Inspiration

This is what Life is all about....... connecting, sharing, loving, inspiring and giving hope!

May 20

Carol H

 • i dont know you, but have read your posts and what has happened in your life, you have touched my heart and when i get the blues real bad and want to give up on life i just come to your site and start reading, God Bless you who ever you are

 Little Red Bird

 •Oh Carol, Many blessings and all the happiness to you! this makes me so happy!!! My love and inspiration giving you HOPE!!! I'm so happy to hear from you and are so happy you are here. I guess you have read my blog posts on my www.lovingmaryforever.com

 May 22

 Carol H

• yes i have read it all, you gave me hope to keep living.

Signs

Angels were in full force this a.m. 

Right after I acknowledged them and asked them for a little help I  saw 111, 777, 000, 111 on 4 different cars in a 1 mile span and then a cardinal flew right in front of my car! 

It's quite amazing how it works like that.  I woke up a little on the grumpy side still feeling the disappointment from the dentist appointment the day before. I felt guilty for not being happy on a Friday.  I'm always a little extra happy on Fridays... Yes, I really am.  (That's what happens when you give yourself a Friday reward at the end of the day!)  So, I decided right then and there that I had a choice - I did not have to feel this way.  I started focusing on the positive things in my life and felt gratitude.  From there I asked my angels for a little help and as if by magic,  a weight was lifted off of me and I was seeing the day with different eyes, a joyous perspective, a grateful view on everything.  I felt myself fill with LOVE.  

I urge you to try this..... it really makes life more fun!

Cool Sage Synchronicity

A random thought came into my mind this morning and disappeared as quick as it came.  No reason for this thought. "I wonder if my house has a negative energy in it!"

A few hours later my husband called me at work and said "You know that Namaste shop you go to for our incense?  I wonder if they have sage to burn.". 

I was shocked. Where did this come from? I asked.  He said "I don't know, I figured it wouldn't hurt to burn some in case there was any negative energy in our house."

Wow wow wow.... Very random for me to think this & even more random for my husband to ask about clearing out any negative energy.   

Needless to say, I bought some sage  at the Namaste shop in NYC!

 

 

Burn Sage To Cleanse Negativity

(eHow.com) Sage is an herb that is known for its healing and medicinal properties. People have burned sage since ancient times to cleanse and purify objects and homes. Proponents of sage burning, also known as smudging, believe that the sage smoke is a way to bless your home and dispel it of negative energy and influences. You might wish to burn sage to purify and cleanse your current home or a new residence before moving in.

A Perfect Poem

I asked Kelsey how her day was today, and she said it was a wonderful day! I said "that's great, what made it so special?"  "I know this sounds crazy Aunt Jeni, but I felt my moms Spirit with me all day!" is what my sweet niece said to me.  I wasn't expecting this at all. My heart skipped a beat, I was so happy to hear this.  I knew it was true.... Mary's presence is everywhere.  Then she melted my heart by saying, "We are so much alike Aunt Jeni, I could easily pass as your daughter".  Kelsey continued to tell me about a conversation she had with her bus driver who recently lost her son to the war in Iraq. She gave her bus driver comforting words by telling her he was in a better place, they'd be together some day and he is always with her.  They shared their thoughts with each other, both leaving with comfort in their hearts.  At this point I was beyond proud, beaming with so much love for my niece.  Kelsey said she had a poem she had to share with me, said it was the perfect poem..... something the bus driver shared with her.  So she sent it to me by e-mail and now I'm sharing it here.  The words are so beautiful and so very dear.  There are NO coincidences.... our angels from above are always here and when we believe with our hearts, it's times like this that we can see.

When tomorrow starts without me
And I'm not there to see;
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me.
I wish so much you wouldn't cry
The way you did today;
While thinking of the many things
We didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me
As much as I love you;
And each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too.
But when tomorrow starts without me
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name
And took me by the hand.

She said my place was ready
In heaven far above;
And that I'd have to leave behind,
All those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away,
A tear fell from my eye;
For all my life, I'd always thought
I didn't want to die.

I had so much to live for,
So much yet to do;
It seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays,
The good ones and the bad;
I thought of all the love we shared,
And all the fun we had.

If I could relive yesterday
Just even for awhile,
I'd say goodbye and kiss you
And maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized
That this could never be;
For emptiness and memories
Would take the place of me.

And when I thought of worldly things
I might miss come tomorrow;
I thought of you, and when I did,
My heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through heaven's gates
I felt so much at home;
When God looked down and smiled at me
From His great golden throne.

He said, "This is eternity
And all I've promised you;
Today your life on earth is past,
But here it all starts anew."
"I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last;
And since each day's the same day,
There's no longing for the past."
"But you have been so faithful,
So trusting and so true;
Though at times you did do things,
You knew you shouldn't do."
"But you have been forgiven
And now at last you're free;
So won't you take my hand
And share my life with me?"

