tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18726160166794692842024-02-02T00:31:47.666-08:00Embracing My JourneySarah Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335760698128829555noreply@blogger.comBlogger127125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872616016679469284.post-75410697441356913422018-08-19T07:26:00.003-07:002018-08-19T07:28:58.412-07:00Feeling Faith<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am married to a dreamer, who lived in the same place 30 years.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwgKFPYumJBAggxAuAd_PON5ORm3XS1qQHUA9fARdACa25Wb2m8YCHNrmrev7kMqxNb0pzoiZO2JLEGzJAfzHw0y6r9mRvhmC3HJp9sPgrNCOr5txh6Hlh4nNR33mtCaBnbUHlEeLqs8/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="952" data-original-width="1600" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwgKFPYumJBAggxAuAd_PON5ORm3XS1qQHUA9fARdACa25Wb2m8YCHNrmrev7kMqxNb0pzoiZO2JLEGzJAfzHw0y6r9mRvhmC3HJp9sPgrNCOr5txh6Hlh4nNR33mtCaBnbUHlEeLqs8/s200/010.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He is married to a doer with a natural wanderlust.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwgKFPYumJBAggxAuAd_PON5ORm3XS1qQHUA9fARdACa25Wb2m8YCHNrmrev7kMqxNb0pzoiZO2JLEGzJAfzHw0y6r9mRvhmC3HJp9sPgrNCOr5txh6Hlh4nNR33mtCaBnbUHlEeLqs8/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwgKFPYumJBAggxAuAd_PON5ORm3XS1qQHUA9fARdACa25Wb2m8YCHNrmrev7kMqxNb0pzoiZO2JLEGzJAfzHw0y6r9mRvhmC3HJp9sPgrNCOr5txh6Hlh4nNR33mtCaBnbUHlEeLqs8/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwgKFPYumJBAggxAuAd_PON5ORm3XS1qQHUA9fARdACa25Wb2m8YCHNrmrev7kMqxNb0pzoiZO2JLEGzJAfzHw0y6r9mRvhmC3HJp9sPgrNCOr5txh6Hlh4nNR33mtCaBnbUHlEeLqs8/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Perhaps because of my gypsy lineage, perhaps because I moved about every 5 years growing up.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Regardless, the sense to discover and explore, overwhelms my soul.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If circumstances were different, I would jump on a plane with my husband and kids and give them an hands-on education.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Because that’s not possible, we are adapting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Oh, and the fact that our financial situation hinders us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For five years we have literally lived by faith that it would all work out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That’s not completely true- we tried to live by faith.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That meant lots of doubt, questioning, crying why us?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It felt that no matter how hard we tried to make things right, it all still went wrong.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I began to become depressed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This was not the life I imagined.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This was not what I wanted for my kids.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was living on an island, with the beach just around the corner, but literally giving every penny I had to be there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Something had to change!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thankfully my husband agreed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">To get to where we wanted to be (financially and eventually geographically) we had to move.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was over-concerned with my husband moving for the first time in 30 years, but he seems okay. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He’s even uttered that he is falling in love with the house we rented.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My girls love it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We are close to their friends, their schools and their activities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am less stressed and find simple joy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Everything is not fixed, nor are we yet where we want to be financially, but there’s movement forward.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Putting action behind our goals and dreams.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sometimes to get where we want to be, we must give up the things we think we need. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The comfort of security of what we’ve always known.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I can’t tell you how many people thought Micheal would spontaneously combust moving off of Tybee.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But It’s a joy to watch him discover new routines.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">To talk about all the places we want to visit and know that within a year we will be able to start checking places off that list.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I believe that sometimes we remain in our dire situations because we choose too not take action.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If we keep trying the same things and it doesn’t work, perhaps that’s because we are not suppose to be there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If your soul burns so passionately for something, you’ll find a way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Maybe not at all as you thought.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But you’ll get there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It’s just a matter of when you are really ready to put action behind I just can’t do this anymore.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For the first time in a very long time I feel faith.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As if God is celebrating with us and clapping in joy saying "finally!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>You stubborn girl.... finally.</i></span></div>
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Sarah Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335760698128829555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872616016679469284.post-35132750623478704702017-12-10T08:00:00.001-08:002017-12-10T08:00:27.244-08:00What Would be My Christmas LetterThe journal in the picture was gifted to me in February 2016 just after my miscarriage as a way to help me work through the emotions of that loss.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitj4OngO_cT_6YX8qOpDQegdMQlLIPhpqz2FS8ib5E8PJqG2V9MzfRjxT5cUAqx3vFrH5T9seIWunjqcH_nGD8IoFpnMBrDJWzq-DnFWHJGt6WFDn47qGa-gk8TvtCYW-TyZ-ug4pYTeM/s1600/journal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitj4OngO_cT_6YX8qOpDQegdMQlLIPhpqz2FS8ib5E8PJqG2V9MzfRjxT5cUAqx3vFrH5T9seIWunjqcH_nGD8IoFpnMBrDJWzq-DnFWHJGt6WFDn47qGa-gk8TvtCYW-TyZ-ug4pYTeM/s320/journal.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The pages remain blank, because later that week, we discovered something else was going on with me physically.<br />
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After many months of ups and downs, that something else resulted in our rainbow blessing of Clare Hope Elliott- CHE.<br />
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So I have struggled to write in the pages to the child that Micheal and I lost.<br />
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Without the loss, we would not have our CHE.<br />
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So I have some emotions stuck between grief and extreme delight.<br />
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Over the last year, I learned that life is full of these vast extremes that leave us slingshoting in emotions.<br />
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After the blessing of our daughter, Mike's job was cut.<br />
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Then my job was cut.<br />
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Then we got a lawsuit from his ex-wife.<br />
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Then a hurricane hit and we lost 1,000 sq ft of our home to 2 feet of water.<br />
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And bad things just seemed to pepper our life daily.<br />
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Micheal and I would cry, a lot.<br />
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What had we done to deserve this!<br />
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Why? Why? Why?<br />
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Where was God?<br />
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I had some time to think this past week and reflect back on this year.<br />
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And what I discovered is God.<br />
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In the hands of those that stopped by and said here I made you dinner.<br />
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In the mind of those that gave us advice to navigate the muddy waters of the legal system.<br />
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In the heart of those that gifted us in still unspeakable ways to help us financially.<br />
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In the soul of those who just listened.<br />
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In the eyes of those who saw what we needed before we did and made things happen.<br />
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Sometimes we have to be removed from where we are to see what was there.<br />
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We lost, a lot.<br />
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And yet, it was all taken care of.<br />
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And we didn't deserve that either.<br />
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I have been staring at this journal for the past few weeks and feel it is time to start writing.<br />
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Not to our other child.<br />
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But to what I am creating in my life today.<br />
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I cannot truly say I am thankful for all we had to endure, yet.<br />
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My human processing of emotions still gets stuck in a few places of despair.<br />
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But I am still wordless at the kindness of those who acted on our needs.<br />
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Today would look a lot different if not for those that helped.<br />
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So my 2018, will be centered around one small act of kindness.<br />
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And these empty pages will be filled with ideas of creating that.<br />
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Of gifting others from those that filled my life with God.<br />
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One of my favorite Christmas songs is "Face of Love" by Jewel.<br />
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It seems more than appropriate for now....<br />
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<i>For I have seen, the face of love, the grace of God...</i><br />
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May you find that wherever you are today, there is some good.<br />
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You may not see it now, but it is there.<br />
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May hope sustain you, may grace find you, may joy fill you, and may love abound.<br />
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Merry Christmas and a truly Happy New Year!<br />
<br />Sarah Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335760698128829555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872616016679469284.post-69620770641737126122017-06-11T07:06:00.001-07:002017-06-11T07:06:42.474-07:00Why Not Now?Time may or may not be our friend. <div>
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It is all too uncertain. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have friends who have been loyal to the same company for 20 plus years only to go to work one day and be told, sorry we no longer need you. </div>
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I have friends who were waiting to retire to live all the adventures they dreamt, but tragically died before reaching retirement age. </div>
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I have friends who have so much money saved for what ifs, they carry out the same routine daily complaining they never do anything else. </div>
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I have friends who desire to go, but are held to a geographic location by fear. </div>
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Nothing is promised. </div>
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Micheal and I have this dream of exploring the corners of the world. </div>
