Positively Amazing!

Here is the view from my window...

Trying to follow the counsel of President Thomas S. Monson to "refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought," I want to share some amazing talent with you.

Last Saturday Mark and I traveled downtown to "Snow Days Chicago" at Navy Pier. Professional sculptors transform huge blocks of snow into beautiful sculptures for all to view, free of charge. This Indian sculpture took 1st place.

Here's Mark standing in front of a sculpted "Palace."

And I'm standing in front of the People's Choice winner, "Medusa."

We finished shoveling our driveway by around 10 am this morning with a little help from our neighbors across the street...3 wonderful teens and a 10-year-old that repeatedly volunteered until I relented. Since last Thursday I have seen some of the best of Chicago. I am grateful for people that share themselves...kindness, strong arms and backs, and artistic talent!

Five Good Things...

This post has been in the making since June 28th, the day I always celebrate Carmen Dino's birth. I knew Aunt Carmen my whole life...she lived across the street from Mama and Daddy when I was a baby. She was an amazing woman...words can never do her justice.

James E. Faust once said, "You can do something for another person that no one else ever born can do…” Her influence on me continues today. Maybe you'll read something here that will help you think about something differently.

Aunt Carmen had polio when she was a little girl. It left her with one leg that was useless and never grew. A Shriner saw her playing in the park, dragging her little leg behind her. She endured many surgeries at the Shriner's hospital, finally having her joints fused so she could walk.

In the days she lived, choices for women were more limited. She made the unlikely decision to be a hairdresser, standing for hours every day. Aunt Carmen spent time helping me learn to "fix" my dolls' hair...washing, cutting, rolling...For many years I thought I'd become a hair stylist, just like Aunt Carmen.

She could be blunt, but she never meant it in a hurtful way. She’d be the first to tell you if your hair looked good...or bad. She’d tell you if she liked what you cooked...or that it wasn’t too good. She’d just laugh with you if the news was bad.

She loved shopping, eating out, and she loved my mother. She was a strong woman that faced adversity with grace and laughter. She was also one of the most positive thinkers I ever met. Aunt Carmen got through the most difficult things in life by saying, "There are five good things about this situation..."

When Mama received the news that she had cancer and wouldn't live more than about six months, she immediately began to tell me the five good things about having cancer. I tried to laugh with her. It was hard...But we had both seen how you can find the good in every situation if you look for it.

When faced with disappointment or difficult situations, the first thing that comes to mind is..."There are five good things about this..." I'm grateful to realize that happiness comes not from circumstance but from the way you think about things.

I hope this picture makes you smile. These two women continue to influence me every step of my life, and this picture captures their fun-loving, optimistic spirits...

I love you both outside of numbers, Mama and Aunt Carmen!