Who You Love

Each year end, I have dutifully cleaned out and stored away my paper files to prepare for a new year.  But now, at this age, I throw away more than I save – de-cluttering, freeing myself, letting go of baggage.  Over Christmas break, I found a note I wrote to my husband from January 1998 and our answers – papers I’m so glad I saved.  

What might you learn about your partner if you were to ask this?

“Hi –

With no explanation, I’d like to play a sort of game with you.  At first, I thought we could do it face to face so you could give your quick answers – you know, a word association type of thing.  As I came up with the questions, I decided it would be better for each of us to answer on paper, giving this some thought, separately.  Then we can talk about our answers together afterward…maybe over a nice dinner and definitely alone!  It’s a way of getting to know one another….again.” 

Our sons were 7 and 3 at that time, a time I likely felt getting re-acquainted was needed.  Perhaps now that they’re 22 and 18, it’s time for us again for 2014…

1. What’s your favorite sound?
2. What sound do you hate?
3. If you could be anything, what would you be?
4. If you could spend an evening with anyone (famous, historical, deceased), who would it be and why?
5. What is your favorite smell?
6. What smell do you loathe?
7. If you could give your children one thing, what would it be?
8. What do you like to do most?
9. What do you hate to do?
10. What is your pet peeve?
11. If you could solve one of the world’s problems, what would you tackle?
12. What is “God” to you?
13. What relaxes you?
14. What’s your all time favorite movie?
15. Book?
16. What is your guiding force or principle?
17. If you could go anywhere, where would you go?
18. What is a good marriage to you?
19. What is your largest worry?
20. What is your greatest fear?
21. What past experience brought you the most joy?
22. What was your dream when you were sixteen?
23. What is your dream now?
24. What is your favorite color?
25. Your least favorite?
26. What traits would your ideal partner possess?
27. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
28. What do you like most about yourself?
29. What do you think is the most admirable quality a person could possess?
30. What is the characteristic you despise most in others?
31. What is missing in your life?
32. What are you thankful for?

Here’s to loving the ones we love, to resolutions, to starting anew each January 1.

Photo:  Spring Point Light and Little Diamond Island by Frank Kalicky

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I have the privilege of being a volunteer at The Telling Room, a writing center for children ages 6-18.  The people involved with this organization are special – every single one.  I am inspired to be in their presence whether I’m teaching a 4^th grade visiting class, walking the streets of Portland with a summer camp group, or giving my corporate HR insights to the Board for the organization itself.

On Friday, 9:00 a.m., 10 degrees in Portland, I walked down Commercial Street to my committee meeting for Glitterati, The Telling Room’s annual auction/fund raising event coming up in March.  I had to leave the sidewalk for the street due to the staging three men had built on it.  Their mission – to put up more of the gorgeous half circle blue, green and white light artwork that sparkle on all the buildings along our brick façade waterfront.  Two men were on the sidewalk, looking upward and monitoring the ropes dangling down from the staging. 

I blew on my gloved hands as I passed; they were freezing cold.

All of a sudden, the third man, high up on the staging at the top of the building belted out in song:

It’s the most wonderful time of the year……

Laughing playfully down at his compadres on the sidewalk, he sang loud and proud.  I laughed out loud.  Early morning, freezing cold, men making our city look beautiful, being funny & playful.  

What a nice Friday morning…..

Photos:  Commercial Street, Portland, Maine