tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-699135578236937502024-03-05T14:41:05.897-07:00Grateful Living[greyt-fuhl]: warmly or deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received; thankfulbeautifullybrokenmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16163723965720770778noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69913557823693750.post-82173993179803406722015-04-23T00:00:00.000-07:002015-04-23T00:00:04.534-07:00Samantha Tennant: Mirror, Mirror<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikrcf28dfdbMW_47pZS8NywA9dya91J7gv46ym_32aPAAGkGbgO9f_hyphenhyphennuhp2ZIXvNF83i-fqVs7Rke4NE5soeRP5KQWmfKyt7LGABys7STzEHGsRSSyjvROyFucpFNf1wRa42kRpo6c/s1600/Mirror+Mirror_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikrcf28dfdbMW_47pZS8NywA9dya91J7gv46ym_32aPAAGkGbgO9f_hyphenhyphennuhp2ZIXvNF83i-fqVs7Rke4NE5soeRP5KQWmfKyt7LGABys7STzEHGsRSSyjvROyFucpFNf1wRa42kRpo6c/s1600/Mirror+Mirror_1.jpg" height="226" width="400" /></a></div>
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I have a new Fitbit. I call it my “Fitbutt”. </div>
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Why, you ask? Because that’s my motivational
name for it.</div>
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Fit butt. It’s what I want.</div>
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Every time I back up to the
mirror and look over my shoulder, I keep waiting for the appearance of my 18 year
old backside.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I miss it. I want it
back.</div>
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I’m 48 years old, I’ve worked
hard, I deserve this one, little thing.</div>
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Or so I tell myself.</div>
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But, who am I fooling? I walk 10,000 steps, day after day, checking
the thumb-sized tracker in my pocket, pushing for that perfection. </div>
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10,000 steps to perfection…. Sounds like a
self-help book.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And while my little
fitness friend has helped motivate me, I need to remember that I am being watched
by someone far more important… my
teenage girls.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDz__vm8_wUykw8dRxA5GPMf9tYV7-7fc33jvXfvBAH1NisymipNAikw50kFt7k3dsdaI6bIbaG_7nb7p3ts_Eog6-ARNlYVTS67lmzlMLbznjU-WH1lUg90gEUU0tWbUVNcO5rKv7Rwo/s1600/Mirror+Mirror_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDz__vm8_wUykw8dRxA5GPMf9tYV7-7fc33jvXfvBAH1NisymipNAikw50kFt7k3dsdaI6bIbaG_7nb7p3ts_Eog6-ARNlYVTS67lmzlMLbznjU-WH1lUg90gEUU0tWbUVNcO5rKv7Rwo/s1600/Mirror+Mirror_2.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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To see a mom who is motivated
to exercise, who marches around the kitchen laughing and counting steps at the
end of the day is one thing. Seeing and
hearing her complain about a perfectly heathy body is something else entirely.</div>
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One is good, one is not.</div>
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I do not want
to make them unhappy maniacs. I do not want them to back up to the mirror with
self-loathing. I do not want them to waste the joys of this life obsessing over
what was, or trying to be someone they are not.</div>
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<br /></div>
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What has my step counter done for me? It has made me painfully aware
that I am being watched, studied and imitated. Do I need my 18 yr old body to
be my legacy to the young women I am raising?</div>
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No.</div>
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I want to pass on health, joy, acceptance,
faith, compassion, love and laughter.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I want to reflect all of that, every day,</div>
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for they are my mirror.<o:p></o:p></div>
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_____________________________________</div>
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You can learn more about Samantha and follow her on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/samantha.millertennant" target="_blank">Facebook </a></div>
beautifullybrokenmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16163723965720770778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69913557823693750.post-77003684655279170152015-04-21T00:00:00.000-07:002015-04-21T00:00:02.988-07:00Manon: Beauty All AroundFirst I want to start out by saying thank you to Molly for creating such a wonderful blog.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyAd93HDc6hty3_oytFBBbKB9zoKNx8gRJkhGLxz4hACWN1S-dzHWw67Ra9ZC2FE6LXiiKlXl61heuCGoJvV4wiZSHMQrsksr19k5kh3MKhfmktq4QTwnjfeKhIMgxPldY1W4J875YQA/s1600/IMG_0985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyAd93HDc6hty3_oytFBBbKB9zoKNx8gRJkhGLxz4hACWN1S-dzHWw67Ra9ZC2FE6LXiiKlXl61heuCGoJvV4wiZSHMQrsksr19k5kh3MKhfmktq4QTwnjfeKhIMgxPldY1W4J875YQA/s1600/IMG_0985.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
My name is Manon and I’m a jewelry artist who lives in Arizona. I have so many things in my life to be grateful for. Today I’ll be short and sweet and say that I’m so thankful to look out each day and see the most amazing skies. I know Texans like to call their skies big but honestly I think AZ skies might be huge.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVZTpihCUoYNcRNPFJ3qYLCfykXthhVMflnKCvMruDnqpiO4IS8ueP4LpbcdW6d1sWCrQd-J0_X_uzMo_dQuTUz8BRhNFliZ3ps9Eyd-HufPVI_TLmuxNveocpI9gDN622k9lhvOfOzs/s1600/15239753726_7ce2d81692_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVZTpihCUoYNcRNPFJ3qYLCfykXthhVMflnKCvMruDnqpiO4IS8ueP4LpbcdW6d1sWCrQd-J0_X_uzMo_dQuTUz8BRhNFliZ3ps9Eyd-HufPVI_TLmuxNveocpI9gDN622k9lhvOfOzs/s1600/15239753726_7ce2d81692_z.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Nature is hugely inspiring to me and this area provides a visual feast. Beauty lies outside our doors if we just pay attention and the best part is that it’s free!!<br />
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<br />
See you soon!!<br />
~manon<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You can learn more about Manon on her blog, <a href="http://sistersofthesun.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">S</span>isters of the Sun</a>.</span></div>
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beautifullybrokenmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16163723965720770778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69913557823693750.post-81930887675097649772015-04-07T00:00:00.000-07:002015-04-07T00:00:07.400-07:00Teresa Roberts: A Poet? Me???<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihuWoVl3QqMd4wYEroW5WA7P0pNdp1Rikb_OiRdNw3AXo4lfHCmk94gyxg7DJ_riwe8GiXJl_XPM8kkSm2eF-RfSiqrU5dY5Ye809NjnGRPQCCUausZ6xyE4s1XzraHpdyqe3K_czqTDc/s1600/Courage+Painting+for+Poet+Post_filtered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihuWoVl3QqMd4wYEroW5WA7P0pNdp1Rikb_OiRdNw3AXo4lfHCmk94gyxg7DJ_riwe8GiXJl_XPM8kkSm2eF-RfSiqrU5dY5Ye809NjnGRPQCCUausZ6xyE4s1XzraHpdyqe3K_czqTDc/s1600/Courage+Painting+for+Poet+Post_filtered.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
About 17 months ago I started searching out long-lost friends, after one of my best friends growing up sought me out! I realized that I really missed all those special people that knew me and were part of my roots when I was growing up - since I’d lived almost 300 miles away from “home” during my whole marriage. And with most of the people I reconnected with, it was just like we’d seen each other the week before, or just a day or two ago - we picked up right where we left off and re-formed those wonderful friendships from days gone by!<br />
<br />
But there was one person I sought out that I hadn’t had that kind of close relationship with - he was simply an interesting person I had known in high school. Now, I say “interesting” because growing up in rural Missouri in the 60’s and 70’s, most of the guys were either going to work on the farm, going to a trade school to become a diesel mechanic, or just find whatever job they could. And most of the girls were going to be teachers, nurses or stay-at-home moms. There were very few of us that were going to college. However, this guy was different - he wanted to be a DJ! And during high school, he’d already realized that dream by being a DJ on KPCR (imagine the fun we had with THAT name!) on Sundays. KPCR was a tiny little local radio station that played country music - except for the days when my friend was there! He idolized Olivia Newton John and took advantage of his position as DJ to play her songs as often as he could.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I decided to see if I could find him on Facebook and connect with him to see what he’d done with his life. And I did find him - just under a different name! You see, he’s a writer now - and yes, he DJ’d for several years after getting his Communications degree in college! His first book was published under a pen name, one that he’d created for himself at about age 14. He and his daughter had written the book when she was young and years later, in honor of her memory, he’d had it illustrated and published! And he was working on a book of poems about his late daughter when we connected. <br />
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Now mind you, I was never a big fan of poetry growing up. Most of the poems I’d read were just so esoteric in nature, that I couldn’t stand to read poetry. But his poems were different - they were written from the heart and alternatively made me laugh and cry! And I was hooked! <br />
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Being an accountant by trade, I knew how to write business plans, policies and procedures and so on. But I decided that poetry might just be a way for me to express my feelings as I was going through the many changes in my life last spring. So I started writing . . . and writing . . . and writing! Many of my poems can’t be shared with anyone as they were agonizing diatribes about my circumstances and disappointments in life. But soon those poems started changing to uplifting, positive poems of hope for the future! To date, I have written 86 poems!<br />
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My friend told me about this website that is for writers to share their works. So I joined it, just to see how my work would be received by other writers. And I’ve been very pleased with the results so far, though I am far from being a number one author! I have gotten some lovely comments on my poetry and have 4 people following my poetry - and this has brought an entirely new dimension to my life! To be able to write words of love, gratitude and hope - that touches other people’s hearts - is just a phenomenal feeling! To be able to express my innermost thoughts in a way that evokes a response in someone else is so rewarding and just stuns me! I’ve even coupled 3 poems with pieces of art that I have created. <br />
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So you can imagine my disbelief - and extreme gratitude - with the results of this month’s voting on the writing website! I had posted three poems and one is in second place, one is in ninth place and one is in sixteenth place. And I am in sixth place for “Author of the Month” on the site! Woo Hoo!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibi46VTaKOmjtBRICjv_zcKBmDmmDwJILI4Jz9bVfNukmvIjaVKTLqY_MAooiYA4M7TC6_pHD1vm2CA4YcYjLH680fXe62JSKfaX3OMUd5LZ_boUegoLFNhW2P7LJ2I0BiM7POT1VAf1E/s1600/Blog+Post+-+Poet.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibi46VTaKOmjtBRICjv_zcKBmDmmDwJILI4Jz9bVfNukmvIjaVKTLqY_MAooiYA4M7TC6_pHD1vm2CA4YcYjLH680fXe62JSKfaX3OMUd5LZ_boUegoLFNhW2P7LJ2I0BiM7POT1VAf1E/s1600/Blog+Post+-+Poet.png" height="640" width="556" /></a></div>
