We interrupt...

…this regularly scheduled blog for a very busy day.

However instead of leaving you some horrid screeching sound till we return... we decided to leave you with some sweet puppy dog kisses.

But beware, unlike that screeching noise...they are very addicting.

Have a blessed day everyone!

Wisdom from an old fool

Grief is something like the seasons of the year only all jumbled together in a heap. 

That was the wise words of Grandpa Walton and I think the best definition of grief I've ever heard. I love this whole clip from one of those classic dinner table conversions of the Walton family as they are trying to process the grief of their visiting cousin who tragically lost her husband.  Loved it so much I hit rewind on the dvr and videoed it. 

           

Yeah they just don't make tv like this anymore. 

Light in darkness

Lately I have been enjoying getting night shots without using a flash….just turning my ISO up.

Gives the pictures a dreamy effect I just like.

Sometimes they even look like they are hovering between two worlds when the spotlight is shining through them. 

  My feeble attempt of a transfiguration….and NO Moses and Elijah didn’t show up. I would have poo pooed myself…lol 

It’s amazing what light is really doing in the darkness and our eye doesn’t see.

And yes I’m still trying to get a picture of that diamond snow…one day I’m gonna! LOL

The night is nearly over, the day is almost here…Romans 13:12

Comfort and pain

Memories…they can be such a comfort at times and then at other times so painful. Because they can be a reminder to us of the great void left in our lives when a loved one makes the journey home before us.  Yesterday was one of those very painful memory days. You never know what’s going to trigger it…that wave of overwhelming grief that tries to sweep you under.  For me it started with my ride to church. Shannie in the backseat with her beautiful little girl chatter…couldn’t even stop it.  All it took was snow covered roads and a scary slide of the car coming off the mountain we live on.  I almost turned around…but I was determined to face my fears of driving in bad weather.  But that’s when the wave started… Wishing my husband was here...the memories of how he took such good care of me…feeling so scared and afraid and alone…. tears…sobbing tear started running down my face. All the way to church and through most of the worship….I couldn’t stop crying. Even for my sweet Shannie...who I know was so distraught by my tears.  At one point she asked “Grammy why are you crying so hard?” and I told her “I just miss Poppy. “ And she said with a big grin…” he’s right here always Grammy, don’t be sad”…and she pointed to my heart. …Yes out of the mouth of babes.  So just like you never know what will trigger it… you never know how the sweet Lord is going to calm that raging storm that is screaming around you and trying to make itself look bigger then God.  It started to calm with my dear Shannie’s words…but God wasn’t done.  A young man who Richard and I regard as one of our spiritual sons came and wrapped his arms around me and held me as I sobbed and spoke such words of encouragement to me.  And as if that wasn’t enough…when I got home I sat down to read the paper that I just started having delivered to the house and someone had taken out a large ad to remember her husband…who was incidentally named Richard.  This line in her memorial was such confirmation and comfort to my broken heart. 

When you lean on trusted friends and their caring hugs enfold you within their loving arms, I’ll be there to hold you….I am with you always.

Yes ….a broken and sorrowful heart God will never overlook.

He knows how to rescue us like no other. What a blessing it is when God steps in the pathway of our pain with the tenderness of His love.

So like I stared with ...some memories can bring such pain but some can bring such comfort.

Like this day we had one summer with the dogs :)

But most are a mixture of both comfort and pain.

Almost Silent Sunday

My week through the lens

I don't think a day goes by that I haven't take a picture of something...so this is some of my week in pictures.

Every time I run to town I pass this lovely little farm but I never have taken a picture of it…till this week.

 "Safe in your arms"

Shannie said to me this week “ever since Poppy died I’m scared my Gwenie is going to die.” …I know made me tear up too.

 Butterscotch who is trying to get to whatever Miss Shannie is eating…the little sneak!

 My girl wants to potty all the time, potty all the time…

Lil Ricky getting in her potty break before we left for the dentist office. She got to watch Shannie get a perfect check up…yeah Shannie! :D

 Some things are just black and white

 Sent out baby shower invitations this week.

Soon and very soon I will be kissing my sweet grandsons face!

 This is Gwenie keeping an eye on Shannie as she plays.

I love catching these silly moments.

So there is a glimpse of my week through the lens.

Have a blessed day and go snap yourself some memories.

There’re happening all around you J 

What if my greatest disappointments...

…or the aching of this life…

Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy?

What if your blessings come through raindrops? 

Those are words to a song a sweet friend sent me this morning.

They just touched my heart, especially this next line...

When darkness seems to win,

we know the pain reminds this heart.

This is not, this is not our home…it’s not our home.  

Thank you Sarah!

May your rain and your storm become the fertile ground for your greatest blessings in this life!

 I love you girl!