Monthly Archives: May 2013

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Thank you for the “Most Influential Blogger?”

MIB

 Thank you, Perpetua  http://theseeker57.wordpress.com, for nominating me for THE MOST INFLUENTIAL BLOGGER AWARD.
 

When I read the blogs of so many others, mine pales in comparison. I have read the works of great poets who go beyond the beautiful and take the courage to post those things that are not easy to read…not easy to read because they remind us of the dark side of the people who live on Mother Earth. Nevertheless, unless this darkness is brought out into the light–how will it be dispelled?  Yes, it is heartbreaking to read some of it…because it is so very difficult to comprehend how we can be so inhumane to one another.

Yet, I have lived in darkness for moments in my life also…I know how the anger seethes inside and causes one to lash out…I have tried to change who I am. I am trying each day to live in tranquility within my soul…and not to react out of my insecurities. I have tried to forgive those who judge me so harshly…to be who I am…to accept me as me…I think that is one of the difficulties in life–there is so little affirmation of the goodness of each other.

I nominate these bloggers for THE MOST INFLUENTIAL BLOGGER AWARD who have the courage to give us the beautiful but also who have the courage to present that ugly side of humanity in an effort to make us more aware and to do all we can to help each other be better people.

* Gabrielle

http://myheathenheart.com/blog

* Sharmishtha Basu

1. Sharmishtha Basu’s Poetries: http://mydomainpvt.wordpress.com : Mainly Poetries.
2. Thoughts: http://magicthought.wordpress.com : Stories mainly.
3. My cyber novels: http://mycybernovels.wordpress.com : novel, long stories, musings, cartoons etc
4. Window to my soul : http://window2mysoul.wordpress.com : mainly form poetry
5. Sharmishtha Basu : http://sharmishthabasu.wordpress.com : My haiku, piku, lanturne, tanka blog.
6. Ethereal heights: http://etherealheights.wordpress.com- Celebrating peace and beauty.
7. Earth in black and white: http://earthinbw.wordpress.com – The real world.
8. Colours and words waltz: http://coloursandwordswaltz.wordpress.com – poetry and paintings.

Sharmishtha writes poetry from her heart…her paintings are delicate…and she also posts about the greed of mankind taking over an island to make it into their heathen paradise–caring little about providing health or humanitarian aid for the people who live there…she had a posting about a young girl who was set afire alone with her mother by an angry father…Go to her many blogs and read her works…it will make your heart happy to read her poems and sad to read the horrible truths of humankind.

* Noeleen

–  http://wordsfallfrommyeyes.wordpress.com/

Noeleen speaks of her struggle to BE the best mother she can in this male-dominated society…the world’s society where women and children are kept on the bottom of the rung– stepped on and abused so often.  Her fight to BE her best, will show you that she is a courageous and brave woman—my Braveheart!–She goes beyond her comfort level, risks all, to do what is best for her son, Daniel! It is a courageous testimonial of a person who fights to find herself and then goes even further to fight for the son she brought into this world!

* Sheri

sheridegrom – From the literary and legislative trenches.
sheridegrom.com x
sheri@sheridegrom.com

Sheri write beautiful book reviews that slide you write into the stories as if you were already a part of them! In addition to this, she lives in this modern world and its legalism. Thank God for women like her, who understand the legal ramifications and know how to respond to this kind of demand and dehumanization! She is an advocate for the mentally challenged and for healthcare reform. All of us know that we need it, as the poor and disenfranchised, the mentally ill, the elderly, are more and more being pushed into the margins of society and left unattended. I personally thank her for using her wisdom to help us all!

 

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Loneliness

Loneliness is as harsh as a dry, cold wind

Creeping inside your every cell so thinned

Zapping the energy right out of you

Shadows of yesterday’s longings sung blue

Ping pong through your many memories

Searching the once upon a time faces and alleys

All the people you knew and loved

left you alone, your heart ungloved

You are left behind, wondering why

Do they think of you as the night flies by

And what is it that you still must do

The answer seems to evade you

The Silence Of Loneliness

The Silence Of Loneliness (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

You search deep within

Life seems to be on a backspin

Desperately you hold on

Piercing blood deep pawn

You cry and struggle still

You can’t give up, you never will

To be all you can become…

To keep at it until you’re done

To wait without hurrying

To love without clutching

To give without wanting

To be open without blocking

To love without expecting

To find without begging

To accept yourself within a song

To be…to become…to belong

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Wonderful Team Member Readership Award – Thank You!

wonderful-team-membership-awardEen welgemeende dank aan Patty van http://petitemagique.wordpress.com mij hebben genomineerd voor deze prijs!

