January 1, 2016

• Three gratitudes: 1—the laughter of my sons and their friend while watching YouTube videos after midnight; 2—my "spot" waiting for me at the Friendly Coffee Lounge this morning; 3—the support and camaraderie of the Platform Challenged group
• Exercise: 25 minute brisk walk, dropped off my book in a local Little Free Library along the way
• Meditation: Said a rosary with special intentions for my parents
• Random Act of Kindness email: Not an email.  A text.
• Journal about one positive experience in the past 24 hours:

This morning I was sipping a cup of coffee and talking about the details of a book release party.  This in itself could be a positive moment for journal reflection:  a BOOK RELEASE party!  Positive vibes all around, indeed, but what made this moment even more special is the fact that my brother walked in.  He does this every once in a while; he sees my Facebook post from the coffee house and pops in to say hello.  I actually remember the first time he popped in on me, at the dorms when I was in college.  Back then, it was awkward.  Prior to my twenties, I can't say that we had much of a relationship.  We were five years apart (six apart in school years), which is a substantial age difference when you're 10 & 15, a freshman in high school & a junior in college.  I can't say that I really knew Phil until I became an adult, and I probably didn't appreciate him until I became a parent.  He's made a great impact on my sons since the day each was born, becoming an integral part of their lives.  Some say it's because of the sports connection, but I see the bonds far beyond this.  He supports them in all that they do, and he supports me, too.  The last time he stepped through the door at the coffee shop, my students were performing their speech skits and doing a public reading of my poetry.  I was in disbelief that Phil was there.  With that in mind, I can't imagine that he'll ever read my book.  It's not his thing, and I completely get that, but he supports me in his pride for my accomplishing this goal, and he showed it when he stepped through the door at the coffee house again today, on New Years Day, to say hello.  I love you, Phil!

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