by Sharon O | Nov 2, 2013 | Uncategorized
The month of Thanksgiving.
The learning to give thanks with a grateful heart and spirit.
The time when we reflect back and then forward for things we have been blessed with.
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| photo by Shelley C of Oregon |
Thanksgiving.
I am beginning to start a thanksgiving list.
Every day becoming aware of what I am thankful for and how I can say that to myself and to others around me.
We have many things to be thankful for we just have to become aware of them.
As we go about our day think about what you are grateful for and what you can do to become more thankful and more appreciative of what surrounds you.
Then be bold enough to say it.
Either by speaking it out loud or writing it down.
Will you join me on this journey as we travel forward in an attitude of thanks?
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!
by Sharon O | Oct 26, 2013 | Uncategorized
If I could tell you where my heart resides
it would be in the prayers and the hopes and the dreams
of these precious ones.
If I could tell you where my heart has grown
it would be on the days where we first met each one
of these precious ones.
If I could tell you about the sleepless nights and restless days
it would be the journey of being a grand parent
of these precious ones.
If I could tell you about the moment my heart swelled with pride
it would be when we heard the voices and saw the first steps
of these precious ones.
Nothing ever takes the place of knowing that you are instrumental and impacting
to the lives
of these precious ones.
The role of a grandparent is to walk alongside and be a cheerleader
to each one
of these precious ones.
A grandmother is a little bit parent, a little bit teacher, and a little bit best friend.
author unknown.
A grandmother is a mother who has a second chance.
author unknown.
A grand father is someone with silver in his hair and gold in his heart.
author unknown.
Grandchildren are the the dots that connect the lines from generation to generation. Lois Wyse.
by Sharon O | Oct 23, 2013 | Uncategorized
Driving in the fog this morning gave me many things to think about.
When the way is not clear and the vision is blurry and
even feeling very unsafe
we can only look straight ahead and follow the line to the right of us and the left.
If we dare to do something different it could cost us something such as our safety or even our life.
It is dangerous to drive in the fog.
We cannot see when there is no clarity or vision.
I personally don’t like it.
It scares me for there are many unknowns.
Life is like that sometimes.
In the process of going from one place to another.
We have to learn to trust.
We have to learn to grip the wheel and not distract ourselves.
As we know from the past eventually the fog clears and the vision becomes normal.
Right now I look out the window and it is a crisp very sunny fall day.
But it didn’t look like that at seven in the morning.
It is about perspective.
Sometimes our attitudes are foggy and we can’t see past our issues.
Sometimes we block our own journey
because of the heaviness and unforgiveness we choose to carry.
It is not helpful to walk around with our heads in a fog.
Life is a lesson and it remains our choice how we will see it.
I choose to trust even in the fog and
I also choose to praise when the sun comes out.
It is all about over coming and knowing
that just as we see the fog lift on the outside and a new view arising our hearts can be lifted too.
photo’s by P.j. DiBenedetto
by Sharon O | Oct 15, 2013 | Uncategorized
We need to find God and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness.
God is the friend of silence
See how nature
trees
flowers and grass
grow in silence
See the stars
the moon and the sun.
How they move in silence.
We need silence to be able to touch souls.
Mother Theresa
by Sharon O | Oct 9, 2013 | Uncategorized
Lately I have been driving early in the morning.
To be out in the dark and observing the sun rising is new to me.
The start of a new morning begins as I drive down the road.
I am often reminded that each day we get a fresh clean slate.
We can choose if we want it to go bad or not.
Even in our struggles that others may put towards us
it is still our choice to decide behavior shown or words spoken.
It is a challenge for us on a daily basis.
Do we show kindness?
Do we smile?
Do we pray and ask good things for others?
Are we grateful that we can get up one more day and breathe
the breath of life and hope and goodness?
Even when it is hard to find those things
they are there right in front of us.
We choose the direction we are giving out to others.
