Mountains Don't Rise Without Earthquakes

Respect the negative as much as the positive!

One of my days volunteering was spent sitting with a 93yr old Veteran who was a WWII pilot, and one thing he told me that sticks with me daily is “You have to give as much respect to the negative as you do the positive. Love it. Nurture it. The negative also helps us to fly.” His point being that he wouldn’t have learned to fly had there not been a devastating war. And though he still struggled to this day with the horrible memories from that war, he went on to do amazing things in his life. He had a great career, an amazing wife & beautiful children. The circumstances under which Lyle and I met were one brought on by dementia- he would ask me the same questions multiple times, yet his wisdom held on and was told as it came from the depths of his soul. Lyle would also speak of his paintings and how he was ready to “go home” to his wife (she had been deceased for many years) who he missed dearly.

And for those of you who want to do some volunteer work, but not sure where to start, a great place would be memory care in assisted living homes. They are always in need of adults and children to sit with these beautiful souls- talk to them, color with them, play board games, etc. and I promise you, you can’t beat the wisdom that comes from these amazing humans who have seen far more than you and I.

P.S. I know I look like Cher sometimes. This picture proves it. Ha

All the honey. ~Cynn