We celebrate...

I'm back!  I told you that I would be.  However, I thought that it would be a lot sooner.  But, it's the last day of the year so I will definitely get these last group of thoughts in.  I know you missed me!  Anyway, I know in my last post I mentioned how crazy the month of October was!  I'm still trying to catch my breath.  But I'm even more grateful to be apart of two wonderful weddings.  Those are precious memories that I will treasure forever.

But in November, I watched a good friend say goodbye to his mother.  I had just stood right beside him weeks before this, singing at our friend's wedding.  We were celebrating!  That day we all laughed, ate some amazing food and danced like we were still in our 20's.  Well, ok I know I did.

On the day of his mother's memorial service, I saw my brave friend greeting people and shaking their hands.  Beautiful pictures of her had been placed towards the front of the room.  People sweetly celebrating all that she accomplished in her life and celebrating the person that she was.  I thought about her life and her family.  It made me wish that I had known her more. Yet, I could see little pieces of her in each one of her children faces.  She left her fragrance with her family.  She left this with her son; my friend.  Her beautiful life was celebrated.

You know, so many things have happened this year.  Some have been challenging and some have just been plain hard.  But, I don't know how I would have made it through all of it without knowing God.  He's been there when the days were tough and hard.  He has fought a lot of battles for me and still continues to do it.  He also was right there in the bright moments of my life too.  This is how 2018 has been for me.  No matter what comes our way in 2019, let's remember to celebrate.  Celebrate God by honoring him everyday.  Celebrate your crazy life, your family and your crazy friends.  I am so thankful for all of mine.  Have a wonderful New Year!

And of course, I'll be back
 

Two weddings and a trip to Nashville.

Hello, again.  More months have passed!  Wow, next week in Thanksgiving.  Where has the time gone?  I think I ask myself that question every year but I can never come up with a clear answer.  Well, let me catch you up to speed because obviously a lot has happened, as usual.  In September, I went to a conference in Nashville.  Yes, it was work related.  We actually left on the day of my birthday but, that trip was so worth it!  We stayed at the amazing Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.
(Please see the lovely picture below.  Why, yes those are very big boots.  Hello, it's Nashville!)

Being goofy in front of The Grand Ole Opry:

As far as the music goes it wasn't just a little bit of country; it was A WHOLE LOT OF COUNTRY!  Now, please don't take what I'm saying personally because I put those words in all caps.  I have always enjoyed listening to country music.  Because of that visit it just made me appreciate it even more.  When I was walking downtown in Nashville, the sounds just hit me.  Not only that but there was so much great history there.  I wish I could've stayed longer.  I definitely hope to go back someday soon. Sigh..

So, let's move on to October.  October was packed with stuff.  A baby shower and two weddings.  Let me mention to you that the weddings were beautiful and literally one week apart from each other.  Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I was a bridesmaid in one of the weddings.  Plus, also singing with another mutual friend in the same wedding!  Whew, so much to say in one sentence.

It was such a blessing and an honor to be apart of it.  I watched two of my close friends say 'I do'.  It made me think about my own wedding day.  And I'm just going to leave that thought right there.  So, while you ponder over that...I'll be right back

Just wait

Saying goodbye again.

Hello my people!  This is my first official post for the year of 2018.  I'm sorry, so sorry! (In my mind I am singing this to all of you) But, I don't want you to think that I haven't been writing.  I wanted to post a little something a few months ago but as that time my head was in a whole other space.  There have been a whirlwind of events happening lately.  Still, no matter what's going on I still want to connect with you.  I haven't forgotten about you!

I do want to explain the title of this post to you.  The past ten months have been really challenging.  In my last post, I know that I mentioned to you that I had lost two of my aunts to cancer. Well, at the end of January, my grandmother passed away.  And just this past week, we lost another loved one to cancer.   My mother has endured a lot and so has my father.  I don't think that I have ever experienced something like this in my life.  To have both parents grieving at the same time is a hard thing to watch.  It's hard to say to yourself that this is a part of life.  Dying is a part of life.  But, that doesn't make this easier to handle.  It's very strange to see those people that you have grown up with begin to leave you.  The reality is...we are not meant to stay here.  This is just our temporary home.

But the beauty of all of this is knowing that I will see them again.  Because they are up there in heaven with the Lord.  What a beautiful reminder!

That is all for today.
I'll be back soon.