Chapel of Hope Stories

Dear Reader:

I am home! I have just experienced the best of both worlds… seeing upfront and personal all the hard work and time Tommy and Kaitlyn have put in renovating their home-( from the fire tragedy) turning one side into an adorable air bnb. It has taken close to two years with a lot of investment… but they have turned a corner and they are certainly deserving.

Each evening we bundled up under covers , on the sofa, to watch a movie-one movie that I had no idea had won the top best movie (over Citizen Kane) for a decade-as critiqued by Rotten Tomatoes . The movie Paddington 2!!!! It was wonderful and what a different role for Hugh Grant-the villain! I admit I laughed and cried a lot! It WAS a well-written and acted movie with so many great lessons on morality in it!

But the main thing was simply being together …enjoying time together-of course precious Pip and Atticus, the dogs, watched with us!

I got to see most of the family-it had been a long time-since Christmas with some-between the strange, unsettled, freezing weather every weekend and Covid quarantines .. it made me so happy to be back in the loving circle of family!

I had also not seen brother Ben in over three weeks because he tested positive for Covid…and was in quarantine for 20 days-confined to his room. ( luckily asymptomatic) As you can imagine… he was so ready to be around people again!

After I left Tommy and Kaitlyn’s yesterday morning … I promptly picked up Ben at Wellmore and took him to get head and neck scans for his neurologist . Then took him to lunch-what was supposed to be a rainy day held off until mid-afternoon -it was sunny and in the mid-seventies.

Ben was so happy… and speaking of … he is the photo participant for Wellmore’s Wellness Calendar! Go Ben! Play those drum sticks!

I know I will sleep soundly tonight… no matter how wonderful the accommodations… don’t we all sleep better in our own beds? Exciting to go… happy to return!

In reference to the post yesterday ( sorry if I confused you by sending the post the night before-using the WiFi at the air bnb limited my access to pre-dated time starts.) Hopefully now that I am back home… we can get back on track) but the theme behind the ” perfect ” idea was to forget ” perfect ” and concentrate on being a good moral person.

Haven’t we all heard the expression that true character can be defined as the way we act in private… out of the public eye… when no one is looking! It shows exactly what kind of ” character ” we really are-the real deal or a poor fake imitation.

I have had more talks to myself in private over something I did or failed to do than at any other time . Here is my example…

It is raining hard when you come out of the grocery store… you hurriedly get the groceries out of the cart and throw the bags inside the car and now… you are staring at the cart-you quickly assess that there is no designated cart 🛒 leaving place close ( especially at Publix) -you will need to push it back inside the store.

Nobody is looking … lots of people are cramming the carts in the handicapped parking places… but then if a handicapped person needs a close parking space … there won’t be one…. especially in bad weather.

Honestly I wish I could say I have done the right thing every time and taken the cart and left it in the designated spots, but then I would just be adding a lie to my failing moral moment dilemma.

I know I have failed myself because I actually feel a tug letting me know I failed the test. But more importantly… I failed me and God. I can spend the rest of the day making excuses why it was ” okay” … no big deal- yet down deep I know I came up short.

I get the feeling that it is these very mundane daily/ personal temptations that will be the most important assessments in our moral make-up… not the top Ten Commandments necessarily -because we must know ourselves, admit our fallacies and keep trying to be a better person today than yesterday.

So until tomorrow … It is our job to keep trying to be the person God knows we are capable of being… after all, like our teachers taught us- a good progress report is better than one bad grade … or even one good grade. It means we haven’t given up!

Today is my favorite day-Winnie the Pooh

Dear Reader:

The rain is forecast to return today, I am heading out early this morning to pick up Ben at Wellmore and take him to the Trident complex for head and neck scans …before returning back to Daniel Island to drop him off again and return to Summerville from my three day stay in Mt Pleasant…a lot of driving in the rain.

Ben was supposed to have these scans done last Friday but he was still in quarantine from testing positive for Covid-luckily he was asymptomatic but he didn’t get released for almost three weeks. Ben is so excited just to get out for awhile… no matter the reason.

Tommy and I had time to talk and discuss different books and ideas… one book he gave me is titled…How to Be Perfect by Michael Schur…. television writer for The Office and co-creator of Parks and Recreation. The book is obviously intended to not strive to be perfect … instead to be be a good person and live a good life on earth -written with self- deprecated humor and common sense wisdom.

