"Open Avenues," Monday's Warm Cocoa 6.29.2026

 

"The person you want to be is on the other side of what you don't want to face." - Chelom Leavitt 

Open Avenues

James and Crystal Hofferber were looking to create goodness on the other side of what they didn’t want to face. They never dreamt of the unlikely event that took their adult daughter’s life. Their loss was unthinkable. It was also unthinkable that the goodness of their daughter could also parish.

“Parish the thought,” Crystal said to James as they unlocked the door to their daughter’s now empty home and crossed its threshold. They were there to face something else they didn’t want to face. The examination of their daughter’s belongings. At first the reality of the task at hand seemed to hit them in the face as if the ice cold slap of reality. It was overwhelming.

But, as they looked at the nice furniture and other possessions remaining in the home, the feeling of being overwhelmed soon began to fade.

“James,” Crystal said, “I think most of this furniture is new or barely used! We could donate it to others in need. We certainly don’t need it!”

James had been listening to Crystal with his head bowed in reverence to the moment. The pair have been married for fifty-nine years and their trust in eachother is deep and unwaivering. As soon as his wife had finished her sentence, James did what he charistically does. He pulled his pen out of his pocket and began write. He made a list of everything. When they were prepared to gift their daughter’s possessions, toward the continuation of her intrinsic goodness, he pulled his phone out of his pocket so he could make some calls.

He called the local garden club first, to give them the hundreds of still potted plants to its membership. They came with trucks and many hands to harvest the plants, to continue planting beauty. Then he made another call to Open Avenues.

Open Avenues has been creating opportunities for people with disabilities since 1975. They  help individuals build skills, find employment, and live with purpose. If you’re ever having a bad day just go to the Open Avenues warehouse and interact with the people they serve. You’ll be inspired immediately and walk away happy. And, when the truck from Open Avenues pulled into the driveway to remove the furniture, their people brought their happiness and goodness with them.

“I found this jewelry in one of these drawers,” one of the men said while loading the truck. “What should I do with it?”

His innocence and innate kindness was the perfect personification of the person James and Crystal had become on other side of the tragedy they didn’t want to face. The loss of their daughter.

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I’m Lynn Butterfield, Real Estate & Lifestyle Expert and Television Host for American Dream TV. I’ve helped hundreds of Buyers and Sellers, as an Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve what I call Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e5_jupxN3vxL53bCgPiPgpA5D6-OFEbZ/view?usp=sharing

"For Our Benefit" Monday's Warm Cocoa 6.22.2026

 

“It will turn out to be for our benefit in the end. Thank you for ministering to us.” 

For Our Benefit

“We just suspended the treatment. My wife had an adverse reaction to one of the infusions. They’ve been able to stabilize her now. The reaction as so severe that the doctor stopped everything after stabilization. They are preparing a new plan forward. It will be at least one week now before they begin the first full treatment now,” he typed while watching a bevy of nurses and one doctor attending to his wife.

His message was sent to his minister who was anxiously awaiting news of his parishioners first chemotherapy session following her surgery. He had asked the husband to let him know how the initial treatment went earlier that morning by texting a quick note. Not long after receiving the minister’s request the wife’s infusion began.

What began in an uneventful manner was short-lived. The intervenes drip from the bag, holding the first treatment drug, delivered only seven drops before the patient’s skin turned a hot red and pain flashed through her body.

This life-threatening reaction caused the attending nurses to spring into action and call the oncologist in to the fight for the patient’s life. It was intense and the faces of all, except for the patient’s, were grim. Her face turned from red to ashen as administered counter measures began to take hold. That’s when her husband sent his note to their minister, who responded quickly.

“Oh no I’m so sorry. That’s awful. I’m grateful they could stabilize her. That’s all a lot to deal with. I feel so bad for you guys,” the pastor responded within seconds.

“It will turn out to be for our benefit in the end. Thank you for ministering to us,” the husband touched back, just before the pastor answered again.

“I love that perspective and agree. I’ve been praying and am sure that God and his angels will watch over her. No doubt that’s happening for her,” the pastor padded back as reassurance.

We all seek reassurance during such difficulties. And, in this instance the greatest reassurance, received by an ailing wife’s husband, came as a result of a deeper understanding and source. 

