The past week has been a busy one – I’ve spent a lot of my days, traveling back and forth to various meetings with Hospice of the Piedmont. I’m looking at becoming a volunteer, so I had to complete two days of training. It was so eye-opening and humbling. While I knew a good bit about what they do, since my dad was under hospice care, there were many “behind the scenes” services that I had no idea were taking place for both patients and for their families/caregivers.

I’ll write another post about my experience at the annual Auction event this past Thursday night, but for now, I need to get back up-to-speed on my “31 Days of Introspection in October”.

---

October 10: If you had unlimited resources, what would your dreams look like?

The first thing I’d do would be to write a huge check to both Hospice of the Piedmont and the National Scleroderma Foundation. You’ve already seen my posts about dad, so you understand the Hospice connection. My mother had scleroderma, and back in the late 1970s, very little was known about it. Now, the organization is making tremendous strides in finding ways toward a cure and helping those with it to live less-debilitating lives through new treatments and comfort measures.

The second thing I’d do is plan some incredible trips to places I’ve always wanted to visit. Trip #1: several weeks in the Scottish Highlands, getting to know the locals and taking thousands of photographs. I’d make a stop in Ireland, followed by a day or so in Glastonbury, England, and a visit to Stonehenge. And I want to ride one of those speedboats on the Thames. I’d probably take another week, rent a narrowboat, and travel the same routes that Country House Gent does (check out his YouTube channel). Trip #2: I’d love to visit the backroads of the blues…Chicago, Memphis, the Mississippi Blues Trail, Muscle Shoals… a long list. Trip #3: I’d love to go to Nova Scotia and see where they filmed “The Shipping News”. Trip #4: I’d love to go back to St. Lucia… this time, I’d do it differently and stay at the Ladera Resort, high in the Pitons. Take a look at their website here… the views are breathtaking. Trip #5: I’ve never seen all of the North Carolina lighthouses… and I want to do that. And it would be fun to charter a boat and travel the Intracoastal Waterway, stopping periodically to visit some cool coastal small towns and sample the food.

There are other things I’d love to do that include giving back to the community, but right now, I’ll move on to the next question.

October 11: What does your ideal day look like?

First, it would start with a good cup of coffee in my favorite mug. A big plate of hashbrowns, scrambled eggs, grits, and bacon. I’d take some time to visit with my garden and talk to the birds a bit. Then, I’d jump in the car and find a unique little town to browse around in for a while. I’d come home and work on writing and singing some music. End the night on the patio, under the stars. Most likely with a glass of moscato or good bourbon. Of course, I can do these things solo… but it would also be nice to experience them with someone else who gets it. ❤

October 12: Values I hold dear.

I value kindness. It’s not a difficult thing. Hold a door open for someone – regardless of who they are. Ask someone about something they mentioned a while ago… it shows them you pay attention to what they say. Say THANK YOU. Sometimes do something special for someone… just BECAUSE.

I value people who appreciate the importance of keeping family stories and traditions alive. Genealogy has been a favorite pastime of mine for over a decade now.

I value people who are trustworthy and demonstrate that trait consistently. Those of us who have had our trust broken, whether as a young child or as an adult hold people like this in high regard.

I value the healing properties of music and art.

There are more, but I’ll stop here for now.

October 13: People I care about.

Oh, lordy. This one is tricky – there are SO many for whom I care, and to name a few specifically, but not others, might get me into trouble. There are ones from my childhood neighborhood, young adulthood, and ones in my music community who I’ve recently come to know and have grown to care for deeply. There are some with whom I’ve made amends after parting ways, and there are those I never imagined I’d meet but who are now a very important part of my life. I thank the Universe for all of them.

October 14: Three things in general I’m most grateful for in life.

#1: My grandparents – they taught me so much about the simple things in life and how to respect/appreciate them. They looked after me when I needed someone to be there. #2: Good mentors – they helped guide me toward a personally and professionally rewarding career working with college students. #3: My ability to overcome challenges. I’m a much stronger woman than I ever thought I could be.

October 15: Music that always lifts my mood.

Goodness… mood-lifting music? Off the top of my head, I have a very eclectic taste in music, so I can’t help myself when I hear “Cut the Cake” by Average White Band…. never heard it? Here ya go… especially the bass solo around 2:15.

There is nothing quite like “Feeling That Music Brings” by Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks. This one is like gospel music to me. I get up and start “church dancing”… and I don’t even go to a church now. But EVERY time… they take me there. Just listen to the “call and response” between the two of them.

Okay, I’m going to add one more here. It’s a real odd group, but I can’t help but smile and feel good when I hear it. I love house/club music from the ’90s… and anytime Bootsy Collins is playing the bass.

October 16: Hobbies I wish I had more time for.

Genealogy is a love of mine, but it’s tedious work at times, and requires focus. I really want/need to get back to it. I also want to get back to sewing a bit, but my 20+ year old machine needs a tune up… so there’s that.

October 17: What makes me feel loved?

Being seen. Being listened to… and heard. Having someone recall something I shared about my life weeks or even months before and asking me how things were going. Holding my hand. Giving me a warm hug. Hearing someone say they are proud of me and believe in me. Letting me be ME… without judgment or criticism – accepting and loving me as I am. When someone you care for dearly tells you the ways you make them feel loved. Messages from friends who I haven’t seen since college, yet seem to know the days when I need a little encouragement.

October 18: What makes me feel appreciated?

When someone comes up to me and says that something I wrote or sang made them happy or inspired them. Little unexpected notes that appear in the most unlikely places – like the one hidden in a fortune cookie that said “I’m so fortunate to have you in my life”.

---

Whew. I know that was a LOT of reading. I promise to make the next one shorter.