Gratitude

Gratitude

makes sense of our past,

brings peace for today

and creates a vision for tomorrow

Melodie Beattie

photo by cheryl sparks

2010

The year began

puppies

My sister came from Oregon to spend a few days.

puppies

My Grammy celebrated 100 years.

It was her dream to do that.

Graham left for Alaska.

puppies

We continued to educate on FTD and were on Lifetime TV

Grammy died, peacefully, and so ready to go.

My birthday hike with Hadley and Emma. (and Jeff)

puppies

The addition...

puppies

The boulder...

puppies

My blog

puppies

My photographs

puppies

Moments to myself

I have amazing people in my life who make each day a blessing.

puppies

Good-bye 2010

I wish you all a Blessed Christmas.

Christmas is the keeping-place for memories of our innocence.

Joan Mills

Vintage photo of me...

They err who thinks Santa Clause comes down through the chimney;

He really enters through the heart.

Mrs. Paul M. Ell

I am not sure what I was thinking here, but clearly not understanding the joy and wonder of the big guy in red. He was a little scary. I was particulary shy. No one seemed to care. Not even Santa Claus. It looks as though he just wanted to make sure he was photographed well.

I seemed to have survived with no overt Christmas trauma.... in fact, I have visions of sugar plums dancing in my head.

Kindness

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch,

a smile,

a listening ear,

an honest compliment,

or the smallest act of caring,

all of which have the potential to turn a life around.

Leo F. Buscaglia

photo by cheryl sparks

This photo of Kenny with my grandmother was taken this past spring. I had my phone with me, and was lucky enough to capture it. It makes me smile because they loved each other so. They represent to me love, kindness and generosity of self. That's who they are/were.

This past week I was fortunate to spend time with someone who worked with Kenny. He shared with me a sense of the kind of man he was to work for. Nothing I didn't know, but something I needed to hear. Something I love to hear.

There were people this week who went out of their way, making me smile, doing things for us that were unexpected. There was no fanfare, no asking me, it just was. They touched my heart. I am so grateful. I hope I can do the same for others.

Christmas Is Coming...

photo by cheryl sparks

photo by cheryl sparks

photo by cheryl sparks

photo by cheryl sparks

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world,

and behold,

everything is softer and more beautiful.

Norman Vincent Peale

I am not sure it's the Christmas wand that has been waved, or the wee bit of panic that has krept up on me, but this home is slowly becoming softer and more beautiful. Usually by New Year's Day I am so tired of looking at this "stuff" I can't wait to see it disappear. ( read: Cheryl, carefully wrap everything. Label it all and beg for a stronger being to bring it to the attic... the big black hole of our home) I am thinking that this year, things may stay out until Valentine's Day. The red works, don't you think?? I am sure I will revisit this, but meanwhile, I am quite pleased with how things are starting to look.

What is Christmas?

photo by cheryl sparks

What is Christmas?

It is tenderness for the past,

courage for the present,

hope for the future.

It is a fervent wish

that every cup may overflow

with blessings rich and eternal,

and that every path may lead to peace.

Agnes M. Pahro

This Christmas is very different for me. There are at times, peace, with where we are in our lives. Accepting what cannot be changed. Courage for the present is what I need each day. More than that, I cannot guarantee. But I can do that.

Breakfast...

photo by cheryl sparks

"'When you wake up in the morning, Pooh,'

said Piglet at last,

'what's the first thing you say to yourself?'

'What's for breakfast?' said Pooh.

'What do you say, Piglet?'

'I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?'

said Piglet.

Pooh nodded thoughtfully.

'It's the same thing,'

he said."

A. A. Milne, 'The House at Pooh Corner'

Christmas morning is going to be snuggly and delicious in our house with this shiny new griddle!!! Can't wait!!

The USS Hawes is decomissioned 12/10/10

photo by cheryl sparks

decomissioning photo's by jodee flint-fuller

The Norfolk-based Guided Missile Frigate served the Navy in both Persian Gulf wars.

It also helped the USS Cole after it was struck by terrorists in 2000.

My brother Stephen was her final Commanding Officer.

He is an incredible leader.

It takes a team for a family to survive being in the service.

His wife Jodee is an amazing woman.

I am proud to say they are family.

I have three precious things which I hold fast and prize.

The first is gentleness;

the second is frugality;

the third is humility,

which keeps me from putting myself before all others.

