So Many Questions, But No Doubt

And like Christopher Robin tells Pooh you will find in that moment, "You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem...

Are there moments in your life when you wonder if you could have lived your life differently, would you?

 So, you believe that when God closes a door he also opens a window?  Right?

Last Sunday I reaffirmed my baptismal vows as I watched the Christening of someone else's child.  The child's name was Addison Grace.

Addison Grace.  It was like a bolt of lightening ran through me when I heard the priest say her name.  Spontaneous tears spilled from my eyes.  Memories brief, yet a lifetime, ran through my mind in the flash of an instant.

Twenty years ago I lost a baby whom I named, Addison Grace.  She was the twin sister to my son, Cooper John.  While he has thrived in our lives, Addy has lived in our hearts alone.

Is it how high you build your dreams that makes a difference or how high your faith can climb?  Is what matters how much you accomplish, or how many lives you touch?

Are you shaped by the circumstances in your life, or how you handle your circumstances?  Is your comfort zone a place where you can be you?  Is it where you are who you are?  Could it possibly define the reason you are dependable, constant, loyal and reliable or...

Are you more laid back and go with the flow?  Does that mean you're not rigid and you're fun and carefree and spontaneous?  Is that the way everyone should be?

Should you change to make someone else happy?  Do you think that people should love you for who you are, or that you should become someone that people will love?

Why do I ask so many questions?

Life is but a brief moment.  The years go by quickly and old age arrives suddenly before we have an inkling.  People desire so many things and waste their days in vain.  Some yearn for money, others for power, yet others for glory and a higher station.  But when death's moment nears and they look back at the lives they've lived, they realize they've been happy only during those moments when they have loved.  How about you?

I'm so blessed by having loved.  I have loved deeply, thoroughly and even when there is no gain but,  I've never loved in vain.  Because I am always blessed by having loved.

And ever has it been that loves knows not its own depth, until the hour of separation. "Kahil Gibran"

But, at the end of the day, there is one thing about which I have no doubt.  Quoting A.A. Milne,  when Christopher Robin tells Pooh, "You will find in that moment you're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem...and smarter than you think.  Promise me you will always remember."

Addison Grace, I promise I will always remember.  You are written on my heart.  Because I have loved you, I am happy.

And this I know for sure ~ I'm honored that I write this little blog and can share with you my thoughts and the beauty which surrounds me every day.  You have been my heart lifters, my self esteem boosters, my dream catchers and my good listeners.  THANK YOU for hearing me when I write, for looking at my thoughts through my photos and for responding with love.  The colors in these sunsets keep me warm no matter how cold it gets outside or inside my heart.  And I love you more than that.

Blessings,

Tia

Sunday's In My City segment - Cardiff By The Sea

IT'S SUNDAY, and that means if you click on the link above you can visit San Francisco today!  Or tons of other amazing city's all over the world. Check it out but don't forget to come back to "Cottage By The Sea" because, I want to show you how my city looked on this Valentine's Day 20010.

Today in Southern California it was all blue skies and sunshine.  Our temp was about 70 degrees and this being St Valentine's Day, we were loving it!  

At the end of our street begins a trail, which leads down a sandy path, through some majestic Torrey Pines, right onto one of the prettiest beaches you'll ever see. Technically this isn't my city but, it's right next door, so come share the sunset with me today at "Cardiff By The Sea" Click on the link to find out more about this city.  You may find it the perfect vacation spot!

At our house the rule for the teenagers is that they have to be home by sunset. This is what sunset looked like at Cardiff today. 

However, my teenagers idea of sunset looks more like this. This idea of sunset is where the trouble begins.  When this is your understanding of sunset, you end up grounded! And that's just no fun for anybody.

So getting back to "sunset," how amazing is this?  Breathtaking...

this sea, whose gently awful stirrings seem to speak of some hidden soul beneath"-Melville

The pebbles on this beach remind me of the beaches in West Ireland.  They fade out into grainy sand as you get closer to the water.

I loved sharing the sunset in Cardiff By The Sea with you today.  I hope you enjoyed it too.   Thanks for stopping by my city.  Now scurry home, or you might get grounded!


Love you more than all the sunsets that people watched in all the cities all around the world today.


Blessings,


Tia