Near the end of his book Schur tells how thousands of years ago, in a part of Greece called Delphi, some people built a temple. They, as parents, were worried about their kids too/so they chiseled a couple of sayings into a column of that temple to tell their kids, and their grandkids, and their great grandkids, in as few words as possible, how to try to pull off the nearly impossible task of living a good life on earth. Here’s what they wrote:

Know thyself

Nothing in excess

The author thinks those two thoughts of wisdom , as far as ” guides to life” go… have never been beaten in the 2400 years since. For ” homework ” think about these two guidelines and tomorrow I will share my thoughts and the author ‘s with you!

Yesterday was a busy day … Took Kaitlyn and Tommy out to eat in an outdoor picnic area, Kaitlyn, her mother Susan, and I went to the Meeting Street nursery and got gorgeous plants-had several people drop in so I am fading fast and obviously today will be a challenging day too but I will be home writing the post-much easier at home for me.

So until tomorrow … While you are here on earth, think about the parts of people you love-their kindness, generosity, loyalty, courage, determination, mildness. Aim yourselves at the exact right amount of those qualities, as best you can-not too much, not too little. Keep trying it over and over -the trying is important/keep trying! You will start getting closer and closer to getting it right!

Today is my favorite day. Winnie the Pooh

Kaitlyn and Susan got all Kaitlyn’s plants planted-just in time for the rain!

Dear Reader:

When the fire tragedy took their home in March of 2020… it also marked the official onset of Covid. Things looked bleak… but now two years later we can look back on all of it as a catalyst that sparked amazing changes and much happiness! Let me show you!

I am getting an unusual experience founded in tragedy and evolving into pride and accomplishment by staying with Tommy and Kaitlyn … re-living the onset of what would lead to Tommy and Kaitlyn’s newly renovated home … the fire that occurred on Friday the 13th, March of 2020…burning their home to inhabitable status… thus making it impossible to return until almost a year later… out of the ashes arises the Phoenix-turning their home into two adorable units-one of which Tommy and Kaitlyn live in and have a short-term rental on the other side -where I am staying while hopefully helping out.

Kitchenette and dining

My two favorite colors are Orange and Yellow-check out the two bedrooms!

These days this charming air b ‘ n b is simply known as Stay Here. It is located on 7 Shem Drive right off Coleman Blvd ( behind OOPS ! ) Two years ago Tommy and Kaitlyn had to learn the hard way about sudden change, initial fright and sadness and finally perseverance, hope… success and happiness!

So until tomorrow… From the beginning, the key to renewal has been the casting off of old ” skin ” -leaving behind the familiar, the comfortable and the safety of stability. Letting inward change turn our vision and dreams outward and letting go of what once was.

Today is my favorite day-Winnie the Pooh

Once again… thank you for your prayers, comments, emails, calls and cards… you lifted me higher than my fears could climb!

Dear Reader:

Monday night as I was packing to head over to Tommy’s and Kaitlyn’s house… my mind was swirling… I had taken one of the slips of paper from Kaitlyn’s Christmas gift-a tin box filled with cards to write our concerns down to God and then throw the slip away-leaving the matter in God’s capable hands.

But isn’t this so hard? I had never noticed the scripture on the inner top lid..before-” She is clothed with strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25

I wish I could say I was this strong… but I do keep trying to turn it over to God without jerking it back. * As I was writing this part of the post yesterday morning Tommy had just gone into surgery-I typed and then squeezed my holding cross tightly! ( Will not publish this post until I have heard from Kaitlyn… the surgery is predicted to last two hours)

I have always be drawn to the stars …like every other human being who ever lived. It is like we sense just how magnificent our universe is with so many mysteries surrounding it… and without any doubt or hesitation I intuitively know this solar space is the portal to God’s existence and one day ours.

I once read a quote that I kept …which sums up our unconscious magnetic pull and loving affinity towards heavenly skies and stars.

” I don’t understand, but God is the unseen thing that connects my heart to the stars”

I immediately went out on the porch and looked up to see if I saw any stars… there was a dim constellation that was a little fuzzy… but then suddenly I spotted it-right over the pear tree-one bright shining star.

Thinking how ridiculous it was to try to get a picture at night of a star I , nonetheless, aimed and pressed. Nothing… at least I initially thought nothing because no flash went off but when I went back inside-there it was-a dark canvas with one small round white dot.

I started enlarging it and gasped… it looks like I discovered a magnificent blue flower staring down at me. ( Title picture) It was literally a God Wink assuring me …all will be well with Tommy!

