Category Archives: Challenges

May This Prove to Be True for You

Posted on January 14, 2013 by russtowne

One of my dear daughters-in-law is carrying my second grandchild. She has experienced extreme morning sickness that often lasts all day even with medication. I often think of what she is going through to bring My Beloved’s and my second … Continue reading →

Posted in Challenges, Illness, Love, Parenting, Poetry I Wrote | Tagged daughter-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchild, Grandparents, happier, Happiness, labor, Love, morning sickness, pregnancy | 11 Comments

Adversity and Me

Posted on January 13, 2013 by russtowne

I can choose to let adversity Weaken or strengthen me The choice is mine Every time Russ

Posted in Adversity, Challenges, Poetry I Wrote, Quotes I Wrote, Words or Quotes I Believe I Coined but please let me know if you heard them earlier elsewhere | Tagged adversity, challenge, challenges, choice, choose, me, time, tough times | 8 Comments

Braces

Posted on January 13, 2013 by russtowne

(A repost for newer readers to this site.) Sometimes it is really tough to be a kid. When both of our boys needed braces we knew they were in for a rough time. In those days braces tended to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Challenges, Children, Parenting, True Stories I've Written | Tagged boys, braces, children, parenting, parents, self-esteem, sons, teeth | 20 Comments

Regaining One’s Voice Via Technology

Posted on January 12, 2013 by russtowne

A year or two ago My Beloved had thyroid cancer and went through surgery, radiation treatments, etc. Vocal chords surround the thyroid and there is always a risk that when the thyroid is removed that temporary or permanent damage to … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Breakthroughs, Challenges, Stories That Touched Me | Tagged cancer, movie critic, Roger Ebert, thyroid, thyroid cancer, vocal chords, voice box | 12 Comments

The Change

Posted on January 3, 2013 by russtowne

The daunting gauntlet that was my life Was full of stress and strain and strife Felt only pain and misery Hope seemed a distant memory It was even hard to lift my head Or get myself out of bed Trouble … Continue reading →

Posted in Abundance, Adversity, Attittude, Breakthroughs, Challenges, Dealing with Pain & Grief, Gratitude, Loneliness, Poetry I Wrote | Tagged amazed, bound, change, cocoon, gratitude, heart, kindness, Life, Love, misery, pain, room, sadness, self, trapped | 10 Comments

Creating A Good Life

Posted on January 2, 2013 by russtowne

I just read an interesting article about a World Gratitude Map and the remarkable woman who inspired it. Here are some snippets: “…the World Gratitude Map, the idea of giving people the chance to create small moments for themselves to … Continue reading →

Posted in Abundance, Adversity, Attittude, Challenges, Goodness, Gratitude, Kindness, Making the World a Better Place, Vids & Stories That Touched Me | Tagged creating, death, dying, good, grateful, gratitude, Jacqueline Lewis, Joan Zawoiski Lewis, Joannie from Pringle, Life, pancreatic cancer, resiliance, World Gratitude Map | 8 Comments

Dying Boy Closer to World Record

Posted on December 28, 2012 by russtowne

Dalton Dingus knows that the world really does care. That’s something that many adults in the world have yet to learn. Dalton is a little boy who is dying, but has his heart set on breaking a Guinness world record … Continue reading →

Posted in Abundance, Adversity, Challenges, Children, Goodness, Inspiring, Joy & Happiness, Kindness, Stories That Touched Me | Tagged Christmas cards, Dalton Dingus, Guiness, Kentucky, world record | 7 Comments

The Day Girls Saved Me

Posted on December 14, 2012 by russtowne

(Some of you may have seen this story on my blog before, but I sometimes re-post an earlier story to give newer friends a chance to learn more about some of the goofier messes I got myself into.) Many years … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Bullying, Challenges, Friendship, True Stories I've Written | Tagged Anger, boys, bullies, friends, girls, high school, JROTC, lockers, pounded, rage, retired, trouble, U.S. Marine Corps, uniform, USMC | 6 Comments

A Quiet Voice at the End of the Day

Posted on December 9, 2012 by russtowne

“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow.” –Mary Anne Radmacher This post is dedicated to all who are struggling, facing fear, have fallen flat on … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Breakthroughs, Challenges, Courage, Dealing with Pain & Grief, Fear, Patience & Persistence, Quotes I Love | Tagged beauty, believe, courage, critically important, facing fear, falling down, fear, hearts, Mary Anne Radmacher, others, share, share with the world, sharing, spirits, tomorrow, Try, try again, we | 9 Comments

The Goofiest Christmas Tree and Beach You Ever Saw

Posted on December 5, 2012 by russtowne

A Most Unusual Christmas Tree Visitors who come to our home near the holidays are often struck by the sight of a most unusual Christmas tree. Instead of a fir or some other traditional kind, we have a palm tree. … Continue reading →