Remembrance - Day 9 of 40

Today I shall be remembering Moma's daddy, a man with a true gift for music that I wish 

I had known better. I do so find Joy in singing, as did Moma, so it warms my heart 

knowing that he had a part in that Gift passed down thru her. 

.   .   .   .   .

I've long wished that I remembered this very dear woman's name. I didn't get her often 

during the 3 long, lonely months spent in the hospital here, 3 weeks after Tadd and I 

married, and just 8 short months after we'd moved to a whole new-to-me land, far away 

from all my family and friends.

But the days when I did? 

Her kind presence *deeply* soothed my weary and broken spirit. Unlike the usual tech 

who roughly bustled about in a very business-as-usual fashion (it must be quite the 

uncomfortably vulnerable task to be asked to wash patients' bodies day in and day out), 

this precious, elderly angel patiently hummed hymns as she gently bathed my body. I 

didn't realize it until just now... unlike most of the doctors who came into my room 

every day (it was a teaching hospital and I was a very rare case so there were a lot!), it 

felt like she had all of the time in the world for me with not a drop of desire to be 

anywhere else but there with me. I simply can't put into words what a true gift that was 

during one of the most excruciating and lonely times in my life.

See there? Remembering her tender loving care this morning still brings tears filled 

with profound gratitude.

There's not a doubt in my mind that she was "God with Skin" for me during that 

agonizing time, a softly sweet spirit sent to help shore up the bereft child inside my 

heart who felt so very lost, broken and alone.

Ah, yes. 

Grace indeed. 💙

(Smiling softly as I chose my mug 

before I drew this morning's names)

.   .   .   .   .

Adding a postscript... I'm only sharing all of my photos and stories here on my blog.  

My main concern is it would feel like too much pressure plus I don't want to lose my 

focus by getting too caught up in the "performance" of my intentional remembrance 

pilgrimage, if that makes sense.

Still, she adds with a soft smile, some stories feel like they are meant to be named and 

honored in a special way. Like this one. 

And I'm so glad I did!  The comments I received helped to deepen my gratitude for this

very kind woman and our time together so long ago.  One friend reminded me that she 

would have wanted to help ease my spirit and it was a blessing to her to try to do just 

that by softly humming while gently washing.  

Another friend's comment reminded me that Touch is one of my love languages and

what better way to love on a water baby than warm soapy water and hymns?   

True balm for the Body, Soul, Heart, and Spirit.

Blessed be.

.          *          .

Breathe September 2017 :: Day 3 Smile & 4 Gentle

Snuggling with this gentle soul 

brought many warm smiles today. 

💕

(Yay for nieces and nephews time!)

#BreatheSeptember2017

.              *             .

Southern Summer Treat

My favorite partner, who's Love Language is Gifts, 

left another treat for me on my desk this morning. 

🎁

When he stopped by later, 

he said they received 3 identical copies this month 

so he thought I might enjoy one of the extras! 

♥️

.           *           .

Back to the Basics

Restin' and Abidin' 

in Grace, Mercy, Hope, and Peace. 

💕

.         *          .

Sweet Surprise

So this little darling 

has been sitting in our amazon cart for awhile now, 

patiently waiting for me to decide.

. 🌸. 

In the meantime 

hubby placed an order 

and, rather than "save her for later" 

as I fully expected, 

he invited her to come home and live with us.

. 🌸. 

Blessed be. 

#HisLoveLanguageIsGifts

.          *            .

Happy Birthday Tree Love

Lookie at the birthday love that arrived today's mail!! 

My dear artist sister-friend, 

who has been hearing me speak fondly of them for almost 9 years now, 

painted a picture of my beloved 4 Sisters for me! 

Plus! 

The Dogwood Twins are there too 

and, just like in real life, 

are standing a little ways from their big sisters, 

down on the right.

And!

It brought *such* delight 

to notice that all of their shadows 

are angel wings!

Her sweet thoughtfulness couldn't be more perfect! 

Blessed be. 

💕💕💕

#ABirthdayGiftIsNeverEverLate

.             *             .

Manifesting Through May :: Day 5 - Purple

2 Purple Hearts

#manifestingthroughmay

.         *          .

April Love 2017 :: Day 27 - I love . . .

. . . being greeted by my precious 4 Sisters 

every single work day morning. 

💕💕

#aprillove2017

.         *             .

April Love 2017 :: Day 7 - Patterns

I'm a sucker for small floral prints, gingham, and lace. 

#aprillove2017 

#countrygirlatheart

.          *            .

