A blast from the past

I updated the blog yesterday, but not sure what happened. It doesn't appear.

Yesterday, I had someone from the Museum bring our family dinner. Her granddaughter had participated in the first year of the Youth Academy for Community Leadership, and when she heard I was sick, she wanted to help in whatever way she could. In addition to dinner, she prayed with Cody and I and it was powerful prayer. If God didn't hear us praying around that table, then He wasn't listening...and I believe God is always listening!!
Several years, I made a conscious decision. If I was going to spend so much time volunteering or working, I was going to do it for causes in which I really believed, rather than trying to show up for a lot of one-time-only opportunities that together, didn't amount to much. I got a job at the children's museum and I was surrounded by people who valued the same things that I did - family and children - learning. I learned to say "no" then also. No. Even though it might be a good cause, it wasn't my cause. I worked for 10 years at the museum and then changed jobs in 2004 and continued in non-profit management with people who cared about being healthy and staying in shape and preserving land for future generations. With the Greenways, I get to work with an intergenerational group of volunteers and I get to develop a regional trail that connects many different communities and people from all socio-economic levels.
Most people never find satisfaction in their jobs. I've spent most of my adult life doing things that benefit my community. And it's this community that taught me to volunteer. I didn't learn that in my hometown, Chicago, or from my parents. But when I came to Muncie, it seemed that everyone I met volunteered for something and even though I started small, I continued to add meaningful "work" to my leisure time.
I don't think I ever would have done any of this had I not divorced when the boys were so young (5 months, 1 and 3). Since they spend so much time with their Dad, I HAD TO look for something to occupy my time -- and lucky for me, I found meaning during that time when my boys were gone.
It is amazing to me how life comes full circle. When I started the Youth Academy, I never could have dreamed that one of the teens' grandmothers would be bringing me meals to my home. I never would have dreamed that one of the teens' Moms would be consulting with me on nutrition. I never dreamed that one of the teens' Moms would be my counselor at the cancer center. And yet, here they all are.
God sends angels in many forms. For me, he has sent family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, community volunteers, Rotarians, Youth Academy parents, Endurathon committee members, church friends, etc. In whatever form, all of you continue to bless the lives of me and my boys. I am so humbled by your gifts and your prayers. If life truly does come full circle, then it makes me smile even more. I've had a GOOD LIFE.
Here's to more good days than bad, more feeling well than feeling hurt. Here's to no more pain. And here's to more angels touching all of our lives!!

Love and peace,
Lenette