How Did That Happen? Happy Anniversary!

In choosing, and living and growing, how did we know that we would grow so in love.

We didn't  know we would grow in love.

 

We chose to grow and grow, every day choosing to grow in love.

We chose to not let our love die.

 

We have chosen to respect.

We have chosen to not put down or intimidate.

 

We have chosen to treat each other as we wish we were being treated.

We've chosen to be the other ones #1 cheerleader.

 

We have realized that we can't let our selfishness rule us, threaten us.

We've chosen to be each other's best friend.

 

We've chosen to not let desire and pursuit of things and people and interests pull us apart.

It has been a choice, a double choice.

 

It's not always easy to do the right thing.

It is always worth it.

 

We aren't perfect.

Ha ha. Surprising I know!

 

We've made each other mad.

We've messed up.

 

We've had to say I'm sorry at the end of the day,

to say I love you at the end of the day and mean it, even if we didn't feel it.

 

Morning and evening, always and forever, first words and last words,

"I love you. I love you too."

We choose.

 

We've chosen to mend disagreements quickly.

We've learned that some things just aren't worth fighting over.

 

Let it go!

So love can grow!

 

When you tend love, nurture love, refuse to let love die,

Storms come, hard times strain and pull at love.

 

Darkness and shadows shroud trust.

Weakness and discouragement pulls at life and resolve.

 

Sometimes it's hard to laugh at the circumstances,

To laugh at us.

 

But in choosing and living and growing, choosing to not let love die,

Our love has grown.

 

It has taken two.

Both of us, committed choosing.

 

One or the other of us couldn't have grown this alone.

Each of us has given 200%.

 

Nope! Never!

We couldn't have grown our love alone.

 

One being selfish, uncaring, unloving,

The other always giving in and making amends just wouldn't have worked for us.

 

How has that happened?

It's in choosing and living and growing...

...in refusing to let love die,

 our love has grown.

 

Happy Anniversary to my one and only.

Always and forever yours I will be!

Can You Believe The Size of That?

My son caught this extremely large ant.

He saved it in  a jar for me.

He's endearing like that.

And he knows I'm amazed with things like that.

Our daughter gave the ant grass and bread.

She's compassionate like that.

Alas, the ant...well...went like that...

what you see in the photo above...yes, like that.

We saved that very large ant in a zip lock bag.

We wanted it to show others who might be amused with things like that.

When my husband saw it he said, "WHAT'S THAT?"

I tried to get the photo to be right side up.

Because I don't like it like that.

You know, with the president and the ant both standing on their head like that?

No, I don't like it upside down like that.

So that's my story.

Yes, that's that!

It Really Counts

I have a friend that I've known since 1996.  She's not the kind of friend that I call or text or meet occasionally for lunch.  She's never been to my home, nor have I been to hers. I would consider her to be a casual business acquaintance.

 However, she's had profound impact on my life.

  She's older than I and as a prominent business woman in town, she has at times advised me towards valuable and wise business decisions.

 This past October, with her smile and hug, she unexpectedly pulled me right into her group of business associates.
 

  The conversation that ensued with that group of business people was invaluable to my husband and me.

 That "coincidental" meeting laid the groundwork for a series of events that has positively affected our business.

 

It's interesting to me that we aren't close friends.

She's the kind of friend that I may see across a crowded gathering of people and our eyes meet and we make our way to each other and hug and look right into each others eyes, and with excitement ask, "How are you?"

  And we each smile our big "teethy" grins and say, "Fine, fine, I'm really fine!" 

Then we conclude with, "Oh it's been SO good to see you again.  Take care!"

 Our ways part. 
 That's the extent of our conversation and the same thing happens the next time we see each other. 

This happened to me yesterday in one of our quaint eating establishments downtown.

Yes, once again, I am set to pondering our friendship.

I ponder how dear she is to me.

She's a cancer survivor.

I perceive that she is living life largely.

 

If you've read my blog for any length of time, you may have picked up on the fact that I believe every moment matters,

 every decision has a consequence, good or bad. 

 Making the best choices always, doing the right thing every time, will lead to a more positive life, a life well lived. 

 I believe I should do the right things, even in the hard times, even when I don't want too.

 

So I ponder my friendship with this beautiful lady.  I try to learn from her. 

 I don't believe that she knows how much I respect her, and I should probably tell her. 

 I wonder why we are friends. 

 I wonder why our paths have crossed repeatedly across time.

 

I know nothing happens by accident. 

 I wonder what my life is saying? 

 Am I having a positive impact on others? 

 Every word once it is spoken cannot be recalled.

  Every action once taken cannot be undone.

 

Hhmmm pondering. 

 

What are your thoughts?

A Change of Perspective

 FEAR

F.E.A.R.

 

F = False

E = Evidence

A = Appearing

R = Real

 

False Evidence Appearing Real

 

Remember that.

 

Make it a good day. 

 Work to overcome fear!

Here and There and Everywhere

When I posted on June 3rd, I thought I was back.

Well, I was back but I guess not back here, but there.

You know there or here in my real life, not my virtual life.

I've been attempting to keep my priorities in order. 

It's a daily challenge isn't it?

Yes, a daily challenge not to let the "want to", overtake the "have to".

Yep, that's where I've been.  Here, but not here, just here or there, or maybe everywhere.

Now I'm confused!

And I'm  the one living the here and there.

Are you confused?

I'm starting to sound like Dr. Seuss...maybe.

I do take time for sitting on the porch in the early morning quietness.

It's just the chipmunks, the birds, God and me!

I have missed you.

Good Morning Sunshine!

Good morning!

 The sun is up.

 Daylight has come.

 It's a new day.

Have you missed me as much as I have missed you?

It has been a whirlwind week.

But life is good on the porch...if you wear a jacket!

Yes, it has been a bit chilly.

Let's catch up.

I'm looking forward to talking to you again.

Rachel