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Now you might think I’m writing this blog post to toot my own horn - but I’m not! Because if you look at the name in the number one spot on the “Author of the Month” picture below, you’ll see my friend’s name! He’s got the number one opinion piece, the number one story, AND the number one poem for the month! I’m so very proud of his accomplishments and am waiting with bated breath for his next book of poetry to get finished! It will be 400 pages long and called “Enlightened Journeys” and will have something for everyone! <br />
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And I want to express my sincere gratitude to him for introducing me to a creative outlet that is like no other and allows me to express my every feeling in such a beneficial manner! <br />
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So if you’re looking for an outlet for pent-up feelings, a new and exciting way to be creative, or just love to learn new things, give poetry a try! After all, if this left-brained accountant can do it, so can you!! <br />
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Happy writing!<br />
<br />
TA Roberts<br />
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______________________</div>
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You can learn more about Teresa on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/teresa.roberts.7796" target="_blank">Facebook</a></div>
beautifullybrokenmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16163723965720770778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69913557823693750.post-71423516607394129362015-04-05T11:05:00.000-07:002015-04-05T11:05:00.234-07:00Christie Murrow: Easter and Grateful Living<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>John 11:25-26</strong><em>Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection
and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever
lives and believes in me will never die. NIV</em></span></blockquote>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></em></div>
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This day is the core of Grateful Living. </div>
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That Jesus would
choose to humble Himself in the form of a man, knowing the best and worst of our
humanity, and then willingly offer up Himself as the one and only Sacrifice for
us is staggering. He Who knew no sin became sin on my behalf, and demonstrated
love of the highest degree through His death on the cross. </div>
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And had the story
ended there, I would forever be in His debt. </div>
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But today? Today is what allows me
to actively live a life of grateful living, because this same Jesus, fully God
and fully man, defeated death so that I could have eternal life. As Leonard
Ravenhill stated:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i>“Calvary expresses the love of God. The resurrection
explains the power of God”. </i></b></blockquote>
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This is the crux of
our faith; not that He died, but that He arose. Timothy Keller puts it this
way:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all that He
said; if He didn’t rise from the dead, then why worry about any of what He
said? The issue on which everything hangs is not whether or not you like His
teaching but whether or not He rose from the dead”.</i></blockquote>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioj3HnjOzLR-gkvM6IMxLH8mr_EazUc9y8K3dA3VrYhXtII2YrGDfdaDk8Ob87BPHb4-XidxxFelvo2fnAgtsbXL7TreMcB6cv0pQOWmOj51I3Burf3Zu2_N_1bO121PvWNAPThIJfaO8/s1600/Empty+tomb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioj3HnjOzLR-gkvM6IMxLH8mr_EazUc9y8K3dA3VrYhXtII2YrGDfdaDk8Ob87BPHb4-XidxxFelvo2fnAgtsbXL7TreMcB6cv0pQOWmOj51I3Burf3Zu2_N_1bO121PvWNAPThIJfaO8/s1600/Empty+tomb.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="text-align: start;">Photo credit: </span><a href="http://www.turnbacktogod.com/" style="text-align: start;">www.turnbacktogod.com</a></span></i></td></tr>
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And so today we rejoice! He has risen from the dead and sits
at the right hand of the Father, living to make intercession on our behalf.
Death is defeated, and we are free to walk in the power of His resurrected
life. And that’s some powerful incentive to live gratefully.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSN1Av5l0LbSYQ-JkeEz5YsmehASc9dJcoTblvSSwza_OsAdoslu_xQiqhAqq7Wtlo5H8AvVMydRC7WojQ84gU95wbKjqDSenlZpvb7VLoQMxnlBaxv2VJHSHCp2a0dCUZWIi2-avqzE/s1600/RESURRECTION2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSN1Av5l0LbSYQ-JkeEz5YsmehASc9dJcoTblvSSwza_OsAdoslu_xQiqhAqq7Wtlo5H8AvVMydRC7WojQ84gU95wbKjqDSenlZpvb7VLoQMxnlBaxv2VJHSHCp2a0dCUZWIi2-avqzE/s1600/RESURRECTION2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo credit: www.thedeliverancedoctor.com</span></i></span></td></tr>
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 24.9480018615723px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You can learn more about Christie Murrow on her blog, <a href="http://www.charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com/" style="color: #38761d; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Charis Designs Jewelry</a></span></div>
beautifullybrokenmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16163723965720770778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69913557823693750.post-40429152595981099912015-04-03T00:00:00.000-07:002015-04-03T00:00:05.820-07:00Shelley Smith: Worry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
I am thankful for hope.<br />
<br />
I come from a long line of professional, first-rate, Jesus-loving worriers. Yes, that’s right. I can worry like the best of them. <br />
<br />
Sometimes (or possibly more often) I go to the worst possible scenario. A rash is flesh-eating bacteria; sore muscles are breast cancer; a fever, meningitis; and a headache, the options are endless! When Sean has a bad day at work, I make sure he hasn’t gotten fired before I pour him a cold drink. If one of my people don’t answer their phones, who knows what could’ve happened?<br />
<br />
I just want to hear the words, “Everything is going to be okay.” <br />
<br />
But it isn’t always. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">But it really is.</span><br />
<br />
There are so many things in my life that really aren’t ok with me. <br />
<br />
I am not ok that my pastor has a terminal illness. <br />
<br />
I am not ok that my dad died of a heart attack way too young and that my mom is having such a hard time living without him.<br />
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I am not ok when we have financial trouble or hard times in our marriage.<br />
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I am not ok with cancer in so many close to us. <br />
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Parenting is tough, and sometimes I am not ok with circumstances with our kids. <br />
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I am not ok when life just doesn’t seem fair. <br />
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Sometimes the things of this world can overwhelm me and I start to worry about what horrific thing is going to happen next. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">But it is ok. </span><br />
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This world is not my home. I love when Pastor Greg says everything that happens has passed through God’s heart. He loves us immeasurably more than I could ever imagine. <br />
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When sickness or death happens, God is there. <br />
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When financial and relationship troubles happen, God is there. <br />
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When pain and fear and worry happen; yep, he’s there too. <br />
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So, I rest on these eternal, trustworthy, proven words: <br />
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<b><i>“I am with you always, even to the very end of the age,” which is translated to, “Everything is going to be okay.”</i></b></blockquote>
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My hope is not in this world, but in Jesus Christ.<br />
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You can learn more about Shelley on her blog, <a href="http://laughterlyricsandlife.com/" target="_blank">Laughter, Lyrics and Life</a><br />
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beautifullybrokenmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16163723965720770778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69913557823693750.post-59366931913137813662015-04-02T00:00:00.000-07:002015-04-02T00:00:07.209-07:00Teresa Roberts: Loving the Strange Things<div>
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I saw this post on Facebook the other night and it really cracked me up! After all, who doesn’t have a whole box/drawer/cubbyhole/(insert your own hiding place here) that has all those wonderful little treasures tucked away - you know, the ones you simply can’t part with!<br />
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A few weeks ago, I got to spend some time with my mother. Now, my Mom and I haven’t always gotten along - after all, we’re very much alike (a/k/a stubborn) - but with the recent changes in my life, I learned a valuable lesson. I needed to learn to accept my Mom, warts and all - and I’m so very glad I learned that lesson, for she has been my rock through all the ups and downs of the last year!<br />
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Anyway, back to the story! On this particular day, I had asked Mom if she had any crystals because I had an idea for a mixed media painting that was going to be called “Diamond Falls” and I wanted crystals to embed in the waterfall I was going to paint. We went into her “sewing room”, which is a hoarder's idea of heaven! Now don’t get me wrong - everything is very clean and somewhat organized in my Mom’s sewing room, but . . . there’s just so MUCH of it! <br />
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There’s piles of fabric everywhere in every color of the rainbow and then some. There’s spool after spool of beautiful colored threads, ribbon and lace, all just waiting to be made into a beautiful doll dress or a little girl’s dress for a friend or a great-niece. And then there’s the buttons, charms, beads, and various and sundry other miniscule little items that have been bought in the clearance bin, lovingly saved off of a favorite piece of clothing, or are a prized treasure found at the local yard sale. Everywhere I looked in the room, something caught my eye - a beautiful deep cobalt blue piece of fabric that my fingers caressed with envy; a breathtaking piece of heavy lace that had been handmade by someone decades earlier; a dazzling array of buttons, old and new, some elegant and some quite plain but sturdy. <br />
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And I had to laugh at all the treasures we found as we were digging through her stashes and piles, looking for the crystals I’d asked about. Little pieces of fabric brought back memories of all the clothes she’d made for me when I was growing up. Used jeans buttons reminded me of my first pair of blue jeans - yes, made by my mother, flat felled seams and all! A short piece of lace reminded me of the beautiful dresses she had made for my daughter - her first grandchild, and a girl no less! Mom had been in seventh heaven making beautiful little girl dresses covered in lace . . . and later more practical tank tops with gathered on skirts, always in bright, cheerful colors!<br />
