Poem: Life Still Has A Meaning

IMAGE SOURCE. Picture 1 and 2 by Hilde Vanstraelen. I have digitally enhanced these already beautiful shots.

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It’s a wordless Thursday for me.

My heart goes out to those who have lost their homes in California wildfires (and the firefighters who perished).

The sudden homelessness came - unforeseeable.

A home is not just a building structure built by bricks or lumbers. A home is a structure that hosts dreams as it is a sanctuary and a warm nest to many who call it “home sweet home.” A home is where childhood memories were written.

Therefore, a home is not merely a noun. It is very much AN ADJECTIVE.

In moments like this, may you walk with courage though how hard it must have been.

May the days ahead full of heaven wonders. And may heaven give you much needed strengths to go on.

BLESSINGS.

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Life Still Has A Meaning
=== Author Unknown ===

If there is a future there is time for mending-
Time to see your troubles coming to an ending.

Life is never hopeless however great your sorrow-
If you’re looking forward to a new tomorrow.

If there is time for wishing then there is time for hoping-
When through doubt and darkness you are blindly groping.

Though the heart be heavy and hurt you may be feeling-
If there is time for praying there is time for healing.

So if through your window there is a new day breaking-
Thank God for the promise, though mind and soul be aching,

If with harvest over there is grain enough for gleaning-
There is a new tomorrow and life still has meaning.

The Used To Be Small Matters

IMAGE SOURCE. Pic 1 by Carole Nickerson. Pic 2 by Fabrizio Turco. Pic 3 by Matthew Bowden. I have digitally enhanced these three pictures. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A warm greeting from our home to yours!

Before forgetfulness takes reign on my tend-to-forget brain, I want to thank many of you who have sent get well wishes (and prayers) for Emily. Just want to let you know how your comments did encourage me in their special ways.

This past few weeks were indeed a little holiday for me. I did devote most my time for the munchkin even though for her, it could be one of those regular days. Story time with mom or mom making her gluten free cookies (though some those cookies were burned because her mom was too ecstatic ‘chatting’ with a childhood friend who now lives in Bali).

Funny thing, for myself, I didn’t feel those days as equally the same.

In between some old magazine pages, I stumbled upon a simple poem that conveys a far-reaching message.

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things

=== By Robert Brault ===

Those simple words are supposedly to be understood easily but I found myself reading it - again and again. Upon reading it, memories of my childhood were unveiled.

There came precious imagery pictures of an elderly woman who lives thousands miles away in the other part of the world. Yes, it’s my MOM.

People knew Mom as an outgoing person but to her children, she ‘reserved’ herself. Now, after being a parent myself, I’ve gained a clearer perspective to accept who she is.

She grew up in a home where love was a quantity - and a portion. I saw how she struggled to forgive my grandma. But I also saw how love conquered a bittered heart. Before her mother passed away, Mom was able to forgive. It’s a victorious day for both women.

There’s a moment in my life where I did doubt whether Mom loved us as she seemed to carefully guarded her affections towards us. Only from her silent expressions, then I’ve learned she actually treasures us deeply.

During my junior schooling years, I often must stayed at school till late afternoons for extracurricular activities (ah, how I must dragged my feet to attend all of them). Knowing I like to eat good food, Mom used to unexpectedly stopped by at school.

As she unbundled a little wrapped package, she unbundled a sweetest surprise. It was a warm home made lunch - made by thoughtfulness and much unspoken motherly love.

As I am writing this post, I often had to pause. Memories of Mom’s home made warm lunches wrap my heart as if it’s a warm blanket. As I recalled the past, I thank God for Mom. I will always cherish the heart-prints she has left in my heart.

As each day passes and gone by, we create a new memory. For myself, I often caught up in other life priorities that a precious moment passed by just like that. And, there was a season in my life that my Mom’s sacrifices went unnoticed.

Now, looking back to my days at my childhood home, some used-to-be small memories have become so alive than ever. Yes, I’ve grown finer appreciations to my childhood as it holds the key to - Mom’s love legacy.

And lastly, let me close this post with one of my favorite quotes.

There is a time for risky love.
There is a time for extravagant gestures.
There is a time to pour out your affections on one you love.
And when the time comes –seize it, don’t miss it.”
=== by Max Lucado ===

May we all find ourselves abundant in affections. May we grab each opportunity to create deeper heart-prints in people we dearly love. God has brought them into our lives and it is a privilege to have shared our life journey with them. I guess without them our life stories would be - so incomplete.

