The other night I had to laugh at myself, as I was reading something with my reading glasses on and looked up, realizing my glasses were lower on my nose, and I am looking over the rim. When I was young, I’d see older 
women doing just this and hated it, thinking I will never do that. I became her.
Going back in my memories, my parents would dress up and go to company dinners. I was young and was always fascinated watching my mom put makeup on at the bathroom mirror, as most little girls do. When finished and the final step was the lipstick, as she would always give a quick pucker-up kiss as a stamp of approval. I stood in the doorway, just watching and waiting. Before she started the process of applying makeup though, the Oil of Olay 
would be smeared on her face, with me asking why she does that. Of course, her reply was that it was to reduce wrinkles. I told her that I was not going to have wrinkles. I still remember her slight laughter and saying, okay we will see how that works out. I became her.
Another time with mom, she loved Jergens hand lotion and used regularly. I looked at her hands and from years and age, her skin was looser than mine, being a child, as I observed the differences. Of course in my child’s mind and stating the fact, my hands will not look like that. Today, I have aged and I see my mother’s hands when I look at my own. I became her.
When I was in fifth grade, my teacher was so pretty. I was at an age of growing up, going through puberty. While I had sisters and my mom, they were too busy to help me in areas that young girls should know about. I watched this teacher, admired her hair, how she dressed, matching shoes, jewelry, plus she had a sweet and caring personality. To me, she was a role model, and I learned by observing and paying attention to details, which have helped me through my life. I became her.
As I was in my senior year of high school, not knowing what I was going to do after graduation when asked by the shorthand/typing teacher. I really and truly had no ideal what the future held for me. It was when she not asked if we wanted to go but said we were going to the local Vocational School for Business & Office training. This teacher took two of us to visit the school, and we signed up because she said to, so my friend and I went to Vocational School. This has been my livelihood since 1977. With her teaching me, leading me, actually guided my life, I have been able to succeed and teach others. I became her.
During this pandemic, with no haircuts and a lot of things we take for granted were not being had. As I was working in the yard, I had a bandana around my neck as my sister visited and I pulled up over my mouth and nose, not knowing what we were all dealing with and respect for her. As I continued to work, sweating but making progress with our landscape, I took that bandana and slipped it on my head, holding back my hair that is now longer than usual. I went into the house at one point and glanced at a mirror on the way out, stopped and laughed as I saw my mom’s reflection look back at me, as she would wear a bandana the same way. I became her.
Many have been in my life as role models, some as a mother figure to help me, to care and to give me those hugs that I longed for in my life. So many helped me know how to be a Christian and mature in my faith. Others, helped me understand life and who I am. To be a wife and a mother, and how to love and teach my children, I watched many through the years. Plus, how to be a good daughter-in-law and how to be a good mother-in-law. I have been touched by so many in my life and I can truly say from each one, I became her. Blessed
everything seems to be falling apart. Even a kind smile with no words spoken. Behind the masks these days, the smiles are not as evident but the eyes show care and concern, so accept them and return. Be kind.
indifferent to rude? Let’s lift one another up instead of tearing down or leaving a moment when a kind word would be benefited to cause another to smile and gain hope.
Other times though and thankfully, words were said or in a written form that were burned within my mind and heart that I hold onto to keep hope alive and my steps moving forward to goals and dreams. Those little words of encouragement here and there are like gold. Gold is rare to find, sifting through the muck and sometimes life is trudging through the muck and then one day, a glimpse of gold is found, there is hope to keep going.
One day recently, I had time of which I have had a lot lately, probably you also, with the quarantine upon us all. As I was going through photos from over the years, taking time to organize a bit here and there, which was a nice break from cleaning, etc. Plus, for the most part, memory lane is nice to travel down although at times the tears flow in those memories and then the next photo will bring laughter. This in and out of emotions can make one wonder about their mental status, just saying. We each have emotions and during this time of the pandemic situation, more emotions are exhibited, and are normal.
having the Telehealth counseling with clients dealing with the same and/or other issues. Here each one, although trained to listen, hold and help the client but inside them they also feel the same panic and chaos we all do. Of course, my mind wonders about my former and present counselors. How are they holding up?
angry and lost in the chaos around me unsure where or what to do, and He protects me while I regain strength to go forth until I need to hide deep yet again. He is always there for us.
to clear my head, to be alone by myself. It’s just me and the Lord, to cry, pray, read, write or do nothing. Just a break in life from everyone and everything. Both places are not far from my home, one north and one south and nobody knows where I am safely tucked away. Of course, I leave names and numbers for contact, if needed, and I am one-hundred 
percent safe.
Years ago and honestly up until 2017, I would not have done this. Always taking the back seat of cares and issues at home, a waste of money on me and every excuse possible because I thought I was not worth it. Oh but I am! The quote that you cannot poor from an empty cup, is true.
sharing here and now, as I have a story. My story is His story sharing the mercy and grace bestowed upon me. We each have a story of the same, but do you recognize it?
Just Pondering... 