A heartfelt thank you to Patty of  http://petitemagique.wordpress.com for nominating me for this award!

Since we are able to do the awards over a period of seven days, my first SEVEN  Nominees are:

* Noeleen   http://wordsfallfrommyeyes.wordpress.com/   Noeleen writes with truth…her honesty is felt deep within her writing…Noeleen writes about her son, Daniel, and her deep love and care of  him and for him — and how messed up the court system is! Mothers have an awesome responsibility and duty—Noeleen walks the talk courageously! She goes beyond herself and her fears –for her son, Daniel! In between all of that—which is a monumental task–she takes time to visit my blog, reads me and leaves comments to boot! A great team member!

*  The Elusive Scribe       https://theelusivescribe.wordpress.com  Here is a sampling of her writing from “Delight in the Darkness”—– “We revel under the blackness of the night,where shadows play and fires burn…” Just one example of her passionate metaphors and the deep sensitivity you will find in her writing!  And these opening lines from “Murmur” give you another taste of her writing: “In the dead of the night I hear, whispers made by the shadows near, I can catch phrases in between the din,piecing them together feels like a sin…”  Her visits to my blog’s writings, keeps me writing…this prompts me to choose her as a Team Member! I encourage you to visit hers and do the same for her! You will be pleasantly surprised!

* Sheri     http://en.gravatar.com/sheridegrom   Sheri writes fantastic book reviews and is also an advocate for Healthcare reform in this country and is an active legislative analyst. Her reviews flow so beautifully– you find yourself inside the books she writes about. Sheri’s passion for healthcare reform is personal and done with grace and intelligence. A worthy woman to follow and read! She also takes time to visit my little blog and gives meaningful replies and encourages me as a person! She is a great team member!

*MM Mohan      advocatemmmohan.wordpress.comM M Mohan’s blog of writings and poetry is an inspiration to me! His poetry touches me to the core of my being. He brings to light the inner workings of the heart and soul, helping us to reflect on the deeper meaning of our interaction with one another and with our inner struggle of becoming. I am voting for him as a Team Member because he has created a connection with all of us on WordPress …beyond the borders of India.

* Liz Terry  http://lizterryblog.wordpress.com/  Liz is the author of   Postcards from France –“this is book of comic short stories about her life as a British ex-pat living in South West France” [http://www.lulu.com/shop/liz-terry/postcards-from-france/paperback].  Liz also posts articles and information about the LGBT community–this I think is great! The articles she posts increase the understanding of all of us and encourages us to see that we are all human beings on our journey through life!  I was delighted by her visit from the UK to my blog here in the little Palmyra countryside of Wisconsin.  I have selected her as a team member for her willingness to travel abroad to meet me and encourage me with her words!

* Gabrielle   http:myheathenheart.com   Gabrielle is anything BUT a heathen!  She is a warm, compassionate and passionate human being who has widened her vision of the world to care about all of humanity! Her blog is “mega-interesting!”– If I may be so bold as to coin a new phrase.  She lays bare the facts about the misogynistic attitude of religion, the greed of corporate powers who care only about profit and not about the price of humanity that gets them their wealth; about how people everywhere –you and I—are connected to what  happens to the poor of the Congo so that we can have our cell phones and computers–sobering thought to the soul! The videos that accompany her blog clearly demonstrate Corporate Greed–ie. Nokia, for one —who care little about the women and children who are raped and brutalized, and brutally killed,  because of their greed. We are all part of the problem–we need to speak up for those who die for our luxuries. Heart-wrenching! Gabrielle wandered on to my blog—her visit brought me back to hers! And that is how a team works! She is amazing in her truth and deep honesty! She is an inspiration and encouragement to me!

