Be Well (16)

A friend of ours is walking the Cancer Journey. Happily in 2009 'cancer' is a word, not a sentence. Still, it's not always obvious what to say to someone who is coping with illness.

When we walked the Cancer Journey a few years ago we found the simpler the better:


We are thinking of you.

We send you love and good thoughts.

(image from Payapa Cards--buy them)

Home, Sweet Home (15)

Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam
Be it ever so humble there's no place like home

The newspapers are still full of articles about the housing meltdown. Each statistic has thousands of personal stories behind the numbers (poor Detroit and all the people who lost their homes there).

Having a place to call home is at the foundation of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. We need the security of a nest.

So, it is a happy occasion when friends and family relocate out of choice. In the last month my delightful brother and sister-in-law have moved into a new place in the city (of Bruckmuhl, Germany). And good friends have found their new home in Washington state.

I get to send 'happy home' cards and congratulate them all!

Thank You! (13)

I just celebrated another birthday and was gratified to hear from so many dear ones. Of course, it helps that I posted a blog and it's linked to Facebook. ;)

I ask you, 'Why not kick off a celebration for yourself?!"

So this week I am writing a few thank you notes. I am always touched when people take the time to shop and send a gift. Each time I am surprised and delighted.

Thank you!

Friends from another Era (11)

In the halcyon days of my early thirties I was privileged to be an honorary member of a group of gorgeous and lively women. The liveliest of the group was Bella (not her real name--she has a responsible profile in the community and it's best to let her share the stories as she wishes). On several occasions we traveled together and waaaay too much alcohol was part of some hysterical celebrations. Oh, we had fun.

For reasons she knows, she holds a very special place in my heart. When I remember B., I remember rare times. Times when I was a different Maggie for a few days. Times when I connected with wild women and ran with the wolves. I never did anything bad but it was fun to be on the verge of naughty. More than anything we laughed a LOT.

When I think of B. I also ache for sweet times that will never be again. It hurts but I'm glad for the memories at least.

Today I wrote to B. Thanks Honey.

Familiar Strangers (10)

Home ownership is a funny thing. You invest so much of yourself in creating a space. And then you leave it. How much of your influence remains after the new residents have moved in?

We live in a house built in 1890 and I like to imagine all the memories that were made from events and images here. Each occupant had some influence over the space that has been cumulatively created.

One family, in particular, invested a lot of love into this home and I recently got a letter from them. I have never met the former owners (we bought from the people they sold to) but I have learned a lot about them.

Today I am writing them a return letter.

Har Har (9)

With kudos and appreciation to Tomato Cards, DCI Studios and Redtree studios I am sharing this card that made me laugh out loud.























I need to buy about 10 more for my friends! Meanwhile, one lucky girlfriend is in for a little chuckle from her mailbox.

Letter of Admiration and Esteem (8)

Have you ever had the experience of seeing someone else's work or read a book...and you absolutely love it? But you wish YOU had made it?

For a long time now I have been inspired by a woman who works in the world of creativity. And, I so wish that I were producing like she is.

Fortunately, I have been able to admit that I couldn't write what she wrote. I will be doing other things. And, meanwhile, I can learn from her. She is so talented and generous with her gifts. As I read what she has written I am touched. I chuckle. I absorb her wisdom.

So today I am writing her a card filled with my admiration and esteem. Thank you, Jill (Badonsky), for sharing your inspiration with us.

Words of Encouragement (7)

There are times when life is SO HARD. Or SO CONFUSING. And you feel SO BAD. During times like that you just need support.

Sometimes, though, support is difficult to receive. You just want to curl up in a ball and be alone. You just don't have it enough....it's too hard to be with others.

But you're still getting your mail.

And there's something touching about a quiet letter or card to let you know that someone else cares about you.

The Love Letter (6)

My letter for this week is obvious: a Love Letter for Valentine's Day.

I believe that the requirements for a love letter are simple: Sincerity, Specificity and Schmaltz. Write from your heart. Note specific reasons why this person is special to you. And don't hesitate to get sentimental. It is LOVE letter, after all.