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And those bits and pieces of scraps, random buttons, snippets of lace . . . they were strange things to hold on to . . . but I’m glad she had, for the memories were too precious and had been tucked away in the back of my mind for so long. And those strange things filled my heart with love and gratitude for all the care my Mom had taken in creating things of beauty from simple materials - for me, my daughter, and my three nieces - over the years! <br />
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I wish now that I had kept a few of those pieces of clothing instead of selling them at a yard sale or giving them away. What a treasure that would have been for my daughter to use with her child someday!<br />
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So take the words in the picture to heart - never be ashamed of loving the strange things - the things that on the surface appear to have no value, that look old and useless, worn by age. For those things usually are the objects that are filled with love and should be treasured forever!<br />
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You can learn more about Teresa on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/teresa.roberts.7796" target="_blank">Facebook</a></div>
beautifullybrokenmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16163723965720770778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69913557823693750.post-65065793073764459162015-03-31T00:00:00.000-07:002015-03-31T00:00:11.193-07:00Samantha Tennant: Winter SunIt’s cold.<br />
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It’s dark.<br />
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It’s winter.<br />
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And then….<br />
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there’s this:<br />
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Wonderful, sweet, juicy, fruit in the dead of winter when we need it most. Coincidence? I think not.<br />
Citrus is a gift. Truly. It’s a mood lifting, body protecting, thirst quenching, aromatherapy session, all wrapped up into one little, perfectly packaged, orb of joy.<br />
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My grandmother used to tell stories of receiving an orange in her Christmas stocking. It was a big deal. So special, that she never forgot.<br />
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When I was in school, my best friend Carrie used to tease me. An orange (or two) accompanied me at every lunch, field trip, choir competition…She would ask, “did you bring anything BESIDES an orange?” I would just shrug, smile, peel it, and pass it around. I loved them. <br />
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Years later when I was pregnant with my first child, morning sickness was my 24 hour nemesis for 7 months. Enter the beloved clementine. It was the only thing I could keep down and I bought them by the boxful. My mother joked that we should name my daughter after the little those little, orange, life savers. Even the skins were medicinal. When a wave of nausea would come, I would pinch a piece of saved clementine skin between my fingers and the smell would calm my stomach.<br />
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Nowadays, I keep a bowl of them on the counter. Piles of sweet, orange snacks that are beautiful in their own right. My kids toss them in their lunches, and we share them after meals. The perfect dessert !<br />
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A grapefruit for breakfast, a dash of juice with olive oil on a winter salad, a tangerine snack, or just a slow simmer of saved rinds and a stick of cinnamon on the stove. I am so grateful for this bright, winter gift.<br />
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You can learn more about Samantha and follow her on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/samantha.millertennant" target="_blank">Facebook </a>beautifullybrokenmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16163723965720770778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69913557823693750.post-88945001397878790322015-03-26T00:00:00.000-07:002015-03-26T00:00:00.698-07:00Christie Murrow: Freedom to Worship I am profoundly grateful today for the freedom to worship as I choose in this country of ours. It is something I take for granted far too often. Not too long ago, I was horrified to see pictures like this:<br />
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of these men being lead to their death because they refused to renounce their belief in God when threatened with death by ISIS. When faced with a decision to deny Him and live, they chose to remain true to the One in Whom they had placed their trust.<br />
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And so today, because we DO have the freedom and liberty to publicly worship without fear of reprisal, I want to honor these men who paid the ultimate price for their belief. There are so many places around the world where fellow Christians pay a heavy price for their faith. I am grateful, so very grateful, that here in America, we can worship freely.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnAi2mQqVA76__HgVPSXUaOxXRRKzRJSoNw8O9c74k4FQWIa1nVZkueYRhP_8Whtwy-4_buAQWK2DNPq_-PlYYgukRXyqFYdvsmWBF6DtXxMShScPrmKgwPgNPSTpkmIorZHGXwVluw8/s1600/21+Martyrs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnAi2mQqVA76__HgVPSXUaOxXRRKzRJSoNw8O9c74k4FQWIa1nVZkueYRhP_8Whtwy-4_buAQWK2DNPq_-PlYYgukRXyqFYdvsmWBF6DtXxMShScPrmKgwPgNPSTpkmIorZHGXwVluw8/s1600/21+Martyrs.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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You can learn more about Christie Murrow on her blog, <a href="http://www.charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Charis Designs Jewelry</a></div>
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beautifullybrokenmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16163723965720770778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69913557823693750.post-90655314954472144022015-03-24T00:00:00.000-07:002015-03-24T00:00:09.032-07:00Shawnee Penkacik: Grateful<div>
Mornings in my house are extra busy. A typical morning in my house involves getting five children off to school, breakfast for the rest of the children, then stopping feeding pumps, dressing children, and then finally getting my cup of morning coffee. </div>
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Everyone in my house knows that I need to have my morning coffee, including our amazing respite care provider. Coffee is the fuel besides my time with the Lord that keeps me going on the long days of being a busy mom. </div>
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I love the sound of my Keurig brewing a fresh cup of hot coffee that I know will help me start the day. </div>
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One of the things I’m thankful for right now is the beautiful mugs that my coffee is kept in. Each mug tells a story of either a place my family has been like my Memphis Starbucks mug:</div>
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A verse that means so much to me like my Jeremiah 29:11 one, my mug from my church:</div>
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And even one with all my family on it. This mug is one of my favorites as it has wonderful memories on it:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhBQJ4DlEw8O0yEHnWSNp2tBWZ_7VhJrXiKZ-jyksSMdlkE5Zd7x2-CcjP4NxmfZrZdnuDNr6AdTBlJm9e6ypGDyugjAngpqtY4rLF_IAhwHEfTr6dLPZefvkDSNoIRS4Bvi4vS1xCv0/s1600/Blog+Post+-+Gratitude_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhBQJ4DlEw8O0yEHnWSNp2tBWZ_7VhJrXiKZ-jyksSMdlkE5Zd7x2-CcjP4NxmfZrZdnuDNr6AdTBlJm9e6ypGDyugjAngpqtY4rLF_IAhwHEfTr6dLPZefvkDSNoIRS4Bvi4vS1xCv0/s1600/Blog+Post+-+Gratitude_3.jpg" height="277" width="400" /></a></div>
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These mugs are reminders to me of how blessed I am. I am blessed that I have people to take care of, I am blessed to have a church to call home, I am blessed because well just because God says so. </div>
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It is also a reminder that God gives good gifts to His children as it says in James:</div>
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<i>Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.</i><i>James 1:17, NLT</i></blockquote>
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So as you sip your morning coffee, tea, or whatever you are drinking, remember to count your blessings and that God is faithful. </div>
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I hope your day is abundantly blessed. </div>
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Shawnee</div>
___________________________________<br /><br />You can read more about Shawnee on her blog, <a href="http://www.blessedonthebrightside.com/">Blessed on the Bright Side</a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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beautifullybrokenmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16163723965720770778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69913557823693750.post-80087251444729018312015-03-20T00:00:00.000-07:002015-03-20T00:00:11.135-07:00Shelley Smith: Firsts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I am thankful for this girl, our first!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBHEla6uZ9nXqU23rIeV_4y9LpMAgXx0mKi4PFH9MDYTFTjRb3-9NMe6jC5yiQ-kNo534o9ZAsRU_n5e2i7qU5HfLlkuHqxCFUvBsQKYQMPzT_3g81TENG5rSYqCINSrdaS4t4DTzb_0/s1600/Blog+Post+-+Firsts_filtered.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBHEla6uZ9nXqU23rIeV_4y9LpMAgXx0mKi4PFH9MDYTFTjRb3-9NMe6jC5yiQ-kNo534o9ZAsRU_n5e2i7qU5HfLlkuHqxCFUvBsQKYQMPzT_3g81TENG5rSYqCINSrdaS4t4DTzb_0/s1600/Blog+Post+-+Firsts_filtered.JPG" height="640" width="502" /></a></div>
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Allison is our first. This year she’s a sophomore in high school. <br />
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I remember many firsts with her: first time with a babysitter, first visit to the church nursery, first day of kindergarten, first sleepover, first field trip, first summer camp, first day of high school, and the list goes on. <br />
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Firsts are painful. Letting go is hard. I worry. I want to protect her and control her situations and her surroundings. I don’t want her to see anything or hear anything or experience anything negative. <br />
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I could…for a while.<br />
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I could keep her with me all the time and not let her go anywhere or do anything (she’d probably hate me). But greater than my desire to control her, I want her to go. <br />
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I want her to be unafraid and bold. <br />
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I want her to do great things. <br />
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I want her to become who God has designed her to be. <br />
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I want her to develop relationships with other people who love her and encourage her in her faith. <br />
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I want her to make decisions for herself. <br />