“Life has taught me that everything a person experiences in life can and will be turned to a person’s good if they will allow it to,” he explained before continuing. “The essence of life is the ongoing pursuit of meaning, connection, and self-awareness. It isn’t a single, fixed destination but an active instruction: finding purpose through contribution, cultivating empathy in relationships, and embracing the simple, everyday moments of living.”

It is those everyday moments of living that are for our benefit. Watch for attending benefits with unwavering anticipation and everything will turn out to be for your good in the end.

_______________________________________________

I’m Lynn Butterfield, Real Estate & Lifestyle Expert and Television Host for American Dream TV. I’ve helped hundreds of Buyers and Sellers, as an Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve what I call Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e5_jupxN3vxL53bCgPiPgpA5D6-OFEbZ/view?usp=sharing

"Love Language," Monday's Warm Cocoa 6.15.2026

 

“Cooking is my love language.” – Laurel Shepherd

Love Language

She didn’t usually accept an offer from a friend to bring a meal in. That’s because Susan wasn’t used to accepting simple offers of kindness. But, for some reason she decided she needed to change. She needed to begin to accept such offers of kindness.

“I’ve decided to begin to let people help me if they offer,” Susan said to herself in the seconds that passed, while staring at the screen-bound words. Luckily, she had the time to process the request, along with her determination to change. It wasn’t as if it was a verbal conversation. That was good, because there wasn’t any uncomfortable “dead air” hanging between them, as a result of the short delay in response. That made everything much easier for Susan to pause, take a big breath and then move her fingers in response.

“That would be kind of you,” she typed, while thinking. “I can’t believe I’m actually doing this; leaving my comfort zone thing!”

Laurel responded swiftly. “Wonderful! What day will work best for you?”

“Thursday will be better for us,” Susan typed back.

“Sounds good! Is there anything you’d especially like to have?”

“Surprise me!”

Thursday arrived, on schedule, three days later. Susan felt anticipation as a result. After all, this was a new thing for her. “I’m the one who usually delivers dinner to others,” She said right out loud. But, I need to let people do good for me as well.” 

That good was announced that afternoon, when Laurel sent a new note announcing that her husband and a couple of their children would be stopping by at about six in the evening to deliver a warm meal. And, at almost that exact time Susan’s ring noticed their arrival.

This advent of dinner took more than just two sets of hands to carry the eye- pleasing food into the house. It took all three sets of hands to carry in containers of warm chicken & rice curry with fresh-baked sour dough bread. And, the smell wafting from the carrying hands was heavenly!

“We’ll let you enjoy this food before it gets cold,” Nathan, Laurel’s husband said with a divine smile before the trio left the house.

The taste of the food was just as marvelous as the smell and Nathan’s smile. It was also just as satisfying for her to feel contentment as a result of her decision to accept the kindness offered. So, she sent a note to Laurel thanking her for an exquisite dinner.

“Cooking is my love language,” Laurel responded, most likely with a twinkle in her eye, knowing that her friend was now, certainly sharing and communicating in Laurel’s preferred vernacular.

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I’m Lynn Butterfield, Real Estate & Lifestyle Expert and Television Host for American Dream TV. I’ve helped hundreds of Buyers and Sellers, as an Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve what I call Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e5_jupxN3vxL53bCgPiPgpA5D6-OFEbZ/view?usp=sharing

Happy Trials, Monday's Warm Cocoa 6.8.2026

“Even the dog had surgery?” – Garry Williamson

Happy Trials

Garry Williamson was talking with his neighbor across the fence, chatting about the health challenges she and her family were coping with. A heap, seemingly more than their share, appeared in her household quickly and unexpectedly.

“Two weeks ago everything seemed to be normal for us. And now, boy have we been hit!,” she said.

Perhaps the most unexpected and perplexing aspect of their troubles was that every member of the household was beeing affected. The wife was diagnosed with cancer. She had just returned home after having surgery to remove a cancerous growth. Her husband had surgery the same week to repair a damaged knee. And now, Garry chuckled playfully, while talking with her, about the family dog, who was sitting near.

“Even the dog had surgery?,” Garry asked when he saw the cone around the family pet’s neck. “I’m sorry you guys are struggling. But, I’m sure you’ll get through it, even though you don’t deserve it.”

Garry’s most surprised look splashed across his face when his neighbor responded with, “I think we deserve it. Why not us?,” she said before continuing with, “it will turn out to be to our benefit.”

“Really?”

