I received a late Christmas card this year.  

     Late meaning it arrived in my mailbox on New Year's Eve, 2015.  The card had a drawing of a cute Bunny on the front and I knew immediately the Christmas card was from my dear friend, Abby who loves bunnies. We had lost contact for a few years but she always sent me a card at Christmas.

     I first met Abby through a mutual friend of ours who connected us because she felt that it would be good for us to know each other. You see, Abby and I have many common bonds. We are the same age, and size, we are both blondes, and other similarities. These commonalties that we share were not the reason that our mutual friend felt that she needed to connect us. Abby and I have both lost our teenage daughter's, and their deaths happed the same year.

     Abby's daughter Suzanne, died in a car accident on her way home from college late one evening. My daughter, Nicki died from a malignant brain tumor that lingered for three years. Both Suzanne, and Nicki were nineteen years-old when they passed from this earth into the arms of a loving God.  Abby's daughter had a sudden death, my daughter endured pain and suffering for three-years undergoing, chemotherapy, steroids, surgeries, and many hospital stays.  Abby and I often talked about the issue of sudden death, or lingering death. We concluded that there is no better way to lose a loved one, especially a child...No easy way. How we die we is not a competition. 

                                                Losing a child is the worst tragedy of all. 

     So back to the Christmas card that Abby sent to me... In another letter she wrote that her husband, Bill had been diagnosed with cancer, and that it was terminal. I never got the chance to visit him to say goodbye before he died, but I thought about him, and Abby everyday. 

    When I opened Abby's Christmas card this year, I saw a photo of Abby, her son and her daughter in law, holding a baby, Abby's new grandson. 

                                                                    Smiles so big! 

    Inside the card was a small piece of paper, 4 1/2 X 2 1/2,  it fit in the palm of my hand. On the front of the card was a subtle drawing of Jesus. With his right hand knocking on a door, His left had holding a rod. I turned the card over and there was a photo of William Carson Myers, Abby's husband. He had a big smile on his face, as the sun was setting in the background. Bill passed away on July 11, 2014. 

    We are all going to die at some time. What took my breath away was the bible verse that was inscribed below Bill's  photo...

                                      "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past."

                                                                  Isaiah 43:18


                                     Look the verse up there you will find the meaning of life!

What Is It About Men?

 

FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH

            I was doing some research on Men and came across this information from Shape.com 

They surveyed 14 guys ranging in age from 19-56 to find out what they wished that women knew about them.   

1. Time Flies When You’re a Man

“There is ‘man time’ and ‘woman time.’ For men, time goes by faster than for women. Einstein tried to explain this with his theory of relativity and I think it was all about trying to get along with his wife. So, the next time a guy doesn’t call or text a girl back right away or it’s been two weeks since he last said ‘I love you,’ just remember that it doesn’t mean he doesn’t care it, it just means that time passes differently for him.”  – Dr. Tom Hacket, 44, World-renowned Orthopedic Surgeon and Team Doctor for US Olympics Snowboarding

2. You’re More Powerful than You Think

“In that single moment when you glance in our direction, we lock eyes, and all we feel is our heart beating through your chest, you have us. And there is absolutely nothing we can do about it!”  – Alexander T. MacGregor, Jr., 19, Editor-in-Chief of The Boulevardier

3. We Like Shopping with You… Sometimes

“Things I wish women knew? If you trim your hair, don’t get upset if we don’t notice. Help us along by actually wearing it in a different style that day. Also, we actually like going shopping with you, as long as you let us pick out your outfit. And, sometimes we wonder why someone as amazing as you wants to be with us.”  – Lalo Fuentes, 34, Celebrity Trainer

4. We’re Not so Different

“At the gym, men are just as self conscious and check themselves out in the mirror just as much as women do. In regards to cooking, men can do more than BBQ. All you need to do is ask—but be sure to do it after the game! Oh, and, men do like salads, especially if they are topped off with bacon!” – Chuck Hughes, 34, Chef and Cooking Channel host