* John Castellenas     http://johncoyote.wordpress.com    His vision as written on his blog is  “Old Native American wisdom. We need to gather as one people to save earth and all people.”  John is Native American and he writes to us today bringing the wisdom of his elders to our doorstep! Beautiful and deep writing! I selected him as a Team Member because I feel he brings the wisdom we all need to hear to save ourselves and Mother Earth.

The RULES  are as follows:

1.The Nominee of the Wonderful Team member Readership Award shall display the logo on his/her blog.
2.The Nominee shall nominate 14 readers they appreciate over a period of 7 days, all at once or little by little.
3.The Nominee shall name his/her Wonderful Team Member Readership Award nominees on a post or on posts during 7 days.

Over a period of 7 days (1 week), the Nominee shall nominate a number of readers that he or she appreciates – this can be done at any rate during the week. It can be all on one day or a few on one day and a few on another day, as most convenient to the Nominee.

The Nominee shall name his or her Wonderful Team Member Readership Award nominees on a post or on posts during the 7 day (1 week) period.

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Creeping Charlie… and Me

English: Bird watcher at Lambley Reed Pond A s...

English: Bird watcher at Lambley Reed Pond A spring fed pond and area of unimproved grassland, owned by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust http://www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org.uk/nature-reserves/reed-pond/ (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

For those of you who do not know the weed called Creeping Charlie, be thankful! It is a ground ivy and is extremely problematic because it infiltrates anywhere there is brown earth and a possibility of sunshine! It probably grows even in the shade! It chokes the life out of the grass and other flowering plants. I never had it until  some new soil was imported to my lawn five years ago. Now it is a never ending battle!

Yes, Creeping Charlie is a concern of mine and now I have discovered that it is even growing inside of me! I have come to realize that my selfishness and self-centered behavior  is like an obnoxious weed — it infiltrates my motives of being — and it was a startling discovery for me! I have always thought of myself as mostly nice and not too evil, good sense of humor, helpful here and there to others, persevering, and, I thought, quite altruistic.  Then this morning, after the hundred years I have lived, I discovered how my once positive trait of being persistent, has turned me into a person who is so self-centered.  I wanted something that I could not have. I was not satisfied with what I was given.  Then I was reminded of the last lines of a poem I had written recently, ” …if someone special is at your door…do not ever ask for anything more.”  I had to eat my words…[this has happened more than once, you would think it would silence me.

I allowed my persistence, that could be a virtue, turn me into a horrible human being.  I used every manipulation I could dream of in pursuit of what I wanted. I used my persistence to the -nth degree. I used logic…at least what seemed logical to me. I used humor. I used pleading. I used what ever words I could come up with. All to no avail. I failed in my selfish quest — and it was justice served that I failed. Now I am left with great sadness.  I did not consider the other person. I did not put the best interests of my friend first. I failed at the friendship and I am left with a bitter pill to swallow. Now I have nothing and it was because I could not accept the gift I was given.

In an effort to console my wounds, I wandered on to WordPress and came upon a blogger who I admire very much, Advocatemmmohan, and he had just posted a new poem. [ http://advocatemmmohanaksharaalu.wordpress.com/author/advocatemmmohan/%5D        His poem,  “Bird Watcher,” — it is worth your time to visit and read.  The last line of his poem reads, In every incident, if your soul is able to stand like a Bird Watcher , it is nothing but a Stitha Prajna Yog.  

I did not know what Stitha Prajna Yog meant. So I did some research…and then my heart wept some more. I became aware of how self-centered I was. “…to be established in wisdom” was one explanation that I found referring to the meaning of Sthita Prajna…”sthita” meaning “established” and “praina” meaning “wisdom.” [http://www.kriya.org/resources__spj.php]    Another site explained it further saying that a person who possesses this, acts as “one” with others and is a person who is tranquil and quiet. This person does not allow the emotions or desires of the heart to force a reaction to a situation.  But, instead, finds joy within — not contingent upon external factors.  It concluded by saying, this person “will never act in a way to cause harm to others because this person sees everyone as her/his own spirit”  [http://satsang-foundation.org/?p=535}

This person has self-acceptance and self-love. For it is true, unless we indeed accept and love ourselves, we will always fall short of truly loving the other person.

