Diana (My First Day of Birth)

I have to be honest. I didn't really know what to post today. The news and the country seem so tense lately. Too much has been said. And so I was just looking, not for answers, but for a little clarity, a little simplicity as I looked through the stories that our older adult buds have been sharing. The stories never ever disappoint me. This one was it. This one was what I need personally. A celebration of life at its most basic, at its most simple, and yet miraculous little form.

Diana Hallock

10.26.2017

My First Day of Birth

One of my beautiful days was when I was born in Edinburgh, Scotland – Great Britain. My mother was young and pretty and lived in the United States, in Brooklyn, New York. My father was born in Shuttleland, Scotland – Great Britain. He had an uncle, his mother’s brother, named Charlie who took my parents to live with him and Aunt Sarah on Orchard Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, GB.

When mother gave birth at the Royal Hospital, Edinburgh, Scotland, of me, I was almost 4 lbs, with lots of dark hair, and she also tld me I was born at noon. Uncle Charlie brought my mother to the hospital (by foot) and she said the doctor who delivered me had red hair. The nurses thought my Uncle was my father. My father as I am told, was looking for a job at the mills (paper mills) but mother’s story said my father was drinking at the “pub.” In Great Britain, the bars were called “the pub.”

My mother, after delivering was put on the “ward”. The wards were rooms in the hospital which held many iron beds. At the end of each bed were iron baskets which were made beds to hold the little babies in. So mothers could breast feed the little ones. The babies, which were under weight had cotton around them to keep them warm.

The depression was starting in the United States. My parents (mother pregnant with me) from LI, NY, US came to Great Britain by boat in 1952. My Uncle Charlie was a brother in the order of the healing Brothers of Marta’s, and also served as a volunteer in World War I of the Shelters in Edinburgh, Scotland, GB. This was my first day of living outside my mother’s warm womb. I am blessed.

Hazel (Lucille's Wisdom)

Martin Luther King Day became one of my favorite holidays a few years ago during a Best Day session when my buds around the table - many of whom happened to be African American at that particular session - spontaneously opened up about their experiences of watching him speak in person and on live TV. The past and the present connected for me within that simple hour. History felt for the first time relevant. Hope and dreams for the country felt possible. MLK the icon became suddenly very real, his message of love and unity became timeless. And every time this holiday comes around, I am reminded that this country is worth dreaming for.

Hazel Nurse
1.20.2011
Lucille’s Wisdom

It all started several years ago when I received a phone call from my mother inviting me to come to hear a speaker in Atlantic City.

 Having just moved into another home a few months earlier and bearing the responsibilities of a wife and working mom, I refused.  She, on the other hand, insisted that I would miss listening to him tell America a few things.  She said “He has something on the ball”.

Out of respect for her, I reluctantly got my pregnant self together, grabbed my seven year old son and boarded a train to meet her. After his speech, we went and shook his hand, at the Atlantic City High School, in 1958.

Little did Mom know that a national holiday would be celebrated in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Joe (New Words in the 21st Century)

Hope everyone is having a good year... so far! From emoji, to selfie, to doorbuster, to blockbuster, Joe takes us on a stroll through new words in the 21st century. Wonder what new words 2017 will bring?! Does anyone have any early predictions ;)?

Joe Garrison
7.14.2016
New Words in the 21st Century

For the 21st Century, a number of new words have been added in the dictionary. For instance, “emoji.” I have never heard of what an emoji is, but I got to know about it a year ago. It’s so wonderful how the various adjectives / feelings can be expressed graphically.

Now a days, people have started using abbreviations during chating like “LOL.” The other craze people are having these days is of SELFIE. People are taking selfies which is a new trend. The idea of taking a picture of myself has never got into me.

I watch an investigation channel on TV, I know they have writers who write the show. One of the expressions I have heard of is “Nobody needs electricity as you can light up the room with your smile.”

A woman from the South is called “Southern Belle” as if other women are not beautiful.

An other expression which I am tired of hearing is the word “Blockbuster.” During World War II, the people used a type of grenade and explosive to demolish a block of the city, so the word came into existence.

Now people have started using the wood “Doorbuster” that is the greatly reduced price and people are getting and busting the door to get the stuff and now the word came up.

Farrell (Love of Life)

Can it be true that 2017 is just 3 days away? Time to soul search our way towards our new year resolutions!! No matter what your personal resolution turns out to be, here's a story about simply being you, simply loving life, simply finding little ways to show kindness to those around you. Good luck soul searching! Hope this story helps to jumpstart some new year ideas ;)

PS - Best Day has got awesome things planned for the new year. Get the scoop by signing up for our newsletter here!

Farrell Ward
3.31.2016
Love of Life

I feel so good to be alive this day. Life has so many ups and downs, but when it is up, it is wonderful.

Today is an up day. A day that is filled with new changes and new people. It is nice being in a place where you know you can and will be helped to better yourself and hopefully others around you. I am looking forward to receive the blessings that will come my way, by being a partner in the resources of this agency. So for now and the future, thank you for letting me be … ME.

Happy Holidays from the Original Best Day Fam!

Wow - can't believe 2016 is almost over and 2017 is around the corner! For 7 years, this original Best Day group has been my heart, my family, my home. And it will always be that for me, no matter how our greater Best Day community continues to grow. I can't facilitate our group personally these days because my growing boys need and deserve their mommy time; but that distance only makes my heart grow fonder and beat stronger every time I visit. When I see how passionate our volunteers are and how happy our participants are, it gives me a peace and joy (truly a feeling, not just words on a card!) knowing that this group will always thrive and will always be a close-knit family - even as participants may get sick or even pass away, or volunteers relocate to other cities, and new participants and volunteers join in. No matter what, everyone who has spent time around our storytelling table has given a piece of their heart to the group and left a permanent emotional imprint. And so, happy holidays from the entire Best Day of My Life So Far family all across the country but especially this very intimate first ever family that started it all!

Frances (Missed Calls)

Today, a funny story to celebrate the distance (and we mean actual physical distance!) that a true friend will go. We are so happy to have you as our friend, Frances. We've ALL got your back - whether your phone is on mute, vibrate or set to ring...

Frances Bryce
10.20.2016
Missed Calls

I heard a banging which I thought perhaps came from the restaurant downstairs, when the noise level reached a very high pitch. This banging was obviously from my door downstairs.

I yelled, “I’m coming!” even though I could not imagine why anyone would be at my door at 10:30 AM. The television was on as sleep had ruled the evening.

Hurrying down the stairs, two policemen and a neighbor were at the door. A dear friend had called my closest friend when she had failed to get me. She in turn had called the police. I was embarrassed that they were there, my apologies were one with assuring me that no apology was necessary and they were glad that I was OK!

When I attend church, I put my phone on vibrate and if I forget to change the setting and don’t have my cell phone on me or near me. I have no indication that a call had been made to me unless I check my phone late in the evening, which I had not done because I fell asleep.

I called my friend to let her know that I was OK, leaving a message on her landline and then hoping she had not left home and then on her cell phone hoping if she was on her way to my place to abort the trip.

As luck would have it, she did not get the cellphone message and showed up at my place. I felt awful that she had driven from Mt. Airy to Center City to see if I was OK. Her only concern was that I was fine.

We have been friends since we were in college. There are things money can’t buy  - a true friendship rates number one with me.

I will try to reset my phone after putting it on mute or vibrate.