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SACRED HEART HOSPITAL 900 W CLAIREMONT AVE EAU CLAIRE, WI 54701-5105 This publication in no way seeks to serve as a substitute for professional medical care. Consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines. AT THE END OF THE DAY… Inspiration > TAKE A MOMENT FOR YOURSELF AS YOU WRAP UP A BUSY DAY AND ENJOY THESE POSITIVE THOUGHTS FROM A SACRED HEART COLLEAGUE. I WAS FLIPPING through TV channels the other night and came upon a home shopping network. Their set was already decked out with Christmas trees and sparkling lights, and the hosts were cheerfully exclaiming, "Happy Holidays!" Yikes! I've barely begun to think about Thanksgiving, and it seems we've skipped right through to the Christmas season. No wonder our lives fly by so quickly. I thought back to last Christmas, when I received a gift I'll treasure forever. My mom had been keeping a journal, titled "Reflections from a Mother's Heart." Every day for a year, the journal posed questions that Mom thoughtfully answered. Some were about her childhood. Some were her favorite memories of me through the years. Some were serious: "What legacy would you like to leave your children?" Some lighthearted: "What's the best practical joke you ever pulled?" A few favorite stories I had heard before, but many were surprises. As I paged through the entries for each day, I realized I had a treasure trove of my mom's precious memories, wishes, hopes, and dreams, shared with her daughter as only a mother could. It's amazing how much I learned about Mom as I've read and re-read those pages this past year. And then I thought back to all the hundreds of beautiful, thoughtful gifts my mom has given me over the years. (And I've loved every one of them!) But, to be honest, I know Mom's journal—a simple yet very profound piece of herself—is the most cherished gift I'll ever receive. Note to self: Gifts that come directly from the heart are the very best gifts of all. For more "Inspiration at the End of the Day…," visit sacredhearteauclaire.org/spirit-of-women. BY EMMY B.