Ali's dad stepped into spirit land this morning... May he soar with those veterans he was proud to serve. A daughter who loved and cared for her dad; holding his hand and gently let go as the angels reached down ... one hand extends to another. Ali, we are with you darling, and you were a beloved and gentle daughter, doing a marvelous job of loving without condition... Blessings to you and those children as your beloved "Pop" now is free. God Bless you Veteran and thank you for your service, he chose his time in order to not die on your son's birthday tomorrow I feel sure. We will hold you UP as warriors of gentle spirit as we remember you all, and as he now is free from pain, again a strong soldier in God's army with those he served proudly with ready for Independence Day. May you find comfort in knowing you were with him during the last chapter here on this earth and how completely you were loved and are loved both here and there. ...
YES
YES
YES
I love to see flags flying around our streets and in front of our homes and lands.
Each time I drive up and down the roads I try and take a shot of flags that just somehow take my breath away,
and the one that flys
at Ferman Nissan in New Port Richey
always just gets me.
It is just huge and on a day with some wind it seems to really catch me all over again as it dances against the skies.
During Tropical Storm Debby I was amazed at the number of flags that were destroyed and how quickly they were attended to here; even in such wind folks took care of their flags by taking them down and replacing them with new ones right after the storms wrath.
Now we are seeing more flags in front of homes as we are but a day away
from Independence day
JULY 4, 2012.
As areas continue to clean up after Debby's wrath, as Southwest VA and up through Northern VA continues to be without power and threats of more storms and record heat sweeps the east while those raging fires threaten and devastate Colorado and the west.
...
Yet during all these things people are still planning gatherings for the
4th of July;
places under fire warnings still planning to go full steam with a fireworks display
and
bbq's are being tended to, groceries are being bought and people are now on the roads with gas prices being under $3.00 a gallon to enjoy each other
and celebrate the 4th of July.
We will fill coolers, jump in lakes and pools, eat burgers, ribs and fries
while toasting with a cold one
on this year while firing off those noise makers in what is perhaps the most landmark year of history making to date.
Many will be sweet, go unnoticed and be timid in their comings and goings,
and try not to be seen;
they will approach things and others with great caution!
They will do no harm, or just watch it all happen or just bet their noses wet and not weigh in or create ripples!
Others will create great distress by just the look of them,
they will lie in wait, and weigh in and have a snap in a hot second. They can be ugly and need no provocation...
It is good to be mindful when dealing with all as we know that the Creator has a lot of different Creations out there and on the 4th you are bound to run into varying ones who are not always in their right minds.
Well who are we kidding here,
this happens each day of the week right?
We must remember though
we are free because of the brave;
some gave all, all gave more than most would ever sign up for.
We are blessed to live in a country where we are free;
even in times of great struggle, great debates, great times of challenge.
Times where now we here all the opinions, arguments, ugliness and thoughts of so many who freely render their thoughts and throw their unrelenting and often hurtful comments at each other on social media sights and in person to others.
All happening while men, women, service animals are sweltering in heat of 120 degrees, carrying 70+ pounds on their backs in sands, while looking all the time for enemies and even sweet innocent children to kill them in a heart beat or render them wounded and back at home to then be cared for in systems that are broken and unprepared for their internal torment.
We must think broader in our celebration of tomorrow to include them as we raise our forks to our mouths and our glass to our lips
with a thank you and a prayer for their safe return
along with a prayer for those who have returned in thanks and prayer for their healing.
Flags flying?
Gratitude on?
Attitude on?
Spirit of warriors ready to fly
on this July 4th;
thank you to all
who have served and our serving
what I will always call our
GREAT COUNTRY
in good times and times of great struggle.
This is our country.
If you do not like it;
I'm sure there are other places that all the airlines go to; perhaps consulting Lmbaugh is a good idea, rumor has it, he is leaving.
a day on the water with sun, shine, blue skies, clouds that just amaze and attitude ON... it just doesn't get better than that!
The winged ones were just amazing with their grace, even when standing
or was it me and my looking through different eyes?
The water was spectacular
with my traditional "flip" from the bow to the delight of Laura and fellow boat family, egging me on to beware of any gators that might be waiting for me!
Funny they are at times as the music played and the laughter was magic to my ears.
KERPLUNK
ahhh, yes, attitude is everything
and beauty is around me
my brain emptied into the lake,
I LOVE IT!
