THERE IS JUST NO PLACE LIKE ~ HOME!!!

Altoona PA

Blair Country Airport

hours before a little plane was

coming to get me...

As the Hertz man looked at me

rather comically and said,

"You sure you want to return this car tonight"?

Big Storm is  coming...

Finished speaking in Altoona to a great group of folks who wanted me to "hit the road" letting me know the roads would get bad quickly, some saying my flight my be delayed... My lovely Coordinator giving me her card and saying,

"Call me if cancelled and I will come and get you tonight"

Ah, good morning

HOME

The people I've met in

PA

99% of which

showing signs and symptoms

of

Compassion Fatigue

100%

kind and compassionate! Oh so many in the Professional Helping Professions weary though, doing so much more with so much less from organizations; from economic times that are touch, clients that are needing more help; with stress that is increasing ... from fatigue that the effects of caring takes in caring so deeply for clients.

It's effects are being seen around the country:

The needs for trainings, for seminars to boost

those doing this hard work are more evident with each person you meet and speak with and are honored to spend time with...

Many businesses, corportations are getting that message

and

investing in those who do this work.

~ PESI ~

[Premier Education Solutions

is a leader in the field of providing education

to those in the field of healthcare/Mental Heath Providers

and is a wonderful company,

they book speakers around the country

offerering education, seminars and trainings.

I am honored that they have chosed to

use me as a conduit of their mission of education and trainings

to represent their mission

and

They Do fantastic work.]

They have quite the reputation

in the Professional world!

In Pittsburgh one dear woman told me she got on the road at 0430AM, secondary to the weather, in order to arrive to the seminar by 0730!

NOW, that is a dedicated professional who was wanting to attend a seminar and enhance her professional practice I'm thinking~! (and it sure does speak to the weather and driving conditions as well) LOL

<>

BUT

I had plans...

MY PLAN

my intention

MY PRAYER

safely journey

HOME.

I was able to have the joys of driving in the snow again,

to see its magical twinkle of snow falling again,

to feel its temperatures drop of 29 to 19

as I waited for that little

plane

and watched

from that little airport

darkness fall.

I met a young man with kind eyes

named

Charlie.

We visited and I asked him to go out in the cold

for no reason

other than to take a picture for me of

the runway that plane would take me down

(when that plane showed up)

The above is the Runway!

I had the honor

of meeting

the

TWO

TSA agents

that were working that evening.

I of course have no voice now once again.

BUT

I could listen

to their often

"thankless job"

of protecting and working to keep our

"friendly skies safe".

Their stories were funny at times,

were sad at times

and quite frankly

hit a nerve at times as they reminded me

that we are growing to complacent

we have forgotten.

9/11

We more often than not find it inconvenient to

"take off our shoes", to empty our bags that we insist on carrying on with our essentials to each breath.

The many and varied electronic cords that appear and could easily be viewed as threatening

after all we feel threatened when we first attempt to learn to use them!

I thanked them both for what they do.

They both were genuinely surprised by that,

saying "thanks" to them are rare.

AND THEN IT HAPPENED!

The plane arrived

even with the skeptics that were there...

And

a young man took my arm and escorted me across the icy runway to the steps

STOMP

I'm on my way to Dulles

and almost home.

Thank you PA

for a wonderful 3 days

Thank you Erie, you started a three day speaking engagement with power of presence, with honor, and passion restored for the great work you do.

and, your generous spirits; thanks for the "lozenges"

and Mr Probation, thank you for my T'Shirt I will wear it with pride and remember you"

PIttsburgh and dear, Orlando thank you for adding to our closing as you walked the walk and presented me with what makes you in your comfort zone: for that "Fresh" tie, and the laughter, the engagement, and for the hard work you do.

Thank you Altoona, for the work you do, your work that together we did intensely and your concern for my "hitting the snowy roads" at the end of a long day for you.

I hope to see you next year...

Take Best Care of you, each of you!

We touched down

in

Dulles

with all the magnificent lights... guiding us gently in

welcoming us....

AND

I felt like someone who wanted to

SHOUT

and just do a

STOMP DANCE.

But had sat long enough that it took all to just get up

and get off the plane!

1.5 hours until the next BIG

plane

and

then

HELLO TAMPA

Along the way

I noticed 2 young Marines walking together

back packs on,

headed for a smoke.

I stopped them

"THANK YOU FOR SERVING"

"They smiled, you're welcome"

So young they are.

I am sooo tired, but sooo grateful.

I reflect back to just a couple of hours ago and the

conversation with my buddy who words for

TSA

and the people who find it

a pain

to stand in line

to take their shoes off and open their bags,

to stand in an x-ray machine when the

beepers go off

and

to be sure they and we are safe

before boarding the planes.

Funny the connections

that your brain makes

WE NEED THOSE CONNECTIONS.

While it is not fun to empty your goodies out,

to stand in a machine

and maybe not even fun

to have others watch as you are "patted"

Maybe it's just me...

BUT

YOU control how you think about it

HOW YOU CHOOSE

to view it.

I still wonder how in the world in Tampa

the TSA agent knew I had a shirt on under a sweatshirt

from across the room!

HE was very very good

but

told me I had to take my sweatshirt off.

ahhh,

OKIE DOKIE

I can do that!

So

here I am in Dulles

with profound gratefulness as I look at those two young men in their fatigues, with backpacks on...

I wish I buy them a drink, a sandwich or something

a random act of kindness

like what I have talked about in the last three days

and often talk about here...

Oh my

I am "fatigued"...

OK, if that is to happen, the Creator will let me know.

