The oddest thing happened when I tried watching the game today. The TV channel, that local CBS station that the NC State v. Georgetown game was to be shown on, was blacked out. Some days my TV is fickle. Go figure. And on today of all days. On this day when we North Carolinians are hoping to see if State would make it to the Sweet 16, those final 16 teams on the way to the final NCAA tournament game in New Orleans. And, just for the record, March Madness is a single elimination NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) basketball tournament and this 3rd round’s winners advance to be a part of the final 16 teams, then the Elite 8, the Final Four and on to the championship.
As I channel-surfed, trying to find another channel that it might possibly be on, I found Joel Osteen. Now, Joel is THE man for positivity. And I seldom turn down an opportunity to feed my soul with uplifting positive thoughts. While he wasn’t speaking about sports teams, he did encourage us to speak to people what we believe they can become. Maybe you see the potential for greatness in someone but they just don’t see it yet. You can make a difference by speaking greatness into their life. Joel used the example of Oprah and how, when she was young, someone had told her she was pretty. Until then, she had not believed it; she didn’t have confidence. But, because one woman simply complimented a little girl, it started her on the path of believing in herself.
So, as I kept up with the scores and play-by-plays online, I was reminded again of how simple, how easy it is to make a difference in the lives of those I come in contact with each day.
And while “March Madness” almost always refers to a really exciting basketball tournament, this month I challenge you to create your own “March Madness.” Remember that the God of the universe is mad about you. He loves you and he loves the people you come in contact with each and every day.
Today, you have the power to speak greatness and belief into the lives of others. Likewise, you have the power to speak negativity into their lives. Choose wisely. And make a positive, lasting difference. Change a life today.
Oh, and by the way, one of the first teams to make it to the Sweet 16 is NC State! Go Pack!
Mad about you,
Jean
Fulfill Your Dreams
Only You Can Change Your Life
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Two Special Moments, One Beautiful Baby
They had told me. ‘They’ being all the grandmothers I know. They had told me that being a grandma was the best, that there was nothing like it, that it was incomparable. They were right.
As a new grandma (a.k.a Mimi), I can attest that there really is nothing like it. Of course, I’ve only been Mimi, officially, for 70 hours and counting, but I can tell you that it’s an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything.
The day of Maddie’s birth began much like any other day, except that I started the day earlier than usual, could hardly sleep the night before and felt so much excitement I could hardly stand it. Okay, so it wasn’t quite like any other day. In fact, I was so anxious to get to the hospital, I had to set my cruise control to keep from speeding on the highway…and on the side streets. Let’s face it. I lived on cruise control the whole way; it just wouldn’t do to get a ticket on the day of my granddaughter’s anticipated birth.
After much waiting and anticipating, the hour had finally arrived. In the waiting room, the father of the new dad got a text message (thank God for technology!) that read: Call me and put it on speaker phone.
As relatives and friends huddled around the cell phone (and, yes, it was rather like a football huddle), we found out Maddie had been born! And, just in case we might have doubted or thought this was some kind of joke, Maddie made herself known with an announcement of her own. Almost, as if on cue, the group’s audible “Awww…” carried through the waiting room in unison. Then, again as if on cue, we were silent, listening to Maddie’s sweet cries.
Expectantly, we waited by the nursery window to catch a first glimpse of ‘our’ Maddie. After a bit, there she was, with dad close at hand. I’d never seen him smile so big, except maybe the day he married my daughter. This was truly a special moment for all of us.
Cameras and cell phones clicked as pictures were taken. The excitement mounted. Every little movement, cry and yawn captured. We crowded by the window, stepping back only to give another member of our little troupe a closer look. After taking a few pictures, I realized, here we were, all together, rejoicing. All except MY baby girl.
I quickly texted her: How’s Maddie’s mama?
My daughter responded: I feel like I’m in a dream. But at least there are good French fries here. LOL
I wondered. Were there French fries or was this some crazy drug-induced figment of her imagination? I texted again: Can I sneak back there?
She responded: Yeah, but no boys allowed. I’m not decent.
I smiled. I love that girl’s sense of humor and the way she can turn a phrase.
The second special moment of the day was about to begin. I slipped away from the group of “oohs and ahhs” and found my way back to her room. There she was. My little girl. Now, not just a woman, but a mother. We spent a few sweet moments together before the nurse came to help make her ‘decent.’
And the French fries? They were real. It felt good that someone was taking good care of my little girl….and her appetite…after so many hard hours. And I realized how God is like that. When we’re alone and the people in our world are focused on other things, He’s there for us, taking care of our needs.
Two special moments and a beautiful baby. It just doesn’t get any better than this.
Those grandma friends of mine? 'They' were right.
Jean
a.k.a Mimi
As a new grandma (a.k.a Mimi), I can attest that there really is nothing like it. Of course, I’ve only been Mimi, officially, for 70 hours and counting, but I can tell you that it’s an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything.
The day of Maddie’s birth began much like any other day, except that I started the day earlier than usual, could hardly sleep the night before and felt so much excitement I could hardly stand it. Okay, so it wasn’t quite like any other day. In fact, I was so anxious to get to the hospital, I had to set my cruise control to keep from speeding on the highway…and on the side streets. Let’s face it. I lived on cruise control the whole way; it just wouldn’t do to get a ticket on the day of my granddaughter’s anticipated birth.
After much waiting and anticipating, the hour had finally arrived. In the waiting room, the father of the new dad got a text message (thank God for technology!) that read: Call me and put it on speaker phone.
As relatives and friends huddled around the cell phone (and, yes, it was rather like a football huddle), we found out Maddie had been born! And, just in case we might have doubted or thought this was some kind of joke, Maddie made herself known with an announcement of her own. Almost, as if on cue, the group’s audible “Awww…” carried through the waiting room in unison. Then, again as if on cue, we were silent, listening to Maddie’s sweet cries.
Expectantly, we waited by the nursery window to catch a first glimpse of ‘our’ Maddie. After a bit, there she was, with dad close at hand. I’d never seen him smile so big, except maybe the day he married my daughter. This was truly a special moment for all of us.
Cameras and cell phones clicked as pictures were taken. The excitement mounted. Every little movement, cry and yawn captured. We crowded by the window, stepping back only to give another member of our little troupe a closer look. After taking a few pictures, I realized, here we were, all together, rejoicing. All except MY baby girl.
I quickly texted her: How’s Maddie’s mama?
My daughter responded: I feel like I’m in a dream. But at least there are good French fries here. LOL
I wondered. Were there French fries or was this some crazy drug-induced figment of her imagination? I texted again: Can I sneak back there?
She responded: Yeah, but no boys allowed. I’m not decent.
I smiled. I love that girl’s sense of humor and the way she can turn a phrase.
The second special moment of the day was about to begin. I slipped away from the group of “oohs and ahhs” and found my way back to her room. There she was. My little girl. Now, not just a woman, but a mother. We spent a few sweet moments together before the nurse came to help make her ‘decent.’
And the French fries? They were real. It felt good that someone was taking good care of my little girl….and her appetite…after so many hard hours. And I realized how God is like that. When we’re alone and the people in our world are focused on other things, He’s there for us, taking care of our needs.
Two special moments and a beautiful baby. It just doesn’t get any better than this.
Those grandma friends of mine? 'They' were right.
Jean
a.k.a Mimi
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