Home to Tropical Storm Debby and the waters

Home,

after a flight on my favorite airline

that felt more like a bumpy horsey that you put a quarter in as a child.

Remember those?

But this one felt like one that had gone very wrong as the turbulence just got rougher

and the flight attendants were told to take their seats and buckle their seat belts!

A week of...

Only for the strangest of the strange to happen on the day I was to fly home on Sunday!

As we were headed out the door I glanced again at the boarding pass on my phone; after talking to DLB and hearing of the horrors of the storm and all that was happening on the home front;

and a little date jumped out and hit me between the eyes....

The date of my flight home

on that boarding pass in the middle of Tropical Storm Debby

stated "JULY 1"

...

Olivia let go of my suitcase with a thud; Joan said "Ohhhh are you kidding me Nana?"

and

I said, "something is just not right here".

...

Yet, in my heart of hearts I knew

that somehow in the hurry of booking this late minute trip my trusty assistant, or spirit had taken over.

Calls were made, we were on hold,

DLB was working on this end.

Flights into Tampa were being cancelled left and right,

and

ultimately I got an extra day with my girls!

Now Spirit works in ways to take care of you, once the shock wears off that never ever have we booked a trip wrong on this end given as much as I travel.

BUT, this time the return home date

was a week off!

And; while in MD enjoying my girls, I had no idea Debby the tropical storm was having a her way with folks on the gulf; flooding streets and homes, and destroying things in the process. Wrecks on the roads, the big ole Skyway Bridge being closed; folks on Siesta Key stranded there with no way back to the mainland (including our warrior here FIRM) who is now probably crafting a boat from palm fronds and swimming to get home! 

And then I spoke to DLB

who let me know

that she had drained the pool 4 times in rain that was so hard here she could not see; had set up buckets to catch rain from the gutters that was pouring over it and dumping it into the pool to keep it away from the house edge.

Then resorting to coolers cos it held more; our grass not visible as it was a swamp land holding waters that fell to the 10 + inches mark.

and when she was able to sit and take a break inside, she found herself wondering and admiring how shiny the hardwood floors were near the fireplace,

only to look closer

AND SEE IT WAS WATER~

Was it coming through the chimney wall? The concrete slab that our home is built on?

Whatever the answer, she and the 4 leggeds were here to deal; and the towels were being used to wick up that water 24 hours with no sleep, to run out and empty the cooler that filled with ease from the remarkable rains, and dump in a poooll that was overflowing, and run out to the pump and then hit the magic valve to empty the pool of inches and inches of water,

to run in and open screen doors and sweep water and its onslaught of waters nearing the glass doors of the home outward of the home.

All the while I had not a clue of

Tropical Storm Debby

and her fierceness in MD

as we looked on the news,

laughed and enjoyed our extra day together, and thought about the strangeness of the flight issue.

We enjoyed each breath, each beautiful moment together.

I got the opportunity to see Olivia at a swim meet; getting up at 6am to be at that pool with more people in purple on one day than you can imagine!

Parents and kids, swimmers

WATER, sun, volume of voices and cheering.

And I had no idea what all was happening here at home

even after talking to DLB

I could not imagine as it sure sounded like a Hurricane to me!

Olivia swimming with the face of a warrior!

...

Once we talked more;

we all came to the conclusion that I was NOT meant to be on a flight to Tampa Sunday; DLB was not meant to be on the dangerous roads on Sunday with winds and rains that did not allow you to see 5 feet in front of you.

We were being protected

and that was a good thing.

...

Poor DLB had to get through the worst of it with the aide of 4 leggeds and they don't pick up coolers and buckets; don't do well with towels or use of dryers.

They bark at thunder, they track itty bitty foot prints into the home but they stick close.

And after a bumpy ride home,

I was ready to kiss the ground of Tampa; knowing I would be home

to help and to do, and to see.

I was amazed when I saw such fierce and angry white caps in Tampa Bay;

water that caused spray coming over the bridges and hitting cars from such a distance.

On little streets that were washed out as we heard about tornado warnings, and a life taken in the storm and houses now gone.

the News reported that Debby is "lingering"

and we looked at the beautiful calm bayou at the end of the street;

as it rose and crossed the street;

at folks who still managed to attempt to drive with water over the wheel wells and the spray that came up and over their SUV's

and 

assessed the damage to those hardwoods, and drained the pool in winds that sound beautiful

while looking at debris in the yards around the neighborhood.

