Thankful for blessings

Yesterday, I had the distinct pleasure of playing elf!

It began in the morning. I took out all the goodies I had made over the past week and began to make platters for folks. Chocolate presents, trees, bulbs, snowmen, snowflakes and more, rocky road and chocolate/peppermint fudge, chocolate-dipped rum balls, tiger cookies, snickerdoodles, peanut butter cookies, and chocolate/hazelnut/peanut butter pinwheel cookies.

With platters made, and a few presents wrapped, I started off in my sleigh for my elfin ways. My first stop was an incredibly close friend's house who, through no fault of her own, is tough to meet up with. We stay in touch, and even though she lives just a few short miles away, getting together is difficult due to our conflicting schedules. Yesterday's visit was perfection! Like we were never apart. Conversation just picked right up, information shared, hugs hugged and a beautiful little visit was had. She truly is an angel here on earth for me. She always has been . . . always will be.

Off to the mall for a goody delivery at work. I was also greeted with a tremendous amount of generosity with a tiny fundraiser I am having. Such wonderful blessings! Icing on the cake was the assistance of one fabulous sales associate who offered me her discount so my $43 holiday shirt cost me a whopping $10 and change! BONUS!

From there, I came home with all kinds of boundless energy and was able to assist hubby with our garage project. It took me several sweaty, head-banging hours but I made a huge dent so he could rest and try to get over a nasty cold. My endeavors paid off huge!

My third delivery was to a young man who used to live across the street. He and his girlfriend have an incredibly beautiful baby girl! I delivered a little treat platter to them and a gift to their princess. And then . . . the best gift of all . . . I stole that baby from grandma and got to hold her for a long while. Such a joy! The most precious of all gifts . . . the innocence of a tiny life . . . in my arms! Delicious!

I cannot afford presents for all the folks I'd like to buy for. Even if I could, that's not the point. I think the gift of my time and energies and care and love shoved into every cookie and morsel I make speaks volumes about my love for others.

We all know how to give the gift of a present, but it is more important to share the gifts that you were born with.

And in return . . . the hand of God reaches down and blesses you!

Ch-Angels Galore

We don't know names, nor exact ages, nor ethnicities, nor sexes and it doesn't matter.
Yesterday saw a mass-entrance of Ch-Angels into the Kingdom of Heaven!

I will not speak to gun control, or medical services, or social agendas -  that kind of makes my stomach turn. I don't understand how folks can go there after such a calamitous event. Our focus should be entirely upon those babies, the staff, their families, and how to help this community cope with such a horrific and hateful tragedy.

I believe God himself sat at the Pearly Gates and welcomed those tiny, innocent people into His Home. His open arms draped in the warmest of fabrics offering a safe haven to what they had just gone through. I believe their acceptance was immediate, warm, and beaming. Those of us left here, have only time and tears to try to comprehend the incomprehendable.

We must, if nothing else, not focus our attention on control, or medications, or systems; but rather on love. Tomorrow is promised to no one. Where evil stalks, sadness remains. Don't let this monumental loss be turned into something it should not be. It is a loss. A tragic, senseless, terrifying loss. Unexplainable and indefinable! A moment that will be etched in the hearts of minds of millions of people.

Pray for those families who have suffered the unthinkable. Pray for the families of the staff. Pray for one another. Pray!

And if your comments do not reflect the real focus on this catastrophe, the children lost, then please keep your comments to yourself!

Today

Today is National Believe Day!

Oh boy! One of my favorites!

I believe!

I believe in treating people with respect. I believe in encouraging others. I believe in making a difference. I believe in paying it forward. I believe in caring and sharing. I believe in wishes and dreams. I believe in self respect and self reliance. I believe in stopping harmful cycles and creating a warm and cozy home. I believe in health and happiness. I believe that wealth does not always come in the form of paper bills and pocket change. I believe that some friends make the best family members. I believe that the children really are our future. I believe that life is precious. I believe that sometimes the cause is worth the fight - so fight like hell! I believe we have within us the strength, the fortitude, and the opportunity to make ourselves and our world better. I believe in love! I believe in forgiveness, not necessarily forgetting. I believe my spouse is my best friend and hope yours is too. I believe my mother hears me and watches over me every day! I believe my children are two of the most amazing people on this planet. I believe in honesty and sincerity. I believe that liars are sad people. I believe that miracles happen every day!

