Rest In Peace Louise Hay

In the infinity

of life

where I am,

all is perfect, whole and complete.

– Louise L. Hay

At age 90, surrounded by loved ones, Louise Hay passed away peacefully in her sleep of natural causes on August 30, 2017.  Many will remember her legacy of healing through her business  Hay House as well as the plethora of books she authored.  She shared authors who brought peace, love and empowerment into our lives through Hay House.

I remember the first time I was given her book, You Can Heal Your Life back in 2002.  I had breast cancer and I was so troubled by the diagnosis and feared what lay in store for me.  A friend tried to explain how in reading her book, I would be healing myself, but back then, I wasn’t very spiritual.  However, the dear-hearted friend who gave me the book was further along on the spiritual journey than me and I trusted her with my heart.

So I read You can Heal Your Life and I began to shift – in my thoughts, in my words, in my healing, and with love in my heart.  I have never looked back at the woman who held a book in her hands disbelieving that Louise Hay’s simple message could change me so profoundly.  And yet, here I am.

Louise Hay’s book began my spiritual journey and my soul healing.  I am ever grateful to my friend for opening the door to me by giving me her book.  I am ever grateful to Louise Hay for believing in herself and for being the light in so many lives.  She helped many of us find the light again.  God Bless You Louise Hay.  Thank you for my healing – one book, one thought, and one affirmation at a time.

Shine On!

xo

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P.S.  I have written about Louise Hay many times on my blog.  If you’re interested just search Louise Hay and they will come up!  “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.”

Love Is All Around

People who inspire me – one was Mary Tyler Moore.  I really loved the theme song to her show, Love Is All Around.  It brings back happy memories for me as I remember watching the show and wanting to be independent like her character.  She was an icon for so many women in that role.

Now that I’m a single woman, out on my own again, I am looking to her.  A good girl, who was comfortable in her skin and happy!  I loved that enthusiasm she had for life in the show.  She was real.  She was your friend.  She was goodness personified.  You couldn’t help but love her.

Mary Tyler Moore tribute

Shine On!

xo

 

 

Saying Goodbye Is Never Easy

Being in a memory care facility, like the one that my family members were in Savannah, is like being with family.  Residents all sit at the meal tables with the same group and become, over time, a soul family.  A family of people who aren’t related by blood nor marriage, but are family all the same in the best sense – the sense of belonging together, sharing meals, supporting each other and caring with kindness that goes beyond, goes deeper than simple connections.

One might say that in a memory care facility, residents don’t always recognize other people nor interact, but we were truly blessed.  Not only did the residents bond with each other, sharing stories (sometimes repeatedly – it was always a joy to hear them), but the families of the residents bonded in ways that we couldn’t have foreseen.

What binds us together is a love connection – the innate understanding that we get it – we know how it feels to have a loved one living in a memory care facility and all that goes along with it and we’re grateful for the unexpected friendships that accompany our experiences.

So when I got the phone message that my friend’s Mama passed away the other morning, the tears burst out of my eyes and I began to cry while listening to her message.  My phone volume had been turned down and because it was in the bottom of my purse, I missed her call.  Immediately I called her back, but she didn’t pick up.  I tried not to weep too much, but I left her a message telling her how sad I was to hear the news.

You see, her Mama and my loved ones were best friends, having lived in the same home for two years.  Every meal, they ate together, shared stories and smiled.  They bonded in the most beautiful way.  I am getting weepy remembering how in the last few years of their lives, these strangers shared a bond, connected and loved one another as if they were family.  I could regale you with so many stories of special moments we shared together.  My friend and I took special care of each other’s loved ones when we were visiting them.  It was truly a blessing.  I pray that someday when I’m older, if I should go to a home, that I find such loving residents (and caregivers) to call my soul family.  That’s how strongly I feel and why I am so sad about her Mama’s passing for it is the end of a chapter in our lives.

Her Mama is at peace now for which we are all grateful.  But there’s that part of me, the one that wants one more hug, one more smile from Wilma and one more story.  I want to see her needlepoint again and hear her laugh.  I know for sure, that she is up there in Heaven, happy to be reunited with her family, her husband and my loved one again.  I know I now have another special angel looking out for me from Heaven and I am ever grateful that we connected so long ago.   Rest in Peace Miss Wilma.  God Bless.

Shine On!

xo

Saying Goodbye To A Loved One

As I climbed into bed last night, laid my weary head and heart on the soft down pillow, I sighed deeply.  Such a day full of emotion and perseverance that frankly, I was exhausted.  I closed my eyes and began to pray for peace as I often do.  In that quiet moment of reverie, I surrendered.  I had done all that I could, pushed through the limits and swallowed and alternatively let go of many tears.  But as I prayed, it was in gratitude for all of the angels who attended this day.