The song had been in my head all week, since Storm Debby actually,
"gotta get away to where the boat leaves from",
and Sunday was just that day!
Family of choice, coolers, music, towels, attitudes on!
CHECK, double check,
on the boat, let go those ropes
and out of the canal with the birds looking on!
The heat was on, the music was great,
the views were intense,
yet MS reared its ugly head on Laura yesterday, and she felt the heat, felt the effects of profound weakness yet it did not stop her, nor make her want to return to the shores of to home.
Instead we packed her in ice, sheltered her from the sun, and continued on for her to enjoy and relax knowing that she may have MS, but MS will never have her;
cos' she has US.
Floats are great for floating in the lake, but also make for great sun shields as Mitch found just the right music, and Laura was able to nap behind the shield of the float packed in ICE to restore and overcome the weakness from MS,
after a bit, she was ready to go again,
and we were right there getting enjoying our day with her as she rested on the water!
Being looked over and after by our trusting friend and protector...
Oh I had chills when I looked up and saw our beloved Eagle striking that pose and was able to get that shot!
Later in the day, we all enjoyed the waters, the noodles we floated on;
of course I had the wicked humor of Laura who would ask me
"what are those bubbles behind you friend?"
Only to have me jump into her arms and noodle as she just laughed herself silly,
me thinking a gator was having a bubble blowing party, she thinking she was very funny in the process!
Ah, but good times, good friends, magic moments where nothing, no one will disturb nor disrupt happiness, nor memories being created.
MS cannot stop a person or people who gather in the motion of a day;
heartaches that are shared are halved;
warriors stand strong together
and stand in the light of amazing grace
in good times, scary times and bad times
through the sun, rain, wind and storm,
knowing that all shall pass.
We considered pulling anchor more than once, and from behind the float we hear a voice saying;
"whoever pulls that anchor is going overboard".
Well, that stopped me from moving along with anyone else as the Laura had spoken!
A moment of thinking we were goin to take care of our warrior passed in knowing that a day on the boat beat a day anywhere else no matter what.
The most important lens to look through at times is the one that fills you with beauty, and the one that allows you to "be" rather than "do".
And those times you just gotta get away to where the boat leaves from,
and just enjoy each view, each moment and each breath!
Watch out for bubbles as you do flips from the boat, as you ride the noodle pretending it is a dolphin
and
sing your song!
So happy this gator wasn't in the middle of the lake...
My pal Andrea and Dot/Mom/Cob
might not want to swim with us when they see this one!
Oh my
and then we went to eat and lookie who was at the dock, I expected him to be wearing my expensive sun shades that were lost there a few years ago, and I did ask if he had seen them...
But there was no definitive answer, yet he did shake his head a few times!
Yep, I think he has my designer sunglasses but I'll just let him keep em I'm thinkin!
There is a sign at the restaurant telling folks:
"It is illegal to molest the alligators"
...
The face of a Warrior! Who is lucky to be around after trying to cause me to drown about seeing bubbles and long things in the lake that always happen to be "behind my back" as I was floating on my noodle! Yep, that's my family alright... .... "Warriors of the finest"
Now this just has to get your attitude of gratitude goin, your butt up and dancing and singing and getting ready for an outright remarkable day.
Get your feet on the ground...
Just like Patti sings it,
"don't let nobody turn you around"
and keep your "feet on the ground"
even as you put one up and just dance,
and holler,
and try to attempt that
5 octaves!
BE YOURSELF!
I do so wish, or maybe I should send Patti a letter tellin her it is time she wrote and sang a song
about
"STOMP"
cos' she sure would do it right as I was taken down memory lane of that performance with her energy, her voice, her attitude
and Pam on that sax!
Oh how I remember in D.C. the night that Pam played that sax and Patti met her note for note; then danced to the piano and picked up a stem of "bird of paradise"; danced back to Pam while still singing and just put that flower into the mouth of the sax as Pam played on!
...
Beautiful Patti Labelle
a diva, a songstress and a spirit that soars. When she looks at you with those eyes, you can see her soul; know her pain, her story and her beauty is internal and her light burns bright through the years of loss, grief, trauma, and growth.
And oh to sit still is impossible as her voice takes you to places in your own nervous system and to your feet as you can't be no one else but who you truly are;
from the Universal Energy of the Creator as you are taken to places where there is no place, space or time; she fills you with blessings and sounds of the angels as only she can.
Oh she smiled for me to take that picture with her eyes, and never broke the note as she sang I know just to me!
