Saturday, January 4, 2020

But Now I See

Inspirational Stories

Pinterest is full of thoughts and touching accounts about finding yourself and knowing your own path.

I know. I get it. I understand.

But I've discovered that I really don’t need Pinterest. I have family, the compass that guides me - my inspiration to reach great heights and my comfort when I falter.

In this series are some of the stories and thoughts they have passed on to me.

From Hubby, A Poignant Story

Vision is the art of seeing things invisble. - Jonathan Swift

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.

One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room’s only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end.

Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window...

A park with a lovely lake where ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walking arm in arm amidst flowers of every color. The city skyline in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.

Days, weeks, and months passed.

The man by the window died peacefully in his sleep.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow and strained to turn to look out the window beside the bed.

It faced a blank wall.

Taken aback, he looked at the nurse. With a knowing smile on her face, she disclosed, Your deceased roommate was blind.

***

Sight Is Beautiful. Watercolor drawing by First Granddaughter, 5 years old
Indeed.

Sight is beautiful, of things both seen and unseen.

Like being a unicorn that brings a dash of magic into life and makes dreams come true.

An insight that is childlike.

Pure.

And rare.




Friday, January 3, 2020

Live In The Sunshine

For First Daughter, On Her Birthday

Ocean Frolic. Photo, A.V.H., March 2019


  You are my bright light, a ray of sunbeam.

  Fair and good-looking.

  Intelligent, compassionate, thoughtful, and
  sweet. 

  Classy.

  Strong-willed and determined. My wish for


  you is to...

  




And that you may forever sparkle and shine
like the light that you are.

Saturday, December 28, 2019

Flight 2020

Final Call
                                                                             
Y’all.

Christmas is over.

I didn’t want to mention it, and my heart literally sank a little as I typed those words.

And the saddest part?

There are 362 days until the next one.

This is the time of year that I have a hard time letting go. You know. The warm glow of lights and candles, the red and green dishes and poinsettia-imprinted placemats. But I did put everything away.

So the holiday is coming to an end, but before the year ends, I’m pressing pause for one hot minute. 

Now.

This moment.

This time.

To celebrate you all.

Truly. I cannot even begin to express how you have been my best gift.

As we take flight toward a new year, I'm hoping that you'd continue to tag along and join my rally for a fresh chance to get it right.

For starters, I'm resolving (and hoping you would, too) that all luggage should only contain the best souvenirs from 2019.

Truth. 

This will especially be hard for me being the worrier that I am, but I'm bent on leaving my anxieties and doubts in the rubbish bin.

The complimentary Cocktail of Friendship service that will begin shortly after we reach cruising altitude might help. So, yes, please. And Fanta, horchata, beer, icee or tequila, perhaps, for some. 

As to the in-flight meal, I'd be sure to order only the good stuff: 

Supreme of Health

Gratin of Prosperity

Bowl of Excellent News

Salad of Success

Cake of Happiness

All served with A Side Of Laughter

The duration of the flight will be twelve months. Let's stay buckled up while seated for safety's sake.

That all said, sit back now, relax and enjoy our hop-over to 2020.



Oh yeah, we’re going there now!

Wishing you

an enjoyable trip

and

 a successful year

 ahead!      

Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Peace

Christmas Haikus

Untitled. Pen drawing by 
Second Granddaughter, 7 years old


a star from above

shines upon sleeping baby

in heavenly PEACE


May your Christmas be filled with 

HOPE

LOVE

JOY

and PEACE!





Saturday, December 21, 2019

Joy

Christmas Haikus



night’s slumber is done

heralding a bright new day

as bells of JOY ring


Saturday, December 14, 2019

Love

Christmas Haikus

Haiku: Japanese verse form composed in English versions of three unrhymed lines of five, seven, and five syllables. It often features an image or a pair of images meant to depict the essence of a specific moment in time.



on its right hand, grace

LOVE comes down one silent night

to lift up my soul



Saturday, December 7, 2019

Hope

Christmas Haikus

Remember what is important.

Savor every minute with family and friends.

I’m telling myself this now.

Today.

Before it all slips away and I’m standing in front of crumpled gift wrap and left-over stale cookies and my nativity that has lost a camel and wonky advent candles.

This Christmas, I'm going to take a moment to breathe.

For starters, there is going to be minimal Christmas decor. Just a reindeer knickknack presiding over the dining table, seasonal platter, and neutral sprigs of holly.

Writing will also be minimal. 

This month's blog series will each consist of 17 syllables (not counting the words in this intro).

Not.17.Words.

Not.17.Paragraphs. 

17.Syllables.

Starting now. Who's with me? 


let silence ring in

softly like an angel's voice

a whisper of HOPE