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Of touching all the beauty of the tropics.</div>
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Of tasting life in a different culture. </div>
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Our many trips have been the appetizers to part of our grand adventure.</div>
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And we hunger for more. </div>
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Yet, we have been halted by the realities of life. </div>
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Our kids, our finances, our home ownership. </div>
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In 9 years, we were going to sell it all and go. </div>
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A few weeks ago we tossed that idea aside and say why not now?</div>
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(Well, honestly, I gave Micheal a whole speech and apparently was convincing enough.)</div>
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So, we decided to adapt our dream to our realities and figure out a way to breath life into moving closer towards our dream now. </div>
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Step one: selling our house. </div>
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Yes, we really are selling our <a href="https://savannah.craigslist.org/reo/6166121397.html" target="_blank">house</a> on Tybee. For now, we are listing it FSBO. </div>
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And yes, we have looked at rentals already. </div>
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It is a big ordeal to move. </div>
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But for me, it is a bigger ordeal to die never having moved. </div>
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Often, people will write and say, "I can't believe you are doing this" or "I never could..."</div>
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We are born to live. </div>
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We are born to move. </div>
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We are born to grow. </div>
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My life has been enriched by planting my feet in the soils of different parts of our world. </div>
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By catching the first winter snowflakes on my tongue. </div>
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By chasing fireflies in the fields of the country. </div>
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By sledding with the Amish. </div>
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By playing piano in a castle in Ireland. </div>
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By swimming with the dolphins. </div>
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By vacationing on an island where the food boat only comes once every two weeks. </div>
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By becoming part of a photo shoot on another island only to end up in a European magazine. </div>
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By dancing in the waterfalls. </div>
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By trying new.</div>
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All that I have been blessed to experience has added fuel to this gypsy soul. </div>
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What is more amazing, is that my pseudo beach bum husband is ready too. </div>
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Yes, most think he is the one who is the throw caution to the wind one and I am the grounded routine laden one, but it is actually reverse. </div>
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So, I write this out. </div>
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Not to try to change anyone or make someone feel bad, but for me. </div>
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It is one thing to talk about something. </div>
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It is another thing to put it out there for all to see. </div>
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And yes, there are moments that fear takes hold and my mind tells me all the reasons this is crazy. </div>
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Why it won't work.</div>
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Why I can't. </div>
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Why I shouldn't. </div>
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It's too much to get where you want to go. </div>
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And when I allow those fears to seep in, I literally feel a change in my body and I become sad. </div>
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The weight of the world rests on my shoulders. </div>
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So, I fight all the negative off. </div>
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And remind myself. </div>
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We are at step one: selling the house. </div>
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And our journey will move forward, broken down into manageable achievable steps. </div>
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And I am going to enjoy every single one!</div>
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Sarah Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335760698128829555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872616016679469284.post-62898052858429212182017-06-03T06:13:00.001-07:002017-06-03T06:13:49.693-07:00Smiling Out Loud<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, "Lucida Grande", sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">It's always been my dream to live at the beach and I do. </span><br />
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Yet I find that I often cannot make the five block walk to the ocean because I'm rarely home.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHUCgfYYBvZ98FiyO9_QDvV_mSjOHsteOT7EMak289gwGA00tZQEP1rMrypA0IAFaPQXo3NVa2XOKG8xQH2fNiavAVV2AuWoyXlKYPoghQFJn33851TyzJYpG2ruSsx2naegQMUZl17g/s1600/sarah+boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="960" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHUCgfYYBvZ98FiyO9_QDvV_mSjOHsteOT7EMak289gwGA00tZQEP1rMrypA0IAFaPQXo3NVa2XOKG8xQH2fNiavAVV2AuWoyXlKYPoghQFJn33851TyzJYpG2ruSsx2naegQMUZl17g/s320/sarah+boat.jpg" width="320" /></a>Like most of Americans, I drive a 45 minute commute to work to pay for an address at a place I do not get to enjoy.</div>
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And living in a hurricane flood zone I am now paying much more to have a house here.</div>
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Perhaps because I turned 40 this year.</div>
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Or that I had several friends my age die unexpectedly.</div>
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Or my gypsy blood runs hot.</div>
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I'm ready for change.</div>
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I am ready to get out of home ownership.</div>
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I'd be more than happy to stay on Tybee, but this old seaside town is becoming a hot expensive tourist destination where long term rentals are near impossible to find.</div>
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And that makes sense when you can make triple your monthly mortgage payment renting your house out weekly.</div>
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My husband has lived here 30 years this year. </div>
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Moving 13 times in my own life, I cannot grasp 30 years in one place.</div>
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And I can't speak for him, but I can help him have his dream of living on a houseboat. </div>
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And his wish to "not die here."</div>
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Change is hard.</div>
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And as we plan our next adventure, I'll admit I'm scared.</div>
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Can Micheal really do this?</div>
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Will the finances work out the way we need?</div>
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What if?</div>
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Fear. It's paralyzing.</div>
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But for every road block my mind seems to create, my heart only has so many beats until it stops.</div>
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And my soul knows that if we are to continue in our great adventure it's time for the next step.</div>
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I heard yesterday from one of my blessings, <span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;">how I'm ruining her life. </span></div>
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No my beautiful daughter, I'm showing you life.</div>
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I want to show you the world. </div>
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How to dream.</div>
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How to explore.</div>
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How to learn.</div>
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How to appreciate.</div>
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To take you to the corners of the world that you have only read about while studying to pass the required test in school.</div>
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To show you that there's more to this world then the falsehood of the "American Dream."</div>
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To have your circle of friends expand the globe.</div>
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So, we have a dream.</div>
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And we are starting to make small steps towards it.</div>
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Crazy.</div>
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Scary.</div>
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Exhilarating.</div>
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All at the same time.</div>
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But isn't that what life should be?</div>
Sarah Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335760698128829555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872616016679469284.post-72689320391884396092017-04-11T17:58:00.001-07:002017-04-11T18:44:55.432-07:00What Character are You Creating?It is funny to me how many people are not okay with change.<br />
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And perhaps it is a little of my own lack of understanding.<br />
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But, when I look at me before and me now, I want to see change.<br />
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Progress made in becoming all that I was created to be.<br />
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Changes made to live healthier.<br />
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Attitudes adjusted to love more.<br />
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Habits broken to grow.<br />
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My husband was a very, very public person for years.<br />
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I often would get to know him through his daily blog, just as the world did.<br />
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He would give all his emotions to writing it out, only to find a false sense of security in a world that loved his character.<br />
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When it benefited them.<br />
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When it got them ahead of others.<br />
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When it helped their cause.<br />
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When it made them feel good because they could relate.<br />
<br />
But when his world shattered, where was everyone?<br />
<br />
It's an oddly interesting life to be immersed in a time and place of what was.<br />
<br />
I recently met someone who knew my husband before.<br />
<br />
She commented how he was a "party animal."<br />
<br />
I laughed thinking of the man I kissed goodbye that morning, who was snuggling with our baby.<br />
<br />
Yes, I knew that old character too.<br />
<br />
A representative of a person who wrote with truth behind the words.<br />
<br />
Emotionally charged writings bleeding a broken soul, with applause of acceptance.<br />
<br />
How wonderful it is when we find our people, whom we no longer need to pretend for.<br />
<br />
When it is okay to be authentically raw and accepted in love.<br />
<br />
"You have stopped writing Micheal?" I read a lot.<br />
<br />