Be gentle and you can be bold;

be frugal and you can be liberal;

Avoid putting yourself before others and you can become a leader among men.

Lao-Tze

Where Are You Christmas

photo by cheryl sparks

My world is changing

I'm rearranging

Does that mean Christmas changes, too?

Where are you Christmas

Why can't I find you

Why have you gone away

Where is the laughter

You used to bring me

Why can't I hear music play

lyrics by faith hill

I heard this song the other day and it pretty much said it all. That there is a song tells me that I am not the only one who struggles at this time of the year. I wasn't going to post this, as I didn't want to be a "Debbie Downer" as my daughter sometimes says... (not about me, of course) But it is where I am right now. It won't last, as I do have much joy in my life~

Lauren

Wellesley College

Class of 2015

Success is

liking yourself,

liking what you do,

and liking how you do it.

Maya Angelou

Lauren will be heading to the East Coast in September.

I am so proud of her.

I am looking forward to these next few years.

Getting to know her even better.

Watching Gilmore Girls.

Seeing my sister and her family

when they come to see their beautiful daughter.

Gus Gus is on a road trip with Graham. We all miss him.

Lola

photo by chery sparks

Gus

photo by cheryl sparks

Emma and Kenny

photo by cheryl sparks

Tucker and Graham

photo by cheryl sparks

His head on my knee can heal my human hurts.

His presence by my side is protecion against

my fears of dark and unknown things.

He has promised to wait for me...

Whenever...wherever--in case I need him

And I expect I will--as I always have.

He is just my dog.

from Gene Hill's

My Dog

I was the Secret Santa...sort of

photo by cheryl sparks

It is by chance that we met,

by choice that we became friends.

author unknown

Yesterday, eyes closed, papers folded, I drew names for Alexandra and seven of her friends from college. They met their first weekend at Union College in Schenectedy, NY. Six years later, they are still celebrating together. Lives have taken them in different directions; a program in Africa, teaching in New Orleans, graduate school in Europe, NYC; jobs in Philadelphia, New York and Boston. Their lives will continue to change, but there is something about these women who have laughed and cried together, celebrated and grieved. God knew what He was doing when he brought them together. I love them.

Snow provokes responses that reach right back to childhood. Andy Goldsworthy

photo by cheryl sparks

Oh! the snow,

the beautiful snow,

Filling the sky and earth below,

Over the housetops,

over the street,

Over the heads of the people you meet.

Dancing, Flirting, Skimming along.

J.W.Watson

I grew up in a beautiful town north of Boston.

When it snowed, it SNOWED!!

Thinking about it my heart still skips a beat.

Inside me there is a little girl hoping to hear, "No school Cheryl...."

I could use a snow day. The beauty, the quiet, the peace.

Happy Birthday Graham

You don't raise heroes,

you raise sons.

And if you treat them like sons,

they'll turn out to be heroes,

even if it's just in your own eyes.

~Walter M. Schirra, Sr.

When a father gives to his son, both laugh;

when a son gives to his father, both cry.

William Shakespeare

I love this boy.

Elizabeth Edwards

Reading from her book, a passage about her children: "When they are older and telling their own children about their grandmother, they will be able to say that she stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her way -- and it surely has not -- she adjusted her sails."

This has shaken me. Not that I did not know she was going to die. We are all going to die. She lived her life with such grace. She has been a lady.

I hope I am as adept at adjusting my sails.

Godspeed Elizabeth. You are now with your beloved Wade. Bless your children.

photo by cheryl sparks

It takes hands to build a house, but only hearts can build a home.

Author Unknown

It's hard for Kenny to watch as others build this addition for us.

I know he remembers building the main house.

The guys working have been amazing. So kind, so generous.

A lot of heart has been put into this home.

I am thankful for that.

Marriage

photo by chery sparks

I am a good friend to my husband

I have tried to make my marriage vows mean what they say.

I show up.

I listen.

I try to laugh.

by Anna Quindlen

'Christmas is the keeping-place for memories of our innocence.' Joan Mills

I look at this old Christmas photo and it makes me smile.

Graham's scuffed bucks...

He was so detirmined as to what he would wear or not wear.

I chose my battle.

Short pants and knee socks.

And Alexandra...

Loved beautiful things, and bows bigger than her head, always!

She wanted to make me happy.

Always...

Love them.

Always!