their chapter…

2 / 2 / 15

pruett candle Yesterday I wrote of “chapters“; my word for 2015. This morning I awakened with a sense of the real impact of such a word. You see, today marks the closing of a very painful chapter for some dear friends of ours. Exactly one year has passed since they lost a beloved husband and dad. Today we remember Dan.

As their friends, we exist only on the outside of their incredible pain. In reality, we are rendered utterly helpless in their grief. What can we do? What can we say? At the very core, the truth is painfully simple really. Nothing. Their hearts have but one wish; and, sadly, we cannot bring him back.

So we simply do what we can. And it all starts with love. First and foremost, We love them… Quietly. Every day. Secondly, we honor their family’s long and painful journey by loving those around us with that very same all encompassing love. Quietly. Every day.

We cry with them… we cry for them. Just this morning I stumbled across this beautiful song that someone had selected for their mom’s funeral. It’s beautiful. And yes. I cried. You will too… Jealous of the Angels (Jenn Bostic)

It’s morning, February 2, 2015… the world still dark and silent. I lit a candle and said a quiet prayer. Tonight, in a community prayer service, we will gather once again; just as we did every single week in the months before Dan’s passing. In those days and weeks we prayed for Dan’s healing. But tonight we will pray, along with Dan in heaven, for his family’s healing.

One year later. Their journey; their chapter…

hello, again

11 / 1 / 14

hello. again….

I’ve been gone awhile. Six months, to be exact. But I’m back. In my usual, haphazard sort of way. You know; a post every day for 2 weeks. Then nothing for the next three weeks.

Or six months.

I needed a little social media hiatus, I guess. A time to chill. Regroup. Collect my thoughts. Ponder life…

Bold statement: “I’m going to attempt to be a bit more consistent in my blogging” (don’t think that I don’t hear the muffled giggles amongst you…)

Followed by the “however…” statement: “In order to do so, however, I must learn to be a bit more, well.. brief?” (OK – the muffled giggles just turned to outright laughter…!)

OK, Yes. I said brief. I know. It sounds ridiculous coming from me, doesn’t it!? I agree. But I’m sure gonna try. Truth is, I think that I really need this place, this little space, to share what’s in my head and my heart. I’ve said it a million times before, but blogging – for me – is an online journal. My diary. My therapy. I’m sharing my thoughts, feelings, experiences with you, in hopes that something that I say may touch your life in some small way. Perhaps we will connect on some level. Start a conversation. Or not. It may simply be something you just needed to hear or see at that very moment. Something in your heart; not to be shared with anyone. That works for me too…

So it’s November. A beautiful month to honor the spirit of gratitude. Every day this month I am going to post a picture on Instagram; something that I am grateful for. I am going to jump back on Facebook, as well. Although not as often as I used to. And, of course, stay tuned – right here – for future “brief, yet meaningful” blog posts from yours truly! (teehee!!)

yes. it’s hello. again…

do dogs really smile…?

9 / 15 / 13

Do you think that dogs actually smile? I’m not saying “are they happy?” – I mean, do they really s m i l e…? I say Yes. Definitely. We have 2 dogs. The white dog is Tobie and the black dog is Ellie. Together, they are just referred to as “the girls“. Ya, I know. Tobie is a boy name. She is a tomboy at heart. Lifts her leg to go potty, burps after she eats… So what would you have suggested; “Princess”? Two more opposite dogs you will never meet. Their nicknames are as follows (Ellie/Tobie) Needy & Greedy; Crazy & Lazy. Ellie never stops. Wants to play fetch 24/7. This is NOT an exaggeration. Ask anyone. She never, ever, ever gets tired. Ellie is best known for body slamming into walls, often head first, kamikaze style while playing fetch. Perhaps one too many times… This has also earned her the additional nickname of “Google eyes”. Let’s just say that sometimes Ellie appears to be looking in several different directions at once. (Think “Ed”, the hyena from Lion King..) Yep – Having someone throw the ball is Ellie’s nirvana. It is DEFINITELY what makes her smile. Tobie; well…. not so much. An all day nap really suits Tobie just fine. Preferably in the warm sunshine. Unless there is food. ANY food. And by “food”, I mean anything that is on the floor… Paper clips, buttons, paper towels, screws… So what makes Tobie smile? Besides a sample of pork tenderloin (blame the hubbie; I give her apples and kale!), it would have to be her kids. Tobie LOVES having her kids home. Hands down, NOTHING makes her happier. Yep. They are definitely Tobie’s reason to smile!

As opposite as they are, they really are “best buds”. There is one common denominator that makes them BOTH grin ear to ear, equally, and that is going for a walk!! Just say the words, and they begin “the happy dance“… big grins as they hop like little bunnies and run in circles. And this happy state continues throughout the entire walk. Today was no exception. It was a beautiful, peaceful Sunday morning, and I felt quite reflective as we strolled the neighborhood… Watching their complete delight in the smallest of things… sniffing the trees (EVERY tree, in fact!), chasing a butterfly, checking out an abandoned toy in someone’s front yard, investigating what might be under a fluffy bush… It made me stop and think. I was taken back to my reflection four days ago on 9/11; my blog post “a life to live over” (Erma Bombeck). Conclusion? Wouldn’t we all be a little better off if we approached life a little more like a dog? Hmmm…. Think about that. There are literally hundreds of little things in a day that can make you smile – IF you take the time to pause and enjoy them. But do you? I think we all try; but life, and deadlines, and “to do” lists, and complications… they all get in our way, don’t they. So I guess we just need to try a little harder. Yep. Perhaps we just need to think, and smile, more like a dog…

live happy

a life to live over…

9 / 11 / 13

So we are two days into our kitchen remodel (Yes. Will definitely blog about it!!) So I’m kinda, sorta stuck at home for the most part. Let me just say that this really makes it kind of difficult to procrastinate about this cleaning, clearing and purging “cycle” that I am in. I said difficult. Not impossible.

