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Five years ago I participated in The Great Escape.

I was escaping from my home away from home at Cox South in Springfield--where I had been given a second chance at life, love, happiness and success.

I don't want to keep whining about Covid and my Long Covid journey. I'm not a whiner. I'm not a quitter. And, I usually try hard to find a loaves and fishes way to get whatever it is that needs doing. There are tons of people dealing with tons of bigger things. I have had great support. But this has been one of the toughest challenges for me on my journey to get back to ME.

God knew this week was going to be a tough one. So, he planted a few bread crumbs and Godwinks in my path to reset my course and drop anchor with the things that matter most. I will share a few of my thoughts with you.

Enjoy the message. Suffer through my singing. Contemplate your own journey.

And, as always, let me know how I can help!

I'm here and willing.

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This week marks a milestone.

It's been five years since I came off a ventilator.

I remember the feeling like it was yesterday.

A wild range of emotions from panic to joy to sadness to peace.

I was having a hard time sleeping later that day and a nurse had whispered in my ear: "I see you playing possum. You're not very good at it. You need to rest."

"I'm afraid," I replied, opening one eye.

"Of what?" he asked, leaning down.

"Not waking up," I whimpered with my scratchy voice.

"Oh, honey, we're past that part. Please, just let yourself sleep," he laughed and patted my hand. "You've made it through the hard stuff. You're our warrior."

This week's podcast is somewhat disjointed and awkward. You'll just have to forgive me. I need to pay homage to it. I need to pinch myself and realize how blessed I am to still be here. I need to thank all of you who stood in the gap. I know who you are.

And, at the end of the day, I need to get busy making good on all those promises I made to the Big Guy Upstairs.

I am pretty sure I told him I'd be good!

Shhhhh....I need you to back me up. He knows enough of my secrets already.

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My nieces and nephews have always been part mine.

So this week's podcast is about one of them.

They probably don't always like it, but I love them soooooo much, I just can't help myself as I cross the line of ownership time and time again. I always figured an extra mother can't hurt, right?

Chad Estes is a local character all his own. He is, indeed, a chip off the old block. He celebrated another birthday this week. I remember the day he was born just like it was yesterday.

Through the years, in typical Estes fashion, he has made lots of friends--both on and off the playing field.

What can I say?

People either love us or not. There's never any middle ground.

But, I can't count the times I've told people he is my nephew and a big smile creeps across their face. There's usually a story or two there somewhere.

He has a "knobs to the right" show on KKBL Radio on Wednesday mornings and can often be seen calling games for the Houn' Dawgs from the press box at Kelley Field.

Here's a couple more stories about Outlaw Junior.

I hope I'm around to celebrate 51 more birthdays with him.

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I like the idea of making New Year's resolutions.

Over 30 percent of America's population of 340 plus million people make them. It takes. Over 60 percent of those folks will not be following through on their commitments in six months.

My resolutions are focusing on healthier habits, more self-care, additional time planned for adventures with family and friends and cultivating a closer relationship to God. I want to carve out more time for laughter, mud puddles, backroads and singing at the top of my lungs.

In recent years, I have had a word of the year to focus on, including words like: redemption, grace, joy and intentional. This year, I keep landing on the word discernment.

I think the proper use of the word is spiritual as it implies the use of intellect, experience, divine understanding and gut instincts to help us with better choices, improved decisions and leaning into the proverbial circle with the right folks.

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I love Christmas.

I enjoy traditions.

I like making new friends and celebrating old ones.

Our family has encountered great grief at Christmas a couple of times.

But yet, grief is the evidence of great love. So, we will continue to celebrate lives lost and those no longer at the table.

One Christmas in the 1980s, I lost my job on Christmas Eve Eve...and then my car burned up on the highway on the way home. I still remember running towards my car with a crowbar--so that I could at least rescue my Christmas ham.

Ironically, while I watched the firemen put out the fire on Highway 39 in the freezing cold weather, a lady rolled down her window and offered me a job on the following Monday morning.

I have learned through the years that God always takes care of me--not only at Christmas--but all year long.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

And, join me in keeping your fingers crossed the you are on the NICE list this season.

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The three keys to success according to Fred Rogers of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood fame?

Be Kind.

Be Kind.

Be Kind.

Some days this old world seems a little harsh and crazy. To battle that trend, let's start a kindness revival.

Pause. Take a breath. Move forward with grace, kindness and love.

You won't regret it. I promise.

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Community.

Christmas.

Celebrations.

Camaraderie.

All of those things combined for me to make a big promise to a colleague last week. He seems to think I am up for new experiences and big adventures. So, after some consideration, I have decided to celebrate a milestone birthday with him by skydiving. Here's hoping he knows CPR and plans to bring me a change of clothes on the outing.

I am looking forward to 2051.

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I love the Ozarks and my own backyard; but I also love traveling in the company of those I love.

I was able to do just that earlier this month on a three-day jaunt to Vegas. A little out of my element, I managed to have a blast.

What follows is my reflection on the journey, the fun, the laughter and the concept of home and Toby Keith's song "I'm Not As Good As I Once Was."

In the end, it's true---There's no place like home and I am as good once as I ever was--believe it or not.

Plus, I can be packed to go anywhere in 20 minutes. Try me and come pick me up. I'm game.