Unique
Just tonight I read a post Hoda Kotb, of the Today Show, shared regarding her friend of 27 years, Karen. The day Karen’s husband was diagnosed with cancer, her doctor friend suggested she buy a candle and light it. This odd suggestion was to allow the body to go where the mind takes it, according to this doctor. In focusing on the flame as if it was the power of the human spirit, determination, love and will, she was to harness the strength. Further, she was instructed to watch as the wax dripped away, thinking of this as the cancer cells disappearing.
What a unique way to look at things!
I was so moved when reading that! Karen’s husband outlived his prognosis by five years, which is amazing in itself!
I believe a person’s outlook and attitude when they learn of a diagnosis like this makes all the difference!
My friend, Mary Sue, is also proof of this. When she learned she had breast cancer, she never skipped a beat although it certainly wasn’t the news she had hoped to receive.. She went right on with her positive attitude, just as she always had, and she conquered and persevered! While I’m sure she had her moments, she never let us see her cry or get down about her diagnosis, surgery, and treatment. She shaved her head prior to chemo while she poked fun and even laughed about the shape of her head. Completing treatments, she rang the bell, and kept that smile on her face throughout the entire ordeal. There aren’t too many people that can choose to remain positive in the face of something that could take them out of this world.
I’m happy to report my straw hat wearing, sunflower loving, Marsh Tacky riding friend, Mary Sue, is still going strong today at 77 years old. She is an amazing woman, and I am proud to have had the chance to get to know her and love her!
Voice
When the Covid pandemic hit in 2020 and we were quarantining at home, we were told of an app called Smule. This app was to replace in person Karaoke for the time being. It was shared on Facebook in a group called Quarantune.
Clever, eh?
I downloaded the app, and my daughter and I started playing around with it. She was so shy and did not want anyone to hear her sing at first. She even hid in the upstairs closet to record two songs to ensure no one heard her. After she was finished, she returned my phone without saying much at all. I played her songs after she went back upstairs.
TEARS welled up in my eyes when the song started and I heard her beautiful angelic voice for the first time singing! I listened all the way through and then played the second song as well. I ran upstairs, barely able to form words at this point as I tried to speak through the tears.
Knocking on her door, I managed to get out, “Tiff … it’s soooooo beautiful!”
Slowly the door opened, and she appeared in the doorway, eyebrows raised as she asked, “WHY are you crying?”
“Because you sound like an ANGEL!!!” I exclaimed!
She sang two songs by Billie Eilish. I admit knowing nothing about this singer until I heard these songs. Then I looked her up to hear her version of the songs my daughter sang. I am being completely honest when I say that my daughter’s version sounded better than the original artist’s version! Seriously!
I went to my husband and let him listen to the songs, and he was amazed at her talent, too! We have both encouraged her to use her talent, and we enrolled her with two different voice teachers to perfect her talent. She was so advanced with her vocal range, the second instructor said she could actually teach at their facility if a room was available. Sadly, they didn’t have a spare room at that time, but what a nice confidence boost!
Fast forward two years, and my daughter still has a passion for singing. She can reach whistle notes like Ariana Grande and Mariah Carey also.
My daughter is a Junior in high school and will be selecting colleges to apply to next year. We are encouraging her to apply to schools with programs where she will be able to use her vocal skills and talents. We would love for her to use her talent for the Kingdom, and if it’s God’s will, it WILL happen! We are expecting great things for her future – in Jesus’ name!
Entrap
If you have stayed with me during this Write 28 Day writing challenge, thank you! Since you have been brave enough to read all of my idle ramblings, you have seen that my thoughts have been all over the place during the past 15 to 16 days. That’s part of the fun!
Allow me to explain this madness.
With this 28 day challenge, you are given a prompt word daily (thank you, Anita!!). It is your job to think on the word and then write whatever comes to mind regarding that “word of the day.” You can write for five minutes, setting a timer to go off when the time is up. Or, write until your heart is content. I have done a little of both in this challenge. Truly, it has helped for me to have something else to focus on, especially at a time when someone close to me has gone through major surgery. The very human side of me feared the worst leading up to my loved one having his right kidney removed. We thank God for a successful surgery and my loved one doing so well in his recovery! As you can imagine, this writing challenge has helped a great deal and provided an escape when I needed it the most!
Now then …
Today’s prompt word “Entrap” immediately brought thoughts of a possum that was recently found on our property while my husband and his friends were working one afternoon. This little guy wobbled right up to them in broad daylight, taking them all by surprise. They noticed one of his legs was injured and imagined he had been entrapped and struggled to break free from a predator’s grasp.
My daughters are both tenderhearted just as I am, and we did not want the little guy harmed in any way when we learned he made his way past the guys and into our Rosemary bush. We gathered in front of the bush to take a peek at him. Possums are ugly, nasty creatures from what my dad said, but they surely serve a purpose (eradicating ticks, cockroaches, mice, and rats) and deserve to live.
We kept an eye on the little guy for a while, then went inside to leave him in peace. We don’t know what ever happened to him, as he was gone when we checked the Rosemary bush later. My daughter was sad that her little friend left, but her heart is so big in wanting to help the little guy. It is our hope that he survived.
