Because you are...

I've been debating about when to publish this post. While my original plan was to post this on thursday (running back and forth about the fact that giveaways do better when started on a monday--i read this stat somewhere)..and my plans for sunday style (tomorrow)...i just couldn't fight the feeling that it needed to be posted today.

I typed my thoughts for this post at 2:08 am yesterday morning while laying in bed. Sometimes, the best inspiration comes to me at night when I can't sleep, haha. My cousin Joe has these moments too, and maybe that's the artist in us. The creative mind. I hope it leaves you thinking about how great you are, even if we don't know each other.

Did you know that you are worth so much? So much more than the price of Rubies (Proverbs 31). Do you feel unloved, less than or lonely? I know that I do at times. I know that comparison is a killer of joy. I am guilty of comparing myself to other who I "see" as perfect. This leads to me not loving myself and not being thankful for the talents and gifts I DO have! For every good and perfect gift is from above (James 1:17). The girl I see as perfect, who has a pretty face, a thinner body, healthy hair and stylish clothes, well she has struggles too. She faces insecurities just as I do. No one is exempt from trials and hardships. No one is entirely happy all. the. time. It's comforting to know that God sees all his children on an equal plane. No one is above the other. I want to see others and myself as God sees them! and it's possible.

How can I say that you are beautiful or handsome? That you are loved? That you are worth MORE than you think? I can because I am a daughter, sister/sibling, friend just like you. I understand how it feels to doubt myself. I know how it feels to think your life may never change...for the better. I've been in that place where you don't feel pretty (hey, i still sometimes think that!). You are pretty (or handsome, guys!). I've been in that place where you don't feel like what you have to give is enough. You are so valuable in our father's eyes and in others, because you are! You are full of promise! Believe that. Your life is a gift. You are here for a divine reason. Your life is meant to touch others. Your life is a gift to others even if you think you haven't made an impact in some large scale. It's the little things. If you don't think so, try focusing on someone in need, a complete stranger perhaps and do some simple act of kindness. I bet you'll feel better that you extended love and generosity to someone who was very possibly having some struggle too. I promise you hope. There is always hope. Hold onto it. Believe in miracles because you are a miracle.

love is prevalent

fragile.
how life truly is fragile.
even when people are injured, hearts broken, spirits tried, the love between humans is so prevalent.
I love that there really is more goodness in the world.

how could I not say something about recent events. even if I am here in AZ, i want to help. I wish I could travel easily and volunteer there, but
I can pray.

I am sure just about everyone has heard about the horrific tornadoes that swept across Oklahoma. I know of tornadoes, seen the destruction they do to communities whether on the news, in the movies or in photographs of a magazine, but for this one, this one that happened yesterday felt different to me.

Maybe because it dozed through a school that was filled with children.
Maybe it is because my old friend from junior high, Holly, and her family live in Moore. (they are safe!)
Maybe because of hearing some witnesses firsthand accounts; hearing the fear and worry in their voices.

Not much to say other than love wins. hope is present. help is on the way.
prayers and positive thoughts are sent toward you all Oklahoma and to those who have family & friends there.

my mind & heart is with you.

If you are interested in helping, even if you are states away from OK, grace of grace for gayle wrote a post today with some helpful info!

newlyweds: A & E

A couple weekends ago, after six years, A & I saw each other. She and her husband E,were visiting from Florida. They are both brilliant in the accounting field. They wed in Hawaii last summer and moved shortly thereafter to Florida for their jobs.

I had never met E before, but heard good things about them since they started dating in 2008. From what I remember, A told me about E in 2007, when they had first met and were just friends.

A & I met in our early days of college. We quickly became best friends as I also befriended her sister W. A & I spent alot of time together because of our involvement with our college's honor society chapter PTK(Phi Theta Kappa): meetings, fundraisers, community service events, etc.

Us three ladies were always hanging out, meeting for lunch or shopping. Her & her sister used to pick me up together literally, into their little suv and then pick up my electric wheelchair into the back of their car. We'd crack up because they were skinny winny's but still had muscle!

I remember one time probably in 2005, as my health was declining, I wasn't feeling well enough to leave the house, so W & A brought me a salad from Wildflower, chocolate cake & some Godiva chocolate to celebrate my birthday. That is just ONE example of what good friends they were to me.

Ever since I met A, she has been such a bright light in my life. She'd call me flirt & all sorts of nicknames.

but after she graduated from college & well I got sick...and time passes and life happens.

We have kept in touch, but don't communicate as often as we did in college. but that's ok.

Seeing A&E and how happy they are together made me smile so much. I've missed A so much & felt so thankful that she & her hubby wubby had time to come see me.

I wasn't even nervous about seeing her or even meeting E for the first time.

I think that is a testimony to how well A & I click.

When E first walked in, he gave me a hug. He gave me a hug when they left too and by the time they left, I already knew that I considered E to be my friend too.

He says A is the princess of the house. I can tell how much he adores her. He is such a good, caring guy. A just beams with happiness.

They have such a cozy home, perfect for them! E showed me pics on the tablet. He also showed me photos of their two cute dogs, Lucky & Spock. I relate to Lucky because he has scoliosis too! Those babies are in good hands because A & E are wonderful pet parents to them & love to spoil them. A wrote me in an email one day last year they they feel that their dogs were sent to them to prepare them for children! haha

With them still being newlyweds, I asked A, what was the best thing about being married?

She replied, "just knowing that you always have someone there. someone on your side."

It was great catching up and just visiting. Three hours was not enough. The time went by so fast.

They brought me a gift. A pretty sparkly, pink Swarovski star keyring. it nearly matches my tattoo!

I wrote to A and told her thank you and that this keyring will hold the key to my future home with my husband, wherever & whenever that may be, or (maybe just my home?)

A & E's love story certainly inspires me.

 it is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid [silly] with them.

---Ralph Waldo Emerson

I love A & E and can't wait til they visit AZ again!

*silly (my words)