Judith Iris Quate's Blog, page 8

Childhood Fun

I recently found a Kindle book, 1000 Awesome Writing Prompts, by Ryan Andrew Kinder. I downloaded this book to use as a crutch when I suffer writer’s block. Most of the time I write from something that inspires me, either a written article, movie, TV or life experience.

I also see this as a challenge for me to write something out of my comfort zone. I feel responsible to follow my mission of my blog to write good stories, videos and music to inspire you.

With that being said, my first prompt is, “describe an important item from my childhood, why was it important and where it is now.

As a child I enjoyed spending time alone. I enjoyed listening to my 45 records and dance along with the twist, pony, cha cha, Bristol stomp and my favorite partner was the stair railing. However, what stood out immediately after reading this prompt, was my special scrap book. It was a book filled with autograph pictures of famous celebrities from the 60s.

For some reason I enjoyed receiving mail. Odd? I bought movie and music magazines, and at the end of an article, an address would be posted where one can obtain an autograph picture. I enjoyed writing letters and requesting an autograph picture. I would send a letter once or twice a week.

How excited I was when I would arrive home from school and find an envelope with my name on it. I still remember some of the pictures I collected and pasted in my scrap book such as Sal Mineo, Nat King Cole, Paul Anka, Bobby Rydell, Chris Kristofferson, Patty Duke, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Donna Reed, Natalie Wood, and many more I can no longer recall.

This scrapbook was important to me because of the effort I made to fill it. As I said above, I loved getting mail. Where it is now, I can only assume it has been recycled. My dear mother, not realizing the importance of my treasure, threw it away when we moved from my childhood house in 1968.

A few years later after remembering this scrapbook, I dug through boxes in our basement my mom stored from the old house, and my scrap book wasn’t there. Mom didn’t recall the book. She probably threw it out.

Mom didn’t like clutter and had the tendency to throw things out compulsively. It wasn’t her fault, I should have kept it with my treasures in my room.

Please feel free to respond with your response to this prompt. I would love to read your stories.

Hugs

Jude

WRITING PROMPTS #1

I recently found a Kindle book, 1000 Awesome Writing Prompts, by Ryan Andrew Kinder. I downloaded this book to use as a crutch when I suffer writer’s block. Most of the time I write from something that inspires me, either a written article, movie, TV or life experience.

I also see this as a challenge for me to write something out of my comfort zone. I feel responsible to follow my mission of my blog to write good stories, videos and music to inspire you.

With that being said, my first prompt is, “describe an important item from my childhood, why was it important and where it is now.

As a child I enjoyed spending time alone. I enjoyed listening to my 45 records and dance along with the twist, pony, cha cha, Bristol stomp and my favorite partner was the stair railing. However, what stood out immediately after reading this prompt, was my special scrap book. It was a book filled with autograph pictures of famous celebrities from the 60s.

For some reason I enjoyed receiving mail. Odd? I bought movie and music magazines, and at the end of an article, an address would be posted where one can obtain an autograph picture. I enjoyed writing letters and requesting an autograph picture. I would send a letter once or twice a week.

How excited I was when I would arrive home from school and find an envelope with my name on it. I still remember some of the pictures I collected and pasted in my scrap book such as Sal Mineo, Nat King Cole, Paul Anka, Bobby Rydell, Chris Kristofferson, Patty Duke, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Donna Reed, Natalie Wood, and many more I can no longer recall.

This scrapbook was important to me because of the effort I made to fill it. As I said above, I loved getting mail. Where it is now, I can only assume it has been recycled. My dear mother, not realizing the importance of my treasure, threw it away when we moved from my childhood house in 1968.

A few years later after remembering this scrapbook, I dug through boxes in our basement my mom stored from the old house, and my scrap book wasn’t there. Mom didn’t recall the book. She probably through it out.

Mom didn’t like clutter and had the tendency to throw things out compulsively. It wasn’t her fault, I should have kept it with my treasures in my room.

Please feel free to respond with your response to this prompt. I would love to read your stories.

Hugs

Jude

R E S P E C T

Before one can gain and extend respect, you need to first love and respect yourself. Look into the mirror and honor the person looking back at you. Forgive yourself for past aggressions and wrongful acts. Allow yourself to leave the past behind and start 2016 fresh with a clear head and a new perspective of yourself and how you see others. Be happy. Without self love and happiness, there cannot be self respect and furthermore, respect others in your life and beyond.

Treat others as you want to be treated. If you walk pass someone, smile at them. Most importantly don’t forget the people who are different.

