Blog Archives

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Does Size Matter?

Something doesn’t sit right with me, and here it is. I have heard numerous times how one has to dream “big” in order to achieve something, become something, or change something. You know the old adage: Dream big or go home. I’ve come across some other sayings such as: If your dreams don’t scare you they aren’t big enough. Say what? Listen, I’ve got plenty of dreams, okay? Your dreams may not be my dreams, and I can guarantee that my dreams are not your dreams! But a dream is a dream is a dream. I just don’t buy the line, hook, and sinker that screams your dream doesn’t count or isn’t as important if it isn’t “big”! No sir! No ma’am!

Think what you will, but you can’t look down on my dream and say that yours is more important than mine. Or that my dream doesn’t count because it isn’t as”big.” Who are you to downplay my dream? Have you walked in my shoes?

When I wrote, “Running in Heels: A Memoir of Grit and Grace” I not only mention some of the heartaches I endured as a child and young adult, but I also mention the good times, the happy times, and the contented times. And you know what? Some looked down on those cheerful events that I wrote about because they seemed insignificant to them. Is that fair? Hey, I’m tickled pink you had a much “happier” life than me, nonetheless, those were my good times and they meant everything to this girl. And I will tell you this: I am a dream come true.

We all have goals, and we all dream dreams. Don’t try to be like anyone else. Be yourself and follow your heart. Pursue your dreams and don’t ever quit. Timing is everything and sometimes it takes baby steps. But don’t allow anyone to downplay your dreams! Ever. No matter the size.

18 Comments

June 23, 2016 · 7:06 PM

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Harness Your Fears

10363671_10209350480986849_8881949637113864818_n The Adventure-etts recently went on another road trip. We went ziplining, y’all. Got a bird’s eye view of surrounding mountains, meadows, and canyons, even, zipped above a small waterfall. Had to do a lot of mountain and cliff climbing, but after getting air back into our lungs, we zipped across ten separate ziplines. It was a blast!

What about my fear of heights, you asked? Well, I harnessed my fears! On the first try (after three steps forward and two back), my eyes focused straight ahead, as I walked off the plank and went over and zippidy-do-da across!

I felt exhilarated. After the third zipline, I was able to look down at the view.

The girls and I had a great time.

Would I do it again? Heck yeah! Would love to go with my grandson next.

Me and my girls: Judy, Deborah, & LeAnn

Boarding the Humvee

All aboard!

Zippity-Do-Da

We harnessed our fears!

Some things I refuse to do, but there are some things I’m willing to experience. More adventures to come with the Adventure-etts.

“What is life but one grand adventure?”

Previous excursion – Rise to the Occasion

7 Comments

March 19, 2016 · 10:31 PM

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Remembering the Challenger Crew

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From left: Ellison Onizuka, Mike Smith, Christa McAuliffe, Dick Scobee, Greg Jarvis, Ron McNair, and Judith Resnik.

“The crew of the space shuttle Challenger honored us by the manner in which they lived their lives. We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and ‘slipped the surly bonds of earth to ‘touch the face of God.’”

“Sometimes, when we reach for the stars, we fall short.

But we must pick ourselves up again and press on despite the pain.”

President Ronald Reagen, Jan. 28, 1986

2 Comments

January 28, 2016 · 10:04 PM

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Rise to the Occasion

Bucket list. I imagined I would. Some day. Always wanted to. But never really thought I’d actually go through with it.

My posse and I

I’ve been away on a mini-vacation, a road trip to San Marcus and to San Antonio. Not only did I go, but I went on this excursion with some great gal friends of mine. Overall, it was an exhilarating ride!

I learned a few things on this trip.

I learned that if you put your mind to a thing, you can fulfill a task (if you plan ahead). I knew that schedules don’t always go according to plan. You may come across a few bumps and potholes along the way, and the winding roads of life may take a bit longer to get to your destination. And I learned that I don’t always perform well in these situations. (Ahem.)

You see, my expectations may be to do thus and so, and once my mind is made up, I am in a wee bit of a hurry to get there. But I also learned that it’s best to stop and smell the roses and make every second count. Because if you don’t, you’ll regret not doing better when you could have. I learned (and I sometimes forget) to choose my battles, and not all hiccups mean the end of the world! I learned that making each moment count is what makes every memory cherished. I learned that, despite my strengths, I still have weaknesses that need improvement. Egads! I learned that growing older doesn’t necessarily mean you stop learning. I learned that no matter what, there is always something to be grateful for. And I learn (sort of already knew) that I have the bestest of friends! We love and accept one another–flaws and all–and if feeling down, we lift the other up!

