Remembrance - Day 40 of 40

"Peace comes from remembering Love is real." 

Yes. 

💕

And that's what my sweet little 40-day practice has been about. . .

Remembering some of the dear people 

who have touched my heart with their presence 

and Grounding, 

rooting myself in their Love. 

Smiling because along with Peace?

Grace, Mercy, Hope, and Joy 

have tagged along as well. 

It has indeed been a very good season of Remembrance. 

Warm thanks to those of you who have been following along 

and holding me in your thoughts and prayers. 

Blessed be. 

💕

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Remembrance - Day 39 of 40

.           *            .

 

Today is the Day!

Today is the day! 

 I am now officially a 40-year cancer survivor/thriver.

It's been a lovely quiet, puttering-type day 

started off with daily mass 

and a visit with Mother Mary. 

I have no doubt 

she's watched over me every step of the way 

and I wanted to thank her in person. 

Blessed be. 

💕🕯🎉

Smiling big as Auntie Joy looked in on me 

with some wise counsel on this special day via today's mail. 

Blessed be. 

❤️❤️

.            *            .

Remembrance - Day 38 of 40

Seek Joy 

and 

Let Love In. 

💜

.            *            .

Remembrance - Day 37 of 40

.           *           .

 

Remembrance - Day 36 of 40

Measuring spoons 

because Gramma Underwood 

is the one who taught me to light a candle 

to remember my loved ones when baking. 

A pink heart 

because both of these dear women 

tenderly took me into theirs. 

💕

Blessed be.

.               *               .

2 Christmases, 19 years apart

A beautiful Moma and her dear girl, 

watched over and held by Mama Grace 

and the angels... 

Still. 

❤️❤️

As is sometimes the case with me, she says with a soft smile, this one holds more 

vulnerable truth than I'm ready to share on my FB "living room" wall.

We had a mighty rough go in the 19 years between these two photos, my Moma and I. 

But in the end? The stars aligned in such a way that we were able to make peace before 

she died just 13 short days after the photo on the right on Epiphany (Jan. 6).

Between that and the discovery of my bone cancer on Dec. 14 (and my parents' divorce 

8 days before on Dec. 6), I think that's part of why I so adore Advent. It's a season that 

not only acknowledges, but honors the waiting we humans do which is sometimes an 

aching l-o-n-g-i-n-g for things that just aren't possible... in this moment.

But, 

she says with a soft smile, 

that doesn't mean that healing will never come. 

Ah, yes. It can and it does. 

(Right, Moma?) 

(and Mama Grace?)

(Right, Baby Girl.)

❤️❤️

.             *             .

Remembrance - Day 35 of 40

It's such a blessed mystery 

when the right person shows up, 

sometimes seemingly from nowhere 

(or the Mist) 

in the very season in our lives that we need them.

Turning over the blue slip of paper this morning 

brought a big grin and a small squeal of delight. 

It's her birthday today! 

 She has definitely been an angel in my life. 

Blessed be.

.            *             

Remembrance - Day 34 of 40

Two gentle guides 

who saw all of me, 

rough edges and all, 

and, 

while not in so many words, 

reassured me that I was (am) 

Enough 

and lovable 

just as I was (am). 

Blessed be. 

🕯  .  💙  .  🙏🏻

.            *            .

Remembrance - Day 33 of 40

Two folks who I have no doubt

have carried me in their thoughts and prayers

during the hard, feel-like-I'm-falling parts  

of my journey.

.         *          .

Remembrance - Day 32 of 40

Aunt Loretta was a successful university professor and author 

in her chosen field of nursing. 

Reckon she, Gwen (a beloved teacher), 

and Archangel Uriel (who one of my 4 Sister Trees is named after) 

are wanting to reassure me that, 

when the time comes, 

I'll know what the right next thing will be in exchange for a paycheck? 

 Could very well be.

..

For now, 

with Mama Grace's blessing, 

I want to continue to "spend" my energy and time well, 

focused on the task at hand of remembrance. 

Blessed be.

.           *               .

Remembrance - Day 31 of 40 - Part 2

Waking up this morning and coming to my chair,

I just couldn't bring myself to draw a new set of names.

In that moment, I knew . . . 

I needed another day with my dear Moma.

And since this is my lovely little practice,

that is unfolding as I go,

I granted myself the permission
to follow my heart.

I love you, Moma!

Blessed be. 

💕

.             *             .

Remembrance - Day 31 of 40

"Miracles do happen."

Indeed they do. . . 

Sweet, powder blue butterfly 

hangs in our bedroom right next to my closet door 

where I can see it every single day. 

Inscribed on the back in her handwriting: 

To Debbie. 

Love, Mom. 

January 1994. 

I love you, too, Moma! 

(and so, *so* loving that she showed up today,

December 6)

Blessed be. 💕

.           *            .

Remembrance - Day 30 of 40

Two very special women 

who have tenderly held 

my breaking heart, 

aching body, 

and parched soul. 

Blessed be.

.            *            .

Remembrance - Day 29 of 40

I read recently that the cave of our heart is our soul 

and I do so love the song by that name 

by John Michael Talbot. 

.          *             .

Both of these women loved me in that tenderest of places... deeply and well. ❤️

Remembrance - Day 28 of 40

The Light of compassion 

on the first Sunday of Advent. 

💕

.           *           .

Remembrance - Day 27 of 40

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do

with your one wild and precious life?"

~ Mary Oliver

.          *           .

Remembrance - Day 26 of 40

Two very dearly beloveds

that have held my heart 

and who's hearts I cherish.

.             *              .

Remembrance - Day 25 of 40

While our journey may feel heavy at times, 

we can trust that we are always supported.

.              *               .

Table of Love

#remembrance

#trustngrace

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