TODAY'S PHOTO -
My Aunt Mary Grubman Lake dressed up for celebrating her 90th birthday.
I photographed her against a patterned green wallpaper, the only option. I wasn't happy with the background in the photo, so I took artistic license here and brought in the Atlantic Ocean (Delray Beach) to serve that purpose. Those who need to see the original backdrop can check MaryWallpaper.
This choice actually serves a dual purpose. For me, it enlivens the whole feeling of the photo AND Aunt Mary loves the ocean, as well as pictures of it. As a matter of fact
the ocean in Margate and Atlantic City, NJ served as a connecting bond for my entire generation of our extended family.
CONTEXT FOR THIS ISSUE -
I am deviating from the usual Photo to Ponder, as such, to highlight this family celebration in Philadelphia last weekend. I felt that some important messages came out of it that I wanted to share with you.
Based on comments I've gotten from several of our new subscribers, and what I've seen the surfing through some of the URLs, I think the thoughts and queries for today will be appreciated by most of you.
The Essence of Aunt Mary or
The Ten Sense Worth of Aunt Mary on her 90th Birthday
A Sense of Loving Kindness.
A Sense of Humor.
A Sense of Curiosity and Thirst for Knowledge.
A Sense of Inner Peace.
A Sense of Beauty.
A Sense of Intuition and Sensitivity.
A Sense of Irony.
A Sense of Spirituality and Faith.
A Sense of Enthusiasm and Adventure.
A Sense of Being Loved Above and Beyond Any
Words Can Express.
written and presented by Addy Schultz, Niece - 1/15/06
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As I was taking photos, several cousins kept asking, "Are you going to put this in Picture to Ponder?" I had thought not, until family members starting getting up and speaking who Mary, their mother, grandmother and aunt was for them. Many of you who know me through teleclasses and my writing often acknowledge me for the love I have for family and my love and commitment, in general, to people about whom I care.
As I listened to each of my cousins, their children and my brother honor and speak to Aunt Mary, it hit me. "Of course. My behaviors have all been role modeled in this maternal side of my family!"
I'd like to share a few of the notes I scribbled on the back of business cards. One of her sons stated that she embraced the importance of family and how to show love. "You have given us the ability to love and to raise wonderful children."
A cousin, "With words and deeds the gift you gave me is empathy."
One of her granddaughters, "I left with shoes. She left with a new friend [while waiting outside as I shopped]."
My brother Jeff spoke of the love and tolerance Aunt Mary embodies. He continued to point out that amongst all of us - 11 cousins, our spouses and our children - there has never been any "back biting" or negatives spoken of anyone. Stopping to think about it, I realized how right he was and how special this is, especially since "complaining about people" often seems to be a common human behavior.
Aunt Mary is one of 4 sisters and 1 brother and the only one still with us today. She is our link to the past generations, as well as the present and the future. She leads an independent, active life. Among things she loves to do are reading, taking Hebrew, history and current events courses , writing, exercising and she has been an avid Scrabble player for years.
What a legacy she is leaving, along with that which her sisters and brother have left us. It's been passed on to our children and it is being and will be passed on to our grandchildren! We are truly blessed.
SELF-REFLECTING QUERIES -
At the end of the tributes, Aunt Mary commented, "I had a lousy childhood, but the rest of my life was wonderful."
I invite you to take some time this weekend to look at the wonders in your life. Who has contributed to you? What have you contributed? How are you creating your life WONDERful?
What gratitudes can you express to your parents, grandparents and children and other people in your life? For what can you acknowledge yourself?
What would you want people to be saying about you when you turn 90?
WRITING COURSE -
There is still time to get started in the 42 Days of Writing Passionately course offered by my dear friend, Julie Jordan Scott. It is a free course that can be participated in via phone, on the web, e-mail and or blog - your choice.
Julie is extremely creative, a master course facilitator and an amazing listener/feedbacker. It is out of courses with Julie that Picture to Ponder was birthed, as well as many other things I do. Check out WRITING for more details.
SHARING READER COMMENTS -
Thank those of you who are responding to my invitation to post your responses to the past few issues on the Picture to Ponder Blog. I am delighted.
Several of the past few issues have new comments on them. Please check them out. It's merely a quick scroll down each of the issues, a click on COMMENTS and then your browser BACK button for some very insightful comments.
Insofar as posting comments, those of you with web sites can have the added option of the exposure of your name being linked to your URLs. I chose Typepad as the location for the blog - www.sheilafinkelstein.typepad.com/picture_to_ponder - because it is so easy to post comments.
When you go to the BLOG,
you'll see the current issue and photo and a link at the end for Posting Comments. To see the photo
ENLARGED at the same size you see it here, simply click
on it.
Lastly, if posting on a blog is not your style, please continue to send your comments directly to me . Learning what you are experiencing means a lot. It is part of the reward of Picture to Ponder for me.
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Especial thanks to those of you who have been passing this on!
Inspirationally,
Sheila
sheila@eteletours.com
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© 2006 Sheila Finkelstein
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