Thanksgiving

I wish my readers a happy and blessed Thanksgiving Day. I am so grateful for the four years I have been writing and you have been gracious enough to read my work. I'm encountering difficulties with Blogspot and may discontinue my blog. Please go to Medium.com to continue to read my work. I publish there five to six days a week, so there is always something new to read. Medium allows several articles a week read without a fee. To access unlimited articles posted by all the writers the monthly charge is $5.00. Thank you for your continued support. Love and blessings to all. Diana Leotta

Spreading Kindness

 Making the world a better place, one small kind act at a time.

Photo by Ditto Bowo on Unsplash

Shaquille O’Neal has a history of “under-the-radar” kindness. I read an article written by sports writer George Diaz about this basketball legend.

Shaq has a jewelry line at Zales in Atlanta and was recently spotted picking up the tab for an engagement ring a shy young man wanted to pay off.

Another of his recent acts of kindness was when a woman was attempting to purchase furniture for her autistic daughter. Shaq stepped in and paid for it.

He also paid for Louisville football signee Dexter Rentz's complete funeral expenses after he died in a shooting in Orlando. Shaq’s random act of kindness included a horse-drawn carriage and a custom-made casket.

Shaquille gives away turkeys at Thanksgiving, Shaqsgiving, and toys at Christmas, Shaq-a-Claus. Such generous, creative fun!

According to reporter Diaz:

It’s not an act. It’s who he is.

Shaq is an inspiring example for children and humans of every age.

We may not have the funds to match this type of kindness, yet there is never a shortage of kind deeds and charity we can contribute.

My son doesn’t believe in handing out cash to folks who stand looking for a hand-out on street corners in the city, assuming the money may go towards liquor or drugs. He prefers to distribute protein bars instead, a simple act of kindness.

You cannot save people. You can only love them. — Anai Nin.

Along the same lines, my friends Mia and Dennis leave their suburban home on Christmas Eve to go to the Tenderloin district in San Francisco and purchase and distribute dozens of sandwiches to the homeless. An admirable act of generosity, goodwill, and sharing during the holiday season.

Photo by Matt Collamer on Unsplash

I recently visited a long-time friend diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Disorder, and it appears it has progressed into the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s. Her family is highly concerned about her, wondering if she is eating enough, as her weight has dropped. Is she safe living alone? What about her driving? Is that something that should be under closer scrutiny?

My role, I decided, was to be her friend during our visit. I did not monitor her meals, exercise, or any of the nuances of her daily life that troubles her family. If she repeated herself multiple times, I acted as though it was the first time she stated it. I patiently explained the circumstances when she could not recall an event we shared.

We spent two days and one evening enjoying our time together. Consequently, we had a wonderful experience, reminiscing about our friendship as well as the special bond our sons had growing up together.

You may think what I did with my friend was what anyone would do. I call it kindness because her daughter phoned me the following day to report that her mom was happier and more animated than she had been in many months. Our time together re-invigorated her. It is always kind when one has brought joy to another.

It is easy to “clap” for a story on Medium if it speaks to us. Such a little thing, perhaps — not so little to the author. At least not to this author, and I suspect many authors on this platform would agree.

Holding a door open for a stranger, giving a few dollars to a homeless person, tipping the barista a bit more than expected — all acts that could bring a smile to their faces and cost us very little.

Along with millions of Americans, I volunteer countless hours to causes we believe in — and this is a charitable gesture. However, what may be even more meaningful are the little acts of kindness that may go unnoticed every day, such as those I have mentioned.

These kindnesses are what make the world go round.

I love witnessing little acts of care and consideration bestowed by others every day. Noticing these blessings multiplies the effect; a charitable deed benefits everyone. Plus, kindness is contagious.

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. — Anne Frank.

Diana Leotta

Retired from work, not from life. Musings on Life, Living and Learning. Always curious. Strong55plus@blogspot.com.

Blog Trouble

I'm having difficulties once again publishing my latest post. Thanks for bearing with me.

How Will You Handle It When Suddenly Your Honey Is Failing to Keep Up With His Chores?

 Figure out why then take control?

Photo by Laura Ohlman on Unsplash

Sprinklers are shooting into the street while our lawn is turning brown. He's "working" on it. "Honey, call the sprinkler guys — they'll fix it in a jiffy."

He replies that it's a simple fix, and he can do it. Weeks pass; we're supplementing with hand watering with a hose.

Two of our cars need oil changes. Simple right? Not to my hubby. He has a coupon to get both changed for a good deal. Great. So make the appointment.

Several weeks, then months later, a bit of nagging. Still, saying ok but no action.

I tell him I will take mine, and he can deal with his, and he gets upset. He insists we don't drive them very much.

He says we'll take them together to take advantage of the special rate. Eye roll on my part. Patience.

Our little sports car is overdue for emissions. I attempt to bring it in. Battery dead. Several weeks later, honey gets a new battery. It is sitting on the garage floor, collecting dust.

The registration for this car expired in January.

More chores need attention—no point belaboring it.

I suspect cognitive issues — he refuses to believe it and won't get tested.

Sleepless nights

I awoke at 2:30 a.m. today with these ongoing chores on my mind. Finally, at 4 a.m. I gave up on sleep and created a list of the top 10 issues we need to handle. I will either take over the reins or supervise.

I feel much better, and writing this article also brings relief.

I hadn't wanted to take over as these previously were chores he liked to attend to.

Hubby is having problems. We are the same age but hugely dissimilar in many ways.

I exercise vigorously six days a week; he does nada.

I'm fit (for a retiree in her seventh decade), and my weight is suitable for my height.

I don't take any medications and gave up alcohol four years ago.

Suffice it to say; that he hasn't kept up.

I read voraciously and write daily. Hubby reads the newspaper — yay!

My point is — he is declining more rapidly than I due to his lifestyle, so I must take over.

Changes are coming

My days usually consist of exercise first thing to get my Golden, Merlin, and me out the door early. Next up, a light breakfast, and then I'm off to play pickleball for a couple of hours.

Lunch with hubby, then chores. Afternoons I write from two to four-thirty or five.

That is the heartbreaker — I will have to cut back on my writing. It may be a temporary pause — hopefully, not long-term.

There are only so many hours in the day, and for me to handle all that we have neglected will take time.

Still, I will write when I can and report on my progress.

Previously, I was posting on Medium.com six days a week. We shall see what the future brings.

I'm glad I'm healthy and willing to pick up where my husband is no longer able.

Everyone will come to a point in their relationships where we must pivot to keep the status quo as much in place as possible.

Look at how many changes we've already made in our lives.

Some of us made massive changes during recovery — either through addiction, Covid, or other illnesses.

Many had children to raise and then became empty nesters. Often, we've had a loved one die.

These are huge shifts, and we handled them with as much grace as we could muster.

When that is no longer possible, we will take the next step. And then the next. So is the process of life.

I look forward to the steps that are on the horizon.

Blog Temporarily Disconnected

I am having difficulty publishing my latest posts. Unfortunately, it is hard to obtain help from Google. I will update as soon as I have more details as to what has gone awry. Thank you. Diana Leotta