Spring

My mom used to say, "If winter comes, Spring is never far behind." She shared these words as a metaphor with people who had troubled hearts.  Anne Marie Romer, columnist

Spring is synonymous with new life, new beginnings, new hope and anticipation.  The recent weather has been difficult to cope with because we are introduced to spring weather but it is only a tease because snowfall and cold weather sneak in.  Life is like a roller coaster also with its continuing highs and lows, deception and surprise, agony and joy.  It is the ride itself that is the adventure, rather than the destination. 

"It is important to remember where you came from, where you're going, where you've been."  Clark Manson, country artist

Spring also is a time to open the windows and blinds, enjoy the outdoors, and clean the cobwebs from our indoor spaces. 

SOME RULES FOR GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
* It is time to clean out the refrigerator when something closes the door from the inside.
*Keep it clean enough for healthy, dirty enough for happy.
*You make the beds, you do the dishes and six months later you have to start all over again.
*If guys were supposed to hang clothes up, door nobs would be bigger.
*Cobwebs artfully draper over lampshades reduces the glare from the bulb, thereby creating a romantic atmosphere.   Church bulletin

Of course, it is also time to clean out our depression, our loneliness, our claustrophobia, and our 
negativity. 

"As we move into Spring, whose whispers of hope remind us that the world is far greater than the winter cocoons we create for ourselves.  The butterfly in all of us awaits."  Anne Marie Romer

Judgement

Sometimes we are asked to judge others and feel that we are caught in the middle.  It is not a comfortable place to be. 

"Who do you like best, Mom?  Me or Michael?"  "I like you both." "I mean, who easier to bring up?  Me or him?"  "You are both equally challenging."  "But which one of us in this family does what they're told the most, is good the most, an' is most easiest to live with?"  "She chose the dog."
Cartoon "For Better or For Worst

This mom knew how to be a diplomat without taking a stance and becoming judgmental. 

"Do not look for the faults of your friend.  Do not repeat the shortcomings of your neighbors in your talk. You are not the judge of creation.  You do not have dominion over the earth.  If you love righteousness, admonish your soul and yourself.  Be the judge of your own sins, and chastise your own transgressions." 
St. Ephrem the Syrian. 

In other words, we are all imperfect and make mistakes. Who among us is able to judge?  Only God knows what is in each person's heart. We need to give each other the benefit of the doubt. Our words can hurt and degrade or uplift and console.  Our words can be a gift or a punishment. 

"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.  Love never ends."
1 Cor. 13: 7-8

"Lord, help me to make time today to serve you and those who are most in need of encouragement and assistance." 
St. Vincent de Paul

Let's make a positive difference in the lives of others and ourselves as we all try to live our lives!

It's Tax Time!

It's Tax Time. 

Don't try these excuses for being late; they didn't work the first time they were used:

*  "I could not complete my tax return because my husband left me and took our accountant with him."
*  "I haven't had time because a baby magpie flew into my house and I have to stay in to feed it."
*  "I suffer from late-filing syndrome."
*  "A wasp in my car caused me to have an accident, and my tax return, which was inside, was destroyed." 

Sources:  accountingweb.com and the Telegraph

I don't know about you, but I am always relieved when my taxes are filed and I no longer have to worry about it for another year.  My sympathies are with all of you who are struggling to to figure out the new laws and rules for filing.  Life is filled with many frustrating moments and tasks.  Tax time is a very important, re-occurring nightmare for those of us who are mathematically and organizationally challenged!

Good luck!  Happy form filing! 

Pat's Art Show and Book Signing Article

DAYTON DAILY NEWS ARTICLE

This local artist's work helps families through grief and loss. Now you can read her book.

·         Sarah Franks

Patricia Acker of Xenia has worn many hats over the years. 

At times, she was a T-ball coach. Or a PTA president, while attending graduate school at Wright State. She’s been a foster mother a few times. And most of the time, she was helping to comfort people as they passed away.

For 17 years, Acker worked as a hospice social worker in Dayton, helping families through the difficult process of losing a loved one, as well as assisting the person who is dying. Acker is now retired and has since compiled her experiences and wisdom about death into a book of short stories titled “The Dying Teach Us How to Live.” 

Watching as a lifetime of wrinkles seem to leave the face of a person who finally lets go is an example of the firsthand accounts that could only be told by a dedicated hospice worker. Hospice is a type of care -- and even philosophy -- that focuses on relieving the symptoms of the terminally ill while also attending to their emotional and spiritual needs. 

Sarah Franks

The book is illustrated with portraits created by Acker. As gifts for many of her patients’ families in hospice care, Acker would put on her artist’s hat and create an often emotional portrait for the family to take with them after their loved one died. 

It’s hard to pinpoint the self-taught artist’s style, as each piece’s method depends on what Acker wants to explore that day. Her most recent muse is oil on mirror— strategically wiping oil away in certain areas to let light shine through the portraits. 

When asked what inspires her before she begins each portrait, her only response is “love,” in a voice that’s more gentle than a whisper. 