Take Care and God Bless you all.

Quote: Today

IMAGE SOURCE. Pic by Hilde Vanstraelen. I have digitally enhanced this shot.
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TODAY

=== By Unknown Author ===

Yesterday is HISTORY
Tomorrow is a MYSTERY
Today is a GIFT
That’s why it’s called the ‘PRESENT’

Rocking Girl Award

IMAGE SOURCE. Pic by Elke Oeter. I have digitally enhanced this shot. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Two weeks ago, Lynn Emery at Darkershade of Midnight awarded me this award (Lynn, it was surely a very nice surprise from you. Thank you).

And now, I’d like to extend this award to ladies who I think awesomely outstanding (and really ROCK!!)

Eagerblogger
Sophiagurl
Erina Hart
Jackie
Janet

These six women come from different walks of lives and I’ve found, their thoughts and wisdoms always inspire me. And YES, they have always warmly welcomed me in their ‘homes.’ I am glad, I’ve gotten to get to know them in this big blogosphere.

God Bless you all, Ladies.

Next week: a time just for her

IMAGE SOURCE. Pic 1,2 and 3: by Dianne Miller

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I am going to take a week off from blogging.

As it seems a sick season for many, my munchkin is definitely one of those absent students. Emily had a considerably high fever for 2 days. And this morning, out of the blue, she approached me - gasping for breath. While holding her neck, she gave me one frantic short clue, “I can’t breath.”

My world suddenly stopped.

For a short moment, I thought she was going into Anaphylaxis stage. One troubling question came across my mind: whether she had been accidentally exposed to peanuts (but our house is practically gluten free and peanuts free). Emily’s blood test on peanuts was > 100, so high that even the computer couldn’t detect the exact score.

No words could describe how much relieved I was when she started to breath again (thank God) as I was going to administer EpiPen injection on her.

Later, we found out that she has a viral sore throat. The red sore throat makes her hard to swallow and it looked as if she was choked.

So for now, we’re just going to wait till the symptoms go away.

As we’re approaching to a new week, I would like to share a poem about blessings.

We all certainly need those sweet drops so called - blessings. For me, the poem reminds me not only to the beauty of blessings themselves - but to their Giver.

As the words of the poem are wise, may it warm your heart.

Take care all. I do hope, you all are well and stay healthy.

God Bless ~~ Annita.

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Irish Blessing Poem
By Unknown Author

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

May God be with you and bless you:
May you see your children’s children.
May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings.
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.

May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home
And may the hand of a friend always be near.

May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you.

COLLECTIVELY Written Christmas Meme

IMAGES SOURCE. Pic 1,2 AND 3: by Anna Wolniak
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Even as an adult I find it difficult to sleep on Christmas Eve.

Yuletide excitement is a potent caffeine, no matter your age.

=== A Quote by Carrie Latet ===

We made our guests shook their heads in disbelief when they knew we still listened to James Taylor Christmas Album in … Summer. And when the outside temperature signaled it’s an almost perfect time to fry an egg on top of our black car, we’re cooling off inside the house ‘accompanied’ by Bing Crosby’s Winter Wonderland.

Yes, Christmas songs have always been the most - by request - played songs in our house.

Earlier this week, Shinade at Painted Veil tagged me to participate on this special meme tag.

I just have to make a confession that this tag definitely has worked like a charm on my lazy head. Ah, who couldn’t refuse to write a post about something that is so dear in many hearts. The thought of Christmas brings warmth for small and big souls. The meaning of Christmas itself often reminds me that there will always be Hope for this world. A hope for everybody who needs it.

Bye the way, can you believe we’re counting down to another Christmas?

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OK, I better curb my Christmassy imaginations for now and here is a list of 5 fellow bloggers that I’d like to invite/tag :

1. Marenda

2. Lynne

3. Sophiagurl

4. Janet

5. LynnEmery

Here are the rules:

The first group of bloggers that are tagged below will add 2 lines to the first text line that is provided.

In those added lines, one word will have to be hyperlinked to their own blog, and their post will have to include a link to Santa’s Community Blog.

Please include line numbers, and please also include a call to all bloggers to join Santa’s Community here on MyBlogLog!

