The Gift of Flowers

I believe that flowers are a great way of communicating whats in your heart. There are many cultures in the world that use flowers to express emotion. The very meaning of the Hawaiian word Lei (a garland of flowers worn around ones neck) is love. In early Polynesia, the intertwining of Maile vines was thought to establish peace between two groups. At this point in time, the gift of a lei symbolizes love and affection towards the other. Leis are a beautiful gift because of their heavenly scent!

In China, a different, albeit similar way of showing "aloha" is by way of giving a bouquet of eight red flowers, which symbolizes happiness and long life while the number eight represents good luck. In Holland, there is a saying that goes "Food feeds the body, but flowers feed the soul." I really enjoy the meaning behind this saying because I adore flowers and all that they represent. It makes ladies feel important and men feel like gentlemen. Those are the things that are attractive to me as a lady. Additionally, wearing a flower in ones hair will insure people of the opposite sex will be more attracted to your flowery scent. And we can all appreciate the fact that any aroma coming from the ladies ALWAYS smells like roses! Nest-ce pas?:)

If the Truth Be Told

I like it when people say what they mean, mean what they say, and are capable of being honest to the bone.

I'm thinking about people who have an honor disability - they say they will do things, yet those things never come to pass.

This is something that drives me crazy, because I believe that above everything else we must have an air and a distinction of believability and a genuine loving and caring for all people, regardless of who they are. I believe that without those traits, who are they? I really don't know. It is very difficult for me to name those individuals as they don't seem to know who they are themselves. I wish that they would get out of the road, as they're taking up too much space. Additionally, I believe that those individuals essentially make me feel less jolly and instead they bring me to a place of utter frustration and ultimately a lack of understanding of who they are trying to be. The price that they are charging is too expensive for all of us and I basically feel the need for those individuals to smarten up and be who they say they are and really mean it!

They should just not say they are going to do something, if they are not going to do it. We all need to be at peace with each other, find the good things about each other and state them honestly. Being honest with ourselves and with each other is a good place to start.

When I say that I love, I mean it to the "n"th degree. When I love, I love clearly and deeply and I hope that I will always be able to speak frankly and honestly - to those ears who will listen and understand.

To all of those people who are listening to me this day, I wish you love, honor, believability and ultimately the greatest happiness of all: to love and be loved.

My Great Aunt Madge Who Wasn't So Great

With Mothers Day approaching, thoughts of my Great Aunt Madge have been coming to mind.

Great she was not, but she certainly had several silly habits that give me rise to speak about her at this moment. She was forever saying "How 'bout that? How 'bout that?" She never stopped saying "How 'bout that?" and it drove everyone kinda nuts - in fact, it's what draws me into writing this little blog about her. She was so silly that the memory of her remains quite in tact.

My Great Aunt Madge, who wasn't really so great, was really quite silly in her manner of communication. My Great Aunt Madge was exhaustingly silly and everyone in my family was just so annoyed by the utter sound of her conversations that droned on and on, seemingly forever.

She was so funny that you couldn't extract yourself from the conversation - once trapped by her you had to pay the penance of her catching you and boring you with her long, drawn-out conversation, when in reality, all you wanted to do was to talk on the phone with your boyfriend.

But you had to sit and listen as it was truly the only thing you could do to be polite and show good manners.

When Great Aunt Madge passed away, we all felt really bad - like we had done something that was beneath us. We realized how much we really did care about her and wished that we would have been far grander to her for her loving, heart-warming spirit. In fact, in the end we all felt saddened by her memory as she really had been a lovely person who deserved better than we had given her. Now that I look back at her with a clearer eye, she really was great!

The Importance of Friendship

What does friendship mean to you? I had quite the opportunity to learn about the meaning of friendship just this afternoon. My trustworthy friend did not show up when I expected her to. I was really frightened. So much so that I wept and felt tremendously alone, a feeling I do not like to experience - ever. This gave me an opportunity to examine myself.

