I'm Her Hero...

 There are many things that I do that are visible to all of you on my blog.

Many things I share with you are the work of my own hands, and I always

 appreciate when you leave comments for me to give me your feedback. 

Then there are the things that take place in my home life...things you 

don't know or see unless I tell you about them. With the exception of

"pre-cleaning" my studio before I take pictures, you can rest assured that

you still see pretty much the essence of who I am, or who I've become.

As you can read on my blog, my favorite quote is

"The way to use life is to do something that outlasts it."

All my life, I've endeavored to do just that. The examples I've set for family; 

my interests and pursuits; the organizations to which I've belonged and in which

 I've held responsible positions; the jobs I've held; being a good and faithful friend;

 caring for my husband and our home, treating our pets with love and kindness;

and the influence I've had on the children in Handsome's and my family...

All these things mean a great deal to me. 

Sometimes I'm surprised to find that I've made a mark when I didn't even expect to.

 "Dear Grandma Donna,

I heard you have donated blood. I think

you are a good citezen (sic) & an American

hero! P.S. tell Tag we miss him & Grandpa, too.

Love, R"

This came from Granddaughter #1 a year ago when she learned that I had

donated blood. I have O negative blood - coveted by blood banks because

they're able to use it for anyone. It's called the Universal Blood Type for

that reason. I have donated even when we've traveled and the need arose...

a terrible, multiple car accident in Wisconsin one fall, and when Handsome 

was hospitalized in Massachusetts for four weeks. That donation was used

to help up to 14 premature babies at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

I was speechless when our granddaughter sent a letter to me having learned about it.

(Don't you love that she even drew an American flag...

and that Tag was mentioned before Grandpa? hee hee)

It's important to be careful what you say and do in front of children.

They never miss a thing and they learn, even when you don't realize that you're

 teaching. In this day and age, I think they need our good examples more than ever.