Hearts and Love and Joy and All You Need

My heart was brimming with warmth, and my joy was overflowing for a few minutes yesterday when I stopped in to visit my dear friend and former teaching colleague Betsy. 

I don't know if it was seeing longtime local friend Mike Boeck playing the fiddle in this ol' time music band aka The Last Chance Band or if it was meeting that cowboy Les, who's a youthful 93 years of age or if it was seeing Betsy and Dee, two longtime, local educators, embrace.  

All good, all joyful. 

Les and his "band renowned" do gigs at the Luther Park assisted care facility, and they practice at the local library on Monday nights.  

The music they create is smooth and familiar and definitely worth some toe tapping or singing along. 

Les came here from Oregon a few years ago, having followed his daughter to Sandpoint. 

He says he enjoys living here, and he's all business about all the upcoming music gigs. 

Les is also thrilled that Betsy promised him she'll do the Charleston dance next time he plays the classic at Luther Park. 

Sometimes we go to visit people cuz we think we might make someone's day. More than likely, we do.

But sometimes the intended tables turn, and it's also our day that improves. 

That's the way it was for me yesterday. 

What joy, what love, what warm hearts!

Betsy and Dee, old friends and beloved colleagues in "teaching the children." 

I don't know anyone who in Sandpoint puts out more joy, love and warmth than my former student and upbeat friend Julie McCormick Knox.

Ever since I've known her as a young high school student and later as my yearbook editor and even later as the lady who always invites me to the Class of 1975 reunions, Julie has been a walking fountain of love and caring for all who know her.

She sent me the photo last night.

Love can, at times, be so so fragile, but even then, experiencing it, like in the photo above, is downright heart-stopping and meaningful.

Thanks, Julie.  You are the embodiment of LOVE. 

My daughter Annie found this scrawled on a middle school bathroom wall last night just before playing in her soccer game.

It resonated, so she took a picture and posted it on her Facebook wall.

As a former teacher, I guess I should sternly reprimand the writer and tell this person that the grammar and mechanics could be a lot better. 

Also, as a law-abiding citizen who would not deface any public property, I should be outraged.

But ya know, I've seen raw, written messages in "all the wrong places" throughout my lifetime:  railroad cars, concrete structures, all kinds of buildings and, yes, a bathroom wall or two.

Some have been artful and meaningful; some not.

Here's a case where we do not know the messenger, but we certainly can appreciate the message, especially on a day designated for LOVE and on any day, for that matter.

LOVE in the wrong places?  Maybe.

But still a universal message that could be followed especially "high places" and in all the "right places," wherever they may be. 

May you all have a LOVEly day.