How many times in your life have you heard someone passionately exclaim “I just want to understand!” I’ve heard it a lot more in recent months and it’s been prevalent on FB before, during and in the aftermath of the election. In reality the deep-seated desire for people to understand one another {what a person says or does} isn’t new … it’s ever been thus … since the inception of humanity. Listen!  I never cease to be amazed myself! And proverbially scratch my head often at what people express … especially on social media.

Before anyone gets their knickers in a twist {British idiom} please understand that I’m not calling out anyone in particular or referencing any specific circumstances!  Rather I’m directing the contents of this blog more as a “note to self!” for the future and with the hope it may even help someone struggling to understand a friend with a different opinion … on any subject. Continue reading →

First thought into my head when I awoke this morning, even before I opened my eyes, was “It’s my birthday today”! I immediately felt thankful … to know where I was, to remember it is Wednesday {also family day, pick-up-grandson-Nicholas-day, mid-week and hump day!} and to recall the date is January 11^th … the day I was born.

Of course, my day of birth has dawned faithfully every year so far … I’m living proof of that! I’m also thankful to see it arrive. I suppose I could view it as any other day … or any other birthday since this one doesn’t signify any particular milestone number reached or anything like that. Let’s just say that the number representing the years I’ve lived on earth, ends in a 2 … oh yes and it’s a double-digit number starting between 6 and 8. Just saying!! I wonder if one day I’ll hit a triple-digit-birthday? Continue reading →

I wasn’t sure how I’d feel today! It’s November 24th … it’s my mother’s birthday … and I miss her.

The thing is, it’s also one of my favorite holidays … it’s the last Thursday in November and that can only mean one thing! We celebrate Thanksgiving Day in accordance with President Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation {October 3, 1863}. In contrast, in England, there is Harvest Festival, where we give thanks for a bountiful harvest, which is traditionally celebrated on the closest Sunday to the harvest moon, so the date can vary in September or early October.

Sometimes I feel like I have one foot in the UK and the other in the US, straddling the massive body of water we call the Atlantic Ocean. Lol! That idea brings a smile. Me as some kind of enormous human bridge? Interesting vision to say the least. Haha! Continue reading →

This coming Tuesday, we the people of the United States of America will determine the future of our Republic for many years to come … in the ballot box … by voting for candidates who collectively will govern us.  

The way I see it, the stakes are extremely high this year. In my humble opinion,
they’ve never been higher. I believe the next few days will be some of the most exciting times in the history of elections in this country. Who will win? Who will be our next President? Who will be elected into Congress? Continue reading →

Part Two of Two

The word ‘revolution’ has a number of similar but different interpretations. In contrast to my last post on June 30th, the reference to it in the context of this particular blog is interpreted as “a far-reaching and drastic change, especially in ideas, methods, etc“.

The time has come to …S…T…R…E…T…C…H… your “thinking” beyond the norm.

Do you agree we live in an era of economic*, cultural and social change in a world that is evolving {and revolving} at what feels like break-neck speed? Are you giddy yet?  Does it seem as if “time” is accelerating? Gaining on itself? Does it feel like uncontrolled momentum-on-steroids?

Welcome to life in today’s world. Continue reading →

Part One of Two

Let me just say right up front that some of my readers will be surprised by this topic. Some will be aghast as I express my opinion {yes … I really do have one of my own} Others of you will not see eye-to-eye with me and may even be angry with me!

You may accuse me of being “political” or even “hypocritical” since I’ve stated many times “I refuse to engage in arguments over politics”. Please note that the key words are “refuse to engage in”.  It’s not that I have no political opinion, quite the contrary … it’s more that I rarely publicize my opinion, I choose not to confront others who differ with me … and I refuse to engage those who would attempt to persuade, shame or bully me to their point of view.

Therefore I won’t get drawn into an argument by others, not in person or on social media, but rather I will seek to understand their point of view … and respect their right to differ with me … and I will love them, not because of any shared political preference, but based solely on the essence of who they are as a decent human being.
Continue reading →

Today is Mother’s day!  As you well know, this is the first mother’s day since Grandma left us to join her celestial family and make a new home in the Kingdom of Heaven.

What a glorious time she must be having! So much to celebrate up there. I recall so clearly the awe and wonder on her face when God favored her with a glimpse of where she was going as she lay dying.  I feel overwhelmed by peace today … as vividly as the day I witnessed that experience.

I often stretch my imagination in an attempt to visualize the beauty of the world beyond and though I strain to do so as best I can, I fall so utterly short of words to illustrate the wonder of it all … the sheer magnificence of what awaits us in the next life. With so much love and indescribable beauty on which to feast her eyes and feed her soul, your Grandma must be ecstatic. I am filled with joy.

I love and miss my Mum with all my heart {and I know you do too} but I rejoice in who she is and where she is and I know you join me in wishing her a happy mother’s day! Continue reading →