It stands to reason that trust is a really important part of friendship, as we obviously need to trust the people we are embarking on this journey of life with - at least on some level or another. It was a beautiful afternoon on Maui, my beloved home, when I had this experience of feeling like I had no control, of being stuck and totally alone, with only my music and prayer to keep me company.

I suppose that the most important realization I learned is that God is always there so we need not fear being alone.

Another realization I came upon was how lovely it is to have good friends, hopefully in abundance, so I don't have to feel alone, because solitude is not something that I thrive on. In fact, I prefer to have the company of my lovely friends, of which I am blessed to have many. However, when they're not around I feel disconnected and a little lonely.

So how do I solve the problem? I need to feel confident that, no matter what happens, I will always be "covered" by God's love for me, no matter how grim I feel about the circumstances I am experiencing.

I think what I'm really trying not to say is that I, too, have fears that make me very human. I need to always remember that through God's love I am strong and always protected. I can find laughter and great joy if I will just turn around and look so that I will see that it's been there for me all along.

In essence, "Don't worry, be happy."

Lyrics Reflect the Signs of our Times

What I would love to speak about today is the magical correlation between music and the signs of our times. I believe that music is essentially another form of writing about such interesting subjects as love, war, the environment, personal relationships, politics, family upsets, and such.

For instance, the vibrant lyrics that came from Billy Joel in his epic tale about "We Didn't Start the Fire" reflected the times that many of us grew up in. Many thanks to Billy Joel for such a brilliant portrayal of life in the 20th Century. In my opinion, Billy never sounded wiser or more "hip" to what was going on in our life and times.

Let's also remember Joni Mitchell, Sonny & Cher, Bob Dylan, the Beatles, Bob Marley and many countless others of their genre who are to be saluted for the contributions that they made.

On Forgiveness and Love

One can never over-emphasize the importance of forgiveness. In essence, forgiveness does many things to the mind, the body and the soul. Through forgiveness we heal from the inside out and we learn to love one another unconditionally. Another feature of forgiveness is that it is very freeing to oneself, so that we might think more clearly. When we think more clearly, we can show the love we have in our hearts.

While we're in the process of freeing ourselves, we are also manifesting the care and love that inevitably comes from our God in Heaven. As we let go, God can come in and heal our hurting hearts. We can then be freed from the sadness and move into the gladness.

Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:13)

Aloha nui loa and hui ho!

Old Friends... And ReConnecting

The feeling you get when you reconnect with and old friend you've lost touch with-someone who meant so much to you; when you realize that they've been missing you too.

The feeling is nothing short of sweet and wonderful. And Gosh, I wish I had that happen more often. So make sure you keep your eyes open for such a fun thing to happen. It brings light to my eyes and song to my voice. How about you? What do you feel when someone shares that they were thinking about you too?

I have recently had a personal experience in which through Facebook, I found out that several people had been looking for me, and I did not know that. So, if you do have Facebook; make sure you check it often, so that you have left no stone unturned should somebody be looking for you. It is very exciting to learn that you have a friend from University or from High School or from any time in your past where someone may be attempting to reconnect with you as in fact; they are out there, we just need to know that they are there.

This has happened to me several times this year from Facebbook and let me tell you, it is really fun to find out that someone out there still has a place in thier heart for you. Especially when you have room for them in yours.

Just keep your eyes open! :)

Bridge Over Troubled Water

Something that Jesus was always talking about was that he would be there for us. Like a bridge he has laid himself down.

That is what he said; he died for us-for our sins. What that means to me is the ultimate sign of true love, that superscedes all other loves that we can ever know in this lifetime.

Additionally, as I am going through my own "troubled waters" it has a distinct meaning to me in my life right now. As maybe it means something distinctly to you, my readers.

I too, need all the friendships that I can muster up to help me deal with my personal need for someone, if not God; to help me lighten the load that I am having to bear at this time. Perhaps you, can relate to me as well.

In Jesus Christ's Holy name; Amen.