So what did we do, you ask? You mean besides the driving, shopping, dining, visiting my in-laws, and shopping some more?

We went Up, Up and Away in My Beautiful Balloon!

Now, those who know me know that I have acrophobia (not to be confused with arachnophobia, which I also happen to have, but that’s another topic). Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have a fear of heights. Or is it a fear of falling? Either way, I tend to get the heebie-jeebies. I discovered I wasn’t the only one among us determined to face this fear. And so, face it, we did; we rose to the occasion. In fact, I was so busy taking photos on my phone that I didn’t have much time for that nervousness to take over.

Before takeoff, once the pilot said to hop in, we (about fifteen total in all) scrambled up inside that basket (with a bit of assistance from the crew), albeit somewhat clumsily, with one of our legs unable to lower from the ledge of the basket down in our tight space. So much for dignity.

To Deborah, Judy, and my new friend, LeAnn: Thanks for the memories. What’s next?

For your enjoyment, here are a few photos of our adventure.

Deborah & Judy

LeAnn and myself

Just about ready for takeoff.

All for one and one for all!

Up, up, and away!

The Adventure-etts: 3100 feet up!

Beautiful Sunset

Your life is like a balloon…if you never let yourself go, you will never know how far you can rise.

15 Comments

January 16, 2016 · 9:10 PM

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So Long for Now …

“Fred, Eric, Sarah, and Michael – to all of Susan’s extended family and beloved friends: My family and I extend our sincere condolences.”

Susan’s family

“My heart is heavy today. Susie was my friend. She reached out to me when I was going through some personal pain in my life. She welcomed me and my family into her heart and home over 30 years ago. Our daughters are the same age and have become close friends. Her youngest son and my son, a year apart, became diaper buddies. Our husbands (during my first marriage) even grew close!”

“I’d watch Susie. She had such an upbeat personality, and her words were always so encouraging. Even when I didn’t feel so ‘upbeat’ and ‘positive’, I couldn’t remain feeling down for too long around her. She had a way of hugging you while she patted you on the back … hard! Being around Susie, I learned how to communicate with my small children. I learned how to laugh with them. Susie just had a way with children – she genuinely liked them! I don’t think she ever met a stranger; conversation simply flowed out of her mouth, and she truly cared for the one she was speaking to.”

“Susie had child-like faith, always believing that her Heavenly Father was ready to grant her simple requests. Whether it was a petition for the salvation of loved ones or to save her nation, whether she sought a miracle for a deformed child or for her own healing, she knew that there was nothing too hard for God to handle, and never wavered in standing on His promises. She was a true worshiper. She loved to dance before the Lord and become lost in His presence. I don’t doubt she is up there now, dancing with our Savior!”

“Susie believed in hope. Hope against hope. Hope for a better day. Hope that God had something better. Hope that tomorrow will come. She trusted, loved, prayed, believed, laughed, encouraged, interceded, danced, worshiped, sang, rejoiced, wept, and praised! She convinced me that I could make it, that everything would be okay, that I was destined for greatness, and that with God ALL things were possible to them that believed.”

“I enjoyed being around her, but towards the end, I am ashamed to admit that I grew uncomfortable. We sometimes cower at the things we do not understand. We cringe at anything that may appear bleak before our eyes, and before we know it, our resolve weakens, our faith wavers, and our hope diminishes. Yet, our God is constant. Aren’t you glad His love’s unwavering, His tender mercies unfailing, His grace enduring? He doesn’t give up on any of us! He says in His Word, His grace is sufficient for us – His strength is made perfect in weaknesses.”

“Susie, thank you for the memories. You will be sorely missed. I rejoice knowing that your pain and suffering have come to an end. When you took your last breath here on earth, your next breath became your first one in heaven. You get to experience Christmas every day now, while we plod along doing all we know to do just to make it through another day.”

“And we who are left behind, may we not grow weary as we continue on this journey. May those of us who know Christ remember that this is not our permanent home. Through every tragedy, every trial, and every triumph, remind us, Lord, that You, oh God, have something greater in store for us. Although there are times we may not understand Your ways, God, may we remember that we can trust Your heart, for You know what’s best for Your children.”

“They say that I was a great friend to Susie, but it was she who was a great friend to me.”

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Doing what she enjoyed doing best.