Sarah Franks

>> 

As a young woman, Acker experienced loss and grief and found nowhere to turn for emotional and grief support, according to her website. She wanted others to have healing and grief options so chose Hospice as her life's work. 

“Because of death, it gives significance to life. None of us know when it’s going to happen, but it’s not a bad thing,” Acker said.

Countless encounters with death have made Acker unafraid of whatever comes after this life, she said.  

 “We’re all going to die sometime and we don’t know when that is,” Acker said. “So why not make a difference in the world while we’re here? ... There’s lots of opportunities in our life, and we have many choices to make. It’s because of death that we have to think carefully about those choices.”

Acker’s work will be on display in downtown Dayton at the Fifth Third Center Gallery, 1 S. Main St., in the grand lobby from April 2 to April 30 during regular bank hours. 

Every Friday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., you can meet the artist, get autographs, purchase prints and buy your copy of “The Dying Teach Us How To Live.” The book is also available for $20 plus tax on Amazon and at www.thedyingteachus.com. and X*Act Art Gallery and Theater 45 E 2^nd St, Xenia, OH 45385 www.xenia.act.org

Want to go?

WHAT: Patricia Acker Exhibit

WHEN: April 2-30, during regular bank hours; every Friday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. you can meet the artist. 

ARTIST RECEPTION: Artist reception and book signing held from 7-8:30 p.m. April 17.

WHERE: Fifth Third Center Gallery, 1 S. Main St., Dayton

INFO: Amazon | www.thedyingteachus.com. 

Sarah Franks

Happy Easter!

Easter is a celebration of faith, an opportunity to appreciate everything in our lives that is producing benefit to ourselves and others, and to enjoy visiting with family and friends.

"The fact that human beings all over planet Earth intuitively worship something is proof that God has written this in our hearts.  It's a part of our spiritual genetics."  Gary Schmidt, author and pastor

"Faith is like Wi-Fi: It's invisible, but it has the power to connect you to what you need."  message seen in Pinterest

"That's the beauty about God.  Logistics don't seem to matter.  God meets us right where we are."
Janell Rardon, from her book Overcoming Hurtful Words: Rewrite Your Own Story

"In my weaknesses, he made me strong, 2 Corinthians 12:9.  You know, whenever I was at my lowest, that's where my relationship with Christ grew."
Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, who was close to retiring before returning to win Super Bowl LII

My prayer for you is that this Easter will become an opportunity to celebrate your beautiful soul.

"Soul is about authenticity. Soul is about finding the things in your life that are real and pure."

Happy Easter! Check out my book, "The Dying Teach Us How to Live

Failure or Risk Taker?

I have been involved with creating paintings, marketing my first book and writing a second book.  It has been very busy with all of the things I want to accomplish.  So much for an easy retirement! 

"I always thought that the "thriving" would come when everything was perfect, and what I learned is that it's actually down in the mess that things get good."  Johanna Gaines, HGTV host

I guess I'm down in the mess! I realize that the journey itself is the adventure. I am taking time to enjoy the process because otherwise I feel overwhelmed and insecure. 

"If you try and it doesn't work out, you're not a failure. You are a risk taker."  Ava Duvernay, director in People

I'm calling myself a risk taker.  I'm not sure what the future holds.  I am enjoying each day that I have and I am celebrating small victories and learning by my many mistakes.  Life is messy but inspiring and hopeful!

I am sharing with you a link to a news article that comes out on Sunday in our local newspaper.  I appreciate the support of everyone I know who continues to provide encouragement and assist as I need help. 

I hope that all of you grab a hold on your dreams and do not give up. Be a risk taker!


https://www.dayton.com/lifestyles/why-this-dayton-woman-says-the-living-can-and-should-embrace-death/af2Tbxz8RjmLTPtCoSAM3O/

St Patrick's Day

Check out my book and E book, The Dying Teach Us How to LiveTomorrow is St. Patrick's Day.  It is a celebration borrowed from another country and modified for the United States.  The majority of Americans are descendants of immigrants who, like the Irish, were initially scorned, isolated and feared. They spoke another language, cooked different foods, had confusing customs, and were "different" until they were assimilated into their adopted country.

"Look for strengths in people, not weaknesses; for good, not evil. Most of us find what we search for."  J. Wilbur Chapman 

In other words, we need to look for the good in the immigrants who are searching for hope and acceptance in a world of war, famine, cruelty, pain and suffering.  As we grow to know each of them as individual persons, we begin to understand that we are all the same. We can share cultures, love, faith, and joy as we explore our common needs and wants.  

"In spite of everything, I still believe people are very good at heart." Anne Frank   

If Anne Frank can find that people are good at heart, as individuals and as a country we can find the good in the desperate people who want to find a safe place for their families. People put themselves in great danger to assist Anne Frank to have extra time to live.  There are many Anne Franks in this world who need and deserve our help.  

I hope you have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day!

Check out my book and E book, The Dying Teach Us How to Live