So until tomorrow…Sooner or later, we come to the edge of a vastness that has been there all along and we are forced to decide if we are visitors or if this is our home.

Today is my favorite day… because despite what the groundhog sees today… Tommy’s surgery went well and for me … the sun is shining brightly!

Today is my favorite day-Winnie the Pooh

The surgery was closer to almost three hours when all was said and done but all went well and my arrival and Tommy’s and Kaitlyn’s almost blended together-perfect timing! It was a big hernia and required more time to remove. Tommy was lucky he got it done now because it would have soon caused major complications. God is good!

I am staying in the air bnb side and it is adorable! Will give you a visual tour of my abode in tomorrow’s post!

Dear Reader:

Today is February 1 and you know we have the tradition of calling out ” Rabbit” ” Rabbit” the first thing when we wake up on the first day of the month. As the story goes… doing this little ritual brings good luck and harmony throughout the month.

And since Tommy will be having his surgery this morning… Mama Boo isn’t taking any chances… rabbits and prayers to God. Will update you tomorrow on Tommy’s outcome. Please keep the prayers going until he is safely back home in bed.

Now you know me and my crazy ” connective” neurons -my mind went… surgery… rabbit… February 1…. ah… Bugs Bunny… ” What’s up Doc?” ( And as a mother that is all I want to know today… ” What’s up Doc?” ( And then I want to hear good news via Kaitlyn! )

Texts, calls, and emails have poured in lifting my spirits higher and higher. It is a great reminder that no matter how crazy our world gets …when the going gets tough.. friends get tougher! I recently read that the German root of the word ” friendship” means ” place of high safety.”

What a beautiful thought but then that’s what your thoughts and prayers are doing for me… keeping my spirits lifted! This safety opens us to God. As Cicero said ” A friend is a second self.” And as Saint Martin spoke” My friends are the beings through whom God loves me.”

So until tomorrow… There can be no greater or simpler ambition than to be a friend.

Today is my favorite day 🤞🙏🏻 Winnie the Pooh

On a fun note… James B Edwards School had crazy hair day for fifth graders and twins day for first graders.

Dear Reader:

I mentioned yesterday that I was starting an article on another perspective about ” exciting” aging when Betsy let me know about about the 95th anniversary of Winnie the Pooh-a little bear near and dear to my heart. Stop! Pause! Go with the story at hand! ( Wish I could click my fingers and be in East Sussex at Winnie’s B n’ B-wasn’t it adorable?

When different articles, television discussions, sentences from books, conversations with friends conspire to gravitate to a mutual central topic … I know to follow the path …to share on my post.

While investigating…I learned that physical aging can certainly be challenging, ( an understatement) but spiritual growth is ageless! In fact… the older we get the more opportunity we have to see our lives as simply being on the brink of awestruck inner revelations that we never contemplated before.

In one article Jo sent me on aging… a new perspective spoke to me. It suggested that every time we stare up at the moon we should be visually consumed by God’s beauty in our lives and give thanks to God for it.

Everyday we feel the sun warming our souls, as well as, our bodies we should be consumed by the power of God’s care for us.

And finally… every time we pass a mirror… we should pause to reflect on the greatest miracle of all… God’s most amazing creation-us!

After all these connections-another link popped up in artist and possibilitarian, Kelly Rae Roberts’ newsletter. And what was the theme on-none other than aging spiritually?

After two years of some trying, turbulent, self-doubting transition years… in which artist Kelly Rae Roberts moved her family from a large city to a smaller community… putting herself into a student learning mode instead of an established artist… it is all paying off spiritually and happily!

Today Kelly says” These days I feel a deep sense of sacred rootedness, clarity, delight, ease, and full circle moments. I’m right back there again but this time armed with deep seeded wisdom and a strong spiritual practice. Perhaps this is the magic of aging! If this is what aging should feel like… I’m down for it, you too?”

So until tomorrow… Shouldn’t we all feel like, at a certain point, we are returning home to ourselves… filled with endless possibility, energy, and joy? Part Two of our lives can be just as uplifting and freeing if we keep learning new things combined with the wisdom of experience!

Today is my favorite day-Winnie the Pooh

A special request for prayer-My son Tommy is having surgery tomorrow so I will be heading over to their home to spend a few days helping out and freeing up Kaitlyn so she can handle work and other daily obligations -will be loaded down with food provisions from Doodle, our matriarch in the family and best cook ever!

