Things I Learned Today.................

Well, I can't say for sure I learned a lot but I certainly observed things today. And why not, it's Thanksgiving. It is a day that we are supposed to consider what we are thankful for. I always have the standard list. But throughout the day I discovered that my list may be a bit under nourished.

Due to work and health we were limited in what we could do. We decided to keep it simple. Sure that would be the adult plan, but not the one the entire team supported. So very early, before the labor of the day began a request for breakfast was made. Reasonable, but not one of my delicious home cooked meals but a meal out. OK, sure why not. We aren't cooking a meal, we have to eat and I need coffee. So Pop gets the chariot fired up and off we go to Village Inn. This has all the appearance of a good idea, until we sit down. Apparently none of the scheduled staff showed up for work. We heard all about it. We were served coffee and ordered so it seemed to be going to work out until the meal arrived, cold, wrong and missing pieces. We requested the repairs but after a substantial amount of time one of us did not get a full course and this was most disappointing. When we described the error of their ways the manager was like "its a boiled egg, how hard is it" and 'cold? Oh yeah I hate that"! We got our partial meals at a discount. Sigh, well we had SOME food and we could eat more at home if needed.

So back home we go. Pop leaves to take care of his business and I think, holiday movies, coffee and rest. After all I can't turn my head, nod my head, bend my head. My brace is on like a boa making the kill. I am going to sit. Sure. About an hour into A Christmas Story the social director comes out and asks what time is the feast going to be served? What feast, I say. 'Don't be silly, its Thanksgiving Day! We need to have a feast!' Sure, why not. I can't bend over, lift, carry anything. I can only drop and I am very proficient at that. So I assure him we will have a meal but HE will need to be the hands so to speak.

I walk to the kitchen and yes, I am already done. But doe eyes looks at me and we are back on target. I had some turkey 'pieces' so I googled a rub and we put them in the crock pot. Done! Sure. But what about potatoes, gravy, vegetables. I can ponder about those. OK. I rested a bit but then he inquires about the rest of the meal!! So I googled and we created the candied yams and dumped the frozen mixed veggies into a pot. Good news. But we need special dessert he says. Sure, why not. OK there are bananas and pudding, so I googled a cream pie. A quick fix with instant pudding  so we put it in the fridge to chill. Which I think we should do while we are waiting, right? Sure.

So now it is late and the birds start circling the kitchen so I decide I might as well get all the parts finished and we can be prepared for the button to pop up on the bird. It is supposed to do that right? Sure. Though we apparently are going to be tortured by the turkey timer as no matter how many times we looked, no go! I finally resort to a kitchen thermometer. We are close enough to avoid an ER visit, we are going to eat. Cut the bird, sure, by a woman who can't look or a kid who can't see. Choices choices. In walks pop. Timing is everything! He slices the bird and the boys set the table. Because we did not have a clean dish to use suddenly plates I have never seen were pulled out of a cupboard and plunked on the table. Mismatched everything, my mother would have fainted straight away. But Cody did it, and he was so pleased with himself. We all had everything we need.

So we sit down and before we can eat he wants to know what we are thankful for. We have the usual retort, of family. He thinks that is nice but he says he is also thankful for his brothers (best friends) and his cousin. That's nice. And we finish the meal. He helps mom clean up to the last plate. No complaints. And I start to think I am thankful for a son who doesn't complain, who helps without being asked, who respects the reason for the celebration. I am thankful for a husband who prays, does what he is needed or asked to do, who has a heart for the mission of his work. I am thankful that we had food to throw into a pot, time together cooking, that I can google, that I have this family.

And as the evening rolled on and I observed Face Book and Instagram I noted a million others who shared they were grateful for family and friends. But it was one post shared from Mark Shriver about mercy. What is mercy, not just what it is as a gift but how to live it. We often look at this time of year as a time to throw extra money or donations at those in need. But living mercy is connecting with the people we meet first, the rest is really a bonus. Making eye contact, asking their names, learning about the individual no matter what they look like or how they act. Larry Fitzgerald went this afternoon and asked if he could just hang out with the folks at SVDP. He sat and played checkers, he talked to them, shared stories, learned about their lives. The most important gift is us. That is what Cody was really most excited about today, not the food, though he loved it, but the time spent in the kitchen and around the table. The smile on his face at the table was pure contentment. That is the look we should see when we live and share mercy.