When a loved one passes, it is never easy for those left behind.  After the initial shock, because even when we know they are sick, it is still a shock to know that they have passed, there was work to be done, papers to be signed, a funeral home to be called, family and friends to be notified and a personal life of responsibility to continue living, all at the same time.  It’s a day of moving through the grief in order to process the necessities that need to be done, all the while, alternatively stifling and letting out the grief of losing a loved one.  Tears poured from my eyes at times and quiet sobs escaped (probably not so quietly) as the reality hit me in waves.

Last night the epiphany which I knew already, hit me.  Why do we grieve when our loved one passes?  Some of us believe that their departed souls return home to God and I have to ask myself,  why aren’t I rejoicing that she is no longer in earthy life school, no longer suffering with a body which had grown old and desperately needed repair?  My answer was selfish – I wanted to be with her when she passed and hold her hand as she departed peacefully from this earth, onward and upward back home.  I wanted her to hear my voice telling her how much we loved her and although I tried to move mountains in plane travel plans, I was unable to get to her in time.  What brings my sad heart peace is that I know in my heart that she knew I loved her and she was not alone when she passed.  She had her pastor there, who by the grace of God, arrived only moments beforehand.  She had been visited by a dear friend of ours who had kissed her on the forehead and told her how much we all loved her.  At 88, she had lived a long life, on her own terms with lots of love in her heart and a dash of stubbornness which served her well.  She had brought much joy to the world by being a teacher who made a difference and who had received the joy and was gifted back by her students (especially Lisa).

This morning I awoke thinking of Aunt Mable and as tears poured down my face in the early dawn, house quiet, alone with my thoughts, I realized again, how short this life can be even when it lasts 88 years and how important making connections with others truly is.  Although I often write about connecting with others, I’m reminded yet again, how our legacy is in our connections and not in our earthly possessions.  I think it bears repeating.  Hearts connecting means more than material possessions as we flow to our next chapter.  The legacy of making a difference, accepting, helping, inspiring, encouraging and loving are pricelessly worth millions in spiritual wealth.

So this morning, I bow my head in honor of a life well-lived, an Aunt whom I loved and who loved me.  I know she is home again in Heaven, with her family and loved ones and she is remembered here by the loved ones and family she left behind.  Surely, her soul is leaping with joy to be pain-free, her brain free of the confines of dementia, and free of the bonds of life school.  Rest in peace, Aunt Mable.

Thank you dearest friends for allowing me to share this morning.  I needed to write.  May you have a lovely Saturday, making connections with all whom you meet and even if a simple smile passes between you and a stranger, let the love of humankind flow freely.

Shine On!

xo

Dream and Live

Photo Credit: CSBAngel

“Dream as if you’ll live forever, live as if you’ll die today.”
Actor, James Dean

The moon enthralls me.  I don’t know why except it does.  Every morning I take my son to the bus stop and when it was dark outside we could see the moon and the stars perfectly.  It’s a wonderful time of day I think and I highly recommend that you partake of the gift ~ you know the one ~ where the darkness fades and dawn begins.

I was never a sky watcher, but in recent years, I find myself looking up (literally and figuratively) more often and what I find is truly amazing.  Do you ever stop to look up at the sky during your busy day?  It’s a lovely moment to capture if you can remember to do it!  I find the most sparkling of stars (and now I’ve learned they are planets ~ namely Jupiter!) next to a glistening moon.  I see rainbows, jewel-colored sunsets, white fluffy clouds and the most precious blue skies ever!  I experience sunbeams which radiate through clouds and I even find beauty in darkening thunderous clouds which bring on the rain.

Oh and the snow clouds ~ how could I forget those?  Many an hour I have stood by my window and watched snow fall ~ blanketing the Earth with brilliance.  I am always amazed by the gently falling snow, the furious falling snow and even the big fluffy cotton-ball snow flakes!  I guess you could say I’m easily enthralled and enchanted by Mother Nature and you would be right.

For you see, tomorrow is promised to no one ~ so we must enjoy the gifts of today.  Hug those whom you love, tell them how you feel and be content with what you have.  Gratitude is the key.  When you are grateful for what you have, more comes ~ it is when you feel lack, that you gain lack.

Look up today.  Share in the comments what your sky’s gift to you is today.  Experience the mightiness of the Earth and Mother Nature and feel the oneness in which we all connect!

