Saying Goodbye

I could see this angel waiting for Charles.

Over the last few weeks, I observed my friend, Helen, and her family saying goodbye to their dad.  I was surprised how his last journey was so much like my mom's.  I saw how the family drew together to make him feel loved and safe, only looking for the better of his remaining days on earth. 

For them the nights and days of vigilance lasted longer than the time with my mom.  But the time is not as important as the love shown through the journey.  I felt as though her journey was connected to my journey, growing in God and love. 

My mom ask my sister-in-law Dar, "what should I say to Jesus when I see him". Dar drew deep in her soul and said "tell him you love him".  How simple this love, yet how hard it is for some to understand.

I write this for two reason, it brought back memories of my mom's last journey and how blessed I was to travel part way with her, and to highlight Helen and her family for making me know that there are other families so loving and compassionate. They are blessed to have each other.

Great peace came to Charles on Friday, he is well and happy, young and again with his wife. Don't you just love a great ending.

Carol

My heart is so sad.

My heart seem heavy tonight, tomorrow is 9/11 and I remember that day.  I pray for the families of those lost, those who did no wrong, they went to work. The firefighters, clergy, and police that didn't blink an eye and went in to save. 

Thank God for giving us the memory to never forget, to stand up and thank our military for their strength and service. And to thank God for our America. I will pray like never before. My heart hurts and my tears will fall, but I remain strong.

My thoughts on 9/10

United We Stand.

I say this because we need to respect not only the flag as a group but the service persons who keep our freedom strong.

Thanks for the flag and our brave men and women who serve.

Flag Day...hurray!

God Bless America

I traveled to the dark side.

When I got up yesterday morning, I felt a shift in the world. As usual, I don't believe in it, but yesterday seemed different. I think if I had left it alone, maybe it would straighten back out. But not me. I fear that putting black coffee in my favorite green tea cup might have changed the karma of the day. As the day went on, things seemed to go wrong. Didn't feel well, felt a little light headed and way too tired.

That evening was our Home Owners Meeting, in which I am the secretary. I have to say that the volunteer position was very painful. There are a group that had it out for everything that happened and told me so through many e-mails. Well, let me tell you, they were in full force last night and I had never seen such cruelty ever. So as we the board was under fire, I found it hard to breath and comprehend what was going on. At the end of the meeting, I decided to resign. That was no way to treat people. There goes southern hospitality.

I knew that I had become weary of the complainers and spent way too much time replying to them. It took away from my sleep and creativity. My designing really is what makes me whole. So maybe it's not the world that was shifting to hurt me but help me. Hummm.

I didn't listen to my heart. So I had to experience it. But God only gives me what I can handle and I can handle this. I have more time for my family, friends, and designing. I feel good. I wanted to tell you this because I became stronger last night and that my friends is wonderful.

God Bless those who travel through my little blog.

Carol

I feel so small...

and that's ok, don't worry about tomorrow...God is already there. Sunday morning thoughts.

Have a wonderful day.
Carol

When great is not great enough.

I fell in love. I wanted this welcome sign to put on the front of the garage. I bought it and ran home, or should I say drove home. I couldn't wait to put it up. Cardinals are my husbands favorite bird when it comes to color. As I placed it on the wall, I noticed there wasn't much contrast. But looked beyond it. Than one day, John said, "I sure wish there was more contrast".

That was than a project. I was going to recolor the flowers. Sunday, was the day, I figured after church was the best time. I would be inspired to create more beauty in the world.

I added a peach color to the base, with orange as highlights and brown as contrast. This is what it turned out to look like. What do you think? I think I was inspired and once again the creativity God gave me came through. Thanks God.

Have a great day to all my friends and God Bless.

Carol

The Right Words

A few years ago my mother died, she was 91 years old. While going through the few things she still owned, a prayer book appeared. I myself, believe in fate. I believe that things happen for a reason. I truly believe the prayer book was meant to be mine.

I remember my mom reading from it and when done she would place it back in her purse. I loved seeing it in her hands, for two reasons, my mothers hands were beautiful and almost perfect just like the words I am going to share with you.

Even if you have no belief I am sure the words will make you feel good. Words are powerful but when put together in a loving way they are even more powerful. This prayer book doesn't have the prayer printed in the pages but a prayer cut out of some mystery publication and lovingly put in the back of this prayer book.

I hope that you enjoy it my dear friends.

God never promised us skies always blue.

A flower-strewn pathway our whole lives thro

God never promised us sun without rain, joy

with sorrow, peace without pain.

But God has promised us strength for the day

rest for the laborer, light for our way.

Grace for our trials, help from above.

Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

I myself love this prayer and use it often. I love my mother for the little things she gave me. My belief in a here after, a little prayer that seems to give me what I need most these days, and God for giving me hope in human kind when there seems to be a lack of it.

God Bless those who follow me and those who wander through my little peace of heaven.

Carol

Winter Wonder Land

I often wonder why I can complain one day and love the next. Today the temps are in the high thirties. So I zipped up my coat, grabbed a cup of coffee and enjoyed the rocker on the front porch. The sun was shining so bright I had to close my eyes. And I pondered the garden with sprigs of green growth pushing their way through the ground.

No it was not going to happen this afternoon or even in a week but it would happen as it does every year. The ground would get warm, and God would bless us with life. I am always in ah of Him. What would life be like not believing? I really don't care what others say, I just think life is so much more valuable with that belief.

So, here I sit, with the sun melting my fears and pains. Dreaming of the coming season. Remembering how in September I would stand on the porch and proclaim without shame, "die plants die". Boy does that sound cruel. But that is what is nice about Minnesota. You move from hot summer days, lots of work in the garden, to fall where you enjoy the outdoors without having to tend to grass and weeds. Winter, sweat pants, shirts and light jackets are the call. You enjoy a blanket and a book by the fireplace. Then spring, wow, God goes to work again and your life becomes full of color and wonder. So, in closing, from my thoughts from the garden, life in Minnesota is once again in balance. Until the next storm. Smile.

God Bless all who wonder into my blog.

Carol