Tommy’s surgery starts at 7:30 in the morning and we are all hoping ( barring any unforeseen complications) he will be released later in the day… depending on his recovery following surgery. Thank you in advance… we are all big believers in the power of prayer.

Happy Birthday shout-out to Jo and Gin-g ! They share the same birthday-I think God was in an extra good mood this day … to give the world two such caring individuals!

Dear Reader:

I had started another post when I saw I had a message from Betsy, Ya Libby’s daughter. Curious… I stopped writing and read the message… it was an article on the 95Th Anniversary of the creation of one of the most beloved bears of all… Winnie the Pooh!

As all you loyal readers know… my send-off “mantra” every day ( on my blog post) for a dozen years has been ” Today is my favorite day” -Winnie the Pooh.

Betsy saw this announcement on Facebook and immediately thought of me… I am sending you a Pooh Hug right now Betsy and it IS the right size!

Kim Raymond, designer extraordinaire, created and built ” The Bear BNB” -it is an authentic replica of Pooh’s tree-hollow cottage!

Taking inspiration from the original illustrations of E. H. Shepard, the tiny property can be found inside a real tree trunk and boasts a bright red door and sign that reads ‘ Mr. Sanders’, a reference to the original Winnie the Pooh tales!

The magical home boasts a cozy interior with blue & white striped wallpaper adorned with yellow acorns & pine cones, as well as, a rustic wood ceiling, off-kilter windows, floral furnishings & hand painted artworks.

The kitchen comes equipped with a shelving unit filled with giant jars of honey, while outside you’ll find a magical picnic area where guests are served up locally-sourced meals inspired by Pooh’s favorite honey. ( Bearbnb, East Sussex, UK. )

Ironically Jo Dufford, one of the Chapel of Hope’s most loyal readers sent me an article on aging ( beautiful thoughts that I will use in an upcoming post) yesterday …and she and her granddaughter Colby have sent me more Pooh gifts than anyone I know-then suddenly Betsy updates me with a “95th” Winnie the Pooh anniversary story-definitely a God Wink!!!

So until tomorrow… Happy Birthday Jo and thank you, Colby, and Stephanie for always keeping me in Pooh’s corner! ***Remember Jo… like Pooh you are eternally young in heart and spirit and most beloved!!!

” Today is my favorite day” -Winnie the Pooh

Dear Reader:

How many of you remember seeing this home video when it exploded on every news station and talk show in America? One could almost hear aloud the collective sigh of ” AH” coming from viewers and audiences alike. I believe I remember it won the ” Feel Good” video that year. Two toddlers expressing the joy of friendship!

Again it reiterates …that out of the simplest human expressions and interactions come the greatest joys in our lives. In my mind the only other scene that comes close to this feel-good sighting is watching the opening and closing scenes to the movie-Love Actually-when the camera zooms in on ordinary people squealing and hugging loved ones as they arrive at Heathrow airport-I get choked up every time I watch it. ( which is every Christmas.)

This past Christmas ( 2021) the famous airport recreated scenes ( 18 years after the blockbuster movie was released) since many passengers disembarking had not seen loved ones in over a year-due to Covid restrictions.

Hugh Grant’s lines ring more true than ever… ” If you look for it, whatever life throws at us, you’ll find that love ,actually, is all around.”

For centuries, African Bushmen have greeted each other in this way. When one becomes aware of his brother or sister coming out of the brush, he exclaims, “I See You!” and then the one approaching rejoices, ” I Am Here!”

For with this simple and honest affirmation, it is possible to claim our presence, to say, ” I Am Here.” Now take a moment and think of the people in your lives who have validated your” personhood” by really seeing you and creating the foundation of your self-worth and individual uniqueness, using God’s talent’s bestowed upon you.

It is important to understand that being seen enables us to claim our lives. And with that purposeful purchase-we can now pass this validation, this gift, on to others.

As far back as human life has existed… we have rejoiced in being on earth together. In spite of today’s cultural proper etiquette restrictions …like the toddlers, we must keep being joyful in being alive and together … passing it down generationally.

So until tomorrow… as Mark Nepo so eloquently expresses ” For as stars need open space to be seen, as waves need shore to crest, as dew needs grass to soak into, our vitality and fulfillment depend on how we exclaim and rejoice- ” I See You!” I Am Here!”

