Sister, Gay, is back from Hawaii

My sister, Gay, has been gone to Hawaii and I really missed her. She is my rock along with my sister, June, my nieces, Lee and Lyn, and their mates. June's husband, Charlie is a generous and kind man who I also love dearly. Gay and Stu flew over and took the Hawaiian cruise around all the islands. Gay, Lee and I had lunch today and I heard a little about the trip.
Although they had a wonderful time, Gay said she couldn't help but feel sad when she remembered all the trips Barry and I made with them and how much fun we had. She said she kept thinking of Barry and how he would have loved going on this vacation. Stu said they visited a little town and he thought of me. He said it was a place he knew I'd enjoy.
Family - there is nothing like family when we have troubles. I was at Wildacres while they were on vacation in Hawaii. We were all where we should have been, dealing with grief in our own way.
But one day, I hope to go over to Hawaii, myself, and maybe Gay and Stu will want to go back. I can't imagine going on vacation without them.
Because I asked, Gay kept a journal while on the trip so she brought a little of the islands  back with her. She always brings me a gift, and this time was no exception. A tag-a-long bag with the islands, in bright colors, on the side and a new journal I can fill up with thoughts I'll look back on in ten years, I hope, and see how far I've come.

Journaling

Do you keep a journal? I have been journaling almost my entire life. Sadly, when I used spiral notebook for my thoughts and notes on my daily life, they seemed to get used for other things and eventually were lost.
When I began journaling in little bound books, my writing became more important to me. The cost of these small books is minimal, and I ask for journals as Christmas gifts, so I always have one or two waiting.
I especially like starting a new journal at the beginning of a year. There before me is a clean white page waiting for me to begin my new life for this year. It represents a new beginning to me. I guess I always feel that if I can start fresh, I’ll do a better job.

I’ll share with you a few lines from my journals.

Monday, Nov 6, 1984

"Today Gay and I sprayed Greenzit on the Christmas trees and both got sunburned in the 89 degree weather. Last year it was cold when we greened the trees."

"I like Reagan except for his stand against the ERA. I wish I could see a woman in a high office of our government. Geraldine Ferraro is running for vice president. Surprisingly, most women I know are opposed to a woman vice-president. We haven't come that far yet."

July 23, 1986

"I am at 31,000 feet flying over snow capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains. Below me, clouds look like millions of puffy cotton balls floating past....

We had a beautiful flight and now we are checked into the Mark Hopkins Hotel on Nob Hill in San Francisco with a view of the area that includes part of the bay."

Sunday, Feb. 12, 2006

"I talked to Gay today. She is starting a fund for a Katrina victim to help her pay her mortgage on her flooded house in New Orleans."

And here are a few of the books I love to go back to, books that hold my happy times, my saddest moments, my deepest thoughts I’ve never shared with others, favorite times with loved ones or those special moments of silence and solitude.

If you haven’t done so, start journaling. You don’t have to write every day. But try to write often. When I go back and read what I wrote years ago, I’m amazed at how far I’ve come in my relationships, how I’ve grown in understanding of others and my beliefs in politics and religion.

Journals create great jumping off places for writing the stories about your life.