So when tomorrow starts without me,

Don't think we're far apart

For every time you think of me,

I'm right here in your heart.

A Message from Mary

 

The other night I felt like my sweet niece Kelsey was in need of some motherly love, some reminders that she is going to make it through these trying times, that she is loved, important, incredibly special and not alone. 

So I starting sending her texts of love. 

I ended the texversation with a beautiful  picture of a cardinal with an angelic little girl nestled in it's neck and this text:

"Sweet dreams Kelsey ~ I'll be sending you some love while your sleeping.... Talk to you tomorrow - xoxo"

 Early the very next morning I got this text from my SSS (Sweet sSul Sis) Jen Dio:

"I had a dream last night that a Cardinal landed on me and nuzzled into my neck as I was laying down in some foreign place. Right away I pulled out my iPhone and took a snapshot to send to you. I remember it not being great but I didn't care. I knew you would love it anyway. So, although there isn't really a pic, I still wanted to share my dream with you because I think there's some meaning there and that I'm meant to pass on the message. The birdie was so loving and happy. It wanted me to know how peaceful it felt lying with me. :-) Sweet, huh? Love you SSS"

 I responded back:

"Omgoodness Jen!  There is meaning... I know it.  I was texting Kelsey sweet words of love & encouragement last night, I could tell she was sad. I told her I was sending her love while she slept & I sent her this picture you gave me!!!"

Jen's text back to me:

"That's it! Tell Kelsey it was meant for her. Mary was with her all night, curled up next to her. Xoxo amazing."

I did tell Kelsey! Actually I text the whole story to her. 

Kelsey was ecstatic and text this back to me:

 "I just read it .... Just got out of school and awwww  i love that story - defffinenttllyyyyyy mom!! I wish i could  meet Jen in person"

I am so thrilled for the beautiful confirmation.  I feel as if Mary was right by my side sending her daughter the love she deserves and then my wonderful friend Jen had a dream of exactly what I was sending to Kelsey.  Her need to tell me as soon as she woke up. All of this is the divine intervention of an angels love for her daughter.  Jen and I were the messengers.  How incredible is that??

See what happens when you BELIEVE?!

Thinking of You....

Dear Mary~

Don't you just love this picture of our momma with niece Maddie .... this was from my trip to Port Aransas this past February to be with mom after her heart surgery.

I know you and mom share a special bond with the ocean, I think this is why she lives where she does now ~ to be closer to you. 

This picture says so much to me.  If I asked mom what she was thinking about, I bet she would say...

"My Mary.  My sweet sweet Mary.  Our Angel in the sky!" 

I know you are with her, I know you are with us all.  We can feel your love everywhere.  We miss you my dear sister, more than words can say.  Thank you for all your signs and all you do for us even from so far away!



Happy Mothers Day Mama Mary

 I love this picture of Mary with her kids at the Rainforest Cafe. 

This is one of the last pictures of her just a few weeks before she went to Heaven!

Mary was a wonderful mommy!  She loved being a mommy more than anything.... she talked about it for as long as I remember.

 Happy Mothers Day mama Mary ~ we love you!!!

P.S.  Don't worry,  I'm loving the kids just like their my own.... just as I promised. It was amazingly easy sis.  They are incredible kids.  I can see  you in their souls!!   

FB friend ~ LRB visit

I received a beautiful post on my Little Red Bird wall yesterday   A new LRB friend shared her cardinal story here:

My mom Patty Jones Robinson past away in March.  A few days after she passed I was running by a lake. I took a few moments to walk down a path and look out on the water, just thinking of her. When I started walking back to the trail to continue my run, a red bird flew right in front of me and landed on a tree limb just to my right. I felt a strange sense of comfort as the bird just sat there and watched me continue on. Since then, I have had a couple more of these encounters... may seem simple, but I love the peace it brings and makes me feel as if my Mom is with me. 

Thank dear Amanda for sharing your story with us here.  Confirming our loved ones from above are always near.  Another member of our Cardinal Club!

Patrick's LRB Visit

In honor of mothers day,  I'd like to share a beautiful story from my dear friend Patrick P. I've known Patrick as long as my husband and have been blessed with his friendship since.  Not to mention wonderful haircuts and hilarious stories over the years.  In a conversation yesterday during our visit, he told me he couldn't wait to tell me what happened to him this past week.

Patrick went on tell me that he's been in a bit of a funk.  His anxious feelings have caused some added fear.  Amazing how our minds tend to go to the worst possibility.  He didn't have to say all his thoughts outloud, I knew the seriousness of his feelings by his energy.

