Chapel of Hope Stories

Dear Reader:

Yesterday in the midst of such fun with family dropping in throughout the day…I took advantage of Mollie’s generous offer to run me over to Publix to pick up some items running low in my fridge.

I had also added a reminder to my grocery list to pick up some fresh flowers. For years now when I would go weekly to Publix I always bought fresh flowers… a special treat for myself… it always brightened my week with beauty. I love being surrounded by plants and flowers!!!

The freshly cut roses were on sale… buy one bouquet and get another for half price… so I told Mollie to pick out her favorite … a treat for being so sweet to take me to the store.

And now… after a lifetime of ” digging out of the dirt” -including daily problems , the continuous financial ones, and medical challenges… I find myself, once again, having opportunities to bloom …it is never too late to do so!

Nothing delights me more that filling my ” new” cabinet ( John and Mandy found it left beside the road yesterday ) with flowers in all kinds of changing arrangements. Happiness is…

I had such a fun day yesterday placing beauty all around me… brightening the cloudy… later rainy day …with blooms! Mandy returned again with some new items she had found for the cabinet.

…***Carol Poole said how much she loved the song 🎵 What the World Needs Now is Love Sweet Love 🎶 and immediately after reading the post, pictured highways to country roads ‘ billboards lining our country with those words…so every traveler was reminded that only love can reunite the country.

I came across a Guidepost article…that told the real story behind this 🎵 story.

Hal David created the music melody and lyrics to ” What the World Needs Now” but it didn’t ” come easy.” He discovered to his dismay that after the title line he simply couldn’t figure out how to match any lyrics to the chorus… and ended putting the song aside in despair.

A couple of years later he left his home on Long Island to meet Burt Bacharach in Manhattan to work on another song…when suddenly it hit him … this song was addressed to GOD!!

Immediately he wrote down…. ” Lord, we don’t need another mountain” … and the rest of the lyrics flowed from there.

Dionne Warwick turned the song down ( though later she would sing it often after Jackie DeShannon first sang it… reaching number 7 on the billboard.)

Following the assassination of Robert Kennedy it became recognized as the song of hope for his family and followers returning to the top of the billboards!

“The story behind the story “… in history is always the best one …like Paul Harvey knew!

And a little humor from Libby… fun and true!

Yesterday as I listened to many different speeches by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr , they all centered around love, because love is the only answer to our woes.

The secret to this love is how we define it… this love is the forever kind… not subject to a shallow hug … followed by ” a walk on by” while quickly dismissing it from our day.

Instead this love must be deep and enduring… loving the other person for who they are… a child of God and loved by Him as He loves us. This kind of love calls for tolerance … and discovering we share more in common ( when we take time to get to know each other) than differences.

… Because if we are to keep our democracy in tact….it is up to us ” We the People” to represent the symbol of what equal opportunities and freedom means …we are the monarch of democracy… the country others still flee to … leaving behind homes and history and even life in hopes that their children will have opportunities that were closed to them. We humans all want only the best for our children… a similarity all families can relate to…

” What the World Needs Now is Love Sweet Love… it’s the only thing that there’s just too little of… not just for some but everyone!”

So until tomorrow …

Mollie called and brought Lachlan and Eloise by… and then graciously took me to Publix! All needed and appreciated!

A day filled with Mollie and grandchildren, Tommy and Pip and Mandy and John … with scrumptious food left ( chili) by John… you my friends see a blessed woman surrounded by love of family… the gift from God!!!

Dear Reader:

This past weekend I designated for myself a ” chill’in” weekend. Don’ t we all need down time after a few rocky roller coaster days where I experienced extreme highs ( Mike and Honey’s visit) and a few health issues that left me in limbo while addressing the next step and waiting for the ” step” to arrive… but it did a couple of days ago… all is well again but it did take a toll in my energy.

But then I came across one of my all-time quotes ( title quote) and realized my new saving grace is my courtyard and looking out my French doors… how did I ever live without them. It is the gift of wonder that lightens my heart daily! It is home… my happy place!

I await the spring season with much anticipation … maintenance is working around the clock to drain the courtyard and then replace all the French doors-including mine in 2024! Oh what a sight watching my flowers and plants grow here! Everyday seeing them grow taller and bloom brilliantly! My heart ❤️ has picked up …just writing this!!!

But one amazing feat didn’t escape me yesterday morning as I pulled out the fifth and last ” Big White” bloom that made up the last five bloom formation in Susan’s winter holiday planter. The other four waited on the last bulb to open before they fell off the stem.

I cut the fifth blossom way back and put it in a flower vase where it has bloomed ever since… but yesterday I could tell I had to cut it way back again but what in the world could I put it in? … And then I remembered… Honey’s home-made ceramic flower vases! Perfect!

I see wonder in the basic elements of life… unexpected visits from the past, the beauty of nature just yards from me to ponder and enjoy… wonder surrounds us and I especially find it in gazing at the stars while feeling God’s loving Presence… His universe!

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day! I think one message I heard from him that has resonated and remained in my mind ( paraphrased) was ” I never took the slurs of anti-racial opponents to heart as much as the lack of presence of friends (enduring extreme inequality) who remained silent.”