So the evening finished with a happy family. As Cody said his bedtime prayers, the first thing he did was thank God that He helped us not lose our mind at breakfast. Then he continued to thank Him for our health, home, friends, family and all the good things He does for us. Hoping you had a great day too. My final prayer is that you and I will learn to live mercy in the year to come.

Where were you.....................

That question has been asked a lot today. Where were you when the Twin Towers went down? Where were you when the Pentagon was hit? Where were you when a plane full of brave and selfless people changed evil intent to sacrifice? I will never forget.

You see I was at the happiest place on earth. I was at Disneyland. It was our sons first trip, our first family fun vacation. We had spent 9/10 at the park the entire day. We watched the opening parade, the closing parade, the flag folding ceremony. This of course was surrounded  by 1000's of screaming, happy children, mostly happy children, and their exhausted but satisfied parents. We were having a great time letting our son enjoy the fun of his favorite characters coming to life, hugging him, giving him the High Five. It was grand. We went to bed tired, but happy.

Then I woke up. I turned on the tv to see this really bad sight, and as I changed the channel it was suddenly clear this was not a movie. This was happening in front of my eyes, planes hitting buildings, imploding into dust and rubble, people running, screaming, dying before my eyes. This was no longer the happiest place on earth. It was a nightmare. My husband and I sat, frozen in front of the set wondering what we should do. LA had closed down. People were being sent home, roads and businesses closed or encouraged to do so. No public attractions were permitted to open. No public transportation was running. The planes  stopped flying. It was as if the world stopped. In many ways it did.

Our son was fairly well entertained in the hotel. But what do we do, stay in LA a possible target or go home past a nuclear power plant, another possible target. Who were these people and what did they want? Information was streaming as facts and footage were released. It is emotional still, I can't stop crying when I see even a moment of the footage. It is still incomprehensible.

We stayed at the advise of my father, a decorated retired officer and former Pentagon Joint Chief of Staff member. In a hotel with no restaurant I walked across the street to the 7-11. We were all there, those of us stuck in LA waiting for some explanation, some sense to what was happening. No one really talked, a lot of shock, nodding, pained expressions. We had all been sitting in front of the tv waiting for our future to be defined. The parks were closed for the first time in their history. CLOSED, the happiest place on earth was closed.

By supper time Roy Rogers restaurant opened. We went to get a cooked meal. About a dozen people there. No one really knowing what we were doing, supposed to do. And we were across country. Roy Rogers was a restaurant we ate at in the 60's when I first went to Disneyland. It felt a little safe and I was glad to at least know a familiar spot. In the front of our thoughts was what about tomorrow, what will it be like tomorrow.

Since they were still advising no travel from a safety perspective, we decided to use the park ticket to fill some time. We were here and it was going to be open. So another first, they searched everything and everyone coming into the park. Babies, diaper bags, purses, strollers, everything. It had never been done in the history of Disneyland and California Adventure. And it was still quiet. No planes, low attendance, adults nodding, children being kids thankfully. No lines on the rides, no lines at the restaurants or gift stores. Odd in a million ways. What happened to our happiest place on earth?

It was changed. For us anyway, and I imagine the others who found themselves with a conflict between reality and fantasy. Despite the costumes and candies and thrill rides all around there was the reality that 2996+ died in most tragic and or heroic of circumstances. Families were going to be missing loved ones, empty chairs at their tables, no help with homework, no hugs at bedtime. How is that reconciled with the illusion of goodness at the theme park?

We were reminded that there are very bad people in the world, driven by evil. Their hearts are cold, their actions irrational, their motives warped by the lies they embrace. They have acted again and again with hate, taking innocent, defenseless, unarmed, non-challenging, happy lives. They are cowards, striking those not at war, but those who can't fight back.

There fortunately was a lot of goodness happening at ground zero, at the Pentagon, in Pennsylvania. There were lots of stories of very heroic actions, sacrifices, lives spared. There have been many who found a way to give,  comfort, love. There have been many who chose action, military or public service. So many people gave so much, helped so much, shared so much. There was actually a moment of complete unity of spirit as a result of this horrible thing. It is one we need again.

So I remember exactly where I was when 9/11 happened. I remember the conflict and the emotion and the change that day brought for me and countless others. I know that each year we are reminded as are the families and friends still missing their loved one with the retelling of the attack on our beautiful country. They are changed. I know people who worked throughout the days following still see images and are changed. I hope that our country can regain that unity of spirit and purpose, that we could once again find that change.

