I know most of you feel the same way I do, or you wouldn’t be reading my stuff. You wouldn’t be looking at my page, and you wouldn’t take your time to read these blog posts! The past couple of weeks have been strange, painful to watch and left me with more emotions than I have ever felt. But I am not going into that, because politics on this site are not allowed. You know you are safe here. You know that I love you and you know that your life is precious to me. All God’s children. This blog might get a big janky because, as per usual, a lot has happened in a couple of weeks that has caused a lot of emotion. There has been everything from surgery to the death of our beloved Leon, to seeing Karma revisit people, to really good things; I am going to be all over the place. You have been warned!

Here we go! Mike and I traveled to Colorado Springs in the worst blizzard they have had in 30 years! We were the only truck on the highway for hours and we blew through 3 ROAD CLOSED signs to get there. That night, Dr. Shucks office called and said that since I made it, we would still go through with it!! I look at the irony of the signs like most things in my life. I have blasted around more ROAD CLOSED signs than most and I think that’s what my destiny might be! The next morning, I got the knee surgery, Mike took me back to the hotel and we watched it snow for the next 3 days I watched Mike pace like a caged animal! We made it home Sunday in time for me to go to Erin’s and see Leon… I already told you that story. The pain of surgery is nothing compared to the pain of grief, and it makes healing ten times harder. That’s all I have to say about that.

On Wednesday night, Erin went to a meeting before she brought me dinner to share. I am home alone, and she came over to put the dogs in, since I can’t get the wild one put away. He still tries to tackle me and that won’t work out well. She said, “Mom, you know how you have wondered what you are supposed to be doing? I think I have something”. I think she might be right. In the past you might recall reading about my favorite charity that I worked with when I was in Nebraska, Special Children’s Fund. My favorite part about that charity is that ALL of the money goes directly to families in need. When Addie was born, we were the thankful recipients of SCF, later, I was able to give back to SCF. When I die, it is where my memorials will go, it is where I ask people who knit, quilt or crochet to send baby hats or blankets. I am still humbled and amazed by the group of nurses who started this endeavor. That being said, I am so incredibly sick of organizations labeling themselves as Foundation Charities and then having these huge boards and slew of paid employees operating under the tax laws of a 5013C. How much of your money actually gets into the community? It pays the directors first. The needs of the communities are so great that grassroots efforts are way more effective than big organizations in so many ways. Here in Salina, there are a couple of really amazing ones, but the one that checks off the boxes today—- SALINA SHARES! Erin handed me the flyer and tears came to my eyes. Yep, I can get behind this! They have managed to get off the ground the once-a-month laundry service, clothing exchange, home goods and more, but the one that got me and spoke to Erin, too, was the Christmas room. A mother in need can go in, with no questions, dignity and for each child she has, she can pick up to 3 gifts, they will be wrapped, and those babies can have Christmas!

Bobcat of Salina is proud to say that we are having a Christmas Open house on the 13th of December and I am BEGGING any of you reading this to drop off anything you can at 721 W. Diamond Drive, Salina, KS or a donation to Salina Shares (tax deductible) mailed to us. We want to fill as many Bobcat Buckets as we can to donate and make this work in the community. Even better….Stop by and see SANTA on the 13th and come get a HUG!! They are free!!

I’m gonna get healed up and I am gonna get to work! I have some ideas that I couldn’t do alone and maybe I can do them now. Maybe I can help someone. That was my point from the beginning of this blog. We are all feeling something. When you feel that way the best thing you can do is DO SOMETHING FOR SOMEONE ELSE!! This is a proven fact. It changes the dopamine in your brain, rewires your mind and creates goodness in the world. The only thing to drive out the dark is light. You are the light.

I only have one quick thing to say about Karma. If you are living from a place where you can’t wait for Karma to revisit someone who wronged you….don’t. Just don’t. Believe me when I tell you that no matter what they did to you, no matter how mad, hurt, betrayed, sad, whatever…. you have moved on. You have let that go and you have healed. Grown. When something happens to them, and you call it KARMA….be careful. I’m telling you; it won’t feel near as good to you as you fantasize that it will, and you are wasting your time living in the past. Do not wait for them to get theirs. Go grab yours. Live a life that’s wonderful. Do good things for others. Living your life for you is your best revenge!!

Now Chickens. I have asked you for a favor. Please bring me some toys!! Or if you are not moved by little kids and Christmas, that’s ok, bring me some men’s coats, gloves, hats, that’s ok too!!! But really…. toys. Something that will bring a smile!! I AM COUNTING ON YOU!!

https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/33YFQNDL8LBY1

Here’s the Amazon link we created!!! Thank you!!!

Besides, I haven’t asked you to do anything for all these years!!! Come on out and let me give you a hug!!

love you

E