A Night of the Portsmouth Blitz

/ Anthea Tripp / 2 Comments

Tomorrow is Father’s Day 2016 and my thoughts wander across the Atlantic to my Dad, now 95 years “young” and a widower since last year.  He is coping remarkably well with the help and support of some of the most loving, caring friends and daily care givers.

I am comforted to know Dad lives in a rare community where people know their neighbors, shop keepers, postal workers and so many more. And not only do they know each other by name, but they truly care … they live out God’s commandment of “love your neighbor.” They are hands on and quick to volunteer.

I am so grateful and so inspired by the spirit of love and generosity that envelops my Dad. Thank you Lord!

So as I cogitate on all this, my mind gravitates to our safe wherein lies a buff-colored folder with a selection of stories typed up by my Dad in bygone days. Stories that I’ve read and put away for safe keeping.  Last year I published one and this weekend, I share this next one in honor of my Dad and Father’s Day. Continue reading →

Dear Child of Mine!

/ Anthea Tripp

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 →

Begone Naughty Little Voice!

/ Anthea Tripp / 2 Comments

I can’t believe what I almost missed yesterday!

My morning began with the usual leisurely cup of tea and devotional reading, followed by a brief peaceful quiet time.  I sat thoughtfully in the semi-darkness of early morning, pondering the busy day ahead, visualizing what the chronological events of my day would look like based on what I recalled was on my calendar.

All of a sudden, out of nowhere, the naughty little voice in my head rudely interrupted my concentration and began to chide me, and tempt me! Grrrrrrr! It was doing its utmost to persuade me to skip my Thursday morning study on Biblical Womanhood. Really?

The naughty little voice chastised me: “You don’t need Gracepath today! It’s okay to stay home! Seriously Anthea, you need a break to catch your breath! With what you’ve got going on today plus the impending trip to visit your Dad, no one will blame you for bailing out. Besides, do you really need this chapter on mothers and daughters?”

Do you ever have a day like that once in a while? A day where you’d rather tune out, bail out or rearrange your calendar and stay home? LOL! I hope I’m not the only one!
 Continue reading →

How Many Life Lessons Does It Take?

/ Anthea Tripp

LessonsLearned2

I gazed out my bedroom window, longingly staring into the carefully manicured back garden where my parents were relaxing together after mowing the grass, weeding the flower borders, edging the lawns and trimming hedges.  Long lazy shadows stretched across the newly mown lawns and although the sun shone faintly, it bounced little glints of flashing light and sparkles up at my window as its rays danced on the water, bringing my attention to the two fish ponds.

It was mid-summer of 1952 and daylight savings was in full bloom in an unusually warm summer in England. It would have been close to 9:30 pm … approaching sunset … but still light enough to keep a seven-year old wondering why she was supposed to be asleep when she yearned to be down there enjoying the magical moment. Continue reading →

35 Years of AMAZING!

/ Anthea Tripp / 2 Comments

Yesterday was the 35th anniversary of our business!  Chuck and I signed the paperwork to start our business on March 13th 1981.  It’s truly amazing to think that next year I’ll reach a major milestone … I’ll have been in business for half of my life! C.R.A.Z.Y!!

While I’m not here to talk specifics about our business {I’ll save that for the business blog} I’d like to remark on the fact that building a successful business from the ground up has been a thrilling ride through the last 35 years of life …. in so many ways.

We’ve stuffed a 35 year story into 5 minute clip. Hope you enjoy it!!

35 Years of Amazing from Anthea Tripp on Vimeo. Continue reading →

The Drawer Upstairs

/ Anthea Tripp / 2 Comments

It’s been years since I gave any thought to the drawer. The one on the shadowy landing upstairs.

Not surprising really … it’s been more than 55 years since I visited my grandparents’ house. A good 65 years {and a whole lot of life has passed by} since last I peeked into the drawer.

What’s even more mysterious is why those memories came flooding back to me now? Random thoughts of the drawer have monopolized my mind for the last couple of weeks, and try as I might I have no rational way to explain their persistent presence. Even when I banish them, a few minutes later they bounce right back! It’s all very puzzling! Continue reading →

Happy Pancake Tuesday!

/ Anthea Tripp

If ever there was a day to eat pancakes, it’s TODAY!

WHY?

Because it’s official Pancake Day today … Tuesday 9th February 2016! In case you’ve never heard of it before it’s also known as Shrove Tuesday! It’s always the day before the first day of Lent, a Christian observance which begins on Ash Wednesday {which happens to be tomorrow} … and the actual date each year depends on the timing of Easter. Continue reading →

2016 … My Year of Power Unleashed

/ Anthea Tripp / 4 Comments

still small momentsI’m so thankful for quiet moments in time. Still small moments to reflect. A few minutes of uninterrupted silence from the noise of life’s disturbances. Rest for the mind and body and a break from the often unwelcome and uninvited intrusions that bombard us from within and all around.

Doesn’t everyone yearn for little pauses from the self-inflicted head-chatter, relief from routine demands, and some down time from the unexpected distractions {I call them side swipes} that life relentlessly hurls at us? I regularly seek these quiet moments, so if it means getting up earlier than planned that’s okay, I’ll take it! I’ll seize every opportunity to be engulfed in tranquility. How about you?
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Just Laugh …. At Yourself!

/ Anthea Tripp / 1 Comment

Laughter is great medicine they say, so here’s the thing to consider … if you decide to take life less seriously, and learn to have a good laugh at yourself, you will never cease to be amused! It’s so true … at least in my case! Pretty much every day, I can find some silliness, or something I say or do that is humorous in nature!

Take today for example, I’ve already had a few laughs on myself, because of my own antics! First off, I decided to forgo the sandwich I lusted after for lunch, in order to keep the promise I made {to myself and others} to eat a boatload of greens at each meal for 21 daysl! So what’s funny about that? Read on ….

Everyone knows I’m all about eating clean and green living – I live, eat, breathe and promote it {99.5% the time} so healthy stuff is part of my daily life {going on 34 years! I love smoothies, but this green brew, stagnating {and almost fermenting} in front of me right now, isn’t the usual tasty yumminess I’ve whipped up in the past! What the ….? What happened to it?

Oh I daresay it’s healthy for me but the slick green slime appearance resembles pond scum and I’m half-expecting a green frog-like creature to emerge! After drinking half of it …eeeew … I can now confirm without a shadow of a doubt that it does indeed taste like pulverized earthy, moldy moss with river water and frog parts!
 Continue reading →