Bridge Over Troubled Water

- Simon and Garfunkel

When you're weary Feeling small When tears are in your eyes I will dry them all I'm on your side When times get rough And friends just can't be found Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down When you're down and out When you're on the street When evening falls so hard I will comfort you I'll take your part When darkness comes And pain is all around Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down Sail on Silver Girl, Sail on by Your time has come to shine All your dreams are on their way See how they shine If you need a friend I'm sailing right behind Like a bridge over troubled water I will ease your mind Like a bridge over troubled water I will ease your mind

Let It Be

There are times in my life that I feel a bit lonely or a tad bit introspective. I think of those times as being very important to have, so that I can expound upon them and thereby get to know what it is that I am feeling.

Whether it be sad or happy or somewhere in between; all these feelings are real and are important to possibly identify where I am at. Sometimes I don't really know the answer to that question and I have found that, that is okay. Just, Let It Be.... Be at Peace.

Let It Be

-The Beatles

When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree,
there will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted there is still a chance that they will see,
there will be an answer. let it be.

Let it be, let it be, .....

And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light, that shines on me,
shine until tomorrow, let it be.
I wake up to the sound of music, mother Mary comes to me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

Let it be, let it be, .....

I Hope You Dance !!

Dear Friends,

There are some things I would like to speak to you about.

In essence what I would like to say is this:

Don't sit out on Life!!

Make sure you don't lose your sense of wonder and the humility to recognize the beauty that is around us.

Don't miss out on the opportunties of life and live with regrets... wondering where the time went.

And, as Lee Ann Womack says so profoundly; I hope you dance:

I Hope You Dance - Lee Ann Womack

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake
But it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart
Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out
Reconsider
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)

(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

Love Is In The Air

As Valentines day approaches is seems appropriate to send a message of Love and happiness.

It appears from the Google Analytics, that you as my readers are enjoying my messages that speak of Music, Love and Gods Word. Therefore, I have chosen to share with you another song that speaks of Love.

LOVE IS IN THE AIR (John Paul Young)

Love is in the air
Everywhere I look around
Love is in the air
Every sight and every sound

And I don't know if I'm being foolish
Don't know if I'm being wise
But it's something that I must believe in
And it's there when I look in your eyes

Love is in the air
In the whisper of the trees
Love is in the air
In the thunder of the sea

And I don't know if I'm just dreaming
Don't know if I feel sane
But it's something that I must believe in
And it's there when you call out my name

(Chorus)
Love is in the air
Love is in the air
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh

Love is in the air
In the rising of the sun
Love is in the air
When the day is nearly done

And I don't know if you're an illusion
Don't know if I see it true
But you're something that I must believe in
And you're there when I reach out for you

Love is in the air
Every sight and every sound
And I don't know if I'm being foolish
Don't know if I'm being wise

But it's something that I must believe in
And it's there when I look in your eyes

Love Is...

1 Corinthians 13 >>  GOD'S WORD ® Translation

4 Love is patient. Love is kind. Love isn't jealous. It doesn't sing its own praises. It isn't arrogant. 5 It isn't rude. It doesn't think about itself. It isn't irritable. It doesn't keep track of wrongs. 6 It isn't happy when injustice is done, but it is happy with the truth. 7 Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up. 

Oh, But for the Love of a Mother!

Today I want to say a piece about my son and what he is enduring at this point in time.  

He is enduring one of the scariest times of his life (and mine) as I am his loyal and faithful mother.  He has the swine flu and it really scares me to death! 

I remember so distinctly another time my son Matthew scared the life out of me. Matthew had essentially broken his face.  My son was a crazy guy who had no fear, just the need for speed.  And, he exercised that need to the nth degree.  He wanted to live life to the fullest, and he would fall and hurt himself constantly.  He was ten when he finally had crossed the barrier of doing so much to himself that he nearly died.  

He had gone over the edge of a concrete curb and had broken all the bones in his face and head.  It was the worst thing for a mother to have to live thru.   My Matthew had done a major job on nearly dying from his need for speed.  

And so, I am remembering him today in reference to what his last crazy thing that he has done; which is to get the swine flu.  