Where were you when the world changed? Do you remember it?

Always Ready.....

Always be prepared. A Girl Scout motto, Dear Abbey recommendation and Fathers great advice. Be Ready! What for? Everything.

Ready to offer help. Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you. Help, serve, give, do. 

Ready to offer forgiveness. Over and over again people will fail you. When they repent, forgive. Let the have grace. When they don't deserve it, when they don't ask for it, when you don't want to, give them grace. 

Ready to endure. There are lots of struggles, challenges, pains, heartaches in this world. It is filled with humans given free will. It is filled with the results of mans poor choices. It is filled with disappointments. It is filled with disease and death. Be ready to travel through the battle and arrive on the other side. 

Ready to love. Not just the easy ones. The ones that don't want it, don't know they need it, that you don't want to! Everyone needs love. It takes practise, patience, perseverance, forgiveness, God!

Ready to  leave. We are here for a moment, the blink of an eye. We have a short time on this side of eternity. Live for the dash and be ready to cross the finish line. We must choose now, this moment, who we will follow and how we will live. We might stumble but our eyes should remain fixed on our prize. 

Be ready.................

July Something Or Other..........

Was the night before Sunday and all through the house
Not a creature was stirring except for this mouse
The stories are written, all tucked in my head
I must dump them now if I ever hope to go to bed!

Ok, where does the time go? I was told for decades (the first few) that the older you get the faster time goes. 'Sure' I'd say. I fully doubted it and knew that it was just a myth. Fast (speed race pace) forward to 2016. I think time is faster than the speed of light. Seriously!

So a quick summary of what I know, think, or feel you should know or think!

1. Hannah and Kevin got married!
It was a great wedding start to finish. We enjoyed planning, shopping, traveling, decorating, frosting, driving, shopping. And it ended in a perfect ceremony in the historic Hendricks Chapel at University of Syracuse (Go Cuse). Then the reception, amazing. Grandparents Bush know how to host an event. Dancing and eating was the theme. Wonderful family and friends to celebrate. Things I learned about the families:

- Ginger is one crazy cat, seriously! Needs medication and a cage. First time I have seen a room full of adults stand on furniture to frost cupcakes. Just saying!
- No one knows how to eat cake, or perhaps, they REALLY know how to eat cake. There was cake and frosting on many a face including the bride.
- Coffee is a staple item and was well stocked in every location. Thank you for loads of legal addictive stimulants.
- I may be slipping. It is hard to believe but in my quest to remember everything, I forget most of it. ID's, Dress, Shoes, Hair Product, Clothes. As a result I fell into a serious relationship with Amazon Prime. I am trying to end it but I am not sure anyone knows me, really knows me like AP!

- I love being one of the shortest people in a crowd. Real first for me. I belonged!
- I love all the family and friends. Really, and putting faces with names and stories (oh yes, I have heard lots of stories over the years) is glorious.
- One should always carry emergency items such as extra pantyhose, kleenex and a dental temporary repair kit. Never know when someone will get a run, their nose will run or they will fall if they run! Good times were had no matter who or what ran.
- They are the cutest couple Cody could have married. He is very happy!

2. Dance Happens!

Cody worked hard and passed his second dance exam for the Royal Academy of Dance. He was so
excited since he danced so very hard. As it would seem to be evolving, the season for ballet may be past and a new focus happening with One Step Hip Hop Remix Dance Team and our beloved Caroline more challenged to get to Phoenix from CA. We love that out of ballet we won Caroline our greatest gift. And now Cody is busting the moves with his program. We will still dance though. Looking forward to some virtual fun.

3. Our Troops are Growing!

The Jackson Family Club is growing! 2 more team members are coming this winter. We will have gone from 0 to 11 grandkids for Dale in 3 years time. Now thats commitment. Great news, no one is being committed. WHEE
The Gates Jr Team is getting it's first grand baby in the next 30 or so days. Sweet. Going to be grand.
****What I can promise you all the more of you there are the less likely I am going to remember your name, birthdate or sex. You may want to register somewhere to assure you don't get a bunny suite for Christmas (The Christmas Story - best movie ever).

4. Work!

Yes we all do. Enough said.