I believe God is an awesome God!

I believe I'll wish you a Merry Christmas and wish, for you also, the joy and peace that this season is meant to bring.

I am thankful for all the things I believe in.
I am thankful for you!

Tenaciously Thankful!

Today, I am thankful for tenacity!

I could, and might, write a book about all the mountains I've climbed. Chapters of hardships, hurdles, and haunting happenings that have infected portions of my life. I could write for days about broken hearts and tainted trusts. I could pour myself into pages of powerful paralytic periods. They all happened. They all hurt. They all were devastating.

But . . .

I am no longer there. A person could spend eternity looking back, forlornly at their past. In doing so, they miss the present and the opportunity to enhance their future. I cannot change my past. I cannot alter things that have already occurred.

I can, however, choose to learn lessons from those awful times. I can take the tattered remains of what happened and build a better tomorrow.

Tenacity is defined as:  holding or grasping firmly; retentive; stubborn or persistent; holding together firmly; tough or cohesive.

I am all those things. I hold on to the promise of better things, the general good in most folks, the notion that I can accomplish what I put my mind to; and the idea that I deserve all of those things!

Today, I hope you lay down your baggage from the past. Move ahead toward dreams and goals. The future is yours. Set a course and stick to it . . . with the tenaciousness that exists in each of us!

You can do it!

Touch A Life

I've written of sight and hearing and today . . . it's all about touch!

I feel bad for the germophobes. Those poor folks who cannot even shake a hand or give a hug in fear of what might occur. I, personally, would rather contract pneumonia than not have human contact!

Touch is so vital . . .

The softness of a newborn baby, the feel of warm sand beneath your feet, the enormity of a hug, the gentle caress of fresh air upon your face. To feel things is to experience life!

The warmth of a child in your arms, the bristly snuggling into hubby's furry chest, the security of a critter to pet, warm ocean waters, cool mountain streams, rough tree bark, prickly thick grass, the sun on your body, a good book in your hands, tickling the ivories, tackling a receiver, the safety of your hand in the hand of someone you trust.

Touch conveys so many things to so many people.

However you can today . . . touch a life!

The Sound of Silence

Ah, yes! That is one of my favorite sounds! The sound of nothing . . . simple, pure silence! It's a beautiful thing!

I also adore lapping waves, morning birds chirping, crackling fires, music of just about every sort, baby's cooing, and children's laughter.

I cherish the car alarm beeping so I know my son is home.

I love the song my phone plays telling me my daughter is calling.

I love the rhythmic sounds of my husband's breathing as he lays sleeping beside me.

I'm not so much a fan of the dadgum chickens that live across the street.

Enjoy the sounds around you. If you indulge for just a moment, you will find yourself relaxing and enjoying life and what thrives within it, just a little bit more!

Do You See What I See?

Today, I am thankful for sight!

I had the most distinct pleasure of a visit from my oldest brother, Cal, over the weekend. It was a short visit but just jam packed with all sorts of fun and laughter. We discussed, at one point, what we see in life.

We've both been through a lot. Heck, my whole family has. But every one of us has come to see life differently. We're not different than any other family . . . or people, in general, for that matter. Cal and I, though, choose to see the positive; the good; the opportunities; the open doors. We choose to leave the drama, the hurt, the ugliness out of our line of vision. It is there. We are wary of it. But we choose to side step it, much like horse poop at a dude ranch!

I see trees of green, red roses, too. I see 'em bloom, for me and for you.
I see skies of blue, clouds of white, bright blessed days, dark sacred nights.
The colors of a rainbow, so pretty in the sky. Are also on the faces of the people going by.
I see friends shaking hands, saying, "How do you do?" they're really saying, "I love you!"

I'll be seeing you in all the old familiar places . . .

The first time, ever I saw your face . . .

I keep my eyes wide open all the time . . .

Do you see what I see, way up in the sky little lamb?
Do you see what I see? A star, a star, dancing in the night with a tail a big as a kite.

What do you choose to see?

I have seen spectacular mountains, incredible animals, beautiful valleys, the colors of a glorious fall, dolphins at play in calm waters, open skies.

I have seen birth, growth, laughter, joy, brilliance, triumph, and the passing from this life into what lies beyond.

I have seen miracles!

Do you see what I see?