Post valentine Day Thoughts

Yesterday my mother's memory was very strong. Our mother's are our first Valentine after all, a mother's love transcends all but agape.  Each Valentine, my mother would bake a delicious chocolate cake in a heart shaped pan. Usually with pink icing,  it was special.  That is a memory I will carry with me and think of each February 14th for the rest of my life. This year it was a memory filled with both sadness and also sweetness. 

Yesterday was also a day where several friends reached out in different ways and cared for me. that was special.

So day by day, piece by piece I continue the work of grief, (which is really just beginning) as do the members of my family whom I think of daily. Each day is better in some way, some days are hard at times, but this too shall pass and cherished memories will remain.  I am glad to say amidst the grief through prayer, Scripture, devotional time there is peace.

Thank you for reading.

Happy Valentines Day!!!

Happy Valentines Day 2012. I hope it finds you with the love of your life, or at least love in your life.

Happy Ground hog Day 2012

I enjoy February, it means the seemingly dead of winter January is over, there is a looking toward spring.  Plus in Feb. we have today Ground Hog Day, Washington's birthday and cherry pie, and of course Valentines day. My mother used to make a chocholate cake in a heart shaped pan for valentine day.  It was a tradition, as was a cherry pie on Washington's birthday. Oh the pleasant memories...

Today Feb. 2, 2012, the ground hog predictions are mixed, Phil saw his shadow, more winter, the on Staten Island and General Lee in the south did not see a shadow, so less winter. It will be interesting to see which one actually happens? 

Either way, I think there will be payback for all these nice warm days we have had.  I do feel for those who make a living in winter.  You know the snow plough drivers, ski resorts, even the teenagers who shovel snow.  However, the lack of cold and wintry weather enabled myself and my sister to travel to our mother's side before she passed away from us.  That was a blessing.

I say Happy Ground Hog day to you!

About My Mother

Early Wednesday morning Jan 25th 2012, my beloved mother passed away very peacfully.  She was 96 and had several health issues, but at her age still had her mind. she was keenly aware of the things that interested her, such as the birds that visited the feeder at her window, the weather and what would be blooming or growing, what should be fixed for dinner according to the time of year, what would be nourishing. The activities of her children and grand children.  Those were important to her.

My Mom had a long, good, life, starting in Montreal, Quebec where she did many things among them, piano, singing in church choirs, and community Oprah.  She was a lady of principle, graciousness, faith, love, a true saint. I will miss her very much.  I rise and call her blessed!

As for me, slowly I will pick up and carry on toward a new normalcy as we call it in grief share. Toward the life that I am called to, the path that is for me. I am comforted by my family, and friends who call and care for me. I am comforted by the memories of a life well lived that spoke life and love into my life. I am comforted by the Scripture where Jesus says "I will never leave you nor will I forsake you"

Mom, I rise and call you blessed before God and humankind.

Soli Deo Gloria

11-11-11 Veteran's Day

Today we celebrate our Veterans!  I recall as a child helping my father fly our flag each Veteran's Day.  I learned about our country, my family heritage, and about the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month 1918, when WWI ended with the Armistice signing. Today we have military members fighting two wars, we have veterans of those and other wars struggling with health issues, finding jobs, and moving forward with their lives. Other than my vote, and voicing my support for our veterans to my senate, and Congress members, there is not much I can do.  However,  I always fly my flag on special days for our nation. Today I continue a tradition my father taught me and I am flying my flag. In honor of the service all our Veterans and military members.  But Especially for the members of my family who have served from the Revolution to current day. I say THANK YOU!

Specifically to James, Branden, Chantal, Charles, George, my father,Thank you.

Also on this day I remember those service members who suffered because of Don't Ask Don't Tell and the policy that was before it.  I celebrate the removal of that barrier.

Enjoy your lifestyle? Freedom? Vote? Thank a Vet!

National Coming Out Day

In honor of National Coming Out Day, I want to say congratulations to all those who are on  their journey of coming out.  Its tough at times, but it DOES get better. To those who have made that journey I say lets keep moving forward. I'm glad I made the journey! I thank all those who have supported and encouraged!

