How 5 years can change the world...

Today is a day when I need to write, need to spill words out somewhere. Emotions are thick and my mind swirls with thoughts, memories, dreams and questions.  Today is a day that brings me haunting memories and also great blessings. 

5 years ago, I almost lost one of my children.  I don't mean there was a close call, I mean I saw the life leaving his body as he lay on the ground among wet, cold, muddy leaves.  I still can remember what his blue face looked like and  the awful gurgling that came from his lungs as his life slipped away.  They say time heals all things...no, it doesn't. These are the haunting memories.

I know that God reached down and breathed life into my dying child that cold, rainy day.  There is no other explanation. Today, that same child, went alone for hours exploring with our dog.  Tonight he went to the movies with his big brother.  Just a moment ago he towered almost 9 full inches over me as he reach down to hug me and tell me he loved me and good night. He is now upstairs reading something way over my head.  Those are the great blessings. 

I stood at the sea shore today, something I promise myself I will do more of each year and I don't. I needed to go today to seek the magical healing of the waves and the salt air.  I am not sure if I found that healing but I did find my heart feeling more than I would have liked and my reserves pushed. I was looking for something...it wasn't there.  I wanted to cry, but I didn't. I head into 2017 in many ways the same as last year, though my thoughts and feelings are clearer.  The last few days of 2016 will be spent recalibrating myself and my heart and fortifying my foundation.

Today reminded me to hold onto what is true and solid, focusing on God's great gifts. I have learned that life is not kind but still there is so much to be thankful for and I am living thankfully...in all circumstances. If you find yourself walking the seashore you may very well find me there again staring out and seeking before the year truly ends. Hold on....

Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.

Psalm 25:5 (NIV)

Our Staff Meeting was a bit Unconventional...

Last weekend was our Division Staff Meeting and in an effort to get in the spirit, our Division Manager decided to host it in Williamsburg, Virginia...at Christmas Town in Busch Gardens!  The weather was cooperative as it felt like snow, even if we didn't get any, but it made the hot cocoa taste sweeter I am sure!

I didn't know this before I went, but Christmas Town in Busch Gardens is the largest light display in North American.  It was really gorgeous and you couldn't help but feel a little bit like a kid with all the lights, music and Christmas spirit swirling around!

 

 

It was cold and I was bundled up!!!

 

I want them to come do the lights in my trees!!!

 

Any one who knows me knows, I am sucker for Christmas music, Christmas movies, Christmas TV shows, Christmas shows in general, so it was so exciting to see a version of White Christmas done on stage since it is one of my FAVORITES!  I even have the soundtrack in the cd player in my car now!  I was really awe struck at how much there was to do and how little time we had to squeeze in all the sights and sounds and RIDES....yes, RIDES....and ones not for the faint of heart....yes, I did ride!:-)

 

So, in wrap up, we did have our Staff Meeting with lots of work and planning to hit 2017 out of the park but it was fun to start out being kids again! #worklife

To Kill a Mockingbird comes to life close to home...

I love the book, To Kill a Mockingbird, so much so I haven't yet gotten the courage to read the sequel as I don't want it to hurt the illusions I have of the noble characters I found in the original.  Maybe it sounds silly but I get attached to the characters and the escape they provide.  So, you can imagine my excitement when my youngest son landed the part of Jem in "To Kill a Mockingbird" in the Florence Little Theater's recent production.  The show ran for over a week and was sold out each night which I think was telling to what a GREAT production it was.  The entire cast brought Harper Lee's Characters to life in great detail, making you love some and hate others.  The issues of race and injustice were handled in a no nonsense matter and I hope everyone who saw it came out changed just a little as I did when I first read the book.

The entire cast was just fantastic and it was a joy to see them bring this

 important piece of Southern Fiction to life!

 It took many months of preparation and countless hours to bring this play to the stage but I was really proud of how my son kept up with school, debate, tried out and made the basketball team all the while spending late nights rehearsing almost daily at the theater.  Yes...I am biased, but he did GREAT!

 My handsome "Jem" spending time after the play every night sharing and talking the with audience.

A Little Christmas Spirit in the Mountains!

I just returned from a really wonderful weekend getaway.  Yes, it was in a “tourist” destination, which I generally avoid, but a dear friend and I planned this trip last summer for a nice time to steal away with our boys (our youngest are close in age and have a great time together.)  For the first time in my life – though I grew up not too far away – I visited Pigeon Forge, TN!  Indeed, it is filled with lots of touristy things and at night looks more like Myrtle Beach than a mountain town, but the cabin we rented was on top of a secluded mountain top and it was wonderful.  The cabin came complete with pool table (which the boys loved!) and a hot tub on the back deck overlooking the miles of undeveloped forest.  I highly recommend the rental agency if you want to plan a trip.  They were kind and accommodating and the cabin was clean as a whistle!  We used Heartland Cabin Rentals. This a picture of my oh, so cute bedroom, which looked over the tree tops and across the mountains:

The boys spent hours, and countless miles hiking the hills and mountains.  It was nice to see them being boys and thriving in the freedom of nature like I did as a child.  They spent time in the crisp, cool mountain air without Wi-Fi or cords attached and that makes my heart sing.  I got to catch up on some reading and just general down time without the pressure to do anything!