Maybe to an extent some.<br />
<br />
Definitely not as much publicly.<br />
<br />
But, he hasn't really.<br />
<br />
He is just channeling all that he gave away to more of what matters for him in this time and place.<br />
<br />
Into writing and composing several new songs.<br />
<br />
Into playing the guitar again.<br />
<br />
Into a church in a bar filled with people he loves.<br />
<br />
Into telling stories to a 5 month old who adores her Daddy.<br />
<br />
Change.<br />
<br />
I look at this man I knew 18 years ago and who I was 18 years ago and marvel at how us then would have never worked.<br />
<br />
But us now....WOW!<br />
<br />
As we both learn to be true to ourselves for the first time surrounded in a safe loving relationship.<br />
<br />
Stripping away our own insecurities and demons.<br />
<br />
So, why the world doesn't get to read all about it every day, it's not for lack of stories.<br />
<br />
But learning to invest those emotions into cultivating a marriage that will last.<br />
<br />
Discovering the joys of raising a baby, again.<br />
<br />
Loving seven children and their seven different personalities.<br />
<br />
Setting aside the computer for the beauty of the outdoors.<br />
<br />
Learning to hear the true applause of a few.<br />
<br />
Giving, but not running on empty.<br />
<br />
Authentically creating that which our heart desires, instead of out of habit for others.<br />
<br />
Learning to say no without feeling guilty.<br />
<br />
What do you need to give up that others want, so that you can have time for what you want?<br />
<br />
What habit are you hiding behind that keeps you from moving forward?<br />
<br />
How have you grown?<br />
<br />
May you find the strength to let things go, the courage to move forward, and the love of yourself to celebrate.Sarah Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335760698128829555noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872616016679469284.post-30542219719210836412016-08-12T14:10:00.001-07:002016-08-12T14:13:01.490-07:00To Our CHE<span id="goog_1465195832"></span><span id="goog_1465195833"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1872616016679469284" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="webkit-fake-url://c07c2403-3bd7-454d-8d2a-306e50a7b692/imagejpeg" style="cursor: move;" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: uictfonttextstylebody; font-size: 17px;">With every passing day it becomes more and more of a reality that you...well that you will be here soon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">You have taken me on a journey I thought I was done with ten years ago.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RtR4ddmF4Ypz7YaxTWsxPc1R90zsfr4hamb5aEPIX2PC0sKvnlfZeBoJ3KqEQFiLnme1TUG6t-RkUlaROhG2DagC1KSHu8f_Ha3PbEX4RGo8jcV15ttRSLRwucCPvS0FxXOE2E37Ado/s1600/sarah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RtR4ddmF4Ypz7YaxTWsxPc1R90zsfr4hamb5aEPIX2PC0sKvnlfZeBoJ3KqEQFiLnme1TUG6t-RkUlaROhG2DagC1KSHu8f_Ha3PbEX4RGo8jcV15ttRSLRwucCPvS0FxXOE2E37Ado/s320/sarah.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1872616016679469284" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="webkit-fake-url://c07c2403-3bd7-454d-8d2a-306e50a7b692/imagejpeg" style="cursor: move;" /></a><span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">And you have already written a crazy unbelievable beginning to your story.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">In our kitchen hangs a picture your sister painted which says "every ending is a new beginning."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">When your Dad and I were first thrown into shock of our first pregnancy together, it ended before we could fully grasp the reality.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">But what that short lived blessing did, was open our hearts to a greater reality.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">I still cry the loss of what might have been.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">It's a weird feeling because without that part in our journey, we wouldn't have you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">You. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">Miraculous, surprise, of you!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">And just like your Dad does on a daily basis, you kept life interesting and scary, and us guessing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">But at 12 weeks, you became this strong little dancing baby and we were declared "normal."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">That's not a word that will be used to describe our family often.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">But the sweetness of it meant so much at that point.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">Dear Clare Hope Elliott.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">You are loved beyond a thousand years.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">Your younger sisters marvel at you and play with you as you kick them back. They are already fighting over who is going to be your favorite.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">And you have two older sisters who I think will spoil you rotten.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">And your brother. Well he is delighting in your nephew, but will shower you in immense love. Along with your sister Terenca and your nieces. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">Recently we received a beautiful pair of booties from our friends Linda and Mitch.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">I sat there holding the booties imaging you. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">Your little feet and legs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">Your hands.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">Your eyes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">Your smile.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">Your heart.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">And what your life will be.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">All I know is that your journey will not be normal, but you will be loved.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">And parts of your journey will be tough, but you will be loved.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">And you may not always be happy, but you will be loved.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">And you may not always understand, but you will be loved.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">And we may do a thousand things wrong as parents, but you will be loved.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">Love is something we have found and continue to grow.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">And you Che are a reminder of that love.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">A truly unexpected blessing in the midst of a crazy love story.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">So, my daughter. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">May you create the most beautiful life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">For you have revolutionized our world.</span>Sarah Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335760698128829555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872616016679469284.post-35545254876866876552015-01-29T14:49:00.001-08:002015-01-29T15:00:24.470-08:00More Than Just the Blue Birds<div class="MsoNormal">
Somewhere over the rainbow echoes in my head as I learn the
news of yet another friend passing unexpectedly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPHdEG8wZDvg_wdg1xhdnjrRYJXV_m6P7KdYN-uKZAmchH8goA9C_BYpKXS4eskF6VGaCV-0CCETImvHy70ymcX223WRbbgYPIIxDxssqxWrfMVDh8op2vt18oH2yLOQlDzOXp1jfXgg/s1600/10678684_10204502079174044_3128821440323210335_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPHdEG8wZDvg_wdg1xhdnjrRYJXV_m6P7KdYN-uKZAmchH8goA9C_BYpKXS4eskF6VGaCV-0CCETImvHy70ymcX223WRbbgYPIIxDxssqxWrfMVDh8op2vt18oH2yLOQlDzOXp1jfXgg/s1600/10678684_10204502079174044_3128821440323210335_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Shock is the state I am sitting in thinking this is some
horrible joke. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yet, the reality of the preciousness of life is all too
familiar. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cancer, miscarriages, sudden spinal infections resulting in
paralysis, accidents, heart attacks bombard my world with sadness. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Leaving my mind unable to form coherent sentences beyond the
exclaimed huh!?!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Time goes buzzing bye as most of us remain settled in the
life of status quo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Getting by resting on our laurels.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dying long before we take our last breath. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pacifying ourselves that if only we had more time or if only
we had more money.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Waiting for the magical age of retirement that seems to
increase in years as the economy spirals downwards and jobs disappear.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You know what?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You’ll never have it all. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The perfect combination of what you think you need to have
it all will turn into something more as you get closer to it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s your fear pushing you away.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Because it’s all too much to handle. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You don’t deserve it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s all just a stupid dream anyway. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Self-depreciation leaves us wishing for something more. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was on that same path once. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I made a written bucket list of things I wanted to
experience before I died. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And set out to do one a year. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But everything else got in the way and money was never
there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then my friends, my young friends, starting getting
terminal diseases. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And deaths were too frequent.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So my before I kicked the bucket list seemed dismal. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Each day became a little more precious. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And I cut out all the busyness of what others wanted from
me. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And took the time and used some money to start investing in
me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finding my joie de vivre (joy of life).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Checking things off that list more than once a year. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My whole perspective in life shifting to be more in line
with why I’m here. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is all we got. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Are you enjoying your life?<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
This life?<br />
<br />
The here and the now?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Because I’m sure that Heaven is beautiful.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I’m also sure that before we touch those blue skies, the
dreams that you dare to dream can come true.<br />
<br />
Stop the why then oh why can't I?<br />
<br />
Because, you know what, you can.</div>
