Happy Full Buck Moon.

"July is normally the month when the new antlers of the buck deer push out of their foreheads in coatings of velvety fur. It is also often called the Full Thunder Moon, for the reason that thunderstorms are most frequent during this time. Another name for this month's moon was the Full Hay Moon." Thanks to Toni Twomey, she keeps me posted every month..I think they are so interesting so I am sharing.

Well, I have just joined the millions of Americans who are currently unemployed. My boss decided to break my job into two and I just have to deal with it…

It certainly isn’t the worst thing that has ever happened to me. In fact, it is not even a blip on the radar compared to my past two years so I am making the best of it!

And that has given me the opportunity to reflect on John’s work experiences, which were all a story in themselves. In fact, I am having trouble deciding which one to share!

Let me begin by saying that I only remember him looking for a job twice..and both times it was because he knew from experience that I would get him one if he didn’t and he would have a miserable summer because of it.

Once Lauren even got into the act. She had friends who were painting houses for the summer and asked if they needed help. The “boss” did her a favor and put John on a crew. About half way through the summer he told us that the jobs were over and we all felt so sorry for him. How was he to get a job with only a few weeks before school started? Well, Lauren bumped into her friend and he told her John was fired because he would fall asleep in his car at lunch and no one could wake him because he locked the door to his car! We probably should have known something was up when he told us that he was put on trim…I thought that was maybe he was detailed oriented, something I never noticed in him but was happy to think he was developing a good work ethic!

Couldn’t have been more wrong…

And the worst part is we actually hired him the next summer to paint our house…because he didn’t have a job (again) and I had tapped out all my friends. That was the worst experience because I was trapped in my house all summer…I would bug him to start work and then if I went out all work would cease! I had more paint in my house than outside because every time he would come in he would track the paint with him! He even got paint on Lauren’s car!! The funny part is that he actually wanted me to hire his friend too! They were supposed to both do my house and then do his….can you imagine what that would have been like??? God!
He was only truly happy when he could read, spend time with his peeps (including “the fam”) or play his music, and if I had had a crystal ball I would have let him, because I could still be hearing his beautiful lyrics and melodies today. I think now of my situation and it really doesn’t worry me because I look back and can see that he knew what was important…other people. He was such a devoted son, brother, and friend. He read a lot about many subjects so he could talk to anyone…and did. He gave everyone his full attention…because he didn’t worry about the mundane pieces of life..the ones you can’t take with you. He only worried about people…and how they felt, or what they liked…and those connections are what you leave behind. That is why so many people still think of him and act on his behalf…because he somehow knew to his core what counts.

So, today, I ask that you just spend a little time attending to someone fully, without worrying about the bills, the project at work that is due…your kids who are not acting as you think they should…just be “in the moment” for someone. It is not easy to do but you may get a surprise and feel good about life after you do.
Good luck!