5. Your Teenage Tendencies are a Major Turn Off

“A few things: Insecurity is a major turn off, using the acronyms ‘lol,’ ‘lolz,’ or ‘rotfl’ should not be used by any female above the age of 15, we don’t like being called ‘dude,’ ‘friend,’ ‘bro,’ or any combination of the above because you are not our male friend, thinking Justin Bieber is cute is not cute, and finally, going to the bathroom in pairs is bewildering to us.” – Beau Davidson, 30,Country Music Recording Artist

6. I Have No Secrets

“I’ve always been told that women know everything.  Is that not accurate?”  – Steve Berry, 56, New York Times Bestselling Author

7. DVDs Don’t Make the Perfect Gift

“I wish women knew that just because we talk about our favorite movie all the time, we don’t want it on DVD as our Christmas gift. We already own it. Actually, we don’t want DVDs period. It’s 2012.” – Matt Ritter, 30, Comedian

8. There’s Always an Exception to Dating Rules

“For every rule or guideline to dating that you read about in magazines, there is always an exception!” – Kyle Erickson, 25, Celebrity Publicist

9. You’re Beautiful When You Don’t Try so Hard

“I wish women knew even though we appreciate you taking hours to get dressed and ‘put on your face,’ it’s no longer necessary. Superficial beauty catches our attention but natural beauty keeps it.”  – Thomas Edwards Jr., 26, Founder of The Professional Wingman

It seems obvious that men just want women to accept them for who they are and not for who we expect them to be. After all our brains are wired differently. 

Respect for each other, and accepting each other unconditionally can be the key to success. Listening, understanding, loving, forgiving, and wanting to succeed are factors for love to stay.

If Mars and Venus are to align it will only happen through understanding that we have take some steps to accept each other, forgive each other, and love each other, then let some things go. 

If we can choose to leave one thing unsaid at the end of each day we may have peace, and harmony. 

Photoshopped

      Teenage Girls ~ Obsessed with Selfies & Photoshopping   

Some teenage girls across the country have found the secret to making themselves appear flawless through he art of photoshopping their many selfies, and other images of themselves. 

Not only do these select few spend hours making themselves look perfect in their photos, they then post those sexy photos all over the internet to draw attention to themselves. 

There was a time when photoshopping was used to enhance models to grace the covers of magazines. Now with so much free technology middle, and high school kids spend hours a day using apps and other means to enhance their selfies, and photoshop  themselves. Not all but some girls constantly post photos of themselves in various poses mostly with their breasts exposed and with little clothing. 

It's concerning that more and more young women are putting their sexy photos on the internet for free, creating a fake image of themselves for others.  

Self esteem comes from the inside not the outside. None of us are perfect, but the self-obsession that some teenage girls have with themselves is self destroying. The teenage years always come with peer pressure but not all succumb to the dangers. Many young woman believe that intelligence is beautiful. Creating a false image on the outside will never bring happiness, because it's not real. By photoshopping yourself you are creating a false image, and a false impression to others. 

Learning to love yourself, being honest, humble and true build self-esteem. Of course we all want to look our best, but taking hundreds of photos of yourself, and then changing the photo to appear flawless is having an obsession with yourself.

We all want to be our best selves but being our best is being honest, and real. Loving yourself and accepting your genetic beauty with flaws is okay. If we all cared more about our character, and accepted one another for who we are and not how popular, and flawless we can make ourselves out to be, we would create a better world. Truth is we can't fool others they can see right through us so we just look desperate and insecure. 

If we put ourselves out on the internet through whatever social networking venue we choose it should be with honesty, and sincerity. 

Photoshopped photos are fake. 

Be honest, be real, love yourself, be proud of who you are. If you are not happy it won't come by spending hours photoshopping yourself to attract people to you. Go out and do something amazing. Help someone, volunteer, earn a scholarship to college, mentor someone. 

Get over yourself, and Get Real!

Nicki Leach Foundation

So much going on at the Nicki Leach Foundation!