Sarah Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335760698128829555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872616016679469284.post-49088226254329922312015-01-03T22:28:00.000-08:002015-01-03T22:59:04.573-08:00What my Heart Needs to Say<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">I found pictures today of friends I once had. Who meant the world to me. </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">And it's hurtful. Because I feel like I didn't do what they wanted so they left our friendship.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOawQg4wScuw_Ti9kSzauHIkz4qJW2-GII_3ckVoAs345Win9DEJPax4zxECqPm_782uRud2a7nMLH3C6W61APACjSmrVf_pZg4I2XGk8RygV4TYWe3u3V7eRdje-76lNIB9Gf89JGeyo/s1600/103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOawQg4wScuw_Ti9kSzauHIkz4qJW2-GII_3ckVoAs345Win9DEJPax4zxECqPm_782uRud2a7nMLH3C6W61APACjSmrVf_pZg4I2XGk8RygV4TYWe3u3V7eRdje-76lNIB9Gf89JGeyo/s1600/103.JPG" height="246" width="320" /></a></span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">When Micheal and I starting realizing there was more than a friendship between us and marriage was ahead...there should have been joy.</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">Yet from the eight people who celebrated with us, there were ten times the amount who didn't.</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><i>She's after your money, he's after your youth.</i></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><i>He'll ruin your girls, she has three kids you're past that point in your life.</i></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><i>She is not Southern. He is not a Christian.</i></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><i>You'll have six kids, it won't work.</i></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><i>Don't marry her. Don't marry him.</i></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">A bucketful of dismal sentiments dumped on two recovering hearts believing in a love they began to feel.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">Micheal has always forged his own path, but I had not. </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">I strove to walk the straight and narrow of what was right in the eyes of the small world I lived.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">So when we talked of marriage, it wasn't me pushing him ( yeah I know that surprises some of you naysayers)!</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">And as my world got smaller and smaller, I realized that most of the relationships I had were based on me doing what others wanted.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">Because when I didn't listen to them, they disappeared.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">So this straight and narrow small world I lived in became a solo journey of me.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">I was forced to listen to myself.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">To dig deep into my being and make a decision for me.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">I felt selfish. </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">I knew what my heart was telling me. Which was not what my head was telling me.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">But defying all logic I went for it.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">I can still hear the haunted gasps of those who left me.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span><i>
Just give it a few months and it'll end. It won't last. The age difference.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">All these things the world looks at is not what I know.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">What I know is that I am married to a man who loves me at a depth I am not capable of accepting fully yet. Because I've never been loved like this.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">I am married to a man who has grown to love my three little blessings as if they are his own.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">I am married to a man who sits and listens to my rages of anger as another layer of protection falls away from a once broken heart in healing.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">I am married to a man who is forever young while I grow older.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">I am married to a man who does not recognize he has already given me the world. </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">Every single day, every day, I thank God that I was brave enough to listen to me.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">That I found a strength in myself to do what I felt was right.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">For when the world judged without knowing, it was so very wrong.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">There will always be those who have their opinions. </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">And I know it hurts.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">But if I had to stand alone again to get to here, I </span>would.<br />
<br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">Rare is it that we see the true gift of what we have until it's gone. </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">Yet some how I am blessed to experience it every single day.</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"></span>Sarah Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335760698128829555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872616016679469284.post-73376268963851132552014-12-09T07:54:00.001-08:002014-12-09T07:54:52.568-08:00A Touch of a Holy Night<div class="MsoNormal">
She shines like a star behind moving clouds as the street
light flickers off and on, illuminating her figure every other second.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Her backdrop is a red brick wall turned gray by the night
and she appears as though a ghost.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Somewhere in the distance a dog barks, yet her feet shuffle
in their own singsong dance.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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While her knotted lace shawl adds a touch of exquisiteness
to her being.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And something glitters brightly on her left hand. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s an odd sight for this time of night.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Is she lost? And where is she going? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Not wanting to cause her alarm, I drive past. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Glancing in my rear view mirror, I see her turn.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And I stop. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I park my car and begin a tiptoe journey to spy on her.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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For a moment she
stops and looks around alarmed. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I pause and hide behind nothing by the night. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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She resumes her shuffling<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I follow on tiptoes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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When she enters the graveyard, I stop. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And I understand. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Tempted to follow, I decide to let her be. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This is their moment. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And I am a unwanted spectator.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I tiptoe back to my
car. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And my heart hurts for the grief she carries.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And my heart marvels at the love she still gives.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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My radio beams…<i>silent night, holy night</i>…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And though I have not witnessed the birth of a baby in a
manger,<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I have seen glories stream from heaven above. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
Sarah Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335760698128829555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872616016679469284.post-5449335719116349102014-11-18T12:04:00.001-08:002014-11-18T12:04:41.990-08:00My Wishes<div class="MsoNormal">
Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight….<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stringy blond haired and blue-eyed little me would sit at
my windowsill each night, wishing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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As I got older I would sit, hoping.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And now I sit, praying. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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My life journey has not gone as planned at all. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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My dream of working in marketing for a sports team I gave up
when I got married the first time. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The job offer was there from an NFL team, but I chose
marriage and then a baby carriage, and another and another. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And what could have been a wildly successful career was
replaced by a Love, and a Grace and a Joy that are my three greatest creations.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My life was steady, but a relationship began failing, and so
I chose to give more of myself away and become a foster mom. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This mother of three became a mother of seven overnight. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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My heart learned a depth of evil of others in the world that
I still cannot talk about. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Yet I grew in love towards a son and three daughters who
confirmed family is not simply blood. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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And when they left, the reality of what wasn’t there still
existed. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I tried all I could to make it right, but I lost to a
depression that refused to allow the other to see what needed to be done. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Still a hope existed when I got the permission to move back
to be near the beach. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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A dream I never gave up. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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But temporary happiness was fleeting and divorce soon came
and I was left alone. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had my dream house, three beautiful girls, and a job I
loved. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Until my job became restrictive and evil people of power
threatened me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So I hid.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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My heart was bursting in love that I could not share. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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And I felt pushed back into a shell of what I should be. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Until one day enough was enough.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I would not live like this. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And that cost me my job. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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So an unlikely match to the world was formed and I married a
man who holds my heart. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Time and money were our friend and we took advantage of it
all. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Until it ran out. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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And new creative endeavors never took off. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But happiness overflows in two once broken hearts that constantly
explode like fireworks of their first kiss. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yet, I know my plans are little compared to what lies ahead.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
So…I wish I may, I wish I might…NOT have the wish I wish
tonight. <o:p></o:p></div>
