Is there Room under your “Shroom?”
Is there a tiny space
for me to find rest?
A small space of shelter,
for respite and relief
from the scorching heat
of intense fiery words,
from the gusty winds
of critical opinions.
Is there a soft, comfortable place
where we can meet at peace?
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
The Misty Morning Fog.
Arising to the misty morning fog
that beautifully softened what could have been a bleak view
caused me pause and made me think.
It made me think how a bit of fog
might help the way we critically look
at different people and different situations.
Ones we think are clear,
and we think are bitter,
but we really don’t understand.
Maybe a little spritz of magic mist
is what we need
to spray on our hearts
to prevent us from
so harshly judging
the things we believe.
A magic mist
of understanding
to soften our views,
to soothe our souls,
to unlock the love
that lives
in the
misty
morning
fog.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
May your day be filled with peace and love.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
After family Christmas parties last weekend and on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Monday was our McHendy Christmas. A day we gather together with our “best friend family” – the McKinneys and the Hendersons – to celebrate. We have been a McHendy friendfamily for over 25 years.
This year welcomed a few new members. Here are the new moms with “B” and “C.”
New moms mean…
new grandmas…
and grandpas…
who nurtured while the rest of the gang…
played crazy games like the hilarous SpeakOut – where you put a contraption in your mouth and try to enunciate what is on your card while your team mates try to guess what you are saying,
and the social word game CodesNames, which I totally recommend for a great, easy to learn and fun to play group game.
It was so fun to get this gang together in one place from all over the country this holiday season. From tiny babies to adults and growing families, wings have stretched and flown, but when we’re all together, it feels just like home.
We decided on a no-gift theme this year, and instead, contributed in a small way to a charity of choice, Ronald McDonald House Charities, by purchasing matching #LoveandBeLoved T-shirts. You can learn more about LoveandBeLoved here, a great organization I learned about through the receptionist at my office who heads the local chapter with her husband. Their mission is a simple yet profound one: It is every human being’s God given responsibility to show love, and every human being has the right to be loved regardless of their race, gender, age, sexuality, or beliefs.
Sending Love with Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
“Imagine what our real neighborhoods would be like
if each of us offered,
as a matter of course,
just one kind word
to another person.”
-Mr. Rogers
Over the holidays, Hubby and I made a visit to our local Pittsburgh Smithsonian-affiliate museum – the Heinz History Center.
One of the highlights for me was the special exhibit of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood – one of my favorite childhood television shows.
Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood was filmed in Pittsburgh for three decades from 1968 – 2001. The compassion, patience, morality, and advocacy for important public causes Fred Rogers taught is embedded in my heart and soul.
As I viewed the exhibit,
reminisced about the home of X the Owl and Henrietta Pussycat,
gazed at the castle of King Friday XIII, Queen Sara Saturday, and Prince Tuesday,
and was transported by Trolley to the Neighborhood of Make-Believe,
I dreamed of a World neighborhood where kind words were spoken…..
and love was shared….
and this song stayed in my head…..
“It’s You I like.
It’s not the things you wear.
It’s not the way you do your hair.
But it’s You I like,
the way you are right now,
the way down deep inside you.
Not the things that hide you…
Its You
I like.”
Can’t we all get along?
Can’t we all accept each other?
Thank you Mr. Rogers.
Your wisdom transcends time, age, color, race, gender, identity, religion, ethnicity.
It’s You
I
Like.
Cheers & Hugs
Jodi
the creative life in between 