Then tag 5 more bloggers (picking existing members of the community would be a good start), who will add their next 2 lines, and they tag another 5 more bloggers, etc. etc.

You can turn the text after the first line into a Christmas Short Story, a Poem, a Carol, whatever you feel like doing.

When the text has reached 21 lines, you are asked to submit the story.

You can do that by leaving a comment to this message, with a link to your own post.

We will select the best, nicest, warmest, funniest Collectively Written Christmas Stories and publish them here on Santa’s Community Blog.

Santa’s Community Blog Collective Christmas

Meme1- The day before Christmas a young little girl

2-Went to visit Santa at Santa’s Community Blog to tell him what she wanted for Christmas

3-She had been told by Shinade at The Painted Veil what a wonderful and sweet dear man Santa was and that he invited everyone to join Santa’s Community and help him spread Christmas cheer. So where Santa was concerned she was so happy to be so near.

4- Thousands miles away, far from the congested city the little girl lives, the smell of Christmas has slowly started to bloom in this mountainous village. Tucked in between a glowing eternal rainbow and the snowy covered pine trees, there lives the Santa’s Community.

5- In that village, magic transfixing snowfalls have fallen down. Enthusiasms and Christmas spirits have filled and echoed every heart. As the Christmas countdown has began, letters from around the world have also over-flowingly arrived at Santa’s Post Office. On that day, there was Elf Annita (at FOOTPRINTS) working along with her friends: Maureen, Janet, Sophiagurl,Lynne and LynnEmery.

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Poem: “Fall, leaves fall”

IMAGES SOURCE. Pic1 AND 2: by Jamie Harris. Both pics have been digitally enhanced by me.

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Fall, leaves, fall

By Emily Jane Brontë

Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away;
Lengthen night and shorten day;
Every leaf speaks bliss to me
Fluttering from the autumn tree.

I shall smile when wreaths of snow
Blossom where the rose should grow;
I shall sing when night’s decay
Ushers in a drearier day.

“Totally Fabulous Award”

Last Monday was a good day.

Shinade (Jackie) at Painted Veil surprised me by dropping off a little surprise in my comment box. Gosh, who doesn’t like a good surprise on … Monday morning. Thank you Jackie for your thoughtfulness!

The creator of this award, Christy at Christy of Totally Faboulous, says the award is for “bloggers who are fun, cool, and of course Totally Fabulous!” There are many many fabulous blogs created by fabulous people. But for now, here is the list of fellow bloggers that I would love to pass along this award to.

~ Zunnur at A little Time

~ Hin Man at Hin’s Blog

~ Eagerblogger at Extrasuper Mom

~ Janet at Daily Provision

~ Sophiagurl at Life is Just Around The Corner

~ LynneEmery at Be Encouraged

~ Marenda at Marenda Biz

Poem: The I’s of Me

IMAGE SOURCE. Pic 1: by Dez Pain. Pic 2: by Konrad Baranski . BOTH PICTURES have been (slightly) digitally enhanced by me..

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Human rights rest on human dignity. The dignity of man is an ideal worth fighting for and worth dying for.

=== A Quote by Robert Maynard ===

Today is a special day.

Across the globe, thousands of bloggers are uniting to join the Stop to Abuse Campaign.

As you all know, abuse has so many faces and one of them is the emotional abuse.

I have seen the damage of this kind of abuse. A soul was being violated and - raped. Most victims quietly carry the emotional scars as if nothing happened. Only beneath their smiles, lay a very much broken soul. And dignity is possibly a foreign word to them. A sense of “I” has hid in their closets.

 

Thus, it’s the day that we are all reminded again about those silent victims. Many have survived but many still remain in the shadows. Each day their existence as a person is being invalidated again - and again.

I have this hope that through this campaign, more people will recognize abuse as an epidemic while on the other hand, at the same time, we are reaching out to the victims.

And yes, in one accord, WE ARE BREWING HOPE.

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The I’s of Me

=== by Unknown Author (”Twilight Child”) ===

There are too many voices
I cannot see
I cannot hear
the real Me.
Am I alive
or did I die?
Did I forget myself?
I keep wondering why
I am not an I
I am not a Me

There are others locked inside of me.
they have a lot to say
in spite of Me.

An Inner Child: A Magical Carpet Ride

Pictures Source. Pic 1: by Jyn Meyer. Pic 2: by Matthew Bowden. BOTH PICTURES have been digitally enhanced by me.