Sarah Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335760698128829555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872616016679469284.post-68912231015755539822014-09-26T09:03:00.003-07:002014-09-26T09:03:50.939-07:00Good Friday<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"HI, I’m Sarah…”I said reaching out to shake her hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Slowly she reaches out her hand and took mine while her mouth drops open.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“That was my mom’s name,” she whispers to herself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Guiding her back to my office I ask her for her name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">She sits in my office with the deer in the headlight look.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I wait as she seems eager to say something, but cannot find the words.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“I was my mother’s caregiver for years,” she says with a fierce strength in her eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“And she passed away three months ago, “Her mouth remains open to continue, but silence comes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Her fingers dance amongst themselves as her eyes break the strength they tried to hold, and tears come.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“It’s just so hard and no one understands. We were so close. I just….”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And she lets herself cry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“I know there are no words to describe how it feels when you were so needed and loved, and suddenly that feels gone,” I say.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">She glares at me and I know that while I have not embraced her physically, I have embraced her hurt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“We all have an internal desire to be needed and loved, but most of us go through life feeling empty and unused,” I continue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">She nods in fierce agreement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“And oh how special and indescribable it is when we fill those pieces of ourselves. And how lost we feel when we lose that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Her smile hugs me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We go on to have a fabulous discussion about how she wants to volunteer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">She needs to be around others, giving of herself, sharing and receiving joy. Feeling wanted. Needed. Appreciated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Her needs are not much different than my own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Few ever take the steps to find this fulfillment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">They get lost in meaningless relationships keeping a waning glimmer of maybe, the find safety in the familiar, they fail to see their gifts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">She doesn’t want to leave, but she doesn’t want to keep me either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“You know, I was just in the area and thought I would stop over here to see how I could volunteer,” she says gathering her things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“And then you come out and your name is the same as my mother’s.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I walk her to the door and she turns around, “It’s never a coincidence is it?” I say.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">She smiles and I know. Her Sarah has touched this moment. This day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And she is taking all the pain of her loss and turning it into joy by giving of herself to help others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Can it be any better?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
Sarah Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335760698128829555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872616016679469284.post-55180916662832835912014-09-08T10:20:00.001-07:002014-09-08T10:29:46.490-07:00Dear My Micheal<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I didn’t know what I was singing up for. Not that it would have changed anything. I’m crazy enough to have married a rock star.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
And it’s hard to share.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
A humble man, just trying to be a beach bum is forever bombarded with other’s needs.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
His success follows him and people expect great things.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
And he will give it all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Now before you think I am selfish- I am not. I am a giver, but I learned to set boundaries because I became depleted before. And so has he.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
So I am over protective of him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
And of us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
And of our time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
It took half of my lifespan to get to him. And It’s unknown how much is left.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I have never met anyone that loves everyone the way he does.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Even those that took it all from him, he rarely casts a negative stone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
He is a friend to all and lots consider him their best friend.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Many emulate him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
But he is also just one man.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
With six kids who adore him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
A cat he swore he’ d never own that sleeps at his feet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
A Little Gay Dog that prances in love.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
And a Goddess, who helped hold his heart.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Most of our days are glorious, but we both carry scars.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
And insecurities sometimes get the best of us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Allowing others to take our joy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Because they envy what we have.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
And think they are on equal footing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
But they are looking at the rock star and not the man.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
A distinction few understand.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
And while many cling to you as their anything.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
You are my everything.</div>
Sarah Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335760698128829555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872616016679469284.post-80658044959703475032014-07-11T08:50:00.001-07:002014-07-11T09:03:35.123-07:00Just BentAre you there God? <br />
<br />
Predisposed to anger I am trying to take all the pent up frustrations of this week and use them for positive.<br />
<br />
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Which is why I scrubbed the bathroom floors and baseboards on my hands and knees, organized my kitchen cupboards, alphabetized the spices, cleaned, ran, cleaned, wrote letters, etc.<br />
<br />
Returning from a glorious vacation I was snapped back into reality when I realized my renter had fled the state and left his girlfriend squatting at my rental house.<br />
<br />
Which is trashed.<br />
<br />
Advised to take the high road and give her time to get her stuff out...only made me more frustrated.<br />
<br />
I am tired of adults not being held accountable for their actions. Why can she live there rent free for two weeks? <br />
<br />
Sometimes it sucks being a nice person. We always seem to get screwed.<br />
<br />
So the added expense of un-budgeted/unexpected repairs lands on top of a dwindling checking<br />
account. <br />
<br />
Of course, this comes right after the blow that I didn't get the job I really wanted. Not even a second interview. <br />
<br />
And the news is flooded with parents intentionally leaving their kids in hot cars and the kid dies. Yet I have several friends mourning losses of babies they briefly held or can never have.<br />
<br />
So God, I know all the verses I am to repeat to myself...<i>for my light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all...</i><br />
<br />
But God, why? <br />
<br />
Why do bad things happen to good people?<br />
<br />
I use to be under the illusion that it was punishment for sins, but I don't think you really are like that. <br />
<br />
<i>Make your face shine on your servant, save me with your steadfast love</i>....<br />
<br />
See the verses aren't helping me because I'm struggling to believe them at this moment. I'm just uttering the words.<br />
<br />
It's not just one thing, but a lot rests unsettled in my heart. A lot thrown at me in the past few weeks. <br />
<br />
I'm not broken, just bent.<br />
<br />
Bent towards cynical thinking, unfairness to those who do good.<br />
<br />
I know it's not my place to judge, but God seriously you know the people I am talking about and I just don't get it. <br />
<br />
So, I know you are there. And I know you are listening. And I know you feel my heart. And I know you see my weakness of anger.And I know you see the hurt.<br />
<br />
But I'm trying.... Can you give me a little nod?Sarah Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335760698128829555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872616016679469284.post-29197350142858362712014-04-21T07:30:00.003-07:002014-04-21T07:30:38.056-07:00Choosing My Joie de VivreChange is hard.<br />
<br />
Whether it is forced upon us or chosen, it is hard. <br />
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<br />
That's why most of us stay.<br />
<br />
Stay in unhappy situations.<br />
<br />
Settle for passionless jobs.<br />
<br />
Remain in unfulfilled or abusive relationships.<br />
<br />
Live in the confines of what's familiar.<br />
<br />
A few years ago that was me.<br />
<br />
On the outside I had it all.<br />
<br />
On the inside I was a shell.<br />
<br />
Emotional battles raged.<br />
<br />
I could please everyone else or choose my own happiness.<br />
<br />
Seems selfish right?<br />
<br />
But the truth is we have to take care of ourselves first, so we can take care of others and serve our purpose in this world.<br />
<br />
Most of us have this backwards.<br />
<br />
We do it all for others leaving nothing left to give ourselves.<br />
<br />
So I chose me.<br />
<br />
I left the comfort of the familiar neighborhood.<br />
<br />
I left a failed relationship in my marriage.<br />
<br />
I left my dream house.<br />
<br />
I left a dog I loved.<br />
<br />
And then other loses came.<br />
<br />
A job ended.<br />
<br />
Family and friends disappeared.<br />
<br />
Health and dental insurance was lost.<br />
<br />
When I chose me....I had no idea how much loss I would suffer.<br />
<br />
It was painful.<br />
<br />
Sometimes I still mourn things.<br />
<br />
Pieces of my heart are still broken.<br />
<br />
Perhaps some could have been done differently to not have some much pain received in such a short period of time, but I've never been one to do things half-hearted.<br />
<br />
So I forged forward.<br />
<br />
Living in a stripped down version of the life I craved to get to the life I was suppose to have.<br />
<br />
My future was a a blank canvas with tons of unknowns.<br />
<br />
And then I found love in the most unlikely of places.<br />
<br />
And I have never known the depth of love like this.<br />
<br />
Many things are still unknown or don't make sense.<br />
<br />
Yet we both believe in each other.<br />
<br />
That God had a hand in all of this.<br />
<br />
And the long journey of pain, was worth it.<br />
<br />
Every day is not easy.<br />
<br />
Fears still exist.<br />
<br />
Pains still linger.<br />
<br />
But I know all of that was worth it to get to all of this.<br />
<br />
<i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And I don't regret the rain</span> </i><br />
<i>Or the nights I felt the pain<br />Or the tears I had to cry<br />Some of those times along the way<br />Every road I had to take<br />Every time my heart would break<br />It was just something that I had to get through<br />To get me to you, <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">To get me to you</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></i><br />
<i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And if I could I wouldn't change a thing...</span></i><br />
<div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"></span></div>
Sarah Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335760698128829555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872616016679469284.post-87642103462898000512014-04-04T08:10:00.002-07:002014-04-04T08:10:21.930-07:00Sex...The Topic Most AvoidI have wanted to write this blog for a long time, but every time the words come our condemning and that is not my intention. So I write my heart, knowing this may not sit well with some and apologizing for any I offend ahead of time.<br />
<br />
There has been a lot of bloggers, specifically moms, blogging about girls and/or their daughters and how we need to be careful that our girls are not giving the wrong message to boys. Don't post your pictures they are too provocative, don't be friends with boys they only want sex, don't want to dance with boys or you will become a whore, you only need to be around "Godly" boys. I could go on and on, but won't. Worse, most of these blogs slap on a Bible verse, often taken out of context, but fitted in to make their point. <br />
<br />
I would love to sit down and have a conversation with each of these moms to understand their viewpoint better. And to have them define terms like "Godly" that they toss around as if it has a universal meaning. And to talk about scripture as a whole.<br />
<br />
As a mother of three daughters I find these blogs disturbing.<br />
<br />
Women are still being blamed. And this is damaging our girls/daughters.<br />