5. Binge Watch Netflix
I do sit up many nights and watch tons of Netflix, who thinks I am from the UK. Mostly right. I love good movies and series. My only issue is that there seems to be more and more full nudity and horrible language when it is completely unnecessary. I am trying to decide if it is for the actors who want to be unfaithful to their spouses, or who have a desire to expose themselves. It adds NOTHING to the story, NOTHING to the entirety of the production, just offends. The Last Kingdom is so excellent but with each episode it is becoming more like perhaps worse than Game of Thrones. And
you just can't unsee all of the horror - And so I rely on Doc Martin, Frasier, Johnny Carson reruns, You've Got Mail, CLEAN. That is all.

6. Play!
Well, we do that too. Rich plays golf, watches golf and well he listens to youtube reviews about golf. LOL UFC is also big. Violence, after all, helps us maintain that cheerful demeanor the rest of the day. I play chauffeur, maid or mamaratzzi for Master Gates. HE plays all day, all night, everyday. Whether it is a program with his friends or in his room with his great imagination. He can do anything.


There it is. We miss Cathy Ardrey in Washington. Want to go see her again. If you see her tell her we love her so much much. The Molina's are at their summer place, chickens. Anything to avoid 122 degrees. Look forward to seeing them soon. Then there is my ENTIRE family where there seems to be 'distance'. Teri is working hard redecorating Linda and Homers home. Cool. And Dale is making great progress on his home, driveway done, fence up, deck and benches. Looks wonderful. So we are all good.

A 2nd Act - Phoenix

What an inspiring and uplifting event. Cancer survivors shared their stories. Humor, tears, courage. These ladies had endured the greatest threat in life, facing death! They were told they were going to be placed in battle, some with little hope of survival. Odds stacked against them, fears and mourning in the room, they had really only two choices. Give up or get up. Fortunately they all chose to get up, to stand and face the enemy.
They each had the knowledge that this was a situation over which they had no control with the exception of one thing, how they would react to it. They got up. They determined to take control of the only thing that they could. It meant attitude adjustment, self-reflection, prioritizing, hope and a plan for the future.
As they continued through their various treatments and journeys they discovered strength and focus that gave them a vision for the future. A vision to help others, share their journey, a purpose. No situation in life is a waste unless we waste it! Not one of these folks wasted their gift for a second life, a second act.
They are now volunteers, speakers, teachers, advocates, athletes, alternative healthcare educators, students, planners, charity promoters, mothers, grandmothers and so much more. They are happy, they dance, smile, laugh and have compassion and empathy that only those who have walked this road can understand.
It was said that if cancer was cured tomorrow, 500,000 woman would not be diagnosed with cancer this year. BUT there would still be 8 million survivors. WOW. For me a few take aways; don't take myself so seriously, don't let life's small inconveniences set you in a tailspin, perspective is everything!

Thank you SMIL (Scottsdale Medical Imaging) for underwriting today. If you have the chance ever to support, participate or attend DO.

On a personal note, Melinda Montoya is our survivor and we were so fortunate to see her today. FANTASTIC! We are forever grateful for her life and that we can call her friend.

A 2nd Act

Look at Me Now!

I have had the privilege of watching this amazing boy grow into a wonderful, polite, funny, kind young man. He is smart, sensitive, deep and witty. He is 'wise and gentle' I was told on Sunday. I think this long list of accolades in my mind every day but try not to say them too often, after all I am Judy, aka Mom!

He embraces life so fully and encourages everyone around him to come along. Oh sure, he is quieter than he used to be 'at times' which is probably appropriate. I am still trying to learn that myself. I tell folks I am 55 but often 12. That is fairly accurate I think. We could do a vote but you know..........

We have had another few months of great excitement. His former (and very much loved) high school brought the alums and current unified athletes together for a special event welcoming Principal's, Special Olympics executives and the curious to see their internationally renowned Unified Sports Special Olympics program. Dr Tim Shriver was the tour guide and Raymond S Kellis showed the globe how it is done. Forever we are grateful for our time there, the teachers, the peers, the Principal and the permission to dream big. We are grateful for Tim Shriver who Cody feels is his best friend! He is a kind heart and so much fun.