Shine On!

xo

Intense Sunset

The sun has set on the life of a dear friend of mine whom I’ve known since I was 14.  My heart grieves, huge heaping tears which wrack my body from my core, erupting in gasps, tears and a very snotty nose.  I am so very sad although I am very grateful that he is finally at peace.  For you see, he had terminal cancer and he just wasn’t ever going to get better.  I hadn’t seen him in a few years, but we’d kept in touch via his family.  I knew bits and pieces from his Mom and his family and although he never answered any of the cards I sent him, I knew he got them and I hoped that they made him smile.

For the one thing I’ve learned since my own Dad’s death is that we are all human.  We have foibles.  We’ve made choices that perhaps in hindsight, we regret.  But there are always those things that shine in our lives as well.  For those whom we leave behind, we leave moments of grandeur, of beauty, of brilliance.  Perhaps it is a hug when truly needed, perhaps it was a connection when we felt alone.  Perhaps it was simply being a friend when friendship was needed.  These sometimes fleeting gestures are what our memories hold onto when the sun has set for them and all that is left for us here on Earth are the memories.

CAngel and I had a long history.  He helped me through some tough times and had soft spot in his heart even though he could appear blustery.  Perhaps that’s what happens as we age.  There were shared memories that we held and his kindness to me has never been forgotten.  He was there for me when no one else could reach me.  He dared to brave my stubbornness at a time when I had fooled all the others.  He cared as a friend, reached out to hold my hand and walk with me when I didn’t want to walk.

I loved his sweet soul even though his human self got lost.  The layers of time didn’t help him.  The demons that he faced at times were too much.  I hope that his children will be reminded of that sweet side of their Dad for it was there ~ he had a way of being goofy when he wanted to get you to laugh ~ Beaker from the Muppets always reminds me of him as his rendition was a guaranteed giggle from me.  We went to the Prom together many moons ago and his protectiveness still lingers when I recall that time in my life.  He watched out for me.  He wasn’t afraid to be silly in order to get a smile ~ he was carefree and easy back then.  He laughed, he smiled, he loved life.

I used to babysit for his sisters whom I always felt close to even though they were younger than me.  CAngel taught me that when you throw magazines into the fireplace that they make the fire change into beautiful colors.  We once used all of magazines in the house, watching the fire burn blues, greens and golds for hours.  I’m certain his parents had a lot of ash to clean out of the fireplace after we were through.  I remember laughing with him often.  Thinking of him now brings a smile to my face for I am grateful for having known him.  The move Ferris Bueller reminds me of him.  He would have been a perfect Ferris.

He came into my life at the perfect time.  We always remained friends even though I hadn’t seen him in years.  If he had called and asked me for a favor, I would have helped him.  Considering we both endured cancer although different kinds, I wanted him to find the lessons that I learned and to be able to walk away from it with grace, dignity and the ability to find the presents in being present.  I cannot say if he found those gifts since he wasn’t able to speak anymore.  I can only say that I wish I’d done more, sent more cards, pushed to chat with him even though he hadn’t wanted to talk.  Selfish of me, I know.

He leaves behind a loving family ~ a caring ex-wife and 3 beautiful children.  They now have a Daddy in Heaven which breaks my heart.  His parents, his sisters and their families all feel the burden of this sadness.  His Mom in particular who battled cancer herself and has been my rock for years, will have to find peace now in knowing that her only son resides in the Heavens.

Tears continue to plop onto my keyboard as I write this post.  Big, fat drops of sadness.  I knew it would make me sad when I learned he had passed away, but I wasn’t ready for the intensity of my feelings.  Does it make me feel my own mortality?  Does it make me realize the pricelessness of my family’s love, my sons’ hugs and my husband’s kisses?  Does it make a difference in my daily life?  Does it remind me how fleeting these moments and days and years can be?  Does it allow me the space in my heart to weather any storms that may come my way because I am still here?  Does it erase the excuses that I put up in front of myself everyday ~ too busy to reach out, too busy to exercise, too busy to fill in the blank?  Yes. Yes. Yes.

I send out love to CAngel ~ may you find peace ~ “You Are Worth It” as you once told me. 

Rest in Peace dear friend.  You are loved by many.

Shine On!

xo

Daily Prompt: Intense!

by michelle w. on November 5, 2013

Describe the last time you were surprised by the intensity of a feeling you had about something, or were surprised at how strongly you reacted to something you thought wouldn’t be a big deal.

Photographers, artists, poets: show us INTENSE.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/11/05/daily-prompt-intense/

RIP ~ National Suicide Prevention Week

When I was in 5th grade, we started middle school in my town.  It was a pretty day in  September.  Before school, we were all lined up outside of the doors of the school when one of the students began telling a story that broke my heart.  Because her Dad was an EMT in town, she relayed the story that my friend NAngel’s Mom had died yesterday.