<br />
I want my girls to develop to become all that they are. To feel beautiful from within. To not fear men. To not fear sex or their own sexuality.<br />
<br />
"We just want out daughter's to be 'good' girls right? But does good include denying sexual feelings? Denying one's sexuality is a denial of the body itself and in this way, discourages self-control. That's why it's so important that we teach our daughters to love and respect their sexuality, as well as every other aspect of their bodies."- Brenda Richardson<br />
<br />
Of course I do not want my daughters to be promiscuous and I pray every day they marry someone who is loving, honest, faithful, fulfilling, honoring, and challenging (here is where I leave off the generic "Godly" term.) I pray they do not marry someone that makes them feel used and expects and demands sex because they are married.<br />
<br />
After all, the Bible says: "How beautiful and pleasant you are, O loved one, with all your delights. Your stature is like a palm tree and your breasts are like its clusters. I say I will climb the palm tree and lay hold of its fruit." Song of Solomon 7:6-8<br />
<br />
Why do we continue to teach our girls/daughters that sex is bad, yet yearn for them to have an emotionally and physically satisfying marriage?<br />
<br />
Where we are lacking is in teaching our kids (boys and girls) about healthy relationships. Relationships among peers of both genders. Learning how to develop respect for themselves and others. Learning how to be confident in their convictions and beliefs. <br />
<br />
We often lock them into a world filled with "you can't do this or that..."<br />
<br />
But they do anyway.<br />
<br />
And they hide it from us.<br />
<br />
I was one of those kids. Only allowed to date when I was 16 and only "Christian" boys. Yet, it was those "Godly Christian" boys who were practicing how to have a submissive spouse with me.<br />
<br />
So I am trying to raise my girls to be confident in who they are, discovering the gifts God has blessed them with, able to ask me anything (and they do....as semen and blue balls was a recent topic of discussion), that not only "Christian" boys are good, and to not be afraid to develop their sensual side.<br />
<br />
It's time we stop placing blame on a gender. Especially our own gender, Moms.<br />
<br />
Perhaps my prayers now extend beyond my own daughters and to a mass of girls still confined to a damaging viewpoint of the beautiful, strong, smart, and sexual beings God created them to be. <br />
Sarah Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335760698128829555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872616016679469284.post-51342602565686415422014-03-19T11:54:00.000-07:002014-03-19T11:58:40.045-07:00Still Divorcing the Past<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgachx_E_gRgTsbknVNV91MosOGoYmtQFOLPWghfCpR0ZOWt6cMCv6vxkPcl81-HJGJwqa4xhR7ih-yAH62x7BncnQ_uQu6wOUw-BGT8jvwwFklH-FbzZ9YlRGI_Vb1ne6GlX4B82U9iNQ/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgachx_E_gRgTsbknVNV91MosOGoYmtQFOLPWghfCpR0ZOWt6cMCv6vxkPcl81-HJGJwqa4xhR7ih-yAH62x7BncnQ_uQu6wOUw-BGT8jvwwFklH-FbzZ9YlRGI_Vb1ne6GlX4B82U9iNQ/s1600/image.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>I am painting our red room red. Taking the dull faded paint of years gone by and repainting it shiny, bright and new. I enjoy things like this so am taken completely off guard when my mind starts reminding me of not so happy things. <br />
<br />
Things I buried, but have not dealt with. And I have the urge to write it out, but am torn between sharing my heart and not offending others. It's a fine line easily crossed. <br />
<br />
Much like painting I covered parts of my past with this wonderful "new" life I have been blessed with. <br />
<br />
But I know one of my struggles is forgiveness. <br />
<br />
Letting go of painful things others have said or done to me. <br />
<br />
So when I was going through my divorce...I was told...<br />
<br />
"This is not allowed, you need to fix it..."<br />
<br />
"Just be more submissive..."<br />
<br />
"You alone caused all this..."<br />
<br />
"You won't be loved..."<br />
<br />
"You'll never be happy again..."<br />
<br />
"You'll only be used by other men in the future..."<br />
<br />
"You are damaging your girls for life..."<br />
<br />
"No-one will take care of you..." <br />
<br />
"You are a sinner..."<br />
<br />
I was doomed to hell.<br />
<br />
And I sat there letting my (Christian) friends and family throw stones at me. <br />
<br />
Until my silence caused some to just delete me from their lives.<br />
<br />
I was no longer an aunt, sister, best friend, in-law.<br />
<br />
I still grieve these losses. <br />
<br />
They still sting.<br />
<br />
I was far from perfect, but so were they.<br />
<br />
I never put them aside.<br />
<br />
And I suppose that is where I struggle. <br />
<br />
Blaming myself for my own made-up reasons of why things were said or people left me.<br />
<br />
But the truth is, much of what was said were the same reasons that led to the divorce.<br />
<br />
Change and growth are often hard.<br />
<br />
More often on others, than on the one growing and changing. <br />
<br />
It's time though.<br />
<br />
Time that I find the strength to let these things go.<br />
<br />
To let go of the hold toxic people have on me, so that I can fully enjoy now.<br />
<br />Sarah Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335760698128829555noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872616016679469284.post-74312869734800514752014-02-27T14:29:00.001-08:002014-02-27T14:29:30.613-08:00Choosing MeHe sits across from me at the kitchen table, "You are still divorcing yourself from the past..."<br />
<br />
Obviously!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwJdFeH8bcG1-WwCKHuL2kBDYiYaYhVKhj_FhMO0StJQ2YtiBLVNE8gr3VzWpGbs_AyHO-vrbHG5y8dpb-y6oXbGDRc7JnXx3gNz9ZbNlcIJ9KkxN-_1NsjGb0rpM5goC4RsZlcVPkpM/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwJdFeH8bcG1-WwCKHuL2kBDYiYaYhVKhj_FhMO0StJQ2YtiBLVNE8gr3VzWpGbs_AyHO-vrbHG5y8dpb-y6oXbGDRc7JnXx3gNz9ZbNlcIJ9KkxN-_1NsjGb0rpM5goC4RsZlcVPkpM/s1600/image.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
You cannot take years and years of things and poof they disappear.<br />
<br />
Well maybe you can, but I can't.<br />
<br />
I don't live in the past, but there are still things I am trying to reconcile.<br />
<br />
To learn from.<br />
<br />
To forgive.<br />
<br />
It's obvious I lack the grace to just let the pains inflicted where there should have been love just be.<br />
<br />
I wouldn't trade the scars for today.<br />
<br />
But there are things I need to understand in my heart.<br />
<br />
There are things I need to caress until I am able to say okay, I will never know that answer.<br />
<br />
More importantly I need to forgive myself.<br />
<br />
I believe with everything in me that I am exactly where I should be and most of the time I live that way.<br />
<br />
But there are moments that I think...yeah...this is all to good to be true. I don't deserve this. I shut off emotions only accepting the love I think I deserve. Sometimes that's not much.<br />
<br />
I am more hurt by the fact that I allowed myself to become less than me. That instead of believing in myself, I believed what others thought and lived a life trying to be worthy of their love.<br />
<br />
I was perfect, but never good enough.<br />
<br />
Until I know longer knew who I was.<br />
<br />
And the person in the mirror possessed someone who didn't belong.<br />
<br />
A carbon copy of expectations met to please others.<br />
<br />
So I started finding myself.<br />
<br />
And the me I started becoming suffered even more than the "perfect me." <br />
<br />
I felt trapped.<br />
<br />
Bitter.<br />
<br />
Angry.<br />
<br />
Unworthy.<br />
<br />
My choice...continue living a life that others wanted me to have to please them even though there was no love, or choose me.<br />
<br />
I chose me.<br />
<br />
And I am still learning to love myself.<br />
<br />
Discovering the wonderfully weird and adventurous me that existed before, again. <br />
<br />
Learning to accept love for who I am.<br />
<br />
Knowing that even if I ever stand alone again, the person in the mirror will be me. Sarah Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335760698128829555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872616016679469284.post-30051115388499505142014-02-05T07:06:00.002-08:002014-02-05T07:06:43.221-08:00"Friend" or Friend<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_35" style="right: auto;">
My closet
is full of dark skeletons that I wish to go away, but don't.</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_35" style="right: auto;">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_1098">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_1101">
Over the last several years
I have tried to allow who I am to be who I was in life.</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_1507">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_1510">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_1510">
But the sad truth is that in
doing this, I lost a lot. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZT8tXUHKdOoGWbWaJPa9b985j4Ce_awXNHBk5CJo2E47MszP2XpEiaZuAtwikwWlY0f38JjySXr8UJDIilFQTeuW1NeVm_rp0ZV63SUqe9w7vr28SW-lmoYosCJRi4Febck6lm6lT78/s1600/043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZT8tXUHKdOoGWbWaJPa9b985j4Ce_awXNHBk5CJo2E47MszP2XpEiaZuAtwikwWlY0f38JjySXr8UJDIilFQTeuW1NeVm_rp0ZV63SUqe9w7vr28SW-lmoYosCJRi4Febck6lm6lT78/s1600/043.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_1711">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_1714">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_1714">
People no longer associated
with me.</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_1714">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_1714">
They found fault in everything I did. </div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_1849">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_1852">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_1852">
They talked behind my back.
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_1987">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_1990">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_1990">
Truths became twisted to fit
their narrow view of understanding. </div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_2009">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_2012">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_2012">
As I was learning to love
me, I found others no longer did. </div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_2882">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_2885">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_2885">
My already fragmented trust
was broken further. </div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_3154">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_3229">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_3229">
Wasn't this process of being
authentically me suppose to be freeing?</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_3416">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_3419">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_3419">
It was. Just not as I
expected. </div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_3576">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_3581">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_3581">
Looking back I realize I
lost what held me back from being me. </div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_3784">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_3787">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_3787">
Painful at the time, I now
understand it was necessary. </div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_3978">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_3981">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_3981">
Freeing was found in letting
go. </div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_4204">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_4207">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_4207">
This not only meant my
feelings or emotions or roles, but of other people. </div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_4480">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_4483">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_4483">
I did not choose to let
anybody go. They left.</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_4678">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_4681">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_4681">
And perhaps that is what
hurt the most. It wasn't my choice. </div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_4893">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_4896">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_4896">
I felt abandoned and alone.
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_5091">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_5094">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_5094">
Until I realized that truth.