My Three words  "I CAME OUT"  Here is a link to the song "Good Life"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEpEeAPwdgs

Happy October

Its October already! Where has time gone? I remember when I was a child, I was always excited when October came...because of Halloween, dressing up and trick or treating. It was fun and I think it still is. As an adult, I have rediscovered Halloween in the last few years. You see when I was in a fundamental place, Halloween was dispised as a night for the devil and evil things.  in those and many christian circles it still is. Now we still did fall festivities to provide a safe place for children on Halloween night but it was viewed differently.

A few years ago I was on staff at a church that had an All Saints day service, which was a new experience for me and helped me rediscover Halloween. Last year for the first time I participated in Trunk or Treat at my church, you should have seen the elaborate decorating of the trunks, it was fun and most of all a ministry to the kids and their families.  I'm going to participate again this year. Since it is October, I'm including a video by Timbaland I think is appropriate for October. I like Timbaland, he is down to earth.  I hope you enjoy it.

Church Stuff

Rally day has come and gone...for this I am glad. That is the start of the Sunday school year.   It was a great day but a lot of work for all involved.  Well worth it though.  We included a 9/11 remembrance which was very appropriate.  People are funny, some thought the whole service should have been remembering 9/11. that would not have been appropriate, due to the fact it was a regular worship Service and it was Rally Day.  People are people no matter where you go! Oh well that is church.

The speaker for our Senior group next week has had to cancel. So I have been asked if I can be the speaker. I'm going to talk about Chaplaincy.  Though Ive been thinking and perhaps show and tell my Matchbox Toy collection.  hmmm. Have to think about that one.

Happy Labor Day everyone!  Its Labor day weekend here in the U.S.A. The traditional end of summer, School starts in many places on Tuesday. I'm sure many parents will be glad to have their children back in the routine of school, and in a learning environment. Well have a great one everyone.

Happy September! September is the beginning of my favorite four months of the year, They include special days, my birthday, my mother's birthday, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas. The Autumn is just a nice time to me. I enjoy the cooler temperatures, changing leaf colors, harvest festivities, church festivals, the sights, aroma's, and sounds of the various holidays. I just love and look forward to the season, as much as I do spring.  September is the start of it all. Happy September! 

Through the Storm

Irene came and Irene went. I am Hurricane weary, it was a long and tedious time waiting out the storm. However, we were blessed. Yes there was flooding, wind damage, power outage. Some folks who own houses on the water had significant damage. But it was not as bad as it could have been. The fact our area had a moderate drought helped, the ground was not saturated as it is north of here. The fact Irene weakened to a category 1 helped. The fact that it jogged slightly west did not help. That meant we had more of the storm to contend with. not just a brushing. There was no damage at my apartment complex (other that limbs) I work in a Hospital so power was restored within hours not days, I live in a critical power grid so it was restored in hours not days. To have an Earthquake, and a Hurricane all in one week!

I pray for the folks in the Northeast who have experienced far more damage and devestation from Irene. It is a truly horrific thing to experience. Living here with the threat of Hurricane land fall is hard enough, to have one come through is another. To have one come through in an area that rarely experiences is something more than even that.

No matter where you go, there will be weather, and forces of nature that impact our lives. There is no escape.

Go Away Irene!!!

Today I have to remind myself what it is about about this area that makes me want to live here! Hurricanes are fearsome, unpredictable, just plain dangerous to person and property! We expect 6-12 inches of rain = flooding, major high tides = more flooding, high winds 60 to 80 miles and hour = down trees and power lines. AND the storm does NOT come on shore here! So we prepare, canned food check, water check, batteries check, radio check. Oh and since I work at a Hospital, I will be there for the duration of the storm. possibly 2 days! At least I will have generator power there! Better food than I could at home under the circumstances...maybe.

Irene is 700 miles wide sustained winds of 115 miles an hour as of this writing. The picture below is what one looks like.