Since the beginning of the Bring Smile to Seniors program, I have had the pleasure of interacting with some of the most talented people I have ever encountered. The handmade cards from card artists across the world have been unique, creative and beautiful. I have come to learn that the people behind the cards are equally as beautiful.

When I started this program we bought cards from the stores anytime we could find them on sale. Then we made the decision to start a Facebook page and start advertising to try and get word out about what we were doing. The power of social media is incredible and as one card artist found about us, they shared with their friends and family over and over. By the second year of the program we no longer needed to buy cards because of the generosity of many people believing in what we do.

The level of creativity in the card artist community astounds me every day. When we receive a new package and open it up, we are always met with cards that make us laugh, smile, cry and feel the warmth and love that the cards are meant to bring. If it does that for us, just imagine what it does for the senior ultimately receiving the card. The cards are always different, unique, imaginative and crafted with the finest detail. Some have mastered the art of repurposing and turning plain or old cards into something new and magical. Others start with a clean slate and turn paper into art.

We receive everything from one card to boxes of hundreds. Handmade, repurposed, store bought or hand paintings that we turn into cards, each and every one the lifeline of this program. I have heard your stories why you do what you do and it has touched my heart in more ways than you can imagine. I have also had the pleasure of meeting some of you in my travels around the country when the city happened to match up with my itinerary. Several months ago I met Marcia in Washington State, I met Becky and Donna in Florida and tonight I will meet Alice in Illinois. Other than seeing seniors smile, interacting with all of you is one of my favorite things that I do.

We are so appreciative for the time, dedication, money and creativity that each and every one of our card artists put into the cards that are sent to us. That is why we call you our card angels. I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention our card decorators. Individuals who continuously decorate and write messages in the blank cards we receive by the 1000’s like Jennifer in Connecticut, Cathy in Georgia, Cathy in Florida, Sonja in Missouri and all those who help us with decorating.

Because all of you also believed that we could turn this one little dream into a very big reality, we will soon deliver our 50,000th card since we started the program in March 2016. Over 22,000 just this year alone. That is one amazing feat and that is what makes you our card angels.

Have a great day and remember to be the reason someone smiles.

Ron

As we go throughout our day we are presented with many opportunities to thank people for their kindness and gestures. Shopping, work, play and almost everywhere we go something happens that requires us to thank someone for something that they did. It’s human nature, at least for most of us and it is usually expected, yet well received. However, do we ever take time in the day to thank ourselves?

Throughout our normal routines we maintain an enormous level of responsibility. We work hard to meet the needs of our families, jobs, friends, not to mention the untold burdens that we place on ourselves. We have a lot to live up to from the moment we wake up in the morning until we lay our head down on the pillow at night. That makes for a pretty full today.

I would venture to say that there probably isn’t one time in the day that we actually look in the mirror and thank ourselves for a job well done. We pull off a special event and thank everyone for coming, yet we never thank ourselves for all the work that we put into making it successful. We have a major accomplishment at work and we thank all those involved and forget to thank ourselves for leading the team that made it happen. Often, when we do major things, thanking ourselves may actually be the only thanks that we get.

You have to wonder why it is that we will go out of our way to make sure that others are appreciated, cared for and nurtured, yet the last person that we heap praise and thanks on is ourselves. Don’t we deserve the same thanks and recognition that we give to others? Perhaps we don’t believe that we do and that is why we just take for granted that thanking others is enough.

The next time you get through a day and you have accomplished what you set out to do or pulled off some major feat, I want you to stand in front of the mirror and acknowledge what you have done. It may sound silly, but when you do it, you will see the power that self appreciation has. Appreciating ourselves opens wider avenues to appreciating others. The better we feel about ourselves, the easier it is to acknowledge and be open to the world around us. There is only one you and that you deserves to be acknowledged and celebrated.

Have a great day and remember to be the reason someone smiles today.