That’s when she calmly and gladly answered Garry’s surprise. “Well,” she said, “we’ve noticed over our years together that when things get hard for us we experience a lot of unanticipated progress. Good things have always come to us as a result. Things we could never have foreseen.”

The look on Garry’s face changed from surprise to thoughtful consideration immediately. He cogitated on her words in his usual, analytical manner. He wasn’t quite sure how to respond in the moment, so he simply looked at her thoughtfully, mulling her wisdom in his heart and mind quietly for a few moments.

“I still wouldn’t say you deserve it,” he said with a smile. “But, you know we’d do anything we can for you guys. Please don’t hesitate to call on us. Theressa keeps asking if I know how you are and if you need anything.

“That’s so kind of you,” she said with a grateful smile. “We love our neighborhood and having you as our neighbors. We couldn’t have chosen a better place to live!”

The eyes of the two neighbors met and stuck together for a couple of seconds. It was a moment of silent exchange and connection at a deeper, more intimate level, just before Garry made one more, parting quip.

“I’ve got to get to work,” he said. “Happy Trials!”

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I’m Lynn Butterfield, Real Estate & Lifestyle Expert and Television Host for American Dream TV. I’ve helped hundreds of Buyers and Sellers, as an Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve what I call Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e5_jupxN3vxL53bCgPiPgpA5D6-OFEbZ/view?usp=sharing

"Lost my Head," Monday's Warm Cocoa 6.1.2026

 

“I’ve fallen in love or imagine that I have; went to a party and lost my head. Bought a horse which I don’t need at all.”-  Leo Tolstoy, Diary entry, January 25, 1851

Lost my Head

“I’m going to destroy them,” she said as if she were a coffee pot left to percolate for too long. “I’ve lost all faith in the company I work for. They aren’t the company they used to be!”

Her harangue, as if scalding coffee was more than burning, it sucked the air out of the space between us, even though I was not a party to her bristling animosity. And, while the harsh feelings she flung on the wings of words were harrowing, what frightened me most was their likeness of my own hallucinate moments in times past. Reflections that began to strobe in my memory almost immediately.

“Be careful,” I counseled. “You likely don’t have the whole story. It’s very easy to revel in your own imaginations.” I continued, while remembering a once read diary entry of Leo Tolstoy.

“I’ve fallen in love or imagine that I have; went to a party and lost my head. Bought a horse which I don’t need at all,” he wrote.

There is at least one interesting difference between walking boldly into your hoped-for future as compared to riding a horse you don’t need. The difference is that a horse has a mind of its own and will often act independently at a time when its rider is ill prepared for the horse’s sudden deviation. Such is the risk of losing your head and unintentionally purchasing an unneeded horse. After all, haven’t we all allowed our thoughts, rooted in anger to give us an enjoyable ride at one time or another?

The combination of living in rooted anger, based on a past that can’t be changed, while staying focused on fading memories soon produces traits of hallucination. It is a mixture settling a trade with certain betrayal. The human imagination is a powerful tool that can be used for good or ill. When used for ill its owner is trading a potentially bright future for a trap. The deception is being stuck in an unalterable past; not in the present and destructive of a once hoped-for future. It is riding a horse using its own mind at its own pleasure. A pleasure not of your own design. Each of us has a continual opportunity to get off the horse to create a dreamt of pleasurable future. 

Dismount. Remove the saddle. Unfasten the reigns from the head of the horse. Let it go!

Go now! Bring me that horizon!

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I’m Lynn Butterfield, Real Estate & Lifestyle Expert and Television Host for American Dream TV. I’ve helped hundreds of Buyers and Sellers, as an Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve what I call Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y9-nBLFT0Iuc-H0r3i7UPgNPSI2TLzeY/view?usp=drive_link

"Small, Loving Things," Monday's Warm Cocoa 5.25.2026

"We cannot all do great things but we can do small things with great love.” – Mother Teresa

Small, Loving Things 

“I’m willing to help you in any way you need,” Katherine said, while standing in the hallway of her friend’s home. “I can do laundry, clean the bathrooms, or even walk your dog.” Her desire to help her ailing friend was genuine and stood out when compared to the artificial intelligence centered dialog swirling around us.

Robert Reffkin, CEO of Compass recently emphasized the importance of such trust when he said, “In a world where AI agents will bring inaccurate and fake information, like fake offers and fake renderings, human validation will continue to be important. Trust will matter even more than before.”