Thank YOU Patti.
Each song, each note, each octave has a story, a message, a meaning. Each footprint through 50 years mixed with mud and tears, fears that have been walked through,
fame that has been largely ignored by those in the industry or walked over by others not as deserving,
and she continues to walk on stages and is adored by millions around the world.
BUT
each person has their distinct reasons of why, how, when, where
they found her, the music, the sounds that fill them up.
Each person either loves the music, loves her presence, loves the whole package, the person, the persona, the outrageous history, the meaning or just the diva image.
We all have reasons we love, admire and respect another.
Some will speak, treat the President of the USA the same way we greet the garbage collector
until we have a reason to feel abused or mistreated by them.
Others will follow blindly or will act as though we are someone we are not to gain prestige, favor, likability, or hit a higher rung on the proverbial ladder.
I rather will join with Patti
and encourage all
to
Just BE YOURSELF
...
After all, you just can't be anyone else, cos' the real you will always show up!
So, don't let no one turn you around less you are in the mood to twirl or spin... Keep your feet on the ground unless you are ready to soar;
STOMP those feet and feel the earth and the vibration under you!
....
Dance
Play
Pray
Don't Block the Blessings
Pay it Forward
BE YOURSELF
...
Prayers going up to those devastated in Colorado.
For those in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Debby.
For EE in Colorado we are standing with you.
For Debbie Koenig we continue to stand as your beloved son Thomas O'Brien dances on the galaxies now.
For Dianne Gray as she mourns the loss of her beloved kitty Ceylon in AZ.
For Ali as she continues to care and love each moment with her beloved Veteran "Pop"
For those who have asked and we are standing with you in your time of sorrow, angst, difficulties.
The fire is burning brightly,
the sage is in the air
for all who gather here
and all in the prayer bowl.
Thomas O'Brien is soaring in spirit land and sending messages to his beloved Mom all the time; Debbie Koenig, Ali Legend, and her Dad and children, Heather Belle, Carolyn, Rog, Dusty, the 5,000 guardians now standing for a young man in transition with candles burning.
KM, Osh Kosh, Katie and Bill Majestic, Marvin, Layne, Lori, Jim, Dianne, Ken, Heidi, Julia, Rolling Thunder, Carol, The 4 leggeds, The Schram/Korabek family, Kyle, Mark, Todd, Yvonne, Harry, Kevin, Jen, Charles, Glenn, "the littleOne", Anne Klein, Monica Graff, Penny, Chris, Joy, Anne, Sara, Jenn, Shirley, AnneMary, Michael, Jeannie, Tink, Patti Labelle and family, The Wounded Warrior Brigade of Walter Reed, Warren Buffet, Best of health be restored to you sir, Kyle Jones in TN; a magic maker, a musician and a good man, Miss America who took time out of her schedule to make a young man get his smile on while in the ICU, Thomas O'Brien sure did enjoy her visit, and was able to enjoy dinner out with her as well, new friendships made there indeed,
Dave Glenn Alley a talented musician who is extending himself in service to others, blessings to you friend,
Seth Greenberg and family, Eileen D. and family, Steve and family, Anne, A, Sandy, "EI", Kev, Chris,
Lyle Emerson and his family in Buffalo and little Kendra 3 years old who is fighting Lymphoblastic Leukemia,
Bernice Etsitty and the life of her son, gone too soon Garrett Joe,
Duke Limongello who was murdered 9 years ago; his mom Jean Limongello,
and all the children of all colors
gone tooo soon,
and for
OUR President and his family
of our United States of America,
those who are serving our Nation and their service animals
and all who have served
and their families,
May the Creator bless you for holding us in your arms to protect our freedoms.
We will remember.
For,
Sherry Reed, Mary Grace, Shirley, DLB, Dot/COB/Mom, Angela, Kamryn Elijah, D'Vante, Linda McDonald,Joan & Olivia,
danLrene, CJ, Florence, Jenn, Bill, Denise, Ashe, Stuart Jr, Barry Gibb, his family, Whitney, the Houston family,
the family of our disco queen Donna Summer as she now joins heavens musical greats;
Dianne, Ken, Andre, Bill, Taft Abras, Mary Labyaks' family , Andrea, Patti, Jamie, Sasha, Kerri, Josh, Kar, Cash, Neil, Lori, Cindi, Tom, Shasta, Bill Simpson and Family, Jenn, Steph, Dana, Kari, Sandy, Marty, Marsha, Wanda, Ellen, Cindee, Peggy, Joyce Cruz, a CANCER survivor working at Southwest Airlines *it was an honor to meet you dear one*,
Ike Davis, in New Mexico, an artisan who plays in the mud and creates beautiful tings out there, *http://www.negroartist.com/*
what a joy you are to so many of
SOUTHWEST, thank you for visiting with me,
prayers of continued success and tobacco to your Pueblo uncle!