Ron

Over the years, I have had my share of interaction with doctors, hospitals, nurses and other medical personnel. Whether it be regular visits, hospitals for surgery or emergency situations, each and every event brought its own level of anxiety that is often not recognized by the professional taking care of you. I understand that many medical personnel are overworked, have to deal with unruly and rude patients and experience days that go much longer than the average person. However, it is in those moments that we are dealing with our own anxiety and nervousness that we rely on those that are trained to guide us through whatever may be happening with us at the time.

From the first day that my mother and father started going to Stuart Oncology Associates, I knew that they had landed somewhere special. They had been recommended by their primary care physician after my dad’s diagnosis with Mantle Cell Lymphoma. My dad is 80 and my mom is 76. Having no experience in the medical field, you can imagine what it was like with all the new words, diagnosis, treatment options, and processes that were thrown their way. My mom made a simple request to Dr. Simone, their Oncology specialist, to please call their son and explain to him what was happening. They placed a call to me and said that Dr. Simone would be calling me that afternoon around a certain time while I was on my travel in California. During the exact expected time that afternoon the phone rang and my relationship with Dr. Simone began.

Other than my own personal physician who is incredible, Dr. Simone was willing to spend as much time as I wanted on the phone with me to answer all my questions, explain exactly what was happening and would not hang up until she was comfortable that I had all the information that I needed for the moment. Each visit afterward she calls me the afternoon of my parents visit to fill me in on what she had told my parents and again lets me ask all the questions that I need to ask. She spells the medications I don’t understand and explains the parts of the disease that are unknown to me. As I requested of her, she tells me exactly what is going on without a sugar coating. I have somewhat of a medical background and recently went through initial treatments with a friend that had Lymphoma, so much of it makes sense. Yet, there is so much I don’t know.

Dr. Simone, her assistant Monique and all the staff at the office understand what it is like to be scared at some of the most vulnerable times in your life. They are a true example of the reason that hopefully all medical professionals go into practice. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way many forget that they are dealing with people who are facing the unknown and we become a number, a dollar sign and are often lucky to get five minutes to talk about things that we may be dealing with for a lifetime.

If you have a doctor like my physician Dr. Crall or my dad’s Oncologist Dr. Simone take time to thank them. Never take for granted that you are getting amazing care because that is what they are supposed to do. Understand that you are getting it because that is what they want to do. Today, my hat goes off to all those medical professionals that care for us and remember that we are people, often scared and afraid, and that sometimes all we need is a little love and compassion.

Have a great day and remember to be the reason someone smiles today.

Ron

Have you ever had one of those days, or weeks for that matter, that nothing seems to go right? As hard as you try to get yourself out of the mire, you can’t quite seem to shake it. Then you look at your calendar and suddenly realize that you have a date scheduled with one of your friends. All of a sudden the mood starts to shift. Finally, when you get in their presence and the evening begins the troubles of the week start to melt away.

There are people in our lives that just have that magical touch. Seeing or talking to them makes it all better. It is in those moments that you are reminded that you have made the true connection of friendship. Those are the friendships that nurture the soul, reenergize us and help make our lives complete.

Steady and lasting friendships require mutual respect and commitment. While there are some friendships that naturally need more effort than others, the best friendships are those where the effort is balanced on both sides. You may not talk to a friend for a month or two, yet when you connect it is as if you were talking daily. Other friendships may require mutual daily connections. Where the problem arises is when the connection requirement is so lopsided that the friendship becomes more work than benefit. It is at those points that we have to make changes, reevaluate or potentially start “weeding the garden.”

Friendships are an important part of our every day lives. Having that social circle for support in times of need  is critical. Having individuals to celebrate each other’s successes is equally important. When we can count on each other to ride the highs and the lows of the friendship, it is then that we know that we have formed a bond that will hopefully last a lifetime.

If you have friends that may be feeling a little neglected, make a point to reach out to them this week. Friends are one of the most important assets in our lives and are to be protected as any other valuable that you have. When properly nurtured and cared for, the power of true friendship is one of the most beautiful gifts that life bestows us.

Have a great day and remember to be the reason someone smiles.

