Push Up the Sun Barbara Wichman

Have you ever opened up your mail to find the envelope with the big red stamp or the yellow sticker, "RETURN TO SENDER?"
It feels like it is hitting you with a stick for doing something silly.
Maybe you missed a number in the address. Perhaps transposed a number in the zip code?Or even worse, did not even put an address on the envelope? That one is always a doozy.I was heartbroken when my envelope was returned to me with the big yellow sticker, Return to Sender - Address Unknown.
Why was it so painful?
Listen in to find out.
Please grab a piece of paper and something to write with for this podcast - only if you are not driving!

Every time I look at social media, it is another special day or a special month.
You know what I mean. Boss's Day. Hot Dog Day. Cancer Awareness month. National No Rhyme nor Reason Day.
Yes, the last one is an actual day. It is a day celebrating words that do not rhyme with anything.
Some special day designations are serious, and some seem frivolous. But for some person or a group of people, that one topic was so intriguing, interesting, or heartfelt; they wanted to recognize it with its own day or month.
Often these specially designated days are not interesting to us until they hold meaning. Diagnosed with breast cancer or know someone who has been? We rally around information sharing and fundraising for breast cancer awareness.
It is not wrong to do so; it is human nature. We are drawn to those things that impact us personally or those close to us. If not, then we may not pay too much attention.
For the days that may seem more frivolous, like Blue Popsicle Day or Guacamole Day, there are reasons for the days. They are to educate on the history, the joy and share curious facts about that particular day.
This podcast is about MY favorite monthly designation.
Fall Hat Day.
Go Fedoras!
For more information about what we do at Push Up the Sun, please email us at info@pushupthesun.com

Did You Hear the One About the Pink Pig?
The pig sat in the middle of the table and...   brought giggle, joy, fun, and family moments.
Getting together with family, we often hear the same stories over and over. Those are the favorite stories that the storytellers love to share. For them, it shares moments of past times. It brings back memories. It provides a moment of remembrance of a time and an experience that has impacted them somehow.
Family gatherings are times to not only share stories but also pass them down.
One day when you get older, you will hear yourself repeat a story you heard in your family, to your friends, or your children, or at gatherings.
Stories weave the fabric of family, pass down traditions, and create lasting connections to who we are, why we are, and our values.
What stories does your family share/
What stories do you tell?
What traditions are passed down through stories?
Any stories about a little pink pig?

I am not a mixologist and honestly have never had a Mojito before, but the delightful homemade mix made virgin style just for me was exquisite on a hot summer day. Yet as refreshing as it was, it was not as refreshing as meeting a new friend.
There are times when you meet new people, and for some reason, they have this way of inspiring you to rekindle the passion with those things you have loved before, try something new, or take on a new adventure with a zest for fun.
I had always wanted to try kayaking, but the truth was I was afraid. I had always been told that you must know how to roll the kayak, so if you flipped over, you could right yourself. And that made me very nervous.
Meet a new friend, who has a way of supporting and teaching you, and the nerves wash away. And I went kayaking for the first time and fell in love.
This love affair resulted in Mabel coming into my life. 
Mabel and I had our first adventure not too long ago, and I know there are many more to come!

Yesterday, my dad would have been 98 years old.
I don't know about you, but I learned a lot from my Dad. He did not share a lot of stories while he was alive. He had some very hard life lessons and frankly, for him, they were just life. 
I learned a lot more about my Dad after he passed away. I heard more stories from his friends and family.
I wish I had known more because I know in my heart, I would have understood him better.
But you, you have a chance to learn more about those around you.
Everyone has a story, maybe it is time to ask and listen. Take time to listen, learn, and love even more.
That lesson and many more in today's podcast which celebrates my Dad.

Three feet from gold. Three feet away from reaching your dream and desires.  So many people stop just three feet, or even three inches away from hitting their stride, making an impact, and achieving their dreams. Sometimes you need that one person to steer you to the right path. That may be all you need to accelerate.