As a lifetime history teacher today …I shudder at the possibility of future students learning when the greatest democratic country ruled by ” We the People” calmly gave up their rich, hard-fought democracy based on personal rights to a self-proclaimed dictator. The enemy within us is everyone who watches but doesn’t act… just watches it unfold. Democracy forever. Thank you Martin Luther King, Jr for your dream and your greatest sacrifice!

Update:

So until tomorrow… We should never let political differences threaten our proud heritage as the greatest power on earth/freedom for all should connect us! Have a great day! Make someone smile today!!!

Dear Reader:

With a formidable forecast predicted, Honey and Mike Burrell left the Pinnacle Mts overlooking Hendersonville early Friday morning and with faith and hope on their side they arrived to little wind, partially sunny skies and a whole lot of food they came bearing… fun and laughter… filling me with uplifting spirits and wonderful memories… all was good!

What would we do if we didn’t have love in our world… unimaginable… my family , dear friends , and God still steering through the highs and lows of life… reassuring me and all His children ” You are Loved… Trust in me.”

Before leaving today I am going to pull an ” Executive Grandmother ( Boo Boo) bragging privilege.” with this proud disclosure!

So until tomorrow…

Dear Reader!

Jo Dufford texted me yesterday with this St. Francis quote: ” All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of one candle.”

Jo added ” I also think how one person’s light can make a difference!”

Now guess where this extraordinarily beautiful throw pillow came from … the one that now adds hope to my living room while an older Hope pillow came with me when I moved in …for the bedroom! ( Reminds me daily ) of Hope in both places.)

She and Mike contacted me earlier that hopefully they could get down Friday since they had another event to attend Saturday in nearby locale!

Wednesday, after following Friday’s formidable forecast, I called Honey and said ” As much as I am SO excited about the visit… I wouldn’t sacrifice y’all’s welfare for anything. Honey calmly replied that they had talked and were keeping an eye on the weather… But they were coming… they had faith and hope it would work out… that all would be well… and it was!

They brought me my favorite soup from Five Loaves and a sandwich… and we all ate lunch together. My eyes had literally been hurting want to lay them on Honey and Mike!

And then this box was delivered coming from Laurie David right after lunch … she was a teaching co-hort in the Dorchester Two School District and later as an adjunct professor at CSU. She had asked Honey about me … knowing nothing of the past few months and then this arrived -she now runs a candy chocolate business named Cheryl’s Candy. Thank you Laurie … how exceptionally kind and thoughtful! You have me ready for Valentines 💘!

Laurie wrote that ” Honey shared with me. I thought you could share these with new friends. Peace and Strength! (What a ” beautiful ” day!!)

So until tomorrow…

Stay open to new possibilities and surprises… the ” desserts” of life!

Dear Reader:

Don’t you remember as a child bursting out giggling when you came across a grandparent mumbling to him or herself in an empty room and then asking innocently … ” Who are you talking to Grandmother?” Embarrassed Grandmother said she was just listing all the ingredients in a dish she was making for supper.

I just giggled again and ran off. Now it is my time to be embarrassed as I find myself not only talking to myself silently but also loudly! How about all of you… raise your hand if you been busted by a child or grandchild… even another adult friend who can empathize since he or she does it too!

Jo thought about me when she read this… ” God wants us to trust Him to cling to and follow wherever He leads us … Whenever He chooses… not us! ”

Always remember to tell yourself things will get better. I learned that lesson the hard way last night. It was late when I woke up after a big day out and once off the sofa, I turned off the television and found myself in a completely dark room… somehow the storm left the electricity off in my bathroom and bedroom. This was the second day. … no electricity! I was fumbling in the dark.

I knew the head electrician had been called Wednesday to get it back on… but obviously wasn’t able to get to it. As I went to pull off my white t- shirt ( which protects the large scab on my sternum… the scab got caught in the process of pulling … and off came the top layer of the scab. Suddenly blood was spewing everywhere …I was In complete darkness … trying to soak up the flow and I couldn’t find a pad -just grabbing toilet paper…and when I did find one, there was no tape to adhere it too.

I was so exhausted and worried… I just placed the one pad I had found over my chest and held it down with my arm/ hand pressure.

First thing the next morning the first person bringing breakfast heard me calling out to her and she took off running to find another pad and adhesive. She and another co-hort applied the bandage and adhesive and I immediately back fell sound asleep… the electrician got the lights back on! Hallelujah!

Susan Swicegood called and brought back my freshly cleaned Prayer Blanket! ( Covered with Prayer! )

Right before Susan arrived bringing the new clean blanket, the Hospice Chaplain Galen Moyer, had arrived and with the lights on we went hunting to find the bandages and adhesives… they were not in any bathroom cabinets… Just then my RN nurse called to tell all three of us the equipment was in the closet between the bathroom and bedroom. That didn’t make sense… it was in the electrical closet???

So until tomorrow… God reveals everything in His Own Good Time! Whew! Good one God …You do work in mysterious ways! 😁

Your time… not mine!

Dear Reader:

In spite of a heavily cluttered courtyard… I am so grateful that no branches or heavy debris hit or broke the panes in my French door opening out to the courtyard.

