Snapshots of the Mind...and the Heart

Yesterday was a parish celebration...75 year anniversary. It was a gorgeous fall day...sun, wind, and jewel toned leaves creating the backdrop.

I found myself taking mental snapshots all day.

My 6'2" boy alter serving... sporting his beard that he's grown for the football playoffs.  Hiding his yawns & trying so hard to focus on the alter.

*SNAP*

My 14 year old baby...all coltish legs and swinging hair...patiently guiding the little kids through the games. Allowing herself to delight in the childish joy with them.

*SNAP*

Standing in the food line with a newly single mom...asking her to join our table which is full of laughter...seeing her eyes light up with relief that she belongs.

*SNAP*

Seeing my husbands eyes meet mine...countless times throughout the day. Feeling the same thrill go through me as it did when I was 18 years old.

*SNAP*

Walking through the parking lot with 3 of my dearest girlfriends. A huge "Winnie-the-Pooh" blustery gust of wind blows our friends wig right off. Saying..."It's not a party till someone loses their hair!" and watching her bend over in side-splitting laughter. .

*SNAP*

Feeling the love as these girls and I sing, sway, and raise our red Solo cups ...toasting the day, the joy, the privilege of being alive and in this moment

*DOUBLE SNAP*

My mental photo album is precious.

My heart photo album is priceless.

Linking up with: Just Write~ Extraordinary Ordinary

*This is the sixth installment of Just Write, an exercise in free writing your ordinary and extraordinary moments. {Please see the details here.} I would love to read your freely written words so join me and link up 

Best Laid Plans....Again

I had the best of plans.

I posted that I was "baaaacckkk" a week ago after a long absence.

I couldn't wait to get back to my comfy chair, my writing desk that has my favorite inspirational items on it, and blog happy posts
 to my heart's content.

I was excited to participate in Six Word Fridays, Mama Kat,
Sunday Citar, and The Red Dress Club.
I was thrilled at the thought of reconnecting with my blogging friends.
I thought I had it all planned.

Then I got the early morning phone call.

Phone calls that come in the darkness of night

or first breath of dawn

are rarely ones that we want to answer.

It was a call I had been anticipating,
but not emotionally prepared for.

A very close friend of mine was taken to the hospital.
Her cancer has spread from her cervix....to her spleen...to her lungs.
She got the news that life for her was soon to be over.
Two weeks to ten months is what the experts say.

She is young....36 years old.
She  has a wonderful husband....Lucas.
She has two beautiful children....
Noah...8 years old
Emily...5 years old
She has a faith that is inspiring to all around her.
She has a beauty that shines from within.
Her name is Carrie...
and she is loved.

So those plans I had been making fell to the wayside...
as they should.
Carrie and Lucas are part of our small church group.
In fact Lucas and I lead the group of 9.
We always say we are a family, and this was the time to show that.
The phone calls started.
The 3 hour round trips to the hospital began.
The holding of hands, wiping of tears, praying of hearts, and
finding laughter in the darkness began.

The journey of saying goodbye began.

I have never been on this journey before.
I've never sat with and loved someone as they faced death.
No matter how heart wrenching,
I know it is a gift...
and a privilege...
and a time of grace.
 Still I couldn't help but think of plans.

How will we do this?
How will we do that?
How do we ease the burdens...lighten the load...show the love?
And in a moment of clarity,
I heard Him.

Don't plan...just be.

Be present in each moment
whether busy doing tasks that need to be done,
or offering comfort and shared prayers,
just be.

So, my best laid plans have changed.
My planned post topics have changed.
Life has changed for us all.
I know there are lessons I am to learn
on this journey.
And I ask for your wisdom, patience, and prayers as we
travel along.

I am going to do my best to start visiting all of you again.
I need the connection.
I need the inspiration.
I need the laughter.
I need to just be.
And you, my blogging friends, help me with all of that.
I'll be seeing you!

Weary and Wine

I've been feeling a bit weary lately. I think it's due to the fact that I'm back working full-time outside the home while still trying to work full-time inside the home.  My hubby has had to travel for work more than ever and has been gone most weekdays and weekends.  I miss his presence...the strong hugs, the smile at just the right moment, the sound of him breathing next to me in bed.  Although I adore our golden retriever, and am thankful to have her company, it's not quite the same hearing her sprawled out on his side of the bed.


We had small church group at our home last night, and although I don't feel a great burst of energy, I do feel a sense of peace.  I love the feeling of our close friends gathered together to share the Gospel, prayer, heartfelt discussions, laughter and, ultimately, snacks.  There is a glow they leave behind that is hard to explain. I can only say it must be the Holy Spirit.


So tonight, as I sit in the same room where our hearts and souls all opened last night, I will rememberer that everyone gets weary at times.  Even Jesus needed to withdraw at times in order to pray and rest.  I am in no means comparing myself to the Lord.....I just like the knowledge that even He had his moments!


I read this post tonight on ayala's blog, a sun kissed life, that soothed me. So....


For tonight I'm going to be kind to myself. 
For tonight I'm going to not focus on the new wrinkles, gray hair, and extra pounds that are on my body.
For tonight I'm going to be compassionate towards myself...not only to others.
And....
For tonight I'm going to open my front door to a dear friend,
pour us both a glass of wine (maybe even two!),
and share the lighthearted joy of watching our favorite show "Parenthood".
Some nights that is more than enough.


How is your night going, friends?  Are you being kind to yourself?

I Left My Heart.....In.....

Seattle!

Got ya, didn't I?

You thought I was going to say San Fransisco. 

I love it there also. 

But for this post I'm going to focus on Seattle because...

 I.Fell.In.Love.With.It.



Started off the weekend at a Seattle Mariners game.

Self-pics are such fun!



 

Pike Peak Market.

The pictures speak for themselves.

Gorgeous.

San Juan Islands in Puget Sound.

Wonderful friends live there.

Paradise.

We saw sea lions....

and whales from their patio.

Yes, the black dots are really whales!

More impressive in person!

Wine tasting at Chateau St. Michelle.

Cheers!



Sailing.
The wind.
The wine.
My guy.
Who could ask for anything more?



Ride the Ducks.

WWII amphibious landing craft.

Hilarious!

Ahhh...Seattle.

I'm coming back home to you ...someday!

Not really my home.

But it fit with the song .

This was an anniversary trip back in 2009.

Priceless memories.

Thanks for taking the trip down memory lane with me.

*My personal favs. are the ones of Pike Market and the sailing photos. None are edited..obviously! :)**