So…now, I must become a “Bird Watcher.”  I have much growing to do…along journey ahead…and I can only hope for forgiveness for the  lack of growth in myself and for causing sorrow to my friend.

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My True Confession as a Murderer

English: Hydrophilidae water beetle, Nagerhole...

English: Hydrophilidae water beetle, Nagerhole, India (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I am hoping that most of the insects I collected were are on their way out, and that I honored them in some way by preserving them for scientific purposes.  I could NEVER do this again! But I must confess and ask forgiveness from the Universe.  Their bodies are locked away in two glass display boxes…when it is found, you will know the sad circumstances of how the collections  came to be.

I was in third grade, when Sister Le Claire, my sister and brother’s 1st and 2nd grade teacher, was gone for the summer to take a science class. When she returned in the Fall, she showed me her arduous collective work of catching, mounting and displaying insects with their scientific Latin name that she had to assemble as part of her summer science course culminating project.  I was so impressed with this collection! So impressed, in fact, that she gave it to me! In fact, I still have it buried deep in an old trunk.

This amateurish experience led me on with the dream of becoming a world class entomologist.

Feverishly, I collected insect after insect and mounted the butterflies and insects into a carefully prepared box. I wonder WHY no adult stopped me from this dreadful practice! I have two class enclosures of butterflies and a box of insects still in my possession. I do not know what to do with them— and I feel like I am hiding damaging evidence! How much more damaging can it be–their bodies in my closet!

However, my killing came to an end one summer day…and I will now tell you why…

The very last insect that I attempted to display in a specimen box, was  Mr. Water Beetle, an inch and a half long, and an inch wide! I had placed it in the “killing jar” for three days. Waiting patiently for it to breathe its last. Three days passed and finally, I thought it was ready for display.  As this young child, being only in 4th grade—guess we were not too bright in those days!—I had no idea that I was depriving it of oxygen and that I was actually “killing” it. I thought I was just “putting it to sleep.”  Obviously, the implications of that phrase were also far beyond me! Then, after removing it from the killing jar, as it was so aptly described in the science book, I carefully wrote its Latin description and using specially designed scientific pins,  neatly attached it to the insect board. Oh my goodness, just to think I did that, sickens me!  In any case, a day later I looked at the enclosed case, and this dear Mr. Water Beetle was walking along inside the cardboard display with the pin in his back!

I reacted in horror!

I had this most sickening feeling that I had hurt a creature of the Earth! I immediately tore the cover off the insect box, removed the pin, and took Mr. Water Beetle out to the field near the water pond and set him free!

That day was the demise of my career as an entomologist, I can thankfully say,  and today, my confession to the Universe and my plea for forgiveness.

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How to Add an Image to your Widget! Eureka!

Widget-driven dashboard

Widget-driven dashboard (Photo credit: Sourcefabric)

A miracle has occurred at 2:27 AM in Palmyra, Wisconsin!  I have finally figured out how to add an image to my widget to display on the sidebar of my blog. [Even when  you roll that phrase off your tongue, it sounds so cute: “add an image to your widget!”] LOL

I am so happy!  I did NOT know how to add “Bloggers for Peace, “and other images that I wanted.  Here are the easy steps for the technologically challenged like myself!  I should be in bed, but I have to write it before I forget it! LOL

1. Go to your Dashboard and travel down the list to APPEARANCE.

2. Click on APPEARANCE.

3.  A list will appear to the RIGHT…..then Click on WIDGETS.

4. Choose IMAGE and slide it over to the right of your page.

5. Fill in the TITLE of the Icon into the IMAGE widget you just slid over…the TITLE would be the Icon  you are wishing to paste on your sidebar…. EXAMPLE:  Bloggers for Peace

6.  Go to Google or whichever Search Engine you use.

7.  Write in the icon you are searching for….as an example, I wanted to paste the icon, “Bloggers for Peace”……so here is what I did:  In the search bar at the top of your computer write in :      http://bloggers4peace.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/bloggers-for-piece-badge.png……..you can do the same procedure if you desire to look for the icon for an award that you receive.

