Rest in Peace Michael

It was less than an hour after news of Michael Jackson’s death when I first began to hear the word legacy used. It was attached to phrases including King of Pop, greatest artist of all time, and child molester. True or not Michael Jackson’s legacy was multi-faceted if it was anything. He was a very gifted soul who used those gifts to entertain millions upon millions. He was in the limelight, but everywhere he went someone wanted something from him.

Above I wrote Rest in Peace  … and I mean that with all my heart. For I believe Michael did not know peace here on earth. From the time he was a little boy, he was being used to make other people’s dreams come true. His fans were so wild about him there was no way he could live with any sense of normalcy. That sort of life must’ve been a difficult way to live. So I say, Rest in Peace Michael, the gifts you were given were a huge weight for any one person to carry. It’s your time for peace.

Are you who you are because of your father?

For me, the answer to that is a resounding YES! I am who I am because I am my father’s daughter.

• I am not afraid to get my hands dirty trying to fix stuff.

• I like to mow the lawn. But remember, edge first so the mower will pick up the clippings.

• While I can’t stand to sit and watch TV without busy work in my lap, put me on a lakeshore with a fishing pole in my hands and I will be content all day.

• And on that subject, I can put a worm on a hook.

• From our hunting trips together across Arizona, as a child I knew every backwoods bar and if they had a jar of pickled sausages or a bowling game inside.

• I appreciate birds singing.

• Bugs don’t scare me.

• I know Peppermint Schnapps is warm going down when you’re cold.

• I thrive on hard work.

• I could talk intelligently about football when my high school friends had no clue of the meaning of 1st & 10.

• I learned that if there are dead bugs on your windshield, you’ve drive too fast.

• I know the meaning of unconditional love.

So on this day dedicated to fathers, I thank my dad for all he did to make me the woman I am. I love you and miss you dad. You left an incredible legacy.

There is no tomorrow for Air France 447 passengers

It is believed that when Air France Flight 447 went down in the Atlantic, it took 228 lives with it. But it has markedly changed many, many more than that. For all those who loved the crew and passengers on that flight, life will be different from this point on.

My guess is that each one of those who died, boarded that plane with confidence of their futures. All had plans for their arrival in Paris, whether it was returning home, looking forward to a vacation or planned business meetings … they expected to have tomorrow.

Would they have done anything different had they known the consequences of boarding that plane? I don’t mean the simplicity of taking a different flight. I mean, if they knew their lives were to be cut short, would they have done anything different? Would they have loved their spouses a little longer. Would they have spent a little more time with the kids? Would they have worked fewer hours?

Who knows?

The fact is, none of us know. What we do know is that tomorrow is promised to no one.

But when tragedies like this happen, it can provide a huge wake-up call for those of us who can still do something about it. Love more, play more, work less.

Is your legacy going to be one of regrets, or will your legacy be that you lived your life as if there was no tomorrow?

Did you see Oprah’s show on April 13?

Since I don’t find much time for television, I often times miss what others believe are important shows. Last night Oprah was one of those instances. Fortunately, a friend contacted me, even sent me the link to the show because it was a touching, unforgettable show about my passion … parents leaving a legacy.

The show was titled A Journal for Jordan. It was about a a US soldier who had regularly journaled during his deployment. He was killed on duty but his journal was returned to his wife who discovered page after page of insights the soldier had written to their son, Jordan, who wasn’t even 3 years old.

The book this soldier produced for his family is absolutely priceless. Shouldn’t every one of our soldiers have the opportunity to make connections with their families that can last forever just like Jordan’s dad did? I Want You To Know Me … Love, Your American Hero can make that possible. Last year state national guards purchased more than 12,000 of the Hero books to give to their troops prior to deployment. But that is just a drop in the bucket compared to the number of active servicemen and women who are sacrificing each day throughout the world so we can continue to enjoy the freedoms we so cherish.

Thank soldiers you know by making sure they are given the opportunity to leave a legacy just like Jordan’s father did for him. Visit www.iwantyoutoknowme.com/hero-book.html to get a book in their hands that will allow them to create a connection with their loved ones that will last forever. I am trying to find a way to get one in every soldier’s hands, but I haven’t figured that one out yet. Michelle Obama has reached out to soldiers and their families, may she knows a way

To see a short segment of the Oprah show featuring Jordan’s Joournal, use this link. Oprah.com: http://www.oprah.com/media/20090327-tows-jordan-journal

What a gathering of Character

Yesterday I had the privilege of speaking about legacies at a MOAA (Military Officers of America Association) luncheon. I met more colonels there than I had in my total lifetime (can you tell I am not from a military family?). The event included a special presentation to a WW II fighter pilot of a replica of the plane he flew when he was an Ace flyer. In those days, the pilots were allowed to paint and name their planes, his was named Miss Velda. As he stood up to make his way to the podium, there at his side was his wife, Velda. This man was bright, stood tall, spoke so sharply, it was hard to believe he could have participated in WW II. I was in awe … to be in his presence was truly an honor.