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I want her relationship with Christ to be her own. <br />
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I want her to live.<br />
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Allison is one of the most outgoing, confident, independent girls I know. She is a leader. She is unafraid to share her faith and knows why she believes what she believes. She invites everyone she knows to church. <br />
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She is our first.<br />
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I am beyond thankful that God put her in our lives. <br />
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She is not afraid; but I sometimes am. <br />
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I am thankful she is our first. She’s teaching us how to be parents. She’s teaching us to love, trust, forgive...<br />
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...and PRAY! <br />
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You can learn more about Shelley on her blog, <a href="http://laughterlyricsandlife.com/" target="_blank">Laughter, Lyrics and Life</a></div>
beautifullybrokenmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16163723965720770778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69913557823693750.post-85131694053496715492015-03-19T00:00:00.000-07:002015-03-19T00:00:03.761-07:00Teresa Roberts: The Possibilities Are Grand!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I recently went through a major life event - a divorce - after raising three beautiful children, going through his job losses, a horrific automobile accident he was involved in and nearly 30 years of marriage. And even though the change was instigated by me, it wasn't without many, many tears, second (and third, and fourth . . . ) thoughts, angst and LOTS of praying! <br />
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But once the decision was finally made, a huge weight lifted off of me and I knew in my heart it was the right decision for me. And on that Monday, the day the divorce was final, I came home from the courthouse, sat in my living room and just breathed . . . sitting in stunned silence, basking in my newborn freedom. And me, being a planner, suddenly panicked about what was I going to do next. I had been so focused on getting through this painful event, that I hadn't thought beyond this very moment!<br />
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And as I sat there thinking what should I do next, which way should I go, how will I manage everything, will this all work out ??????????. . . on and on, spinning myself into a tizzy . . . it suddenly dawned on me that I DIDN'T have to make any decisions right then. That the rest of my life was a blank canvas, just waiting to be filled with the artwork of my future life. And then I began to glow inside as I thought of all the possibilities . . . and my, oh my, were they grand!<br />
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And so, with a new-found love of writing poetry and stories, I wrote this poem to remind myself of all the positive things I had to look forward to. I hope that any of you that are dealing with a sudden change in your life will read this and realize that YOU control how you react to that change . . . how you frame your thoughts around whether it's a positive event or not . . . how you decide to move forward in spite of the change . . . how you let go and let God walk with you down this new road you are traveling on. And I hope and pray that you can see even just one grand possibility to lead you through the situation you face . . . and I hope in some small way this poem inspires you to move forward, keeping your mind open to the myriad of possibilities in this beautiful world God has provided us. <br />
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Have a joyous day!<br />
<br />
TA Roberts<br />
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<b>The Possibilities Are Grand!</b></div>
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My future is spread out before me I</div>
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can go anywhere, be who I want to be ,</div>
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and the possibilities are grand it</div>
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doesn’t even have to be planned!</div>
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I might take it one day at a time</div>
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and experiment with paints and rhyme.</div>
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Or I might write a story or two the</div>
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good thing is it doesn’t matter what I do!</div>
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I need to work hard and save my money</div>
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so I can travel and see my honey!</div>
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And I want to take some classes</div>
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to learn how to illustrate for the masses.</div>
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I’d love to see my name on a book</div>
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and ask my friends to take a look.</div>
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Or see my artwork on a gallery wall</div>
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or hanging in a fancy dining hall.</div>
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I want to learn how to create a website,</div>
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to sell my art and what my honey can write.</div>
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And maybe selling the coding I’ve learned</div>
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is a way some travel money can be earned!</div>
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I want to go to a beach and tan</div>
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and swim in the ocean and play in the sand.</div>
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And find a cause I can really support</div>
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like Habitat for Humanity or veterans at a fort.</div>
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The key to it all is the freedom I’ll have</div>
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to pick and choose and not need a salve</div>
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anymore to heal my heart</div>
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and this week has been a great start!</div>
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My new life started one day ago</div>
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and there’s one thing I know it</div>
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already feels good,</div>
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just like I hoped it would!</div>
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And as I move forward and take care of me,</div>
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I hope that my friends and family can see</div>
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that this hard decision was the right one</div>
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and I’m so happy now the marriage is done!</div>
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Now I need to work on my mind embrace</div>
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the positive, leave the negative behind!</div>
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I need to learn patience and how to wait</div>
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while I hope that friendly visits become a date!</div>
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<br /></div>
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But for now, I’ll just continue along,</div>
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smiling and singing a favorite song,</div>
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or painting an owl or maybe some flowers</div>
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while God in his grace, happiness he showers!</div>
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Teresa</div>
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Roberts</div>
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5/22/2014</div>
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You can learn more about Teresa on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/teresa.roberts.7796" target="_blank">Facebook</a></div>
beautifullybrokenmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16163723965720770778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69913557823693750.post-14568580619243769622015-03-17T00:00:00.000-07:002015-03-17T00:00:05.594-07:00Christie Murrow: Counting My Blessings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0eqAAGCitO_F9Q8jPnUw_lH-oqQR_A18BHBvYVRvdo0th8RxAeeFQ-721EhiiXpOrKCD0xOUB3kbZbN5cBhyphenhyphenJ27RB_kqVYxVLwxmR2h7WfccKEiiOteLW-E9rxqHQFk5CH7yeHlTBVE/s1600/joy+and+blessings.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0eqAAGCitO_F9Q8jPnUw_lH-oqQR_A18BHBvYVRvdo0th8RxAeeFQ-721EhiiXpOrKCD0xOUB3kbZbN5cBhyphenhyphenJ27RB_kqVYxVLwxmR2h7WfccKEiiOteLW-E9rxqHQFk5CH7yeHlTBVE/s1600/joy+and+blessings.png" height="640" width="512" /></a></div>
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Thanksgiving is a great time to reflect on all the ways we’ve been blessed, but the premise of this blog is to live in such a way that gratitude becomes an inherent, and ongoing, part of our lives. As I was thinking about this the other day and wondering what to write about, I realized I had a doctor’s appointment.<br />
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I happen to love my new primary; she’s encouraging, and trustworthy. This time I got a great report. Two years ago, that wasn’t the case. I was in the midst of a season of some heart issues, and it was scary, exhausting, and overwhelming. I was a compliant patient but it took several months, and lots of tests, to get my body to settle down. Then this past fall, I went in to see my new doctor, and she expressed her concern with my weight, blood pressure, and lab values. I realized it was time for a change, and no one else could do that for me.<br />
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So, I joined Weight Watchers online, joined a friend committed to walk at least two times a week, and ordered a Jawbone to track my activity and sleep. I truly didn’t have much hope for losing weight because everything seemed ineffective. However, 10 weeks later, I am down ten pounds (even with the holidays), my labs are the best they’ve ever been, and I’m feeling better and moving a whole lot more. I still have a long ways to go, but what a difference from a couple of years ago! <br />
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So, I’m counting my blessings, and naming them one by one.<br />
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I’m delighted, and excited, to be a regular contributor here, and trust that it will keep me looking for blessings that are all around me, and help me live in a lot more gratitude. It’s easy to get overwhelmed in the midst of difficult situations; oh, I how get that. But today?<br />
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<b><i>Start with five things you’re grateful for, and see how that changes your outlook. </i></b><br />
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If you like the picture above, it is a free a printable from Landelu: http://www.landeeseelandeedo.com/2013/11/sunday-encouragement-grateful-11-24-13.html<br />