Cody's new program, One Step Beyond, has all of the things a kid would love including dance, art, photography, creative writing, karate and more. They also do work training which Cody enjoys as well. His dance team performed at the half time of the ASU men's basketball game, then the national finalist ASU women's basketball game. And then they put on an amazing dance show, Dance Free, their first ever full length show. FANTASTIC. He excels at performing and always finds his way to the front of the stage.

Via One Step he has been taking Karate and he successfully tested for his yellow belt. He enjoys yoga at One Step Beyond and I enjoy Hot Yoga at Y.O.G.A. on Fridays so he goes with me. He loves it, who knew! He just took his second Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) ballet exam and so we are waiting for the results. 6-8 weeks of nail biting and pacing. Following the exams we have now developed the celebratory ritual of True Foods and Frost Gelato. That makes it all worthwhile. He loves his dance with Miss Caroline and will do so for hours while walking around the track once was always a struggle. LOL He taught his first ballet class last month to 10 children. It was great fun and he did very well. We are excited about more classes in the future.

Rich and I are still the same, older, but the same. We are blessed to have good jobs that have remained steady over the years. We are looking forward to great things in the next few months as our family grows and grows up. In the meantime we never know what 'boy' will greet us when we open his door or he walks out to get supper. It is an adventure living with this creative boy. And we love it, every minute!

ALL

I saw Him smiling with the sun shining brightly behind him. He had a gentle laugh and eyes that looked at you, full of compassion, making contact and genuinely interested. I had never seen anyone that looks so at peace with the world around Him and yet He harbored a terrible dark secret during His short life. It is not that He kept if from His friends or family to be deceitful but because the knowledge of the truth would have caused such great pain and distress.
He never wants to have worry or fear overtake the thoughts of those around Him. He seeks to be the calm in the storm, the light in the darkness, the joy in despair. He wants to hold us tight for comfort and for counsel. It is always a challenge for those in His company to feel that they matter, that they are worth the energy, worth the sacrifice. Clearly if they were not there would have been no reason for such a great price to be paid. Certainly a death sentence would have been off the table if there had been any other way.
So as the time approached, His secret despair was slowly unveiled and all the world would see. There would be only one perfect way to make it all matter, to make a way, to pay for the things occurring in the black hearts of corrupt men. But He did not reject those around Him though they rejected Him. He did not curse man even though they mocked Him. He refused to be anything other than Himself even though they told Him He couldn't! He took it all, quietly, knowing this one thing would be the worst. It would take every single bit of His being, unto death, to complete. He took it all, nails, thorns, spit, spikes, weight, pain, hate. All!
So huge was this moment in the world that the sky darkened, midday. A curtain in the center of a temple tore top to bottom. The earth shook. He cried out that it was done, finished. He had taken it all. ALL.
Silence, shock, uncertainty, unbelief that they had just seen this man take it all. ALL. He didn't beg to avoid it, He didn't bargain to get out of it. He just died! He would be taken to a tomb in the rock, laid out and that was it, dead. Gone. What was He doing, He shoulda, coulda, woulda been able to do so many things to get out of this, but now He is just gone.
But He knew there was one more thing. The last page of the story was the best one. HE knew He would see everyone again and for eternity, those who would follow Him. He knew that in taking it ALL there was no more sacrifice or payment due. Those who tried to do the right thing but couldn't, those who wanted to pay the price but couldn't, those who felt unworthy but couldn't change, no worries. He made a way, took care of it, all they had to do was follow. And so we are safe, protected, covered, paid in full, bought for eternity, given life, a promise that is kept unlike one we would make.
When that sinks in, you realize that no matter what or who you are, no matter what, He wants you always and forever. As you think about that you look up and there is that beautiful face, smiling, eyes looking straight at you full of compassion and joy. He is so happy to see you, know you, walk with you. He loves you so much that He took it ALL and He is risen, here with you now and waiting to see you, hug you so tight, welcome you home once and for all! jlg (C) 2016

I Am an Author

The End.

Happy Super Bowl New Year

What on earth has happened to my blog? I was all set to share my deepest thoughts for the New Year and I have discovered that they are still in 'draft'. What does that imply? Have I stopped living, running a muck (whatever a muck is) or gone on some secret international mission? Well, the last one may hold the most intrigue but no. And I assure you my muck is running full throttle. I have been as busy as ever without attention to things like, a clock or calendar. I just move, constantly. And I enjoy it nearly always. I even had a dear friend and colleague comment that I am almost always happy. True.

