Saturday, July 11, 2015

Never Forget To Remember

I am a real softie. I wear my emotions on my sleeve for all the world to see. Even when I try my best to be tough I cannot hide the rivers of tears that stream down my face when my heart is touched. Unfortunately this happens often, much to my dismay.
Some of those emotions come from my heart being touched so deeply by God's great blessings that I cannot contain myself. I have felt that a great deal lately.
Sometimes it is from the kindness of others; when I feel so deeply touched by the love and kindness of another soul.
Sometimes my heart swells with such great pride (the good kind) when I witness my grown children accomplish amazing feats in their lives, or just make great choices  ;)
There are times when I cannot keep the tears from spilling over due to the pain my heart feels as I miss the ones I love so much who are no longer here or I feel the angst of life.
There are times I simply become consumed knowing full well how great God is and how blessed I am.
The spilling over of tears comes from many reasons. My heart aches or it bursts, bringing forth a well spring of tears.
Currently my heart is weeping huge tears in deep sadness as I have learned of a great loss of an acquaintance. I actually only met her a time or two, but took many of her scrapbook classes through the years. Her 16 year old son has died. I have yet to learn the circumstances, but that really does not even matter. A family has lost a son and a brother. He held many roles; he was a grandson, a cousin, a nephew, a friend, a fellow rugby  team mate.
When I went to bed last night my pillow was filled with my silent tears as I thought of a family who would be so deep in grief they might not find the peace of sweet sleep. Their life forever altered. Their hearts broken into tiny pieces.
It is my nature to begin putting it all into perspective. I begin thinking about my great blessings. Of course I think about my own precious family and I feel compelled to love them deeper, to hug them tighter,  hold them longer.
I live my life pretty aware of the fact that we never know what tomorrow holds or that it can change in the blink of an eye. I have had a few devastating experiences of my own. Yet, like many, I am afraid I might find myself "forgetting to remember."
Tonight I am reminded, my heart has been re-booted and recharged, I shall not let any such great loss go without learning a valuable lesson, being more aware.
That is what I want to share with you today sweet friends.
Do not forget to remember your blessings. You may be struggling, but in the grand scheme of things you can find your way to knowing God's got this, He's got you. I pray you can find perspective and allow your heart to weep tears of gratitude or even anguish as you let Him know how you feel. Let Him carry the heavy load for you.
Hold your loved ones tighter, smile at others who may just need that tiny pick-me-up, lift up your head and know that He is mighty to save you and your situation.
Remember that we are not promised tomorrow and we must make the absolute most of each day. Live it fully. Love deepy.
I pray that you are in a place of peace in your life, and if you are not you will find your way there. God is the only route there. Hold on tight to Him and to the ones you love and hold dear to your heart.
Sending much love to each one of you tonight as I personally count my blessings and pray for the hearts that are breaking, especially Heidi Swapp and her family.
XO

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Life Happens

Here I am after far too long yet I truly do not want to go on about how I have failed to blog and blah, blah, blah.... Life happens, as we all know and things like a blog sometimes end up in the back seat.'It is what it is' and one of these days I am going to become better at being consistent with this blogging thing. ;)
Summertime is a time of less consistency, less rules, more relaxing when possible, more fun, more excuses even. I mean, once we hit the fall routine we dig our heels in so deep we don't allow ourselves much slack at all. I think I have that in the back of my mind sometimes and so I  give myself a little break while I can.
I haven't always been this way. It's one of those things that comes with getting older and realizing just how fast life flies. Knowing that when there is a chance to take your grandsons to see "Inside Out" followed by making signs for a Lemonade stand (because one wants to be diligent and earn some money), you do it.  Or when you have a day to spend holding your infant granddaughter, you are in no hurry at all to jump in your car and drive home. When a conversation over coffee lingers longer than expected you just go with it knowing that both of you needed this friend time right now.
Life can be a rush. I know! I am usually the one rushing it. I live by lists and schedules that dictate my every waking moment.
Lots of things wake us up to the reality that life is fleeting, tomorrows are not promised. The truth of the matter is if we have had a wake-up call in our life we can and should count ourselves blessed to the core. You see now we will live with a new understanding. When things get a little crazy we will find that center that says.... 'slow down, remember it's not that big of a deal'
Oh there will be big deals, I am certainly not discounting that. What I am saying is that many of us (ah hem, ME!) tend to make even the little things way too big. But maybe, just maybe it's time to cut yourself some slack and enjoy another splash in the pool, a longer lunch break, an evening watching the sunset. Do what restores your soul and know that the world will not come to an end, you WILL get back to the task at hand.
As for me, I am going to grab that book I have been meaning to start reading along a tall glass of iced tea with lemon. I might even float in the pool while reading.  ;)
May you have many precious summer moments to enjoy!
Love & Blessings, Sherry