Flowering Fridays: On Not Toiling or Spinning

Bee on daisy, the site of my Grandma & Grandpa Jackson's old house, July 2009

Lately, I feel a bit like this bee on this daisy. Hanging on and peering over the edge.

So much of what is going on in my life right now feels like teetering and making constant recalibrations to find my center point again and again: With my mom's healing journey, which has been up and down. Around the decision we officially made this week to put our house on the market in October — without knowing where we are moving to yet.

It's been a journey, a process, an adventure and a spiritual practice all rolled into one.

Many times a day I find myself…feeling fear and then reconnecting to faith...feeling worry and then shifting over to trust...feeling scared and then stepping into peaceful calm...feeling like I need to have all the answers and then moving forward one step at a time.

My husband, Michael, is reading Norman Vincent Peale's classic, The Power of Positive Thinking, and he sent me this biblical quote from the book:

Jesus said: "...do not worry about your life and what you will eat, or about your body and what you will wear. For life is more than food and the body more than clothing. Notice the ravens: they do not sow or reap; they have neither storehouse nor barn, yet God feeds them. How much more important are you than birds! Can any of you by worrying add a moment to your life-span? If even the smalest things are beyond your control, why are you anxious about the rest? Notice how the flowers grow. They do not toil or spin. But I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of them...Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom."

I often look at the flowers and the animals who live with us and visit our yard and am reminding of their trust, faith and surrender. Of how little stress and worry they live in. Of how they are always provided for.

My intention as we stage our own "Extreme House Makeover" in four weeks and as I await the news on how my mom is doing each day is to be without out worry and to hang on to the things and thoughts that keep me centered.

This bee has the comfort of these daisy petals. Surely, I can take comfort in knowing I have the love and support of the universe, too.

Tell me, on what do you rely on for comfort and centering in times of fear and uncertainty?

P.S. My mom continues to heal. She is back in ICU after a short stay in an LTAC facility. (That's long-term acute care.) Thankfully, the past few days she is more alert and stable. The prayers, thoughts and good energy are so very appreciated.

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Flowering Fridays is a weekly look at flowers through the lens of what they might teach us about flowering fully in our life. Past editions are here.

Flowering Fridays: Celebrating Your Flowers

In the garden of our life, it's important to pause and take note of our most precious flowers.

Sometimes we can take for granted all the gifts their beauty and blooming are to us.

But we must be conscious enough to pause and take notice.

Because, according to my book, flowers are meant to be appreciated.

I have a very special flower in my life garden who is turning 41 today.

He is much like this sunflower.

Beautiful to the core. Strong and upright. Sunny and light-giving. A bit mysterious. Giving of shade and seeds and strength to those around him. Easy on the eyes. And a bit "stalky" in build.

My man, Michael. My love, husband, wonderful father.

My life flowers so much more beautifully and fully as a result of his being in it.

I celebrate him and celebrate how he is blooming bigger in his life with each passing year. I am so very thankful for the gift sharing life with him.

Happy Birthday, my sweet sunflower. I love you.

Tell me, what do you celebrate about the flowers in your life garden today?

P.S. My mom is still healing, and we hope she will be moving to a long-term acute care facility soon. Thank you all for the love and healing energy.

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Flowering Fridays is a weekly look at flowers through the lens of what they might teach us about flowering fully in our life. Past editions are here.

Monday Musings: On a Life Well-Lived

Baby spiders, just hatched, front bed, July 2009

We cannot know for certain how long we have here. We cannot foresee the trials or misfortunes that will test us along the way. We cannot know what God's plan is for us. What we can do is to live out our lives as best we can with purpose, and with love, and with joy. We can use each day to show those who are closest to us how much we care about them, and treat others with the kindness and respect that we wish for ourselves. We can learn from our mistakes and grow from our failures. And we can strive at all costs to make a better world, so that someday, if we are blessed with the chance to look back on our time here, we know that we spent it well; that we made a difference; that our fleeting presence had a lasting impact on the lives of others.

— President Barak Obama speaking at Sen. Edward Kennedy's Funeral

Sent to me by my sister, Katelyn. (Thanks, Kate.)

P.S. My mom is stable. Evidently she had a blood infection. I am thankful that she is again showing signs of healing. I am back in Wisconsin, getting Grace ready for the start of second grade. Sending everyone love and light for a great week!