Sadly, this area was impacted earlier in the week by the raging forest fires and many, many families lost their homes, their businesses and their jobs; even more devastating was the loss of lives this community has endured.  The adjacent town of Gatlinburg really took a hit and at an especially busy tourist season. If you feel compelled to help out please do as the community can use all the help possible. You can donate to help the cause here: https://dollywoodfoundation.org/

On Saturday night we took in a Dinner Show at the Dixie Stampede, which turned out to be really cool because it was their Christmas show but if I ever do one of those type of Dinner Theater experiences again...I will bring my own silverware!  The food was good and the show fun and helped out in getting us in the Christmas spirit!

Although, I never thought I would say this…I will be coming back one day to spend more time in a cabin on a mountain top in Tennessee and a roller coaster coming off a mountain and Dollywood are at the top of my To Do lists!

Christmas is coming...

You should be impressed that I haven't posted about Christmas before now!  Yes, I have often been one of those who start prepping for Christmas in advance...including more Christmas music than my children could stand.  The last couple of years. though, have not brought me that enthusiasm or energy to get in the spirit.  Last year, in particular, I really wanted to skip it all the way around.  The holidays aren't the same anymore and some have been easier than others to adjust to.  If it hadn't been for my boys I am sure we would not even have had a Christmas tree last year. 

But this year...I feel some of that childhood excitement creeping back. I am tentative about it all in some ways, not wanting to feel disappointed or disappoint my children; but some of the magic has touched me.  I have even already been listening to White Christmas in the car!

This is the first year in several that I have looked forward to putting up a Christmas tree.  I even have a theme that has caught my fancy and I can't wait to see it come together. Items have been being gathered for this tree for several weeks now.  I know financially our Christmas will be scaled back but I am already excited to know all my children will be here along with my parents (if their health allows.)  When the kids are here and all the dogs are here it can be quite a raucous crowd but nothing is better than the sound of a house full of joy and love. 

No, I didn't do any Black Friday shopping as I am afraid that might have put out the small little spark of Christmas Spirit I have!  I a protecting this spark and hoping it grows into a flame and fills my heart with the true spirit of Christmas and gives me the energy to celebrate fully and make memories that will last for a lifetime.  Lets get this party started!

Happy Thanksgiving 2016

I hope this finds you having celebrated a day full of family, friends and food.  Mostly, though, I hope you have had time to feel thankful for all the good in your life and our world.  This is my final Thanksgiving Thankfulness recap but I am committed to Living Thankfully past today.  It is so easy to forget all the little blessings when the world seem to throw big problems and roadblocks in our way every day. 

Thankfulness Recap:

Thankfulness, Day 16: I am thankful for God's unfailing protection, mercy and grace.
Thankfulness, Day 17: thankful for this...

Thankfulness, Day 18: I am so thankful it is Friday!!!!
Thankfulness, Day 19: I am thankful for the great people Florence Little Theatre and what a great job they did on To Kill a Mockingbird!
Thankfulness, Day 20: I am thankful when something comes along to remind me of how important it is to discern what is important in life and to grab hold of Faith in all things.
Thankfulness, Day 21: I am thankful for forgiveness and from it, the freedom God has given, and the healing He provides.
Thankfulness, Day 22: today I am really thankful for talented writers and speakers who help me grow. This book in particular is amazing: Fervent by Priscilla Shirer.
Thankfulness, Day 23: Being #thankful for the challenges and striving to continue #LivingThankful long after #thanksgiving has passed. #GodisGood
Thankfulness, Day 24: This morning my house is quiet except for the clicking of claws as the fur babies move about and I can't help but be thankful for the small blessings in my life. I pray for all of us a spirit of peace, contentment in all things...the big and small, the happy and the painful, the mountain tops and the valleys.

Live Thankfully🍂🍁

Thankfulness Recap!

I am proud of myself as I have kept up my daily thankfulness shares on Facebook so here is my recap for you:

• Thankfulness, Day 7: I am thankful for the 2 fur babies I get to share life with! They complete our family...not to mention are a continual source of loose fur.
• Thankfulness, Day 8: Today I am incredibly thankful that I live in a nation kept safe by heroes of many kinds that wear many uniforms and I have the freedom to be involved in choosing my next President! What a HUGE blessing!!!
• Thankfulness, Day 9: I am thankful for friends. What is life without those special people?
• Thankfulness, Day 10: Thankful for my job. At times it feels overwhelming but I do see God's hand in my work path. I am especially thankful for my sister Managers and all their support, encouragement and the things they continue to share and teach me. 
• Thankfulness, Day 11: I am so very thankful for all the men & women who have served to protect our great nation. If it were not for our Veterans we would not have the privileges, opportunities and freedoms we take for granted.
• Thankfulness, Day 12: I am thankful for a trip to the Southern Christmas Show today. It is a tradition I love and always puts me in the spirit of the holidays. 
• Thankfulness, Day 13: I am thankful that my children have had the opportunity to attend great Christian schools. They have been blessed with a Biblical World view and amazing teachers!

Worth repeating....as my Thankfulness, Day 14 (5 years later!)November 14, 2011 · Florence ·

30 Days of Thankfulness, Day 14: I am so very thankful for the policemen & firemen (and women) that risk their lives daily to keep us safe.

 

• Thankfulness, Day 15: I am thankful for the access to medical care. We have the best, most caring professionals around!

Live Thankfully!