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_5363">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_5366">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_5366">
There was still a collection
of people who loved me as I became me. </div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_5567">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_5570">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_5570">
It was small, but their love
was great. Real. </div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_6196">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_6199" style="right: auto;">
</div>
<div id="yiv2417736590yui_3_7_2_5_1391100741760_6199" style="right: auto;">
And I
would rather have a handful of friends who love me authentically, than a world
full of people who love me selfishly.</div>
Sarah Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335760698128829555noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872616016679469284.post-2893707193116702052014-01-27T14:21:00.002-08:002014-01-27T14:21:50.435-08:00Consider this your Kick in the AssThere will come a day you get the phone call you never wanted.<br />
<br />
<i>There's been an accident and your son, daughter, husband, wife.....</i><br />
<br />
It was just before lunch and he was heading home from work sick. His wife and three young kids awaited his arrival. There was no threat of ice or snow. Just a normal drive home on the route he always took. Only it wasn't.<br />
<br />
Heading in the same direction was a mid-20 year old man and his mother. There was construction on the road, but there always is in this part.<br />
<br />
He veers to the left a little and hits a concrete wall which sends his car into the air.<br />
<br />
That car flies into the air and lands on top of the other car heading in the same direction. Instantly killing the driver.<br />
<br />
It is unreal. Almost a scene out of a movie. No alcohol, texting, or bad weather to blame.<br />
<br />
Hearing this story on the news is horrible enough, but the sick guy heading home happened to be my husbands son's best friend.<br />
<br />
I immediately question God. Why?<br />
<br />
What if Matt had only left 10 minutes later...what if he was driving slower...what if...<br />
<br />
When things like this happen we search for blame. We seek answers to questions that will never be answered. We imagine every other scenario with happy endings. We search for a peace that we cannot find.<br />
<br />
We ponder how fragile life is. How it really is a gift each day without any guarantee.<br />
<br />
The restlessness of why and how propels us to not take our own life for granted. For a little while anyway!<br />
<br />
Until we slip back into the routine of what our life has always been. Because there is always tomorrow.<br />
<br />
And things are going to be better when you lose those 10 lbs., or when you retire, or when your kids are grown, or when you have the perfect job, or when you drive the new car, or when you finally have extra money, or when you finally have more time.<br />
<br />
A thousand things you desire to do, later.<br />
<br />
Sadly, for most of us that time never comes. There is always, ALWAYS, something that gets in the way.<br />
<br />
Every day people share with me their desires immediately followed by their excuses.<br />
<br />
It's sad.<br />
<br />
I lived that once too.<br />
<br />
Not anymore.<br />
<br />
I try my best to live my life now with the intention "to not arrive
at my grave safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to
skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn
out, and loudly proclaiming, Wow! What a ride!"<br />
<br />
All I have is now.<br />
<br />
All you have is now.<br />
<br />
So why are you waiting?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Sarah Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335760698128829555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872616016679469284.post-27914545945124972842014-01-08T06:50:00.003-08:002014-01-08T06:51:52.582-08:00Who are you Screwing?<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">A horrible fallacy lies in the saying "sticks and stones may break my bones, but <i>names</i> will never hurt me."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">When I went through my divorce I got the nastiest emails from my loving Christian friends. Sticks and stones of bitter anger thrown at me labeling me with names. I was doomed to hell. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgachx_E_gRgTsbknVNV91MosOGoYmtQFOLPWghfCpR0ZOWt6cMCv6vxkPcl81-HJGJwqa4xhR7ih-yAH62x7BncnQ_uQu6wOUw-BGT8jvwwFklH-FbzZ9YlRGI_Vb1ne6GlX4B82U9iNQ/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgachx_E_gRgTsbknVNV91MosOGoYmtQFOLPWghfCpR0ZOWt6cMCv6vxkPcl81-HJGJwqa4xhR7ih-yAH62x7BncnQ_uQu6wOUw-BGT8jvwwFklH-FbzZ9YlRGI_Vb1ne6GlX4B82U9iNQ/s1600/image.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">I felt unlovable.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Dirty.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Judged.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Condemned.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Few loved me when I was "unclean" to them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">The thread hair belief I had left in organized religion finally snapped. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">I wanted to throw my own sticks and stones right back on them. For years, I held their shared secret hurts and wounds in silence.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">But I couldn't. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">My emotional strength was gone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">I harbor hate that I am trying to let go. I need to find a way to do this.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">See <i>names</i> do more than hurt...they scar.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">If you could see my heart there are a thousands scars tightly embedded that sometimes glisten so bright they sometimes easily cloud the good.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">But I choose to not focus on the hate, but use it to help others who are making a change.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">In a way it's the ultimate "screw you!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Using my own wounds to passionately help others propel themselves through <a href="http://www.meellc.com/onlineclass" target="_blank">change</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">To guide and protect them on their journey.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Because NO ONE deserves to be scarred for being what or who they are designed to be.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Change is often a solo journey.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">With others laughing or mocking you as you evolve.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Because their own fears cloud their belief that you could be better off in a different job, living someplace else, not married to their son.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">And you continue to move forward, and they continue to feel left behind.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">But that's their choice.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">And then one day you realize you finally feel at home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">You are where you are suppose to be, doing what you were meant to do, living with whom you heart was meant to love. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">And it looks a whole lot different than you ever imagined. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">And they still can't figure it out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">In fact, you scare them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Because you did something so many desire but never do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">You choose to live your life for you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">And sometimes the past haunts the present and you kick and scream it away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Because the beauty of the life you have now really is your heaven on earth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">It took a walk through hell to get here, the loss of familiar things, a breaking free of family and friends, going against the common way of thought,..but there is no other place I'd rather be then where I am today.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Your world is full of others who want you to be something for them, but what is it you want to be? To do? How do you want to live?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">You already know these answers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">You have your reasons for not doing them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">I know what they are.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">But, I also know you don't have to live a life less than you desire. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">And I pray this year you at least take <a href="http://www.meellc.com/onlineclass" target="_blank">one small step forward</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Trust me, it is so worth it! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">And when others start to question you, to call you names---just call me.</span>Sarah Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335760698128829555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872616016679469284.post-31475930117143860072013-12-20T08:07:00.002-08:002013-12-20T08:07:54.626-08:00My Scarlet LetterGrowing up in a glass house, I cleverly hid a lot! I knew what I could not be and created a version of me that fit what I should. My scarlet A was a PK and not a sign of shame, but of Godly status setting me apart. I was suppose to be different. <br />
<br />
Yet, I have my own Footloose stories locked away still. <br />
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I am no different than the majority really. Most of us hide our scars. <br />
<br />
We feel imperfect as we try to live up to the societal expectations of <em>beauty, emotional, life</em> ideals of perfection. <br />
<br />
I can't admit to others that I am depressed or that my kid cuts himself or that I am lonely in my marriage. I can't let others know that I am divorced or that I really don't enjoy running the church program. I can't say no because they will think bad of me. <br />
<br />
We talk ourselves into negatives. <br />
<br />
I'll never have enough money. I'll never be skinny enough. I'll never be like her. <br />
<br />
Until one day the inadequacies of imperfections fester long enough that they explode. <br />
<br />
TMI! TMI! others exclaim while running to hide from crazy you. <br />
<br />
And sometimes they can't handle you anymore and they leave. <br />
<br />
Taking your need to be loved unconditionally and shattering it more. <br />
<br />
I was a perfect 36-26-36 several years ago and decided to post a picture of myself on Facebook in my bikini. Now at this time in my life I was going through a divorce where most of the people that were suppose to love me for me was throwing blame on me. Telling me I was not good enough, I needed to do this or that...I should have....the list of others faults thrown at me tore my hurting heart to shreds. <br />
<br />
Only a few people who claimed to love me unconditionally embraced me. <br />
<br />
So in desperation I did something I would have been embarrassed to ever do and posted that picture. I needed affirmation even if it was physical and fitted societal expectations of beauty. <br />
<br />
The temporary feel good high lasted a few days, until I saw some of my best friends de-friending me without saying one word because I know longer fit their expectations. Somehow I had crossed a boundary in our relationship that I never knew existed. That still hurts me to this day.<br />
<br />
I am still casting off the masks of who I was to become who I am meant to be. <br />
<br />
Finding beauty in my own scars.<br />
<br />
Like many mothers across my lower abdomen I bare the scars of pregnancy. I must admit I hated the site of my railroad tracks stretch marks until one day a friend turned the ugly into beautiful when she said, "My stretch marks are love tattoos. A symbol of the gift of my girls. A reminder of how amazing our bodies are."<br />