He has never stopped scaring his mother!  I guess my lot in life is to learn how to love him, just love him for all that he is; as he will probably always break something or another and cause me to worry.   

He has given me the most difficult task, and yet he has given me so much more.  

He has essentially been the love of my life for 20 years.  And, I would not give a day back for all the tea in China!  

Only a mother out there would truly understand this love that I'm speaking of, as it is so indescribable!  Only God Himself could have created such an astounding love;

The Love of a Mother. 

Love Yourself First

Always remember to love yourself first, as you never know who is watching...  

Or listening.  In fact, it may be  your own ears that are listening intently to your thoughts. Make sure that your thoughts resonate with the love that you have in your heart.  

Love, honor and cherish yourself in such a way that those around you stop and turn their head at the brilliance of who you are this day and this day forward. 

Make Sure You Say It

This is just a little thought from Tara; 

If you care about someone, tell them.  If you think something nice about another, make sure you let them know.  If you love someone, speak the words.

It's just so simple to say those wonderful words that can make someone's day.  When you make someone's day, the amazing thing is that it travels in a circle and spreads around the world, we don't know how far it goes.  Imagine all the good that you can do by just the simple act of speaking that kind or positive word.

Let people know that they are beautiful, that they are loved and that someone cares. Let them know that they matter.

Too many times we think things and don't say it.  Put it into words.  

Make sure you say it!

My Wonderful Life, Turned Nightmare From Hell, Part II

Four years later...

What I am dealing with now is the aftermath of the aforementioned events.  On the bright side, I can speak as well as I could before:  Thank God!  I can also walk. Improvements seem slow, but I never really cared much for running anyhow.  I plan to be snow skiing in the next couple of years, and spreading good cheer to all those who are less fortunate than I.  

What I really think I need to do is let it go and get on with the life that I now have.  It's just that the life I now have sucks in comparison to my old one due to a list of continuous infirmities.  The worse part is, IT NEVER SHOULD'VE HAPPENED, but, thanks to one bad doctor and a poor excuse for a hospital, it did.  Suing is too tough, because in medical malpractice it is nearly impossible to prove unless you have a lot of connections and/or cash, neither of which I have.  It has cost me and the insurance companies countless millions already.  

It is truly awful, and I have no one offering me the kind of empathy that I feel I need and deserve.  It seems that empathy should be the least form of comfort from the people in my family who are aware of the extreme nature of my pain, and yet I am sad to say that I don't receive it.  So what I do is take the medications I need to take to have help enduring this awful nightmare that has become my life at least a good portion of the time.  

I am still vision impaired, so it cuts to my very soul that I can no longer read and write. The persistent, sharp pains in my feet are like bolts of hot lightening that shock me and at times make me lose my train of thought.  I wish that I could say that this was the end of the list, but sadly for me it is not!  Let me tell you, this is all really frightening to me.  

You see, when you have one autoimmune disorder, you are subject to getting all autoimmune disorders.  When the body goes through so much trauma, especially in my case as a woman, it is common for autoimmune disorders to become amplified. My Sjogren's syndrome does nothing other than further aggravate the situation because now my mouth, my nose, and my eyes are terribly dry. My voice is altered depending upon how much moisture is being created.  On top of that, in the back of my mind I fear that the malignant cancer that was in my right kidney could return.

It would be remiss to not include the fact that I broke my hip in an unfortunate accident, and not mention, of course, the spasticity in my right side from the massive stroke I had four years ago.  Once again, it would be silly if I were to skip mentioning the thyroid near total removal a few years back.  

You can image that I thought the worst had been experienced!  Ha!  Guess again, buzzard breath, I say with tongue in cheek laughter.  Gosh, let's see, is that all?  Oh, I'm sure I fail to mention that my family looks to me as the head of the household and therefore everyone expects that I will stand up, brush myself off, and say the rehearsed words, "I shall prevail!" and not let this world get me down, meanwhile I really feel like I could crumble at almost any time.  