8.  Then once you find the page with the ICON only on that page….you want to RIGHT CLICK …and a list will drop down, reading COPY IMAGE….click on this

9. Return to your WIDGET Menu

10. Write in the URL address in TWO PLACES:

(1)Image URL   Example:    http://bloggers4peace.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/bloggers-for-piece-badge.png

(2)Link URL      Example:    http://bloggers4peace.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/bloggers-for-piece-badge.png

11. Hit SAVE at the bottom of your widget menu.

12. Hopefully, the icon will appear on your sidebar!

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Thank you for the SHINE-ON AWARD!

shineon1

Soad from Iraq  soadhachami.wordpress.com    nominated me for the Shine On Award
I am honored that she chose me for this award!  Thank you to all those who follow my blog and my faithful visitors! Without your affirmations and comments, I would feel lost in the writing universe! Thank you for giving me a sense of belonging in your hearts and in the world of writers!

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The rules for this  award are:

1. Display the award logo on your blog.

2. Link back to the person who nominated you.

3. State 7 things about yourself

4. Nominate 15 other bloggers for this award and link to them.

5. Notify those bloggers of the nomination and the award requirements.

Seven Things About Me:

  1. I grew up in a town with 10 homes and everyone was a cousin to the other! NO kidding! LOL There was also:  a Church; a one-room schoolhouse that I attended for 8 years; two taverns with one that had a small grocery store attached that my grandparents once owned and my Mom lived in for her entire childhood and teenage life; and, there were also two gas stations plus my Dad’s plumbing and  heating business (I so wanted to live on a farm!).
  2. Does the first entry count as two?
  3. No, I never went to Kindergarten because there was not any in our town of 10 homes and one school-house–do you think that it shows? lol
  4. Each evening, when I was a bit older to be out on my own, I would bike to the top of the hill, facing West, and look at the beautiful sunset as it went to sleep over the Kettle Moraine Forest. That was my moment of freedom!
  5. I climbed trees when I was a kid—huge cedar trees that stood 40 feet into the air…the wind would blow freely…and I felt free!
  6. When I was a mere five years old, I walked up to this fenced in area behind a red barn near my home, and this beautiful Holstein cow came over to the fence, stuck out its tongue, and licked my face from the bottom of my chin to the top of my forehead! WOW! To be so loved and I was so stunned!
  7. Behind the shop that was attached to the farmhouse where I lived with my Mom and Dad, Aunt Gerty, and ten brothers and sisters, we younger ones had thrown a plank of wood across a gully fifteen inches deep and boldly proclaimed each evening at the supper table that we had crossed the border into Mexico!

The Shine On Award requires the nomination of 15 other blogs who would in turn post the awards on their sites and nominate 15 bloggers they admire. 

My 15 nominations of creative individuals for The Shine On Award are:-

1. Denise Smyth  http://forphilip.wordpress.com

Denise…there are no words…for when a Mother grieves the loss of her son…blessings to you and your family

2.  Steven             http://livingwithmydisability.wordpress.com

Steven is a man of good sense, strong moral courage, and has a heart of gold…as is reflected in his writings!  His strength will give you the will to go on amidst any difficulty!

3. Dace

Dace is an honest writer who definitely writes from her heart and urges us on to be our authentic self!

4. Tersia

Tersia fought for her daughter’s life from day one…Tersia faced the medical community and did not cower under them (…as helpful as they are and try to be…sometimes they too, get absorbed by what they do, and forget these are human beings with feelings and who need hope and understanding and the willingness to believe that their “patients”  will become healthier).  Tersia is a noble Mother Warrior!

5. Clanmother            http://clanmother.com

I love Clanmother’s beautiful blog with exquisite artwork displayed throughout her blog! Her blog itself is presented in beauty and her writing adorn the blog’s contents!

6. Celestine                 readinpleasure@wordpress.com

Celestine writes beautiful Haikus and is soon to be published! She also writes excellent reviews of books we should attempt to read!