Yesterday I had a delightful surprise on a cold cloudy wintry day! After Jeff left I was walking around the yard and in a very isolated stretch behind the garage.. some color caught my eye!

At first. I thought it was camellia blooms blown behind the garage but upon further inspection realized that the two beauties were planted and blooming from the ground up… Doodle immediately identified both beauties as hyacinth-they come up from bulbs-but I have never planted hyacinth bulbs and certainly not in a spot where no one would ever see it. Another garden mystery… but a heart-warming discovery on a cold gray winter day.

Dear Reader:

When I accidentally came across this article in Newsweek I left an appointment office waiting room with a smile on my face… let’s hear it for God’s creatures-who come in all sizes. And even the smallest can teach us a great lesson.

Ants have been seen healing wounded trees in Panama. This is a behavior never observed before. When holes were drilled into Cecropia tree trunks… the ants emerged from their homes to patch up the wounds… significantly reducing the size of the holes within 2 1/2 hours and leaving them completely healed within 24 hours.

They worked in teams of 7-10 ants patching the trunk holes with plant fibers until filled in completely …which, consequentially helped the plant form it’s own scar tissue.

After the repairs were made ants made their homes in the multi-level renovated tree trunk ” apartments” …thus forming a symbiotic relationship. But it wasn’t just self-serving to take care of housing issues when the damage was fixed-the ants took their philanthropy a step farther.

Producing ( internally) anti-microbial chemicals… the ants spread it on damaged leaves to restore their status in maintaining a healthy tree. The Aztecs ants and Cecropia trees are happily co-living together-each providing the other with shelter (for the ants) and free health ” benefits. ” (for the trees.) Mutual aid and benefits. A win-win situation for both.

For me… this true story was a reminder ( one more time) that all God’s creatures, including us humans, were never meant to go through life alone. We are all suppose to help our fellow man ( and God’s creatures)- and to be willing to give and receive throughout our life journey.

So until tomorrow… ” I have found giving liberates the soul of the giver.” Angelou

Today is my favorite day -Winnie the Pooh

Tommy and Kaitlyn have rounded home base …fixing up their backyard-a long on-going project but one paying off now-looks terrific y’all! Congrats!

Jeff came yesterday and look -” I have light ” -more accurately all three beaming recessed ceiling lights! Thanks Jeff! The yard man who is also a house man… or should I say a modern Renaissance Man! 👍🤣

Dear Reader:

Didn’t most of us grow up with at least one ” crazy” great-aunt who talked to herself? In my family it was Aunt Nora. If I was ever left alone with her for any amount of time ( which was rare) I would soon hear her busily bustling around the house doing chores ( while I played with Polly-my doll).

It was only a matter of time before I heard her talking. Initially I assumed someone else had come in and was too self-absorbed playing dolls to pick up on anything unusual. ( After all I was talking to my dolls too!)

When mother would pick me up she always asked if I had a good time and asked about Aunt Nora. I would nod ” yes” I did and mention that Aunt Nora talked to someone a lot when I was there but I never met her. Mother would just smile, knowingly, and hug me.

Then one day I went into Aunt Nora’s bedroom to ask if I could get a cookie. The door was shut but I could hear Aunt Nora talking. When I opened the door Aunt Nora looked startled and I asked her who she was talking to. ” God” she replied immediately.

Excitedly I walked farther into the room so I could finally meet God-but to my disappointment I saw no one. ” Where is He?”I asked Aunt Nora. Is He gone?”

” Oh no” … He’s right here… and pointed to her heart. As a small child… it all made sense to me and from that time on when mother asked what Aunt Nora was doing… (when she picked me up) …I promptly replied ” Talking to God.”

These days I find myself making oral lists as reminders to pick up items I need at certain locations. And yes, Aunt Nora was right… When I really need God’s advice I have discovered that praying aloud brings God’s Presence more fully into my being. The power of prayer is enhanced when spoken aloud.

So until tomorrow… When we hear our own prayers , in our own ears, as well as, our own hearts…our ” hidden wholeness” is revealed-and our prayers start defining ourselves, our futures, and dreams.

” Today is my favorite day” Winnie the Pooh

Love grasping my ” Holding Cross” when praying aloud

Eva Cate had her first tennis lesson Tuesday-was disappointed she couldn’t wear her new tennis skirt since it was pretty chilly-at 11 looking the part is just as important as ” performing.” 🤣 * Regardless she had a great start and loves her instructors.