Wednesday morning as he was questioning his thoughts and feeling upset he looked out his window and saw a bright red cardinal staring at him, tilting his head to the side.  The bird was within arms length with only the glass separating them.  In all the years of living in his home, he had NEVER seen this before.  Something special was felt with this visit.  He just knew it. 

Patrick's father passed away several months ago.  Coincidence?  No!

The next day, as Patrick reached up to the top of his bookshelf  to find his book he had home remedies to health care. As he pulled his "Home Remedies" book  from the shelf, a smaller book fell to the floor.  Ignoring this little book for the moment, he went straight to his Home Remedies book looking for some answers.  He was a little shocked that he happened to open the book right to the pages of his symptoms.  He then proceeded to pick up the little book on the floor.  He had never seen this little book and had no idea where it came from.  It was a spiraled little book and appeared to be from a church.  He happened to notice the date on the front cover - it was his father's Bday!  He opened the book and read the passages...... words of comfort, words of love.  His eyes filled with tears.  A confirmation that his father is always near!

A little extra sidenote:  Patrick called his mom later that day to tell her about this.... before he could she asked him to hold on a moment.  She came back to the phone to tell him that she was just praying to his father to help Patrick with what he is feeling.  Patrick was shocked...... and went on to tell his mom about the cardinal and the little book that fell from the shelf!  Tears of love and joy were shared over the phone!

In Loving Memory

Gems of Wisdom

I finally published my Gems of Wisdom!

It can be purchased on Amazon for only $4.97

This book was born because of my Mary...... 

During my own journey of recovery starting in 2001, I started digging deep into my soul to find myself - save myself.  I started writing from my heart and listening with all my being.  I was lost with hopelessness.  Broken.  When I heard something that made sense to me I wrote it down, when I had a thought, I wrote it down.  I wrote to heal.  By 2006 I was on a healthy road to recovery and my Mary's troubles began.  My heart broke..... I wanted to bottle up what I had and give it to her.  Anything I could to save her from the pain I went through.  I thought about my little Gems I had gathered and decided I would put it in a journal for her - clean and simple.  I found a nice pink leather journal and made my 1st edition of Gems of Wisdom. I found out that I couldn't send it to her this way so I started typing it in word, printed it, cut the sheets in half and took it to the local Office Supply store in the area and had it bound.  Mary loved it!  This is how my book was born.  I got the copyright in 2007.  I made several books and gave them away.  It was time consuming and a little costly, but worth it to me.  You can't put a price tag on the possibility of saving someone.  You have to give it away to keep it! It wasn't until this year, 2012, that I was able to have it published, thanks to the talents and work of my husband Chad!

It is my dream and I know it was Mary's, to share this simple little book to as many people as possible. Hospitals, jails, rehabs, meetings...... If by chance the sales excel,  I will be so happy to put the money earned towards her kids college!  Wow, that would be a dream........

It is because of my sweet sister Mary who is attached to my soul and the love of my life, my soul mate, Chad that my Gems of Wisdom is alive and ready to be shared and hopefully touch some souls!

Love In The Sky....

Memories to Cherish

Mary & Me 12-31-94

This picture was sent to me from Mary's lil legacy, Kelsey!  Would you believe I've never even seen this picture?  Mary had it in her own personal photo album from her wedding day.  Now that Mary is gone, her lil legacy Kelsey keeps her pictures as a treasure.  She came across this one as she was moving last weekend.  She took a picture of it and sent it to me.  I told her I loved this picture so much and she said "I thought you would, I do too!" What a beautiful bride Mary was and what a beautiful day......

My sweet little niece is a gift  that I love more than anything.  I am so lucky and so fortuante to have had the sister that I did, the memories to cherish and now her little Kelsey.  Well, not so little anymore,  she's growing up to be a beatiful young lady with a heart of gold - JUST LIKE HER MOMMY!

Thank you Kelsey for sharing this memory that I will cherish forever!

“Everyone you have ever loved in your life becomes a part of your soul. They never leave. They're always inside you, and you can bring them out whenever you want.”

― Nate Kenyon, Sparrow Rock

ANGELS

A Sweet Lesson on Patience

A NYC Taxi driver wrote: I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes I honked again. Since this was going to be my last ride of my shift I thought about just driving away, but ins...tead I put the car in park and walked up to the door and knocked.. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor. After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware. 'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her.. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.' 'Oh, you're such a good boy, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?' 'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly.. 'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice. I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice..'The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. 'What route would you like me to take?' I asked. For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing. As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired.Let's go now'. We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair. 'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse. 'Nothing,' I said 'You have to make a living,' she answered. 'There are other passengers,' I responded. Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug.She held onto me tightly. 'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said. 'Thank you.' I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.. Behind me, a door shut.It was the sound of the closing of a life.. I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day,I could hardly talk.What if that woman had gotten an angry driver,or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life. We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one. ~ Story shared by Kahayne Henry