Tag: Encouragement

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 8/26/22

Posted on by Neal Saye

1. Realizing that some broken things CAN be fixed.

My special wooden “N” (for Neal) that I somehow dropped and splintered.

But now it’s back on the top of my Desires Board, next to Mr. Happy and down just a bit from my Yes Stick. (Okay, I can see your furrowed brow. During the pandemic, HR and I traveled to a bunch of Georgia State parks, where we went on many a hike. I would often see a Y-shaped stick or tree branch on the trail and tell Robert it was a Yes Stick, to pause and think of something to say “Yes!” to. On one marvel-ous hike at Tugaloo State Park, HR saw this Y Stick, brought it home and shellacked it for us. Yes! TMI?)

2. The incredible ability to walk (which I usually just take for granted). To be able to put one foot in front of the other … and go forward! Try it!

3. Finally finishing with Robert this week the eye-, mind- and heart-opening A New Origin Story: The 1619 Project.

A difficult but so important read about the role that slavery and racism played in our nation’s founding—and continues to play in the U.S. today.

I wish its meticulously documented truths could be taught in every high school.

5. Butterflies

Callaway Resort and Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA

Species: HR

4. Soap. (For sensitive skin)

I wish you a joyfully clean weekend ahead.

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 8/19/22

Posted on by Neal Saye

1. My homemade pickled jalapeños … on everything.

This time a turkey, cheddar, lettuce, tomato and onion pita.

2. Truth …

3. Discovering Senior Citizens Inc. here in Savannah and attending a fascinating lecture, “The Rosenwald Schools: Challenge and Triumph.”

I bought the book!

4. Tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes.

5. My chair in our study! It has a personality of its own. It’s alive. It (he? she? they?) is a place of refuge for me. It’s where I read. And mediate. It’s where I sit in peace.

And where I often sit in not-so-peace when my anxiety, Truffles, comes a’knockin. (My anxiety protocol sheet is at the ready nearby in the magazine rack.)

And the checkered pillow?

I bought it for my father when he was in assisted living and early dementia.

When I lean back on it, I feel his strength.

May you sit in joyful peace this weekend.

Posted in Encouragement

The Car’s Blessing

Posted on by Neal Saye

So HR and i were driving home from T.J. Maxx a little while ago, after shopping for a new Gratitude Journal for me …

I’m not sure what the “A” stands for, but it was only $2.99.

Robert‘s attitude, when I found the little journal, indicated that he thought it was kind of too tiny for a journal and sort of sissy-ish. I took that as a great compliment and immediately purchased it.

But that’s all off the subject. So we were driving home, stopped at a red light and saw this …

Wait. Let me get a little closer.

A little bit closer.

Isn’t that gloriously cool?

A blessing from the car in front of us!

I receive it!

And pass it on to you. So look for the good!

Posted in Family

Late Sunday Evening Reflection

Posted on by Neal Saye

I just don’t get the ongoing racism in our world. Even though I am sure as a 70-year-old white man, I have racist assumptions and probably racist actions now and again.

As you know, if you follow my blog, I am married to a black man, HR (Husband Robert), The joy of my life.

Today we were at my grandtwins’ 10th birthday party (more about that in another post).

Three -year-old granddaughter Isabelle was all about Robert holding her throughout the party. Not me. Robert. He was more fun.

Isabelle kept wanting to have her foot pictured. And of course Robert obliged.

If only we all had the intelligence and the footprint of three–year-olds.