Members of our Guards getting the opportunity to connect

This fall, more than 11,000 I Want You To Know Me, Love Your American Hero books have been delivered to members of the State Guards in Illinois, Alabama, Vermont and Hawaii. Their Family Readiness Programs (some are called Yellow Ribbon Programs) have made it possible for the servicemen and women to complete the books prior to their deployment to ensure that while they are gone, their families have an easy way to keep that connection with them an unforgettable one.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if each deployed serviceman or woman in every Guard, the Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard or Air Force could be given one of these books as well? I think I’ll put that on the top of my Christmas list and see what Santa can do.

In the meantime, we are so honored to be associated with these great men and women and truly are grateful for their service.

Anyone interested in a book for their own American Hero can find them at http://www.iwantyoutoknowme.com/hero-book.html.

So Thankful for Cell Phones

Somewhere up on a mountain on the fire lines near Lake Tahoe, a young man was able to call home to talk to his parents nearly 1,000 miles away. He’s a paramedic, up there keeping the firemen from becoming dehydrated, keeping their blisters from becoming infected and praying that none come into harms way. He is in the middle of nowhere, but thanks to cell phones, tonight he told his mom how the fire has headed up some rugged canyons and they don’t think they can stop it. They may have to just let it spread and move their camp as it would then be too close to danger. He told his dad he’d been able to take 2 days off after 14 straight days of 16 hours per day. He and his buddy had visited Donner Lake and how he loved learning about the history there. He said, “You know Dad, I am just like you in that way. I wish you’d been here, we would’ve had a great time together learning all about the area.”

He hung up, but before he did, he told his dad he loved him. It’s about connecting. From a steep ridge miles from an interstate in Northern California to a home in the Valley of the Sun, I am so thankful for cell phones. We got to talk to our son tonight.

A New “C” in My Legacy Arsenal

Abundancies. What are the abundancies in your life? I have coined the phrase “Abundant Cs” as a play on words and it seems I just keep finding more Cs that are an important part of life and legacies. Going to work this morning, this one sprang from the radio. This wasn’t the topic, but it got me thinking.

Choice. My newest “C.”

Each day we make a gazillion choices (I believe that’s an accurate scientific number). Those choices totally create our lives whether we’d like to admit it or not. When we choose to take responsibility for our actions, our lives can be everything we want them to be. Can’t blame the economy, can’t blame spouses or significant others, can’t blame the election, can’t blame the weather, can’t blame a cranky client or employee, can’t blame anything or anyone else. Our choices are our responsibility. Choose personal responsibility and then change what you don’t like. Oh, there’s another “C” – change.

Walking on haloed ground, a crash site visited

My husband and I were up in Flagstaff over the 4th of July weekend. Sunday morning on our way home from church, our host for the weekend who was driving, noticed a ball of old police tape on the side of the road and thought we might be near the site of the collision of the two medical transport helicopters which had happened less than a week before. Moments later we were there. From the road we could easily see the downed pine trees which marked the spot where one of the helicopters came to rest.

The stench of fuel was strong, And although the site had been cleared, little pieces of debris could still be seen amidst the pine needles, rocks and small branches on the forest floor. Small plastic windshield pieces along with fiberglass and aluminum from the helicopter fuselage were the most common sightings.

The second helicopter site was not far away, up the hill on top of a mesa. Everything around that area was blackened, torched by an explosion following the crash. Someone had laid a small bouquet of white daisies on a large, flat, soot-covered rock. The contrast spoke volumes.

Seven lives were lost on that mountain. News stories during the past week had given glimpses into their lives. Words including fun, dedicated, loving father, good friend, compassionate, thoughtful, unforgettable, mentor and hero resounded over and over. I thought of those words as I walked around the place where they drew their last breaths. I thought of their legacies. Every one of these men left incredible legacies by the way they had lived their lives. They had loved, they had been loved, they had cared and they had shared of themselves. Their lives were cut short, but their legacies will live on because of the Character that they exemplified.

My heart was so heavy thinking about the tragedy that had taken place there and the loved ones waiting for their dads, brothers, husbands, uncles, sweethearts or sons to come home. They won’t be returning. I said prayers for each one of these men, and for those who they left behind. I threw kisses toward the sky sending them on their way, just as if they were my own. I would want someone to do that for me if I was the one whose heart was aching.

Tragedy can stop us in our tracks. It can’t stop love. It can’t stop our legacies. Live your life as though there is no tomorrow, because there may not be.

Rounding Third Base

This morning I spent a couple hours with the chaplain of Hospice of the Valley. He is a long-time dear friend and my graphic design company has done a great deal of work for him over the years. We were talking about legacies … my favorite topic, of course … because that subject comes up regularly when he is spending time with hospice patients. He has an interesting analogy. He says his job is to come into their lives when they are rounding third base and to help get them home safely. Isn’t that a great mental picture? He’s a third-base coach.

By the time someone is headed home, they have been up to bat and one way or another, made it to first base, second base and possibly third base. The cheering is not over, the score is not yet up on the board but most of that “up” is complete. You can’t go back, there typically aren’t do-vers, the marks are in the score-keeper’s book.

And what does this have to do with anything? I’m thinking that as we are all running around the diamonds of our lives, we might want to be thinking about our legacies, what we have done or said that will be forever linked to our names. The next batter up may hit a home run and we’ll be rounding third sooner than we’d planned.

We should all be so blessed to have a third-base coach like my friend.