Transformation

The House of J has begun to transform.  The J's are moving right along the journey of life.  We have all decided to live!  I know that sounds morbid, and even scary to hear someone say.  After Jay died, crossed over to the Other Side, into the beautiful Kingdom of Light, death looked so good.  Okay, maybe, I was the only one thinking it.  I haven't surveyed the household.  TJ had "living" on his little-boy-list of things to do.  The sadness, though, in the rest of us, saturated every word, every activity, every breath taken.  But, as time has passed God has shown us the Light here on this earth and in our lives.  He has shown us the Light to come, also. 

So, now that we have decided to join the living, we have, also, decided to do it exuberantly, with gusto, and with as much of God's Light removing the sadness and replacing it with a sense of courage, adventure, joy, wisdom, and incredible love.

Both DJ and I have desired to plant flowers.  So, with his handy-dandy tiller, DJ dug up a beautiful spot next to the road.  All of the J's helped in the planting of petunia's and viola's.  We are so excited each time a new bud opens up to radiate its color on our world.  Next to the house, six wonderful roses have been planted.  I just love roses.  I am not sure why.  I just love them.  I love to take care of them.  They take a lot of nurturing and mothering.  I think that is why I love them so much.  I love being a mother.

This Tuesday will be Jay's birthday.  He would have been 12.  To celebrate we are going to make a chocolate cake.  In Jay's honor, we are going to plant a weeping willow tree in the backyard.  I suggested to CC that we could name the tree something like... Willow. 

Each of these activities are decisions made by us to live.  We can float through life wishing for night to fall, our bodies to fall into bed, and our minds to fall away from the present, from a reality we rather not acknowledge, or we can take an active part in shaping our reality.  Instead of just letting life happen to us, we can make life happen for us.  Every decision made carries us down a certain path.  Where do we want to end up?  Depression road just leads to a dead-end.  Every decision, no matter how small, carries with it the power to change our lives and the lives around us.  We can take responsiblity for our present condition, grab hold of the helm and turn the titanic around.  It takes a little time, but it can be done.

The first step is to create a smile.  Start one on your own face.  If you prefer, you can practice in the mirror first when no one is looking.  Next, step it up to smiling at the cat or dog.  They are pretty nonjudgmental.  After you are comfortable with the smile on your face, share it with your family.  Next, move on to someone who has a scowl or frown.  This can be a challenge.  But, when you get a smile in return the boost you get acts just like that Crest Whitening stuff.  Your own smile becomes brighter.  After you have gone this far, pick upa joke book.  Memorize a few good jokes and start telling them!  Your smile may get promoted to a laugh!

Yes, the journey of a thousand miles (or of a life well lived) begins with one step.  Begin it with a smile.