NAngel, her sister JAngel, my Sissy and I were inseparable, having been friends since we were in kindergarten.  Although JAngel and Sissy were one year apart, they still played together like sisters ~ in fact, we all did, every weekend.  We called their Mom, ‘Mom’ sometimes simply because we spent so much time with them.  She was such a loving and sweet woman, the kind that had cookies after school that she had baked.  A loving home with a dog and a cat and 4 children (add us it made 6) and a great big backyard with a playhouse that was a little girl’s dream.

Heatedly, I remember telling the girl to stop telling lies as she was saying that Mrs. R had taken her life, that she’d committed suicide.  I just couldn’t’ fathom that my friend’s Mom whom I loved like a Mom had died, let alone killed herself!  I remember being so upset that a teacher had to speak with me although I don’t remember who it was.  I just remember that she told me that the student was telling the truth.

My Mom picked us up from school that day.  I got in her car and quietly told my Mom that I heard the saddest story today.  I told her what I had heard, that Mrs. R had died.  My Mom confirmed the news and Sissy and I just sat in the car and cried.  Our hearts were broken.  How could that have happened?

That afternoon, my Mom drove us to Mrs. R’s house.  I’ll never forget that she did that for we were able to be with our friends as they were mourning their Mom’s passing.  I remember that Mrs. R’s Mom was there (the girls’ grandma) and we all just sat together and played with our dolls, talking a bit, but more than anything, just being together.  I remember asking my Mom if the girls could sleep over because if my mind remembers correctly, it was already Friday.   But they didn’t.  We did sleep over their house though a few weeks later and I remember thinking that it was the last place Mom R was.  Wow, I still get a bit choked up when I think of her.

Every September, I think of Mrs. R, even though it is more than 30 years later.  In fact, when my elder child was in 5th grade, her smiling face and sweet nature haunted me.  Because I was the age she had been, with children of the same ages.  I tried multiple times to ‘get’ what she’d been enduring so much to take her life.  But I couldn’t.

My Mom tells the story that Mrs. R visited her a few days beforehand ~ Mrs. R stopped by and they had a cup of coffee together, chatting like the friends they were.  Mrs. R gave my Mom a ladybug figurine.  It wasn’t anything out of the ordinary for them to enjoy a visit from time to time.  But this time, it was different ~ it was a goodbye, although my Mom didn’t know it at the time.

I still remember as if it were yesterday.  I think of Mrs. R often and I pray for her.  As an adult, I think about her life differently, but there’s still that little girl inside of me who mourns ‘Mom R.’  For whatever reason, I’ve never been able to get over her passing away nor the fact that she took her own life.

It’s National Suicide Prevention Week so I wanted to honor Mom R.  Oh how I wish that someone had heard the ‘unfine’ in your voice and been able to help you.  You are missed.  You are loved.  You are always remembered.  Rest in Peace.

Shine On!

xo

Rest In the Clouds

Meet Zach Sobiech

We are all shining stars in this world.  Sometimes we don’t realize the impact we can make if we just let go and embrace who we are!  Being a conduit of love, happiness and peace ~ sharing of ourselves ~ multiplies this gift to infinity and beyond.  Last night I read about the passing of Zach and found the video below about him.  If you have a few minutes, be inspired by his life and the way he spent his last days.  Zach turned to music to remind his family of  how much he loved them!  Doesn’t it make you think about the legacy you leave behind?

Rest in Peace May 20, 2013

Age 18, from  Osteosarcoma

Singer, Songwriter, Inspirational Soul

Get out of your comfort zone and…

Shine On!

xo

I just read the Daily Prompt and the songs sung by the extraordinary young man above certainly are a bittersweet gift to all of the hearts that he touched during his lifetime, especially his family, friends and loved ones.  I am sure that hearing his voice and seeing his videos makes them nostalgic.  I know that for me, I have 2 voicemail messages on my answering machine from my Dad last year.  One is when he missed my son’s birthday.  He told him that he loved him.  The second message was for me because when Dad was in the hospital and I was helping him with his business at the time.  He told me that he appreciated what I was doing for him, he was proud of me and he loved me.  What a true treasure to keep!  It’s all I have…a bittersweet gift.  Big hugs to all of you today and everyday!  Keep shining! xo

Daily Post: Bittersweet Memories

You receive a gift that is bittersweet and makes you nostalgic. What is it?

Photographers, show us GIFT.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/05/21/daily-prompt-bittersweet/