Remembering that this

is a 

TROPICAL STORM DEBBY

in hurricane season 2012.

 Yep, I'm thinking it was a good thing to have that extra day with my girls in MD,

but it is good to be home

and today I see the sun

...

And the winds are HOwling.

This is the end of my street

where the Beautiful Bayou

decided to come on across the street...

 

 Wishing all a day of joy,

of safety,

of holding on to that which make you feel BUOYANT

Walk in Beauty

DRSES

www.sherryeshowalter.com

"it's good to be home"

THEY SAY

Haven't you always wondered

when you've heard through the years

"They Say"

...

Who in the world are

"THEY"

anyway?

...

So today,

I say

YOU determine YOU

and only YOU will walk your path, set your footprints

and leave the print of your actions, your words and your legacy.

What do YOU SAY?

...

So with that said,

I'm off to fly the friendly skies

to my old stomping grounds

Washington D.C.

here I come!

Be well, be Blessed

and

remember

"wherever you go, whatever you do,

enjoy, let your honor be your truth as you soar"

Blessings and great gratitude to each of you.

Walk in Beauty

DRSES

author of 

Healing Heartaches

www.sherryeshowalter.com

 

 

Those Candles Are Burning

5,000 + candles are still burning brightly for:

Thomas O'Brien

who stepped off to heaven

on the wings of angels

yesterday.

At 21 years old, this young man has touched more hearts than a superstar;

has filled more souls with his tenderness and his warrior self than I can remember in a long time.

His eyes spoke to the world, as he took on a battle and fought like the warrior that he still is and will always be.

It has been an honor to know him on this earth; to have been able to talk with him and to hear his voice, read his posts and to know that he is now soaring on the wings of the great Eagle, dancing in the clouds and dancing in on the galaxies free from pain and earthly worries and strife.

He has made quite an impression in so many lives in such a short time on this earth.

When you think that just months ago; he wanted to achieve 5,000 friends on his facebook page as he fought this thing known as Cancer.

He achieved that as many put posts on their walls asking friends to send him a friend request; as others did the same thing.

The friends list grew; we all came to know him through his posts, through each other we came to know each other; people from all faiths, backgrounds, countries.

All coming together for one reason:

THOMAS O'BRIEN

 Those eyes, that smile, that grin and all that one had to do was feel his spirit;

and you were there.

You felt as if you had known him forever and somehow he was much older than his years.

An old soul here to gather people and bring them out of themselves and into grace.

He was filled with passion, with fun, with a determination and a love of people, of faith.

His mom was his rock and his greatest advocate. Debbie Koenig a Mother who stands by her son with all that she is,

and who shares him with the world through photographs and posts to keep all updated on those trips to the ER, blood transfusions and need for platelets, the fears of loss, the strength of a Mother fighting the fight.

Yet, a Mother who knows it is her son's fight, and respects his decisions and stands back just at his side to observe him and honor his choices.

 A love that we don't see so often these days and times, and all admire as we walk this journey with them offering support, love and compassion.

There have been great times, scary times, fun times, faith filled times and times of tremendous terror for both of them.

As big as the state of Texas is,

is is hard to imagine it holding all the emotions, all the love that these two have holding them now.

When I think of the 5,000 guardian angels as Thomas calls us;

I'm reminded of a few things.

Those 5,000 reflect his goal and success on Facebook.

But just think; that 5,000 knows at least one person that they have shared Thomas with; at least one!

So there we now have 10,000 who have shared him with another or two or twenty.

See how this works?

They have "payed it forward" by saying his name, by asking for thoughts, prayers, for someone else to light a candle for him in the last weeks, or yesterday or today.

Now if you can only visualize the power of that love and support

we're talking a lot of light here

and a lot of love, prayers and support

for our warrior Thomas and his beloved Mom Debbie.

Oh how I hope he felt that light in the last days of his life as he transitioned and took the angels hand!

So many of his guardian angels that he didn't even know about were lighting those candles and illuminating his path from such distance around our globe and still are.

In such love and light as he is now in the brightest of lights, as he soars.

At peace, free for that horrid disease

that robbed him from his youth and his joys of life as we know Cancer can.