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So, take a few minutes and let your list help you segue from gratitude to joy, and embrace, even if only for a few minutes, some grateful living.<br />
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You can learn more about Christie Murrow on her blog, <a href="http://www.charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Charis Designs Jewelry</a><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>What are you grateful for today? Leave a comment and let us know!</i></span></b><br />
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beautifullybrokenmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16163723965720770778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69913557823693750.post-50155942368773737522015-03-13T00:00:00.000-07:002015-03-13T00:00:01.422-07:00Karen Baruth: The Well-Spent Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi, I'm Karen. I am a Christ Follower. The definition of Christian has gotten murky in recent years, so Christ Follower is clearer, I think. I have a wonderful husband named Ken and we have been married 34 years. He too is a Christ Follower. We also have two grown daughters who give us joy and blessing. </div>
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Our family recently has had to process the unexpected loss of my Mother in Law. She was 80 and not in perfect health, but her death came as a surprise to us all. You always have it laid out in your mind how the scenario will happen. It never does. I'm not really sure why we even bother to "work it out" ahead of time. I think it's probably our human nature to have some illusion of control over our circumstances. </div>
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My Mother in Law was also a Christ Follower. I'd say she was the spiritual leader of the family, always active in her church, studying the Bible and teaching children about Jesus. That lady knew her scripture. She would listen to many ministers on the radio and it often was her spiritual lifeline. She wasn't the perfect Mom or Mother-in-Law at times. She often struggled with getting victory over difficult circumstances in her life. She loved Jesus, though, and always came back to that truth. </div>
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She would sit and play the piano on her upright Steinway. It was precious to her. I think it was hers from a small child. She loved the history of her family and ALL the mementos that came along with that. She had a hard time letting go of most of those things. It used to frustrate me that she held on to so much, but then I look around my house and see that I have no room to talk. </div>
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I am grateful for the wonderful mother she was to my husband. There have been some things I've had to "train" him in that she somehow missed. :-) Maybe it was more that he listened to me and not her, I'm sure. I'm really just joking as he is a gift to me. We are excited to know that we will see her again some day. We are confident of that. I will even get to meet her mother and father that she spoke so highly of. I'm so glad we will have eternity to get to know all the people and stories that we missed out on here on earth. I think there will be tears of joy.<br />
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She had a life well spent. </div>
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You can learn more about Karen on her blog, <a href="http://elderberrystreet.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Elderberry Street</a></div>
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beautifullybrokenmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16163723965720770778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69913557823693750.post-38914574811907181632015-03-12T00:00:00.001-07:002015-03-12T00:00:10.952-07:00Samantha Tennant: Out with the New and In with the Old?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The holiday season is fast retreating and everyone is sold on healthier eating…<br />
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No, this isn’t the start of a poem. It’s a fact. I walked into Trader Joes the other day and the fresh veggie section was literally wiped out. I’m a familiar face in that store, so I grabbed one of the employees and asked…<br />
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"Hey Jeff, what’s the deal with the empty shelves?" He explained that it was always like this the first two weeks of January. “Everyone goes on a health kick, but don’t worry, it will be over in about a week or so when folks go back to junk food.”<br />
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I had to think about that for a minute. We always eat a hefty amount of fruits and veg. I can’t imagine feasting on all of that luscious greenery and then putting it all aside for a box of Frosted Flakies or bag of Cheezie Crisps. Why not stick with the new? Why go back to the old?<br />
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Especially when you know how it makes you feel… lacking.<br />
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Why do we continue to make choices that we know aren’t good for us, when we have true goodness all around us? I am not just talking about food but about all the lovely and unlovely bits and pieces of our lives.<br />
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There is goodness everywhere, you just have to look for it. It may not always be in flashing, hot pink neon, but trust me it’s there. <br />
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I am so grateful that I live in a country where there is healthy food, medicines, nurses, doctors, clean water, safe neighborhoods, freedom of speech, of religion.<br />
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We truly want for nothing.<br />
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So, this year I want to want what is right, to stand up for what is right, to fight for what is right.<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">This year I want to say out with the old and in with a healthful, grateful heart.</span></i></b><br />
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beautifullybrokenmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16163723965720770778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69913557823693750.post-5835938159129210362015-03-11T00:00:00.000-07:002015-03-11T00:00:02.047-07:00Welcome Back to Grateful Living! So..what is this blog all about?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyIz6-9H0b8wHm6khge7HHJFZ80lU4SPFw2Mt7AeFCNFBwqcSkwE7ATlyv5DN5UMQ7CwxlnDYdvTQIM9Z8eBnwRrTa-ZgIK3zKl1dV3YpoTn-cCdMFigNd0B_EXk_Ka35PdXj7GPNPuI/s1600/Grateful+Living+Graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyIz6-9H0b8wHm6khge7HHJFZ80lU4SPFw2Mt7AeFCNFBwqcSkwE7ATlyv5DN5UMQ7CwxlnDYdvTQIM9Z8eBnwRrTa-ZgIK3zKl1dV3YpoTn-cCdMFigNd0B_EXk_Ka35PdXj7GPNPuI/s1600/Grateful+Living+Graphic.jpg" height="344" width="640" /></a></div>
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Friends sharing together, doing our best to define grateful living as:<br />
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Seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary.<br />
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Finding the small blessings in the big storms.<br />
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Waking up, breathing in, and recognizing that each day is a gift.<br />
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Seeing the glass as half-full.<br />
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Stepping off the treadmill of life and standing still for a moment to stop and smell the roses.<br />
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Looking beyond faults and recognizing the good in others.<br />
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Being thankful for what you have and not worrying away all your time wishing for what you don't.<br />
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This,<br />
and so much more,<br />
is what grateful living is all about.<br />
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Please join us as we share pieces and parts of our personal experiences with you as we do our best to walk on the sunny side of the street.beautifullybrokenmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16163723965720770778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69913557823693750.post-36987579123392632092015-03-10T18:08:00.001-07:002015-03-10T18:08:04.655-07:00Just One More Day...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />beautifullybrokenmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16163723965720770778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69913557823693750.post-91075408940137820042015-01-18T15:17:00.001-07:002015-01-18T15:17:56.049-07:00Contributors Wanted For The Grateful Living Blog!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDkWTim4QkA_FICzajKKYhfUmmzNQlp_k-rC0Rvtr2ZdSN3lNDVTc-9W27_IHoGlnPrjLU3e-j9L2fkB7wqW8HVHUeRzoXWvIpLabYVy4TdzpkMGYD3QN7xxOt0IAuTM3aHoW6sEw4a8/s1600/GL_Instagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDkWTim4QkA_FICzajKKYhfUmmzNQlp_k-rC0Rvtr2ZdSN3lNDVTc-9W27_IHoGlnPrjLU3e-j9L2fkB7wqW8HVHUeRzoXWvIpLabYVy4TdzpkMGYD3QN7xxOt0IAuTM3aHoW6sEw4a8/s1600/GL_Instagram.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Grateful Living is looking for regular blog contributors!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you think you would be a fit, leave a comment below </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">AND </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">e-mail molly@missmollysdesigns.com and we will send you more information!</span></span></div>
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beautifullybrokenmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16163723965720770778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69913557823693750.post-10520805586720067012012-05-21T09:07:00.000-07:002012-05-21T09:08:02.897-07:00Lisa Lodge: Don't Worry<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have been thinking a lot lately about worry. It is so easy for people to say: “Oh, don’t worry. Everything will be alright”. Easier said than done, right? Now, I am not going to make this post about my troubles. We all have our fair share. I have been very blessed in many ways. However, from time to time I find worries creeping into my daily living. Instead of focusing on what is going well, I focus on what is not. Or what I perceive to be “missing”. Jobs, money, health, achievement – how much is “enough?” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Recently, Molly graciously invited me to contribute to this wonderful blog. Thinking about living from a mindset of gratitude became my task for the past week or so. Each day I came up with a mental list of all the things for which I am grateful. The list was long, yet I still felt the old worries creeping in. Then, I looked out my back window onto the pond which I share with the other condominiums in our complex. It is a natural pond which is frequented by a number of different birds: ducks, geese, heron, and even an occasional pelican. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It has always been relaxing to me to watch wildlife, especially around a pond or lake. The birds don’t worry about what will happen tomorrow, or about what other birds have or don’t have. They just live in the moment. I was reminded of a book that I like by Dan Millman: The Way of the Peaceful Warrior. In it, a young college student is taught by a mentor to focus on and live in the moment. He learned how to be a human BEING, rather than a human DOING. By focusing on the here and now, perhaps my mind can clearly see the joy in each day – and that joy is something for which I am truly grateful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>You can learn more about Lisa on her blog: <a href="http://pineridgetreasures.blogspot.com/">Pine Ridge Treasures</a></i></span></div>
