"The Sun WILL Come Out Tomorrow...."

Tonight I took Memommy to see "Annie" at Playhouse on the Square.  It was a much needed pick me up for the both of us.  We had a quick but delicious dinner at Outback and as I was walking in I hurried to hold the door for a man who was pushing his wife in a wheelchair.  No big deal, just trying to be a good citizen, but the real person who gave the help was the man.  As I held the door he said "Your momma raised you right..."  He could have said anybody, but the fact that he said my momma just made my night.  And you know what?  He was right.  She did raise me right.

She also instilled a love for the arts in me.  I felt like a little kid again watching "Annie."  I could hear Mom just laughing and going on and on (and on) about how cute the little girl was, or how so and so stole the show.  Mom dragged me to countless plays growing up, and nine out of 10 times (okay 10 out of 10) I would roll my eyes and act like I wasn't in awe, even though Mom knew I was.  All my friends know how embarrassed I used to get when she would sing show-tunes... over and over (and over), whenever we were in the car (or the kitchen, or living room, etc.) :) and now when I catch myself hitting the top of the car, swinging my hair, while singing "All That Jazz" I can't help but smile from ear to ear.  "One way another we turn into our mother." I was flooded with happy memories, and that's what I have been needing.

Tonight I thanked God countless times for giving me such wonderful people in my life, especially Memommy.  We were never very close but over the past year we have been each other's savior.  I seriously have had the best women role models a girl could ask for.  Independent, strong-minded, eccentric women have taught me exactly how to live, and I thank God for that.

Despite the hell we all go through in our lives, it's always nice to know that the sun will come out tomorrow... "bet your bottom dollar that..." :)

When Bad Things Happen To Good People

“The God I believe in does not send us the problem; he gives us the strength to cope with it.-Rabbi Harold Kushner

For my philosophy class last semester I had to write a paper over the philosophical significance of anything, so I chose to focus on Kushner's book, When Bad Things Happen to Good People, as well as one of his others, How Good Do We Have to Be?  Just a quick summary:  I summed up the book, then wrote on different views of God and when/how people believe God works in our lives; and then I gave my personal experience, as well as my own philosophy.

Everyone has had something bad happen to them, right?  Right.  Do you think God allows that bad thing to happen, or do you think that he isn't able to control what happens to us?  Whatever your own opinion is, I believe that God doesn't necessarily allow us to suffer, but I believe that he only gives us stuff we can handle, and if we can trust in Him enough to know what the heck he's doing, then I think we can make it through anything, with His help of course.

After all, if Earth was all good and there was no pain or suffering, then why would any of us believe in something greater than ourselves and what we know?  If there weren't bad things in the world we know then why on Earth (no pun intended) would we want to trust God and look forward to something better?  If bad things didn't happen to good people, then who would honestly give everything to God and trust in Him?

Yes, some days are terrible horrible no good very bad,  but don't those days make us appreciate the good ones?  The next time you are struggling with something, or going through hell, remember, "this too shall pass."  If I've learned anything in the past  year it's that time doesn't stop for anybody.  Like it always has and always will, life goes on, and I've realized that the only thing we can do about it is to trust God no matter what.

God is good all the time; all the time God is good.

Song of the day:  Tough-Kellie Pickler 

Quotes

"I quote others only in order to better express myself."~Michel De Montaigne

Quick.  What's your favorite quote?  It can be a Bible verse, one from your favorite author, president, artist, or just one that you heard on Grey's Anatomy.  I use quotes to express my feelings.  Whether I am having the best day or the worst day I will find a quote that explains my thoughts and feelings.  If I hear or read something that makes me think I'll type it into my Notes on my phone and go back and most likely set it as my Facebook status at some point. ;)  Those who know me know that I am full of quotes and will give you some wise words whenever you need them.  One dream I have is that someday people will quote me.

Here are a few that I love...

Sex and the City:  The perfect quotes to describe every woman's struggle with life and love.  The thing I love about this show?  Friendship is their number one priority.  If you have your girlfriends by your side, what can really go wrong?

“Maybe some women aren't meant to be tamed. Maybe they just need to run free until they find someone just as wild to run with them.”

“Maybe mistakes are what make our fate... without them what would shape our lives? Maybe if we had never veered off course we wouldn't fall in love, have babies, or be who we are. After all, things change, so do cities, people come into your life and they go. But it's comforting to know that the ones you love are always in your heart... and if you're very lucky, a plane ride away."

“But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous.”

Mother Teresa:  A woman who lived her life to better others lives.  What could be more satisfying?

“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.”

“I am not sure exactly what heaven will be like, but I do know that when we die and it comes time for God to judge us, he will NOT ask, How many good things have you done in your life?, rather he will ask, How much LOVE did you put into what you did?” 

“I never will understand all the good that a simple smile can accomplish.”

“We can not do great things. We can only do little things with great love.”

And on the other end of the spectrum, Marilyn Monroe:

"Ever notice that 'what the hell' is always the right decision?"

"I believe that everything happens for a reason.  People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so thzt you can appreciate them when they're right, you believe less so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together."

"If you can make a woman laugh, you can make her do anything."