and for Christos Fandaros, Thomas Galvin,
John Knudson, Curtis, Susie Langham, Stasia and Billy Hall, Christina Chavez and Rick and Ryan, Pam Meyer, Whitney, Diane Bystista, Susan, Leann Vincent, Roxanne Duran, Carole Poppendeck, Mary Jo H-shortes, Bridget, Robert Tanner Mara Tanner, Yolanda L Acosta, Antonio F. Balderrama, Denise Flowers, Lisa Balance, Sherry Stedman, Rose, Marquette, Acosta, Ortega, The Pueblo Peoples,
All those I was honored to spend time with in
"VA, DC, MD, FL, CT, PA, Ohio, Michigan, South Dakotas, Geisinger Medical Center, Michigan, Oklahoma, Ohio, Solaris Hospice, Evercare, Hospice of the Western Reserve, Gesinger, Crossroads Hospice, New Hope Hospice, Comfort Keepers KS, El Paso, Santa Fe, Albuquerque"
Jeremy, Florence, Cal, Sarch, our friends of Portugal, Mike, AnnMary,Stephanie, Jimmy, Keli, Kasi, Katherine, Julie, Allan, Lynda,LeeAnn, KS Comfort Keepers, Stephen Bright, Linda and staff Melody,Brenda A and children Sarah, David Rachel; Gloria, Pete, Fred, Max, JJ, Barb and Leo Henning, Rick Fechner, Ryan Baurain, Melissa Reid, "Probation Professional pals", Jim Vander May (*who has been working in the Professional field for 45 years in Michigan*, Dale, Herschel, Bonnie, Louise, Holly, Jerry, Faith, Yvette, Happy, Audrey, and Rod Markowski and family, Lynn, Ryan, Jordon, Darryl Markowski, I thank you for your service) Brian Markowski, Shannon Becker, Nick, Reagan, Dr Iris Taylor of Detroit Medical Center,, please take best care of you) Sandy R. Carol, Stephanie, Geri, Chris, Matt,
those in Oklahoma City, in Tulsa, In Ft Worth, Dallas, Ike, Isabel, Teresa, Janelle, Patricia, Susan, Karen, Laura in Yuba City CA,
The Walter Reed Warrior Transition Brigade, Hope Hospice, Crossroads Hospice and those who care out there working and walking the walk, Perry, Clayton, George, Janet, and all in green!
Rick, Calley, Ron, Rebekeh, Brenda, Becca, Audrey, Gabe, Dena, Beth, Lill, Jay Hanson, Jennifer, Beth Jett, Huntsville AL, Sheri, Wendy Reese and family, Sandy, Toby, Edith Vaughn and family,Susan, Greg and Kyle Korabek (Landon Korabek on the other side now), Stephen Bright and family, Walter Littlemoon, Jane, Laura, Mitch, Jenn, Chris, Mary, Taft, Martha Deaver, Morris, Dahlee, Rose Brick, The Baitinger Family, The Yaslowitz Family, The St Petersbug PD, Congresswoman Gabbie and her family, Dahlee in NJ, Judy Kelley, beloved husband and family, Jennifer, (now being watched over by her beloved husband and child), Norma, EE, Little Cub to CJ and Angel eyes Jack, Daniel, Dave, Cindy and Steve, Marty, Sweet Pea and Pie Face, Florence, Jeremy, Dennis, Darrel, Greg, Leroy, Rebekka, Carly, John, Diana, Crystal, Karen, Janet, Callie, Lorie, Laura, Larry, Clive,
Kelly and family,Judy W and her 4 sons up there in New England, Cherokee Wick, Benni, Gayle, Jonathan, Great Aunt Effie's family, Marilyn Warren, Ilene, Tweak and Chris, Jen and Brian, Ericka, Shannon, Hannah Sherabow, Pam C. and family, Susan S., Angela A., Nancy W, Sue G, Kelly and family, Susan Brouse, Cindy and Stevie, Kim, Olatz, EVB, Guin, Yiva, Mary, Sandra and family, Christina Helen, Dotti B., Susan and Greg, Amy, Becky and Barry Long, Christina, Matt and children, Aaron, Lisa and family, Freda, Linda Katie, Pat D, Tink and Mitch, LITTLE Ben, Jerry, Trish, Barb, Anastasia, Mary, Rylee, Lindsay, Ann, Sarah, Ruth, Johnny, Bobby and the Tucker Family, The Spraker Family,Kenny H, Michelle, Sandy, Addie and family in Canada, Sandy, BraveHeart, Rowena, Chris, Robyn Elizabeth, Jean, Duke,Rowena, Chris, Baby Robyn Elizabeth, Diane Smallze and family, Patti and family, The Korabek Family and friends, The Gasse Family and Friends,
