Memorial Day 2023

Honor and respect
Some gave all

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Monday Mimisms ~ The Face

Perhaps I didn't want to see the lines of tubes flowing into my body and the hands that were about to cause ....ouch...you weren't supposed to tell me when the stick would occur, Mr. Anesthesiologist... "Turn your head, look at me, squeeze my hand," said the nurse.  Kindness. 

Flashback to summer. I was tired of shots and tired of ups and downs and tired of finger sticks. Tired. Just tired. So back in August I began to let go...slowly...carefully...mindfully...let go. Before I knew it I was using less and less and less. My confidence grew more and more, until one day I didn't need a shot anymore. And the control I had over my glucose numbers were only controlled by what I chose to consume, or whether or not I exercised or how much sleep I allowed myself or how long I meditated on healing, or how many healthy choices I made in the kitchen.

 I didn't care what I had to do. I was tired of the swelling. I was tired of the struggle. 

I just wanted to be me again.

Day one...day two...day three...a month went by....I don't need it anymore.

I'm done. I threw it in the trash.

Soon after, I woke up one morning, walked past a mirror and stopped shocked in my tracks.  Who IS that? Tears. 

Who IS that girl? Finally. Finally! It's me.

She looks like me. It IS me. The old me. Her face is not swollen. Her eyes are alive. I touched my face. 

It's me.

More tears. 

Fast-forward October: It's hospital day. Time for my five-year screening procedure. Peering over the bed rails to my left were a pair of the kindest eyes I've seen in a good long while.   She was Korean. And lovely. Where have I seen this face before? She looked like a friend of my mother's, someone I met when I was a child in the sixties - her name was Kim. She'd married an American soldier during the Korean war, a friend of the family. He was killed just before the war ended, so she brought her small baby to the United States knowing nothing and no one but her newfound in-laws who took them in. She spoke not a word of English as my mother recalled. Tiny and afraid, clinging to the child she'd named after her soldier, she slept by his casket until she was picked up and carried out of the church. A scene that was talked about over and over in our small town. She would not speak to anyone for a long long time. She just sat and cried for her husband. 

Mama gave her clothes, shoes, makeup and a pair of earrings. My grandmother fed her dumplings and cake. The church supported and cared for her, but Mama said she looked so afraid, so lost in those days. And lonely. So very sad and lonely. Mama always said she had a beautiful face. 

 *Please take a deep breath, Miss Mimi. That's it...* Through eons of time, through spoils of war and peace between, I needed my mama, remembering her bracelet in my bag under the gurney brought me comfort..I would put it back on later. Distracted by four others doing this and that, I noticed she was wearing a UNC-Chapel Hill Carolina blue surgical hat and I thought of my father's love of Carolina basketball. Don't cry now, Mimi! Now is not the time! So when she stood by my bedside to start the oxygen flow - was it she? could it be? - I couldn't help but notice that even before the lava began to flow through my veins that past was meeting present, worlds were colliding and something out-of-this-world was about to happen. 

 I was so drawn to her. 

Do you believe that God sends angels to your side when you need them the most? 

"I need to start your oxygen. Let me remove your mask," she said.

And with a slow deliberate gentleness I won't soon forget, she carefully untangled forgotten gold hoops from strings of blue masks. It was like I knew her. Didn't I know her? Surely I know her.....I risk sounding vain when I tell you this part, oh, but I must tell you this part! It is the best part and when you hear it you will forgive my unabashed telling because it wrapped its way full circle around the journey I've been on and the reasons for my summer struggle suddenly made sense, though admittedly rooted in vanity, they were also immersed in the road back to me - the real me - the one I'd missed for so long. Without missing a beat and as if she only came to tell me this one thing today, like it was her mission, she removed my mask and softly said,  

"You have a beautiful face."

Monitoring stopped. Arm taping stopped. Medicines halted. Two nurses turned around to see. The surgeon smiled at me. Then looked at her with admiration. Because truly, can you imagine a more wonderful human being than to say such a lovely thing to a frightened anxious patient?  
The mirror moment came flooding back. I remembered that I am strong and that I would be just fine. "Thank you," I said. And because only the two of us (I'm convinced) really knew what that statement meant to the whole of me, my eyes filled up and my heart was full because I knew that this day and this team - and especially this woman - were meant to take care of me - the whole me - this day. 
I think it was one of the kindest moments of my life. 