 

A GROWNUP is a child WITH layers on

=== Woody Harrelson ===

Each year as I celebrate my birthday, I put another layer on my inner child.

Now, the world sees me as a thirty something year old woman but a recent tag by a good friend, serves as a good reminder that my inner child still in fact resides in my heart.

Here comes a memory of my childhood: mom and myself used to flock in front of telly watching the Genie series. Time has gone by but a memory of the Genie princess still somehow lingers in my mind.

Never in my wildest dreams a handsome Genie King and a beautiful Genie Princess presented me a very special gift: a magical carpet to ride on. They apparently know about me through my good friend Zunnur, the Gennie Buddy.

The rules states that I shall pass on the magical carpet to 5 friends but I am clearly bending the rule here.

Therefore, here is the list of friends that I would really like to invite for the magical ride:

~ Sari (private blog)

~ Jimmy (private blog)

~ Hin Man

~ Janet

~ Lynne

~ Shinade

For the time being, I am putting a couple things in my Doraemon Bag: a binocular, a barometer, a camera, a world map, a giant flannel blanket, SNACKS for everybody and ….. the list still goes on.

Please visit the Genie Princess’s website for complete rules and to get the codes.

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***Start Copying Here***

Rules:

1. Write a short paragraph about your visit by the two Genies and include a link to the blog that passed on the Genie Symbol to you.
2. COPY the Rules and ENTIRE List below and post it on your blog.
3. List down your wish.
4. Place your name below the last name on the list and pass on the Genie Symbol to at least 5 other bloggers.
5. Please put up either one (or both) of the Symbols of the Genies on your blog to show that the Genies have visited your blog. Codes are given below:

Genie Princess

Genie Princess

Genie King

Genie King

The Genie King, the Genie Princess and their trusty Genie Buddy have visited:

Mariuca would like to wish for success and fame.

Adrian would like to wish for good health and happiness.

Emila would like to wish for happiness and success.

MPG would like to wish for love and peace.

Bobby would like to wish for the powers of Superman and immortality.

Jean would like to wish for stress-free work environment and happiness.

Trinity would like to wish good health for Jan’s brother & Yah & Wan & success.

Jesse would like a great isp and a Yummy box of chocolates.

Jay would like to wish for 10k visitors and readers per day.

Spiff, The Spaceman would like a billion US Dollars! (Am I being too greedy here?)

Rolando would like everyone’s hearts desire to come true.

Sam would like to wish for a happy & simple life and happiness to everyone.

Speedcat Hollydale would like a pet acorn monkey named “Monkee“.

Joezul would like to wish for all to get their wish come true.

Promthep would like to be successful in everything.

kumo would like to wish everybody a better day every next day.

NAFASG would like to build a better community for everyone.

Levian would like to be happy always.

Apple would like to be slimmer.

Menopauseprincess would like peace, happiness, love, health & prosperity for everyone!

Morgan would like to wish for love, laughter, sunshine & blue skies for EVERYONE!!!

Kellie would like to wish for happiness & love to be bestowed on her family & friends.

LadyJava would like to wish for love, health, beauty and wealth for one and all.

Keeyit would like to wish for staying healthy and happily with family.

Colleen wishes everyone be well and happy.

Spookygrace would like to have a busy traffic and making money blog.

Shinade would like to send love,peace,wealth and good health to everyone.

Cotojo would like more Love, Peace, Harmony, Understanding and safety for our children throughout the entire world.

Bobo would like health and wealth for everyone she loves (including all her blogfriends).

Auntie Dar would love to end animal cruelty.

Chinnee would like to wish for happiness and good health forever!

Ozzieblackcat would like to wish for success for her blog!

Rinnah would like to wish for more good paying opps to come my way!

Bless would like to wish for more happiness & more blessing for family & world peace.

La Chanson de Phoenix would like to wish for a small bottle of sweet perfume.

Sophiagurl would like to wish for the good health of her mom and dad, peace and prosperity for her brother’s family, a baby for her sister, good health and blessings for her husband and two daughters,peace, love and happiness for everyone.

Zunnur would like to wish for an escape to a place with fresh air, green earth, blue skies and nice people.

Annita would like to wish [ ........ ] ^_^

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Welcome aboard the Magical Flying Carpet for the Ride of your Life!

Alakazam!

***End Copying Here***