Ron

When I was a kid, one of my favorite times of the year was Labor Day Weekend. It was the one time of year when I got to stay up all night to watch the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon. I would watch it from the beginning on my little black and white TV in my room and see it all the way through to the end when the final tote board would show what had been raised for the year. I was always amazed at how each and every year they always topped the year before.

Watching the telethon, I got the idea that I wanted to do something on my own. So I decided that I was going to have a fair in the park and raise money for Leukemia. I went around to all the businesses in town and solicited donations for prizes, worked with vendors to supply sodas and food and set up all kinds of games where people could pay to play. The response from the local businesses was amazing. I supposed they weren’t used to twelve year old boys taking on this kind of endeavor, but I was determined to make it a success.

During the event we had cake walks, games, raffles and other ways that we collected money to donate to the Leukemia society. I don’t remember exactly how much we raised, but it was enough to get a story done about us on the television and the society presented me with a little black and white TV that I cherished well into my 20’s until it finally died.

Now fast forward 43 years and the good deeds that I did all those years ago are now coming back to benefit me years later. This morning I was speaking to my dad’s doctor’s office regarding the new treatment that they are putting him on. The medicine that he will need to take is $13,000 a month. While insurance will pay for some, he will still have copayments and his first one will be almost $3,000. Needless to say, they cant afford that and so the office is trying to get him copay assistance. Where is that initial assistance coming from? You guessed it, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Those seeds of good that I planted all those years ago are now sprouting to benefit my family in a time of need. That is the amazing thing about doing good works. You never do them expecting anything in return. However, the universe has a way of rewarding us when we least expect it. When the office person told me where the money would be coming from, my hair stood up on my arm and I was immediately transported back to that day in the park so many years ago.

When we give from the heart without expectation, we set a series of events in motion that are totally unknown to us at the time. That is one of the beautiful things about life. When we least expect it those events culminate in an unexpected opportunity that one could have never expected all those years ago. I am humbled and grateful for the blessings that come my way.

Have a great weekend and remember to be the reason someone smiles.

Ron

They always say after the death of a loved one that there are signs that happen so that you know they are there and still with you. For me, with the loss of my grandmother, there are two ways that remind me that she will always be there. Maybe they are in my mind or my imagination, but they are the things that center me and keep me sane when times are craziest.

My grandmothers favorite bird was a cardinal and her favorite color was red. Within weeks after she passed away a cardinal started appearing in the bushes right outside the pool area of my house. I had been in the house for four years and never seen a cardinal anywhere on the property. During the major parts of my mourning period the cardinal appeared almost every day. It always seemed to be there just when I needed comforting the most. Once I got more comfortable with the fact that she was gone, as quickly as it came, the cardinal disappeared. I haven’t seen it since.

Once the cardinal was gone a different thing started happening to me. Whenever I am perplexed about something or missing my grandmother the most, I somehow always see the repeating numbers 1111. Sometimes I happen to look at the clock at 11:11 in the morning or 11:11 at night, or 1:11 morning or night at just that moment. I will be driving behind the car and multiple 1’s are in the license plate. Or, I will see phone numbers or other numerical items that contain repeating ones. I dont see these all the time, but they seem to appear when I need comforting the most. I was my grandmother’s first grandchild and I feel that there may be some correlation.

I believe that although our loved ones may leave us in body, they are always with us in spirit. When we have such an emotional bond and connection with them during their lifetime, that connection remains long after they are gone. It’s not weird science or unworldly occurrences, it is a manifestation of the love that we shared that continues to bond us.

I am sure we all have people that we were once close to that we still feel close to today, even though they may be gone. Feeling their closeness is a beautiful part of life that is natural and wonderful. Even if the cardinal and repeating 1’s in reality have no correlation at all, in my mind they do and I use those moments to remind that although she may no longer be physically here, she will never be truly gone. I wish for you the same connection with a loved one that may be gone.

Have a great day and remember to be the reason someone smiles.

