Everyone Has A Story

An elder lady let me go ahead of her in the grocery line today. Since she was so kind & friendly, I inquired as to what she was going to prepare with quite a bit of pork. In the time it took for me to check out, I learned/loved of her:

• Friendly
• Kind
• 83 years old
• She still drives herself everywhere
• She wore makeup (brows, powder & lipstick)
• Her outfit was pulled together
• She loves cooking
• FROM SCRATCH
• She cooked daily for her husband and six (6) children; FROM SCRATCH
• TV dinners, if ever, were a "treat" or a "snack"
• Her adult children now cook for their families FROM SCRATCH
• She makes her own Chow-Mein
• She makes her own HANDMADE NOODLES for said Chow-Mein
• She's a pork lover; no chicken and/or beef
• She used be well-known for her pork chop dishes
• She uses bone-less pork chops & Kraut in the crock pot every year for New Year's (one of her son's favorites)
• Her mother died when she was 2 years old
• She grew up in foster homes, the longest being on a farm
• By the time she was 10 years old, she could prepare a full course meal - alone
• Folks aren't kind like they used to be
• She wished my mom a Happy Birthday!! :-)
• Her biggest fear is Alzheimer's/Dementia
• Her Aunt had Alzheimer's and it was/is a horrible condition
• She tries to stay sharp by doing what she loves
• She wished me a Happy New Year
• She hugged me

When I got to my car, hot tears streamed down my face. I felt super-blessed to have had that brief peek into her life, to have met her. But on the other hand, I felt truly bad for mom. My mother was NEVER a bubbly, conversation-starter, friendly person, but when I looked at this lady one year younger than mom, and still so full of life.....

Today, I was definitely in the right place at the exact right time. And I thank God for that.

Peace.

Beautiful, vibrant stranger (Google Image)

Wake Up!!!

Spring calls & awakens me from my sleep.

I quickly dress and run to see what it wants

It merely wants me to notice how the budding, delicate branches of the 'wedding tree' wrap so gently around it's trunk

 It wants me to notice the amazing field of Daffodils bobbing & smiling in the sunshine

 It makes me wonder at the marvel of God's placing thousands of Daffodils amongst the woods in the strangest places

But lastly, it wanted me to run into a beautiful Italian bella by the name of "Pamina" who shared in my joy. She told me 50 years ago (before I was born), before the woods existed, the Daffodils covered the earth. God blessed with hundreds of thousands of flowers that eventually were joined by the now mighty woods.

To that end, Spring calling to me gave me beauty and crossed my path with a beautiful soul.

WAKE UP!!!, indeed. :-)


Pictures by: me. And in keeping with privacy, I didn't take a picture of Bella Pamina's face, but secretly caught her as she left me. She is/was a beauty! :-)

Sunday Scribbling word prompt #365, "Wake Up!"

Evil

For the little angels that were harmed in today's tragedy in Connecticut. My prayers.

I walk the street daily, yet not knowing who amongst us are angels or devils.
My innocence and naivety allows me to wear glasses of a rose colored shade.
Shading my mind from evil that harms, kills, mames, abuses, murders, starves.
But when I remove my glasses and face the real light
I can barely see through the tears running down my face
Evil appears to be the 'new normal'
Stealing the very ones we love right out from under us.
And if there is any comfort in this verse, "For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil (Ecclesiates 12:14)
I pray that it will seep into the hearts of all of those who hurt
Amen.

Picture: me :-(

Day 22/THEE Day of Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you guys in the blog cyber world :-) Everyday is a day of thanks and gratefulness. Today I am:

• Grateful for our non-traditional, quiet, peaceful Thanksgiving
• Gail @ Know Your Its; Sharon @ Chaos; Chris @ An Inch; Se'lah @ Necessary Room; Christina @ Soul Aperture; Amy @ Sharp Little Pencil; A. Jarrett @ Sweet Light; Marianne @ Busha Full of Grace; Brooke @ Urban Earth Mama; Sheena @ Sophistishe; Anyes @ Far Away/Sunshine; Shutter Sisters; Carry On Tuesday; Sunday Scribblings; Hooked on Houses & Andrea @ Superhero Journal
• I am grateful for the above blogs that have brought me laughter, sadness, acceptance, peace, comfort, 'hey - she's just like me' moments, friendships, sisterhoods, creativeness, inspirations, kindess & confidence over the last few years. I cherish each of these favorite blogs of mine for they always give me what I need exactly when I go to them
• I am grateful for the sense I had to make a wise moral choice today
• I am grateful that I realize that so many things do not define 'me', including my relationship
  I am grateful that I can hear the 'inner voice' inside me - when I take the time to listen to it
• I am grateful for the technology that allows us to touch each other from afar, sight unseen
• I am grateful that I can feel God working in me, to be the person he created me to be

Amen and amen.

Picture: me

"Do You....

 I don't usually get into religious or political things with folks. No religion talks because everyone has their own faith in their own higher power.

I don't talk politics because I am extremely politically incorrect. I don't know enough (or never paid attention enough) to know what was going on, so I steer clear.

... See

 A few days ago, a close friend, who considers himself Islam, sent me a couple of YouTube vids. of a Pastor who mentored him back in the day. The pastor was saying what lies the Bible tells, and the books of the Bible are all stories made up & translated. He said the "King James" version of the Bible was created by a man named James Stuart.

There was another video called "There is no Jesus & he's not coming Back." I didn't bother to watch that one because I couldn't get past the first video.

... what

 I told my friend that this was against everything I had ever learned in my life, and while it was interesting to give a listen, I couldn't agree with it because I know who my Lord & Savior are. The pastor that preaches this & has many videos out there, almost made it sound racially charged.

The things I heard stung me! As my thoughts lingered on them, I had to have some quiet meditation to refocus myself.

I...

...See?"

I KNOW God is my Father. He has gotten me through SO much, and I KNOW Jesus is in my heart and he died on the rugged cross for all of our sins. My faith sustains me; keeps me calm in the storm; God's arms comfort me when I need hugging, love & understanding.

When I was a child, about 9/10 yrs. & took the "big plunge" of asking Jesus to come into my heart forever, my most super favorite Bible School teacher taught me on my five fingers that Jesus said:
1) I
2) shall
3) never
4) leave
5) thee


He never has, and I'll be damned if I start to ever doubt Him.

I'll call this learning lesson: Different strokes for different folks (courtesy of Sly & the Family Stone) Lol.

Pictures taken by: me

Created by: God

Amen :-)

Faith is what makes life bearable, with all its tragedies and ambiguities and sudden, startling joys.  ~Madeleine L'Engle

I am writing with thoughts of my dear Cassie. I've spoke of her here before - she's terminal with cancer, yet she is the strongest person I know. She has had so many setbacks with her health, yet she still shines through. Her faith in God is unwavering! She is now at another cross road  health wise and admits she battles huge bouts of fear, yet God keeps her steady. She is preparing to participate in another marathon for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society. Please take a look at her donation page & hear a little of her story. And if you feel so inclined, please donate a little. It means so much to her, me and all the others battling and/or survived the nasty cancer. 

Peace, love & comfort to all of you. But especially to my Cassie. :-)

Picture by: me. I chose this picture to show no matter where you're planted, you can still always bloom. Just like Cass.

Happy Friday, all!! Today, I give you a peek of our Ms. Tuesday Boo-Girl Angel watching her favorite show, "The Back Yardigins." Her intense focus steals my heart. But when she does a little jig & smiles when the music moves her. I pass out from love. Honestly. :-) Take a second to watch & give you day a little happiness, courtesy of Tuesday!

Video: Tuesday's parents

Nature Sings

 How about these guys, huh? This was @ the Children's Garden at the park near my house. I love that section of the park; it makes me wish I had a little one so I could see it through their eyes.

But instead I saw it through my own eyes. Kinda like a child's. :-)

 Pictures by: me :-)

Tuesday on a Tuesday!!!

Monday's child is fair of face.
Tuesday's child is full of grace....