</span>beautifullybrokenmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16163723965720770778noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69913557823693750.post-29331786215768051202012-05-14T10:18:00.005-07:002012-05-14T10:18:38.342-07:00Jan Thomason: I Told Frank I Had Finally Figured It Out...<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">The
Tank and I were laying in bed the other night talking<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">about
this and that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">One of
the things I shared with him was that I had<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"> finally
figured out Oprah's question that <i>hadn't</i> been<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">
weighing on my mind though I know<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"> she'd
be so proud to know that I had finally figured it out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">I'm a
stress eater.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">But, I
get ahead of myself...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Y'all
know that mom moved to the ranch in the middle<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">of
January this year for me to take care of her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">She
moved here from a memory center<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">in
Portage, Michigan, where she was residing because<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">she had
onset vascular dementia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">So, we
make it to the ranch a couple of weeks before<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">this............<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ghyg5mrZWYT-gQrAD70tkHFXbhdaQR1EG8VYXJmD6fq0E11GWP8PpDD8OABlDnH19JC497Pu6dnvKTaazZDwSNSlIVZQO4Ed_HqBRY8k3aLo-QNYXs13E3dkQzMVjwYmeovhRwxx6YI/s1600/IMG_1424.JPG"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="266" id="_x0000_i1025" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ghyg5mrZWYT-gQrAD70tkHFXbhdaQR1EG8VYXJmD6fq0E11GWP8PpDD8OABlDnH19JC497Pu6dnvKTaazZDwSNSlIVZQO4Ed_HqBRY8k3aLo-QNYXs13E3dkQzMVjwYmeovhRwxx6YI/s400/IMG_1424.JPG" style="border-bottom-color: #E1DDB4; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: #E1DDB4; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: #E1DDB4; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: #E1DDB4; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="400" /></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">drove
up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Oh,
heavens, that was one big moving van. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Before
I became concerned as to how much room mom's<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">things
were taking up inside the van, I derived a great<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">sense
of satisfaction knowing that whomever was<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">driving
by the ranch as this monster drove up the lane,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">would
be wondering why we were moving, where we<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">were
moving, had we run out of money? goats?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Center
Point is like so many other small towns in that respect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">The
sight of this van driving up the lane would give<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">the old
men that drink coffee at the local mini mart<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">great
fodder. Still makes me smile when I think about it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_KjH9ppARUjVX_cz0ee7g8o4b-eiZ4C-Dw_SHgk-6qMtJwN7dcHH4y-nCjOECd7RxOAhtokRehST3hYT9L3uv0QCZ_Xt83RKFjEm-13pzhocAF-N-qKuCPHeZubRg4HYYq24JOHq6rc/s1600/IMG_1433.JPG"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="266" id="_x0000_i1026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_KjH9ppARUjVX_cz0ee7g8o4b-eiZ4C-Dw_SHgk-6qMtJwN7dcHH4y-nCjOECd7RxOAhtokRehST3hYT9L3uv0QCZ_Xt83RKFjEm-13pzhocAF-N-qKuCPHeZubRg4HYYq24JOHq6rc/s400/IMG_1433.JPG" style="border-bottom-color: #E1DDB4; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: #E1DDB4; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: #E1DDB4; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: #E1DDB4; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="400" /></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Here
are some shots of mom's things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Not all
of them be any stretch, but, enough that you can<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">get an
idea of what those men pulled out of that moving van.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyj80hdQF16zT7BQURAVKAUUlWNV39eGU66bQCQERAz-tXgF9MiOL0PiKfWYbA-3gGKi7gymJ-z7mxUi6_xdHmN5kghc6Xk8QLGHG11y2kxZJgnKDPZOLwfUjUK0uEhgbVQn_9uI1zAQ/s1600/IMG_1428.jpg"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="640" id="_x0000_i1027" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyj80hdQF16zT7BQURAVKAUUlWNV39eGU66bQCQERAz-tXgF9MiOL0PiKfWYbA-3gGKi7gymJ-z7mxUi6_xdHmN5kghc6Xk8QLGHG11y2kxZJgnKDPZOLwfUjUK0uEhgbVQn_9uI1zAQ/s640/IMG_1428.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: #E1DDB4; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: #E1DDB4; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: #E1DDB4; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: #E1DDB4; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="424" /></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Oh, the
boxes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokRA27pdtole0eInSJUVAGy4YDhC1U2ZLGmoepT9N088W8Yydn5N9Dr2TDmn1IPTg_a03dTSEHq6hkRon2_cGBv5k15v2RBh0-MecwhP2Q67yEwDjhZedqw0bmcvns65XvLYRBASyb_k/s1600/IMG_1435.jpg"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="640" id="_x0000_i1028" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokRA27pdtole0eInSJUVAGy4YDhC1U2ZLGmoepT9N088W8Yydn5N9Dr2TDmn1IPTg_a03dTSEHq6hkRon2_cGBv5k15v2RBh0-MecwhP2Q67yEwDjhZedqw0bmcvns65XvLYRBASyb_k/s640/IMG_1435.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: #E1DDB4; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: #E1DDB4; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: #E1DDB4; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: #E1DDB4; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="425" /></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">The
entire mess was supposed to fit into mom's<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">room -
a really decent sized bedroom with a <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">sitting
area and attached bath. Lots of storage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">But,
please! A whole house into a suite?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">And, of
course, she wanted to start going through<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">the
boxes one...at...a...time, handling, touching,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">caressing
every...single...item...in...each...box.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHcZS5NKCFB8lpLFIEGhmXQqWeV9u-aeVEO4yO22aLHDfGlEmIMnGD5Z7A5eqH-jqR3y7TOru-yv3QDJjX86LG7PDm4IFIV5yNBbe-SHXq1gcZHALkhCtGydqky8J6b-kanKLEo0qUGg/s1600/IMG_1399+-+Version+2.jpg"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="640" id="_x0000_i1029" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHcZS5NKCFB8lpLFIEGhmXQqWeV9u-aeVEO4yO22aLHDfGlEmIMnGD5Z7A5eqH-jqR3y7TOru-yv3QDJjX86LG7PDm4IFIV5yNBbe-SHXq1gcZHALkhCtGydqky8J6b-kanKLEo0qUGg/s640/IMG_1399+-+Version+2.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: #E1DDB4; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: #E1DDB4; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: #E1DDB4; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: #E1DDB4; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="456" /></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">This
picture is of mom shortly after she arrived.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">I
remember when I looked at this photo that it struck<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">me as
so odd -- my mom was "old", you know, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">a
senior. I had never seen it in her before and <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">maybe
that's because she was never "sick" before, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">I don't
know. But, though she looks different to me here, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">she's still
beautiful <i>and </i>85 this summer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRacJ6dxTAXiEjQS8yX6L0QQYOxE_rKAs7ScjxtLOYC2oQFIg8cM-ZICV5kxk4YKfwGLFtqVeX7OyF9EIIyAE3HKZeNYgnWJHRm9TRB2LxbbFSf6h6Gk9qhofQpjDXYEWWLorjygOz6uE/s1600/IMG_1453.jpg"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="640" id="_x0000_i1030" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRacJ6dxTAXiEjQS8yX6L0QQYOxE_rKAs7ScjxtLOYC2oQFIg8cM-ZICV5kxk4YKfwGLFtqVeX7OyF9EIIyAE3HKZeNYgnWJHRm9TRB2LxbbFSf6h6Gk9qhofQpjDXYEWWLorjygOz6uE/s640/IMG_1453.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: #E1DDB4; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: #E1DDB4; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: #E1DDB4; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: #E1DDB4; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="425" /></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Mom has
to use a walker to get around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">She is
a bit frail and her sense of balance is<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">somewhat
off. This is the safest way for her<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">to get
around -- even when re-introducing herself<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">to the
goats. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpkfG6_VMYzMU2w3MNrDUqabx5z3fh3-yoMkSgBIITQ6EsvJ-7l6F5HMkKFdEuiUv5XIXSjk4TZIlHJ5c62DNEXn6C2glTgmoyz9kkvpsOEJ1xaZtSLzeuaL79MkdWQh6ekmRI4fLhUk/s1600/IMG_1467.jpg"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="640" id="_x0000_i1031" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpkfG6_VMYzMU2w3MNrDUqabx5z3fh3-yoMkSgBIITQ6EsvJ-7l6F5HMkKFdEuiUv5XIXSjk4TZIlHJ5c62DNEXn6C2glTgmoyz9kkvpsOEJ1xaZtSLzeuaL79MkdWQh6ekmRI4fLhUk/s640/IMG_1467.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: #E1DDB4; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: #E1DDB4; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: #E1DDB4; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: #E1DDB4; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="425" /></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">So, mom
has dementia, she's moved everything<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">she's
ever owned to the ranch and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">on top
of that, after she had been here for a few <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">weeks,
she fell and sustained three hairline fractures<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">in
these two bones that attach to the bottom of your<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">hips.
