Keeping the Home Fires Burning

I had the privilege last week of visiting my good friend, Claudia, who is in her 80's. She's one of the youngest people I know - always encouraging me to visit other countries (her fave trips: Turkey, Italy and Greece), make friends with adventure and, for goodness's sake: Kiss The Boys!

I love her.

Last week, we were joined on the sofa by another of Claudia's friends - a wonderful, twinkle-in-the-eye Scottish woman, also 80-ish and endlessly feisty. In our conversation, the friend's thick, marvelous accent delivered a number of phrases worth writing down....such as when she stated the following about her age: "I'm not that old. There's snow on the rooftop, and a fire in the furnace!" And then she laughed with such a sassy strength.

It really didn't matter that we were sitting in a living area at a retirement community. We might has well have been perched at an outdoor table at a cafe in Paris, diving into chocolate crepes and finishing a nice bottle of cab.

These two ladies are more alive then most of the folks you'd find lined up for a sky diving class. They keep finding the joy in life, and providing it to folks like me, who are just learning, at 39, how to live.

And their hugs are the warmest darn things, without an ounce of hurry or worry.

Try dishing out a few of those today to folks who aren't expecting it.

Maybe plan a trip to somewhere for which you don't already know the airport code.

Or perhaps just put down the whirling gift wrap arsenal of paper, scissors and tape, and savor your role in keeping the home fires burning - be they for your significant other or the cherished friends and family that run your fabulous fan club.

Sofa. Glass of wine. Gratefulness. And maybe some Ronnie Milsap. The man had 26 number one hits - 'She Keeps the Home Fires Burning' is just the one I can't get out of my head. And neither should you! : )

Love,

Melinda

P.S. Thanks to you, dear readers, Super Much Love reached three new countries this week - Brazil, Turkey and Poland! Please continue sharing SML with your friends by "liking" the Super Much Love Facebook Fan Page, "liking" and "sharing" individual entries, hitting 'Suggest to Friends' or simply buying a big fat billboard along your morning commute with www.SuperMuchLove.com on it. You rock my world with your kindness!

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