The Moments

December 31st, 2010 by Regina Brett

Farewell, 2010. It's been good to know you.

 

The media will bombard us with timelines of the great events from the past year as we say goodbye. For me, the year is more about the small, precious moments that land on the heart, not the big events that end up on the timeline.

 

What was your best moment of 2010? All mine included a little guy named Asher. He's my baby Buddha. My grandson is the happiest person I know. 

 

When I get to tuck him in, we snuggle and he'll look up at me and say, "Sing." So I sing. Which touches me deeply since he calls me "Gita" which means "song."

 

 

Then I gently put him in the crib and whisper to him, "Gita loves Asher, Poppa loves Asher, Mommy loves Asher, Daddy loves Asher, everybody loves Asher." Then he'll look up with sleepy eyes and smile and say, "Yay!" It melts my heart every time.

 

Comments (2)

Post Christmas

December 26th, 2010 by Regina Brett

This last week of the year can be the most meaningful of all. What do you plan to do with this amazing adventure called your life?

 

I like to spend a few hours in quiet reflection on the year past, the gains, the losses, the loose ends that need tied up, the burdens that need to be released, the joys that call to be savored, that point the way, like a compass needle, to the future.

 

Then I reflect on the clean slate before me. What do I want to write on it? I try to see myself a year from now, at the end of 2011, and ask: What would I like to have accomplished? What kind of meaning did I add to the world around me? What difference did I make in the lives of others?

 

If you picked a word for the new year, what would it be?

What do you want to do with your brand new magical year?

 

 

 

 

Comments (0)

A Blustery Day

December 13th, 2010 by Regina Brett

As Winnie the Pooh used to say, "It's a blustery day."

 

I'm giving myself a snow day, with permission not to drive anywhere I don't have to go.

 

It's almost a blizzard outside, 18 degrees but minus 1 with the windchill. You can't see the roads and if you can, wait three minutes and you can't. Lake Effect snow is supposed to give us a foot of the white stuff by Wednesday.

 

It's beautiful to watch if you're snug indoors. My grandson calls it, "No, no." He's afraid to walk in it this year. Probably because it comes up to his little knees. Hope to get him out sledding once the temperature is a respectable 25 or more.

 

His mom says he won't wear his new snow boots. He insists on wearing the green frog rain boots because they have a face. I've looked everywhere for snow boots that look fun, but can't find any. Guess the snow is supposed to be fun enough for a kid.

 

 

Comments (1)

Holiday grief

December 7th, 2010 by Regina Brett

Good grief.

 

Charlie Brown is fond of saying that in the Peanuts comic strip whenever he's frustrated. But is there really such a thing as good grief?

 

Wednesday on "The Regina Brett Show" we're going to talk about grief and a new board game called "Doggone Grief." It's supposed to help children and adults talk about what makes them feel sad, mad, happy or scared after they've lost someone.

 

Brenda Brown, director of Grief Services at Aultman Hospital, designed the game. She'll be on the show along with Dylan Phillips. He's in middle school and lost his dad last year. School counselor Matt Gagnon and Nancy Carst, the bereavement coordinator at Akron Children's Hospital, will also join us.

 

Call in with your questions toll free at 888-WKSU-897 or email during the show from 7 to 8 pm EST at regina@wksu.org

 

Holidays can be tough when you've lost someone you love. We hope the show will ease some of the pain.

Comments (0)

A gift for Dad

December 2nd, 2010 by Regina Brett

A reader was inspired to make "God Never Blinks" a birthday gift for her dad. Pat borrowed my idea from Lesson 45 and wrote a list of 80 things she loved about her dad.

 

It made me think of the things I loved about my dad who has been gone 11 years. Maybe it'll remind you about what you love about your dad.

 

Here's Pat's list:

 

REASONS WHY WE LOVE DAD: 

 

