I so enjoyed listening to this newsletter in your very own actual voice! Thank you so much for choosing that option. Something - always more than one thing - saves our lives in each season or circumstance and I'm so happy that you've found yours and shared them. You have a beautiful family and lots of life-affirming joys. Like you, I enjoy flowers, conversations and time spent with my children (I'm not a grandmother yet although I hope to be one day), lemon meringue pie, and your packing checklist (I appreciate the link too!). Most of all, I'm happy you nurtured your soul a by taking a sabbatical. I pray you feel refreshed and renewed.
I'm sorry for the loss of your loved ones. We each have our own that we mourn, remember with love and remember they would be and are overjoyed with our joys. Greiving well is a sacred art. I love how you said, "Sorrow and celebration and remembrance all somehow co-mingle very well together. Especially when we don't pretend all is well or deny the reality that hits shattered hearts during these difficult anniversary seasons." There are too many instances where the world tells us to pretend all is well. I'm grateful there's no timeline on grieving.
You have such a beautiful way of expressing yourself, in ways that always resonate with me. I enjoy your compositions so much. I'm so happy you're here and that we've connected. Sending blessings your way today, friend.
Lisa, welcome and thanks for being here. We have so many interests in common and stories that we share. I look forward to connecting with you in the days ahead. God is so good!
Yep, it's been a dusty summer so to speak, friend. And I wouldn't have it any other way. I hope your summertime has been a delight. I'm looking forward to more of your writing in the days ahead ...
Family is so precious - how wonderful to leave the technology behind and just enjoy the moments! Lemon meriangue is one of my favorites! Like you, I don't want summer to come to an end. It has been a beautiful summer here! Enjoy every last drop of summer that you can :)
I really enjoyed my unplugged weeks this summer. I figure if people are going to unsubscribe, they were going to unsubscribe anyway. It's all good. I'm keeping this in mind for the future. It won't be the end of the world if I disappear for a week here and there. All will be well.
Isn't it crazy how the second August rolls around everyone says summer is over and starts talking about fall? I so agree! It's not over. Stop rushing the seasons people. ha ha.
Wonderful, Linda. You are wisely choosing the better things to focus on. Summer on! (Though, I confess that my latest post hints at the change of seasons.)
I'm normally turning my attention toward autumn right about now, but not this year. In some ways, it feels like summer is just beginning. And I'm in no rush to move ahead. The lazy days of summer haven't quite arrived for me ahead ...
yes yes summer is NOT over yet. Just this morning I sat outside on the swing enjoy my coffee and time with God in the cool morning air and breathing in summer. love your photos and what is saving your life right now!!
Oh, Jean, I love that picture of you sitting quietly on your swing, a cup of coffee in hand, enjoying those reflective moments with Jesus. Those kind of experiences, in and of themselves are our anchor, our life-savers, the experiences that give our lives the most meaning and purpose.
Oh, it's so wonderful to see something from you in my inbox! Just lovely to hear your voice today and listen to the stories of your summer adventures. I love that your laptop collected dust. Real life is so sweet and fleeting. I'm so thankful you could soak in that time with your loved ones. Sending love and gratitude to you for brightening my day today, sweet friend. I'm so glad you're back!🙏❤😊
My laptop just finished yet another sabbatical and we both survived again! Just goes to show that one can survive (shock!) without being constantly plugged in. And feel all the better because of it. Thanks for understanding, Cheryl.
Aw, Linda ... I'm so glad this summer is holding so much joy for you and your family. It's wonderful that you are soaking it all up and sharing it with us. And amen to all that comingling of sorrow and celebration and remembrance (although my solution is to not wear mascara at all). :-)
This sounds like a wonderful holiday, Linda. I snip flowers too. And you were smart not to blog on your holiday but to cherish those family moments. They are fleeting and we must grab them while we can! The Adirondacks sound beautiful! (And so does that lemon meringue pie!)
I love your idea of snipping flowers from the yard to brighten up your kitchen windowsill. There's something so refreshing about bringing a bit of the outdoors inside. And taking a blogging sabbatical to be fully present with your family is such a wise choice. It’s a reminder to all of us to cherish these fleeting moments with our loved ones.
Your reflections on grieving well and celebrating the lives of those who are no longer with us touched my heart deeply. It's so important to honor their memories and find joy in knowing they are watching over us. Your words offer comfort and hope.
Grieving well while moving ahead and celebrating isn't necessarily easy but sure beats staying stuck ... or pretending like nothing happened. I'm grateful the Lord helps us navigate this with grace, humor, and yes, tears.
You show all of us what true celebration is all about, Linda. Love and laughter with precious family members beside you. What could be better? Love and blessings to you and yours!
What awesome delights saving you this summer. I'm happy to hear you had a lovely break. I just love seeing your family photos.
Thanks' so much for sharing with Sweet Tea & Friend's August link up sweet friend. I'm always happy to see you.
Oh it was a summer, alright! I'm trying to hold on to her but she's slowly but surely slipping out the door. Those cooler temps don't lie.
I so enjoyed listening to this newsletter in your very own actual voice! Thank you so much for choosing that option. Something - always more than one thing - saves our lives in each season or circumstance and I'm so happy that you've found yours and shared them. You have a beautiful family and lots of life-affirming joys. Like you, I enjoy flowers, conversations and time spent with my children (I'm not a grandmother yet although I hope to be one day), lemon meringue pie, and your packing checklist (I appreciate the link too!). Most of all, I'm happy you nurtured your soul a by taking a sabbatical. I pray you feel refreshed and renewed.
