Tag Archives: joy

Look Forward to 2024

“There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”

C.S. Lewis, author
Another Christmas has come and gone,

I pray that the kindness and joy live on.

I don't do resolutions, instead I choose a word,

Something that resonates with me, striking a deep-souled chord.

This year the word is awareness--in both physical and spiritual ways.

I choose to be aware of "nudges", the glimmers God sends each day.

He doesn't spell it out for me, I have to stay awake.

To notice the rainbow at sunset or the light upon a lake.

In the past, accidents avoided and the scary nights survived,

All these things I remember and see them as lessons applied.

I thought back then, I was abandoned by God, left alone to cope.

As time went by, I realized it was God's presence that gave me hope.

The little spark that kept me trying,

 Even though I felt like crying, 

Helped to make me resilient and strong,

 Because God was with me all along!

As you can see, Miss B enjoys the moments as they occur,

Even the tie of my robe can have an effect–it raises her fur.

She uses my word, “aware” every minute.

Doesn’t miss a trick, if it’s happening, she’s in it!







	


	

			






	

		
What About Valentine’s Day?
	


	
			

				
			


			
	

		

I thought a lot about Valentine’s Day when I got up this morning. Mostly about grade school valentine boxes that were placed in the front of the room for all our valentines. At some later class we made our own. I didn’t like that because there it sat on your desk–waiting for someone to drop in a valentine–in front of everyone. It was sad for some who received only a few.





I always took vs enough for my whole class as my mother advised. It was agonizing to find just the right ones for some of my class–not too mushy–funny if possible for the boys.





As a teenager I hoped for a heart-shaped box of candy–a special sign of love. When I did receive one, I hid it from my mother for fear of her objections. I was not allowed to date yet.





Over the years, V Day meant different things at different times. My husband and I had little money to spare–but he never forgot–he often stopped on the way home from work at a local drugstore and found his valentine for me. A couple times, he wrote his own, and I’m happy to have saved them. I received flowers on my 10th anniversary and once on V Day when I was out of town working. Memories I will always cherish.





In our later years I was encouraged to buy what pleased me. “If you want flowers, we’ll get them.” But I’ll never forget the love in those handwritten lines.





There is so much hype over this day. I wonder how many people are sad, grieving, or heavy-hearted today. I wish all the love in the world to reach each of them. Turn the day around and give love to others. Maybe you should call your friend, your family member, that person at church who always seems alone. It may mean a lot to one person and there is much joy in the giving of joy.





Photo by Gergo Karolyi on Pexels.com

	


	

			






	

		
Word Choices
	


	
	

		
“No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.” – John Keating



It is time for some family members, friends, and I to choose our WORDS for 2023. We have done this for several years and it’s always interesting to hear what others decide upon for the next twelve months.



Last year my word was persevere, which means to persist in or remain constant to a purpose, idea or task in the face of obstacles or discouragement. I chose the word because I have many interests, but a hard time finishing some projects. I have two or three knitting projects that I have started and abandoned when other activities required my attention. Multitasking proudly most of my life, I have found that that is not my strong suit anymore.



Galatians 6:9 ESV And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. This verse was a motivator to me over a period of time.



Sometimes you have to stop and ask, “Why am I doing what I’m doing? Is it bringing joy to anyone or to me?” At this stage of life, I try to chose the activities that bring help and happiness to someone else as well as bringing me joy. Joy was my word a couple years ago. I feel I grew the year I chose that one. I gave up a couple things that had served their purpose, but were no longer accomplishing as much for others or bringing me satisfaction.



As far as perseverance, It helped me last year to stay on focus. In July, I had my first children’s book published after starting and laying the story aside for several years.



I can’t wait to hear your “WORD” and see what I can do with “presence”, my new word.I want to be more aware, more in tune with what is going on around me. Focus would have been another possibility for what I want to accomplish.



Seeking a slower, simpler life requires paying attention and being aware of surroundings so that my actions might have meaning.



My new cat, Beatrice, or Miss B. as I like to call her, is providing lots of playful fun for both of us. She finds great enjoyment in watching my wash spinning around in the washer or watching birds or fish on the TV or my computer. She is always “in the moment!”
#family#faith#lessonsoflife#poetry#humor



	


	

			






	

		
Another Hat is Added
	


	
	

		

It  seems like it’s time to rework my identity again.





I have become a great grandmother! A little boy named Henry





Has enriched my life immeasurably. He arrived several weeks early, 





which kept the whole family in hopeful prayer for weeks.





He is home, thriving and of course–adorable.





And in other areas: Big News for this GGMa.










My other news is about my new author hat. I will wear it proudly after toying with a story for several years, starting and stopping, finding and losing a couple of illustrators, and finally seeing my book in print. The image above is from Amazon where you can purchase this children’s book. It is based on a true story of my former neighbor, Gloria, a young girl, and two cats. 





So happy to join you all here on my blog again. For those few who actually like rhymes:





Willow, Willow, where art thou Willow? (My cat, remember?)

Are you hiding under the bed? Or perched on a kitchen chair?
There's no doubt you're here still,
For your hair is everywhere.

You play mean tricks on me,
In the middle of the night.
From tangling in the venetian blinds-
To turning on the light.

The light is a touch lamp on the dresser,
So it's easy for Willow to manage,
And I was sound asleep,
Which worked to her advantage.

