September 2008 - Janelle's Blog

My office desk was mounded with paperwork awaiting me upon my return from a trip. Over to the side was a small package wrapped in red, see-through cellophane--a nice gesture from a local business. I untied the ribbon holding the package together and several pieces of heart-shaped chocolate candy fell across my desk.

Usually I don't enjoy chocolate unless it is exactly the right shade and consistency, so I let it lay there for several minutes. Finally, I picked up a piece, savored it in my mouth and bit down into a heavenly morsel of dreamy chocolate. I believe I'll have another one of those, I thought. That thought recurred three more times. They were soooo good!

The dawn of the morning awakened me with a sliver of light that seeped through my hotel drapes and splayed across my bedcovers. Sleepy-eyed, but ready to awaken with the morning sun, I sat up slowly on the side of the bed and reached for the drapery rod to open the drapes.

My eyes widened as my mouth dropped to see a full rainbow cover most of the sky. I stared at it for a few seconds, observing the splendor of colors. Then my eyes dropped to the ground as I followed the rainbow that ended in the parking lot beneath my 16^th floor observation level at the hotel. I saw the end of the rainbow as it lingered over one spot for a brief few minutes.

Men, I know you are reading this, anyway. Warning—I am not responsible for what you may find out about spas.

 Celebrating Wedding Anniversary

 Neal and I celebrated our 43rd wedding anniversary over Labor Day weekend. I can’t believe it, either. I have only known a handful of people that many years, but I can tell you it is a joy to go through life with someone you love, over the bumps and mountain tops of life.

People ask me what has held us together. The big-picture answer is, “Serve God, respect your partner’s needs, and love your way through life. And, throw in a heavy dose of laughter.”