Officer Crawford of St Petersburg, The Kocab Family, baby Lilly Nicole Kocab, The Curtis Family, Tarpon PD, those serving here and there in Uniform... Those now walking The Thin Blue Line, (far to many joining that line recently across our Nation),
Mylee, Mikey and family in DC, Jack M & Janis in OC, Stephen, Stuart Wittel (back from his 4th tour as a fighter pilot of the US MARINES inAfghanistan) and his parents Sandy and Stuart, Lavie Coltrane and family, Andrea Gasse and family here and in New England, Ali and family, Randy and Winnie in New Mexico, Jill Wheaton L, Dr Peter in NY, Dr Rev Bev, Irene M, Bernice, Eileen and family, Vicki, Matthew and family, Chris, Lovie, Nancy, Pedro and Our adopted family in BRAZIL, Our North American Black American Bears, The Windcross Convservacy and those beautiful Spanish Mustangs known as "pocket ponies"... the dolpins , always our most remarkable dolphins!!!
AND for:
Anne, Jim, JADE, Cynthia, Joseph, Cathy Madden, Nathan, and her family., Cindy in NC, Liz, Lee, Molly, Joanie, Jude, COFA, Judi, Ken, Matthew, Nick, Matt, Mark's family and many friends , Pat, Irene, Kevin, Dr D, Deb, Randy, Dr B, Isabelle, Kelsey, Sabrina , Charlie and family, Jean, Julie, Rhonda, Victoria, Mildred, Andi and family, Faith, Denise, Jim, Tom, Joey, Shelby friends and family, Judi, Phylis, Joyce, Gina, Tonya, Beverly and Family, Janeth, Melissa,Virginia, Stacey, Elizabeth, Nita, Gary Siegal, Adrienna, Brian Mawbey, the Boyan Family, Jean R and friend Christy Rider, Victoria and hubbie, Stephen, Gayle, Steph, Chris, Erica, Eileen, John, Mindy, Jack, Susan Werth Becken, her brother Mike and family, Craig James Lightfoot and his family, Kenny, Audrey, Ed Saner, Patty Crowley, Bennie, Gail, Jonathan, Moe, Beverly, Dennis, Peter, Trish, Cynthia, Heidi and her family, Kathy Knights family, Edith Vaughn, Candy, Cynthia, Jenn, Eve, Edith, Jason, Karen, Linda, Joyce, Belinda, Jeanette, Jennifer, Patti, Sandy S, and . ..
(Feel free to let me know if you would like to add your/or a friends name to our prayer bowl.
"God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?" --William A. Ward
Healing Heartaches was inspired by and is dedicated to my beloved Granny. Thank you readers, your reviews continue to honor me with your words. "Healing Heartaches is like sitting at the table, coffee in hand and a box of kleenex", I am talking to an old friend in each chapter and I thank you for letting me know, It's all right"
Dr. Sherry E. Showalter, Ph.D., LCSW, BCD, M.Msc.'s Fan Box
Just released, "Down the Hallway The story of one woman's journey with Dissociative Identity Disorder. NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.com!
Author of Healing Heartaches, Stories of Loss and Life, Co-author of "Chronic Pain; Hand in Hand. Now Speaking all over the place it seems, seeing things I've never seen, but recognizing some of the stories in Healing Heartaches with each story I am honored. Worked in Hospice most of my career, 9/11 First Responder, I have learned from the experts.. those I've been honored to walk beside. Thank you for being here, please share it with others.
Copyright
All content on this blog is copyright protected. Please ask for permission before taking and give me credit, too. I'm sure you understand
