About
Welcome to Look who Found the Marbles!
Human Interest stories have always fascinated me. Those are the people whose stories should be told. Take the feel-good stories of athletes from all over the world who overcome incredible odds only to reach the top of their sport and compete among the finest competitors on the planet or the parents who went to the ends of the earth for their child. How can you not have a tear in your eye from that? Isn’t that why we love movies like The Blind Side, Good Will Hunting, Rudy and Invincible?
So, you may be wondering… why Look who Found the Marbles? Well, years ago I was going through a battle with infertility and with that, some depression. The complete lack of control over my body and it’s response to the treatments was driving me crazy. I was sure I was going to lose my mind.
One day I was channel surfing when I landed on the 1991 movie Hook with Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman and Julia Roberts. There was a sweet, simple moment in the movie that made me laugh and cry hysterically at the same time.
Hook is a story of Peter Pan as an adult. At one point his elderly, seemingly senile Uncle Tootles is searching all around claiming that he’s lost his marbles. Later, Peter has returned to Neverland when one of the Lost Boys approaches him.
Thud: Peter, can I talk to you?
Peter: Sure, Thud.
Thud: I remember Tootles.
Peter: You do?
Thud: He was lost too.
Peter: How could you know Tootles?
Thud: He was a Lost Boy. (Thud then takes out a small pouch.)
Thud: These are his marbles. These are his happy thoughts.
(Peter empties out the pouch of marbles into his hand and begins to laugh.)
Peter: He really did lose his marbles, didn’t he?
Thud: Yeah, he lost them good.
I guess I am just an authentic chick. These posts are happy thoughts. They are inspired by the people who give back; people who take a stand; who turn difficulties into opportunities. I hope they make you happy too.
-Jessica
Goodbye, Groupon
So much of this blog has been dedicated to writing about socially responsible companies. These companies, in my opinion, are worthy of such attention. It is worth it to me to purchase a product knowing that the company who made it gives back. Unfortunately, Groupon has instead chosen to jump on the snark wagon, expecting that funny would surely sell deals. Humor can be a terrific sales tactic. Yet it would be funnier and exponentially more effective if it did not potentially come at a child’s expense. Groupon recently published a guide ...
Are You Ready to Bloom?
Have you ever been so busy that one day you realized it has been ages since you have called an old friend, taken a walk, read a book, thanked a colleague or taken a moment to breathe? Sometimes an entire day has gone by without having a drink of water and still I haven't found time for that one phone call I really need to make. With the lines between professional and family having become so blurred, our to-do lists just keep getting longer. Lately I am all about trying to ...
The Friends We Make
Who do you choose to surround yourself with and why? I read a post today which suggested that in order to be happy, among other items on the list, we surround ourselves with like-minded people. I’m probably taking the author’s intent a bit out of context, but it got me thinking. Are like-minded people really the ones with whom we should surround ourselves? What about those friends who provide a different perspective? There’s an old quote I love which says that, “I don't need a friend who changes when I change ...
How to Set Boundaries
"For fast-acting relief, try slowing down." -Lily Tomlin With work-at-home jobs and the lines between work and family having become so blurred, many of us are trying to get a million things done at once. More than once lately I have made dinner with my laptop next to the stove. While everyone else in my family is asleep I am finishing up blog posts. I help my son with homework while doing my own work. Clearly this is not the best use of my sanity. Nor is it fair to my family. ...
Confessions of a Soccer Mom
You know the crazy parent on the sidelines at your kid’s sporting events? The one you wish would just shut the hell up already, who yells from beginning to end and makes you want to rip your eardrums out? Yep. That’s me. Each week I tell myself that I am going to keep my mouth shut. Each week I tell myself that I am going to be a good girl and stay quiet. Then during warm ups I find myself scouting the other team and when the first whistle blows I turn ...
Defying the Odds and Inspiring Others
Mark Herzlich has defied tremendous odds. And he did it twice. His story aired on 60 Minutes last week and inspired over 18 million viewers. If you need a little inspiration today, read Mark’s story. You will not be disappointed. Mark was coming off an all-star year as a linebacker at Boston College. He was at the top of his game and ready to be a first round draft pick. Then he found out he had cancer. During the season Mark had been experiencing excruciating pains in his leg which turned out ...
Still Bleeding Blue and White
My heart bleeds for the victims. My pride still bleeds blue and white. How dare Jerry Sandusky shame those victims, shame his charity and shame an entire university. How dare the other guilty parties think it was acceptable to turn the other cheek. How dare they insult the students, the faculty and the alumni with their arrogance. Penn State has a long and celebrated history of integrity. That is why we have always called it Penn State pride. Let’s not forget that while Penn State is known around the country as a football ...