Bringing Memories Home

In my last blog I told about my family going to a place I remembered from my childhood and from many visits through all of the years.  There was, and if I am honest, is a certain sadness that I am unable to go on an outing right now such as this.  That sadness could not bloom into something bad as my husband, daughter and grandson took the time to take pictures and bring back such stories told with enthusiasm sharing with me the memories of the day.  They brought the memories home.

I looked at the pictures and it is still so beautiful.  When I saw the water flowing over the dam I could remember not only the sight and sound as it literally roared with the power of such massive amounts of water flowing, but you can feel it.  You can feel the cool radiate from the cold spring water and feel the low rumble feeling of the power of the water.  The sound is almost a roar and the site is awesome.

The actual spring is 70 foot below the surface of the water you see as you enjoy the view.  It forms a large pond with a color rarely seen.  The water is so crystal clear but also so very deep it has a magnificent color of blue to it.  

 The massive amounts of water flowing through from the pond and then over the dam make a display of sparkling patterns and diamond like reflecting shimmers exploding below as it rushes on to make the Spring River.

I guess in some ways I see things differently from some.  We all do that in our own way.  When we would go up into the hills of the Ozarks in the Fall I would often get so excited seeing the colors of the trees.  There are times I would look at the bare branches of trees in the winter and see beauty as they created patterns against the sky.  I might see a tree with and interesting twist to the form of the branches.  I might look up through the trees and appreciate the canopy formed by the living branches and leaves above. 

When I looked through the pictures I found one from the view below looking up through the tree leaves.  I had to smile as I knew my daughter had been thinking of me and there was a tree picture for momma.

 

My daughter laughs as she remembers more than one occasion when I would gasp pointing,  “Look at that.  Look!”

She seemed puzzled and would ask what in the world I was looking at.  I would point to a tree that seemed almost ablaze with color and say,  “That tree….it is so beautiful.”

In a forest of trees I am so excited as I see a tree.  There are times we forget to look for the tree as all we see is the forest.  There are so many little things in life that are so beautiful.

Sitting under the huge limbs of an old tree, enjoying the shade and view I have often noticed some weed growing near by.  At first glance it really is a weed but if we look closer they often have some tiny little flowers that are the most delicate and beautiful sites.

The look of excitement in the eyes of my grandson as he reels in a fish or sees all of these sights for the first time would be a site of beauty.  I did not have to completely miss these things.  When they got home he was filled with such excitement as he could not wait to tell of his adventures.  My daughter and husband had smiles and tales to tell of all of the things seen and done for the day and pictures to go with it.

When those we love show their love in return by taking such joy in making me feel a part of the day and the memories it is something not to be missed.  When others take the time to not only share but to include and show love we need to take the time to see what it really is they are doing.  Each one of the pictures is a moment captured to bring home and share.

When they got home the excitement of the day was still with them.   The idea of a bonfire came to life.  The end of a perfect day shared in the last moment of daylight as darkness surrounded and the time to tell each story of their adventures.   Tales told around the fire ended a perfect day for all.  (It also cleans up any limbs that need to be picked up in a really fun way)

Bringing Home Memories and the memories of those we love.  I hope you each and every one have a wonderful day and create some wonderful memories to share with someone you love.

An Easter Gift

I have been enjoying the beautiful Spring weather and the flowers all around.  I have felt almost overwhelmed as I gazed at the mint green color of the new leaves forming on the trees that contrast against the darker green of the pines.  Overhead the sky had the deep blue with drifting puffs of clouds showing no threat of storms.

The sun streamed down through the trees creating patterns below.  The days have been so beautiful.  I see new life all around.  The flowers are blooming and the trees leaves are now vibrant in their new green.  Every day shows changes as we swiftly move toward summer.

New flowers, new leaves, new days and so many new things surround us.  This time of the year reminds me of many things.  It is a time of rebirth as the earth around me moves from the stark dormant looking stages of winter to the intensity of new flowers and plants springing forth around us.

As Easter draws near, I catch myself thinking back.  I remember so many Easters now that it almost makes me feel old.  I remember many things.  I ran across an old photo of me as a young child.  I was younger than my grandson.  I remember our children and now our grandchildren.  I remember. 

A memory in a photo of years ago....She is now a mother making memories with her own son...my grandson.  Precious memories of precious people.  

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 The picture I found of me at Easter is a distant memory. 

I look now at the little ones and see not the next generation but the generation after that.  My daughter smiles watching her son and they too are making memories.  We are sharing the moments and the world is fair.  I see the smiles and it makes me smile.  I look over at my parents and with the four generations laughing and feeling the emotions of the day....I smile. 

I think of what a blessing new can be.  Remembering back to wonderful times shared... warms the soul but thinking about now and tomorrow brings new hope for even more memories for the future. 

