Ready, Set, Go

Monday, June 4, 2007

Hello, I'm glad you've chosen to read my first entry of my blog. This whole experience feels rather weird for me; typing my thoughts and posting them for others to read. So why am I doing it? In short, my publisher told me it was time. So on her advice, I begin. (Thanks Jennifer.)

Hope In Your Heart, is my attempt to tell those willing to read, my deepest thoughts about life and living. Everyone has a story. Every story has a lesson. My lesson is ongoing.

A little background seems in order for this blog to start rolling. I'm a woman, 46 years old. I live in Upstate New York. I hate the cold but love the humid, hot summers. I think that's because I have Mediterranean blood in me. My extended family lives in NYS so that's why I'm here. I don't live close to my mom and dad and my three sisters but I try to make contact with them often. Professionally, I work as a physical therapist. It's a nice profession and allows me to be compassionate and kind while earning a living. That's a good thing. I'm married (my second). I have four children. My eldest is 21, my youngest 5. I've two boys and two girls. My family is terrific. My husband teaches elementary school and has the patience of a saint. My eldest son is my life lesson, surviving a brain tumor at age six. My eldest daughter, 20, is spunky and outspoken. She's always got a cause she is fighting for. My youngest daughter, 18, is creative and silly. Her head is in the clouds most days. My littlest boy is my other life lesson.

Everyday I do normal everyday things. I like doing everyday things. I think about famous people and I think, they do normal everyday things too. Think about it, Oprah or Julia Roberts or Hillary Clinton, do everyday things. We brush our teeth, talk on the phone and wipe down the counter after we finish making something to eat. We are all the same. Seems like so much of what is shoved at us in the media is aimed at showing us how different we are. How one culture values one thing and another culture values the opposite. In some ways, the images can make one feel unrest. The reality is "we are all the same." We all have basic things we do everyday. Why is it so hard to build bridges?

Well, in the coming days and weeks, I'll share bits and pieces of my thoughts and hopes. I'll tell you about my family and my life. I'll especially share the excitement surrounding my first children's book being published. My book, I Love You with My Heart, is a picture book that reflects my idea of how much we all love the little one's placed in our care. It is an international approach to the simple idea of "we are all the same."

Until then....have hope.
Donna