I’ll always remember my friend, Susie Bubeck, and forever treasure our friendship of the many years we shared together! One day we will all reunite, but today we sadly said goodbye to her.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” II Tim. 4:7

5 Comments

December 23, 2015 · 7:48 PM

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Running in Heels’ Christmas Cheer

11169414_1084559268261863_3157158731381314694_n 12345551_1084559248261865_402613556084498875_n 12316117_1085054441545679_2384889818764723936_n 12322567_1085053341545789_115903388502076538_o 12307584_1085056491545474_7345752975857901994_o 12360154_1088777371173386_8215598436509224715_n 12309479_1084516278266162_5533197412491511639_o 12347908_1084516261599497_4997018375630666444_n It’s been an exhilarating first year as a published author! I am both humbled and honored for this opportunity in engaging with such wonderful new friends and fans of my work. Many more photos to come, as I have promised you, my blogger friends, to share my experience of this journey with you.

12 Comments

December 17, 2015 · 9:08 PM

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A Beautiful Princess

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You are our little miracle with a smile as big as your heart. You know what Mimi loves about you? Everything!

4 Comments

December 8, 2015 · 9:21 PM

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Ode to a Mother’s Heart – Part II

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Last month, I attended the funeral of a co-worker’s daughter. She was only twenty-seven years old. A beautiful soul, inside and out. She and her mother were connected by the hip. As a mother myself, I could only imagine the thoughts rolling around in this mother’s head, the depth of the pain in her heart, the weight of the burden upon her shoulders, and the hundreds of unanswered questions that most likely wanted to consume her.

This week, I attended yet another funeral for the untimely death of a mother’s child. This son was just twenty-two years old and had even served in the military. He was his mother’s pride and joy: strong, handsome, charming; his whole life ahead of him. To witness the pain in this mother’s eyes touched me with every fiber of my being.

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For these families, I imagine there will be many tomorrows before the pain eases.

I don’t care how tough you think you are, a parent having to bury their child will bring anyone to their knees! For a parent to have to bury a child is a bitter pill to swallow. A myriad of emotions run rampant. The mind replays a flood of memories. The inner voices and screams cry out in despair and in utter darkness in midday!

For this tragedy to have happened to these families – any family – my heart grieves for them. But especially for the mother. I can only fathom the sheer loneliness of a mother’s heartbeat for the loss of her child, no matter what age. Surely, every tear that escapes serves as an expression of a genuine love embedded in a mother’s heart for a lifetime, more so than the nine months she carried that child in her womb.

I’ve asked myself why many times. But I think I know the reason why I tend to weep upon hearing the first sound of a newborn’s cry. I am reminded that a little miracle came out of me! A fresh start. New beginnings. Those cries remind me of that special moment in time when I first felt pure joy, hope, and thanksgiving. I am awakened to a sea of memories of the dreams and plans for this gift of a new life after giving birth. As fate would have it, not every dream comes to fruition, and not every wish becomes a reality. Many joys and sorrows come with caring for children. But I imagine no sorrow can compare to having to say goodbye to your little one (young or old), knowing that it should have been the other way around.

I hurt for these mothers. Although they may never get over the loss of their child, I pray that in time, they will get through it.

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Ode to a Mother’s Heart (Part I)

5 Comments

November 18, 2015 · 7:05 PM

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If I Had Known …

If I had known then what I know now,

I would have stopped the clock and savored every precious moment.

Instead, I was encumbered with the daily task of trying to stay afloat as a mother.

If I had known then what I know now,

I would have frozen time just to gaze upon your little chest, rising and falling with every heartbeat while you slept peacefully in your crib.

If I had known then what I know now,

I would have sung more lullabies while rocking you on my lap, nestled in my arms, given you more kisses, and chased away all nightmares.

I’d have tickled you harder, squeezed you tighter, laughed with you louder, and played silly games with you longer.

I would have taken more walks in the park, built many sand castles, eat more ice cream cones with sprinkles, dug for the best sea shells, rode on all the merry-go-rounds, climbed every rock, smelled every flower, played catch more, run through the rain puddles, taken more photos and captured every single moment with you!

I was needed when you were small; you relied upon me then. If only I could now, I would hold you closer still, wipe your every teardrop, chase your every fear, and never let you down.

But the tide has turned, and I can only watch from a distance. The sun has set and is hidden beyond the horizon. My silent tears serve as a constant reminder that times are fleeting, with every hour, every minute, and every second.

My heart swells with pride to see that you, my children, have blossomed and matured.

But if I had known then what I know now … I would have done things so differently. I would have hushed the madness with all the hustle and bustle sooner, cherished those magic moments when you were small, cradled you in my arms forever, and never let you go.

19 Comments

May 6, 2015 · 9:39 PM

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Cover Reveal! Release Date!

Release date: February 24, 2015! Pre-orders available on February 1st.

Results are in from the cover poll! Thank you for your input. Now pop over to Chart House Press to see what our designer did with the feedback! http://bit.ly/1E7Sl5z