it’s the monday giggles…and these are lovely ones to share.
I see a lot of people
in the world
and most of them
make me smile,
but you’re different.
You make
my heart smile!
“…for the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1Sam16:7
For my daughter I sensed that my release of her would be a new “different.” My expectations of the circumstances were different; my preparation would be different. I sensed the difference, but wondered what this new difference would feel like.
And where would God be?
This weekend I found the answer (to both) in the
JOY
that I witnessed
in the difference in her, my darling daughter!
And just how much of Him there already is
reflected in this heart of hers,
which is becoming whole.
“Yes, fairy-tales do come true.”
1990
“Forty days before an embryo is formed, a heavenly voice calls out—so and so is to marry such and such,” says the Talmud. This has been orchestrated from before you were born. Your souls are partners, matching halves of a single whole. The Talmud describes the search for a spouse as looking for that “lost part” of yourself. -a parable
The Joy of seeing
(how beautiful it is)
that God has indeed made
the half to her completeness.
2016
And what great joy is felt in this new “difference”
as my heart smiles for the two of them
as they prepare to have Him always united with thee.
“A cord of three strands is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12
Just two Moms bursting with JOY over their love of a ‘daughter.’
hugs n’ JOY-filled blessings to celebrate all the smiles our hearts can contain!
Looks like God already had this covered. (Giggles.)
It may be a tad pre-mature, but the weather is so wonderfully unseasonable I’ve decided it’s officially time for my (drumroll…) Annual Spring joke!
(giggle.)
What is invisible and smells like worms?
(giggle…giggle.)
BIRD FARTS!!!!
(giggles!!!)
“I’ve told you a hundred times Dawn…you’re FUN, not FUNNY.” Thunder
Okay, so admittedly I’m not very good at telling jokes.
HOWEVER…
I AM HAPPIER THAN I DESERVE
AND
I DON’T CARE
HOW MUCH I SHOW IT!
AND i do always hope-ity hope everyone will join in the joyright beside me!
(giggle…giggle…& giggle.)
Papa promotes happiness too!
“Have the courage to be happy!”
Pope Francis at World Youth Day 2012
In what has been tagged ‘Pope Francis’ 10 Commandments for a Happy Life,’ he stressed his motto of ‘Live and let live’ as the main ingredient for a happy life!
Here’s the list of the Pope’s guidelines to happiness, according to a Catholic News Service translation of his interview:
1. “Live and let live.”
2. “Be giving of yourself to others…If you withdraw into yourself, you run the risk of becoming egocentric…And stagnant water becomes putrid.”
3. “Proceed calmly [in life].”
4. “A healthy sense of leisure…Consumerism has brought us anxiety, [causing us to lose a] healthy culture of leisure.” [At this point, the pope also urged families to turn off the TV when they’re eating together.]
5. “Sunday is for family.”
6. “We need to be creative with young people. If they have no opportunities, they will get into drugs.”
7. “[Environmental degradation] is one of the biggest challenges we have. I think a question that we’re not asking ourselves is: ‘Isn’t humanity committing suicide with this indiscriminate and tyrannical use of nature?”
8. “Needing to talk badly about others indicates low self-esteem. That means, ‘I feel so low that instead of picking myself up I have to cut others down.’ Letting go of negative things quickly is healthy.”
9. “We can inspire others through witness so that one grows together in communicating. But the worst thing of all is religious proselytism, which paralyzes: ‘I am talking to you in order to persuade you.’ No. Each person dialogues, starting with his and her own identity. The church grows by attraction, not proselytizing.”
10. “We are living in a time of many wars, [and] the call for peace must be shouted. Peace sometimes gives the impression of being quiet, but it is never quiet, peace is always proactive.”
(giggles.)
I just love our Papa!
And through Sacred Scripture, I believe God affirms what Pope Francis is saying! Here are a few of my personal favorites, which take me to my happy place.
(giggle.)
John 16:33 – I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Revelation 21:4 – And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and death shall be no more, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things have passed away.
1 John 4:8 – He who does not love does not know God; for God is love.
Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things in him who strengthens me.
Exodus 14:14 – The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be still.
Romans 8:28 – We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are the called according to his purpose.
Lots to smile about!
Lots to be happy for!
Praise, praise, praising Him,
all the more!!
Sweet Constance!
And then of course there’s this little blessing to be happy & giggly over!
hugs n’ blessings to all those “courageous enough to be happy!!”
Hence, Emily Post (the queen of etiquette,) has become my new BFF.
My Blue Book of Etiquette.
And even though we have never met…
I love Emily!
She keeps me on track. She keeps me motivated.
She answers my questions when I do not know what to do!
And even when I may decide not to follow her sound advice (which is often,) she continues to applaud my efforts in this mother-of-the-bride role.
Yes, I love Emily!
Because she approves of our daughter’s glitter and sparkle and most definately understands the important etiquette of bedazzling one’s straight-jacket too!
Here is the first piece of wisdom she shared with me:
“Great news: Your daughter or son is getting married!
Before you do anything else, take a moment to savor the thrill of this great news.
Finished? Good. Now roll up your sleeves—because whether you are deeply involved in every aspect of planning the wedding or the bride and groom prefer to rely on you as a sounding board while making the major decisions themselves, it’s likely that you’re going to find yourself juggling the roles of adviser, therapist, communications hub, and trouble-shooter. You’ll need to be able to:
Keep the planning process on track without nagging. Offer guidance without being pushy. And be a rock of supportive encouragement—even if you disagree with the couple on a particular decision.
All this, of course, is in addition to any specific parental responsibilities that you take on, such as throwing an engagement party, spreading the word about gift registries, contributing to the guest list, bonding with your daughter or son’s new in-laws, arranging a bridal shower, negotiating sticky family situations, and welcoming guests at the big event itself.”
Now…if I could simply get my new BFF Emily “to actually to-do-it-too!”
Bridal Shower invites go out!
We watched her play in the sandbox,
lose her first tooth,
go on her first date,
graduate from high school
and
live on her own for the very first time.
Now our little girl isn’t so little anymore — and she’s getting married!
Best Dad Ever.
And so we’ve been reliving the memorable moments in her life with fondness and looking forward to the days ahead as our daughter becomes a wife …
and maybe one day, God willing, even a mother.
I hopity-hope Emily still approves of glitter for that too!
hugs n’ blessings filled with the kind of fondness that sticks to your heart
hugsnblessings 