So instead I go to the restroom

and change my thoughts and instead put some water on my face.

As I am making my way to the gate

with

HOPE in my heart,

I see those Marines

and they are standing by an

ATM

machine, where one is tying his boot.

LOL

THE CREATOR HAS SAID ALL I NEED

I take a moment as I approach them

and

grab 2 of my cards with my blogspot address

and

a $20

saying

"Are you soldiers shipping out"

"NO MAM, WE ARE JUST COMING HOME!!!"

I say:

"OH MY, WELCOME HOME SOLDIERS,

I AM SO GRATEFUL YOU ARE HOME!

Listen, here's my card, and please

take this and buy yourself a coke/a beer

I just want you to know

WE APPRECIATE YOU

And

I am so happy

you are HOME"

There was a half second hesitation

one

"No Mam you can't do that"

but

There was "JOY", "SHOCK"

and

"a tear of absolute PRIDE in being welcomed home

and

CELEBRATED"

by both

of these young men.

I had the honor

of shaking the hands

of TWO of our Nations' finest

last night

at Dulles Airport

who had just arrived

from defending our Country,

now

HOME

on their way

to their families

to

their BEDS

and

HOT showers

and

now

SAFE.

I am so richly blessed.

GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS

AND OUR COUNTRY

Let us remember

Those who first defended our

BORDERS

who first

took care

and who

are still here

Defending and serving along with so many others

so that we can fly, we can soar across the skies, to visit with others and to sleep in our beds safely at night.

As I prepared to board for the final and most joyous of destinations

a gentleman approached me

and said,

"Mam, I saw you speaking to those young Marines a bit ago, I just wanted to THANK YOU for taking the time to do that. And, by the way, I also saw you slip them some money for a coke/beer! That was a class act! Those boys are something special aren't they? I wish I had thought to do something like that, thank you"

I smiled at him, and said, "you are welcome, and YES, they are indeed special, but touch one, reach many, and I bet you will have an opportunity yourself... very soon, Many blessings to you >Sir, and Thank YOU for your service" 

 Turns out...

 He was a Vietnam Veteran, I noticed his ball-cap he was wearing. He had "tears in his eyes" >touch one, reach many....

Time to get on the big silver Eagle, and no one is more filled with joy at that moment than I am.

Next I know we are pulling out, only to hear the captain say:

"FOLKS, THERE WILL BE A SLIGHT DELAY AND WE ARE TAXING BACK IN > IT SEEMS SOMETHING HAS SHIFTED IN THE CARGO, IT WILL ONLY TAKE A FEW MINUTES AND THEN WE WILL BE OFF AGAIN"

hahahahaha

The Creator has such a funny sense of humor.

But by now my body has sat for awhile and it could not stand and walk if there was a fire... Exhaustion and gratitude and the exchanges of being "filled with awe" have hit.

So we here several thumps and bumps under the plane as things are adjusted and then

that reassuring voice comes on with,

"OK, BUCKLE YOUR SEATBEALTS AND TURN OFF ALL DEVICES"

I watch out the window that wonderful city that used to be my home as it twinkles in the darkness

knowing with absolute certainty

that I am headed home.

AND THEN

The Stewardess asks if she can bring a beverage:

TIME TO CELEBRATE!!!

Yes, I squeak,

I'll have a BLACK RUSSAIN

PLEASE

 ON THE ROCKS.

Thought that would help the throat, help the pain in the body... and overall just top of the day...

I toasted the many I met,

I toasted the USA

those two Marines headed home

and visualized the looks on their loved ones

as

they walked through the door

I said

Cheers

for Lily the North American Black Bear

who I hear is in labor as of yesterday

http://www.bear.org/

or by now maybe has a new cub!

I toasted

LIFE

in all its glory.

The last 20 minutes into Tampa

The Creator had quite a light show and party as well

and

from the window

I watched the lightning beings as they

CELEBRATED ME HOME

it was

Spectacular

from that window seat

and from that height.

We landed smoothly

Baggage's claim did not disappoint me.

My loved one was waiting

I walked like someone who had just gotten off

a Paint Pony after riding for 6 weeks across mountains

"stove up" is the word for it!

The 4 leggeds were wild

as they said

"bring me treats"

HAPPY DANCE

My bed celebrated

I slept the sleep of

I'm not sure what.

AND

Remember,

You can never ever ever

HAVE ENOUGH

GRATITUDE

EXCITEMENT

HOPE

FAITH

WONDER

AWE

Extension

KINDNESS

Time to say THANK YOU

DESIRE

SELF CARE

WONDER

BELIEF

(CELEBRATION)

FLEXIBILTY

LOVE

PLAY

GENEROUSITY

THROAT LOZENGERS

SMILES

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

COMFORTABLE SHOES

STRENGTH

BALANCE

LAUGHTER (even at self)

THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN YOU

sugar

The fire is burning brightly, the embers are hot.

Thoughts on the winds, to those who enter here...

If you would like to be in our prayer bowl, just leave your name and where you live if you would (optional) in the comments...

The sage is filling the air....

Thank you for your prayers and thoughts while I was away for my safety, for my energy.

Once again, the voice has left the body for a bit,

but I am hopeful Kermit will return after a bit of rest

and ultimately DRSES voice will return!

Walk in Beauty

DRSES

http://www.drsherryeshowalter.com/

That is the HOPE

in Healing Heartaches

Many copies have now been penned and sold in

PA

brr did I mention it is cold up there?

And oh my

IT IS

STEELERS COUNTRY

and

the energy is HIGH and definitely "pumped up"

for this weekend

I must tell you...