Monday, September 30, 2013

If You Were Stranded on a Desert Island

This has been rolling around in my head for about a week now. I don't know why I thought of it, just one of those crazy things that pops out once in a while.

If you were stranded on a desert island what would you bring? I have a fun quiz for you to answer regarding this question.

Enjoy!

1. Name 1 person you would bring.

2. Name 1 musical CD would you bring?

3. Which famous person would you bring? (In addition to #1)

4. Which 5 food items would you bring?

5. What 1 beauty product would you bring?

6. What 1 beverage would you bring?

7. Which 3 books would you bring?

8. Name 3 items you would bring, not including a boat.

9. What 4 clothing items would you bring?

10. Do you think you could survive on a deserted island?



As for me, I'd like to think I could survive, but the older I get, the more I doubt it. Especially if I didn't have my medications with me. I'd slowly go insane and probably try to swim for help or something equally as inept. Of course, I wouldn't lack for company if my companions deserted me, as I'd have all the voices in my head to chat with.

I'd be interested in knowing how you would answer this quiz. Take your time and have fun.


Friday, September 27, 2013

Five Minute Friday - True



It's time for the "Five Minute Friday" blogging post. The inspiration comes from Lisa Jo Baker


What you do is set your timer for five minutes and write whatever you want according to the prompt Lisa places on her blog every Friday. Then you go back, link your blog and give support to those who posted before you. And, we connect on Twitter with #FiveMinuteFriday.

Ready.
Set.
Go.

True




Telling the truth, even when it's difficult, makes me feel like I'm always hurting someone's feelings. I don't always like telling the truth. But, it pops out of my mouth anyway. As if some unknown force is pushing it out of me.

When I was younger, I had no way to monitor my mouth and I told the truth about everything. I had no way to hide it.

As I've grown, I've learned to tender the truth with a bit of kindness and gentleness. I put myself in the other person's shoes and wonder how I'd like to hear the message. That helps.

I do have my moments where a white lie will push its way forward and spew from my mouth before my brain engages. The doctor will ask, "Did you take all your medication?" "Yes," I'll answer quickly. It's what the doctor wants to hear, right?

"Did you do all the physical therapy exercises, every day?" "Yes," I'll answer quickly, even though I got tired of doing them every day and stopped a few days before my appointment.

Why do I do that? I think it's because I'm afraid to disappoint someone.

Do you tell the truth all the time?




Friday, September 20, 2013

Five Minute Friday - She


It's time for the "Five Minute Friday" blogging post. The inspiration comes from Lisa Jo Baker


What you do is set your timer for five minutes and write whatever you want according to the prompt Lisa places on her blog every Friday. Then you go back, link your blog and give support to those who posted before you. And, we connect on Twitter with #FiveMinuteFriday.

Ready.
Set.
Go.

She

The first time I saw her, she was just a tiny thing, wrapped in a blanket with a sweet little cap on her head covering her dark hair. 

She had large expressive eyes that took in everything around her. I held her close, whispering loving words into her ears that only she could hear. Then I placed her carefully into my husband's arms. He  held her close, while I hovered nearby. She never cried. 

She is so loved. Our first granddaughter. She is growing into a bright young lady. Already at the top of her class in pre-school. She is so excited about learning. She gives me hope for a better future.

I miss her so much, as she lives far away on the other side of the United States, in Arizona, while I live in Florida. I don't see her often, but I love to talk to her on the phone. She calls me "NeNe", has from the moment she could speak. It's endearing. 

She makes me want to be a better person.

STOP


Monday, September 16, 2013

Please Don't Go - Short Story


“Mommy, where is daddy going?”

 "Away." My mother didn't turn away from the sink as she washed dishes. The sun streamed in through the kitchen window making her hair shine as if made from gold.

 I ran to the door. "Daddy!"

Daddy stopped, put down his suitcase, turned to me. "Come here." He knelt down on one knee, opening his arms.

I rushed to him and threw my chubby little arms around his neck. Patting the blond curls atop my head, he kissed my face and told me to be a good girl. I kissed him back and begged him not to go. I held his hand tight between my two small ones as he walked to the door.

"Good-bye, baby." Daddy didn't look at me.

"Bye, daddy." I followed him out the door and watched from my seat on the stoop as he put his suitcase in the trunk of the car then climbed behind the wheel.

The car engine roared with anger. I winced at how loud it sounded.

I waved.

Daddy waved back. Then he was gone.

"Please don't go, daddy." I whispered.

 A dark evening, twenty-eight years later, my son said, "Mommy, where is daddy going?"

I heard the question but didn't know how to answer. I cuddled my little boy close. I breathed deep of his special baby smell trying to commit it to memory. I wanted to block out the rest of the day and only remember this one single moment  holding my son close to my heart.

"I'm packed."

I looked up to see my husband with a suitcase in his hand and a garment bag over his shoulder.