I don't remember seeing her again. Soon the warm wave of propofol overtook me and I drifted into nothingness. But I do remember the tender way she untangled my hoops and straightened the covers, the way my mother's hands must have helped a fragile war bride get ready for her husband's funeral, the way my mother's hands would have patted my blanket.  

 

The way others see us is not what makes us whole. It is the way we see ourselves.And for one small moment of bedside kindness, a frightened girl named Kim (I'm convinced) helped me remember that my view is all that matters. The strength of a woman is in the way she sees herself - and that is a beautiful thing.

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Blog4Peace Ukraine ~ Dona nobis pacem

Standing in the Gap

On the cusp of the first day of Spring in 2011, there was a supermoon, March 19th to be exact. 

 I went out with my camera to photograph the event. It was a deep dark chill of a night....thick shadowy clouds and ambient energy.  I had no business being out so late alone in the middle of the middle of nowhere, parked in a country church parking lot with a spooky graveyard howling ghosts just over my shoulder, holding a Nikon camera in a semi-flared pencil skirt and tall boots, trying not to trip on cracks and crevices in the dark hilly moonlight. It was cold and windy. Not a night for picture-taking. And those clouds just wouldn't let me see the moon I'd come to visit.  Frustrated, I swished my skirt back into the driver's seat and went home. Moon shots without a moon were no good at all.  Until I opened the camera and downloaded the pictures....

 

You do see it....don't you?

 The same moon over Ukraine is over your house tonight.

The space between anything is everything.  It's where the power, the energy, the healing, the life...IS. It's the intention. The pause. The time out.  We hold space. We stand in the gap. We fill in the space.  We send Reiki. We light candles. We send good thoughts. We pray for peace. We. Stand. 
That is our space between.When my dad died and I let go his hand, I could feel and sense the space between. Between what? The place and the presence between my world and the one he was leaving for. They were one and the same. He was going and he was staying. There was only separation of flesh. No separation of love or affection.  That place was as real as his skin or his clothing or his bedsheet or the musty smell of death in the room we were in. That Holy space between covered everything as he took the path of least resistance and flew Home. Your prayers and peaceful energy are just as real wherein the space they live.

And because we all live under the same sky, I am inclined to believe that no amount of smoke and menacing mirrors can separate one country from another, one human from another, or mere mortals from God. Whatever you call Him is your business - the energy is the same. 
When I was a young woman, my grandfather took me to prayer meetings. It was my favorite place to be: circles of people in a room, praying for the sick, standing in unison, hands joined, standing in the gap for the needs of people in poverty and lack. Direct, bold, and loud prayers. Soft and silent, too.  Purposeful. Unafraid. The power of oneness. It was war of a different kind. Watching him humbly hold court with his Maker is still an experience I feel to my core.  He humbled himself in front of others in a way that was so vulnerable and strong. He would stand, open his heart and speak blessings over you. Before they left his lips I knew it was done. Because I knew his intention was love. 
 It's why I know anything worth having is worth standing for.  It is why I know today that the space between anything is everything.
The sky in UkraineThe sky in RussiaThe sky in KansasThe sky in you and meSame
If we are to protect the skies over Ukraine, then let us fly on the wings of peace with all our intention and all our might, because what happens in Ukraine happens to all of us. It happens in all of us. We cover the sky and the sky covers us. What we place in the sky is our choice; let it be peace and peace alone.The energy force that is activated in us for peace in the worldalso touches the skies over Ukraine and the hearts of the people in Ukraineand your life and mine -because blessings are not simple wordsthey are pure energy  not some day, but in an instant
We are not a no-fly zone.

 We are as strongly connected as tidal waves to the sea as the rain in the dew on a blade of grass as close as breath is to wordsas still as peace is to silenceand as bright as a supermoon blessing on a cloudy cold nightthe same moonthe same moonthe same mooncovers the soldier in Ukraine and the soldier in RussiaStand in the gap for them. Be a living breathing conduit of peace.Bless the people who are living in hell with Hope
How powerful you are

Peace bloggers all over the world are blogging and posting for peace today.All over social media we are speaking with one voice.Dona nobis pacemGrant us peace

Blog4Peace Post4Peace™ Ukraine 2022 ~ Sat & Sun ~ March 26-27, 2022 

Ukraine Peace Globe Templates Send your peace globes to blog4peace @ yahoo.com

Please leave a comment or sign the Mr. Linky below to let us know you've participated and tag me anywhere on social media. Share you work so that we can visit each other. Thank you.