These are just a few of my favorites... What are yours?




Song of the Day:  Never Let You Go by Third Eye Blind 

 

Guardian Angels

"Wherever you go and whatever you do may there always be an angel watching over you."

Everybody has lost someone.  Whether a grandparent, teacher, spouse, parent, brother, sister, friend, or just someone that you knew who changed your life for the better.  You always hear stories people tell after a loved one has passed where "they saw them," or "they felt them holding their hand."  Well, whether it be part of the grieving process, or God really letting you know that everything is going to be okay, I choose to believe that that split second of comfort you get when all other aspects of your life seems to be falling apart, is/are your Guardian Angel(s).  A friend told me that ever since her mother passed away that every time she goes on a road trip by herself she puts her "Guardian Angel" on the hood of her car to watch out for her.  Every time I see a yellow butterfly or a blue jay I can truly feel my dad's presence.  After my dad passed away my mom told me that whenever I got sad and didn't feel close to dad, to hold my hand out and imagine him holding it.  She told me this because one night when she was having a tough time, she nonchalantly let her hand hang off of the bed and all of a sudden she felt this comfort that was so strong she was no longer sad.  She felt something in her hand and came to the realization that she would be okay.  That little trick has helped me get through many sleepless nights.

Last night while at a banquet, the Delta was surrounded by tornado warnings and terrible weather.  Ever since I can remember I have been absolutely terrified of tornadoes.  I would freak out every time we would get potentially bad weather and each time Mom would quote her Grandaddy, "A storm will kill you but there's no use dying every time a cloud blows up."  Last night, when they were presenting us a Lifetime Achievement Award in honor of Mom, there were tornadoes all around us, but I didn't even hear it thunder.  I used to always worry where my loved ones would be if a tornado hit.  Last night I was with my brother, three out of four aunts, my Memommy, Ahyee and Mr. Doug, and Mrs. Jody and G-Dawg.  I had absolutely nothing to worry about.

I thank God every day for Guardian Angels.

About two weeks after Mom passed away I was staying the night at a friend's house, and almost every night I sleep with this smaller maroon down blanket that my Aunt Sissy got me when I was about 10.  It's usually at my feet or over my legs; very rarely will it be wrapped around me.  That was also around the time where I had to take medicine to be able to go to sleep at night.  It had been months since I had been able to sleep without any help, but unfortunately, that night there was nothing I could take.  I woke up for a split-second in the middle of the night with my blanket wrapped around me like a cocoon.  It felt like someone was holding me, loving on me, comforting me, just like Mom used to do.  I felt her instantly for just that split-second I was awake.  That was the best night's sleep I'd gotten in months.  

I thank God every day for Guardian Angels.


Song of the day:  Wild Angels-Martina McBride

"There's nothin' slow about me but my children."-Janine Earney

"I am not sure exactly what Heaven will be like, but I know that when we die and it comes time for God to judge us, he will NOT ask, 'How many good things have you done in your life,' rather he will ask, 'How much LOVE did you put into what you did?'"-Mother Teresa

In the past 64 years the West Memphis Chamber of Commerce has given four Lifetime Achievement Awards.  They gave the fourth one tonight at their annual banquet.  The well deserved person who received it?  You guessed it; the one and only Janine Buford Earney.  Words absolutely cannot explain the feeling I had when my brother and I were each presented with a plaque that says, "In Recognition of Her Countless Contributions to the Betterment of Our Community."  With a standing ovation, we proudly went up and received the award in honor of our Mom.  The humbling thing about it was that Mom could have cared less about any of this recognition she's been getting.  Don't get me wrong, she would have been so appreciative and humbled, but if I know one thing about my Mama it's that she wouldn't care if any one ever knew her name as long as she knew that she was helping somebody and bettering life for the people around her.  That's the kind of woman I want to be.  She didn't do her job because it made her look good, or because it helped her "climb the ladder."  She did her job because she LOVED doing it.  My parents always taught me that if I choose a job that I love then I will never have to work a day in my life.  If it makes you happy...

It is such a comforting feeling to know that others thought Mom was just as great as I thought she was.  There is nothing better than knowing that you have family, friends, and a community who will pick you up when you feel like you can't walk on your own.  So many people have wrapped their arms around me and comforted me when I truly needed it most, and I have my parents to thank for that.  Have you thanked God for everything he has done for you?  If you woke up tomorrow and were only left with the people/things you had expressed your thanks for, what would you have?

