Where Love Is...

C and I went Friday to see a friend. We knew that she wasn't well. Her husband met us
with hugs, and a smile, and a greeting that was not quite expected. "She's not the same as you girls knew. She looks different now, but she'll love you just the same."

C smiled, and said, "We'll love her right back."

We went to her. We held her hands, and rubbed her arms. We smoothed her hair, and said things that you don't speak out loud. The room was filled with peace. Friends were there.
Family was there. Someone looked looked at C and said, "Will you sing? She would love it if you sang."

So she sang with her eyes closed, and her beautiful voice echoed down the hall. I joined in, and others followed suit. The room filled with more visitors, friends and family. The kleenex box was passed around. Hands were held. Hugs were given. The songs were favorites. Songs of hope, and of anticipation.

And, as people sang, she was laying back on the bed, eyes still closed, listening to every song,
every word and phrase, and though she could not sing with her mouth, with spoken words, she could sing with her heart. She raised her hands, with the help of others, and at moments entirely of her own strength, up to the person she knew to be the ultimate healer.

In the house, the rooms were filled with love. We sat with her brothers and other friends and family around the table, and I imagined a living picture that happens frequently. The laughter, the singing, the certainty with which they try to convince one brother that he was adopted, and the love. Filling and swirling around the room, around the house, love lived there, and
will live there still.

She met our Jesus on Friday night. Emma did. Hours after we left. She breathed in one last time, and went to be with Him. She met Him in that place where there is no pain, no sickness,
no tears. She met Him, and yesterday and today she walks with Him down the golden streets,
and alongside the crystal sea.

She now lives where Love is...

Ode to A New Year

This year, I set off, hoping to make a few things true, right off the bat.

• To begin with, I was determined to not allow my kitchen to go wild with dishes and chaos and disorganization any longer.
• I was also determined to clean out my storage unit and to make sure it was very clean and organized.
• I did also want to ring in the New Year in Chicago, on Navy Pier. I wanted to see midnight happen, with the crowds, and the fireworks.

Come January first I had done just that. I, with the help of me mum, organized my kitchen, with the help of some friends, reorganized my storage (actually more like a little storage locker thing in a room), and I did ring in the New Year in Chicago, on Navy Pier. I did see midnight happen, in the middle of a crowd, with a few friends, watched the fire works, and ran to the bus to get across town to the last train.

I was also pretty certain that I wanted to make it a goal to write at least one blog posting a week. I met my silent goal last week, but this week was hectic, although I did remember earlier today on Saturday. By the time I sat down I realized that it was actually 12:02 am, so technically Sunday.... I'm still counting it anyways!

Who else feels as though they are starting their New Year off right???

On Your Mark, Get Set...

"Apparently there is nothing that cannot happen today."
~Mark Twain

The "holidays" are over. My tree is packed up, sitting in my "dining room" waiting to be moved to storage. (My NEW tree, the one I have wanted, the tree have eyed for three years tree, the tree with all it's pre-lit glory, the tree I wanted, but I was determined to wait for a great great sale tree, is in my car.) My new sock monkey is sitting on my tv stand. My New Year's Eve crown is sitting on the couch beside me. My apartment smells like cinnamon, and I'm sitting on my couch, all comfy and cozy in non-matching comfy pants and t-shirt. I am happy.

And excited.

I am a fanatic, when it comes to new beginnings. I enjoy the anticipation, and the count down. I enjoy the 1st and the clean slate the "new" brings. This year, this year is no different.

We are almost at Day 6, 2012, and my anticipation has not dissipated. Instead, it's only grown. And I have a secret. A secret that not everyone may know. A secret that I am about to share. GOD has great plans for me. Okay, maybe that isn't a big secret, but it is enough to make me look forward to what is ahead, and NOT behind.

I heard a quote that was in a movie, and I feel as though it sums it up perfectly...

We need "to stop and reflect on the year that has gone by. To remember both our triumphs and our missteps - our promises made, and broken. The times we opened ourselves up to great adventures - or closed ourselves down, for fear of getting hurt. Because that's what New Year's is all about: getting another chance. A chance to forgive, to do better, to do more, to give more, to love more. And stop worrying about 'what if' and start embracing what would be. So when that ball drops at midnight - and it will drop - let's remember to be nice to each other, kind to each other. And not just tonight but all year long."

Go on out there. Write your resolutions.
And rewrite them again.
Cross the one off you decide you hate 10 days in and make a new goal.
Run your marathon- or maybe half.
Cut back on all sweets, except for Saturdays and special holidays (and then every once in a while take secret delight in sneaking a piece of chocolate when no one is looking, and then don't feel bad about it.)
Take up your gardening or reading or exercising or yodeling.
Take your trip to Europe and backpack across the countries.

And, Don't forget to shine.

...Go.

*One last thing, my birthday is in 22 days.*