Prayers for them

Sending out prayers today
for those whose lives have been changed
when the tornadoes roamed and only destruction remained

Where there was once laughter, sharing & cheers
now exists only hope & desperation tears
hold onto your faith, for God is very near
He's watching you all, & your hurt He does hear

So today as I sit, my thoughts are fully filled
of those who are frightened, those that were killed
for it is only by God's grace, shedded on thee
that our town, too, could be gone
nothing left - not one tree

I come to you, dear Father God, on my bended knee
that you will wrap those in comfort who pray,
"God, please help me!!!!

~Amen and Amen.

Prayers for everyone that are victims of the tornadoes in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Joplin, Missouri & victims of the flood of the Mississippi River. Never forget to be thankful for what you have. PS: Pictures by me :-)

Random Epiphanies

I used to equate alcohol with fun. I realize one has nothing to do with the other.

I realize that if I should ever want a glass of wine, or a beer - I can. And that's okay

It has taken me into adulthood to realize that our parents were once us and now we are them. And that's okay.

I realize that if you're genuinely happy with yourself and comfortable in your skin - everybody around you will know it. And that's something to strive for.

I realize that inspite of how inadequate for him I feel some days, my autistic son is growing into quite the fine young man, all on his own. And that's beautiful & something I'm thankful for. Every day.
I realize that if you just 'let go and let God', things really do turn out for the better. And that's a blessing.

I realize it's best to take one day at a time & deal with each thing as it comes. Because half the things we concern ourselves with never come to be. And that's great insight.
And lastly, I realize that if I: keep my head up, think only positive thoughts, surround myself with positive people, be kind to others & to myself, allow myself to play, stay prayerful and thankful, allow myself to give & receive love, take the high road, and smile -

That life can be pretty sweet. And that's an awesome thing :-)

Pictures by me. :-}

Beautiful Innocence

This lovely nearly 2-year old diva is Miss Amiya. I fell for her on mother's day. Hard. She's my great-great niece.

Not having been around small children any time lately, this one fascinated me! All of her sweet attitude and funny animation. I couldn't keep my eyes off her, my arms from around her, her hand not in mine, nor the camera away from her.

As I looked back over her pictures (every 5 minutes, LOL!), I smiled thinking something I read a while ago:

"Four qualities of children that adults may need in order to enter heaven are:

Children have not lost their sense of wonder as adults so often have.

Children's lives are founded on trust that their needs will be met.

Children are naturally obedient, even though they do rebel and disobey, too.

Children are very forgiving, and soon forget and move past all sorts of wrongs done to them."

The innocence of this little one walking around us in her own little world, being concerned with nothing except my sunglasses, gum from my purse, food, and her toy microphone to do a kick-ass version of "Bad Girls, Bad Girls, watcha Gonna Do?" made me realize we were all once her. We all had that innocence.

But adulthood forces you to sit that innocence aside. We know too much, have seen too much, have experienced too much.

But I bet if you let yourself, you can recapture some of the innocence. A sense of wonder, trust, obedience, and forgiveness is something that I try to obtain everyday, all day.

One day, you just might catch me kissing my reflection in a gazeball - simply because I'm amazed that it's my face :-)



Pictures by: me :-)

I surrendered...

... to the rain that dominated the day.

it gave my mind permission, to wander, drift & stray

it gave my imagination time to dream, create & play

it allowed my body to obey my bed's call to gather books & lay

it called to me & and asked that I listen to its patter

to close my eyes & appreciate the sound of wet birds' chatter

So I surrendered to the rain and let it calm me down

to all the beauty that it is, beauty, all around.


"my" pictures :-)
sunday scribbling word prompt: "surrender"

God's Guest List

I happened upon a wonderful book @ the library a few weeks ago by one of my favorite inspirational writers, Debbie Macomber, called "God's Guest List." I enjoyed it so much, I didn't want it to end. It finally gave me an answer of what to say about people whom have passed through my life.

When I was a young(er) adult, I came to pieces when life changed and folks I had become comfortable with moved on for whatever reason. Now after all these years, even though I still miss them and fall back on memories of these people, I realize that these were people that God put in my life for a reason - for that season.

After reading this book, I deeply thought about each person that I know or used to know and tried to recognize what our purposes were in each others lives; most of these people are co-workers from here to Los Angeles. One friend that I met while living in L.A. and still have a relationship w/just called me the other day in a panic & needed a 'voice of reason' (from me??? LOL). God put us on each others lists and we're still there after nearly 24 years.

Our families are on our guest list, our children, our parents. It's an amazing read and great food for thought. And now, I try to make myself of aware of my interaction with people in my life everyday; Nelson, my homeless friend, my sweet blogger friend, Makeda, whom I feel as close to as a sister, the elderly lady in the market whom hugged me for a good five minutes after I told her hair was beautiful - we all have guests lists. Even the "prickly people" Ms. Macomber spoke of - folks who are less than pleasant are on our lists as well. We just need to recognize everyone when they "RSVP."


Most of the folks I remember involved lots of laughter. I'm guessing I was put on their lists to give them a laugh for that season. I'm guessing I'm on Nelson's list cause he sorely needs acceptance just for who he is, not the way he looks; God put Makeda on my list because he knows I adore the person she is & because she lifts me up; my ex husband came along to give me my beautiful son, my parents, my siblings. It's amazing!




Pictures by: me :-)

Loving the Countryside

On Saturday, Son had a track meet in a small, beautiful town nearly an hour south of us called Carrollton. It still very 'vintage' with small shops, a town square. It truly looked like we had landed in 'Mayberry.' Of course, while I waited on the events to begin, I had to wander the surroundings w/my camera. It was a cool, sunny morning but I was transfixed by the rolling green hills dotted w/dandelions, the big old farm houses sitting atop hills, cows & horses grazing in pastures.

But mostly what got me was the quiet. I could feel any trace amounts of stress melt away.

I want to live there now. :-)




Pictures by: me :-) (Don't you adore the red porch swing?) I helped myself to a seat for a spell, until I remembered, I was supposed to be cheering on my Son's track events (ooops!! :-))