Yearly Archives: 2015

Turning Back the Clocks

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“There is a time for everything…” Ecclesiastes 3:3 (NIV)

Almost every one of us wears a watch, or at least keeps track of the time on our cell phones. We watch the time in our cars, on our computers at work, and set our alarm clocks every night before we go to bed. In fact, I would even bet most of us have at least one clock in every room in our house! We’re obsessed with knowing the time….

Saturday night, we turn our clocks back an hour, giving us an extra hour of sleep, or if you prefer, an extra hour to read, watch a movie, or whatever you want to do with it. Never mind that it makes up for that extra hour we lost in the spring which enabled us to have an extra hour of daylight. This is different, because we feel like we’ve gotten a gift!

What do you plan to do with your extra hour?

Or a better question…what would you do if you could turn your clocks back more than an hour and actually travel back in time? How far back would you turn them? Would it be days? Weeks? Or more?

One of the characters in Mitch Albom’s novel “The Timekeeper” tells of a young boy praying “please make it yesterday” so that his father would still be alive. Is that what you would want to do? Perhaps turn back your clocks to right before you got that phone call? Right before the doctor’s appointment? At least one day before a loved one died? Several days before? Would you want to use the time to try and change the outcome, or just tell them all the things you didn’t get the opportunity to say?

It’s a nice thought. A great idea, as a matter of fact. But that’s all it is. A thought; an idea.

Even if you could do that, time continues on, and we cannot stop it. You would still experience whatever it was that happened a few hours, or a few days or even weeks, after the clocks were turned back. The concept of changing the past to affect the future makes for an interesting book or movie plot, but in reality, we all know that is not possible. The Lord has a plan for each of us, and that plan will not be changed.

Although the Lord designed the concept of time to be measurable, time in eternity is not the same as time on earth. “…With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” (2 Peter 3:8) (NIV)

For now, our time is measured in earthly time. We count the hours and days and weeks, and turn the calendar pages each month. We cherish the extra time we’re given, and we mourn the time that is lost.

And for now we accept that extra hour we’re given by man, and wish it were more. And it will be on that one day when the Lord gives us the gift of eternity, time without end.

Who Would You Write About?

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How many of us are lucky enough to have someone in our life worth writing about? Worth writing an entire book about?  Who is important enough in your life to write about?

For me, that answer is very simple. My mother.

My mother wasn’t famous. She didn’t invent anything. She didn’t start her own business. She never published a book (although I found one she’d written and illustrated with pictures drawn by one of her kindergarten classes – somehow I’m going to get it published for her). She never even sang in her church choir. But I can guarantee you almost everyone who lived in her little town in Maryland for all the years she did, would know her by name. She taught many of them, or their children, and sometimes even their grandchildren. Or she taught one of their friends’ children. That’s one of the beauties of a small town. Everyone knows everyone else.

To me she was just simply my mother. She was someone who stood by me no matter what; who loved me more than anything in the world; someone who was both mother  and father to me. She was strong in spirit, and independent at a time when it wasn’t fashionable. She taught me so much more than I can ever describe, even though she may not have realized it. And if she were still here, she would be completely embarrassed that I’d written a book about her. Because she never wanted any attention drawn to her; she was an extremely private person. It was all about other people.

Her life didn’t go the way she had planned. In a time when women did not normally work outside of the home,  she was thrown into the world of a young widow, in which she had to make her own living, as well as raise her daughter on her own, without the love of her life by her side.

Mom, you did good. You taught me well. And because you did, you gave me the determination and courage to write your story. I hope you approve of it.

In my book, “Memories in a Daughter’s Heart”, you will not only get to know a bit about my mother, but you will also read about the all too tragic side of memory loss and dementia, and how it affects not only the person going through it, but the entire family. It is my hope that all who read this book will come away with a new hope and courage, realizing they can not only survive the journey they are traveling through, but bring back souvenirs of comfort and faith that can be shared with others embarking on the same journey.

