Thanksgiving Has Begun

I love Thanksgiving! I have so much to be thankful for including family, friends, faith, health, career and volunteering.  Though I express gratitude for my blessings every day, it is wonderful to have a holiday focused on thankfulness.

We've been eagerly anticipating a long weekend filled with love and laughter. Mama and Daddy have arrived and Julia comes in this evening.  The fun has already begun.

Laughter

My dear Mother stitched this delightful piece for me when I was young. It hangs in my laundry room, vividly reminding me to find humor in every day life.

"Revelations in the Rear View Mirror"

At our recent Sterling Bank Women’s Business Initiative Luncheon in Houston, our fabulous keynote speaker, Louise Parsley, generated laughter and connectedness that has generated tremendous feedback from attendees. This accomplished author and speaker is witty, with it and wise! She shared marvelous tales from her terrific book, "Revelations in the Rearview Mirror: One Mother’s Hard-won and Hilarious Epiphanies on the Road to the Empty Nest". Her college fascination with Kierkegaard’s philosophy, “Life can only be understood backward, but it must be lived forward” provides a framework for her title. With 26 years of motherhood under her belt, she beautifully shares the humor and love of everyday life and vividly reminds us of the importance of communication.

There’s no way to do justice to her humor in this summary, so instead I’ll share some gems of wisdom from her book:

Somewhere between setting boundaries and finding forgiveness, humor is the glue that holds family together.

Heart creates a good mother.

Enduring the rub of irritation, routine and responsibility creates the pearl of love and acceptance.

Family sees us at our best and our worst... and keeps the faith that the best shall prevail.

Life’s ordinary miracles are in-between big events.

Success is all in the state of mind.

If we don’t let go of one great adventure, we’ll miss the next.

I encourage you to read each delightful chapter to fully appreciate Louise’s unique brand of humor and insight.