7. Prenin                        wordsfallfrommyeyes@wordpress.com

Prenin is a single Mom who has gone to great lengths to protect and raise her son, Daniel. Her voice is authentic in her writing of the struggles that life sent her way. She is     model of bravery and conviction–and an example of the strength of a woman!

8. Musing maven       http://themusingmaven.com

Musing Maven shares much of herself on her blog…her wonderful positivism…her life with her children…her own childhood…beautiful, touching truths to help us on our journey! Lovely!

9. Wuji                                  http://seshatwuji.wordpress.com
Wuji’s poetry enters your heart so easily…captivating and each nuance is felt!

10. Paul Lenzi     http://poesypluspolemics.com/

Paul’s poetry will always cause you to reflect and think deeply beyond yourself!

11. Elusive Scribe http://theelusivescribe.wordpress.com

The Elusive Scribe writes her words of  poetry  with such passion…poignant… to the heart!

12.  White Raven Soars   http://anactofwriting.wordpress.com

White Raven Soars is a home for writers…wonderful stories…wonderful insights for writers…a place to begin being a writer…WONDERFUL!

13.  http://whocouldknowthen.wordpress.com

The poetry of free verse on this blog is so serene and romantic…lovely! beautiful…speaks to your heart!

14.  Eshan  http://jeneklabam.wordpress.com

Eshan has as the subheading: “A teenager’s journey through spirituality”… thoughts and expressions are so freely expressed! Beautiful beginnings!

15.  Brenda Marroy  http://www.brenda-marroy.blogspot.com/

The first post that I read on Brenda’s blog blew me away! Powerful words…insightful…healthy…and honesty delving right into your soul!

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the special person

Dedicated to Elaine Miklos

 

if someone special enters your life

count yourself as blessed

if someone special enters your life

be grateful and enjoy the rest

if someone special enters your life

you will fly with no wings

Magnolia Flower

Magnolia Flower

if someone special enters your life

all of your being will sing

if someone special is at your door

do not ever ask for anything more

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tender goodbyes

When my own three daughters were very young, I read to them from a book called The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn, Ruth E Harper (Illustrator), Nancy M. Leak (Illustrator) that was first published by Tanglewood Press in October of 1993.  Chester Raccoon, the main character in the book, is soon entering school for the first time and has never been away from his mother. Chester’s Mother is compassionate and understands the separation Chester is worried about and in so doing says that she will give him a kiss in the palm of his hand each morning. She goes on to tell him that when he puts the palm to his cheek, he will be able to hear her whisper, “Mommy loves you!!”   This gesture enables Chester to leave for school with a happy heart.

Now1-2012-07-30 01.20.48 I have grandchildren, two little darlings, Ayden, 5, and Nadia, 4, who visit me quite regularly, as they only live a 15 minute drive from my home. I was fortunate to build a strong bond with them when they were babies, because for two years, their parents and they lived with me. So, now it is always a tug on the heart, when it is time to say goodbye and little Nadia’s tender heart sheds tears. I had to come up with a plan to soften the departure –it was equally as difficult for me. Then I remembered the book, The Kissing Hand.

So when it is time to leave, I accompany them to their car, and after they are safely buckled in, I gently take their hand, and give each of them a kiss in their palm and press it to their cheek, telling them I am always with them –and if they miss me, just to press their  palm to their cheek and a light will go on in my heart, telling me, and I will whisper “I love you” to them in the air, with the wind carrying it back to them!

One day as they were about to leave, and as I approached the door, little Nadia grabbed both of my  hands, and kissed them each in their palm, pressing my hands  firmly to my cheeks, saying,  “Don’t forget, Nanny!”  Nadia is so brilliant — as we all have brilliant grandchildren who gladden our hearts!

I was so touched by her love crystal gesture!

Today, Nadia created a new little ritual on her own. She said upon her departure, “Nanny, I have an idea! When you miss me at nighttime, look up at the moon,  and say, ‘See you at the moon!’  and when it is daytime, say ‘See you in the sky!’ because we can’t look at the Sun, as it is too bright to look into!”  She had the most beautiful smile on her face! I was filled with so much love!

We are so blessed, to give each other love crystals to help us on our journey…