Darren the Dog decided to join them on this Daring adventure to see
Edward the Elephant and his
Friend, Falalat to
Gather some Flowers for a
Huge Spring party at
Iris’ house and swing by
Judy Joy’s to pick up a
Kite for Flying along the
Laurel River when a Lady Bug named Lily decided to take a rest on a nearby
Magnolia Leaf when her sister
Nadine Lady Bug joined her to watch as
Oscar the Grouch came by and said to
Patty Petunia – let’s ask if
Qualle Qualla Bear would like to play a Quick game of
Ring around the Rosy until
Spectacular Bubblemaster, Steve comes with his Bubble Show at
Ten o’clock on Thursday in the Festive Park with the Tall Trees that sway like
Ursula’s skirt in the Wind – oh! and
Viola plans to bring her new Violin and play for us a song that’s so much fun to dance to! It’s called
Wang Chung Tonight
Xavier will bring his Xylophone and his Mom, Nita and his Aunt LiLi are cooking all his favorites for his special surprise party. A very special Chocolate Cake and his favorite…..
Yabras!!!! Mm Mm Mm! And the last surprise is ….
Zena Zebra will lead the parade with sister, ZuZu ! – Don’t Miss it!
Those who know me, know that I often refer to Gratitude.
You may ask How did you know or get introduced to GRATITUDE? While listening to Krista Tippett’s podcast On Being, early one Sunday morning, she was interviewing Brother David Steindl-Rast, Founder of Gratefulness.org . This podcast was such a pivotal moment in my life as he described so many things, people, experiences, sounds, sights, smells, he was grateful for. I am a contributor to Gratefulness.org through monetary donations and my Photography. The practice of Gratitude I continue today. When I feel stuck in a ‘funk’, and I can’t think of anything to be grateful for, I begin with the letter ‘A’ and list whatever I am grateful for that begins with that letter and proceed through the alphabet. It’s amazing what comes out. Here’s a list of late:
A = Alicia (my daughter), Art, Air, AFG, Apple Trees
B = Brothers, color Blue, Blue Berries, Books, Birds
C = Chocolate (Dark Chocolate), Church, Couch, Catholicism, Creating Collages, Crows, Camera
D = Dawn, Doves, Daffodils, Drawing
E = Elephants, Ears that hear, Eyes that See, Europe
F = Faith, Father, Friends, Family
G = God, color Green, Grayson, Greeting one another
H = Home, Hot water, Hiking, Hawks
I = Imagination, Irises
J = Jesus, Juicy Pears and Apples, Job, Joy
K = Katharina (a faithful friend), Kites, Kibbeh, Kayaaks, Kayak, Kelly
L = Love, the sound Laughter, Lincoln
M = Mom, Memory, Mountains
N = Nandina, Notecards
O = Ocean waves and sound, Oxygen, Oranges, Orchids
P = Patience, Prayer, Pink Tulips, Peruvian Lilies, Photography, Pencils, Pens, Paper, Pope Francis
Q = Quiet moments, Quilts
R = Rest, Richard (son), Red Poppies, Robins
S = Steve (husband and friend), Sailing, Swimming, Seeing Smiles again
T = Trees (all kinds- Oaks, Redbuds, Weeping Willows, Dogwoods, Beech Trees), Today, Travels
I must preface here, this is not something I normally choose to write about, however, I believe it needs to be said out loud and not behind doors – pull the splinter from my heart and let it heal
Holidays were fun as children
Days off from school
Playing with friends
Decorating the house with my Mom while listening to Holiday music
Cooking and sharing family recipes from our native Arabic foods, hoshwe, sfeehis, yabras and Mom’s famous chocolate pie
I never believed that our family could become so fractured once my parents were no longer hosting these events in their home and other homes were offered,
It’s happened
What is your resolution to this uncomfortable and painful situation?
What are the choices?
Mine, pray about it, say what I need to say and don’t say it mean.
A letter was written this morning reflecting my total disappointment and heartache
Decisions were made regarding my choice to participate separately from the entire family, and in small groups, when, where and with whom I choose to if I choose to, or to keep it very simple, and choose to celebrate with friends without drama
Minds untainted by the whispers of others telling us what to think, do, perceive or believe
Maturing slowly from children to teenagers
Grasping to know who we are, what we truly believe
Asking ourselves what or whom would I most like to be
Then the sun breaks through in shades of pink, gray, white with a blue sky behind those clouds
And we know, we aren’t perfect
We are ALL doing the best we can to be a human, an adult, a sister, mother, situ, wife, friend, co-worker, neighbor
Traveling and navigating a Spiritual existence in a human body
We aren’t perfect
If I don’t say the right words at the right time, or misinterpret something you’ve said or done, don’t take it personally, kindness will return, if apologies are needed they will surface and be said, if not, know that this imperfect human is doing the best they can
So to you my brother or sister in Christ, know that in my heart, underneath layers of life’s experience, exists pure love
Learning to hold on when the healing is in year three and you feel like you will never fully recover is COURAGEOUS
There’s a reason I’m on this journey to wholeness
Even in the dark – the light still exists
HEALING takes whatever time it takes
During this time of Healing
I’ve shed some unknown ‘judgements’ about myself and others that I didn’t even know existed – this part of the healing process has been a GIFT
HEALING TAKES whatever time it takes
Haven’t I prayed for PATIENCE?
Well, here it is …
HEALING TAKES WHATEVER time it takes
Thank you CREATOR for hearing my prayer for walking with me in the dark, for giving me an outlet to spread my wings, to be GRATEFUL for ALL the many gifts you’ve given me
HEALING TAKES WHATEVER TIME it takes
It’s okay to REST, to PAUSE, to BREATHE, to REJOICE, to LAUGH out loud
Waiting is part of the process as well as Trusting
Called to Write 