We are heading to Miami for the SNO meeting, (Society for Neuro-Oncology), Brain cancer!  What a horrible disease. I watched my teenage daughter die from brain cancer. Nicki was only nineteen when she passed away. Nicki would be twenty-nine now. I miss her, and I don't want to see any young adult with cancer suffer or not be able to fulfill their dream because of cancer.  The Nicki Leach foundation provides scholarship money to young adults age (18-30) who have cancer. We want to see our young adults  remain as normal as possibe while they battle cancer. Then we want to see them rock the world, and survive. Please visit our official website www.nickileach.org and donate!

HAVE A DREAM IN YOUR HEART

How do you interpret this quote from Henry David Thoreau?

This is what I think...

GO means to move somewhere, CONFIDENCE is to feel assured that by going you will succeed. A DREAM is having a vision. A clear belief for happiness, contentment, and pleasure.

DIRECTION is the path you seek to get to your dream destination. Your dream can include material things also. Things that can give you comfort, but I believe a dream is a longing for a peaceful life.

If you can imagine in your mind, a place, a plan, a love, and then direct your thoughts to a path that will lead you there you will succeed. It just takes the will to GO, the CONFIDENCE, to believe you can get there, and a clear DIRECTION.

Have a DREAM in your heart, and a BIG imagination- then GO!

Turtles and St. Patricks Day

"I wish that I could fly like the birds."

     This morning I awoke to the sound of rain.  Pitter patter, pitter patter. I got up and looked outside at the lake in my back yard, it was full of happy turtles. Most turtles are green they were dancing in the rain in celebration of St. Patrick's Day. I watched the turtles for a while then I went on my Pinterest page and someone had pinned this picture of a turtle looking out the window at the great outdoors and all it's beauty. Made me wonder what this turtle may have been thinking...and then I started thinking, and thought ~ (what is it about turtles that fascinates me?) Maybe it's the way they can pull their arms and legs, and head into their protective shell when they are frightened. They can breathe under water and swim with that shell on their back, that's pretty cool. They have curious eyes, and I love the way they stretch their necks out and look around. So full of wonder. Turtles are a work of art.  Even though there isn't a real meaning to this blog post today I loved this photo and wanted to share it.  Everyday I'm reminded that beauty, and wonder surround us. As I write this a bird is singing in the background, the rain is falling, everything outside my window is green. The sky is gray and my mind is full of wonder...Happy St. Patrick's Day 2014!

Trust

Today Is The Day...

What it means to trust in God. 

     Sometimes I get restless and wonder where God's leading me. I get anxious and weary especially when everything is stable and seems OK. I have to question myself as to why OK is just not enough, and then I talk to God. He always gives me the same answer every time I question Him. He tells me to TRUST HIM. We can plan our future but we can never see our future ahead of us. That's why we must walk by faith. I choose to believe that God has a perfect plan for each and every one of us, and then I wonder if we can screw God's plan up. I think we can. I'm sure I've done it many times. At some point it's time to TRUST HIM. Not just part of the time, but always. I believe He has a better plan for you and me than we do for ourselves. 

I believe that God has our best interest in mind. His timing is not our timing. Patience, trust, acceptence and most of all unconditional love for people and especially for the ones we love is the best way to happiness. It's a choice to let it rest and give it to God. 

She spread her wings and began to fly

She wasn't afraid to try

As God lifted her into the unknown

She gradually didn't feel so all alone

She closed her eyes and said a prayer

And trusted God to take her anywhere

She didn't know where she would land

She simply gave into God's perfect plan 

When she felt afraid she took hold of His hand 

And He assured her HE had designed the perfect plan

It was a simple decision she decided to make - and one she vows to never break!

 

Create The Life You Want

We are all given the same amount of time, it's what we do with the time we have that will impact our day to day living... Whatever your day may bring to you, you have a choice on how to handle any situation you may face.  If everything in your day goes well then thank God and enjoy! However if something bad comes your way, you can choose to be strong and handle it with the right attitude. 

A Positive Attitude!

Whatever your circumstances are there will always be a solution. 

