by Sharon O | Nov 1, 2025 | Uncategorized
A very special man in our family recently passed away.
Two months ago, it started out as a middle of the night ambulance ride.
Those always rattle one’s heart especially when it is quiet and then the urgent takes place.
He had a dissection of the aorta which was extremely serious and life threatening in its severity.
He made it through that long surgery then a few days later he had an aortic aneurism which was another serious surgery.
Then he had leg surgery and final number was four very major surgeries in 14 days.
Way too much for most people and he was not an exception.
The stress and the seriousness of the situation was very difficult for all of us.
So much to do and so little ability to know what he could do once he came home.
The days moved into a few weeks with him home and managing specialized care.
Then it all became too much.
He left us a few days ago. His heart just couldn’t do it anymore.
Saying goodbye is not easy.
Remembering him not easy either.
How will I remember?
He was gentle, and kind, he was peace and calm, he was deep-thinking
and a caring man.
He was like my brother I knew him over 60 years.
He was the one who nicknamed me mouse.
He was the one who encouraged me to think on my own.
He was an educator and had a way with kids, and also the elderly.
He was patient and soft, his words challenged me to think.
He loved my humor.
He listened more than he spoke and within that listening you felt heard and known.
I will miss him always.
The house where they lived is not the same now since he is not there.
The atmosphere is different.
My sister is alone and entering into the widow hood the best as she can.
We all will take that turn and walk down that road too.
A very special man in our family left us sooner than we all wanted.
I’ll say goodbye till I get to see you again. 
by Sharon O | Oct 20, 2025 | Uncategorized
No matter how busy our lives, there are ways to make sure neither distance nor everyday demands
keep us from friends we don’t want to lose.
Our friends are important to us especially as we age.
I am one of these people if you get to know me, and I allow you into my life.
It takes a lot to lose me.
You would have to do something very hurtful for me to take a break and write you off.
Relationships are supposed to challenge us.
They are supposed to show us what we can tolerate and what we cannot.
I have had people in my life that I chose to give distance to.
It was not healthy, it was not helpful, and it was not an encouraging friendship.
Because of my ‘growing up years’ that would bring many moves which in turn did not allow friendships to develop.
Going to a new school as a shy child was like having no anesthesia for painful things.
I am not a social butterfly.
I enjoy quiet time. I enjoy alone time.
When I was a little girl, I would get up and go outside to play with caterpillars and other things like kitties.
It was peaceful outside.
As I have aged, I have learned to value friendships that walk alongside me, as I realize being alone is not always helpful.
As an adult I don’t think of myself as shy, but I am also not outgoing in a crowd.
I am an observer.
I am content to just be who I am without an audience.
When was the last time you challenged yourself to step out and talk to someone new?
When was the last time you signed up for something you have never done before?
We need to hold close those people in our lives that have stayed our friends for many years.
We need to call or write or send them something just to say, “I’m thinking of you.”
We need to also press in and allow ourselves to meet new people and perhaps we might surprise ourselves.
With a new long term better than ever God planned friendship.
No matter how busy our lives get we need to be sure distance, or time does not keep us from those who we value and care for.
by Sharon O | Oct 4, 2025 | Uncategorized
Life has a way of challenging us.
When I look around and observe people going through many difficulties, trials and testing’s, I wonder to myself, why.
We are not promised an easy life.
In fact, we are challenged to press on towards our calling in life and see to it that we help others in the process.
It is not easy not comfortable at times.
I know a few people who have gone through extreme health issues lately.
I know some who have gone through family trials.
What do we do when we feel pressed on all sides and just not able to move one foot in front of the other.
We remind ourselves that THIS too will pass and soon we will look back and be able to say, we did it.
I don’t know about you, but I like things in life easy.
I like no conflicts.
I like seasons to come and go with no hardships and not any intense challenges.
In reality that easy life does not build character,
Or trust. OR belief in our ability to make it through.
It is ok to just move from day to day and not have any challenges but when I observe my little great granddaughter who is 14 months.
I see her get up every day and try harder, do more, walk with balance and enthusiasm.
Her mom videotaped a moment where she was playing and just started twirling around and around until she fell down.
