Swirling, Twirling, Coming Autumn

There is nothing quite as lovely, to me, as Autumn.  The colorful, swirling leaves... the layers of oranges and yellows and reds along the treetops... the crispness of the fresh air.  And wearing sweaters.  I love wearing sweaters.

I feel most alive in the Autumn months.  I am excited for the family times that come with the holiday season, and for the more quiet and relaxed evenings that start earlier with each passing sunset.  I love seeing homes with lights on in the windows, or dancing lights from someone's fireplace.  To go for long walks in the evenings, wrapped arm in arm...

I guess to me, Autumn is all about "home."  And I love being home.  I am comfortable here, I can rest here, and I can enjoy my time.  And if I want to, and I do at times, I sing out loud, and twirl and dance with my dog.  Although she is older now and can't stay up on her hind legs, she still lifts her paw onto my leg with that cheerful glimmer in her eye as I sing and act like a nut.  We're dancing partners from way back, you know.  Pure and simple love.  She thinks I'm the best dancer... :)

So, be happy where you are.  Belt out a tune, and swirl across your floor to some lovely music that brings it out in you.  And most of all, share your joy with those that surround you, be it two-legged or four.

And be blessed.

Cheri ♥

To Better Choices

First, an apology... That I'm not able to be here as much as I want to be.  I am writing here every day in my head, it just doesn't always show up in print. :)

Time seems to get away from me, and it's just because of LIFE.  Not much different from anybody else.  Days run together, and before we know it, years are gone that we can't always make up.  I remember as a child, days were long, weekends went on forever, and summer vacations were awesome.  (Summer vacations are STILL awesome!)  I think that as we get older, we let others expectations of us take away some of those hours.  That, and trying to keep up with everyone and everything around us.

I long to jump off this crazy ride, and find a little cabin in the woods where I can wake when my body says it's time to wake, sit in the sunshine and smell the flowers with my morning cup of coffee, put puzzles together with the background noise of an afternoon thunderstorm.  I long to read a mountain of books that take me anywhere I want to go, and to doze in the late evening hours before a crackling fire... You know, just enjoying each minute, of each hour, of each day...

It really isn't important to me how big or fancy my home is, what designer clothes I wear, or how new the car is I'm driving.  I just want to slow down again, I just want to enjoy the time again.  It's all about choices.

Today I choose to start doing better at living... the way LIFE was meant to be.  

To better choices for us all.

Be Blessed!

Cheri ♥

Let it Rain

I love the rain.  Especially in the dark.  The sound is soft as the rain dances off the windows and slides down the leaves to splash in the newly formed puddles.  The world seems to quiet for a while when it rains.  I like that.  I enjoy that.  I need that.

In the early morning hours, or the very late hours, the rain is almost like a lullaby.  And if there is even just a touch of moon in the sky, it becomes a palette for the clouds and wind to work their artistry.  It's a different masterpiece every time.  Nobody can create like He does. :)

Tonight it's very dark, and the rain is falling so softly... You can't hear it, but it leaves a light mist on your skin.  And it smells so fresh.  The car sounds are gone, no barking, or voices.  Just the quiet, with a beautiful night sky.  It's almost as if I'm in the wilderness, though in the middle of this busy city  -  miles from everywhere and nowhere... alone but not really.   He brought me out to experience this, to add it to my memory bank of good, and nice, and right.

Tonight I am just thankful that I'm here to enjoy the beauty and peace in this moment.  I need to savor this, to remember this, and to learn to see it in all things.

Blessings to you always...

Cheri ♥ 

Quiet Joy

Some days I wish.  I wish for sleep.  I wish for more hours in the day.  And for more laughter and smiles.  For strength to carry on, for guidance and direction, for wisdom in all I'm handed, and for more hugs from little arms.  Scattered thoughts, scattered me.


I sleep very little, not by choice, but it's been decades since I've had a peaceful rest.  I seem to always be teetering on the brink of awake.  I think my mind just likes to keep working.  There's so much to think about, you know...

In the very early, very dark morning hours, when the feline decides it's been long enough, she quietly walks up and along me, as if I won't feel her little paws in slow motion.  Then I can 'feel' her sitting patiently, staring at me, willing my eyes to open.  She must believe she has special powers, because it always works.  This was my morning today... once again.  I really don't mind.  I'm almost always already awake, but continuing to lie there, hoping sleep will find me.


In reality, I'd rather be awake.  I love the very late nights, and I love the very early mornings.  The world is quiet, and I don't have a million things vying for my attention, and I don't have to say a word.  Some days I make use of these hours and accomplish things, other days I just listen to the tranquil sounds of the wind, or rain, or sweet, soft birdsongs.


I love to observe all that surrounds me, without forming any thoughts at all... but rather just taking it all in and storing it for when it's needed.  With some dark hours I go outside, and it seems as if all the universe is sleeping.  I look at the stars, or the colorful horizon that is beginning to form...  

Have you ever taken the time to watch the sun rise, or the sun set?  We take if for granted most days, but it's such an awe-inspiring, majestic sight that happens so quickly.  I love the blessing I feel every time I've seen them.  That will never grow old to me.  And when I experience them, I just feel peace.  And love.  It's as if I can feel them wash over me, from the tip of my head to the ends of my toes.  And it's good.  I know I can handle the coming day.  (Thank you, God.)


My pastor once said, "Joy is a choice, a life-changing mindset not based on circumstances."  And it's true.  So even though I write from deep places, and even though I've walked through many deep valleys, I will continue to live this life I've been given in joy.  Sometimes quiet joy, sometimes tearful joy, and sometimes shouting-out-loud, dancing and twirling joy!  But joy, nonetheless.


I will continue to have sleep evade me, I'm sure.  And I will continue to be consumed with random thoughts.  But in it all, whether it's blatantly obvious or not, I have a soul full of joy, and if you see me, you'll see it leak out here and there.  Sometimes, it even pours.  :)


Be blessed in all you do this week...


Cheri ♥

In Search of Time

I am in search of time.  More time.  It seems to disappear so quickly, and yet I have so much I want to fill it with.  Things I want do-overs on.  Things I've been afraid to try.  Things I daydream about.  And things I hope for.


When a day arrives with areas of quiet, I seem to find myself just absorbing it rather than making the most of it.  I've come to the conclusion that there is just too much busyness round and about me.  Is it living in the city, where the days never end, even with darkness?  Is it taking in too much from the outside that's drowning the desires inside?  Or is it just exhaustion... from all of it?


I'm still working on figuring it out.  My heart aches for my friends who are hurting... whether from a failed relationship, or physical pain, or the need for comfort, healing, peace.  I find them on my mind whenever I drift into the hush.  I pray for them always, and talk when it seems the time is right.  I don't want to stop this.  I don't consider this taking my time away.  Instead, I feel this may be why I'm given some time.


I've always been a list maker.  Maybe I should keep a list of things I need to do.  To fill the void of what-if's and if-only's.  Or a list of things to stop doing.  To empty it.  To make room.  


Maybe both.


Be blessed.

Cheri ♥