Tag: lucky girl
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a *wink* for my stable
I have this very special friend and our gift to one another is to postpone exchanging Christmas goodies until Valentine's Day. But she surprised me with an unexpected arrival today. If a stable has a Finnish Hippo, it can have a pink glitter deer, right? My Mom said "all kinds of animals were in the ark, why not the stable?" I know my readers will grin with me at this timely wink. Thanks Judi. xo
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a *wink* for my stable
I have this very special friend and our gift to one another is to postpone exchanging Christmas goodies until Valentine's Day. But she surprised me with an unexpected arrival today. If a stable has a Finnish Hippo, it can have a pink glitter deer, right? My Mom said "all kinds of animals were in the ark, why not the stable?" I know my readers will grin with me at this timely wink. Thanks Judi. xo
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another sign
I took this photo earlier in the week as it was time to relocate the items to make room for the halloween decorations. I am late, and we are having a party Saturday! Since I mentioned the four leaf clover in my last post (seen framed below) I wanted to tell you about another sign.
The two ceramic pieces are from Lisa. The rose arrived last Christmas, and the Deer Rider arrived in August. It's one of the most extraordinary and unexpected gifts I've ever gotten. You know when someone Gets you? I have a precious story I have only shared with a few friends. Lisa not only listened to me, she heard me. And she cradled my tale, held it tight with both hands, and made it real. She validated me by sharing some of her beliefs. And then the deer sculpture arrived - reminding me of the story every day.
The day after Shannon left with the angels, I felt her presence. It was her, and yet not. It was most definitely a moment where I felt a filling of love energy. That's the only way I can explain it. It's like she sent it. Deliberately. It was a connection. A time-stands-still experience. Graham and Fallon were with me and saw it so I know I wasn't imagining it. We were in my parent's backyard. Deer are often seen grazing in the grassy opening to the woods. That day there was a young deer – no spots, no antlers. Just a young deer, alone. She stopped and looked up at us. She stared. She stayed. And stayed. I turned and asked Graham "do you think it's her?" because she just was so still and watching us. I blew her a kiss and she lifted her leg. I'd never seen that. Never. I called to my nieces to come out and look. Even the door opening and the girls coming out didn't frighten her away. She was about 60 feet from us. When she heard my brother's dog she started slowly toward the woods, keeping her head turned towards us. I felt she was looking right at me. A wave of peace come over me. A calm. A love energy filled me because I knew it was a sign. It wasn't until a day later that I shared the story with Andy, Shannon's husband, and while telling the story we saw a sign. A different one – one for him. But we knew.
Imagine this: I am opening a box. It's filled with bubble wrap. I clip the tape and carefully pull away the layers. I'm holding an item in my hands and before I peel away the last of the wrap I see two warm dark eyes looking at me. I burst into tears. I am brought to my knees. I am dialing frantically to call Lisa. I see the girl rider. She reminds me of little Shannon. My favorite memory of her as a toddler was getting her up from her naps. She would cling to me in a sleepy drape with wet ringlets from being in her mist tent. I loved that she would snuggle into me and let me carry her around. Sleepy baby. And there she is, my dear with the deer.
I share this with you because I believe in signs. I know some of you believe too. I think when you trust, and believe, and live with an open heart and open mind and open eyes you will see the signs.
Lisa Hoffman's blog is HERE. And ceramic artist Caroline Douglas's blog is HERE. There is another deer/sign story that Caroline shared with Lisa that makes this gift even more cool. It's amazing what we learn when we are willing to share our stories.
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another sign
I took this photo earlier in the week as it was time to relocate the items to make room for the halloween decorations. I am late, and we are having a party Saturday! Since I mentioned the four leaf clover in my last post (seen framed below) I wanted to tell you about another sign.
The two ceramic pieces are from Lisa. The rose arrived last Christmas, and the Deer Rider arrived in August. It's one of the most extraordinary and unexpected gifts I've ever gotten. You know when someone Gets you? I have a precious story I have only shared with a few friends. Lisa not only listened to me, she heard me. And she cradled my tale, held it tight with both hands, and made it real. She validated me by sharing some of her beliefs. And then the deer sculpture arrived - reminding me of the story every day.
The day after Shannon left with the angels, I felt her presence. It was her, and yet not. It was most definitely a moment where I felt a filling of love energy. That's the only way I can explain it. It's like she sent it. Deliberately. It was a connection. A time-stands-still experience. Graham and Fallon were with me and saw it so I know I wasn't imagining it. We were in my parent's backyard. Deer are often seen grazing in the grassy opening to the woods. That day there was a young deer – no spots, no antlers. Just a young deer, alone. She stopped and looked up at us. She stared. She stayed. And stayed. I turned and asked Graham "do you think it's her?" because she just was so still and watching us. I blew her a kiss and she lifted her leg. I'd never seen that. Never. I called to my nieces to come out and look. Even the door opening and the girls coming out didn't frighten her away. She was about 60 feet from us. When she heard my brother's dog she started slowly toward the woods, keeping her head turned towards us. I felt she was looking right at me. A wave of peace come over me. A calm. A love energy filled me because I knew it was a sign. It wasn't until a day later that I shared the story with Andy, Shannon's husband, and while telling the story we saw a sign. A different one – one for him. But we knew.