Sparkling Hello

It brought a warm smile to notice 

my Dogwood Twin Sisters 

were speaking this morning's fond hello 

to me in their love language 

of sparkles. 

.     .      .      .     .      .      .

💕    💫   🎇

.         *            .

Abidin' in Grace, Mercy, Hope, & Love

Grace, Mercy, Hope, & Peace

My sweet little red oil lamp isn't burning right 

so I haven't sat with my angels surrounding a light

in a very long time.

Too long.

(So long that, even tho they are still in my line of sight,

 they were falling off of my radar.)

So while I was out this afternoon picking up a few things, 

I added this little candle to my cart, 

a fill in ...  for now.

This little altar of mine remains such an indescribable blessing,

speaking to me on so many (non-verbal) levels.

Blessed Be.

.          *            .

Baking is My Therapeutic Love Language

Taking a quiet moment to be fully present in this moment before beginning some lovely 

baking therapy this evening, all while basking in the Light of Love. 

#grounded2017

💕     .       🕯     .       🔶

My bananas were frozen and the recipe I use is my Grandma's. It was the very first thing 

we baked together when I was 9 years old, after putting on our aprons, of course.

Yesterday at work was *tough* and, while today was a lot better, I knew I still needed some 

self-care... and I love to bake so I thought, "hey!" 

I'm not sure I've ever thought of baking as self-care 

before but when done in the right spirit, it so is.

It's also one of my love languages.

I have such fond memories of a dear family friend's mom who, when she would come for 

a visit, would keep a lighted candle when she and her daughter were working in the kitchen. 

I was so enchanted the first time I saw it and how Gramma Underwood (we "adopted" her) 

explained to me that it helped her to remember to pray for those who were on her heart 

that day, especially when preparing for big family meals like Thanksgiving dishes (which 

is usually when she and Grampa were down for a visit).

In November 2015, wanting to feel them close by, I created the collage of the 4 women 

behind my candle. Moma is in the top left, my beloved Banana Bread Grandma in the top 

right, Moma's mom in the bottom left, and hubby's dear Grandma who considered me one 

of her own in the bottom right.

(Have I mentioned yet that hubby affectionately 

calls me "a little old lady magnet?" 

I just smile and nod because I adore grandmother (and grandfather!) 

energy and am so drawn to them)

This evening, I knew I needed to feel them close. Just the simple act of gathering items for 

a little impromptu kitchen altar felt like a gift (the other picture is "Mary, Undoer of Knots) 

and my rock says Peace), as did taking a moment to pause ...

... breathe ... 

.... and gently remind myself that I am not alone. 

While they may be on a different plane, 

we are very much together in spirit. 

I know because seeing their sweet faces 

in the glow of candlelight tells me so.

And sure enough. I am feeling much more

 Grounded and centered, 

and also loved.

Blessed be. 

.           *           .

Breathe September :: Surroundings

Surround[ed] by love

and giggles. 

😊

Time spent playing with my sweet littles 

is always pure delight for this auntie. 

💕

#breatheseptember2016

.               *                    .

Oranges 2

.            *              .

August Break :: Three

Three sweethearts

#augustbreak2016 

.            *             .

July 02 :: Someone I Love

My dear goddaughter 

right after her confirmation on

May 7, 2016.

❤️

.             *             .

Girlie Giggles Galore

Spent Memorial Day with the family.

The pool was too cold so I watched.

Then we made necklaces.

After that, we played in "their" room at Papa's house.

Used to be that my sweet nieces didn't want to have their picture made. 

But now?  

They asked for this one 

which I happily obliged. 

So love starting them early on "Being Seen." 

💕

.              *                .

Happy 28

Lovely lily laughter amidst annual anniversary amore 

.               *                .

SaveSave

Touching Birthday Gift

On the afternoon that we celebrated

our May Sisters Birthday and Mother's Day,

my sweet girlie wanted to paint my nails.

So, of course, I said yes. 

💕

#touchismylovelanguage

.              *              .

Cultivating Enough :: Day 7 :: Quiet

So this sweet moment happened last night.  

❤️

We were gathered around the Super Bowl as a family, having just been treated to a yummy 

supper.

I was relishing the heart filling moments when I had both of his big sisters sitting with me 

and, seeing him standing at the edge of the love seat, I could tell he wanted to join us. 

After a little boost, he crawled right up to me and then laid on me. I was more than delighted 

to welcome him in and share the hug he was so clearly asking me for.  Or perhaps he was 

wanting to give me one?  (Who says babies can't talk?). 

His quiet gift still melts my heart and I am so grateful that his mama captured this treasured 

memory forever. 

#cultivatingenough

.              *               .