Yeah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Pain,
such pain sitting, standing, sitting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Nothing
that can be done (in the way of surgery) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">and
thank goodness she is almost healed and the<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">pain is
lessening weekly because she has <i>really</i> been hurting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">However,
even in the middle of hurting she manages to<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">dig out
her sense of humor...the picture above is mom in<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">a sweat
suit, hood up, topped by her heavy robe <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">(and an
asked for pathetic look) because she <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">was/is/<i>is
always</i> cold. Someone needs to tell her she's <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">in
south Texas now, not Michigan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvqgKyRAnFoSk5eaM8uRLbbCDVBqhOx7-CUm8kkFQUY8WiXDG7Vvh8fRe3CVcAv8BxQ2ZToKDnggXKYi1aoOsG7X3X7nn97C6eMfT6QN_lwnArKi9ZnkrPut_paANYxgMWaB9SuOGg5Y/s1600/IMG_1507.JPG"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="285" id="_x0000_i1032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvqgKyRAnFoSk5eaM8uRLbbCDVBqhOx7-CUm8kkFQUY8WiXDG7Vvh8fRe3CVcAv8BxQ2ZToKDnggXKYi1aoOsG7X3X7nn97C6eMfT6QN_lwnArKi9ZnkrPut_paANYxgMWaB9SuOGg5Y/s400/IMG_1507.JPG" style="border-bottom-color: #E1DDB4; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: #E1DDB4; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: #E1DDB4; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: #E1DDB4; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="400" /></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">This
picture was taken this Easter, just a couple of weeks ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">We had
just been to church to witness Blake, Clay and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">their
daddy's baptism (it was so cool).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Blake
and Clay wanted a picture taken with Grammy once<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">we got
home. Oh, and Sophie, too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">These
are the moments I like to remember.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">The
ones I <i>must </i>remember to get through the<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">other
moments that fill my days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">I
remember growing up, into my adult years, always<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">fearful
that one of my parents would get cancer and die.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">The
word "cancer" had always scared me and I could<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">picture
having to live through one of my parents getting<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">sick
with "the C word".<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Never,
however, did I or have I thought that one of my parents <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">would
develop dementia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">It's a
condition that does no apparent 'physical' harm to the person<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">suffering
from it because they don't know that there's<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">anything
wrong. It's the children and all of those who love<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">my mom
that have been the greatest affected.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">She has
moments with me where she will question "why"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">in
reference to her confusion and memory loss,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">but,
except for those moments, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">it's
those of us that love her that are feeling<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">the
most pain. And, I'm sure there are many of you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">that
can relate to that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">And to
those of you that are the care givers or have been<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">the
care giver, I know what you're feeling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">I know
your frustration, your feelings of inadequacy,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">your
fear, your exhaustion, the pounds you've added<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">or the
pounds you've lost, those moments of delight that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">you
share with your parent. I know all of it<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">and I
pray for you as I hope you are praying for me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">and all
of the caregivers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-style-span">AN ALZHEIMER'S POEM</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-style-span">Do not ask me to remember</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-style-span">Don't try to make me understand</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-style-span">Let me rest and know you're with me</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-style-span">Kiss my cheek and hold my hand.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-style-span">I'm confused beyond your concept</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-style-span">I am sad and sick and lost</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-style-span">All I know is that I need you</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-style-span">To be with me at all cost.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-style-span">Do not lose your patience with me</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-style-span">Do not scold or curse or cry</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-style-span">I can't help the way I'm acting</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-style-span">Can't be different though I try.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-style-span">Just remember that I need you</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-style-span">That the best of me is gone</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-style-span">Please don't fail to stand beside me</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-style-span">Love me until my life is done.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Amen.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
___________________________________</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You can learn more about Jan Thomason on her blog, <a href="http://polkadotbarn.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">The Polkadot Barn</a></div>
</span></span>beautifullybrokenmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16163723965720770778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69913557823693750.post-29359696088099171352012-05-11T08:05:00.001-07:002012-05-11T08:05:22.997-07:00Reflect...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKIAvXiv55_6jx8pBviFCwyOHoCrDreP3QSybVLxDNnK71LWKXtAT2nB1gfQPAvrS9h2qTvgXaljSIuZYDvPpR7QJ5k8qS8c43xAP_3vW9qP1p9rVfmUDuKoYOBGsfbEuyCalYlxxddo/s1600/Dickens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKIAvXiv55_6jx8pBviFCwyOHoCrDreP3QSybVLxDNnK71LWKXtAT2nB1gfQPAvrS9h2qTvgXaljSIuZYDvPpR7QJ5k8qS8c43xAP_3vW9qP1p9rVfmUDuKoYOBGsfbEuyCalYlxxddo/s640/Dickens.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />beautifullybrokenmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16163723965720770778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69913557823693750.post-72269479823762984142012-05-09T03:00:00.000-07:002012-05-09T03:00:09.388-07:00Jan Thomason: You Never Know When God Is Going To Pull The Rug Out From Under You...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">...but, when He does, you just go with it using prayer, His strength and deep breaths (you, not God). </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">...and it happened to me a couple of weeks ago. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm still reeling but I'm sure it will all settle down soon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ah, heck, who am I kidding? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It won't settle down until my mother passes or gets to the point that she needs to return to a memory care facility. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But, it's okay. She's my mom. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTV1Wlb6AeSPE3mUTST1bsMOkgxSguMmlZ6ii2cy4xdtO2J7-VuFHK0ZsXxYX-Kcx3Q3SMmqiYF3YIOumEZLu0vSU9i6ng1DmFxgGwT7mtGf2FspIVGU4nLdMHj_adymO2P0BN5aIPm9E/s400/Junie_Alt_Sf-1.jpg" />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Long story short, my mom has early stage dementia. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have four amazing brothers and sisters who have each taken a part of her care together up until the time that I arrived about 2 weeks ago. My mom lived in Michigan. Kalamazoo, specifically. She was diagnosed in this psychiatric hospital for geriatrics (love that my mom was in a psych hospital. Special). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">She was then moved to a memory care facility which was absolutely beautiful. Had her own suite - it was huge - and an amazing staff. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Don't get the wrong idea - all of that beauty and good care comes at a price. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You'd think if they were going to charge what they do, they'd lose the funeral drapes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It was decided that she didn't need that much attention and after she had told three of my siblings that she wanted to live on the ranch with Jan and the puppies (we have four rescue dogs), I got the phone call. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">What am I supposed to say?? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I said "yes", of course. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">According to her O.T., she functions at the age of a 3 year old and needs constant supervision. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">gre-a-a-a-a-a-a-t-t-t-t. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, I drove up, spent two weeks, helped pack up everything she owns that she wanted to move to Texas - enough to fill a moving van partway - loaded her, her dog and her walker, etc. into the car and took off for Texas. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We're home. She's settling in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Keeps telling me she's taking a bus to Kalamazoo for Christmas. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My mother on a bus? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Horrors. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Glad she doesn't know what she's saying. She'd freak. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's a poem that I want you to read, especially if you are taking care of an early onset dementia patient. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It's an amazing read: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>AN ALZHEIMER'S POEM </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Do not ask me to remember </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Don't try to make me understand </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Let me rest and know you're with me </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Kiss my cheek and hold my hand. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I'm confused beyond your concept </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I am sad and sick and lost </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>All I know is that I need you </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>To be with me at all cost. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Do not lose your patience with me </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Do not scold or curse or cry </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I can't help the way I'm acting </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Can't be different though I try. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Just remember that I need you </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>That the best of me is gone </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Please don't fail to stand beside me </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Love me until my life is done. </i></div>
