~PEACE THIS VALENTINE'S DAY~

Celebrating LOVE today in it's purest form.

I hope your day is wonderful and filled with hugs, kisses and lots of love and affection.

Yesterday was a tough day visiting my beloved father in ICU.  He's hooked up to machines and he remains unresponsive.

  (Thank you to those of you who stopped by yesterday and for your kindness and prayers towards my family.)

My heart is broken.

I was hoping my dad would wake up so I could see his beautiful eyes again and he could see my children as they stood by my side...

He'd be so proud of them and the amazing human beings they've become.

Before we left for the evening we all held hands and I prayed over the man who did the same for me so many times.  My mind raced back to the time when I was four and in the hospital with some blood disorder.  He was my rock.  He was strong.  He was my hero.

I remember the sound of his deep melodic voice and the prayers he prayed over me as I cried in his arms and begged to go home.

If I could have crawled up onto the hospital bed and laid beside my father I would have.  Instead, I held his right hand and kissed his lips and white whiskery cheeks.  I breathed in long and slow before asking God to show mercy upon His humble servant, William, and bring peace to his long suffering mind and body...

Peace.
In whatever form God sees best to send it.

For as long as I live I will miss the tiny box of chocolates my father left for me each and every Valentine's Day morning and the little "I LOVE YOU" cards scribbled out in his distinctive hand.  Although not without flaw, he will always be perfectly imperfect in my eyes and I will forever remain a blessed daughter.

Blessings as you remember that

LOVE NEVER FAILS.

(I Corinthians 13:8 NIV)...

Love to you~

BEYOND THE BLING

Just a quick POST today! We are venturing out on the estate sale circuit (my favorite thing to do on Saturday) and I'm already running behind. Imagine that...me being late for something!? I'm afraid my hubbs has grown use to me being tardy for EVERYTHING!

When I woke up this morning I found this beautiful Bicycle Planter in my breakfast room. The back basket held a special arrangement of beautiful flowers and on the seat were two cards (one serious and one funny) and my favorite cheap candy, a Russel Stover's Strawberry Cream Heart.

Now, don't get me wrong. I love roses and dinner out, Godiva Chocolates, diamonds, etc. Roses will forever and always be my favorite flower (not red, but soft pink) and who can resist and bit of BLING or a decadent treat now and then? It's just that for ME I've longed for something different. I mean, the roses I see growing in my garden are truly my favorite (can't wait for them to bloom) and of course anything that comes "special delivery" (and on no particular day and for no particular reason) takes my breath away~ After many happy years of marriage I still love it that my hubbs comes up with his own definition of ROMANCE!

Take this charming Planter for example. I saw it about a month ago at Tuesday Morning and I sooooo wanted it for one of my front flower beds. But, even their "off-price" price tag was too high for me and so I passed it by without saying a word. My AGPM (A Gathering Place Man) must have noticed me eyeing it because he commented on it's unique style and form. I only smiled as I ran my fingers over the handlebar and walked away. He listened and watched...has grown accustomed to the look of wanting on my face and read it like a favorite book.

"All the wealth in the world cannot be compared with the happiness of living together united." 

Saint Marguerite D'Youville

Blessings...

Rebecca

AN OPEN LETTER TO My Beloved...MY VALENTINE

MY BELOVED AND I

(Yes! That is us in 1977)

In a world where the nightly news is full of grim predictions on both marriage and parenting, I'm thankful that in at least one category I've been very fortunate to not fall through the statistical cracks... Now, this can in no way, shape or form be attributed to anything I have done...on the contrary! I just happened to find an amazing man...

It is with great pride I share publicly an edited version of the Valentine letter I mailed today to the man of my dreams...

"Dearest Steven..

I suppose in many ways, this little note to you is way overdue. I should have made time to pen these thoughts to you many, many moons ago. Regrettably, I’ve allowed years and years of busy days and hectic nights to pass by without reassuring you of my constant love, ever growing respect and admiration. It is you I love…only you…forever you! Always and forever you will be my Valentine.

I believe you are a true “Giver”. I’ve never known anyone who can match your generosity in time spent or in money given or love shared. It is important to me for you to understand that even if no one else ever notices how big your heart is, I do.

I suspect we both will be long gone before either of our children will fully understand the depths of your love for them. I’ve never known a person to work so incredibly hard and yet require so little in return from those who claim to love them. You have set the mark of selflessness beyond the reach of all of us. I feel ashamed that my restless heart will never equal yours. In over thirty years of marriage I have often failed at being all of what you deserved and I can only pray that if blessed with another thirty I’ll be afforded the chance to repay you for all the kindnesses you have bestowed upon me.

I want you to know that I believe you to be the best father and husband in the world. Your work ethic and your commitment to the success of your children remains unequaled. Your faith in me has been nothing less than inspiring. Your love and devotion to the three of us, even when it meant giving up on your own dreams, convinces me that you alone are worthy of everything good…everything lovely.

I pray God’s grace and an added portion of strength be showered upon you today. I pray for you clear thoughts and tireless shoulders as you work with purpose and joy. Mostly, I’ll be praying that you will be blessed with the knowledge that you are deeply loved by this pink rose lovin, can't find her cell phone, 'um, honey...I ran out of gas again', 'Can you fix another chair for me?', high-maintenance gal...


Looking forward to more “us days” and sharing my heart with you…"

Blessings to you as you celebrate with those you love this Valentine's Day...

Rebecca