They all think of me as being so strong, but I just shake my head and think, "So strong... yeah."  What makes me so strong is the amazing love I have for my two children.  It's amazing how much love one can have for their children, while interestingly enough, you're really raising your children to stand on their own feet and leave you at some unannounced time. 

I just want to tell my story and not sound like a whiner.  So that is my story.  Please write on my wall with suggestions about how to deal with the enormity of this, I would love to hear any thoughts you might have.  

Aloha nui loa, a hui ho!

To be Cherished

What it is to be in love, not just to love but to be in love.  It is a magical feeling, and if you have it you are among the blessed.  If we do not consider ourselves among the blessed, then how do we find ourselves a way to be in that right relationship?  It is a dream of mine to cherish and be cherished--may I say or even think the word unconditionally, or is that too much?  I have not felt loved for so very long that I wonder whether it is among the possibilities.

There is an old french saying, and it goes something like this:  "Love, she can burn and she can last.  But she cannot do both."

I would treasure the thought that there is someone who would blow my socks off.  Here it goes, dare I say it, I want this so much that I don't know whether to even ask for it.  But oh my goodness, I long to know if that will ever be in my life again.  I want to feel that amazing hunger where you just can't get enough of the scent of his skin, oh yes, this will be bliss when next I stumble upon it.   

Matthew's Arrival

I am writing because I am so madly in love with my son, Matthew. He has become an incredible human being. In fact, he is the kind of person that I knew he would always be. He left for the University of Hawaii at Hilo and I cried my eyes out. I felt that I would not see him for far too long. 

And far too long was exactly what it was. If fact, he ended up falling in love with a young lady from Minnesota. My heart is broken and yet I am filled with pride that he has grown to be a caring and intelligent man with empathy for others. I am over the moon that he is learning those essential lessons like how to take care of himself and how to do his laundry and how to feed himself and how to spend 6 months on his own with no one to share anything with. These lessons are so important to me as I believe that you can not love someone else until you really like and enjoy yourself. And I believe that this is what I am seeing in him today.

He left as a kind of teenager and came back to me as a man. And, my God, I can't believe that he is such a great man. Do I sound a tad bit proud, like a mother cackling about her brood? I definitely think that I am over the top about him, but I think that I have so much to be proud of. 

The lady that he has fallen in love with, Katie, is going to the University of Minnesota to be a veteranarian. My son, Matthew, will be a businessman with his major in business. I think that I taught him well, because I said to him, "Matthew, if you want to become wealthy, here are the ways that you can do that. Firstly, you need to major in business." I was surprised by his agreement with me, as he often chose an opposite path from me. 

Here's hoping that Katie turns out to be everything that he was dreaming that she will be. And here's to that beautiful, tall man that he has become. My pride shines like a beacon.

An Ode to Kit - My Pastor, My Mentor and My Friend

When I say the word, "friend," I as a Christian know that it means more than just a simple "hello and good bye" kind of friendship. I remember in Jesus' time the wearing of robes was customary and therefore when someone offered you their robe in friendship, it was the same as saying they would give their life for you.  My dear friend Kit, I would be honored if you would take my imaginary robe and wear it as a symbol of our friendship. 

You have been such a phenomenal teacher to me throughout the years. I have come to know deeply our God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit through your teachings. You visited me in the hospital when I had a broken hip and when I had my life changing stroke that no one thought I would survive. You have been there for me as a true friend. To say that I admire you does not come close to the feelings that I want to express. 

Kit, you have been an inspiration to so many that I could only wish to make a mark on this world as you have done. The mark you have made is huge. Thank you for teaching me that when one door closes, another door opens. And so it is, Kit you have taught me how to deal with my own future passing with the knowledge that I am going to live forever in the arms of the one you have taught me to love. 

Valentine's Day is Almost Here...

Its Valentine's Day!

Are you ready?

It always seems that it comes too quickly.  If you're not ready yet, check out this website!  There's great ideas on there.  Including beautiful bouquets, gift baskets, and delicious gourmet chocolate!