would tolerate. His final wishes were "throw the bums out and don't elect lawyers" (though it seems to make little difference). During his life he excelled at mediocrity. He loved to hear and tell jokes, especially short ones due to his limited attention span. He had a life long love affair with bacon, butter, cigars and bourbon. You always knew what Fred was thinking much to the dismay of his friend and family. His sons said of Fred, "he was often wrong, but never in doubt". When his family was asked what they remembered about Fred, they fondly recalled how Fred never peed in the shower - on purpose. He died at MCV Hospital and sadly was deprived of his final wish which was to be run over by a beer truck on the way to the liquor store to buy booze for a double date to include his wife, Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter to crash an ACLU cocktail party. In lieu of flowers, Fred asks that you make a sizable purchase at your local ABC store or Virginia winery (please, nothing French - the *censored*) and get rip roaring drunk at home with someone you love or hope to make love to. Word of caution though, don't go out in public to drink because of the alcohol related laws our elected officials have passed due to their inexplicable terror at the sight of a MADD lobbyist and overwhelming compulsion to meddle in our lives. No funeral or service is planned. However, a party will be held to celebrate Fred's life. It will be held in Midlothian, Va. Email fredsmemory@yahoo.com for more information. Fred's ashes will be fired from his favorite cannon at a private party on the Great Wicomico River where he had a home for 25 years. Additionally, all of Fred's friend (sic) will be asked to gather in a phone booth, to be designated in the future, to have a drink and wonder, "Fred who?"
This Guest Book has been kept online by an anonymous person who wishes to perpetuate the memory of this spirited man. ~ Published in Richmond Times-Dispatch on July 9, 2006
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