Just when you think you have life figured out, it comes along with a boomerang to remind you not to take it for granted, knocking you for a loop. No matter how wise you are, how experienced, you are never exempt from the realities of life's challenges. I say this because that is what happened to our family within the last two weeks.

This morning, before starting to do this newsletter I opened up my kitchen shades and looked out into our back yard. We have a new occupant, a red maple that was planted a few days ago. The tree was planted in memory of a very dear family member, 'Howie'.

'Mr. Howie' was a Scottish terrier who filled our lives with tremendous energy, personality and love. Only 10 years old, he was overcome with a lymph cancer that attacked his system so rapidly it was unbelievable. It hit very hard and fast. We knew 'Howie' was very sick and rushed him to a local emergency animal clinic. After a thorough examination we were told the verdict, "Cancer". There was a chance that he could be helped and we accepted everything that was offered. The doctors and nurses at the facility were so wonderful and caring. 'Howie' fought hard but his little heart just couldn't take the stress and he died three days later.

We decided that we would bury our 'friend' at home, in the yard he loved so much. There was a special area that he loved to explore; digging out the tunnels of our 'forest pals' who visit our yard, and that is where we placed him. Somehow it just didn't help very much. It wasn't until we walked into a store that same afternoon and saw a group of trees ready for planting that we knew what needed to be done. We choose a red maple, brought it home and planted it over Howie's grave.
What a difference it made.

The 'red maple' had something 'special to share' and it was a lesson unexpected. The next day after being planted the tree was not looking good. As the day went on it drooped more and more. I was quite concerned. Then I noticed a huge tree bough of a nearby evergreen that was hanging very low, almost touching the young tree. I thought to myself, " That bough is blocking the maple and must be trimmed back, otherwise the tree will die." So my husband got out his saw and trimmed the evergreen bough. Within just a short period of time the young maple was standing tall and straight with its leafy branches extended.

Nature teaches us valuable lessons if we pay attention. Change is a part of life. To grow as individuals sometimes we have to 'prune' our thinking, our environment and take action in our lives. We may resist, saying to ourselves, "I don't want change. I want everything to stay the same." We'll feel cramped, confined, stunted in our living. We fuss, complain until finally we take responsibility and get rid of what is blocking our way. Just thinking about doing doesn't bring results, it takes action. Once we take the initiative, then we stand back and wonder why it took us so long to do it.

Our beloved friend, 'Howie', lived his life with gusto; his loyalty, love and companionship he gave with his whole heart. Yes, physically he is no longer with us but our new friend, the 'red maple', reminds us of him, and how change is a part of life. During change we grow and expand. Sometimes you have to trim away the boughs of the past that block the way, opening up new opportunities for sunshine, blue skies and unlimited growth. As the old saying goes, "The sky's the limit". Donna Seebo

A nurse picked up her three-year old daughter from daycare. On the way home she looked in the rear view mirror and noticed her daughter playing with her stethoscope. The mother's heart filled with joy as she began to think that her daughter might understand a little bit about her career. Her daughter then put the ear pieces in her ears, picked up the end of the stethoscope, looked at her mother, smiled and said, "Welcome to McDonalds! May I take your order?" Submitted by B.G.,
California