Donate to help Ukraine @ United Help Ukraine *Thanks Ann Tracy for the beautiful prints available HERE to support Ukraine

Image credits: peace blogger Shannon Wamsley, Pixabay, Cloud photos:Mimi Lenox
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Blog4Peace Ukraine ~ Join us For a Special Launch

We are hosting a special BlogBlast For Peace (Blog4Peace and Post4Peace™) event for the country and the people of Ukraine. Many of you have reached out asking to fly your peace globes during this time of war and international distress.

We believe it's time for a special launch.

Dear Peace Bloggers, please use these logos to spread the word.

Sat & Sun

March 26-27, 2022

 For social media...

For blogs

Please join us for a weekend of peace posting. Create new peace globes (or use previous ones), write your usual brilliant posts and let them fly across the Blogosphere.  Post on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, blogs, websites, anywhere you are online!  Some of you have said you'd like to "post peace until it's over!" That's perfectly fine! Please INVITE your friends to join our community by sharing these logos. 

If words are powerful...then this matters.

Promotional logo by Ann Adamus @ Zoolatry. *may be shared* Thank you, Ann!

New! UKRAINE Peace Globe Templates

Our Facebook Page LINK

Our Facebook Group LINK

If you're not yet a member, please join!

Peace Globe Templates LINK

Peace graphics created by peace blogger Shannon Wamsley of the blog Moments of Introspection. Feel free to use them for the Ukraine 2022 event We thank her so much!

Use the blank templates found in this post and any template link. I've included Ukrainian flag and sunflower images as well - all public domain or creative commons. 

The sunflower is the National Flower of Ukraine.

Templates to use 

Go HERE for more choices

Send your peace globe and a link to your post to blog4peace@yahoo.com or tag Mimi Lenox on Facebook HERE OR come back to this blog on launch day and sign the Mr. Linky registry. We definitely want to be able to find each other and read the posts, so please don't forget to let us know you've posted. 

Image credit: Pixabay
Note: Pixabay is a wonderful place to get sunflower images as well.
Please read the generous use policy there and give accreditation. Thank you

Peace for Ukraine. Peace for the World.

Blog4Peace™ BlogBlast For Peace BlogBlast4Peace™ Blog For Peace ™ Post4Peace™Follow Me

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One of You Should Have Told Me

 Pic: Last week at the doctor's office when I realized that my mask was on upside down AFTER the appointment. I thought I saw her smirk and giggle. Why didn't you tell me? 

Hello Friends! I hope you all are doing well today. It's been awhile since I've blogged. No excuses, just a very busy life that is ever-changing. Oops...maybe that was an excuse. I find a goal post. The post is moved. I start again. Has your life ever felt like that? 

I've been in a bit of an emotional and personal transition in the past few months, needing time to process and think, and desiring solitude and time to myself. My writing/music studio is being revamped with new colors and decor. I've added a thick white rug and cozy throws and pillows. Most of the pillows are on the floor for sitting meditation, strewn about in front of the piano. There's a new world globe that matches the earth colors I chose - blues, greens, browns, and just a small touch of earthy red. New curtains and a large shefflera plant placed beside my writing desk for clean air and inspiration. It's so big my granddaughter thinks it's a tree.  My "space" feels more like me and it's paying off.  I'm writing songs again. Writing a fair amount of poetry in the middle of the night (!) and song lyrics flowing together from some river in my soul I forgot I possessed. Wake up! Wake up and write this down!! 

Studying and reading that stack of books in the corner I've been meaning to get to forever and ordering new ones too.  And without the added purposeful act of meditating each morning, I don't know where I'd be. I've always carved out a "me space" for creativity and reflection time - even as a young bride many eons ago  I had a table, a cross, a candle, books, and writing tools - before Zen became a thing, I was Zen. 

 For over two years now I've added guided meditation to my morning mix. It's helped everything in my life, especially anxiety. I'm calmer. Focused. My blood pressure is lower. I'm clear and centered (most of the time) unless I'm at the doctor's office where my White-Coat-Syndrome rears its ugly head and my numbers go through the roof. **Breathe, Mimi. Breathe**   It's just a rooommmm.

And what of the world? We're living on a crazy planet right now. Fresh out of a pandemic (almost) and tiptoeing into global uncertainty. Watching the news is terrifying. Seeing the citizens of Ukraine face down tanks in the street is ...well....also terrifying AND inspiring. We need the bombing in Ukraine to stop. I can't fathom that 1.5 million people (half of them children) have fled  the country. My heart is breaking.  Refugees. No water or food. No electricity. Running for their lives. It's 2022 and this is the world we are dealing with?  People are having to defend their homes and homeland in the streets? Remember the disbelief we all felt when the pandemic started in 2020? People all over the world were engaged in trying to find a solution, trying to protect themselves and their families, dying, fighting political nonsense and railing against losing "freedoms?" But this.... It feels like 911 magnified x100. The word nuclear has found its way back into our dialogue?  **Breathe, Mimi. Breathe.**

It's hard to talk about the ups and downs of my tiny little daily dramas when others are in such dire circumstances. Write a funny post? Mmmmmaybe not today. 

