I’m joining up with the #FridayFive again today. It’s been a while! As I’ve pondered the writing prompt for this week I’ve struggled to come up with 5 things I wish I’d known. Why? Because I’m realistic enough to know that I’m hard headed enough that I probably wouldn’t have listened even if someone told me.
As I began this post I thought, “Oh, this will be simple!” As it turns out, I’ve had quite a few new and noteworthy experiences in my almost 5 decades. If I tried to list them all I think it might break the internet. A friend and I were recently discussing how if certain things we’ve experienced weren’t our experiences, we would be jealous of ourselves. I feel that way about most of my life. If this wasn’t my life, my adventures, my experiences, I’d be jealous of them. Of course, there are a few parts I’d definitely leave out or do differently but, for the most part, my life has been full of adventure and new experiences – and I’m grateful.
I couldn’t be more humbled and honored to share this story of love, faith, loss, hope and miracles from Kelly Nickerson. Kelly is a new friend and I’m so happy to have her over at EPFH. Be sure to check out more of Kelly’s writing at KellyNickerson.com. She graciously welcomes us on her journey and shares from her heart to yours – and mine. Kelly, you are most welcome here anytime!
In cleaning up my computer files recently I ran across this story that I’d saved years ago. I can’t remember why I saved it but apparently I liked it then and I still like it now. I’m still pondering this fresh start that 2016 has brought me. Peter’s story reminds me to be careful to not rush through and wish my days away, not even the hard ones or not so fun ones. I should like to savor the moments and the memories of each day. “I should like to live my life again as if for the first time…”
When our son was about 8 (he’s in his early 20’s now) we gave him a Christmas gift. We actually gave him more than one gift but we didn’t think it through the giving order very well. The first gift he opened was a plain, black zippered bible cover with handles, which to him probably looked like a purse. As you might imagine, he opened his gift with wide-eyed anticipation and then quickly exclaimed, “This is nothing I ever wanted!”
When there’s only an ounce of life left, there’s still life. What is even a little bit alive is not dead. Nothing is pronounced dead until it is actually dead. Until it is actually dead, it is alive.
I was scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed recently and saw a picture that someone took of a sunset with the caption “unedited”. It struck me that in our media-driven, selfie-taking, “never let ’em see you sweat” culture that we automatically assume everything has been edited. So much so that we have to state when it’s not with a #nofilter or #unedited. Is this caption an apology of sorts for it not being “perfect” or is this admission that it’s perfect just as it is? Interesting thought.
I want to welcome as many of your stories as I can so on this Saturday, and if it works out, all the Saturdays to come, I’m hosting a link-up post sharing extravaganza.
In putting this piece together on my favorite quotes, I thought, “This should be easy. I have SO many good quotes to choose from!” Then I thought, “This is going to be hard. I have SO many good quotes to choose from!!”
TODAY IS THE DAY!! I’ve been waiting for this day! I’ve had these 5 little books, SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR, in my hot little hands for weeks now just waiting to give them to 5 of you lovely readers. Yes, 5! Not just 1 of you, but 5 of you!
Empty Plate . Full Heart 