Respecting humanity regardless of their color, ethnicity, body shape, religious beliefs, politics, gender, sexual orientation and disabilities is a small step one must take to heighten and demonstrate a change in people. This one step may lead to more steps for humanity to learn how to be respectful. Just one small step can lead to changes in the violent world we live in.

Let’s make this a goal for 2016. I hope and pray the New Year will bring changes; however, I am not optimistic. I am scared but must hold onto a thread of hope. Let’s take one small tiny step by learning to respect yourself and others

Happy New Years

Jude

A JEWISH CHRISTMAS

I often wondered as a child what it would be like to wake up on Christmas morning, my sister and I racing down the stairs to see what Santa left us under the tree. We would ecstatically look for gifts with our name on it and quickly tear alway the wrapping to find what Santa brought us this year. Mom and dad would be watching joyfully as our eyes were large with excitement.

Oh know, don’t feel sorry for me. I get it. It’s Christmas. I got what I wanted this year for Hanukkah. I may not have a Christmas tree sparkling in my family room; I had the joy of lighting a Hanukkah candle for eight nights, saying the prayer the way my mom did when I was young.

I called my son this morning and hesitated not knowing how to greet a son of mine who is Jewish; however, in his infinite wisdom, greeted me “happy Hanukkah.” In the background I hear my grandchildren in shear excitement imagining them wandering through the array of opened boxes and wrapping paper. They were totally psyched out “Bubby I got Xbox” and “Bubby I got Barbie’s house!”

My son is loving the excitement of Christmas, sharing the holiday with my dear daughter-in-law who grew up every Christmas morning rummaging through the array of gifts Santa left her.

I will be visiting them later trying to explain to my very bright grandchildren how Santa left their gifts at our house. I’m sure My grandson will have many questions like, “how did Santa find your house Bubby, you’re Jewish? Did he get lost, or maybe he knew you have grandchildren who celebrate Christmas and left them with you to bring to us, yes, that is what happened Bubby.”

I wish all of you a very merry Christmas and my gift to you are a few of my favorite songs of the season. ENJOY!

NINE YEARS: 9-8-1979 – 12-22-2006

“What is wrong with me? Why am I feeling like I want to stay in bed all day and hide from the world ?” Just a few questions I asked my new therapist today as I was sitting in her comfortable office surrounded with furniture in an environment designed to create an essence of relaxation for her clients. However, it wasn’t working for me. I was anxious.

How does one explain a lifetime of pain when she asked me “why do you believe you need therapy?” I sat there looking at her not knowing where to start. I start mumbling somewhat and explained in one long complete sentence, “it will be nine years tomorrow my son died and I am overloaded with anxiety and why do I still feel so much pain after nine years?”

Okay, this was a good start and an hour later she pretty much knew why I sought help. The session ended with her explaining to me I lived through a lifetime of pain and we need to work together through several visits to sort it out. “Are you willing to do this,” she asked me. “Yes, of course!”

There are many ways to mourn. Some people prefer to forget the pain of loss because it is too hard to handle. Others choose to cry often and create a lifetime of depression. For me, I choose to revert my pain in a positive way and pay it forward. I need to keep myself busy helping other people.

Getting back to my concern of why I’m feeling more pain this year than the previous year’s, she explained there isn’t a straightforward answer because we all handle stress differently and believes possibly my mind is refusing to accept my loss. Based on my physical symptoms, my body is saying something else. “This is something that we will need to pursue further in later sessions,” she so kindly expressed.

If only I would just allow the flood gates to open and release the demon inside me that is causing me so much pain. All I know one should never have to outlive their child.

I’m happy I sought out help. I’m happy I have a loving family and friends who support me to find happiness beyond my pain.

Hugs to all of you

Jude

CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN

As a young girl I loved listening to my parents’ collection of show music from their console record player. It was a mahogany cabinet beautifully designed with two parts, the top housed the radio and record player and the bottom drawer opened displaying their collection of records.

I would often play an assortment of their collection of show music when I was alone and would pretend I was on the broad way stage singing along with Music Man, Gypsy, The King and I, South Pacific, Flower Drum Song and especially The Sound of Music. My favorite song was Climb Every Mountain, sung buy the lovely and talented Julie Andrews. For some reason I was drawn to this song. I was only a young teenager at the time, however, the words to this song had some powerful meaning to me.

I was an unimpressionable young girl who had dreams but they were instilled in my soul waiting for me to experience life; only then will they find their way to me and allow me to start climbing my mountain.

I’m working my way up that mountain now with the hope I will reach the top and my dreams will come to fruition. One must never stop dreaming and reaching for your personal goals. If you work hard enough and know that you did everything you could do, just wait, you will reach your mountain top.