Imagine this: I am opening a box. It's filled with bubble wrap. I clip the tape and carefully pull away the layers. I'm holding an item in my hands and before I peel away the last of the wrap I see two warm dark eyes looking at me. I burst into tears. I am brought to my knees. I am dialing frantically to call Lisa. I see the girl rider. She reminds me of little Shannon. My favorite memory of her as a toddler was getting her up from her naps. She would cling to me in a sleepy drape with wet ringlets from being in her mist tent. I loved that she would snuggle into me and let me carry her around. Sleepy baby. And there she is, my dear with the deer.
I share this with you because I believe in signs. I know some of you believe too. I think when you trust, and believe, and live with an open heart and open mind and open eyes you will see the signs.
Lisa Hoffman's blog is HERE. And ceramic artist Caroline Douglas's blog is HERE. There is another deer/sign story that Caroline shared with Lisa that makes this gift even more cool. It's amazing what we learn when we are willing to share our stories.
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respite with the roses
Yesterday Susanna and I met for coffee. I was telling her I would cut her some roses from my garden when she asked if I had been to the Rose Garden at a nearby park. Hello? No way, never heard of it. She made a u-turn and off we went for a beautiful morning walk through the garden and down to the river. I was so enamored with the new destination that I returned later in the afternoon with my camera and with Fallon who fancies herself a budding photographer.
I can imagine how beautiful this garden is in May but the fine October day was perfect. I will return often. Susanna shared her favorite spot along the river and we sat for a moment. The water was clear and moving so slowly – I could have stayed all day. When I went back with Fallon I wanted to take her to the river but the gates were closed. I looked out across the field where I had walked earlier that morning and blew a kiss, because it's where I found this:
I told Shannon I was going to look for her everywhere. When I asked her what her sign would be she claimed a four leaf clover. I said that wasn't fair because I find them all the time – how would I know it was her? Yesterday, I knew.
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respite with the roses
Yesterday Susanna and I met for coffee. I was telling her I would cut her some roses from my garden when she asked if I had been to the Rose Garden at a nearby park. Hello? No way, never heard of it. She made a u-turn and off we went for a beautiful morning walk through the garden and down to the river. I was so enamored with the new destination that I returned later in the afternoon with my camera and with Fallon who fancies herself a budding photographer.
I can imagine how beautiful this garden is in May but the fine October day was perfect. I will return often. Susanna shared her favorite spot along the river and we sat for a moment. The water was clear and moving so slowly – I could have stayed all day. When I went back with Fallon I wanted to take her to the river but the gates were closed. I looked out across the field where I had walked earlier that morning and blew a kiss, because it's where I found this:
I told Shannon I was going to look for her everywhere. When I asked her what her sign would be she claimed a four leaf clover. I said that wasn't fair because I find them all the time – how would I know it was her? Yesterday, I knew.
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what are the odds?
Saturday I met friends in the city. I've told you about Edie, an artist friend who lives in NYC. And I've told you about Judy, an artist friend who lives in Australia. Imagine how many apartments and hotel rooms there are in Manhattan. Thousands, right? So what are the odds that Judy was staying in the same apartment building as Edie? Crazy!
What are the odds that I would find another "It" bag….in red?
What are the odds that in the wonderful heaps of metal findings and charms at Metaliferous Judy would find one "rock hands" charm?
And what are the odds that when you leave your camera on a restaurant table in New York City and the staff say they never saw it that a girl with a funny accent can get the manager to scarf it up? Thanks for scoring my camera Judy. And thanks for a fun day girls!
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what are the odds?
Saturday I met friends in the city. I've told you about Edie, an artist friend who lives in NYC. And I've told you about Judy, an artist friend who lives in Australia. Imagine how many apartments and hotel rooms there are in Manhattan. Thousands, right? So what are the odds that Judy was staying in the same apartment building as Edie? Crazy!
What are the odds that I would find another "It" bag….in red?
What are the odds that in the wonderful heaps of metal findings and charms at Metaliferous Judy would find one "rock hands" charm?
And what are the odds that when you leave your camera on a restaurant table in New York City and the staff say they never saw it that a girl with a funny accent can get the manager to scarf it up? Thanks for scoring my camera Judy. And thanks for a fun day girls!
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sock central….(edited)
it has been reported that the socks have arrived and will be presented this afternoon. stay tuned…
EDIT: rather than make a new post, I am editing this one because I want you to be able to click on "comments" and read the message left by Angie, one of our favorite nurses from 7B. So yesterday afternoon I got to be a fly-on-the-wall (by way of a speaker phone) while Marietta, the nurse manager on 7B gathered two shifts of nurses and aides, therapists (OT and RT) and some other special people, including Shannon's doctor. On the table were only *65* pairs of socks. Marietta read the letter I had composed (see below). Very cool to hear my words come through someone else's mouth. At the key moment, the remaining 600-and-something socks were brought in as Marietta continued to explain the project. Wonderful to hear that Angie was there, as well as other favorite caregivers. For a few minutes yesterday there were people having thoughts about my sister. For a few minutes, before the hustle and bustle of starting a shift (or leaving one), there were people who got the group wink, the thanks, the validation that the call they have answered is of great value, and that they matter.
Did you feel it? Did you feel that goosebump moment? Wow! We really did it. *high five* XOXO