Rosemary O'Manley (1926 - 2000)

My Mother had a plethora of platitudes and expressions of being.  She had the most cheerful, positive disposition of anyone I have ever known.  The youngest of seven children, whose own mother died when she was ten,  she was pampered, spoiled, sheltered and possessed a charming naivete that endured throughout her lifetime. 

Basically, when something went wrong, she became the weather man, simply stating, "Wait five minutes and everything will be OK."  Her passion for all things good was her filter for anything that got in the way of her status quo.  "It's all good," should have been her original mantra, as that is exactly how she perceived life.

In our own lives, "Some days the dragon wins...but there are some days it just doesn't win but it chews you up, spits you out and then the flame..."

For many of us, this happens all to often.  Just when it seems we are back on track, getting our groove on, business is picking up, things appear to be going "our way," we start thinking "Life is good."

In comes the dragon, breathing trails of fire, nostrils flared, ready to do damage.

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Life happens.  You get on the scale and it exaggerates your weight by 7 pounds!  Your pants are too tight, you loosen your belt, still too tight so you throw them off and look for the big pants in the back of the closet you wore two years ago.  Instant agitation.

You open your email to scan for business related mail and hold your breath.  You see one from your key account buyer who is advising that she will be moved to another area in a week.  All pending line reviews, new product intros, new business waiting for purchase orders and anticipated income...on hold for a new buyer to be found.  Stomach turned sour, heart beat rising into your throat to suffocate the curdled gasp.

Your dog is sick.  Your youngest grown child won't return your calls, emails, texts (not even the texts!?)  Husband is half way around the globe with his own problems, in extreme heat, humidity, torrential rain and flooding near the factorys.  Production will be behind and he has to inform the account which may choose to cancel the biggest order in the history of the company.  Say it isn't so.

Boss threatens your job if you can't turn things around.  What else is new?  Short of joining the production line, offering bribes to under paid factory workers, staying indefinitely on the company dole, praying for peace, peace of mind, body and spirit...the dragon comes back for another blow.

It never ends.  Mom had Dementia.  Dad had a deadly brain tumor.  The dog has diarrhea in the living room, the crows are crapping all over the deck, the bees are burrowing into the deck railing, the spiders are biting us in our sleep and the debilitating Sciatica is driving us crazy.  And the damn Chiropractor is on his honeymoon.  It's supposed to be summer and it's colder than the month of March in the Arctic.

This is just the short list.  We know this just goes on and on, if we allow ourselves to count our misfortunes rather than our blessings.  Where is my mommy now, when I need her?  Her soothing words, loving touch, reassuring ways that taught me to be hopeful no matter what.  There were always those less fortunate than us, "poor starving children" and instant guilt for being selfish when I had it so good.

So, get up off the lazy bum, shake off the numbing thoughts of "what ifs" and put in the Orthodics and go for a walk.  At least I can walk.  And in those grateful strides and minutes of taking stock in all things good in my life, it will be a better day afterall. 

We can slay our dragons, one by one, day by day.  They are always there, lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce and derail us from our secure footing.  Feet firming planted on the ground, heads held high breathing in the sweet pure oxygen that is ours, we will endure the heat and scorch of the flame. 

Get out the marshmellows, graham crackers and Hershey Bars!  It's time for "Somemores!"

Pay no attention to the dragon and have a wonderful day!