1. Dad is a great slow story teller.

2. Dad has a good sense of money management and gives good advice.

3. Our favorite nick name for you is Old Yeller and Smiley.

4. Now when he yells at us we can ignore him and go home.

5. Dad helped us realize that saving our money brings big dreams.

6. Dad truly cares for all of us.

7. Dad was a dedicated little league football coach for us on the Sharonville Jets.

8. Dad would travel to many states to watch us play football and basketball.

9. Dad always remembers special occasions with a Hallmark card and gift.

10. Dad never complained about driving me to my bus stop every day in high school.

11. Dad always honks his horn when he sees a lady bending over in her yard.

12. Dad would jump out and scare us when we watched the Cool Ghoul as kids.

13. Dad can make great malts, eggnog and whiskey sours.

14. Dad had the patience to teach me how to drive a stick shift.

15. Dad rode with me in a horse and buggy on my wedding day. I loved it.

16. Dad always endured my ballet recitals.

17. Dad saved money and sold stock so we could all go to college if we wanted.

18. Dad always welcomed our friends and family into our home.

19. Dad would unlock the door late at night and never ask us why we had the paper.

20. Dad was a great Santa Claus for years and years -- costume and all.

21. Dad thanks for wiping our noses all those years.

22. Dad prays for us when we need prayers and even when we don’t need them.

23. Dad accepted us even when we behaved at our worst.

24. Dad married Mom for 57 years through good times and bad.

25. Dad introduced us to Camelot, Tony Bennett and Robert Goulet.

26. Dad cooked us Pink mashed potatoes when Mom was gone for dinner.

27. Dad loved to call my husband by the wrong name “Clem Kadilittlehopper and Meathead.” The kids were meatballs.

28. Dad got us hooked on season tickets to the Bengal’s games.

29. Dad still attends those Bengal’s games and tail gates like a trooper.

30. Dad has a very loud voice range especially when he is angry. It is loud and clear, and sometimes funny.

31. Dad enlightened our life with the many vacation trips to Massachusetts for many years.

32. Dad always made family time a high priority.

33. Dad encouraged family values and togetherness always.

34. Dad made “pull my finger” famous in our family.

35. Dad was able to survive a flaxseed poisoning attempt by Mom and not complain about it.

36. When Dad could get away with it, he would wear his slippers to church.

37. Dad came up with the phrase “Energy Shower”. It was sharing a shower with the one you love to conserve water.

38. Dad generously bought many breakfasts on Sunday mornings at Bob Evans.

39. Dad always blesses the family Christmas tree every Christmas Eve.

40. I love when Grampy holds my hand. His hands are warm and soft.

41. Grampy always has, without fail, some sort of candy that he will sneak to you.

42. Grampy’s multiple trips to the post office each week are so cute.

43. Dad’s bark is bigger than his bite.

44. Dad has a wonderful spirit of love and generosity.

45. Dad is gentle yet strong.

46. Dad has a great passion for faith, family and friends.

47. He has always been there for us.

48. The way Grampy rubs his face and takes off his glasses when he is getting ready to tell a story.

49. I love the way Grampy sleeps in his chair with his mouth open.

50. Every time I see Grampy he has another dirty story.

51. The biggest reason why I love Grampy is because he will always be the best Grampy anyone could ask for.

52. Dad is not afraid to wear his MacArthur plaid anytime he wants.

53. When Dad picks up the restaurant tab he always acts like he is having a heart attack. 54. Dad snores like a big old bear, but we love him anyway.

55. We have fond memories of Dad wearing his Knights of Columbus suit and parading around our living room.

56. Dad always drove the beater cars, so my Mom could drive the reliable family car.

57. We love to hear about Dad’s travels which were all around the world.

58. Dad insisted on us all having chores or “yard guard” duty. This helped build our work ethics that we still use today.

59. When my son was having heart surgery, Dad was on a work trip to Germany. He called everyday for an update on his progress.

60. He loved to tell the male Grandchildren to always “Keep the mouse in the house.”

61. Dad volunteered his time to many Credit Union organizations all his life.

62. Dad has good old common sense, which is rare today.

63. Dad believes in showing up for events early not just on time. Not all his children have picked up on this trait.

64. Dad believes in his Catholic faith and attends mass every day.

65. Whenever we tried to make excuses for our actions, Dad would say, “Men Nada, Menyada” which is Spanish for Tomorrow.

66. Dad is good at math and did our taxes for a while.

67. We would not be here if he did not marry Mom.

68. Dad has many long time friends that he cherishes

69. Dad is not too dorky and fun to hang out with.

70. He is funny and sarcastic all at the same time.

71 He takes long pauses when he tells stories and does not want to be interrupted.

72 He has a favorite torn up wool sweater he wears every day. Mom tries to get rid of it, but he finds it and wears it anyway.

73. Dad is a good listener and problem solver. He organizes thoughts and puts them to paper.

74. Dad gives the best big bear hugs.

75. He coined the phrases squid, split tail and Time out.

76. He offered free opthomology appointments to an array of referees and umpires.

77. He was always looking for a flashlight when he did home projects.

78. He was always considerate to the family dog, George, by letting him run the neighborhood.

79. Dad had an eloquent way of giving the boys a birds and bees talk.

80. Dad today is your day. We all love you and Mom very much. Enjoy!

With Love, From your children, grandchildren and Sue and Dave. "

 

 

Comments (1)