Thomas O'Brien lived the length of his life and its width

regardless of his disease, in spite of its pain, its devastating side affects.

When that disease said "you cannot",

Thomas said, "watch me!"

He has inspired thousands to stand, to run, to embrace their moments, their days, their life and LIVE.

At 21 he has done more than many will do in a full life if they stay only in a comfort zone and make excuses of not trying!

From a wee lad, he loved to try things, he loved speed and wanted to race, to fly, to scuba.

He laughed, lived and loved, and had a strong belief and faith.

Those eyes show an old and loving and kind soul.

Thomas knew joy.

 I hope there is a red car in heaven

and he is behind the wheel or on a motorcycle in God's gang to ride wild

and free!

I thank him for all the joy, the tears, the tremendous fight he gave and showed by example the grace under fire

so that all can live their lives better and in a more giving way.

I admire him for the tattoo that he has taken with him to the Next Place and so beautifully described its significance to all of us, and the time he took in designing it as it represented so much in his faith, his battle against Cancer.

...

To think that just Saturday, as Debbie lay in bed with him; she was rubbing his back, and his shoulders (his wings) and then said to her dying son, 

"what is this?"

He said, "what is what?"

She replied, "right here" (and pushed at his shoulder blades on his back.)

Thomas said, "what?"

His mom then said,

"I think there are angel wings growing there"!

Thomas then laughed out loud and grinned!!

Sunday morning Thomas died in the arms of his beloved Mother,

he was born on a Sunday,

he died on a Sunday

on the day of his Heavenly Fathers Day.

Met on the other side by his Grandparents.

A young life

gone too soon

but I am certain he was met in the Next Place

by God who said,

"Welcome home son, job well done".

the candles are lit now

in honor and remembrance of a young man we know as Thomas

and for strength and gratitude

for a Mother who has loved beautifully and now will bury her only son.

We are standing with you

Debbie Koenig

and please take your time and remember to breathe.

There is no distance.

We Remember

HE remembers

 

 Walk in Beauty

DRSES

www.drsherryeshowalter.com

 

Thank YOU

Our beautiful warrior

THOMAS O'BRIEN

died this morning

in the loving arms of his Mom

Debbie Koenig

...

He now soars with the angels

...

Dance baby boy

ride on the wings of the Eagle

soar on.

21 years old

a life lived with zest, passion, kindness and right-way relations.

An Angel flying too close to the ground.

His life, his eyes, his breaths

loved by thousands.

WE WILL LOVE HIM

ALWAYS.

God Bless you Debbie, our arms are around you and our thoughts surround you.

THOMAS O'BRIEN

A WARRIOR OF GENTLE SPIRIT

Gone Too Soon

 

I would like to take a moment to say

THANK YOU

to all for each kindness that you extend, not only to me,

but

for all the many candles, the thoughts and prayers for 

Thomas, his mom Debbie,

for Ali and her Dad,

for EE how is dealing with so many and major health issues in CO,

for the prayers and thoughts that 

YOU

take the time to extend!

AND

for this day

I WANT TO TAKE THE TIME

to thank YOU

for being mindful in your lives;

to stop by here

and if there is one word that perhaps allows you to pay it forward in any way to another

I thank you for that.

This beautiful day is here just so bright we should all put our shades on as we step into our grateful place.

If there are any amends that need to be made, hurry and make them

but MEAN IT,

there is beauty to be seen,

magic to be made,

wonders to be discovered.

TIME waits for no one

and we are so blessed

in so many ways

even in moments of heartache

and times of trouble

if we but pause and count the blessings that are ours!

I thank each of you

for your gifts,

for your light

SHINE ON

STOMP.

May the Creator shine on you brightly, you have been given all that you will ever need to be more than you can ever imagine.

And so it is!

 Many blessings to you and yours

today and always.

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, 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,
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 surivor 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,
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,

2 Wolves and Jinx in SD, (http://www.2wolvescreations.com/)

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 Bian, Ericka, Shannon, Hannah Sherabow, Pam C. and family, Susan S., Angela A., Nancy W, Sue G, Kelly and family,Mato Oyate Kola, Susan Brouse, Cindy and Stevie, Kim, Olatz, EVB, Guin, Yiva, Mary, Sandra and family, Christina Hellen, 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 frends 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

Walk in Beauty,

DRSES
www.sherryeshowalter.com