From Strength To Strength

Last year was a year that came wrapped in challenges and surprises.  Some of them good and some of them I wish I could forget.  Along the way though, I have grown stronger, wiser and that much more grateful, especially for the little things. Little things like watching the sunrise or watching a movie with my dad and son.  In actuality, these are not little things at all but the real substance of life and our most cherished memories.

My Dad (left) and Brother

 When My father fell gravely ill the latter part of 2013 I finally understood how precious and fragile our lives really are.  We are all here but by the grace of God.  My dad is doing better now but I am forever changed by his near death experiences and stories.  I am convinced that there are lessons to be learned in everything, even in the painful moments that are hard to get through.  It is because of those moments that we can appreciate happy moments and joyous occasions.  This year I will savor the good times,.... and when bad times come I will take away whatever I can learn from it.

Happy 2014 lovelies and all the best for the new year!

Cherio

Happiness Is A Choice

A few days ago a very dear friend of mine called me and we had a great time laughing and catching up as we always do.  One would never guess by listening to the cheerful banter that my friend just a few weeks earlier had lost her sister to cancer.  After our conversation it hit me.  Even the day after her sister passed she was still focusing on the positive, choosing to remember the happy times.  Choosing to stay positive.  My friend has always been this way, she is like a ray of sunshine.  Her smile and attitude  is infectious.....it is one of the qualities about her that I admire most.

Happiness is a choice.  My friend Pauline is a great example of that.  We can crumble under the pressures of life and walk around depressed and anxious or we can choose to not let ANYTHING beat us down.

I remember when my sister-in-law lost her 16 year old son in a tragic accident.  When the police delivered the news of her son's death, even though she in was extreme emotional pain, she prayed that God would give her the strength to not let this cause her to be bitter but that somehow something good will come out of her tragedy.  I was there and it was one of the most powerful things I have ever witnessed.  At the funeral she got up and spoke to other young people encouraging them to listen to their parents. She let them know that their life is precious and to live it well.  Today my sister in law is one of the most jovial persons I know.  She is choosing to be happy.

There will aways be something to worry about.  Somebody to tick you off.  Debbie downers to bring your spirits wayyyyyyyyy down.  But, we can choose to focus on the things that make us happy.  We can dwell on the things that makes us grateful to be alive. 
 I think this scripture best sums it up:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 I say AMEN to that! Cherio!

1+1=5?

Oreo on left, Sonic on right

When my son was eight, I surprised him with his first guinea pig. It was love at first sight!  He and Sonic (that's what he named his new pet) were inseparable.  Even my son's friends became attached as well.  I was really surprised at how much personality these little creatures have.  Sonic was so mischievous and affectionate, he even had me under his spell.  

After a time I decided to get a little friend for Sonic, but I made sure that it was another male since I didn't want any prenancies.  Thank God Sonic instantly like Oreo (the new Guinea pig) so they became really good friends.  Five years later though, Sonic passed away and my son took it really hard so to cheer him up, I got another guinea pig "Frisky".  And this is where the plot thickens.

Frisky

I was assured at the shop that Frisky was male so off we went with him!  When we got home though, as soon as Frisky got into the cage Oreo went into attack mode.  They fought.....and fought......and fought  until I separated them.  Then Frisky would try to get back into the cage and Oreo would try to get out to be with Frisky?  What the heck!  Anyway to make a long story short, the fighting continued for more than a week whenever they got into the same cage.  This was not what I had in mind for a companion for Oreo, it was an absolute mess.

One morning my son woke me up in a panic.  He was pointing at the Guinea pigs cage but he was babbling and had the weirdest expression on his face.  He practically dragged me out of bed and then we were both just staring together totally shocked.  Inside the cage three perfect little guinea pigs were running around.  They had all their hair and were running as if they had been born weeks ago.  What in the world!!!!.......   So eventually after standing there for the longest time, lol, my lightening fast mind concluded that Frisky was well, Frisky indeed.  Frisky was also female!  And remember all the fighting I mentioned? So NOT fighting.

1+1=5?  Sometimes.




Cherio!