Every so often I wake up and wonder how I have gotten to where I am. In my early thirties life hit me hard. I was 10 years in a painful marriage, overwhelmed being a mom to two active toddlers, and my career was in flux.

I clean when I get frustrated and my life feels out of my control. It’s a coping mechanism with benefits. However, this spring I have a different purpose to my cleaning.

March holds promises of fairies and leprechauns, rainbows and the fabled pot of gold.  The myths and legends of old are examples of the magic we can find in life.   They bring flavor and a bit of mystery to my everyday life.

For a very special birthday I got to have breakfast in the African bush watching a family of elephants browse on trees nearby. These were full grown African elephants, thick wrinkly skin, very gentle when not irked.

On New Year’s Eve my son, John, got married to Alicia. It was a beautiful evening for a magical wedding. It was held in Peoria, Arizona at the bride’s brother’s house.

A very common sentiment at Christmas is peace on earth. It sounds so very idealistic to me. But what does this really mean? I found one definition - striving for a world without war, a society where we respect and help our neighbors, a place where we protect and uplift our most in need.