All Hallow's Eve

Fondly remembering their love. 

#AllHallowsEve

.         *          .

August Break 2017 :: Day 8 - My Eyes

Then and Now

A fun aside?

When our 2-year old nephew saw this photo

as his mama was scrolling thru on her phone,

he surprised her by calling out my name!

We both thought it was so sweet

that he recognized me from just my eyes.

And then he wondered out loud

where his uncle was...

Smart little guy, that one!

Because, usually, where one of us is found,

the other is not far away.

I do love him so!!

#augustbreak2017

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)

Savoring January Day 14 :: Fun

Fun

... is looking back and smiling 

at this cute photo of my darlin' nieces and me 

taken 4 years ago. 

My heart still swoons 

at the sweet pigtails and little belly 

and how tiny they both were! 

And now they have a new little sister 

due next month to join them 

and their two brothers. 

💕💕

.           *           .

Blessed Comfort of Daily Mass

There's something so special for me, and has been since I was a small girl, about daily 

mass.

The pace is easier and the seats are usually filled with gray heads, creaking joints, kind 

smiles, and big hearts that have seen and withstood many a trial. Some of the wrinkled 

hands hold prayer books while others caress rosary beads, worn beautiful from being 

fingered for decades. Knowing these dearly beloved elderly people gather daily to pray 

on our behalf brings me deep, indescribable comfort.

Smiling softly as I've been a member of this parish long enough now to witness the 

changing of the guard, so to speak, as my parents' generation (and younger!) are now t

he majority in the seats. One day, which may be here sooner than I imagine, it will be 

my turn.

Until then, it is such a joy for me to join them on a beautiful summer morning.

(It would be disrespectful to take a photo during mass so this was afterwards.)

.      *      .

I posted this a year ago on Facebook 

and was surprised to see that I hadn't shared it here.

Remedying that right now.  

.            *              .

April Love :: Day 29 :: Sanctuary

Dear Sanctuary,

Feeling frazzled and fried from a tough interaction at work and sensing a need for some 

soothing water time yesterday afternoon, I drove by my favorite little pond, a few 

neighborhoods down. This was the first time I've actually ever gotten out and, sitting on 

a cheerful red metal bench near water's edge, I took it all in.

Mallard ducks and Canadian geese swimming and snacking, smooth as glass water except 

for the ripples around my feathered companions, gentle splashing as one of them took a 

bath using a nearby bush as a shower curtain, and the big, beautiful, sky-blue bowl of sky 

holding all of us. 

A warm smile spread as I noticed the deep, calming breaths start to rise and fall 

on their own. ❤

That blessed pocket of Sanctuary was exactly what I needed in that moment to begin 

the unfolding which continues this morning. 

Sometimes it just takes a while, yes?

Yes.

Gratefully, 

Debbie

who is Abidin'

#aprillove2016

.                *               .

Cloud of Witnesses

.            *              .

Darlin' Debbie Jo

In our family albums there are pictures with this photo of 2-year old me smiling from the background on a bookshelf in our home. My beloved grandmother's albums held pictures of another copy of this same photo of me smiling from the background of their home, both the farmhouse next to our trailer house when I was a wee one and then the small house in town when they moved because Grandpa (semi <wink>)-retired from farming.

Smiling softly because I remember seeing the one on my Grandma's table and can still recall the warm sense of how I felt I *belonged* to her because she kept my picture out. And we had a good bit in common, she and I... our eye for detail, plus she is the one who taught me to bake and crochet, and instilled my love of letter-writing.  :)

Both she and my dear Grandpa died 4 months apart (another story for another day) 39 years ago and I'm so grateful that their copy of this photo now lives here with me.

.            *             .