Slowing down ...

I woke this morning ... and it seemed as those there was a bit of sun peaking through!   Ahhh the gray skies and rain are getting to me.  

I want to sit on a blanket in the park .... 

you know that scene in your head ... 

the one that brings serenity.  

Perhaps it is on the beach ... 

For me ... a quiet place ... a solitary place ... a place to be ... 

Perhaps all I need is the image ... 

The brain works in mysterious ways ... 

Just writing and imaging slows my breathing ... calms the restlessness.

Where will your imagination take you?

Prayers for Families

I write this today with prayers for friends. 

I have good friends who are going through the transition of life to death.  As a family they are working together to make decisions and seek a peaceful transition for their father.

I ask that you pray for them

That they may feel secure in their decisions

And know that they are held in the love of God and their families.

Thanks!

The Magic Key

What ever happened to the magic we believed in as children?   Ahhh this magic key opened so very many stories for me when I was but a young child.  I could run from place to place in the park, insert the key in the box, turn it and behold a story would unfold.  Then eventually I would get to the theatre and watch a show.  The magic of childhood ... learning and exploring.  

The movie "Sleepless in Seattle" references magic.  The falling in love.   "It was magic"

In the movie "Corrina, Corrina" Whoopi Goldberg wills magic at the stop light to make sure it changes just when she needs it.

Magic ... Do you believe in magic?

   "And it's magic, if the music is groovy

   It makes you feel happy like an old-time movie"

You know ... I want to go back to Fairyland Park in Oakland

It was magical ... not because of the key .... the story ... the theatre.

It was magical because I got to experience it with people that let me believe.

Let me explore ... let me run ... let me play.

I am so looking forward to taking Lila to Fairyland.

Someone suggested that it be a 4-generation trip!

I sure hope the key still works!

And it's magic, if the music is groovy

It makes you feel happy like an old-time movie

So today ... close your eyes ... believe in magic.

Sit with a child

Let them lead you through a wonderful adventure of play.

They will share their hearts and minds

Shhhhh ... don't tell anybody ... 

But that is where the magic really is!

The key to the magic ... 

It's in the relationship!

With Friendship

Do you laugh more when you spend time with friends that laugh?

Our journey in life is influenced by friends.
We are a reflection of our friends. 

We get energy from our friends.  

And the energy can be positive or negative.

When our friends look at the world for what it can be 

Our work to make better the world is strengthened.

Seeking friends who honor the heart strengthens the heart.

I am a better person because of my friends.

For that I am grateful.

Who makes you a better person?

Drop them a note ... say thanks. 

Baptismal Birthday!

Dancing feet in the waters of baptism!

What a joy a baptism should be ... 

The water .... the sign of the cross

Babies aren't quite sure what to make of it

Perhaps babies should be given the opportunity to dance for joy!

They are baptized into a family of love and grace and hope!

Head to the river

Head to the beach

Head to the ocean

Head to the lake

Dance in the water

The water ... the sign of our baptism.

Dance for joy in your baptism.

Sprinkle the waters from the font!

 

Thanks be to God!

P.S. Yesterday was mom's 85th birthday

Today was Lila's baptism!

Birthdays!!!

85 blessings for your birthday

A lifetime of loving

Caring for others

Putsing in the garden

Growing rhododendrons

Planting pansies

Teaching children 

Being a mother

Being a daughter

Being a wife

Being a woman

Being a sister

Being a mother-in-law

Being a Gammy

Being a Great-Gammy

Being a Good Friend

85 blessings for your birthday, Mom

Thanks for the 85 times 85 times 85 times 85

And many more times of loving us

85 blessings mom for 

taking us to scouts

reading with us

sewing our clothes

cooking our meals

changing our sheets

85 blessings mom

for picking us up

helping us read

supporting our dreams

giving us stuff

Happy Birthday to my 85 blessings mom 

This pansy is for you

May Day

Let's celebrate

Our riches are great and wonderful!

A traditional day to celebrate our labors.

Thanks be God for giving us work to contribute to the greater good.

I get the opportunity to work to make lives of children better.

Take a few minutes today ... 

Jot down all that you contribute to the world through your work.

Stop and pick up some flowers.

Put them in a basket 

Give them to a neighbor

Make their day!