A Big Thumbs Up – All is Well!

That fiasco last week of trying to find a replacement for my daughter's peace sign hand that I accidentally broke, led me to this “thumbs-up hand”. Of course, I had to buy it for sweet memories’ sake. In this photo, my husband was talking to our children shortly after surgery and giving them the "All is well -- thumbs up sign". From there, I went into wimpy-mode, shedding a few tears, as I pulled out the album I made him for his 60th birthday, and saw the words our children and close friends and family wrote to him. Perfect timing because today is that sweet man’s birthday. Please indulge me as I remember the love of my life in the letter I gave him on that 60th birthday. He might be looking on as I share this with you today. I hope so because I still mean every word. I'm sure he'll also be running with our son, Ryan, as he runs his "virtual" Boston Marathon today:

My Sweetheart......Happy Birthday!
It is difficult to put my thoughts around the notion that you are 60-years old. How can that be? I still remember feasting my eyes on that good looking, dark-haired boy in the choir. Little did I realize that he would one day be mine. All I can say to that is "God bless the day I found you!"
I hope you know how much you are loved, honored, respected, and admired by everyone. This is a time of celebrating a man that has made his mark on so many lives, the least of whom is ME! I am more today than I could have ever dreamed possible because of you -- your relentless pushing and encouraging me to be all I could be. You have always made me feel like a sexy, voluptuous, and beautiful woman. When I didn't believe in myself -- you believed in me! I am so thankful for the amazing husband, father, and grandfather that you are. You have always given of yourself so freely to so many. I will never forget the precious, caring and giving way you treated my mom. You always made her feel like a queen. You went above and beyond in the love you had for my family -- you not only opened the door to them, but you fed them, clothed them and gave them truly the Father's love. You really are a replica of Christ's love. There are so many adjectives for this man named "Ronald Wuerch" and so many reasons why I celebrate your life of 60 years, but here are just a few. I love Ronald because.....
• He plays the piano and sings so beautifully
• He can build a house from ground up and make it a home for many
• He can fly an airplane
• He can fix anything
• He has so much wisdom and creativity
• He is a gifted storyteller
• He is a great fisherman and campfire builder
• He cooks great spaghetti
• He is the world's best masseuse
• He helps around the house
• He is so giving to those in need
• He is so thoughtful and romantic, and always holds my hand in public.
• He never makes me feel bad about an impulse purchase
• He is my greatest cheerleader
• He sees the good in everyone and has led our family in the optimistic, positive faith message of God’s Word that has caused ultimate success in each of our lives.
• He is really my best friend, lover, confidante, my hero, and the love of my life. I cannot imagine living one day without him.
• And there's not enough room here to continue with all that you are to me......but I want you to know that I wish you dreams come true, desires fulfilled and blessings beyond what you could ask or think.......because, my Love, you deserve it all!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY DARLING!
Love, Donna

The Happiest Place on Earth

Disney World -- it's supposed to be the happiest place on earth -- but I guess it depends on who's saying it and feeling it. That's where the Wallace's and I are heading today. I know it's a stretch to think I would be interrupting my Lenten "desert" and solemnity for going to that fantasy/magical/wonder/pixie dust world, but, in reality, I like to think that this long-planned adventure is no surprise to God and He might even have orchestrated it because He wants us to put into perspective the ability we have to dream and believe in miracles.

In reality, we're heading there because Payton and Alexia were given Disney World as their big incentive for achieving "nationals" in their Debate and Speech competitions last year, and to make matters even more special, it's the 10th anniversary of Papa and Alexia's birthday celebration when he turned 60 and she turned 6. This year, Papa would be 70 and Alexia turns 16. I love that we get to still include that sweet man on our adventures. After all, he is still so present in our hearts and lives.

I commented to the kids "Well, you're probably not wanting to re-enact riding in the tea-cups and the "It's a small world after all" ride, are you?" To which, both said, "Oh yes we are -- we're not missing a thing!" Which immediately caused us all to break into song "It's a small world after all!"

While Disney is such a sweet adventure with little kids in tow, I'm looking forward to this trip because it represents nostalgia for me as a young girl, when times were simpler and sweeter. Some folks enjoy the artistry and the detail (I know that to be so for Payton, as he has friends who work at Disney and, who knows, maybe with his musical talents, a door may open for him there one day). And some folks have discovered that they can be "kids" without even being a child and they can let that kid come out and play! COUNT ME IN!

Since I'm a romantic at heart, I still embrace the "Dreams come true" likes of Cinderella, Belle, Peter Pan, Little Mermaid and all the other Disney memories from my childhood that initiated my love for Hallmark movies where, though the ending is always expected to be happy, it still brings sweetness and joy.

I know there are those of you who are reading this today and are thinking "Get a life, Donna. In fact, get back in your prayer closet, Donna! Face up to the real nasty and dirty world we live in. Forget the imagery of "And they lived happy ever after" because it's just not so!" And with that thought, I say, "I beg to differ!" This life may have it's disappointments and tribulations....but the greatest BELIEVE-IT-WILL-COME-TRUE-STORY is a true story. John 10:10 "Jesus came to give us abundant life!" It's THE ONE about a Prince and a shoe and a girl who believed in the impossible. Though the Cinderella story, itself isn't true, we CAN believe that there is a Prince of Peace who gave each of us specific shoes that only we can walk in, and He promises that He will dance with us for ALL ETERNITY if we truly BELIEVE IN HIM". John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOEVER (that's you and me) believes in Him, will not perish but have everlasting life!" That's a FOR SURE promise of "And they will live happy ever after!"

I started this post with "The Happiest Place on Earth". It really isn't Disney....it's that place of inner peace that comes with knowing the Prince of Peace, and abiding in Him 24/7. That, my friends.....is truly "The Happiest Place on Earth"!!!

Are They Laughing at Your Dreams? Why Not?

Here is an acid test for your dream:
If most people agree with you that your dream is reasonable and achievable, chances are it is not worth dreaming about.

If, on the other hand, when you tell people your dream, they look at you like you are a case in the fruitcake sanitarium -- a genuine “nut” case, then you are probably on the right track.

Let’s not be limited by an inability to see beyond our present circumstances. Let’s not be controlled by our senses.

Let’s not be hindered by those who never dream at all!!

We've got every reason to DREAM BIG!

So, come on DREAMERS.....let's DREAM some outrageous, audacious, awe-inspiring, humongous dreams! And let's get ready to celebrate together because "DREAMS DO COME TRUE"