Makes sense doesn’t it? Yet, in today’s tech centered life, it also strikes some as inconvenient. After all, today’s immediate influencer-endorsed-posted-living all around us isn’t always genuine. So perhaps it’s time for you and I to take a more holistic approach to what we might call “personal interior design.”

Using a holistic approach doesn’t suggest an abandonment of technology. Just a shift in focus. For example, when ATMs were first introduced in banking, forecasters predicted they’d make humans less relevant. But, that hasn’t followed! The machines have made it possible for bankers to focus on other, important tasks, such as deepening personal relationships with clients.

Deepening personal relationships holistically requires a combination of science, psychology, spirituality and intentional design for personal transformation. Bring what you want forward in your life by becoming aware of unwanted patterns and outdated identities you’re living with, removing them and designing new patterns of self-worth. Instead of an exclusive focus on function and aesthetics, aim to deepen your awareness of how you can refine and reposition the personal traits you value most.

Consider the value of being present, spending face-to-face time with members of your family, or being there in person with a friend who has an illness. This doesn’t always mean kicking technology to the curb. A quick phone call to an ailing friend, when between meetings, to let them know you’re thinking of them allows you to give yourself, even when you can’t be there in person. Use positive forms of disruption in such simple, loving ways.

In order to disrupt old personal patterns with new ones, you first need to know what’s working for you now and what to let go of. It’s a continuous process, not a one-time activity, just like walking your neighbor’s dog. Keep cultivating the relationships you want and you’ll soon see them deepen in profound and unexpected ways. And, when you get discouraged remember a simple statement made by Mother Teresa.

She said, “We cannot all do great things but we can do small things with great love.”

_______________________________________________

I’m Lynn Butterfield, Real Estate & Lifestyle Expert and Television Host for American Dream TV. I’ve helped hundreds of Buyers and Sellers, as an Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve what I call Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y9-nBLFT0Iuc-H0r3i7UPgNPSI2TLzeY/view?usp=drive_link

"Compound Interest" Monday's Warm Cocoa 5.18.2026

 

“Good and evil both increase at compound interest. That is why the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance. The smallest good act today is the capture of a strategic point from which, a few months later, you may be able to go on to victories you never dreamed of.” — C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Compound Interest 

There was someone at the door. It was Roxanne, the home owner’s neighbor. Three people were in the home up until that time. One was a caregiver. The other two? Those two were normally healthy and strong. Well, for their age. They were older now and it just so happened that both of them were recovering from major surgeries this week. 

When Roxanne’s expected arrival occurred, she was gratefully welcomed; arms and hands laden as she whisked through the door. From the time she had called, until her arrival, she had been out collecting dinner items for the home’s trio of occupants. Now she glided into the kitchen, where she deposited an artisan loaf of bread and a hearty soup, which caused comforting smells and pleasant smiles to drift throughout the kitchen.

“I’ll be back, not tonight though,” Roxanne said before she dashed off to enjoy a dinner out with other friends from the neighborhood. “Our friends have gathered some gift and delivery cards and I’ll bring them by on another day.”

“It’s so kind of her,” the sole man of the house said. “Isn’t it nice that to have someone show kindness without an assignment?” He was also thinking of his friend Phil who had helped him earlier in the week.

Phil Grimm is a Chief Financial Officer by profession. Yet, he took time to help and shelter his friend just four days earlier. He’d picked him up at the airport, prior to his friend’s scheduled surgery and took him home so he could rest the night before going to the hospital. The next morning, he drove his buddy to the hospital, checked him in and supportively sat with him for the day until his release. Upon which, the two friends drove back to Phil’s residence together so they could rest for the evening and night, before Phil helped the next day as well.

The next morning, the now hobbled patient relied on Phil to help him into the car and take him to the airport, so he could return to his own home, three quarters of the way across America. And, while sitting on the plane he couldn’t help but ponder C. S. Lewis’ observation in his book Mere Christianity, as it seemed a fitting tribute to his financial expert friend.

“Good and evil both increase at compound interest. That is why the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance. The smallest good act today is the capture of a strategic point from which, a few months later, you may be able to go on to victories you never dreamed of.”

_______________________________________________

I’m Lynn Butterfield, Real Estate & Lifestyle Expert and Television Host for American Dream TV. I’ve helped hundreds of Buyers and Sellers, as an Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve what I call Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y9-nBLFT0Iuc-H0r3i7UPgNPSI2TLzeY/view?usp=drive_link