Mother’s Day

by walking in freedom

A wrote a post on my Facebook about Mother’s. Mother’s come in all shapes and sizes. I don’t have children of my own. I have 3 step children that are amazing adults now. The oldest recently had his first child. A guess that makes me a grandma. Even though those children were not mine by blood I loved them so much. They moved away with their mom when they were still young but I stayed connected with them and two of them are in my life now.

I do respite care for a boy that one known since he was 2 and a half and I tell people that he’s the child I never had. I love him so much and he’s still in my life. He’s an amazing boy that I’ve written about before in my blogs. I got to spend the evening before Mother’s Day with him. Every time I’m around him he brings such joy to my heart. He feels the exact same way about me. I’ve been there and seen so many of his milestones.

There are many children at my school that I mentor and they still come and hug me out in the playground. I love my job at school it’s so rewarding and yes it can be tough as well but God has given me a gift to reach those that are hard to reach or just need someone to let them know how great they are or how proud of them you are. Those words are powerful.

I’ve been so blessed to have so many children around me my entire life. I wouldn’t change that for anything. It’s been the greatest gift.

      Gratitude

by walking in freedom

What’s one small improvement you can make in your life?

Every morning before I get to school I think of 3 things that I’m so grateful for that day. I do it when I’m driving to work. I love it because it sets my day up for success. It’s a simple task but one that is small but significant.

Sometimes it’s one thing the same as the previous day but I try to do different ones. There is so much to be thankful for.

            Grief

by walking in freedom

I feel I’m in a season of grief right now. On Monday a gal I have known for a couple of years passed away from cancer. 9 months ago she was diagnosed with lymphoma and had pre cancer in her breast, her rib and her stomach. She and I used to message each other often and she would always update me on what was happening. I met my friend through my business she was on our team. What I loved about T was she always was so positive and I remember her telling me that she was going to beat this.

She started her chemo and even got to ring the bell for her final chemo. A week after her chemo she experienced really bad headaches and was taken to the hospital. After further testing they discovered that the cancer has spread and now was in her brain. The tumors grew quickly and the pain was so unbearable. Two weeks ago she was admitted into the hospital and last week woke up and demanded they take out her tube and she wanted another opinion.

They took out the tube and she went unconscious and never woke up again. She died peacefully Monday morning. T was an amazing woman that always was smiling and loved her family so much. She always was encouraging others and had the best attitude about everything even when things were hard for her. I always looked forward to seeing her in our zoom meetings and how much I learned from her.

This reminded me of when my best friend died. It brought up similar feelings. One of the nights I found out she was so sick I prayed a lot and into the night because I couldn’t sleep. I asked God why He takes those we love. Even though I know His ways are the best and He knows what we need. T was so young and had a young family.

I never understood why my best friend died two years. I’ve never been the same. I know I will see her again that is what helps and that now both her and T are now healed. I guess when it’s your time to go it’s your time.

Cancer is so different and it changes your entire family. I know people whose children are going through this now and doing well. For that I’m so thankful for. It’s just something I never have understood. I may need understand that but I’m so glad that now they are healed in heaven.

I’m still grieving my dad so as I said I’m obviously in a season of grief. Some days are harder than others. I’ve been trying to live each day to the fullest and not take anything for granted because life can be short.

My quote I live by

by walking in freedom

Do you have a quote you live your life by or think of often?

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

This is a verse I  turn to often . I love bald eagles and for a long time now God will bring one into my sight just at the right time. I know everything will be ok and He’s got this. This verse is very comforting to me.

Christmas time

by walking in freedom

What is your favorite holiday? Why is it your favorite?

I love Christmas time it’s become one of my favorite holidays. I love the traditions and spending time with friends and family. I love the story of Jesus and his birth and what Christmas is all about.

I love all the lights and maybe it’s because I never had Christmas’ growing up that I cherish the times I have now.

A huge thank you to each and everyone of my readers.

by walking in freedom

I want to thank all my readers and all the people who have some of the most amazing photos. Thank you for allowing me to share them with others on my blog.

When I started the journey of blogging it was basically a woman getting thoughts out. I have seen amazing healing through my blog and the biggest part was being able to share my memoirs. I decided to do it on my blog because I have siblings that are still alive and I wanted to make sure what I wrote never hurt them. To be able to share things I’ve only ever written on paper, has been amazing.

Sharing our stories is what helps others even if it’s just one person who reads what we write and is impacted by it. I would not be where I am today without JESUS. He is the one who helped me survive and He is the one who brought so much healing through my writings. I then discovered that I love to write and it’s something that brings me much peace no matter what is going on. I always tell people that my blog is Jesus’s and my story.

Thank you to those who encouraged me to write even when I was nervous about it. It’s become one is my greatest accomplishments.

I am the woman I am today because of finding my voice. Don’t ever be shy about who you are. I am the woman I am today because of my past. My strength comes from JESUS and He’s the one who prompts me to write.

Thank you so much for reading and liking my posts. ❤️

The best decision of my life

by walking in freedom

Describe a risk you took that you do not regret.

When I lived in Ireland with my dad and stepmom. After I had gotten back from Canada visiting my mom for the summer. I was 15 years old my dad told me that I could move out and get a job or move with my mom. There is no way I would ever have survived getting a job at 15 with little education and scared of my own shadow.

I took the risk and called up my mom and asked her if I could live with her. She was overjoyed but I felt my dad didn’t want me anymore and that’s how he was going to get rid of me.

Moving from Ireland the only home I knew to come and live with my mom and stepdad was a massive difference in my life. It was like moving from one completely different world to another one. The way I was brought up to how I lived at my mom’s was a massive culture shock. Even though I didn’t want to leave my family I couldn’t wait to get out of the abusive relationships I had.

It was the best decision I ever made. I had a family who loved me and supported me in the highs and lows and after a long time I worked on and through my trauma. I also had a step dad that loved me so much and was very protective of me something I never had growing up. He helped me be the woman I am today. I lost him mid December. I miss him everyday and the relationship that we developed over the years. ❤️

by walking in freedom

How do you use social media?

I use social media mostly to promote my business. It’s the biggest reason I’m on it and to interact with people that live far away from me. Without social media I would have a harder time being about to tell people about this amazing product. I do online events and meet amazing people along the way.