Ron

Yesterday, I went with my dad for his first chemo appointment. It was an experience to say the least in so many ways. As we sat in a room with so many people getting IV infusions, my mind began to wonder and I of course began to think.

As I looked around the room at all the empty chairs that I knew would soon be filled, I began to think of the lives that would occupy each one of them. One by one people came in and after a while it became a sea of silver poles with their IV bags attached. My dad and I were in one of the adjacent rooms that had about eight chairs in it and soon the chairs across from us were also filled with people coming in for their treatment.

The amazing thing was that it was almost as if we were among family. They could tell this was our first time and they offered words of encouragement and advice as they saw us maneuvering through the procedure. They were eager to help us through what they had told us they had been through many times. There was the man that was there for his last treatment. The woman that comes several times a week and the woman that could barely speak but was able to put on the most beautiful smile.

Unfortunately, about 10 minutes into my dad’s administration of the medication he had a severe reaction to the medicine and the room quickly filled with doctors and nurses. The individuals sitting across from my dad knew I was scared and took me under their wing to guide me through what was happening as if I was their own son. Having me get one of the knitted caps that was donated to keep his head warm. Telling me to cover his feet to help him stop shaking. Any piece of advice they could give, all while continuing their own treatment and seeing us through the event.

My dad wound up going to the emergency room, but is now home and resting as we move to plan B. However, as horrible as that experience was, I got to see the true face of humanity yesterday. People in the middle of their own major ordeals, bearing faces of courage, leaping into action to help their fellow human beings because it was the right thing to do. I don’t even know their names but they will always have a place etched in my heart.

Those who have experienced chemo know first hand the feelings that those drug administration rooms bring. I wasn’t even getting the chemo and I know what I felt. I cant imagine the angst it causes to those who have to go through the treatment itself. I saw it on my dad’s face however and I felt his palpable uneasiness. However, yesterday I also saw the faces of courage on some pretty amazing people and for that I was truly humbled.

The picture of the sign that was on one of the IV poles pretty much summed up what I felt from each of my unnamed heroes yesterday, “When it rains, look for rainbows. When it is dark, look for Stars.” Thank you my faces of courage, you will never know the lasting impression you left on me.

Have a great day and remember to be the reason someone smiles.

Ron

When weekends come, it is usually time for us to get together with friends and family and enjoy all the things that we like to do. We work all week and then use those two short days to unwind, catch up and hopefully just have fun.

This weekend, I was thinking that no matter how old we are, people come into our lives unexpectedly and for one reason another they become an integral part of your life..for life. Many think that this happens by chance. However if you really sit down and look at all of the things that had to line up for those opportunities to materialize, you see the complex set of events that had to take place.

I am a firm believer that people do not come into our lives by chance. I also believe that they don’t come into our lives at certain times by chance either. People come into our lives because they are supposed to be there at just the moment that they were meant to be there. Have you ever looked back at new lasting friendships and said, “boy they came into my life at just the right time?” Well, there was a reason for that. They appeared because they were supposed to appear. They became a part of our core life group because they were supposed be there.

As we travel through life, along the way we pick up people that manage to stay with us through its entirety. I believe that is a part of life’s plan as we go through life’s journey and when you really examine it fully it is such a beautiful thing. However, with that gift of friendship comes responsibility.

Looking across your friend spectrum, it should be pretty easy to find the people that nourish your soul. The people that you want to be around because they make your life better and you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are there for a purpose. How often do we give our time to those that sap our soul because of their neediness, while neglecting those that nourish us because we believe they are always going to be there no matter what? A mistake we often make.

I am fortunate to have some amazing people in my life. My core group of friends who always pick up where we left off as if we see each other every day. A group of new friends in the Mah Jongg world that have become an integral part of my core group and provide caring and support. For that I am thankful. Today, I hope that you have that same core group to nurture and support you and that you in turn nurture and support them equally.

Have a great day and remember to be the reason someone smiles.