I nodded, afraid to use my voice.

"Daddy, please don't go."

My husband knelt down to absently brush away a wisp of golden hair from my son's forehead. "I have to, son." He patted his arm. "You be a big boy and take care of mommy."

Such a large load of responsibility for a tiny boy. I pulled him back into the safety of my arms. I whispered into his ear, "We'll take care of each other."

He snuggled closer. “You promise you won’t leave?” He asked with his child-like innocence.

“Never. Ever.” I crossed my heart. “We’ll be together forever.”

He turned in my arms and buried his face in my bosom. I held him tight as his father walked out the door. In the tiniest whisper, I heard him say, “Daddy, please don’t go.”

One day, thirty years later, I couldn’t stop myself from crying out, "Oh, mama, please don't go!" I held her  fragile hand tightly in mine. The sun shone through the bedroom window and created a soft halo of light around her head. Her pale, white hair luminescent against the pillow.

"Hush, darling. It's my time." My mama whispered the words as I leaned closer to hear her.

"I'm going to miss you so much. Don't leave me."

"I'll never leave you." She ran her fingers through my hair like she did when I was a child. "I'll always be with you." Her bony fingers shook as she touched my chest, above my left breast. "Right here." Mama drew a shallow breath and sighed. "Always."

Tears swam in my eyes as I watched my mother take her last breath.

"Oh, mama, please don't go." I whispered.

For as long as I could, I breathed in and out, hoping to never hear my son cry out those lonely words. I lost the battle seventeen years later.

“Mama, please don’t go!”

My son had grown into a tall, handsome man. I loved him so much. My heart, heavy in my chest, ached for him. “Don’t cry, baby.”

“Mama, you can’t leave. You promised to be with me forever.” His face, although lined with age, still held a boyish glow in the afternoon sun that streamed in from the window across from my bed.

“Darling, How could I ever leave my baby boy?” I touched his beautiful face. I held tight to my delicate grasp on life. I pulled him close to my chest and lay his head on a bosom long dried and useless. I gently brushed at the lock of sandy hair that continued to fall over his brow. His tears pierced through my thin cotton gown, straight into my heart.

“I love you, mama.” My son sobbed has he held me tighter than I could ever hold him again.

“I’m sorry, son.”

“For what, mama?” He hiccupped then took a deep breath.

As I closed my eyes, I gently touched his strong hand with mine. “For breaking my promise.”

The End

Monday, September 09, 2013

Letting Go and Letting God


Since my ECT treatments for Bipolar Disorder and Depression (March, April & May), I've learned so much about "letting go and letting God". My life went from an anxiety level of a 15 to nearly 0. I've put my life in God's hands and I have learned to lean on Him for support.

I don't worry about tomorrow. I know that every morning I wake up blessed for a new day. What God has planned for it, I don't know. Nor do I worry about it. In a matter of speaking, I go with the flow.

God has a plan for me. What it is, I'm not sure, but that's okay, because whatever it is, it's sure to be wonderful. My journey from today, to tomorrow, to next year and all the years after that until I'm kneeling at the feet of my almighty Father, will be an exciting adventure.

I trust in my Lord so much, I've put my life in His hands. In doing so, I'm happier and less anxious.

I am not going to worry about the path my journey takes me. It can be smooth or rough, it doesn't matter. What matters is that Jesus walks that path with me. His hand in my hand. I am never alone.

Can you say that you have as much trust in the Lord? God loves you. He cares for you. Trust Him to show you the way.


Friday, September 06, 2013

Five Minute Friday - Red


It's time for the "Five Minute Friday" blogging post. The inspiration comes from Lisa Jo Baker


What you do is set your timer for five minutes and write whatever you want according to the prompt Lisa places on her blog every Friday. Then you go back, link your blog and give support to those who posted before you. And, we connect on Twitter with #FiveMinuteFriday.

Ready.
Set.
Go.

Red.

I never thought I'd like the color red. But, with a black and white kitchen the red pops. I love red accessories. I have red mixing bowls. Red storage containers. Red dish towels. 

I dream of William-Sonoma accessories. I put them on my wish list in Pinterest. I love picking out items that I can have in my dream kitchen.

The rest of my house doesn't have anything red. Our bedroom is blue with soothing ocean themes. Our great room is filled with beach and ocean items. Shells. Pelicans. Sea birds. Paintings of ocean themes. Great herons. I love that room. We used to have a 400 gallon saltwater aquarium in it with lots of fish and rock. It was so soothing to look at. We kept it up for over ten years until we decided to take it down and add more bookcases. The one thing our house is lacking is more bookcases. I have books piled on the floor, tables, and open space available. I'm looking forward the wonderful cedar bookcases that will be built.

My office is a tranquil light green. My office is a place of balance and peacefulness for me. I have big boards full of inspirational quotes and pictures. 

Red. It has it's place in my life. It pops.

Stop.