Now maybe you're 'not that guy' or girl:

Don't despair. Just like Carrie Bradshaw's boyfriend, Big, in Sex and the City you can take inspiration from others. Love Letters of Great Men and Women: From the Eighteenth Century to the Present Day, by C H Charles contains excerpts of letter from Beethoven, Mozart and Churchill (!). Of course, not everyone is in a RELATIONSHIP with a sweetheart or spouse so your Love Letter could simply be a letter to someone you love.

Share the Love!

Great Service! (5)

Luddite that I am I still prefer the newspaper to getting my news from the internet. For $3.22 a week I get a newspaper on my doorstep every morning. Every day I step downstairs, brew my coffee and walk outside for the Oregonian.

Coffee and the New York Times crossword puzzle--that's a solid way to begin a morning.

Most mornings the paper is sitting on the top step of our back door and I think that's pretty terrific. So I am writing a letter of thanks to the people who deliver our newspaper. I've never seen them but I think they are swell.

I Saw This and Thought of You (4)

Thursday morning I was enjoying the newspaper and a cup of coffee just like every morning. The Oregonian featured a story about two friends, 98 and 94 years old. They have been best friends for more than 75 years.

I thought of my best friend whom I have known for over 27 years as I read the article. Janet and I met when we were young mothers because our boys were in child care together. Our sons are grown men now and J. and I are in our fifties. Our bond is stronger than ever because we have such a body of shared experiences. We trash smoked at Key Largo and vented to one another in our thirties. She held me when my sister died and she brought me a pink bed jacket when I had surgery. Her friendship is one of my greatest treasures.

This morning I will send her this article with the words, 'I saw this and thought of you'.

I know we'll still be having a good time when we're in our nineties.

Dear President Obama (3)

The letter for this week HAS to be a letter to our new President. Here's the outline for my letter:

• Congratulations. You won the election fair and square.
• I pray for your safety.
• I admire you as a leader. You are dedicated to social issues and you know how to build consensus. Please move some of those tax dollars to taking care of things....fund education, solve the health insurance dilemma, rebuild our infrastructure...all the things you highlighted in the campaign.
• We love our country...just like most people love their country. Please continue to work for mutual respect throughout the world. Be strong but not arrogant.
• After watching TV on Inauguration Day I am completely smitten with you and your family. I am excited that you and Michelle will be bringing some flair to the White House.
• Finally, good luck on the smoking cessation.

This man has so much on his shoulders. Let him know that we, too, want good things for our country. Here's the address:

President Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Letter to Myself (2)

I have always loved the beginning of a new year. It's a great time to reflect on the passing year and envision what I want to create. Change is a common theme (lose weight, work differently, improve relationships, etc.) and there is a cynicism around the futility of personal change. Too bad.

The Appreciative Inquiry model of change is useful because it acknowledges the power of the past in a positive way.
This is an early model that includes the CONTINUITY aspect of personal change. Too often we try to change by changing everything....which doesn't work for me. Better to build on what IS working. This week I am writing a letter to myself. This is the format:

• What did I value about 2008?
• What would I like to bring about in 2009?
• What will get my attention for transition?

And because I believe that letter should be mailed if at all possible, I will mail it and then put it in the July section of my planner. In July I will read it to remind myself of what seems important now. Perhaps it will help me focus on my most important goals.

Now, who deserves a letter more than you?

Have a good week.

Thank You Notes (1)

If you've celebrated any kind of Winter Holiday it is likely that you received a gift or two. At the very least, someone brought cookies or, dare we hope, fruitcake? [I think fruitcake is YUMMY]
This is an ideal time to flex your writing muscles, so show some class, and write a THANK YOU NOTE.

If you don't know what to write here's a simple template from a helpful site:

Dear xxxx,

Thank you very much for the _________, it really was just what I wanted! Every time I use / wear the _________ I will think of you and your thoughtfulness. I wanted to take the time to write my thanks and I will call you soon, to thank you in person .

Best Wishes or Love
or With Grateful Thanks etc.

We will explore other reasons to write over the next 52 weeks. For now, find that stationary.

Write a note of thanks.

Send it.

Happy New Year!!!