The moment I took this beautiful picture of the sunbeams bursting through the darkened sky, I was headed into the funeral home.
The other day, I posted a blog of finding fun and adventure in times when nothing seems to be going right and plans are tough.
After a day that refused to end, I had to drive 30 minutes, to meet up with my son because he was in need; so, we met at a new station for yummy coffee and snacks to make the drive a little less tedious along the way.
Sometimes, you just have to search for those silver linings in the midst of the hard.
Sometimes, those silver linings are what brings a glimmer of hope along the desperate path.
It seems as if life just closes in at times. Those difficult moments become strenuous and pressing, until they are like four walls of concrete that have been given permission to move to the center, all at the same time.
I believe I’m not the only one who can attest to this fact; the past two years have confirmed this reality.
It feels as if the days are getting longer, lingering beyond the set hour to make it seem those midnight bells will never ring.
Sometimes, that silver lining can be allusive, hidden, even to the point of appearing as a mirage on a desert floor.
Sometimes, you’re gonna have to squint your eyes and grit your teeth, maybe even tilt your head a bit to see past the darkened day to that silver lining just beyond the rain.
Yet, if you will seek, you will find.
If you will knock, the door will open.
If you will but thrust your grasp into the hand of the One who holds tomorrow,
You will find the silver lining.
For He will make sure of it.
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
When you have to go to Fl for a memorial, stay in a place you’ve never been but want to explore.
When you have to go, but a hurricane is barreling in, drive on down to The Keys and stay a night in comfort, away from the howling wind.
We he original Mrs. Mac’s, on Key Largo, has the most amazing key lime pie!
When it’s raining in paradise, make a drive to a fun dive and remember the sunset from yesterday.
When the dockside you want isn’t open and other places are too full or the hours are funky, just stop searching and try to enjoy the mediocre food you find at a cool dive.
Skippers food is decent, but this blonde sundae is to die for!!The key lime wasn’t so great.
When you get burned from the less than desired cuisine, have a do-over at the hotel convenience … sit out on the balcony and enjoy good food, good service, and sweet conversations with both the waitress and your love.
Gus’s Grille at the Marriott in Key Largo is great! The apple pie is delicious! The key lime pie is scrumptious!
Feels like island time already.
When you have to plan for the days ahead and make some decisions, sit out by the island waters, under a tiki hut, in a bamboo chair swing, and let the coastal breeze wash all over you.
When you can’t bring your boys with you, and they made because they missed the adventure, you stop by a favorite to bring our home to them…and enjoy a slice yourself in the beautiful garden out back.
The Blonde Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory has the absolute best key lime in the Keys! Their expanded garden is a wonderful place to sit and take a breather, and of course, to enjoy your slice!
When you have a free place, save a little money and head back to your original destination after the storm has blown through.
But take the long way through the swamps. It’s a prettier, more laid back experience.
Remember, you’re here for the adventure.
When you find your place to be amazing, but the beach town to be a little less than, go exploring nearby.
Remember, you’re here to make a memory.
When the days have been upside down and the busyness of life is taking a toll, take a little stroll along the seashore…or maybe two or three.
Along the way, stop and smell the roses, or take in the sight of the massive, gigantic trees, as it were.
The pictures just don’t quite do it justice. The dimensions of this tree are mind-blowing!
When you see that the feasts prepared are good, but maybe not great, find the one suggested and let it remind you why you make a meal an event.
Matanza’s By the Bay is absolutely amazing!!Be sure to get the salted caramel cheesecake and the pb pie…OH. MY!!
Amazing food, beautiful scenery, and fun conversations can bring the two of you back to younger days, deeper love and a stronger friendship.
When you have to go to a memorial, to be there for a friend, make it an adventure along the way.
Remember, it’s not always about the destination. Sometimes, it’s more about the time spent together and dreams fulfilled.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Philippians 4:8
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
For so many, Father’s Day can come with a roller coaster of emotions. Every little girl or boy wishes to have a Daddy who loves them, protects them, guides them and defends them, but sometimes, that’s just not how life turns out. And sometimes, we’ve had to say goodbye long before we’re ready.
Sometimes, rolling into the Father’s Day weekend, every thing can be just fine, and then, all of a sudden, you just cloud up and rain. You feel grouchy and agitated for no particular reason. You just want to sleep a little more, isolate a little longer, or pull back a little deeper.
You can’t really put your finger on it at first, and then, the tears roll down like a drenching spring shower, and you realize you really do miss him. Maybe it’s because he was bigger than life, filling the void deep within. Or maybe he was too absent, dropping in whenever he felt suited him, but left you waiting by the door with your bags packed foe a visit way too many times to count.