If you are presently traveling this journey, what souvenirs do you think you will collect? What memories do you want to bring back?

And if you have already traveled this journey, what souvenirs did you bring back with you?

“Memories in a Daughter’s Heart” will be coming soon to Amazon. To be notified as to the exact publication date, please contact me through the form below.

I welcome all of your comments. Feel free to share them, or if you wish to contact me privately with any questions, or if you just need to share privately, please feel free to do so.

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Thank you for your response. ✨

What Are You Going to Carry?

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This is another part of the wedding that has so many different facets. Almost every bride has a bouquet of some sort. Usually it’s flowers, but today, it can be a myriad of different styles and textures; some brides carry silk flowers as opposed to fresh, since they’re easier to preserve.

Most brides today however, still prefer fresh flowers in colors that complement their bridesmaids’ dresses, or a striking bouquet that is the perfect accent for their wedding gown.

My mother’s bouquet consisted of an array of roses, her favorite flower, with a sprinkling of lilies of the valley. It suited her perfectly.

Bouquet styles range from the traditional round bouquets to the pageant styles which feature long stemmed flowers that are carried on the side, cradled in the bride’s arms, and allow her dress to be better shown off.

Cascade bouquets are also very popular, with flowers that flow down towards the floor, making an elegant statement as she walks down the aisle. These bouquets are carefully designed to coordinate with the dress, so as not to hide the beautiful details behind the flowers, or to dwarf the bride.

Nosegay bouquets are smaller and usually round, perfect for bridesmaids as well as the bride.

There’s also a pomander style, also sometimes called a kissing ball, which is a ball of tightly arranged flowers tied with decorative ribbon. Although carried by a flower girl, brides can carry these as well, and they can also be hung throughout the ceremony and reception for floral decor.

Some brides carry one or two large flowers with the appropriate ribbons, which makes a huge dramatic statement. Or they may elect to carry a few long stemmed flowers, often roses, and which some brides elect to give a flower to the mothers/grandmothers as they walk down the aisle.

Our daughter has decided on a combination style bouquet with one large tropical statement flower surrounded by other smaller tropicals. It’s going to be beautiful!

Brides have also been known to wear their flowers on their arm, similar to corsages, only bigger. That way, they can easily carry their flowers with them as the greet their guests at the reception 

Some carry bouquets made with colorful feathers as well as flowers. Perhaps even with strings of beads woven through it and cascading down.

Other brides elect to use brooch bouquets, made entirely from jewelry pieces, many of which are pieces handed down from family members. Such bouquets are spectacularly beautiful, but a bit heavier than the traditional flowers. (Maybe they’re actually designed to keep the groom in line during the wedding day festivities, since they’d hurt quite a bit if the bride had to use that bouquet to keep her new husband in line!)

Some years ago brides carried family Bibles with a few flowers on top, and some still do. Today’s brides may also choose to carry a special book that has a special meaning to the two as a couple. It could be a diary of their dating history that was compiled by them both; perhaps even a fancy scrapbook of their lives. 

Bouquets are usually designed by the florist based on the bride’s height, as well as the style of dress, so that it doesn’t overpower her or her gown on the wedding day. Usually when visiting the florist our brides are given a number of sample bouquets to hold to determine which style and size they prefer before actually selecting their actual flowers.

And after the wedding, what do you use for the traditional bouquet toss? Today’s brides are more reluctant to toss an expensive bouquet, preferring to preserve it rather than leave it behind, since so much thought was put into selecting it. And the brooch bouquet was definitely not meant to be tossed!

Most of our brides have elected to use a toss bouquet which is smaller and made from flowers similar to their bouquets. I’ve also made several of their toss bouquets myself using silk flowers which provide yet another memento of their special day.

Bouquets are as individual as the bride herself. They’re another fun and creative part of the wedding planning. And remember, you can have what you want within your budget, because it’s your wedding!

And as an update to this post, here’s what our daughter carried! It was amazing and just perfect for her! And note the charm on the bottom which is a picture of her with her grandmother.