"The Cinderella In All Of Us"

You know how it is ... you drive into the bank parking lot, park, and dash inside.  You skirt up to the window, exchange pleasantries with the teller, complete your transaction, and hustle back to your car. 

Your mind is awhirl and by now, auto pilot has kicked in.  You find yourself ready to insert the key into the ignition to depart only to find … what’s this?  No keys?  That’s right.  It seems the keys and you became disengaged somewhere along your route.  So, you do what we all do on our scatterbrained days.  You retrace your steps.  Unless, that is, you are one of those consummate sublimely astute individuals who seamlessly execute your days without flaw.

Quietly and unobtrusively as possible you reenter the bank lobby, slowly and sweetly flashing a chagrinned smile, and quickly glance around to see if you dropped your keys or perhaps left them laying on the counter.   As you can guess, this is exactly what happened to me.  But, what happened next was an epiphany of sorts.  

“Oh, there’s my glass slipper,” I said aloud, surprising myself while spotting my keys from across the lobby.  There on the counter lay the clear plastic shoe standing upright as if purposely arranged and on display in a shoe store.  Being quick witted or funny isn’t usually my strong suit … but it had been one of those days where heaven’s rays were shinning down and I was feeling quite well.  Thus, the words just popped out of my mouth nearly effortlessly.  What came next was even more astounding.  “Oh, I am Cinderella after all…and I have my prince! I said, laughingly.  “My prince has come and his name is Harrison".

The tellers smiled politely and I quickly exited.  What a dope, I said to myself.  I am Cinderella?  What was I thinking? 

What I was thinking was that, well, I did have a glass slipper and I do have a real prince of a man in my life, for a change.  Cinderella was quite a lucky lady and lately luck had been on my side.  What if my glass slipper is just a cheap key chain from the dollar store?  It’s symbolic isn’t it?  It’s emblematic of the hope we all have for love in our lives.

            And, what I was really thinking took me back over thirty years ago to a card that I still have from my longest and dearest friend in the world, Cheryl.  In 1973 she gave me a birthday card and wrote “Dear Cinderella,” on the front of the card.  It’s an American Greetings card with an authentic Kewpie design and held the following inscription: “I know your smile by heart …and I know your heart by your smile.” 

            To have a friend, and to have people who love, support, and accept us as we are would make anyone feel like Cinderella, wouldn’t it?

Top Blonde taking the day...see you next time. 

Jennifer

Renissance Romance

If you want a little romance or wish to enjoy a lazy jaunt by a serene lake, or are a little more devilsh and want to witness the naughty and bawdy delights such as the likes of The Brothers Grime at The Mud Hole (a spoof on the Brothers Grimm), the New York Renaissance Faire in Tuxedo, NY, is where you'll find all of this and more.                                           

The moment my boyfriend, Harrison, and I stepped through the entrance to The Village of Sterling, we were immediately enveloped by maidens and Lords.  Being surrounded by intrigue and mystery our imagination took over and we found ourselves stepping into character.  Harrison became Lord Royal, and I became Lady Genevieve.

Friar Tuck skirted past on his way to a duel.  A lovely maiden in a navy Italian Renaissance costume glided past.  We discovered a world of jousting, Queens and Kings, Sirs and Ladies, Wench singers, Crimson Pirates (no, we didn't see Johnny Depp), and Royal Pipers and Crown Madrigals.  Even a plump caged condor for the Birds of Prey Show.

In the middle of all this was a brightly colored May Pole for the  Peasants of Shire to dance around in celebration.

The moment that made my day was after the Archery Tournament/Royal Joust when her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, with great pageantry moved through the crowd.  When she came upon my friend and I, we curtsied, falling under her spell and joining in the merriment of the Villiage of Sterling.

Top Blonde taking the day...   

Making a Difference

It's amazing how a phone call can help spring you into action.  Yesterday, I was frustrated because, so far, all I was doing was praying.  Today, though I'm still in the talking stage and still praying, I'm energized because now, I have a plan!  A plan of action.  It's amazing what that can do for you. 

I just got off the phone with my daughter, Nicole, Lesa's older sister.  We've learned that Chris, from Bridger Fire (see blog for 9/8), Lesa's friend, is in Franklinton, Louisiana.  Franklinton is about 75 miles north of New Orleans in the southeast corner of the state and was hit with winds that topped 100 mph. I read they suffered large amounts of damage to businesses and homes.  Some parts of the parrish are without power.  It will take 4-6 weeks to get it back on.  But, they are receiving help from across the country and that's where Bridger Fire comes in.  Chris, along with a crew from Bridger, has been sent to work in a distribution center there.  My plan?  Firemen may not be muffin men but might like chocolate chip cookies.

What has energized me is that since getting off the phone with Nicole I looked up Franklinton on the Internet.  A phone number for Franklinton Fire Department was listed.  I called and reached operator, Fran Gains.  She was so helpful.  When we hung up I had the address to send my cookies to Chris and friends (the other firemen).  Maybe I'll even throw in a few muffins after all.  It's not much and it's not medicine, but maybe it will bring at least a measure of encouragment.

Nicole works for the Bozeman, MT police department and they are preparing to send two large trucks with clothes and other supplies.  She had contributed two bags of clothing. I'm so proud of her!  Yesterday, I heard through the TV coverage that right here in New Jersey, 25 firemen have gone down to help.  My heart is warmed.

We are a long ways from recovering from this titanic natural disaster but bit by bit, person by person, together through our prayers and actions,we can make a difference. 

Tob Blonde taking the day...

 

The Katrina Crisis

The past twelve days we've watched hour after hour the devastation and deadly havoc Hurricane Katrina has cast upon the Gulf of Mexico.  Most of the time we have felt helpless to make a difference.  I sit in the comfort of my cozy and dry apartment in the Northeast and watch with horrow at the scenes splashed on the TV as people wade through feet and feet of water fighting for their lives.  I can only imagine the horific nightmare they have faced for I have never trudged through tainted flood waters or clung to a tree for endless hours.  Nor, have I had to sleep in a convention center that was supposed to be a haven, even if a short term one, fearing for my life.

Today, I saw one woman who had spent the last ten days in water up to her shoulders with no food.  She had drunk the dangerously polluted water to stay alive but still was declared dehydrated when she was rescued.

My daughter's friend, Chris Johnson, in Bozeman, Montana was sent south with with Bridger Fire the beginning of last week to help.  She is still waiting word on where he might be and how the rescues are going.

Many years ago I heard a lady named, Hansi, speak at a retreat in the San Bernardino mountains at a place called Forest Home.  It was a popular retreat center and once Billy Graham visited.  Hansi was from Nazi, Germany and had an amazing story.  She shared with us a verse from 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (NASB)  I never forgot that verse and tonight, for some reason, it has come to the forefront of my mind.

When I say to myself, what tangible thing am I doing to help, I can be reminded that the power of prayer is never to be underestimated.  Still, a few days ago, I called my local chapter of the American Red Cross to volunteer.  The operator answered but no one ever came on the line to take my call after that.  My friend, who works there, said that they were inundated and overwhelmed and to keep trying.  In the meantime, I want to make a batch of muffins to send.  That will help me feel like I'm making a difference. 

Yes, local and national protocol must be accessed.  But, even with the finger pointing and current blame game that is pervasive among our politicians, there is a higher calling for us all.  We are called to be Americans and stand on the truths we hold dear.  And, maybe...even pray a little more so that God will not only heal our land but heal our hearts too.

Top Blonde taking the day...Jennifer