play ball!

it’s the monday giggles:

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God grant me a vacation to make bearable what I can’t change.  

A friend to make it funny and

the wisdom to never get my knickers in a knot

because it solves nothing and

makes me walk funny!

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you’re fun…not funny.

But, I am blessed!

Blessed, beyond measure!

And this past weekend,

more than anytime ever,

made me feel it..

from the

top of my head

to the

tips of my toes!

I recently reached the half-century mark and with some poking and prodding and heavy campaigning I acquiesced in allowing my family to host a”Toasting” Dinner Party (with my besties,) for my birthday.

(I do believe it was Cuppycake’s heavy sighs of, “You’re going to make me look bad,” that was the final offensive-tactic which did me in.)

And I must admit having my (recently expanded) family next to me, seeing all my dearest friends gathered around, listening to the hum of their conversations,  the circling around a table eating family-style…all of this…brought me the GREATEST joy as I reached this mile-stone in my life!

Their meaningful hugs, tender words, and lively toasts will truly remain in my heart forever

And even before the start of the evening

other dear-ones, both near & far, showered me with loving affection…

I pray one day they come to know just how much I needed  

(without ever knowing)

their kind words,

their genuine support,

and

their undeserved love.

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Such a beautiful Weekend…

A Texan friend of mine introduced me to a southern phrase once as she was discussing a young woman’s behaviour which was a bit unbecoming, “She’s too pretty to act ugly!” she said.   I’ve often reflected on this and  I do believe, as do others, that there is a culture of individuals; (unfortunately mostly woman,) who prefer to exploit the presummed flaws, unknown defects, and failings of another to exult themselves.

However, I can tell you every woman I was blessed to share my birthday weekend with is not one of them!  They are kind, compassionate, strong, tender-hearted women who are always looking to strengthen those around them.  And I am most definitely a better person because of their presence in my life.

They are the ones who have helped me to feel

courageous,

empowered,

stead-fast,

and 

loved

especially when I have been the most vulnerable these past few years.

And because of this I wanted to honor them

so that they may always remember

 they are truly…

(too pretty to act ugly!!)

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(I HAVE THE BEST FRIENDS!!!)

hugs n’ blessings to all those who choose to be pretty!

(males included!)

and a few extra hugs to everyone who made me feel so special for my “5 perfect 10’s” birthday!

*to find out more about the (too pretty to act ugly) campaign please watch the video clip below and be sure to support other’s by choosing to be pretty!

“There are friends who bring ruin,
but there are true friends more loyal than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24

happy things (50 of them!)

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The golden girl!

 

I made it and…..

i’m happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy!

You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Psalm 16:11

Sometimes just thinking of something in-particular triggers happiness in us.

When I think of you this happens!

(Yes, you!)

And here are 50 more of those ‘happy’ thoughts I am grateful for:

(in no particular order…well maybe just a few…)

  1. mass
  2. a warm hug
  3. a sweet smile
  4. a tender blessing
  5. a dog named Helen
  6. the bible
  7. polka dots
  8. candy apples
  9. pearls
  10. tea
  11. gregorian chant
  12. a favorite childhood book
  13. gardenias
  14. soft lips
  15. rainy days
  16. peanut butter
  17. old photos
  18. rosary beads
  19. grape pie
  20. lemon cake
  21. macaroni salad with tuna-fish
  22. blue-birds
  23. wine
  24. swedish fish
  25. birthdays
  26. babies
  27. campfires
  28. gibbles (potato chips)
  29. baking
  30. libraries
  31. kayaks
  32. beach-front
  33. warm bread
  34. bananas with peanut butter
  35. dulcimer
  36. downton abbey
  37. red bicycle
  38. powder-blue boxes
  39. return to me
  40. bit-o-honey
  41. rocking chairs
  42. feather pillows
  43. polish pottery
  44. cheese boards
  45. a ball of yarn
  46. moonlight
  47. champagne
  48. ferns
  49. blogging
  50. hearing ‘i love you.’

I hope-ity-hope today

at least a few of them turn into ‘more than a thought’

and come my way!

Which makes me happy all-over again just thinking about what they may be!

These were just 50 of my happy…

what are some of yours?

hugs n’ blessings to everyone that shows up to do ‘happy together’ today!

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Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in You!

I found my 50 heroes!

I woke up this morning

 to see my most favorite hero

basking in a beautiful light!

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“Hail Mary, full of grace” Luke 1:28

Even Helen thought so too!

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“Can I be a Hero too?”