Not long ago I wrote telling about the special event with my new book.  I have to take the time to again mention and provide the links offering this freely to all.  I hope you will find it something that has meaning or that you can relate to.   I hope you will share with a friend or family member.  I hope if it helps or touches you, you will pass it on to another.  There are times that life can be so difficult, but it seems easier when we do not feel so alone.  I hope at this time of year, you each have someone special to share a wonderful time with….not just one day on a holiday but thinking of the many wonders around us and the life that we have this moment.  We may not know what the future holds but we can strive to appreciate and make the most of the time we have right now.

I wanted to share something special and from the heart.  I wanted to be able to create something that might reach out and touch others.  All I have to share is me.  That is what I have tried to do with the new book I WILL NOT GIVE UP…NOT TODAY…LIFE IS A JOURNEY.  In this book I tried to find words for things that had no words.  I tried to find a way to share thoughts, feelings, and times in my life.  I hope that by doing this there might be someone somewhere who finds hope.  I hope they will find the belief and know not to give up…not today.  I hope they find a way in the journey of life.  With this book I hope to have found a way to share things from times that were so difficult but have not ended my life.  They are just another part of the journey.

If you know of a person who has suffered injury and pain you know it can be so difficult to endure and still hope for the future.  If you or someone you know finds out or hears the words…cancer…operate…and a few other things, you really understand how impossible it might seem to think and strive for the future or learn to accept there are some things that we can not change.  If we can not change a thing, then what can we do?  I do not claim to have all of the answers for life but if I share honestly I hope it might help another to feel the hope enough to find what ever answers are right for them.  I hope you never give up.

Starting April 4^th I will be sharing this book for free for three days.  It is my Easter gift.  It is my way to reach out.  I hope you all have a wonderful Easter and find joy and memories to last a lifetime.  I wish for you good things and peace.

My Easter gift is to offer this part of my heart and life for free for three days and hope that it might reach beyond the pages with the thoughts and details described to help others.  I hope that as each person reads the words they too feel they will not give up…not today and that they have a wonderful journey in their own lives ahead.  I hope the feel the wonder of a new day and hope for the future.

April 4 through April 6 the book   I Will Not Give Up…Not Today…Life Is A Journey  will be    FREE

                                    Ebook  US  http://amzn.to/yf1tdZ    

                                    Ebook  UK   http://amzn.to/xcWxDd

SILENT NIGHT

SILENT NIGHT

‘Silent Night’ was my Grandmother’s favorite Christmas song.  When I hear the words it brings back wonderful memories and a silent sadness feeling the loss of the loved ones in my life.  The words, silent night instigate a mixture of thoughts and emotions.  The night may be silent because it is filled with peace, hope, and quite solitude.  It might be filled with silence because of loneliness, depression or even despair and hopelessness.  This is the time of year that can intensify emotions and memories.

Many people are busy buying all that they can to make the season bright and wonderful.  I do not believe that we can buy love or happiness.  I do think that if you can afford to buy what you desire, it can give you a wonderful feeling to give to others and be able to share something special with someone that you love.

Love is or should be the important thing.  There are so many people that are suffering hardship, misery, and pain.  It would be wonderful if we could reach out and magically make all things bright and wonderful filling the world with peace and love.  We have no such magic, but we do have magic of our own in each heart if we can find a way to bring it out.

If we take the time to care and share at this magic time of the year, we can make a difference.  It may be with a relative that has been sick or seemed down hearted and we take the time to visit or bring a box of cookies.  It could be helping a stranger.  It could be a wonderfully magic time watching the smiling faces of children as they find their brightly wrapped packages under the tree.  It could be sharing a few cans of food for the local food bank, a few coins or more if you could in the buckets as you hear the bells ring reminding you that this is the time of year you can make a difference.  Maybe you bought an extra toy to donate to those less fortunate.  You might let your own child take the toy in and feel a part of making the holiday special for someone less fortunate reminding them of how blessed and plentiful their own lives are and that we should never forget to reach out and help if we can.

Silent night may be a lonely night and a difficult time with sad memories.  I hear a lot of two kinds of thought.  You have those that are filled with the spirit of the season and smile with hope of peace and love and joy.  You also hear those who find comfort in the Scrooge syndrome of “Bah, Humbug.”  There does not seem to be a lot in between.  I sometimes find myself to be a little of both.

I have bright and warm memories of Christmas but also stark and desperate memories that bring a lonely, sad and silent feeling.  I hope that we can each and every one remember that there are those all around us that need the warmth of friendship and love or a helping hand at this most holy time of year.  I wish for each and everyone to find peace and hope for a bright and fulfilling future allowing their silent night to be one of joy to be alive and peace knowing that we are not alone in this world.  I believe that God is with us.  May God bless and keep you each and every one and you have a very Merry Christmas filled with love and the joy that comes in sharing and reaching out to others.  May this wonderful feeling fill your heart and stay with you through out the year and all of the years to come.

Merry Christmas

Linda J. Nance