Turn Around

So the Hallmark ornaments went out last Saturday and this year we have a Michael Oher ornament.   He is from Memphis so we are hoping the ornament will be a big seller for our store.  In conjunction with that the Tuohy family's foundation Making It Happen  spent a few hours at our store on Saturday promoting what they do and selling their t-shirts, bracelets, and the Tuohy's book, In a Heartbeat: Sharing the Power of Cheerful Giving, autographed by Leigh Anne.    The bracelets say simply "Turn Around" for that is what Leigh Anne and Sean did the first time they saw Michael.  They turned the car around and their lives changed forever. 

When is the last night you followed that gut instinct to turn around and go say hello to someone?  When is the last time you helped someone load their groceries into their car?  When is the last time you checked on an elderly neighbor or offered to babysit for a couple who has a newborn and just need a couple of hours of peace?  Life is all about the little things.   One small gesture really can change someone else's hour, day, or maybe even their life.  Sure maybe passing on a smile is just that, a simple smile.  But what if that person passes it on to the next person they see and so on and so on until that one person that really really needed a friendly face gets the smile and it helps them believe in the good of humanity again?  Ok, I realize I'm a bit of a Pollyanna but even so, what's it going to hurt to take a moment out of your day and say hello to a stranger?  Tell the cashier to have a nice day, even if you don't feel like they deserve the sentiment.    Pay for the person behind you at the coffee shop or at McDonald's.     How many times have you thought about doing something like that but didn't follow through?  Next time, turn around and do it.  Its that easy.  Just Turn Around.

My Boyfriend's Back

This is my friend Randy.  We have been friends for half my life, before both of us were married, before we both had kids.  He started out as my co-worker and quickly became my best friend, dancing partner, protector, and yes, boyfriend.  Its a term we've used for 20 years and neither of our spouses care so it doesn't matter what the rest of the world thinks.  We've been through weddings, births, and even a couple of funerals together.  He goes months without calling but when we see each other again its as if no time has passed.  We've never been single at the same time but his mom swears if we ever were we'd end up together.  I beg to differ... I'm not as strong willed and stubborn as his beautiful wife Melissa and that's the kind of woman he needs.  However, I do love him unconditionally (even when he teaches my kids some choice words I'd rather they not know) and he feels the same about me.  We have had many adventures together and I hope we have at least another 30 years to make new memories.  I hate that the miles separate us but love that we make the most of our time together.