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The smile I'm walking around with today can be traced directly back to the week I just spent at the beach. As I go about the chores of re-entry I get happy again each time I spy stowaway sand in the far reaches of my suitcase or a tan line peeking out of my T Shirt.
Any of you beach lovers out there know exactly what I'm talking about. Don't you just love to sit at the shore and watch wave after wave after wave? It gave me some time this past week to clear some stale thoughts and let new ones wash in. In fact, it's the waves themselves, that have me thinking.
Countless times I've sat at a beach in awe of the beauty, power, and magnificence of the waves that I see pound ashore. What amazing force of nature! Of course, there is the science of the moon and the tides that you could read in a bunch of science books. But the physics don't begin to explain or describe the magnificence and fleeting beauty of each individual wave.
I mean think about it. All that work and in a matter of seconds, that perfect wave is gone forever. At least during the day you can sit on the beach and appreciate a wave from the first swell until the final splash and retreat back into the ocean.
This last week, we were lucky enough to stay in a home right on the beach. That's how it was the nighttime waves that got my attention. The dark late August sky meant I couldn't actually see the waves from the bedroom balcony, but they were the last thing I heard each night. As I drifted off to sleep, I would picture each of those nighttime waves.
"Surely, they must be as magnificent, beautiful, and special as the waves that are seen and appreciated in the daytime," I thought to myself. Absolutely, they are just as much their own special, fleeting amazing creation. They are just as important to the ocean, tides and sea life as the daytime waves, yet, no one ever sees them. All that magnificence happens in the dark.
I kept thinking about those night time waves during one of my cherished long walks during the day. Nighttime waves are not alone. There are countless people just like them. In fact, I think we all have them in our lives. I know I do. People who don't get the spotlight, the public accolades, the big hoorays for the great work they do. Yet, they are as important and magnificent as those of us who do.
Behind this website which bears my name are people like Heather who helps post content and gets the daily email letter out each day. Brian who edits all the videos, Ria who keeps me and my paperwork sane, Paul who spreads the word with his awesome PR and management skills. Those are my Nighttime Waves, so special in their own way, creating their magnificence without all of you to make hooray. Thank goodness, however, they are not as fleeting and retreating as those real nighttime waves.
Do you get the idea? I'd love to hear who your Nighttime Waves are in your life. Please share over in our social online community.
Just want to place out the welcome mat for all you new visitors who are finding this website thanks to the recent article in Guideposts Magazine.
When they had me pose for the fun picture by leaping into the air on top of Atlanta's Stone Mountain, I had no idea it would lead to all this great attention. Who knew one uncoordinated jump could bring so much good?
Now that you've found us, please make yourself at home. You'll find 13 different buckets or categories of stories. We have a social online community (link) where you can post your own stories. And, if you like, I'd love to stop by your email box each day with the Daily Daryn. That way you don't have to remember to be inspired, I come to you!
My team and I put up new stories each day, so come back often.
And thanks again to the Guideposts folks! We are looking forward to April when Guideposts will publish my next book. Here's a hint, my fellow animal lovers—I have a co-writer and he has 3-legs. Yes, it's my recently departed dear dear buddy, Tripod, The 3-Legged Wonder Cat. More details as we get closer to publication time.
Meanwhile, you can also get lots of updates and follow what's happening around here by following me on Twitter.
I just spent 15 minutes more on my lunch break than I had budgeted today because I couldn't tear myself away from one of the best pieces of journalism I've read in I don't know how long.
S.L. Price has written the most amazing piece on Marc Buoniconti for Sports Illustrated. Buoniconti is the former college football player who broke his neck while playing for The Citadel back in the '80's.
This is so much more than a "poor guy got hurt and is in a wheelchair" piece. It's about how 3 lives can be intertwined in ways you can't imagine. And how most importantly, how one person can really show the world What's Possible.
It also reminds me that even when something happens that I would never pick to happen in a million years, life has a way of working out. Do you need to remember that again? Read this piece.
You love football? Read this piece. You don't care a bit about football? Read this piece.
If you're an SI subscriber like me, chances are this week's edition is in your mailbox today. Run home and crack it open to the cover story, The Rehabiltation of Marc Buoniconti: Three Lives, Two Hits, One Happy Ending.
For everyone else, here's the link. It's a ridiculously long piece for online, so I would encourage you to pick up a print copy at the store. If nothing else, you're throwing some well-deserved coin toward Sports Illustrated.
S.L.-it's this kind of writing and storytelling that made me first fall in love with Sports Illustrated and sports reporting in general. Way to go!
What a great tip!
I've shared on this blog that one of my favorite shows of the summer is America's Got Talent. It's just so fun to watch regular Americans go for their dreams and share their passion for performing.
Apparently, this is not unique to Americans. Of course we know from Susan Boyle that Britain's Got Talent is a huge hit in that country. That's just the beginning. The show is a hit all over the world.
