An Extraordinary Evening!

Last night, our goddaughter, Michaela Mae "Sunny" Powers graduated from Westford Elementary. She is heading next fall to Essex High School.

We joined her family and attended the graduation ceremony for her class of around 30, and what an extraordinary night it was!

While we didn't know any other student, the program was so beautiful put together that we happily sat for more than one hour, listening to teachers read tributes to each child. To our surprise and delight, Michaela took the microphone after the faculty toasted her and spoke from the heart for several minutes. Reflecting on her rugged year as an eighth grader, marked by a struggle with her health, Michaela thanked all of her teachers for how they kept lifting her up and encouraging her to finish her work and pass. We were all inspired by the talk, which principal David Wells called, "poised."

Thurmond and I felt great joy when it was announced that Michaela won the Judith DeNova Personal Conviction Award, "Given to the student who has learned to dig deep to find the necessary courage and self-determination to persevere when things get tough." Yes, indeed, that is the Divine Miss M. She can and will do anything she puts her mind to! Hooray for you, MMP, can't wait to hear what you do in high school.

Sweet Voices of Love

Rainy day in the Green Mountains.....a wonderful time to sit quietly with a cuppa coffee and muse.

Last night, I returned to my northern home in the woods after a long day of travel. Boarded a train in Cleveland at 5:30 a.m. and miles later, drove into the Glover dooryard at 9 p.m.

The past month has been heavily scheduled. Returning from Florida to Vermont and full time work, I've had lots of demanding tasks, people to see and projects to complete. While such efforts feel good and give me satisfaction, stopping today and looking back is essential to Meaning Making.

Working in America's most heavily regulated field...long term care...(we are always told there is more government oversight of our operations than over Nuclear Power Plants!) it is dangerously easy to get fully engulfed in regulations and protocols. When I am swallowed in "compliance issues," I can miss the very joys and beauty that called me tenderly, to the work.

One of the residents of our old age home recently brought me back to the basics. A lovely gentleman, he is sweet and earnest, with no no no ability to remember the present. He can recall his past, but anything that happened recently is unretrievable. So, after I was away for a few days and returned to walk in the hallways, he saw me, smiled and said, "I can't remember who you are, but I know you love me."

Such is the preciousness of life, huh? I can mistakenly think regulatory paperwork and reimbursement policy define my day, but thank God, a sweet voice of love tells me otherwise.

P.S. Another way I stay conscious and in the present is through yoga. As both a teacher and a student, I find yoga quickly grounds me in the goodness of the moment, tuning my ear to the sweet voices of love. Here, Jack and Doe, two students, enjoy their gorgeous garden just before we begin an outdoor class.

Nearly 21 Months, and I'm Licensed!

What do I have in common with a baby elephant?

We each needed close to 22 months to appear...in my case, to become officially licensed as a Nursing Home Administrator!

Yup, at about 1:45 p.m. today, I learned I had successfully passed the state portion of the administrator's licensing examination. I had driven an hour south to Montpelier, and in the Office of Professional Regulation, lovely Elizabeth Hansen welcomed me for the test.

In India, Ganesh, the elephant God, is always summoned for a blessing when a new enterprise begins. How fitting!

So, Ganesh, thanks for your blessings. And thanks to everyone else who has been there for me through my gestation...Pat, Thurmond, Kay, Elliot, Ali, Riitta, Fran, Sujata, Yvonne, Nancy and all my family, friends, and coworkers who've been cheering and praying and encouraging me! Now, it is my honor to continue serving those who live and work in nursing homes. I am blessed.