I'm sorry for the loss of your loved ones. We each have our own that we mourn, remember with love and remember they would be and are overjoyed with our joys. Greiving well is a sacred art. I love how you said, "Sorrow and celebration and remembrance all somehow co-mingle very well together. Especially when we don't pretend all is well or deny the reality that hits shattered hearts during these difficult anniversary seasons." There are too many instances where the world tells us to pretend all is well. I'm grateful there's no timeline on grieving.
You have such a beautiful way of expressing yourself, in ways that always resonate with me. I enjoy your compositions so much. I'm so happy you're here and that we've connected. Sending blessings your way today, friend.
Lisa, welcome and thanks for being here. We have so many interests in common and stories that we share. I look forward to connecting with you in the days ahead. God is so good!
I'm kind of glad to hear that your laptop collected dust when it was at camp. :) Lovely family photo!!
Yep, it's been a dusty summer so to speak, friend. And I wouldn't have it any other way. I hope your summertime has been a delight. I'm looking forward to more of your writing in the days ahead ...
Family is so precious - how wonderful to leave the technology behind and just enjoy the moments! Lemon meriangue is one of my favorites! Like you, I don't want summer to come to an end. It has been a beautiful summer here! Enjoy every last drop of summer that you can :)
I really enjoyed my unplugged weeks this summer. I figure if people are going to unsubscribe, they were going to unsubscribe anyway. It's all good. I'm keeping this in mind for the future. It won't be the end of the world if I disappear for a week here and there. All will be well.
Isn't it crazy how the second August rolls around everyone says summer is over and starts talking about fall? I so agree! It's not over. Stop rushing the seasons people. ha ha.
Amen, Amy. Preach it, girl!
Wonderful, Linda. You are wisely choosing the better things to focus on. Summer on! (Though, I confess that my latest post hints at the change of seasons.)
I'm normally turning my attention toward autumn right about now, but not this year. In some ways, it feels like summer is just beginning. And I'm in no rush to move ahead. The lazy days of summer haven't quite arrived for me ahead ...
yes yes summer is NOT over yet. Just this morning I sat outside on the swing enjoy my coffee and time with God in the cool morning air and breathing in summer. love your photos and what is saving your life right now!!
Oh, Jean, I love that picture of you sitting quietly on your swing, a cup of coffee in hand, enjoying those reflective moments with Jesus. Those kind of experiences, in and of themselves are our anchor, our life-savers, the experiences that give our lives the most meaning and purpose.
Beautiful, Linda! I loved hearing from you and seeing photos. I LOVE your topic too. I'm thinking about what's been saving my life this summer. :)
Hey, welcome back friend! It's so good to see you again. So ... what IS saving your life these days? Do tell.
Oh, it's so wonderful to see something from you in my inbox! Just lovely to hear your voice today and listen to the stories of your summer adventures. I love that your laptop collected dust. Real life is so sweet and fleeting. I'm so thankful you could soak in that time with your loved ones. Sending love and gratitude to you for brightening my day today, sweet friend. I'm so glad you're back!🙏❤😊
My laptop just finished yet another sabbatical and we both survived again! Just goes to show that one can survive (shock!) without being constantly plugged in. And feel all the better because of it. Thanks for understanding, Cheryl.
Love all the summer talk, friend! And it’s great to hear from you again.
So good to chat back and forth again.
Aw, Linda ... I'm so glad this summer is holding so much joy for you and your family. It's wonderful that you are soaking it all up and sharing it with us. And amen to all that comingling of sorrow and celebration and remembrance (although my solution is to not wear mascara at all). :-)
I hear ya' about the mascara, girl.
Thanks to you I had to wipe off my computer after seeing that Oreo concoction. :) Glad to hear you are having a relaxing summer.
I hope you and Jo are having a good one, too, Bill.
This sounds like a wonderful holiday, Linda. I snip flowers too. And you were smart not to blog on your holiday but to cherish those family moments. They are fleeting and we must grab them while we can! The Adirondacks sound beautiful! (And so does that lemon meringue pie!)
I'm all about cold desserts right now, Jeanie! Sounds like you are, too.
I love your idea of snipping flowers from the yard to brighten up your kitchen windowsill. There's something so refreshing about bringing a bit of the outdoors inside. And taking a blogging sabbatical to be fully present with your family is such a wise choice. It’s a reminder to all of us to cherish these fleeting moments with our loved ones.
Your reflections on grieving well and celebrating the lives of those who are no longer with us touched my heart deeply. It's so important to honor their memories and find joy in knowing they are watching over us. Your words offer comfort and hope.
Hugs and blessings, Linda
Grieving well while moving ahead and celebrating isn't necessarily easy but sure beats staying stuck ... or pretending like nothing happened. I'm grateful the Lord helps us navigate this with grace, humor, and yes, tears.
Sounds like a wonderful summer time!
I couldn't be more grateful. For sure.
You show all of us what true celebration is all about, Linda. Love and laughter with precious family members beside you. What could be better? Love and blessings to you and yours!
We both cherish these kind of moments, don't we, friend ...