Then she got up and did it again, hoping to improve her new skill.
That is what I am talking about.
Challenging ourselves to do more and do better.
Even in the middle of life’s crushing moments.
Press on to the next moment, the next day or the next week.
It is so important to have hope and not give up and give in.
There are many choices and many options for us.
I encourage you in the middle of the trial Life has a way of challenging us.
Let’s put ourselves to the test and win this battle.
by Sharon O | Sep 5, 2025 | Uncategorized
The younger generation is not only fun to watch but awesome in helping us old folk.
Our granddaughter has a boyfriend who happened to be over at our house with her.
I had not been able to figure out my start page for my blog site for some reason it was not available.
Before we took them out for dinner, I asked them to see if they could help me.
I am not computer smart I know some things but not enough of the ‘technical stuff’.
He came into my den room, juggled the mouse around went up in the upper left corner of the space bar, and opened the site.
I was super impressed it took him about ten to fifteen seconds to help me.
He said, ‘How did you have so much scrunched up in that corner?
I don’t know, apparently every time I tried to log in, it added another little log in square.
Well, the moral of the story is do not discount these twenty something young ones.
They knew exactly what to do.
I even bought them dessert it was worth to me to be able to get back into the routine of writing.
The next issue I have is to set up my new computer and make it user friendly so I can use it.
So far, we are not having success with it.
This computer is old, and it forces me to use my iPad for some things because it took three days to log into amazon.
Good grief I am too old for this.
So that is my sad story for the week.
I appreciate so much my grandchildren and the younger generation.
Sometimes I feel old, but they remind me they can help this ‘grandma’.
I just have to ask them.
by Sharon O | Aug 7, 2025 | Uncategorized
(This was a special writing I submitted to a writing site to see if I could be chosen for submission.
They did not choose mine, so I am posting it here.)
Kindness is a healer
I heard something one day that said, “your kindness leads us to repentance, Oh Lord.’
This always takes me to the memory of the first time meeting a counselor who I would work with for many years.
He was gentle, and soft spoken and most of all KIND.
It spoke volumes to me.
My home growing up was not a kind one.
It was about learning to hold your breath, laying low and don’t get noticed.
It was about staying quiet and to yourself.
Walls of protection was needed and every day we never really knew if there would be rage or silence.
The kindness I learned from this very special counselor nurtured the part of my heart that never experienced it.
Words spoken in a small room were actually listened to. And felt safe for the first time.
I often think of the story of Mary in the New Testament especially after watching the chosen movie.
She was broken and needed something more than she was used to receiving.
Jesus met her with kindness and compassion.
She HEARD that and felt it.
When he spoke her name, it was with gentleness in tone, it was not critical or toxic.
I believe she repented and turned away from her confusion because HE was inviting and kind.
I know I respond to kindness.
I respond to non-threatening words.
A simple soft word ministers to a wounded spirit. Always.
The thing that I have learned throughout my counseling days, is the art of listening.
What a gift it is to give to someone.
I have experienced trauma on many levels.
But in saying that I don’t have to stay there.
I can share hope.
I can share life and healing to those who feel broken and without hope.
I will never compare pain as we know that all pain is different.
Kindness heals.
It is like a beautiful blanket wrapped around someone who is struggling to put one foot in front of the other.
It is a hope filled cheerleader saying, “You can do it, I believe in you.”
Kindness is a healer, and the best gift we can give someone. 
by Sharon O | Jul 26, 2025 | Uncategorized
There has been so much news lately that has truly disturbed my spirit and rattled me.
We are in a deep crossroad of evil and spiritual revival and how we react to it is our testimony of our faith.
I so want to be known as a woman of faith but sometimes it is hard.
Not hard to believe but hard to move forward.
The word has told us that the days ahead will be full of chaos, but we also know our peace comes from deep within.
I remember a child song that says, “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart, down in my heart, down in my heart.
I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart today.”
I’m in prayer for so much these days.
Family, friends, people I care for.
I watch the news and oh my goodness, some of it is good, so much of it not so good.
Lord help the children.
I know they are the most vulnerable and unprotected.
I am in prayer.,
A cross and kleenex.