Today I found a (huge) stack of inspirational articles that I have collected throughout the years from emails, the newspaper, friends… I found it to be pretty much like going through a box of pictures. You know… Two hours go by, and you are all emotional entangled in a trip down memory lane – Yet, remarkably, the pile is still huge.

With today being the anniversary of 9/11 – we all awakened this morning with a heightened sense of “life”. And family. And loved ones. And those we have lost… A reminder about living in the moment, because today is a gift. With that in my heart, I stumbled across a poem that came via email many, many moons ago. I cannot tell you the source, or even who sent it to me. What I can tell you, however, is that it was written by someone that I would have LOVED to meet; someone who has always made me laugh… Erma Bombeck. I felt that sharing her wisdom and insight was a beautiful way to give meaning to a most difficult day… Thank you, Erma xo

If I Had My Life to Live Over (by Erma Bombeck)

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the “GOOD” living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for the day.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn’t show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment realizing that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, “Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.”

There would have been more “I love you’s” and more “I’m sorry’s”

….but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute…..look at it and really see it … live it … and never give it back.

one tiny footprint…

9 / 11 / 12

Who would have ever guessed that three little numbers would forever change the lives of a nation. Our nation. 9/11.

We all remember where we were on that fateful morning. It’s etched in our memories forever. The horrors of the day; the names, the faces, the stories…. They will all be relived today. We mourn as a nation. We pray for the lives of those whose hearts still ache for loved ones, lost forever.

Yes. There is evil in the world. But there is also good. And lots of it. I have this outlook on life that is kind of a “rock, paper, scissors” kind of thing. The way I see it, besides kind and evil, we also have the obstacle of indifference. As a nation, our problems are too overwhelming. It’s just too much. After all, we are just one person… Right? So what to do. Well, for me, it’s really all about me… You see, I feel that in this “rock, paper, scissors” game of life… good always wins over evil AND indifference. The problem is, it’s two against one! I can’t control the thoughts or actions of another human being – but I can control what I give to this world. I choose kindness. Honesty. Respect. Love. I vow to make a difference within this tiny little footprint that I have in this world, because it’s all that I have. And even though I cannot “control” other people; I most certainly can influence them through my own actions. After choosing the quote (above) to include in this post, I had to smile. It’s from Nike; a company that truly is all about “the game”. And in this particular quote it is “the game of life“, as well. As a nation, we will never be able to eliminate evil; nor indifference. But we do have that tiny footprint, and we can choose good. Every day. Kindness is contagious… Just do it!

if heaven wasn’t so far away

8 / 29 / 12

So the funeral was today. I watched, in pain, as my friend said goodbye to her husband; the father of her beautiful children. Oh my gosh – How does this happen? In an instant, your life is completely upside down. Inside out. Changed forever. Just. Like. That.

At times like these, we are called to pause and reflect on our own lives. What, or who, have we been taking for granted?? We all get busy. Busy, busy, busy. So much to do; so little time. Right? So what would change if we really knew what “so little time” really meant?

We complain that our husbands leave the toilet seat up, snore so loud that the walls vibrate and never buy us flowers. So go out and buy yourself a bunch of flowers – and a pair of earplugs while you’re at it. And please note that it takes less than five seconds to put a toilet seat down. Seriously. Husbands complain that their wives never stop talking. Talking while they are watching sports. Talking while they are (trying to) read the paper. Talking, talking, talking. But what if that talking was truly silenced. Forever.

“If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away”, a song chosen by his kids to accompany the video…. a picture diary of a life well lived, but cut way too short. Click on the link. Watch the video. The words remind us how fragile and fleeting life can be. We can’t go back. Once our loved ones are gone, they are gone forever. Today is a gift from God…. so love with all your heart.

one of those days

7 / 18 / 12

Ever had one of those days when something stops you dead in your tracks… Maybe you were kinda, sorta expecting it; often times it comes out of nowhere and pulls the rug out from under you. These are the times that we are called to pause and quiet ourselves in a way that allows us to absorb the world around us. Sometimes we need these moments of reflection to remind us of where we are, who we are and where we are going. Did we stop this morning to count our many blessings? Did we love the ones that we love? Did we make someone laugh or smile; show kindness to a stranger or put someone else’s needs before our own…?

I am incredibly blessed in my life, and I will go to bed tonight with a feeling of deep gratitude for all that I love… live happy

the key to life…

6 / 8 / 12

“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.” John Lennon

This quote is hanging in our home, and it makes me happy to read it! I hope that you have a beautiful weekend…

live happy~ laugh, love, dream, create