SoCS: A Sigh of Relief with a Side of Laughter

Today’s SoCS prompt is: “contains ‘igh.’” Find a word that contains the letters “igh” in that order and use it in your post. Enjoy!

The first thing that came to mind was, sigh. It’s a word that sometimes had a negative connotation, as in an expression of sadness, but it can be much more… healing even, as in a sigh of relief.

There was a sigh of relief when the house was quiet after my beloved grandchild was taken home by her parents. We had loads of fun going to the beach and the aquarium, watching the movie, Bumblebee, who is a VW Beatle who transforms into and autobot with a heart. Still, I am thankful that women have been designed, evolved, or whatever to not be able to have babies after a certain age. I can do a lot in bursts of energy, but my stamina is nothing like it used to be.

What else gives us a sigh of relief? I was writing in the family history about my dad retiring from 20 years in the corps. I bet there was a big sigh with that. And my own retirement after 30 years in the addiction/mental health field. How do I spell relief? RETIREMENT.

I will be relieved when the fire works are over. But how can you really be sure? Fireworks can be beautiful, and I love sparklers, but I worry about all the dogs who shiver in the corner or “escape” in terror and become lost. Then there are the veterans and others with PTSD. I’m sure some of them don’t mind fireworks, but I wonder how many? And people with autism being overstimulated. There is such a thing as silent/quiet fireworks. They’ve been used in other countries. If you an put a man on the moon, you can make quiet fireworks.

In yoga, we are sometimes encouraged to sigh with vocals, to take a deep breath and say, Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhh on the exhale. The body hears that release and the relief is enhanced. That’s the theory anyway. I’m trying it now. Seems nice.

Sometimes a sigh is just a sigh, like a kiss is just a kiss. The fundamental things apply as time goes by.

But sometimes, a sigh is a good thing. I sigh when I get a massage. It helps me be mindful and really enjoy the release instead of thinking about my grocery list or some irrelevant imagining.

In most cases, a sigh is better than a scream. What might be even better is starting with a sigh and letting it turn into a laugh, then back into a sigh. Try it!

What brings you a sigh of relief?

There are all kinds of YouTube videos about yoga and sighing. Here’s a really short one by Laura Gentry who has a whole bunch of short videos on laughter yoga for commuters. They’re kinda silly and weird, but they’d keep me from falling asleep for sure. (Sigh.)

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For more streams of consciousness,

plus the ups, downs, ins, and outs of the SoCS rules, please visit out host, Linda Hill at:

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS July 3, 2021 | (lindaghill.com)

If you like paranormal romance, check out Linda’s books!

Lessons in Perseverance From My Dad

Today’s Just Jot Janury prompt is, “limp.”

My dad walked with a limp. It started Korea when he got shot in the leg. They put a plastic artery in his leg – very innovative for the early 1950s. Then they shipped him around to major military hospitals for doctors to view the leg work.

Once his leg healed, he hardly noticed the old injury. He continued his military career, including a tour in Vietnam, until 1969. The leg didn’t slow him down until he got older. By the time he was 70, he walked with a cane most of the time, but he kept walking.

In 1993 he was in a major car accident which broke two vertebrae in his back and put him in the hospital for several weeks, then a wheelchair for a few months. He also wore a Frankenstein looking “halo.” It looked like this:

They had a ramp built to the back door which he used while he was in the wheelchair, but a year later, he rarely used the ramp.

Both of his legs were worn out by the time he was 80. The plastic artery prevented him from getting a knee replacement. His legs hurt at night, and he heard keeping a bar of ivory soap between his sheets might help. He said it seemed to. He had a walker, but preferred to use the cane. Climbing the three front steps to the front door was like climbing a mountain, but he only used the back ramp if he had groceries. Then he’d pull the groceries up in the big laundry basket on wheels they probably got a yard sale. But most of the time, he climbed the front steps, slowly to focus on balance, one step at a time.

Now, my dad is in heaven with mom. He doesn’t walk with a limp. He flies!

This is Dad in “cardiac rehab.”
He kept going long after his quadruple bypass.
He enjoyed the comraderie. It was like a club.

In case you didn’t know, my dad inspired the title of my blog,

“Anything is possible.”

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For more about Just Jot January, visit Linda Hill at:

#JusJoJan prompt the 22nd – “Limp” | (lindaghill.com)

Good News Tuesday: Saving Lives in Dallas, A Husky Makes it Home, and a Grateful Reunion with a Veteran

A Team Effort Saves Lives in Dallas Apartment Fire

Quick thinking by neighbors and first responders saved the lives of everyone in this raging apartment fire.

Rain in California

Yes, the rain in California could increase risk of mudslides and complicate searches, but it also brings relief from devastating fire and hope for healing. I didn’t find a news story about the rain that didn’t give equal or more attention to the risk of mudslides. It’s a real risk, but can we just take a minute be thankful for the rain?

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A Husky Named Sinatra Makes it Home

Sinatra the Husky disappeared from his home in New York some time after his human sibling, 16 year old Zion, was killed. He was found in Florida 18 months later by another teenager. We don’t know how Sinatra got from New York to Florida. But I can’t help but wonder if he was looking for Zion. His rescuers and friends of the family made sure he got home. It’s a touching story.

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Thanksgiving to a Veteran, to All Veterans:

Thanksgiving is not over. We can give thanks every day.  Donna Caye wrote a letter of thanks in 1970 to a soldier serving in Vietnam. She recently got to tell him thank you again in person.

 

 

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Good News Tuesday seeks to add a touch of balance, one Tuesday at a time.

What’s your good news?

On finding self

This poem reminds me of my father who has lost so much but remains ever faithful. He fought in two wars, lost two daughters, and in November of 2008, he lost his wife of 52 years. He told me when I was 12 years old that “Nothing is impossible.” On this day when we honor veterans, I honor my father, and I pray for peace.

Peace, Love and Patchouli

On his quest to the distant horizon he came upon a tree,

tired from the journey he began to walk slower,

feeling his legs had become like cement,

he saw that he was walking in water that touched his feet

and with each step, rose higher to his knees.

The water moved about him cooling and refreshing

as step by step he came closer to the magnificent arbor,

John realized it was sitting in the middle of the river.

“I come to find the purpose of my life’s journey,”

he spoke to the sky which still lay languid

cradling the sun that was beginning its descent,

it said nothing yet sent a cool breeze

and as he dried his dampened brow

felt the feeling of silk move over his head,

his few remaining hairs blowing slightly,

the man felt calm and at ease.

He stood before the grandest tree he had ever seen,

breathing…

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Honoring our Four Legged Heroes

“At our Capitol Hill briefing in July we not only called on the Congress to ensure a safe ride home and happy retirement for all military working dogs and contract working dogs, but we also asked the private sector to step up and establish a veterinary care fund for these dogs after they come home.”

                   Dr. Robin Ganzert, American Humane Association President and CEO

This link recognizes one team’s work care for military dogs today:

http://news.yahoo.com/american-humane-association-u-war-dogs-association-red-110000122.html;_ylt=AwrBJR5XK2JUfTcAidXQtDMD

Thank you to all our veterans for your brave hearts and dedicated service.