A quick stroll

through my yard

and you will meet more heroes

of mine.

Such as St. Rita

who is affectionately hung

below a rose tree.

St. Rita is known to leave behind roses

when prayer intentions have been answered

(through the grace of Our God)

&

I do so verily hope the prolific blooms this year

signal a pretty hefty prayer

being answered for our family!

Behind her is beloved St. Francis of Assisi…

lover of animals; which is why he stands appropriately near

our bird-feeders.

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And St. Joseph, another favorite hero of mine and defender of the Holy Family,

hangs near a favorite sitting spot of Cuppycake’s & mine.

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What is a Saint?

A saint is one who has been recognized for having an exceptional degree of holiness, sanctity, and virtue.

What is a Hero?

A person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for their brave deeds and noble qualities. 2. a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal.

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“I’m pretty sure I fit the criteria for both.”

And so it is for me that the two are synonymous as I have not met a Saint who has not qualified as Hero. And while Hero’s, on the other hand, aren’t always made a Saint…does that mean we all shouldn’t at least aspire to be one?

Our parish priest, Fr. Larry Richards, often reminds us we should all aspire to be Saints!  That when we leave this earthly life our lives will have been so devoted to pointing always to Him, despite the trials we may face, that our parishes will be filled with statues of each one of us!

(I wrote in a previous post what I would envision my statue to denote.)

In our modern day vernacular we have made the term “SAINT” synonymous with perfection.  If someone lives a life above reproach we say “He is a real saint,”
if one dedicates their life to solely doing good works, such as Mother Teresa, we say “She is a real saint,” if one lives a life exemplary of good morals and high standards we ascribe to them the “title” of saint.

We have set some pretty high standards for achieving sainthood!

(Rightfully so!)

And yet…

I do believe the Saints themselves would say quite differntly.

They would remind us that to attain Sainthood is a courageous battle to be fought daily, with great joy! That there is no perfection to be found in living the life of a Saint, only imperfect people (sinners) striving to love Him always…in ALL ways and doing so heroically!

Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.  

Michael 7:8

St. Paul himself, declares in Romans 7:15, this struggle to do good is difficult!

“I do not understand my own actions.  For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate,” Romans 7:15

However, we should never stop trying!

Will we tire?

Yes.

Should we quit?

Never.

And that is exactly why the Saints are my heroes.

Heroes never quit!

They fall down…

and then

get up.

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“Does the ‘no-quitting’ part include a dog-treat when I get back up again?”

In this past half-century I have met many Heroes!

All of whom I have drawn strength from at various moments of my life,

some more than others,

but each equally as important.

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Outside the Shrine of St. Gemma Galgani in Lucca, Italy.

I hope you will find a hero (or more) to fall in love with!

Remember they are who we can draw strength from as we aspire to be

saints of our own…no matter how great the effort

& no matter how many times

we need to get back up

 to try again!

 My 50 Heroes:

  1. Mary, the Blessed Virgin
  2. St. Faustina Kowalska 
  3. St. Monica
  4. St. Joseph
  5. St. Rita
  6. St. Gemma Galgani
  7. St. Therese, “The Little Flower”
  8. St. Gerard
  9. St. Augustine
  10. St. Elizabeth
  11. St. Ann
  12. St. Joachim
  13. St. Katharine Drexel
  14. St. Frances of Rome
  15. St. Teresa of Avila
  16. St. Maria Goretti
  17. St Rose of Lima
  18. St. Michael
  19. St. John Vianney
  20. St. Philomena
  21. St. Martha
  22. St. Justin Martyr
  23. St. Clare
  24. St. John the Baptist
  25. St. Anthony
  26. St. Sebastian
  27. St. John the Beloved
  28. St. John Paul II
  29. Blessed Teresa of Calcutta (to be declared a Saint September 4, 2016)
  30. St. Francis of Assisi
  31. St. Padre Pio
  32. St. Paul the Apostle
  33. St. Dominic
  34. St. Peregrine
  35. St. Dymphna
  36. St. Catherine of Siena
  37. St. Joan of Arc
  38. St. Veronica
  39. St. Lawerence
  40. St. Ignatius of Loyola 
  41. St. Andrew
  42. St. Nicholas
  43. St. Ambrose
  44. St. Bruno
  45. St. Francis Xavier
  46. St. Jude
  47. St. Maximillian Kolbe
  48. St. Stanislaus
  49. St. Vincent de Paul
  50. St. Abigail

hugs n’ blessings to all those heroes

who I will meet in my next half-century!

Will you be one of them?