28Sep 2017 by CJ

Ordinary day – who would you choose to spend it with?

Love & Relationships
“It has taken awhile, but I certainly do know it now ­­– the most wonderful gift I had, the gift I finally learned to cherish above all else, was the gift of all those perfectly ordinary days.” - Katrina Kenison If you had the opportunity to spend one ordinary day with someone from your past or your present, who would it be? For me, it’s a person I’ve never had the privilege to meet – a man whose lineage I carry around with me each and every day. His name was Louis Melillo – my grandfather. He was only 55 when he passed away from cancer, just a few days after my 1st birthday. My grandmother used to always tell me that he refused to let my birthday be forever overshadowed…
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08Sep 2017 by CJ

Grandparents Day is Sunday, September 10

Love & Relationships
Grandparents Day is Sunday, September 10. Since 1978, Grandparents Day has been a secular holiday commemorating the important contributions seniors have contributed throughout history. And no contribution is more important than the enduring relationships many have shared with their grandchildren. I enjoy looking at old pictures - especially black and white images of family members I’ve never had the opportunity to know beyond stories passed down through the generations. Unfortunately, sometimes all we’re left with are dozens of family photographs, which are missing the narrative that makes them come alive. And while history books have aptly captured prominent times in our nation’s illustrious past, once the elders in our own families are gone, so are the stories and the glories of our own legacy. My last living grandparent, my grandmother…
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29Aug 2017 by CJ
Connections are hard to come by, but worth holding on to

Connections are hard to come by, but worth holding on to

Love & Relationships
“I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.” ― Brené Brown As an awkward, insecure teenager, it wasn’t uncommon for me to spend a Friday or Saturday night alone – driving around listening to music as a means to busy myself from the loneliness. Inevitably, my car always managed to find its way to my grandparent’s house. The draperies covering a large picture window in their living room seemed to almost glow – no doubt caused by the television set, which was obviously on. This was a clear sign they were home before pulling into the driveway and ringing the doorbell. The hour was irrelevant;…
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21Aug 2017 by CJ

Winnie-the-Pooh is still teaching us lessons

Love & Relationships, Youth
On August 21, 1920, Christopher Robin Milne was born. For many of us, his name is immortalized in the stories of a lovable little boy and his favorite toy bear, more affectionately known as Winnie-the-Pooh. A.A. Milne was a prolific writer – books, plays, essays – but will forever be known for his creation of the beloved Winnie-the-Pooh series. History says that in 1925, Milne and his young family moved to a picturesque farm in Sussex – the 100-acre woods surrounding the property serving as the perfect magical setting for a series of children’s stories countless generations continue to admire. When young Christopher was around one, he received a present – a stuffed bear. That one stuffed animal would serve as the inspiration for a series of whimsical stories. Over…
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29May 2017 by CJ
Write someone a letter and show how valuable they are

Write someone a letter and show how valuable they are

Generosity & Kindness, Love & Relationships
“How wonderful it is to be able to write someone a letter! To feel like conveying your thoughts to a person, to sit at your desk and pick up a pen, to put your thoughts into words like this is truly marvelous.”  ― Haruki Murakami, Norwegian Wood When was the last time you sat down to write someone a letter? With all the electronic means of communication today, writing anything with a pen and paper has become passé to say the least. But to write someone a letter is about more than just formality – it’s about sincerity. It means setting aside time to gather your thoughts and convey your admiration and appreciation for the recipient who will read it. How often do we do that? I mean with all the social…
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