Do What You Love!

It's funny how much joy a smile can bring.

The other day I was subbing in an elementary art class where the second graders had to draw four facial expressions. I told them to draw facial expressions showing four different feelings that people express in their faces. One little girl piped up and said she'd draw my facial expression for her happy face.

Until then I didn't realize that I had such a huge smile on my face. At that moment I knew I was enjoying my day at work.

"Find a way to get paid for doing what you love, then every paycheck is a bonus," said the wise Oprah Winfrey. I agree with that. I love teaching. I did it for many years full-time, and now I'm subbing.

I am delighted to be with young people every day and the fact that I get paid for it sweetens the pot. For your best life yet, do what you love and hopefully the money will follow.

Love and Light,
Patty

Grandparents Day

It's a wonderful day! I've been celebrating it for 15 years now. My first celebration of Grandparents Day was September 1995 when my daughter Teresa gave me a Mark Twain book called THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER and wrote a poem for me from her six-month-old daughter Jessica Marie. The poem humbles me to this day. I hung it up in our guest room, and it is very special to me. I want to share it with you.

THE WORLD'S GREATEST GRANDMA

So Patient
who always takes the time to play with me, to get down in a baby's world to play a
baby's game

So Understanding
with a loving touch and a kind word through my mistakes and messes

So Inspiring
always knowing what's important and always seeing the good in everything

So Proud
always talking about me, always showing me off, always capturing memories

So Kind
always thinking of me and always giving to me

So Important
You're a big part of my life.
Grandmas are such an important part of the family, but I got really lucky to get
the best of the best.

Love always,
Jessica

This is my anchor to love. Since then, three other grandchildren have been born so I am truly blessed.

This is how Grandparents Day began:

"In 1970, a West Virginia housewife, Marian Lucille Herndon McQuade, initiated a campaign to set aside a special day just for Grandparents. Through concerted efforts on the part of civic, business, church, and political leaders, this campaign expanded statewide. Senator Jennings Randolph (D-WV) was especially instrumental in the project. The first Grandparents Day was proclaimed in 1973 in West Virginia by Governor Arch Moore. Also in 1973, Senator Randolph introduced a Grandparents Day resolution in the United States Senate. The resolution languished in committee.
Mrs. McQuade and her team turned to the media to garner support. They also began contacting governors, senators, congressmen in every state. And they sent letters to churches, businesses, and numerous national organizations interested in senior citizens. In 1978, five years after its West Virginia inception, the United States Congress passed legislation proclaiming the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. The proclamation was signed by President Jimmy Carter. (September was chosen for the holiday, to signify the 'autumn years' of life.)
Today this event, begun by only a few, is observed by millions throughout the United States." (http://www.grandparents-day.com)

Gene Perret says, "What a bargain grandchildren are! I give them my loose change, and they give me a million dollars' worth of pleasure." My husband and I agree with that!

I hope all of you have the best day ever!

Love and Light,
Patty