Monday, July 31, 2017

August Break 2017 :: Prompts

Yay!!!! It's August Break Time!

.           *            .

Headed Home

Bye bye, Daddy. 
Until next time. . .
💙


Happy to report that we made it safe and sound. 

🍑    💚    🍑

.          *         .

Saturday, July 29, 2017

Friday, July 28, 2017

Welcome Home, Sis

Daddy's spare bedroom has so many warm memories in it, offering its own sense of 
"welcome home, sis."

I was itty bitty (3?) when Moma and Daddy bought the braided rug on the floor. I still 
remember sitting on it and riding it like a horsey when they first brought it home to our 
pink and white trailer house while it was still rolled up in our living room. 

The white dresser was a gift from a friend right after my cancer was discovered when I 
was 15. Knowing I would be spending a lot of time recovering at home, several kind 
folks joined together to spiff up my room. Along with this dresser there was new carpet 
put in as well.

The quilt on the bed is one of many that my sister, Lisa, has lovingly made. While she 
crafted this one for Daddy, hubby and I get to snuggle under its warmth every time we 
come so, in it's own way, it, too, has become an old, treasured companion.

Blessed be.

.         *          .

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Prairie Pilgrimage Prayers

(Your warm thoughts and prayers 
while we are here visiting my family 
would be most welcome and appreciated, friends.)

💕

.         *           .

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

A New Meditation Milestone

Yay for a whole lotta "Be Still, Deb" practice. 

❤️

#insighttimer

.         *         .

Monday, July 24, 2017

Sisterly Synchronicity

Yesterday's mail held the wonderful surprise 
of a new "fridge friend." 
I'm still smiling this morning, 
so touched by my sister's thoughtfulness 
and treasuring this sweet memento of their recent visit. 

🌻  .   💚  .   🌻

The timing was also a gift... 
the day after my vulnerable post about one sister, 
this wonderful surprise from another sister 
was tucked in our mailbox. 


Before taking a photo, 
I held it up next to my silk sunflowers 
as a secret reminder to myself 
to keep my face turned towards Grace, 
practice remembering that I am Enough, 
and to go where the love is. 

Yes.
🌻  .   💚  .   🌻

.           *          .


Luminous Light


.          *          .

Friday, July 21, 2017

Enough is Enough

Smiling softly as I need to quietly park this one here and spill a few words that I can't 
share in other places. 

❤️

I'm feeling hurt and have been for a while now, struggling with a sister who has all but 
cut me (and others) off because she feels slighted by what another sister did.

I want to be supportive because I understand needing space... 

But this not communicating (with most of us) and ignoring texts while happily sharing 
away laughs about her day over on Snapchat is getting old...

After some thought, I reached out via text this afternoon to confirm what I knew (she 
and her husband will be out of town while we're there next week), but hasn't bothered 
to let me know.

Her response?  Two words:  "yes, ma'am."

My emotions are all over the place and I wondered about trying to reach out again.... 
yes, knowing it probably wasn't a good idea, but wondering all the same.

And then I was reminded of this little card and I sighed a big "yes." The magnet under 
my hand was also tucked in my TOTM box and it says 

"May you know you are worthy."

I can't make my sister reach back.
I can't make want to have a relationship with me.
I can't do her healing work for her.

(All hustling, Deb)

I can let go (as best I can in each moment). 
I can trust that Enough (my word for 2013) is enough, 
and that I am worthy of love and belonging even 
when one of my sisters has distanced herself from me. 

I can remember my newest teachers, 
beautiful sunflowers 
who keep their faces turned towards Mama Grace. 

And, as best I can in each moment,
follow their lead.

❤️  .    🌻  .    ❤️  .    🌻  .    ❤️

.         *         .





(Grateful for your witness)

Monday, July 17, 2017

Today's Self-Care Treats

Had a colonoscopy this morning and all is well. 

Reading from my book 
and drinking from my sweet new sunflower mug 
this afternoon was my treat. 

💛      🌻      ❤️

.         *         .

Sunday, July 16, 2017

Welcoming Our Newest Little Lamb

Baptized our sweet niece, 
Juniper Hope, 
this morning. 