"That was rough.... Thing to do now is try and forget it.... I guess I don't quite mean that. It's not a thing you can forget. Maybe not even a thing you want to forget.... Life's like that sometimes... Now and then for no good reason a man can figure out, life will just haul off and knock him flat, slam him agin' the ground so hard it seems like all his insides is busted. But it's not all like that. A lot of it's mighty fine, and you can't afford to waste the good part frettin' about the bad. That makes it all bad.... Sure, I know - sayin' it's one thing and feelin' it's another. But I'll tell you a trick that's sometimes a big help. When you start lookin' around for something good to take the place of the bad, as a general rule you can find it."--Old Yeller

Song of the day:  "Little Miss"-Sugarland

You Are My Sunshine

When I was younger Ahyee, who has been my "babysitter" since I was two months old, used to sing this to me.  I can remember  her and my mom twirling me around and singing it over and over.  A good friend gave me a quote that I love:  "Recall as often as you wish; a happy memory never wears out."-Libby Fudim  It's amazing how big of a difference sunshine can make.  Yesterday in the Delta it was gloomy, cloudy, and pretty "blah" weather.  Today the sun is shining, birds are chirping, and there's not a cloud in the sky.  Every time there is a cloud-less day I think of my dad.  When I was 8 and we were in the Loire Valley in France I can so vividly remember looking up at the sky with him and him telling me just how much he loved days where the sky was so blue and beautiful, and there weren't any clouds to hide God's glory shining down.  I'm taking a shot in the dark and assuming that I'm not the only person who suffers from S.A.D., or Seasonal Affective Disorder.  You know, that terrible feeling you get when you go weeks and weeks without sunshine?  It usually comes up right after the excitement of the first snow in January or February.  You know, that day when you would give anything for a little Vitamin D.  Well, I've found an alternative that has been on my wish list for quite a while.  It's a "happy light" that provides artificial sunshine to lift up your mood!  (My birthday is March 24th) ;) Haha!

http://www.brookstone.com/happylight-6000-sunshine-supplement-light-system.html?his=2%7E46337%7E2%7Eroot_category%40kwd%7Esun+lamp&bkiid=searchResults|C4CategoryProdList1FDT|9373697

Brookstone may be onto something here.  Seriously though, how happier are people when it's sunny outside?  I'd pick 30 degrees and sunshine over 70 degrees and gloomy! How 'bout you?

"Got the sun shinin' on me like a big spotlight, so I know that everything's gonna be alright.. Ain't no tellin' where the wind might blow, free n easy down the road I go.."-Dierks Bentley "Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go)"


Song of the day:  Soak Up the Sun-Sheryl Crow

Everything Happens For a Reason

If you don't like something, change it.  If you can't change it, change the way you look at it.

Christmas 2008 my mom got me a silver leather bracelet that wraps around three times that says, "EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON."  At least once a week somebody will ask me what my bracelet says and I'll say "My motto for life."  That bracelet hasn't left my arm since August, and now, more than ever, it has taken on a whole new meaning.  I'm still new to this whole "blogging" thing, but I look at it as therapy.  One thing that has really been on my mind, as well as heavy on my heart, are people who make excuses for everything.  I guess you could say it's my pet peeve.  Shit happens.  Love it or hate it, that's the way life is.  Bad things are going to happen.  Look beyond them and figure out how you can grow from them.  My mom used to always say, "If everyone were to put their troubles in a big pile, I bet you'd choose to have yours back instead of someone else's." 

"It is easier to light a candle than to curse the darkness."-Chinese Proverb; used by Adlai Stevenson at Eleanor Roosevelt's funeral

Enjoy today.  It's all you have.  Look back on a year ago.  Is life anywhere near how you thought it would be?  Probably not.  Good, bad, or indifferent, things happen every day that shape your life; and really, the only thing you can do is play the hand you were given.  You have to know, "which hands to shake, and which hands to hold."  Experiences make us who we are.

Song of the day:  "Anyway" by Martina McBride

Let go and let God

Everything happens for a reason.  This isn't the worst thing that could happen to you.  Here's to a woman who truly had a passion for everything she did.  Here's to a woman who taught me right from wrong.  Here's to a woman who taught me that things won't always go my way, and that sometimes you have to go through the storm to see the rainbow.  Here's to a woman who took me around the world and opened my eyes to things that very few are lucky enough to experience.  Here's to a woman who lived every day to its absolute fullest.  Here's to a woman who lit up the room as soon as she walked in.  Here's to a woman who was the "glue," who held everything and everyone together.  Here's to a woman who made the world a better place.  Here's to a woman who was passionate, inspirational, joyful, and spontaneous.  (Just to name a few.)  There are not enough words or phrases that can fully grasp her personality.
Every once in a while you will come across a person who impacts your life, and if you're lucky, that person can change your life for the better.  If you're lucky, that person can inspire you to be the absolute best person you can be.  Sometimes it's a friend, co-worker, teacher... In this case, she was Mom. 

"When you stop learning new things you start dying."-Katharine Hepburn

When something bad happens in your life, one of the first things to come to your mind is, "Why me? Why am I having such a difficult time?"  What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.  Remember that.  Sometimes struggles are blessings in disguise.  When Mom got sick, one of the first things she said was, "I'm just glad it's me and not any of you all."  She would've rather had to go through the awful radiation and chemo treatments instead of any of her family or friends.  Mom was one woman who could handle just about anything that came her way.  Not only would she handle it with dignity and grace, but she could see the sunshine out of a mule's ass.  In the worst possible situation she would see the bright side of things.  Everybody dies, but not everybody lives.  Here's to a woman who lived, and who showed everyone how to live who came across her path.  Your plan may not be the plan that God has in mind for you.  This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. -Psalm 118:24  You're only guaranteed today.  Make the most of it.

“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, I used everything you gave me.” -Erma Bombeck