Every day we are given a choice and
I pray we make a good one.
photo by Margo L of Yamhill
by Sharon O | Oct 6, 2013 | Uncategorized
I am not sure where this photo came from
but what I do know:
it is welcoming.
I could sit there in the quiet and listen to the water and perhaps geese flying in the sky above my head.
I could see the clouds form assorted images and let my imagination rest and relax.
Fall trees cover the landscape as the crisp wind tells me I might need a sweater.
Maybe I would have a good book to read or a full glass of tea.
Maybe I would have a sketch pad to re-create the beauty before me.
Maybe I would have a hot cup of coffee and a plate of cookies.
Perhaps I would do nothing but enjoy the silence and say a prayer of thanks.
It is welcoming and peaceful for all to see and observe.
I am not sure where this photo came from
but I thank whoever took it.
It is a blessing.
by Sharon O | Oct 3, 2013 | Uncategorized
I am not afraid
when you walk at my side.
(perfect love casts out fear 1st John 4:18)
Your trusty shepherd’s crook
makes me feel secure.
(In this context the shepherd tended, protected and guarded the flock. The crook of the stick was very helpful in moving the sheep in the right direction, to fight off a predator or rescue one who was tangled in brush)
You serve me a six-course dinner
right in front of my enemies.
(you provide substance for me)
You revive my drooping head;
(you give hope when I feel hopeless)
my cup brims with blessing.
(you give me encouragement)
Your beauty and love chase after me
every day of my life.
(oh that we would know and remember his love for us)
I’m back home in the house of God
for the rest of my life.
(Let us go to the house of the Lord Psalm 122:1)
I will never leave the safety of his presence.
by Sharon O | Oct 1, 2013 | Uncategorized
“The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
He leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.”
(Psalm 23:1-3a)
1-3
God, my shepherd!
I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.
Even when the way goes through
Death Valley,
I’m not afraid when you walk at my side.
by Sharon O | Sep 30, 2013 | Uncategorized
I remember him asking me:
“what do you want on your gate? what do you like?”
I said to him, “I love roses and angels.”
He didn’t think he could make an angel but he did make a rose trellis…
and I will treasure it always.
From dad.
by Sharon O | Sep 29, 2013 | Uncategorized
Before we arrived at the care home where mom lives
we had shared about our ‘need’ to have a small service for dad.
Mostly for mom but it would be good for us too.
Dad didn’t want a formal service and it always feels weird and unfinished with out anything.
We decided to ask her if she would feel comfortable with that idea and she agreed.
With all of us down the hall into her bedroom/sitting room we began to share a few words about dad.
In her quiet voice she mentioned that it feels very strange now to not have him around anymore.
He was always holding her hands and keeping her close by him.
It was for him a mixture of love, control and protection so she would remain safe.
We shared a little and laughed a little and asked her if she was sad.
Then we began to sing a few songs.
The ones that dad would know and love and also the ones she would remember.
Tears fell as the voices sang,”I come to the garden” along with “Amazing Grace” then adding “this little light of mine” and “Jesus loves me.” The voices continued with “Jesus loves the little children.”
The only few things missing from the room were a guitar and dad.
The service was short and simple but I do believe she enjoyed it.
It is hard when a loved one passes from us.
We remember so much on so many levels at different times of the day and hour. Grief cannot be rushed or hurried.
It is a process and it takes time.
He created and made this pretty gate but this is not where he is going to be laid to rest.
It was a choice of his and that will be honored.
A service of closure always leads us to a lifetime of remembering.
The good and not so much the bad.
It is pointless to remember bad things about someone now gone.
We had a service and tears were shed.
We closed the door on this chapter of our lives.
Our dad is gone now and we say good bye to a ‘man’ of many talents.
He lead a colorful life and we believe that only he would know the stories that haven’t been told.
Our dad is gone now and we move on one day at a time.
It does feel strange to not have him sitting in the room with us.
We miss him. Remember him and know he is in a better place.
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