Have a Wonderful Weekend

Look what I got to see from

my Lanai

and

LISTEN to yesterday

While those 77 boys

stood in boats at the spring bayou

waiting anxiously to jump

in that dark water

HOPING

they would be

the

ONE

to rise up

with the Cross.

Good morning Morning

Coffee is delicious as the little ones run around the pool

this morning,

Looks Like Jeepers gets bragging rights

for the First Friday of the new Year!

Yesterday I was inside working

feverishly on

something when I heard the Helicopter

and

I knew

that meant The crowds from St Nicolas Church

were headed to the bayou for the

Cross to be tossed in the bayou for one

of those lucky boys

who would be diving

from one of those little boats

to find

The little dogs went nuts, as Gypsy ran to me sounding the alarm barking like mad, for me to quickly come outside and assist in protecting our home, her toys,

even her I guess.

And so I came to the lanai,

where she immediately jumped across her

"sock monkey" laying her body across it

as though she were a first class Marine

taking the position of

"I'm not going to let anything happen to you my friend".

Pretty Impressive

and

ever so loud,

they could have waved at me~

77 young boys jumped with faith, HOPE, and "awe"

when Archbishop Demetrios cast the hand-crafted white cross into the water. That came when Archbishop Demetrios cast the hand-crafted white cross into the water.

Amid the flailing arms churning the water, it was 17-year-old Louis Pappas who raised the cross high. He comes from a very well-known family in the city. The Pappas family helped start the famous sponge docks and is also known for their restaurants, home of the now famous "Greek Salad served table side". Funny, Pappas was the "first" name we were told about when moving to Tarpon Springs!


Later at the cathedral, Louis, the Tarpon high school quarterback tells how this time he made the big catch. "As soon as I saw him throw it I just jumped in and swam as fast as I could, opened my eyes when I got to the bottom and it was right there in my face and I grabbed it."
Whoever retrieves the cross receives a special blessing from the Archbishop and is said to have favor for the rest of the year. As for Louis's mother Rosanne, she couldn't be prouder. "He's a good boy, a sweet boy and it was a gift," she says tearing up in the church. A proud Pappas who happens to be the Mom sounds like to me!


The Tarpon Springs Epiphany celebration is one of the largest in the world. The festivities typically attract over 10,000 people. The Greek Orthodox celebration marks the baptism of Jesus Christ by St. John the Baptist in the River Jordan. This is the 105th year for the event and 105 doves were released over the bayou.


Wonder why that news guy did NOT wave back at me?
Wonder how those things just hang up there in the air like that and for so long?
Wonder how much gas it takes for all of that?
Wonder what it looks like from up there and if they saw me looking up at them?

Now I see

what they were looking at!

And now

YOU

can see Louis Pappas

as he came up with that special and blessed

Cross

being cheered and followed out of those

cold waters of the bayou by those boys too!

"Seek the wisdom of the ages, but look at the world through the eyes of a child." Ron Wild

Here we are,

The First Friday and a new week-end of

this New Year!

It is time

for you to step out of the comfort zone

to take the

leap

into wonder and awe.

To Have a great day, a better night

and

A Fantastic week-end.

Little Hawk Kamryn was a "hit" back at school and on the court in his new "Mohawk" winning his basketball game

and

looking "fly" on top of it!

D'Vante will be "chillin" with friends this week-end

as

he prepares for surgery next week.

BUT

What are you doing with and for you?

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you’ll be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." Arthur Gordon

Remember,

You can never ever ever

Love enough

Dare to dream enough

Laugh Enough

Hug Enough

Experience Enough

Wonder Enough

Be In Awe Enough

Dance Enough

Thrill Enough

Surprise Enough

Be Kind Enough

Be Compassionate Enough

Be Passionate Enough

Hug Enough

Smile Enough

Give Enough

Teach Enough

HOPE Enough

Be Spiritual Enough

Connect Enough

or

Have Enough SUGAR

The fire is burning Brightly, its embers are hot. The Sage is fired up, with prayers being offered and thoughts on the wind to all in the prayer bowl, and all who enter here.

This morning prayers are surrounding

Cindy H who is a fan from the Lily Black Bear page and was taken to ER yesterday, with "heart" concerns,

for, continued healing for

Sweet Pea and Pie Face in GA

for EE for energy, strength, renewed health,

for Laura in Palm Harbor with this terrible "bug" that is going around, for DLB, (with same terrible bug),

for Steve in CO, 

 for Dave in hospital,

Daniel in hospital,

for little Stacey in hospital.

For D'Vante who will be having surgery on Jan 12 to HOPEfully fix that knee of torn miniscus which he has played a full season of football with it horribly hurting him.

For Olivia who will undergo surgery on both ankles in February where they will "shut down" the growth plates secondary to the horrific accident where her left ankle was badly broken tending the goal in soccer.

We are all with you,

along with some powerful angels,

and

For those who are fighting the battles of their lives

those who are having a difficult road now that they are walking

those who are experiencing challenges or fears

grief or loss

know that we are with you always.

I'll Stand by you, as do so many others you may never know.

Be still and feel that they too are thinking of you.

To those that are fighting to keep our freedoms

those at home loving them,

we are with you

we thank you.

And

with kindness and compassion

for all of those who have allowed me to walk with you along the path, of uncertainty, during the most difficult times

I am and continue to be honored

while always

standing by and with you.

YOU are the Warrior

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU_JL-f0AN8&feature=related

That is the

HOPE

of

Healing Heartaches

Walk In Beauty,

DRSES

http://www.drsherryeshowalter.com/