My favorite reality show is The Voice. Please listen to Jordan Smith singing his signature song, Climb Every Mountain in the above video.

When he auditioned the first night of the show in the blind editions, he blew everyone away with his angelic voice without knowing what he looked like. He received a four chair turn. He is a young man who may not look like the image of a pop star; however, it doesn’t matter, he proved himself through his talent that he could climb that mountain and achieve his dream of winning The Voice last night, December 15, 2015.

I challenge each one of you to climb that mountain and reach toward the peak of your mountain to achieve your dreams.

Happy holidays and a very healthy and prosperous New a Year dear friends.

Hugs

Jude

SILENT THOUGHTS

I find myself with soulful thoughts today sitting at my table, once again, at a holiday craft show. Today it is very festive with Christmas music. The setting is in a Catholic Church and my table is facing the stage where all the exquisite raffle prizes are displayed in baskets so elegantly designed.

As I sit listening to festive music and greeting people either passing my table or stopping to look at my designs. “Hello, how are you today,” I find myself repeating throughout the day. I get a return smile or return sentiment. Some will pick up my book to read the back and return the book to its place and walk away.

When I first began displaying my crafts last year at craft shows I loved talking with people, sharing my story about Jason and networking with other crafters. I picked up valuable ideas for knew designs and met so many amazing talented friends.

Today I’m not so inspired. I wonder why? I know I haven’t felt well for sometime and seeking help for my symptoms; however, I thought if I attended the show this weekend, it would boost my inner spirits.

Is it the upcoming anniversary of Jason’s death getting me down? It is nine years, one would think I would have accepted it by now? How does one get over the death of their child? I am not one to feel sorry for myself. Just maybe it is time to make a change.

When Jason was young I found the only way I could live through the hard days was to fight back. I got involved. I actively sought out organization’s where I could be involved with to seek funding, fight to keep much needed funds by speaking out to local politicians and involve myself directly in the need of helping myself and my family.

This must be it. I’m too passive. I need to be more aggressive, and only then, my heart will be full and my soul will be content again knowing I am paying it forward.

Next year there will be changes in my life. I’m going to find a way to work with organizations advocating for special needs families. I will use my book, Our Special Child Jason’s Story, as a catalyst. I need to make a difference and I will. Sitting around at craft shows is fun but I need to take another avenue to honor my son.

I’M THANKFUL

I have been out of sorts for a few months dealing with some personal issues. I’m really trying to get my groove back. Please be patient with me while I make it through life challenges once again.

On this wonderful day when we all enjoy delicious food and wonderful times with friends and family, let us reflect on what we should be thankful for.

Based on recent events in our world we all should be thankful for each day we are blessed to wake up in peace and good health. We must remember those who have sacrificed their lives for our peace and remember those people who have lost their lives from terror attacks both here in the United States and the world. May they rest in peace.

For me I am most thankful for God who, in his infinite way, taught me the meaning of life and helped me grow to be the woman I am today. I questioned for many years why I needed to deal with all the challenges he lead me through; however, I now know I needed to grow as a person experiencing his challenges.

I am thankful for all of my loving family and friends who mean so much to me, especially all the friends I reconnected with from many years ago.

I am thankful for all the new friends I made through the past year who are now helping me become the powerful business woman I am dreaming to become. Thank you WBF…you all rock.

Don’t let me be remiss to not be thankful for all of my virtual friends here on WordPress. I am thankful to have this forum to speak my mind and know someone is listening to me.

HUGS

JUDY

MY NEW WEBSITE!!!!

Source: MY NEW WEBSITE!!!!

MY NEW WEBSITE!!!!

To begin with I must apologize to all my friends here on WordPress for my absence. I am dealing with personal issues and have been working very hard to heal and return to the place I love, here on WordPress, to express my feelings, inspiration and love.

With that being said I am most grateful to a wonderful web designer who I am very proud to call my friend. I met her through a local women’s organization and she is just starting out creating her business and I was in need of someone who can give me a site I can be proud of and show the world who I am and what my passions are to create a business as a parent advocate, artist, author and public speaker. I changed the name of my business to Jude’s Inspirational Wisdom because I believe it reflects who I am as a woman and what my plans for the future are.

Without further hesitation please check out my new site. Please feel free to comment and send me a message through the site. I am very proud of launching it and showing the world what I am all about.

If you like what you see and are looking for a web designer, please look her up. I listed her name and website below. She specializes in WordPress site.

http://www.scrapperjudedesigns.com

Designed by: Molly Dodge, Owner

Dodge Web Designs

mollydodge.com