Ron

Our world has gotten so complicated with all the technological advancements, that it is hard sometimes for those that are in our middle ages not to think of our childhood days with fondness and longing. Days when excitement meant the family was planning on getting together and doing what we always did in the great outdoors.  My time in the mountains over the last week brought a lot of wonderful memories back to light.

Our family was always close. When we all got together for a big event, usually at a lake in north Florida, it was one of the most amazing times in my life.  All the aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and others would meet up to camp out around the lake. In the morning all the men would go fishing out on the lake and the rivers and they were sure to bring back a load of fish that they would spend the afternoon cleaning. The kids would find anything we could to play with and if we didn’t have anything we would make up our own games. We would swim, lay under the trees and just enjoy life and nature.

In the evenings, once the fish had been cleaned, all the cooking would happen. Fried fish with hushpuppies, potato salad, baked beans and just about every other southern food that you could think of. Not to mention the pies, cakes and goodies that had been baked for the event. Everyone would stuff themselves and then we would all wind up around the fire making s’mores or just telling and listening to stories.

The most important thing I remember from those times was that the family just enjoyed each other. There wasn’t fighting or bickering or jealousy. We were all there for a common purpose.  That purpose was to have fun, eat some good food and just enjoy the company of each other. I always dreaded when those weekends would end because I knew it would be a while before we could repeat them. Now that everyone is older, they haven’t happened in years and I miss them.

The memories that we make during those years carry with us for a lifetime. Today, I make new memories with my chosen family & friends and the family that still gets together. I have to wonder if it isn’t how society has changed that has made us all so busy that those times of the past haven’t continued into the present. Or, maybe in a way we still do them, just with new generations.

Have a great weekend and remember to be the reason someone smiles.

Ron

Last week, I had the opportunity to cross another item off my bucket list and go white water rafting on the Truckee River in Nevada. It was something that I had wanted to do for a very long time, but the occasion never presented itself and it wasn’t something that I actively sought out. However, given that I was doing stops in California and Nevada, I decided that the time had finally come.

The night before the event I was excited and full of questions. I read reviews on the internet, researched the river and looked for any picture I could find of people doing the same thing. The morning of the event my mortal fear set it and I was wondering if I would go through with it. All the questions of the unknown started to surface. Would I tip? Would I hit a rock and hurt myself? Would I drown? Would I die? Would I, would I, WOULD I? At the last minute I wasn’t sure that I could go through with it and almost backed out.

Despite all my doubts, when the time came I put on my big boy pants, suited up for the ride and made the drive down the mountain to the starting point. I assembled with the crew, got my boat and guide assignments, went through he safety briefings and before I knew it I was on the river and the journey began. The minute the raft set sail on the water, I knew that I had made the right decision.

The first part of the journey was more like a lazy river. As the raft took the bends in the river, surrounded on both sides by majestic mountains, my soul began to fuse with the nature surrounding me. It was as if around every bend a new artist picture had been created and one more spectacular than the next. The surroundings, stillness of the air and the sound of the rushing water combined to produce a symphony for the senses that was just incredible.

Then came the white water. Class II and III rapids that we had been well prepared for in our safety classes, but become a little more daunting when they are right in front of you. However, the feeling that takes over you as you enter the rapids and the adrenaline starts to flow is really unexplainable. Your survival instincts kick in and before you know it every thing you were taught comes to the forefront of you mind. Paddle forward, stop. Paddle backward, stop. Somehow in unison, the entire boat reacts to the command and before you know it you have maneuvered through areas that flip boats that come after you. Then, in a flash it is all over and you have mastered the river.

There is something about conquering the fear of the unknown that is amazing for the soul. It gives you a sense of accomplishment that other things that may have been out of your reach are now possible. Floating down that river reconnected me with the beauty of nature, the beauty of living and the beauty of reenergizing your soul. There were people of all ages on that river, which tells me that if we dig deep enough within ourselves, anything is possible at any point in our lives. If you have never experienced white water rafting and have the opportunity, do it. Your soul will definitely thank you.

Have a great day and remember to be the reason someone smiles.

Ron