Over the weekend, Peter Lysymanka of College Park, MD sent me a message on Twitter telling me I had to check out the winner of Ukraine's Got Talent. Yes, Ukraine!
Clearly, this winner isn't your runoff the mill opera singer or dancer. No, Kseniya Simonova is a sand animator. What's that? You have to see it to believe it. She is capturing something far deeper than we Americans access for our popular entertainment. She's inspired by the story of Germany conquering Ukraine during WWII. Sounds heavy I know. Just check her out and see how she moves her native audience.
She will move and amaze you, too. I'm sure of it.
By the way, I did some surfing around the internet of this talented young lady. She won a million Ukraninan Hryvnia as the grand prize. That works out to about $125,000.
It got me thinking. What talent do you think it would be fun to have? I share mine over in our social online community. Please share yours.
And don't forget: you can follow me on Twitter here.
I have to say I wouldn't have believed it if I wasn't seeing this myself.
I think DarlaDog is grieving the loss of our beloved Tripod The 3-Legged Wonder Cat.
For those just checking in, the blog entry below will bring you up to date. Reader's Digest is our amazing and wonderful Tripod passed away Friday at the age of at least 19. "At least" because in the more than our 17 years together he never did let on exactly how old he was.
I had heard other people share stories of their remaining animals grieving the loss of another pet. Honestly, I never did give those stories much credence. Always thought it was a case of people projecting their own feelings and perceptions onto their animals.
And my only other experience with this was with Tripod himself. See, at one point, long before DarlaDog, I actually had two 3-legged cats. First came Tripod, then I-lean. (Get it?) We had I-Lean for a couple of years before I had to put him down. Took him in as a much older cat. I watched Pod for signs of grieving. Instead, I do believe I saw pure relief and joy, as if he was saying, "Y'know what? We didn't need that cat. We certainly don't need another cat! This only child thing works for me just fine."
And that's how it was for some time, until I brought DarlaPuppy home. This arrangement worked out much better for Tripod. He took one swipe across Darla's nose with that one front leg and that pretty much set the alpha order for the next 9 years. Darla understood that this was simply Tripod's world and we all simply visit.
They got along just fine. Darla respected Tripod. Tripod respected Tripod. Sometimes they would hang in the same area of the house, like this recent picture on the deck. Sometimes separate rooms.
But they never played together or cuddled or any of that cute stuff you see in those photo essays of cute animal buddies that friends like to send.
That's why I didn't expect much reaction from Darla when Tripod passed.
But I gotta tell you. She has been one mopey dog. Kinda slow. Kinda not interested in many of her happy things. "Darla, you want to take a walk?" That prompt usually makes her spring to her feet. Now, she just kinda sighs and rolls over as if to say, "Nah, that's okay, I'll stay here."
I've made an appointment at the vet tomorrow just to make sure everything is physically okay with DarlaDog. Meanwhile, I'm wondering what your experience has been with this situation? Have you seen your animals grieve? Any ideas?
Please share over in our social online community. I'll tell you right now, the answer, "Time to get another cat," is not the one I'm looking for. Perhaps in time, but definitely not right now.
Would love to hear from you.
Dear Friends,
Today, I celebrate the life of one fine cat.
Actually, I can honestly tell you my sweet Tripod was the most magnificent 3-legged cat ever to hop this earth.
We said, "Goodbye," Friday. At the age of 19, his brave body was just plain worn out. I should say, at least 19 years old. When he adopted me more than 17 years ago, he was already full-grown. Well, except for that missing front leg.
In all those years together, he never did tell me his true age or whatever happened to that missing leg.
Perhaps he never got around to it because he was busy with so many other things. There was cuddling to do. Birds to catch, and for the last 9 years, DarlaDog to boss around. No time for casual conversation.
However, there ALWAYS was time for socializing. A more people-loving cat has yet to be born. No lack of ego with Pod. He was always convinced that anyone who came to the house came to see him. What possible other reason could they have. Guest after guest was greeted at the front door with a meow, and if they were willing, a multi-hour lap snuggle.
I've watched countless self-professed cat haters fall in love with Tripod. He just had that it.
Way back in 1992 I as a local TV reporter in Phoenix. Focused, goal-driven. Didn't even have a plant that I watered. But one day, I was sent to do a story at the Arizona Humane Society. It was a story about dogs or something. The wacky media rep happened to say to me, "Oh, you have to see this stray cat that came in. He only has 3 legs!"
She took me in the back, opened a cage and pulled out the most handsome ball of gray and white fur I'd ever seen. As she handed him to me, he gave me this huge hug using that one front arm. I was hooked.
More than 17-years later our chapter ended as it began, in my arms. This time is I who able to hug and cradle him as he slipped away.
It's amazing how much space one cat can take up in an entire house. But it sure seems empty around here today.
I'd love to know from you wonderful friends how you've said goodbye to your beloved furry best friends.
Please share here, over in our social online community.
My heart is heavy.
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