Or maybe, it’s never a missing or actual longing for him because he was so broken that he tried to break you in ways only nightmares can speak of; yet, the tears come for what could’ve been, should’ve been, and for what never could have been imagined…
So, for all those whose Father’s Day weekend brings with it a bit more complicated feelings than what you’d hoped for, know there is a God who sees you, and He longs to fill that void, heal that brokenness and mend those wounds that you’ve tried desperately to hide or ignore.
He truly is the best Dad a girl could hope for!
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, He leads out the prisoners with singing…
Psalm 68:5-6
The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.
I love roses. Really, I love flowers of almost any kind, but I’ve always been partial to roses, poppies and Gerber daisies.
Particularly, in red and hot pink… but these orange roses above are absolutely beautiful as well!!
And lately, I’ve been drawn to them more and more while being reminded of the phrase, “Stop to smell the roses.”
See, life has just been crazy busy lately. Busy in good ways, I suppose, but busy nonetheless. And I find my heart longing for a pause…
A pause for refreshment. A pause for reflection. A pause for renewal.
In everyday life, and especially, in the busy days of life, if you don’t have those pauses that bring refreshment, reflection and renewal, you might very well die. If you don’t die, you might drown in the heaviness around you. If you don’t drown, you might just grow resentful or depressed or burnt out.
You’ve got to pause. And you can’t pause with chaos in your head. You’ve got to pause away from the frantic. You’ve got to pause out of the panic. You’ve got to pause beyond the emotion and turmoil.
Get alone till you’re not alone anymore.
Sit still until you are still.
Breathe until you do breathe.
And then, inhale even deeper and smell those roses.
And then, take another minute to count them.
I promise you. If you’ll do this often, you’ll find you can face tomorrow a whole lot easier. … doesn’t mean tomorrow will be easier. It just means you’ll be a little stronger to face it.
I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works. Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, and I will declare Your greatness. They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness, and shall sing of Your righteousness.
[*I do not own nor possess this pic. Simple google search.]
Sometimes, you’re going to appear insane simply because you disagree… or at least, those in the River of conformity will say.
Sometimes, you’re going to sound crazy simply because you won’t comply… or at least, those in the push for an agenda will claim.
Sometimes, you’re going to wonder if you might be going nuts simply because you won’t say yes… or at least, those in the camp of trend, popularity and fame will declare.
Never allow those around you, and especially those against you, to convince you to jump off the cliff simply because every sheep on the planet has.
Make up your own mind.
Choose one Sovereign authority and follow Him.
His Truth is Absolute, and absolute Truth is, itself, exclusive.
Don’t lose it.
Don’t give it away.
And certainly, NEVER sell it to the highest bidder!
Truth is a precious gift. A precious commodity.
Hold on to it.
No matter the cost.
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Wow. Came across this song tonight and felt it tug on my soul.
Sometimes, severing a relationship, a friendship, a bond, a soul tie is a must.
If simply for survival…
For a life to once again thrive…
Unless, you’ve been to the point of silent pain, irrevocable destruction, or heart wrenching betrayal, this concept may seem foreign, even ludicrous to your ears.
But if you’ve cried yourself to sleep at night over words that were spoken against you…
If you’ve hidden your face in shame for deeds you never committed…
If you’ve stood in utter shock and amazement as one who promised to defend nonchalantly walked away,
or lied to your face,
or spilled slanderous gossip to cause heads to turn…
Then, you might begin to understand.
Sometimes, severing is simple survival.
And healing brings a heart to thrive again.
“Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.”
Romans 16:17-18 nkjv
“Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them; For their heart devises violence, and their lips talk of troublemaking.
Proverbs 24:1-2 nkjv
“We sever the tie of constraint; the leash that keeps us cohering to someone else’s plan rather than stepping out and realizing our true potential,” says Anthony of the impetus behind the single. (per ccmagazine.com)
*this song nor the quote, I do not own nor possess. Simple google search.
There was a girl who got through the day with routines, laughter. and some memes...chores, laughs, smiles, and some cats...food, naps, plus coffee too...then yoga for the win... a warm bath, some books, and You Tubeđź“ş-hdtjđź’ś
My journey didn’t stop with mere time travel or writing; it led me to become one of the most sought-after empaths, a soulful psychic who reads the hidden depths of the human spirit. I’ve been blessed—or perhaps burdened—with an ability that allows me to feel the emotions of people from every corner of time.
I am a licensed psychologist based in Greece. My love for housekeeping has inspired me to create this blog about home management and family relationships. I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoyed writing!
Dedicated to movie nerdom, nostalgia, and escape. In the late 90s, I worked at Blockbuster Video where they let me take home two free movies a day. I caught up on the classics and reviewed theatrical releases for Denver 'burbs newspapers and magazines. Today, while raising two young, beautiful daughters with my amazing wife, I look forward to anything rated R and not Bluey. Comments and dialogue encouraged!
the grizzle grist mill 