We Remember You...

"In Memory of those gone from our lives too soon... We remember you in the morning, in the night, when we look at the stars, hear a song, revisit a place, and catch a familiar smell. You are always with us in our hearts." ~ Unknown #quotes #stuckinindiana

Do you miss someone and grieve for them? Grief and loss come in many forms. We miss those who have passed on. We miss those who once were cherished friends or family member but are no longer a part of our lives. Although not experienced in our family... I can imagine "missing & grieving" a child who passed prior to or at birth. 

Love comes with some sort of expectation of what the future will bring. The absence of a loved one can be strongly felt at the most expected times -- clearly out of the blue. Love doesn't necessarily stop when a person is no longer a part of our day to day lives. One of the most wonderful things about love is that it lives on and survives and even thrives when the loss happens.

Hold tightly to those feelings of love. They will bring comfort in the most uncomfortable times. They will be an inspiration that love is worth the cost of losing it.

Sometimes Things Slip Through the Cracks #write31days 10-22-16

Does your life seem to be full of days when things "slip through the cracks"? Lately, I seem to have a LOT of those days. One such day was YESTERDAY. Early in the wee hours of this morning (10/23/16 around 3am), I abruptly woke up and realized that I'd never written or published a #write31days post for October 22nd!

At the time of the awakening, I was sharing a twin bed with a 3 & 1/2 year old and sleeping UNDER a Disney Princess tent. Had I been in my own bed, I would probably have grabbed the laptop & written something right then. But, when a young child is sleeping peacefully beside you... you stay quiet & you don't move.

This is my fifth year to accept the writing challenge (aka the #write31days challenge) begun by the Nester several years ago. I have never missed posting on the day. I had hoped not to do that this year - especially after getting back in the country after traveling the first 8 days of October and having posted each of those days.

But, yesterday was FULL and FUN. And, special people and special places took over my mind. I lived in the moment. I lost track of time & enjoyed spending time with dear family members & friends.

It's said that we should... Live in the moment. That's what I've been doing. And, I've been doing it without regret. A great health tip for health, wholeness and wellness is to LIVE IN THE MOMENT. However, the Cookie Monster quote might be a little over the top - ha ha!

Sometimes things slip through the cracks and it's perfectly alright for them to do so!!

5 Minute Free-For-All - Sometimes Things Slip Through the Cracks #write31days 10-22-16

Going to Church in Your Pajamas

'Tis four days before Christmas and all through the house... not a creature was stirring... we hope NOT a mouse!!! There I sat in my jammies planning my day... scheduling my posts, wondering just what to say...

I could go on but, I won't bore you :) 

This, for so many of us, is an extremely blessed and yet, busy time of year. I don't have time to write... or do I... just a few words.

Painful Twists and Turns

This week has been a doozie (my dad used that word often). My body's weary and my head is spinning and...

I am so very grateful for my family members!

Thursday, the Little & her Mommy

sunrise thoughts 14 October 2015

Long before the sun came up, my mind was wide away, mapping out my day and thinking:

"There are way too many things on my schedule for today. How am I possibly going to do it all? I'm going to have to hit the floor running."

A few minutes before 6am, we heard the small voice of our "Little" as she entered our room. She sweetly called out to us:

"PapaBear & DeeDee, cam I cuddle with you in your bed?"

Only the Good Die Young

stuckinindiana sunrise

The LOML and I recently took a trip across the country from the land of "stuckinindiana" to the beautiful, mountainous state of Colorado to help our son and his new bride move into an apartment on the CUB campus. They'll be there in grad school for the next two years. In the days and weeks leading up to the trip, we tried to organize four years of the lives of two students into what needed to be discarded, saved, and what could successfully be taken without the use of a moving van. As we neared the time of our departure, it became very questionable as to whether or not we could make everything fit in two cars. 

Lessons from a Child - 4th of July

Oh, trust me... it's been a season of blessings. But, it has also been a season of crazy schedules & planning & travel... and sometimes of stress. On a good day, I'm a home body. And, on the crazy days, it's even more magnified. 

I love family time and celebrating special days with family. However,