Late Monday afternoon I took this picture as the sun was dropping… the photo didn’t pick up the swaying branches but it did pick up the beginning of the eerie fog starting to roll in!

And yesterday the sun returned with blue skies dominating the day… still…very chilly with the winds still up. Susan Swicegood had invited me out to lunch… and I love getting out and eating good old simple country food.

After lunch Susan graciously took me to Town Center to Chico’s because all my brown pants were too big and fell off me. Because I am 00… and they don’t sell many that size … every seasonal pants there for me are priced better than any discount place… for example…

For every challenge… there is a bright side!

As if Susan hadn’t done enough … she took my ” Covered with Prayer” blanket with her to wash ( delicate cycle on very low heat and then free dry or again place in the lowest heat cycle ( the blanket doesn’t like any regular heat)

Susan has an over-sized washing machine and dryer. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Susan… so many accomplishments completed because of you!

… And God did…my Protector and Pathfinder always steers me right! 💗

Dear Reader:

Monday night Mandy had me over for dinner… and while finishing up … Tommy dropped by with Pip and he told me he would take me home. Kaitlyn had given him something to give to me…something for me … one year late but she thought I would still want it after learning the story behind the blanket.

When we got back in Tommy showed me this huge gray and white blanket… it was so lush I spread it out over Pip and me and we all watched the first half of the Michigan-Washington game… Pip immediately fell asleep.

As the game went on I started feeling the lush fibers and suddenly a special message appeared ( sewed into my blanket ) a discovery that truly touched me!

Sadly… in 2012 Annette lost her courageous battle against cancer…but determined to fulfill his wife’s legacy, husband Stan built Barefoot Dreams into the famous brand it is today!

The family has expanded the business in the past 25 years … opening more shops in Malibu California and around the world… Disney went in with the family now creating blankets and all kind of other comforting items …appealing to all ages…from children to adults and even pets.

Today this dream of Annette Cook to give back to her community for their strong show of support in its initial stages, can be found at 5- Star resorts, major department stores and elaborate boutiques that attract all ages and many famous celebrities. ( Kate Hudson and Jennifer Gardner)

(The story behind the year delay gift…while the blanket took a detour …is still not clear to me but I am sure it will be a good one when I see Kaitlyn next!)

As I am finishing up this post… it has turned five’o clock…. a couple of high winds and flickering but so far so good! 🤞Fingers crossed and prayers sent to all of you… I have my blanket bringing me good luck so far to date.

So until tomorrow…I pray your lives have been blessed by avoiding any serious destruction due to these storms. Stay safe and let God watch over you!

Dear Reader:

Yesterday as I was getting ready to put Mark Nepo’s book (The Book of Awakening) back in my book cabinet… it slipped out of my hands and as I picked it up… this last short story caught my attention. ( ” I See You” Response: I See You! I Am Here! )

For centuries African Bushmen have greeted each other in this way. When the 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! ”

This tradition is both simple and profound. It is telling that much of our modern therapeutic journey is suffered to this end; to have who we are and where we’ve been … to be seen.

We simply want to be validated by another human that we are alive and living in this world together. Was the first person who validated you… a parent or grandparent?

We all need foremost … to feel loved and validated. Think about it people of the oldest tribes, unencumbered by civilization, have been rejoicing in being on earth together.

Another thought… aren’t artists in all forms and types, all-too- human attempts to say again and again … I Am Here! I Am Alive!”

So until tomorrow… “ For as stars need open space to be seen, as waves need shore to crest, as dew needs grass to soak into, our vitality depends on how we exclaim and rejoice, ” I See You! ” I Am Here!”

God validates us … but He also wants each of His children to discover his/her source of joy and happiness … your unique gift from Above… to be shared with others… bringing joy into others’ lives is what God validates in us …along with His insatiable love for us!

I ate supper with Mandy , John and family Monday night-nice to get out before the-storms and enjoyed all the company! Tommy stopped by with Pip and his Clemson-Dad attire!

Dear Reader:

A couple of days ago I was predicting that the last full foliage of beautiful white blooms was getting ready to cease …due to the curvature of the weight of the blooms overpowering its stem. ( even after being tied to a stake. )

First thing yesterday morning I was scared to peep … expecting the bulb to be completely pulled out of the four bloom ” spectacular” only to discover the blooms were still holding… not planning on going anywhere until the final ” baby” bud opened to complete the dazzling spectacle!

Besides… Mandy and Eva Cate arrived yesterday to put up stick/on wallpaper on the kitchen cabinets and the bathroom ( which Eva Cate took on by herself!) Look how much fun and color it has already brought … We ran out of wallpaper and will finish in a couple of days when the next $ 8.00 wallpaper order comes in! Cost-effective and eye-drawing to make the kitchen and bathroom cozier … and pop!

When I saw this long-sleeved t-shirt I knew I had to be the owner of it… the only person who is rarely warm (whatever the season) …especially now!!!

So until tomorrow…

And now that I have moved my indoor plant a little more over to the right …I have three angels watching over me while on my loveseat … a comforting feeling!