Here's my "dumplin' boo angel' again!!! LOL! She's four months now (time is flying).  As you can see, she's becoming quite the 'chunker' which makes her all the more sweet. Love me some fat babies!!! :-) Nothing brightens my day more than Ms. Tuesday Imani. She's such an angel. So full of grace... :-)

Tiny messages

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit. ~Albert Schweitzer

It's always cool how just when I'm having a crazy moment, I'll find one of these little treasures made especially for me. I have them everywhere sprinkled around the house & my bedroom. Just when I'm about to scream out loud, I look over & see a tiny message (exhale);

When I'm spreading myself very thin, I might look around & my eye will catch what I need to do (balance);

And just when the world looks gray, mean, and lifeless, a little word will remind of the good things to find (joy).

These are only a fraction of the blessings that came from my 'encounter with another human being, whom I can always count on to rekindle my inner spirit'. One love, to Se'Lah & her Necessary Room.

Thank you, sistergirlfriend.

Picture by: me :0)

Thankful Thursday (Christmas Edition :-))

Happy Thankful Thursday to you all. Christmas is fast approaching so tomorrow will be all about working 1/2 a day, then shopping as far as my wallet allows :-)

Today's thanks are:

Truly feeling the Christmas Season; and since I'm not stressed about buying, I'm more focused on the reason for the Season which, in my life, means the birth of Jesus, our Savior, spending time with family, spreading love, being filled with love & caring/praying for those less fortunate & helping in any way I can. If I can't help physically or monetarily, I can certainly pray for you!


That I was wise enough to hold onto my 20-year old collection of Tamarlane ornaments from my first "law" boss who is now a retired Judge. Every year when I put them on the tree, I am reminded of his warm kindness & of giving me a chance when I didn't know law from a hole in the ground. Thanks, Judge Boggins.


For the beautiful, fresh trees we get year after year from the Fairgrounds, complete with trimmings for the fire place mantle. There's something to be said for being faithful to good, local vendors. They always throw in little extras.

That we all got together @ mom's for her 79th birthday last Sunday. We always end up stuffed into her kitchen in spite of all the other living space she has. There's something about gathering in the kitchen - all 12 of us! The warmth, love, hugs & laughter that I still feel long after we've all parted ways is truly a blessing.

That in the nearly three months that "D" as been back to work, we seem to have gotten closer. I'm sure it's because since he's back in the rat race, his self-esteem has returned, as well as his self-worth. And for me, I feel different because I have so much more sorely needed alone time without having to shut myself in my bedroom to get it. He works evenings, so we communicate through notes. We're getting the air we both needed. And it feels good. And that's something I haven't said in a very, very long time.

And lastly - I'm just thankful for everything; friends, family, employment, shelter, transportation, my full heart, those who read here; those I met through this space. If I don't write again before Holiday, (& I will try to), I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah.

Pictures by: me :-}

Compassionate Acts

"What this world needs is a new kind of army - the army of the kind. " ~Cleveland Amory

Have you ever met anyone in your life who is so filled with compassion & concern for the well-being of others that it just blows you away? I am proud to say that I am blessedly fortunate to know such a person.

Her name is Se'Lah. In knowing her, I have learned to inhale, exhale, forgive, let go, be still, be calm, to touch the waters, to take the focus off myself, reach out, reach in, let go of the fear of death, and understand the meaning of the word 'impermanence." She has taught me to value myself, that I am beautiful, worthy, talented & deserve nothing but the best. Oh - and that there is truly only One. Love.

Helluva woman, isn't she? Now, again, Se'Lah is focusing on others. In particular, those who are battling (or have battled) that spooky disease called c-a-n-c-e-r. This word has frightened me for years! At the age of 12, I watched my grandmother deteriorate in front of my very eyes & leave this earth due to cancer. So won't you join "Se'Lah's Angels" by doing a simple random act of kindness for these precious folks who have been visited by this ilness?

Please click on the button @ the right and see how simple it is. You will be SO, SO happy that you did. And the person on the receiving end will treasure your thoughts & prayers more than you could imagine.

One love.