I'm going to continue to uplift the people of Ukraine and the rest of the world. I'm going to say prayers of protection for the people and leaders of Ukraine and the leaders of the world, for wisdom and clarity, knowing that collective peaceful energy is powerful. I'm going to plant sunflowers on the mountain. I'm going to post peace globes because people are asking to see them. It makes me happy to know that more people want peace than war. I'm going to write and sing and dance around the house whenever I feel moved to do so - even if I don't feel like dancing, I will dance and turn the music up very loud. I'm going to seek out the "helpers" in this war (that's what Mr. Rogers always said to do when you're afraid) and I'll see how I can help in some tangible way. I'm planting peace in my own little world. 

I think that keeping myself grounded is helping. 

What are you doing to stay grounded in this day we live in?

Peace and love

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Blogging for Peace on Social Media is Easy! ~ Join us Nov 4- 7, 2021

Use this template to make your own peace globe

 

 On Nov 4 Change your status to Dona Nobis Pacem (Latin for Grant Us Peace). Post a peace graphic. Share! Anywhere you are online. It's that simple. Need more explanation? New to the movement?
If you want to be a peace blogger, you'll need a peace globe and one of these: a blog or website,  Facebook profile,  Twitter account, Instagram,  Pinterest, Tumblr,   BlogHer ...anywhere you are online.

You can simply post "Dona nobis pacem" as your post title/status AND you can do the really cool thing and make a peace globe as well. We'll even make one for you. Just tell us what you want on it and one of our volunteers will assist you. Message us and we’ll connect you with a volunteer designer.

1. Choose a template.
Go to the Official Site of Blog4Peace @ blog4peace.com to find blank templates like the one you see above OR CLICK THIS LINK for Peace Globe Templates.  There are many colors and choices. All are free to use, except commercially of course. Choose your favorite. Decorate as you wish with a message of peace. People put all kinds of things on their peace globes: pet pics, website urls, quotes, original drawings, poems, song lyrics, nature photos, family pics, anything that inspires and brings them peace!
See thousands of examples on the peace site for inspiration. There are pre-made globes for you as well. Just grab one. Even easier? Simply choose one from the albums on our Facebook page. Right click and save. Voila. You have a peace globe of your very own.

2. Post it anywhere online November 4.

TITLE your post/status update Dona Nobis Pacem (Latin for Grant us Peace). You can even make it your profile pic for the day! The goal is for all to say the same thing on the same day in the title. Then go do what peace bloggers do best. Write. Write powerful powerful words of peace. Peace prose. Peace poems. Peace songs. Peace art. Peace prayers. Use your unique voice and share it with people all over the world.  Our theme this year is "Courageous Peace in a Time of Great Change." 
We're still in a pandemic. Your thoughts during this time are historic and important. A global crisis has caused humanity to suffer en masse with the same affliction. Oh, but we can also SOOTHE and HEAL and LOVE across the world when we harness the power of HOPE and COMPASSION. Unifying one day for the same cause across the world organically creates a sense of well-being and order. If there's anything we need right now, it's stability and tradition.  Peace globes are seen on the pages of people in  214+ countries. It's phenomenal! Participating is empowering. Words are powerful. This matters.
Post it on your Facebook page and on the Fan page timeline, on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, anywhere online.

3. TAG me @ facebook.com/MimiLenox and Hashtag #blog4peace.
Send your peace globe to blog4peace@yahoo.com so that it may be counted and documented on the Official Site. Visit each other. Wherever you see a peace globe, share it. It's empowering to see so much positive energy floating through the Blogosphere in a world where so much peace is needed. 
This year we're blogging peace for several days in a row. November 4 (Thursday) - November 7 (Sunday). This gives everyone a chance to participate at their leisure.
Questions? EMAIL blog4peace@yahoo.com or message me on Facebook

We believe that words are powerful....this matters.
Let's make this day count.
Mimi Lenox Founder, Blog4Peace/BlogBlast4Peace @ blog4peace.com
Links at the top of this page are full of information!
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