<br />
There is a spiritual holiness in finding the courage to be you that I believe makes you the most beautiful. <br />
<br />
See these scars we all have, they are not ugly. They are not things we should be afraid to share. <br />
<br />
They are what makes you uniquely you. A perfect being in His own image. <br />
<br />
I confess I still struggle. I occasionally place too much weight on what other's think of me. I never want to hurt anyone, but I am learning to no longer let others define me. <br />
<br />
I am letting go of the belief that what I do has to be good enough for someone else. That my actions have to fit into a mold. That there is something wrong about sharing my hurts or imperfections with others. That I am less than someone else because of my beliefs.<br />
<br />
That my scars have marked me unworthy, unlovable, dirty because others make me feel that way.<br />
<br />
In reality we are all the same. Some of us are just more honest about it all. And often, the less honest are the ones who judge the most. <br />
<br />
Wherever you are today, know that I think you are wonderful and beautiful and worthy. Embrace your scars not as imperfections, but as a part of what you had to endure to get to where you are. They are a beautiful part of your story. Don't be afraid to share them. Sarah Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335760698128829555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872616016679469284.post-49978791898990261522013-12-10T18:19:00.001-08:002013-12-10T18:19:38.596-08:00A Letter to MyselfDear Me,<br />
<br />
You sit here tonight feeling inadequate. You find yourself swimming in the mucky murky dirt of self doubt. <br />
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Whether it was an offhanded comment about the past or one of your thousand irrational fears, you have allowed yourself to feel less than you should. <br />
<br />
You see yourself as second best. A place you have always thought you should be. You have continued to allow yourself to accept this. <br />
<br />
The wind has been knocked out of your sails and like a ship on rough waters you continue to toss about trying to find your balance. <br />
<br />
You aren't fighting right now, you are sitting down letting others throw their stupid comments or actions at you, like the downpour of rain in the midst of this storm. <br />
<br />
Forget the rock star moments of his past, or all that was before. You have decided to create this life together and it's yours. Don't let others stupid comments or actions take away your joy. <br />
<br />
Stand up and believe in what is now. <br />
<br />
Remember, you are in control. (Yes, God really is but you know what I mean.)<br />
<br />
You can sit in your party of one and pity, pity, pity yourself.<br />
<br />
Or you can choose to live in today. <br />
<br />
There are a thousand dreams you were created to live. A plethora of skills you possess to use. A heart of love waiting to give. <br />
<br />
You might not see it, but they are all within your reach. Believe.<br />
<br />
Forget all the naysayers who will always be there. They steal your joy when you let them. <br />
<br />
Jealousy lurks just around most corners and will hit you again and again. Their jealous is not your problem. Leave it with them. <br />
<br />
And Sarah...<br />
<br />
You are wonderful and special.<br />
<br />
You are smart and talented. <br />
<br />
You take care of yourself and those you love in countless ways.<br />
<br />
You are gifted. <br />
<br />
You are unique and beautiful. <br />
<br />
Wipe all this self pity crap out of your heart and head and love yourself tonight. Because you are so worth it!Sarah Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335760698128829555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872616016679469284.post-18292520247485241162013-12-06T12:38:00.002-08:002013-12-06T12:38:24.608-08:00A Selfish PrayerHey God, I am rarely selfish and I know there are thousands of people who are worse off than me.<br />
<br />
I am not asking for you to fix my problems, but can you at least give me peace. <br />
<br />
Peace that this business we are creating, which has received countless positive reviews, is going to be sustainable. I mean I really have no idea where the money is coming from next year to keep this going. <br />
<br />
Each day Mike and I get up and take these ideas and create hope for others out of them. <br />
<br />
And it works! <br />
<br />
God, it really works! <br />
<br />
But can you send some more customers our way. <br />
<br />
The income side of things is non-existent, but the personal satisfaction is great. <br />
<br />
Or can you bless us with a big investor who wants to help others in living the life they were meant to live who chooses us as that channel?<br />
<br />
In a sense we are very much like those we are working with. Hopeful.<br />
<br />
Mike and I continue to live the life we desire without a net. <br />
<br />
We have no idea how we are going to pay for this or that. How we are going to take the time or money to cross Ireland off my <em>joie de vivre</em> list. <br />
<br />
But each morning we get up and continue pursuing a passion we both believe in. Creating books, classes, workshops, and coaching because it works. <br />
<br />
So, God...I believe all this comes from you. <br />
<br />
Is there a greater lesson I am to learn?<br />
<br />
I mean honestly, I am struggling. <br />
<br />
And I know I am not more special than the next person, but can you show me just how we can keep this going when we have bills to pay, and car issues to fix, and medical insurance issues to face, and dental work necessary?<br />
<br />
I don't know how this is going to work. <br />
<br />
And I am okay if it doesn't. But somehow I think it is meant to be.<br />
<br />
Somehow it is so much easier to give others hope than to see it within your own circumstances. I guess the fact that we keep going makes us different. So many give up when the unknowns become overwhelming. <br />
<br />
<em>A deep breathe relaxes my heart and head into a place of calm.</em><br />
<br />
I don't know God. I really don't know. And I am scared. I really am. But I believe. And I am learning to trust more. <br />
<br />
Maybe this is a greater journey of personal growth before the professional. I don't know. But, you do.<br />
<br />
And I am ready to know. <br />
<br />
Do you think I am?<br />
Sarah Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335760698128829555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872616016679469284.post-3924925851727967832013-11-21T09:06:00.001-08:002013-11-21T09:11:03.391-08:00Who really wants to stand in an oversized net with balls being kicked at them from every angle?The soccer season ended with both her arms wrapped in casts. Perhaps a better story could have been told, but the truth was her Bolivian soccer coach had done this during a practice. A dive the wrong way by her and the strength and precision of a professional soccer players kick had this end result. <br />
<br />
But the season was over and she could heal. <br />
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Indoor practices began and every one on the team took turns being goalie. <br />
<br />
This was not a favored position. Who really wants to stand in an over sized net with balls being kicked at them from every angle?<br />
<br />
After several practices he came up to her and said, "Sarah, I want you to think about being our goalie for the next season."<br />
<br />
My blue eyes threw all sorts of trashy thoughts his way. Images of her broken arms stuck in my head. A crazy spiral of my own personal destruction played through my mind. <br />
<br />
His hand rested on my forearm, bringing me back to the present. <br />
<br />
"I believe that you can do this Sarah! I know you are afraid, but you are strong. Just think about it."<br />
<br />
I would end up having one successful career as goalie the next season (we moved to NY the following year). Minus breaking all of my fingers at different times, I suffered from no other injuries.<br />
<br />
I still have the write-ups from the newspaper about me. They remind me that when I put my mind to something, regardless of how scary it can be, great things can happen. <br />
<br />
Looking back most of my greatest moments have resulted in letting go of fear. <br />
<br />
My relationship with God started out of my fear of burning in hell. But like anything rooted in fear it was doomed to fail. Until I learned that God is full of love and grace for me. <br />
<br />
Letting go of the comfort of a safe community and moving to the city has filled my once predictable daily existence with wonderment. <br />
<br />
Choosing to work for myself from home without the security of a steady paycheck has broadened my skill set and I create things I never knew I could. <br />
<br />
Learning to not worry about what others think about me has brought an inner beauty and peace. <br />
<br />
Marrying one who many warned me not to continues to flood my life with love I never imagined. <br />
<br />
I made a choice to follow my heart, to listen to myself, to believe, to let go of other's chatter that fueled my own fears and what has become is extraordinary. <br />
<br />
Looking down at my crooked finger's typing these words, I smile. Knowing that Javier's belief in me touched me deeper than just soccer. I learned to believe in myself.<br />
<br />
There is something you want to do today, tomorrow, or next year. You know what it is, but fear holds you back. <em>How</em>...lingers in your head while your heart screams but <em>what if</em>...<br />
<br />
"I believe that you can do this! I know you are afraid, but you are strong. Just think about it."<br />
<br />
________________________________________________________________________<br />
<br />
Even better, be part of our December class Doing the Right Things for You! It is 100% online and just $1.50 a day. You are so worth it! Trust me, I know. <a href="http://www.meellc.com/onlineclass">www.meellc.com/onlineclass</a><br />
<br />Sarah Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335760698128829555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872616016679469284.post-89966259759842078422013-11-13T08:13:00.001-08:002013-11-13T08:13:11.293-08:00Time for a Little FunYou may have seen all these random numbers and facts about people popping up on Facebook. So, instead of asking my friend to give me a number, I decided to do my own. <br />
<br />
Twelve random things you may or may not have known about yours truly. <br />
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1. I was a vegetarian for several years, multiple times. Not because I think it is cruel or ungodly to eat meat. Simply because I am such a visual person that certain images made me stay away from meat for years.<br />
<br />
2. In a different time and place, I raised chickens for fresh eggs (and yet I don't eat eggs) and two goats as pets.<br />
<br />
3. I love underwear. In fact, I love it so much I own 73 pairs. <br />
<br />
4. I hate flying and detest looking down when at high altitudes, but love to travel. And sky diving is on my Joie de Vivre list (joy of life list- which many of you call your bucket list). <br />
<br />
5. Macho Man Randy Savage was my dream man. <br />
<br />
6. I took classical piano for 6+ years. <br />
<br />
7. I removed my nose piercing only because I constantly felt like I had boogers on one side of my nose and it drove me crazy. <br />
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8. I am German, Polish, Hungarian, and Arabian.<br />
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9. Wanting to be a sports marketer I interned with the Buffalo Bills and the Adirondack Red Wings (the farm team at that time to the Detroit Red Wings).<br />
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10. I have sung in the Billy Graham Crusade choir. <br />
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11. Two of my three blessings were born on their due dates.<br />
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12. I cannot drive a stick shift car and have no desire to learn how.<br />
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Now which one of these isn't true?Sarah Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335760698128829555noreply@blogger.com0