When my mother was dying she called me into her room and said, “Age isn’t what you think it is. It’s just time.” Her eyes glazed over, she looked at the sun, and continued, “It’s not how you feel, what you do, or where you are. It’s just time.”
Time had given her thirty years. Eleven of those years, she spent with me. Then she left.
It was just time.
It isn’t shocking to learn we live in a world where everything isn’t available to everyone and so today we celebrate Special Education Day. On this day, in 1975, President Gerald Ford signed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) into law.
During my second year in college, while studying computer science and trying to earn money, I had the pleasure of working as a Notetaker for students with disabilities. I worked closely with a young man who was a paraplegic. While helping him in class, I learned how to be a teacher. Not because I was teaching him, but because he was studying to become an elementary school teacher and it was my job to take his class notes. At the time I never questioned how he would teach his future students, where he would teach, or who would help him in his classroom. I thought about how much fun he would have teaching a class someday. It’s because of parents, teachers, students and loved ones who advocate for individuals whose rights are being withheld that the two of us were able to attend the same prestigious University.
Celebrate today by learning more about the IDEA Act, it’s progress and needs. It’s the end of the year, so you can squeeze in those final year-end tax donations and maybe volunteer a little or your time. Stay educated and…
AIDS may not be the same death sentence it was in the 80’s and early 90’s, but it’s a life sentence to medication and a compromised immune system. Today is World AIDS Day and we should all be aware that AIDS still exists, AIDS is still devastating, and AIDS is still pandemic. Increasing transparency, accountability, education, and research partnerships are critical to making AIDS history. Celebrate today by getting tested, educated, and/or volunteering. Make an impact and…
If you can afford the time off or get paid regardless of whether or not you go into the office, today is officially employee hook day. It’s National Stay at Home Because You Are Well Day! I love the commercial for Ocean City that harps on how we rarely spend our vacation days on vacation. Well, today spend it on a stay-cation. Sip tea by the fire, dance around naked, or finally go sky diving. If you can’t afford to celebrate for real, pretend this evening, chill like you mean it and…
Look up in the sky beyond the birds, planes, and atmosphere, it’s Red Planet Day and we’re celebrating Mars. Actually, we’re celebrating the launch of the Spacecraft Mariner 4, which launched for its 228 day mission in 1964. It was the first successful flyby of Mars, coming withing 6,118 miles of our celestial neighbor. That sounds like a lot of mileage, but it’s a lot closer than a couple light years. The Mariner 4 returned the first photographs taken from deep space. Even though Mars can actually be seen with the naked eye, but our view falls short in comparison to the view a few thousand miles away.
Most of us aren’t going to celebrate by going to Mars, so you can spend time learning about Mars and the Mariner 4 mission or you can watch a really great movie involving Mars. My favorite is The Martian, but there are plenty Mars movies from which to choose. Enjoy the evening, go to Mars, and…
If you’re feeling a little anxious today, I’m certain it has nothing to do with the fact it’s Pins and Needles Day! Although this is a catchy phrase for those who stay a little nervous, today’s holiday has nothing to do with nerves. Pins and Needles Day commemorates the opening of the musical Pins & Needles, which opened today on Broadway in 1937. This pro-labor play was one of the first to comment on the controversial subject and was originally performed by actual factory workers. It became so popular, they quit their day job and joined the theatre full-time. It was a good call considering the musical ran for almost three years was performed 1,108 times. So, if you’re a nervous ninny, invest in faith and activate your prayer life, but take today to go to the theatre and…
In case Gray Thursday, Black Friday, and Small Business Saturday missed your radar, today is Shopping Reminder Day! The holiday season is no longer approaching, it is here! If your holidays aren’t complete without a little gift exchange, now is the time to snag the sales. Cyber Monday shopping carts and all the brick & mortars are anxiously awaiting your charge. Tis the season to go into debt. Here is my reminder, go shopping, but don’t go dumb. Support businesses, the economy, and enjoy giving gifts, but remember you’ll need heat, electricity, gas, food, and water in January. So, shop smart, but shop smart, and…
In case you didn’t eat yourself into a coma on Thanksgiving and relapse on leftovers the day after, today is National Parfait Day! This sweet dessert that usually consists of layers of ice cream, whipped cream, fruit, and syrup is really just a fancy way of saying sundae. If you haven’t reached your maximum glucose level and always make room for dessert, get fancy, have a parfait, and…
A word from all the turkeys out there, “It’s National Cashew Day!”
Pretty soon, most of you will be gathered around someone’s table enjoying Thanksgiving dinner with family, friends, and maybe a few people you don’t like. Well, while you’re stuffing your face and filling your belly, celebrate by giving a shout out to a little nut. Cashews enhance cuisines around the world and your Aunt, who can’t cook, probably put a few in her mystery stuffing. So, smile, swallow, go nuts and…
Holidays can be exciting, fun, and a pain in the butt. If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, today is the perfect day to recharge. It’s Go for a Ride Day! Sometimes we need a moment to get back in gear. The most important thing about the holiday season is fellowshipping with friends and family. It’s hard to focus on the fellowship when you’re worried about who’s cooking what, how early your auntie will start drinking, and which kid is going to throw up first. So, if you’re up to your neck in turkey, may blow up a supermarket if you have to go back to the store, are completely annoyed that Black Friday starts at 5pm Thursday evening, and may pass out if you see another Christmas light before December, gas up the car! Take a plane, train, hot air balloon, or bus going nowhere or anywhere so you can recharge. And, if you’re too broke for any of that, there’s always the merry-go-round. Have fun and…
Thees and Thous 