Since Christmas we have celebrated all kinds of occasions though most are not traditional. Our favoritist event is New Year Silly String Silliness. As always, there is someone gonna get it. This year it was me, and then Cody. As I returned from the store I was treated by a giggly teen with a loaded can of string and great aim. But once his can was spent his father used his to make this a twofer. Hmmmm,  I am thinking we have got to work on a plan for next year perhaps focusing on the head of household.

In January One Step Dance Crew performed during the halftime at the men's basketball game at ASU.  They did a great job and will get to do it again  in February for a women's game. Big treat was that his BFF cousin Hannah and Best Buddy Prom date Alexandra were there to cheer him on, and take him to dinner and share ice cream. You could say it was the perfect night. Cody loves his dance and it is a great time had by all. As a matter of fact they performed in their first ever Dance Recital - Dance Free. Such a great time. Comedy between the dances, a variety of entertainment, great time with family. Really nice.

Cody and I have started going to a hot yoga class each week. We love it though my body is not always as enthusiastic. Good news is that my mind is all in and even if I can't strike every pose my mind does not seem to notice. It has been very helpful for my joints and mental  clarity as it is pretty much impossible to ponder the trials of life when you are focused on not falling over or breaking 'anything'!

Cody has been dancing with Caroline and will take his next RAD exam in March. We are excited and nervous for him as each exam will become more difficult, but we will see how he does. He loves to dance with Caroline and will do hours and hours of it for her, a remarkable feat still for a man-child who is pressed to run a 100m race. Oh well it speaks well to the benefit of motivation and chemistry. Listening to dear Caroline's South African accent I might dance for hours without a break as well.

I am reminded often of the value of friends and family while appreciating the distance and or time between us. It is very difficult at times to have to work much more than full time and still try to meet the demands of uber busy boy whose life on any given day is the one I enjoy the most. Seriously he has so much fun every day and I so want to spend as much time as possible in his 'hood'. Fortunately he still likes me to be around, though I am frequently reminded that clingy is not longer cool since he is a man. Really I am not sure why that matters, but apparently it does.

And so here it is February. Super Bowl Sunday. Some folks have other reasons to celebrate but what a great day. The game was awesome, though the Cardinals were not there, at least the Broncos did us proud. The Waste Management golf went into a 5 hole play off. Hannah got her stats homework started and some real grill food while she was here. Rich got to golf and watch all of the sports he could possibly remote to and I got to enjoy watching it all. What a great day. Life is pretty amazing when we are allowed/able/willing to stop and smell the roses or hot dogs, whatever suits.

Happy New Year

Well, it should be a happy new year, right? I have had the great fortune to live a goodly amount of years and I can tell you that 'happy' is perspective. You can be suffering from happy memories, happy moments or happy dreams. I tend to experience a healthy variety of these. I like to try to focus on the happy thoughts, much like whistling a happy tune. I grew up on Disney can you tell? LOL

Reality is that sometimes to get to the 'happy' you must endure the sad, painful or disappointing places in life. You find it necessary to look, search or cling to the hope in a situation to help get to the 'happy' ending. It is perspective,  it is choice, it is hard. I feel compelled to mention this on today's post as I know so many people that are in the struggle to return to those happy thoughts.

My year personally has been one of recovery and adjustment, acceptance and excitement. Kind of a roller coaster of physical, emotional and spiritual turns. I find in this journey that it is important to know that there are no surprises for God. He has gone ahead of me, knows my heart and has my best interest in the end. He knows me better than I know myself and even more important, He loves me more than I love myself. I might fuss, fret, fidget or fail but none of that matters to Him. He doesn't expect me to be perfect, but to walk.

For those in life's hardest battles, losing a dear spouse with young children, or losing a home to foreclosure with no income for rent. Those are very different and grave challenges. There is a lot of questioning, asking why or if. How do they get from the prostrate position of utter despair to a glimpse of the compassionate face of God who captures their every tear? What must they do to be restored, renewed or revived? What is amazing is that it is the same for us all, in any situation. We must simply walk.

He knows our condition, our frailty and  the depth of our suffering. He will hold us, take our hand and lead us to the next step, the next action. There really is nothing we do but trust. Walk and trust. It is in these things that we find the ability to once again be able to focus on the 'happy' in life. We move from happy moments to happy memories or dreams depending on the circumstance.