</span></i><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Amen.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 24px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">_____________________________________________</span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 24px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can learn more about Jan on her blog, <a href="http://polkadotbarn.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1a300f; text-decoration: none;">The Polkadot Barn</a></span></i></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>beautifullybrokenmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16163723965720770778noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69913557823693750.post-74580525388980191162012-05-07T03:00:00.000-07:002012-05-07T03:00:08.140-07:00Cat Kerr: Bike Rides<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Joshua still enjoys bike riding and when the weather is nice we take a spin around and visit the neighborhood. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAYxcOnbN66DBjTi_8YpmrzhbITpGs7hcQrAzDSB9-4_g1q0AZofpzZB9wsu3-jTUV2eWAqp-qtTho8fpaPyVqqUWCZ-JMZBfNTyBH4Tnwqb8XJz_7dnIGRpwYDyilQCAnJ6gvMj_ENg/s1600/Bike+Ride+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAYxcOnbN66DBjTi_8YpmrzhbITpGs7hcQrAzDSB9-4_g1q0AZofpzZB9wsu3-jTUV2eWAqp-qtTho8fpaPyVqqUWCZ-JMZBfNTyBH4Tnwqb8XJz_7dnIGRpwYDyilQCAnJ6gvMj_ENg/s400/Bike+Ride+1.jpg" width="298" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If daddy’s home, he comes to and there is nothing better than spending this time together. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9NIFKJqNOQnPdcbavcu2bDvQnG-o-sOVgfq3uvOyez3KnDaaCT9TzB_pgPgBUMbM-F0QFpyxEexf2CJoE8FsU7u9eHOacI6KH591mFJbVB6PpGMyVoOTKz5fomnmDLK4V9f1jR2hqoo/s1600/Bike+Ride+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9NIFKJqNOQnPdcbavcu2bDvQnG-o-sOVgfq3uvOyez3KnDaaCT9TzB_pgPgBUMbM-F0QFpyxEexf2CJoE8FsU7u9eHOacI6KH591mFJbVB6PpGMyVoOTKz5fomnmDLK4V9f1jR2hqoo/s400/Bike+Ride+2.jpg" width="295" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We often stop in the neighborhood park and take in some shade </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqoE2qj-Gya6sqvGCtQrmtB3vJU9TbqULd_3Rh2SRtdzK9GHVuQVfAtAb7GC66ak7vVuCKAHX-BHVE1frzaEKxrukaPj8mId_I9ri67VjrbCRqv5LOq4_1_26JN-7fkYgpcWPEj0sn7g/s1600/Bike+Ride+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqoE2qj-Gya6sqvGCtQrmtB3vJU9TbqULd_3Rh2SRtdzK9GHVuQVfAtAb7GC66ak7vVuCKAHX-BHVE1frzaEKxrukaPj8mId_I9ri67VjrbCRqv5LOq4_1_26JN-7fkYgpcWPEj0sn7g/s400/Bike+Ride+3.jpg" width="298" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And then we race underneath a nearby bridge that slopes down giving us enough speed to zoom, zoom, zoom…it always makes me feel like a kid again. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I like bike rides too. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">They make me happy and thankful. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">These are the days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPKmMXKNziJO6ulGldSdk93J-zdZ3_v5arvz7sbpPFotCtG8Pnpgn23SgCl3lZ73HnXKtvK40uHr9MiU6yKnf-fEL5EK55FtjkTugBmsdH_B3Vp3U_lkqGOduE-dca5tpR7RHFwc8UE0/s1600/Bike+Ride+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPKmMXKNziJO6ulGldSdk93J-zdZ3_v5arvz7sbpPFotCtG8Pnpgn23SgCl3lZ73HnXKtvK40uHr9MiU6yKnf-fEL5EK55FtjkTugBmsdH_B3Vp3U_lkqGOduE-dca5tpR7RHFwc8UE0/s400/Bike+Ride+4.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">_________________________</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 24px;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can learn more about Cat on her blog, <a href="http://inthelightofthemoon.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1a300f; text-decoration: none;">In The Light Of The Moon</a>.</span></i></div>
</div>beautifullybrokenmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16163723965720770778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69913557823693750.post-65512340453769016572012-04-16T03:00:00.000-07:002012-04-16T03:00:10.807-07:00Just Be Grateful...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7WBPPNiDEVFm8_Ul-YqC365VXlaa24vyzzyzzHJ4p25vf6dAMkUP2eLvcUnImUtwC7rvrzlfabUYPbMCVezUVHPCm9d5BgKdeTyiMSSj2PAYv2iI9mVodpECuX_pXfy5jsjb4vzCM9c/s1600/Grateful.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7WBPPNiDEVFm8_Ul-YqC365VXlaa24vyzzyzzHJ4p25vf6dAMkUP2eLvcUnImUtwC7rvrzlfabUYPbMCVezUVHPCm9d5BgKdeTyiMSSj2PAYv2iI9mVodpECuX_pXfy5jsjb4vzCM9c/s640/Grateful.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />beautifullybrokenmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16163723965720770778noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69913557823693750.post-88179151418484751102012-04-11T12:43:00.001-07:002012-04-11T12:43:15.263-07:00Keeping A Gratitude Journal<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A great way to take stock of the positive things in your life is to keep a Gratitude Journal. There are many pre-made journals available online and at bookstores - here are a few examples:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_C4narOIhhp6Fdf4z22ZQvDF-0xUOnOFssS5oP4KBiyYOI4fvoToO99ufZvtX2rDSackIM1I3Iu_BOrSxSj97GsBqk7vJb43eBko9caeWRVxa3-fxro6OoKMf7sGu33_GCHrcuiF83Xs/s1600/106418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_C4narOIhhp6Fdf4z22ZQvDF-0xUOnOFssS5oP4KBiyYOI4fvoToO99ufZvtX2rDSackIM1I3Iu_BOrSxSj97GsBqk7vJb43eBko9caeWRVxa3-fxro6OoKMf7sGu33_GCHrcuiF83Xs/s320/106418.jpg" width="191" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Abundance-Journal-Gratitude-Breathnach/dp/044652106X%3FSubscriptionId%3D19BAZMZQFZJ6G2QYGCG2%26tag%3Dsquidooa40902-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D044652106X">Simple Abundance Journal of Gratitude</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgecT63z9_prub8TgUekxjLIIEZc0cZfVfFxCJM26QoH7UwSz91KDF2c-LJNmgOrYIdUnUErtcHRyxdey-e3XHufuBIqWBPWOHxoJSlSv2K-zhapWHiySlfbScxpyT3O0tTi2mugxse_aw/s1600/511G0YG38AL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="goog_985446908"></span><span id="goog_579527665"></span><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgecT63z9_prub8TgUekxjLIIEZc0cZfVfFxCJM26QoH7UwSz91KDF2c-LJNmgOrYIdUnUErtcHRyxdey-e3XHufuBIqWBPWOHxoJSlSv2K-zhapWHiySlfbScxpyT3O0tTi2mugxse_aw/s1600/511G0YG38AL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" /><span id="goog_579527666"></span><span id="goog_985446909"></span></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="goog_985446903"></span> <span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Inspirations-A-Gratitude-Journal/dp/1582096902%3FSubscriptionId%3D19BAZMZQFZJ6G2QYGCG2%26tag%3Dsquidooa40902-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D1582096902">Inspirations: A Gratitude Journal</a><span id="goog_985446904"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfXmzmhgIOtjEWhLstLn0udhyphenhyphenSmb590Y7Cw1EqxNGNxxa61ghcm1DwrfPMC0FPAb5qH8ZsrD4C0SDkD3gO3IqwGo_Oy10bwbJL3JTEGe_GCPadFrMCkJHmRrbkxRA1a_KqzZ5G-0pHtA/s1600/9780809139675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfXmzmhgIOtjEWhLstLn0udhyphenhyphenSmb590Y7Cw1EqxNGNxxa61ghcm1DwrfPMC0FPAb5qH8ZsrD4C0SDkD3gO3IqwGo_Oy10bwbJL3JTEGe_GCPadFrMCkJHmRrbkxRA1a_KqzZ5G-0pHtA/s1600/9780809139675.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Serenity-Journal-Fifty-Two-Prayer-Gratitude/dp/0809139677%3FSubscriptionId%3D19BAZMZQFZJ6G2QYGCG2%26tag%3Dsquidooa40902-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0809139677" style="font-family: inherit;">A Serenity Journal: Fifty-Two Weeks of Prayer & Gratitude</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You can also purchase a blank journal to track what you are grateful for. The toughest thing sometimes is figuring out what to write. On her website, </span><a href="http://www.squidoo.com/with-gratitude#module3745794" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"Living Life With Gratitude"</i></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, Kirsti A. Dyer gives some examples of journal writing prompts:</span></div>
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<li style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Real life isn't always going to be perfect or go our way,</span></em></div>
<em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="line-height: 21px; text-align: center;">
<em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">but the recurring acknowledgment</em></div>
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<em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">of what is working in our lives</em></div>
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<em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">can help us not only to survive but surmount our difficulties. - </em><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></em><br />
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<em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sarah Ban Breathnach</em></em></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><b>Take a moment to think and reflect before you start writing then consider the question:</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><i><b>"What is working in your life?"</b></i></span><br />
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<li style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="line-height: 21px; text-align: center;">
<em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Appreciation of life itself,</span></em></div>
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="font-style: italic; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;">
<em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">becoming suddenly aware of the miracle of being alive,</em></div>
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<em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">on this planet,</em></div>
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<em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">can turn what we call ordinary life into a miracle. - </em><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></em><br />
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<em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Dan Wakefield</em></em></div>
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<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;">
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<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><b>After reading this quote, think about this question:</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><i><b>"What are some of the simple things in your life for which you are grateful?"</b></i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We can only be said to be alive</span></em></div>
<em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="line-height: 21px; text-align: center;">
<em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">in those moments</em></div>
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<em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">when our hearts</em></div>
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<em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">are conscious of our treasures. - </em><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></em><br />
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<em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Thornton Wilder</em></em></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: inherit;"><b>Pause for a moment and reflect upon the question:</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>"What you have or who is in your life that you hold dear?"</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hopefully this will give you some ideas to get you started in your own Gratitude Journal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">___________________________________________________</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Do you already keep a Gratitude Journal? If so, how has it changed your outlook?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If not, which one of these questions stood out to you and why?</span></div>
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<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_985446905"></span><span id="goog_985446906"></span></div>beautifullybrokenmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16163723965720770778noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69913557823693750.post-40114876230229019772012-04-09T12:00:00.001-07:002012-04-09T12:00:13.672-07:00Molly Alexander: Monday Top 10<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsAnO-efp9S-yoJTPfcrnvjdEnL4HemWYM_FPz9i7sVxXxT4IC59pnuIrQm6-0imAguyNbkRVWjsXS3b3xdrEu6eyma2D2USJ4duzTRIvxDSM422qti2ukYnH3JvVbN05q5sjkkt5sFzM/s1600/Orange+Daisies.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsAnO-efp9S-yoJTPfcrnvjdEnL4HemWYM_FPz9i7sVxXxT4IC59pnuIrQm6-0imAguyNbkRVWjsXS3b3xdrEu6eyma2D2USJ4duzTRIvxDSM422qti2ukYnH3JvVbN05q5sjkkt5sFzM/s400/Orange+Daisies.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Family<br />
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Friends<br />
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Sunshine<br />
<br /></div>
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Reconciliation<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Love<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Freedom<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Coffee<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Provision<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Art<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Joy</div>beautifullybrokenmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16163723965720770778noreply@blogger.com1