As I jerked awake and swung my arms about, 
She seemed to find this funny,
So she jumped on my neck and pinned me down,
My mood was far from sunny!

I can't stay mad though because,
With her wide-eyed stare, she's adorable.
She is so pretty and amusing,
Though I find her behavior deplorable.







	


	

			






	

		
Rebuilding (A HaiKu)
	


	
			

				
			


			
	

		

A new beginning,





 I’ve missed writing and sharing.





 Fresh insight is due.





   The last few weeks have been challenging. I have struggled with my choices. I wanted to free up some time, but the activities that took up my time are all worthy pursuits. Once before I stopped my nursing license, then renewed it for the pandemic. I had a much easier decision when I gave up my anesthesia credentials as a CRNA. I knew that at my age, even 12 years ago, I had no business staying in the operating room as an anesthetist. Although COVID-19 is not over, it is much more manageable now. So I stepped back from a volunteer clinic and I am doing less vaccinations now…





What should I concentrate on now? No one knows their expiration date, but getting older has definitely brought it to my mind more often. I am soon to be a great-grandmother and I find that so exciting. I question if I’ve made any positive impressions on my family that will be remembered. I also want to be remembered as someone who enjoyed her life and had fun, faith, and valued family.





“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.–Anne Lamott, writer.
That is my nugget of inspiration for today. 





Let’s keep in touch.











	


	

			






	

		
A Little Patch of Sunlight
	


	
	

		

 I will lift mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1,2 (KJV)





I  fell in love with that Psalm while traveling out west for the first time with my family. The mountains were so grand and the vast open spaces called to me. As we got out of our camper to stretch our legs, I twirled around on a hillside like Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music. 





Since that day, I have been able to capture a little of that free, light feeling by visualizing those mountains. Today, the smaller mountains I can see also have that effect on my mood. The view from my window, hills snow-covered and bathed in sunlight, fills me with a sense of peace and the never-ending presence of God. I think about how the hills aren’t going anywhere and neither is the Lord.





My cat, Willow, has discovered her little bit of sunshine on a pillow on my bed. Just as her help must come from me, mine must come from God. The help comes from the hills because God made the hills. If we could see  beyond each hill, we would see more clearly, and to the source of help.





Everyone needs a little sunshine in their day





Everyone needs a little sunshine in their day!










	


	

			






	

		
A Summer of Freedom
	


	
	

		

On a warm summer evening two weeks ago,





As it seemed the pandemic and illness continued to slow,





 I watched people file into the park with their chairs,





Eager for music and mingling and return of the fairs.





But even then lurking around the hedges,





Was the threat of variants as Dr. Fauci alleges.










We need to reach a higher percent to insure there’ll be no spike.





I am loving the warm weather. Will be 





posting more often for the summer. There’s so much to appreciate–like sunrises, sunsets, and flowers and lakes….





Tell everyone to vaccinate and tell COVID to take a hike.  #health#science#comments and verse#poetry






	


	

			






	

		
Holding Pattern
	


	
	

		

You don’t need more time…
You just need to DECIDE
Seth Godin





Do you ever feel like you’re busy, but getting nowhere? I wrote this as I was pondering what to do next.





I feel lately like I’m hovering in all areas of my life,





There is hope for the pandemic, but still a lot of strife.





I have a book that’s started, but it is hovering too.





Waiting for my persistent self to show up and bring it through.





My unfinished knitting is scowling at me, as it rests neatly in my bag.





My time management self is absent, she’s such an awful hag.





Procrastination is a trait I don’t aspire to gain,





But it seems I have a flair for it, as if that was my aim.





Outside it’s sunny, people and dogs are enjoying the day.





Maybe a walk will clear my head and help me find my way.





I’ll tackle the writing and pound on those keys.





And be proud of what I finish with such finesse and ease.

	


	

			






	

		
The Beauty of Spring
	


	
	

		

I had a few thoughts this week about what spring means this year. As a few green shoots appear in flower beds, along sidewalks, and near creeks, I feel hope bubbling in my soul. The same feeling emerged on the day I received my second COVID vaccine. We are not safe yet to resume our old way of living, but we can begin to see brighter days ahead. 





Because of the year we’ve all experienced, I spend time with each gorgeous sunset, each bird’s beautiful colors and try to ascertain which ones are singing in the early morning. I find these moments bring joy to my days. I took the picture below on a walk with a friend through Talleyrand Park in Bellefonte.










How about how things occurred in Miami this weekend? People are so anxious to be “normal” again that they are not using good sense. I haven’t lost a loved one during this pandemic, but I know how frightened I was when a couple family memories did test positive. My heart goes out to all who were unable to say goodbye or hold a hand, or pray with a husband, wife, or anyone they loved.





Please, God, increase patience in me and all those who are waiting for “real life” to come back. Help us to see and live our best lives right here, right now. We can recognize each blessing if our eyes and ears are open and if we look for the things we can do to help each other. #nature, #writing, #faith, #joy, #patience






	


	

			






	

		
One Word Sunday – Patchwork
	


	
	

		

As I thought about what I could add for Patchwork,  I looked over at my dog and I saw it–patchwork.





A neighbor in my building lovingly made small quilts for all the dogs in the building. I barely knew her at the time and it was a thoughtful gesture. They were supposed to be for the dog to use while lying on the sofa, but Lola prefers hers on the floor.





She’s always been my “pug on a rug”.










    

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    Pug on a Rug
    




    

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