 May she always walk 
in God's Light, Beauty, Joy, 
and Grace.

.         *        .

A New Friend

I'm so delighted to introduce my new little friend, 
lovingly hand stitched by a dear friend,
and all the way from Australia! 

 Isn't she a cutie pie? 

💜
I do love her so!

.          *           .


Friday, July 14, 2017

Sweet Surprise

Received this sweet surprise from a friend today.

And she is one of the best letter writers I know
so mail from her is always a treat!

Blessed be.

.          *          .

Thursday, July 13, 2017

Splendid Sunflowers

Sunflowers have been capturing my heart lately 
and it's been my absolute pleasure 
to accept their invitations to dance. 

I am coming to especially appreciate 
their patient encouragement 
to keep my face turned towards Grace, 
just like they do. 

🌻  ❤️  🌻  ❤️  🌻  ❤️  🌻  

.         *          .

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Breadcrumbs





Over here I'm being serenaded by froggie hymns and hubby snores. 

 The sun has set and my twinkle lights, 
which I haven't turned on in a l-o-n-g time, 
my beloved circle of angel Grace, 
and the jar of cheerful silk sunflowers 

are quietly, 

gently 

reminding me to b-r-e-a-t-h-e

while leaving breadcrumbs for me, 
reminding me of my way Home. 

.    .    .    .    .

While not my favorite thing ever, 
I'm intentionally reminding myself
that it's ok to wake up and find myself in Indiana
(once again). 

I really do know my way Home 
and, just as I have so many times before, 
I'm slowly thawing and remembering 
that I really can and will find my way again.

Just be here, sweet soul.

Amen.
(Because it feels like a prayer)

.           *           .





Friday, July 7, 2017

Wrapping Myself in Self-Care

Seeing and feeling my way into the truth 
while wrapping myself in
 
roses, 

love, 

and faith. 

💕

.          *              .

July's Gentle Giant . . .

. . .  and Grounded Guide

🌳

.         *             .

Thursday, July 6, 2017

Workday Break = Breathing Space


.           *             .


Hamilton

Curious and on a whim, I checked out the "Hamilton" Broadway recording from our library. 
The first time thru the first cd, I thought "I'm turning this in because I just don't understand 
the words."

But the music and the lyrics were catchy and, not having any plans to stop back by the 
library soon, it stayed in Betsy's CD player so I kept listening to it.

Then Friday night Tadd drove us somewhere and I wanted to share a couple of songs that 
were becoming my favorites. Plus, she adds with a twinkle, with him being a big history 
buff, I figured he could probably help me make sense of it.

Sure enough, between being able to ask questions and me not driving so I could concentrate 
on the words, I began to really enjoy both the music and the story even more.

Who knew? 

In fact, I haven't even started disc 2 yet. I'm still enjoying the first one so much and with 
each time thru, not only do I catch a little more, I also become more and more impressed 
with Lin-Manuel Miranda and his Gift of music, wit and making history both fun and 
interesting. 

.          *               .

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Today's View

Just can't wait.
😳

Playfulness aside...

Feeling very vulnerable at my doctor's office today,
I came away feeling seen and heard by my doctor, 
grateful for the kindness of 2 of his staff,
and so thankful that hubby was by my side the whole way.

(Makes allllll the difference)

   

.         *           .


Sunday, July 2, 2017

Saturday, July 1, 2017

Evening Mass

I have been occasionally slipping over to this smaller church
for evening mass for around 15 years now.

The former pastor used to Anoint the Sick 
every first Saturday 
so, when I could, I would always try to make
it over there on a first Saturday.

To my disappointment,
the new pastor hasn't been following suit
(which he certainly doesn't have to).

I was so *delighted* to hear on Saturday that 
I would have the opportunity to participate
in this special sacrament again that night.

It's been a year or more since the last time
I've been anointed so this felt like a real gift.

.    .    .   .    .   .   .

After that, I went about my usual, personal traditions:

Lighting candles and whispering prayers

 🕯 💕 🙏🏻

And seeking out and admiring pretty flowers.

.          *            .


Before and After

Same day
Same car!

.         *          .