Sometimes you have to ask for help from a parent, a child, a friend, or even a professional. You don't have to face a dark day alone when there are so many wonderful people and resources to care for you. But you have to learn to take control and ASK  if you need help. Do all that you can do to rise above pain, and sorrow to enjoy each day and to be happy.. Going after each day with a positive attitude is a choice and is staying focused on feeling good, and never give up. Don't be content in the valley when you can be on top of the mountain. The sky is the limit and you CAN feel the warmth of the sun on your face and body, it's an all over warming. Go out and grab all the sunshine you can and let it warm your heart. You can have what you want- JUST GO AFTER IT!

Sunrise Over Ponte Vedra, Beach :)

As we begin a new year 2014 I'm thankful that we are entering into our eighth year of providing scholarships to young adults with cancer. But I am also concerned!

As we move forward my concern is that donations have fallen short of previous years. 2013 was our worst year to date. It seems that this age group (18-30) are a group of people that are somewhat forgotten. Even when it's a time in life for these young adults when they are either in college or persuing employment with challenges because of cancer treatments.

Since I am unable to do this on my own it will take our young adults who are applying for assistance to spread the word, and get involved in helping to bring awareness about what we do and what they face at this age when diagnosed with cancer.  Most people do not recoginze the need that this age group faces unless they have someone in their family needing assistance.

I am bombarded with phone calls every day from family members, nurses, social workers etc... seeking financial help for their young adults who are in treatment, in college and many are living on their own. They need assistance, treatments are so expensive, and insurance does not cover them. I wish I were getting phone calls from people and businesses who want to donate to these deserving young adults.

Every year I pray and ask God to provide the money to keep the Nicki Leach Foundation up and running. We are also funding a scholarship at the University of North Florida where Nicki attended until she died.

Please spread the word about our need and encourage your family and friends to support the NLF to support us by making a donation! I cannot do this alone.

If you would please donate to our endowment at UNF you can contact me directly or you can contact the University of North Florida and tell them you would like to donate to the Nicki Leach Foundation endowment for student with cancer. I urge you to support this non-profit.

Sixty Is The New Forty ~ thank's to Christie Brinkley

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20780764,00.html

 Sixty is the new forty at least for this woman!

Christie Brinkley turns 60 and poses in her bathing suit on the cover of People magazine!

I sing praises to Christie Brinkley and commend her on staying healthy and fit. She is just gorgeous at sixty. Just as the old saying goes "age is just a number", well yes it is. Most woman at forty years of age are taking care of kids and working probably leaving little time to themselves. Having raised two kids myself I can agree that when a woman reaches sixty and has kept herself in shape, and has a healthy diet the world is seen through different eyes. When I was forty I was running around taking care of everyone else, before myself, but don't get me wrong I loved it. I loved caring for my family and my kids. As a stay at home mom I spent twenty-years devoting my time to my family. I did it by choice. But I can't deny that I love where I'm at in my life now, and feel healthier than I did ten years ago. Why, because I have more time for me than I did when I was raising two kids. Christie has always been know for her commitment to health and fitness. She works out at the gym daily, runs, loves skiing, and sailing. She's been a vegetarian since she was a teen. Her healthy habits and positive attitude show on her face and body. Thank you, Christie for being a healthy, happy role model for woman of every age, but especially for making a statement that woman can make a choice to be healthy and fit and rock the cover of a magazine in her swimsuit at 60!

Cabin Time

     Welcome to the cabin where I write. This is the rocking chair on the front porch. The back of the cabin has balcony with a porch swing overlooking a beautiful view of nature, where I do most of my writing. It's so high up that I'm looking at the top of the trees watching the birds while the wind blows the leaves while the birds chirp. This backdrop is stimulating and sets the tone for thoughts to come to my mind as I write. This is not where I wrote Turtle Shells my first book but I'm writing the sequel Sunrise Over Ponte Vedra Beach mostly from this cabin.

     My next book the sequel is a story about moving on in life.  And that by moving forward we can grow and build new dreams.

     Dreams are what keep us moving forward to create the life we want. We are not defined by our past, but instead we create the life we want by putting one foot in front of the other. We can get to where we want to go...one step at a time. You will find that your dream is just around the bend...

Come with me because the sun comes out again ~ and Dreams become reality if you believe!  Bunny