Glitter and a Movie - "When Harry Met Sally"

The first movie for the challenge is "When Harry Met Sally".  I hadn't seen this movie in years, so I gave it another look via YouTube.  I took my inspiration from the vignettes of long married couples that were  sprinkled throughout the movie.

Keith and I celebrated 35 years of marriage this past April.  Our love blossomed in the autumn, and now, here we are in the autumn of life and still in hopelessly in love.

As I considered our life together, I remembered so many things that I had a difficult time deciding how to capture it all on one page.  How does one sum up a lifetime in a such a small space?

I decided that when it comes right down to it, it's all about love.  I thought about the love that brought the center of our universe into existence - our two sons...

...and I thought about all of the people who have been part of our lives who are now only with us in spirit.  I remembered all the happy times we spent with these people and the loving impact that each one had in our lives, and I smiled at the love that I am filled with when they come to mind.

So what's kept us together for 35 years?  It's simple.  LOVE.  Through all the challenging times, through all of the heartbreaking times, through all of the horrible times, through the many exciting and wonderful times, LOVE always won out in the end.  

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

To see more entries from this challenge, go HERE.  To watch "When Harry Met Sally", go HERE.

CELEBRATE * LOVE * CREATE

Monday's Musings

Most Memorial Day weekends in our family are quiet and uneventful, but this Memorial Day weekend has been one to remember.  My brother, Antwon, and Roberta were married.

They've been "married" for seven years now, but this weekend made it "official".  I've considered Roberta my sister all these years anyway, but I guess I'm old fashioned - I'm really liking the "official" part!

My "unofficial" daughter-in-law, Heather, made the wedding cake and catered all the food.  The cake was cassata, and it was the only wedding cake in my long history of attending weddings that I've seen literally devoured!   Everything was all absolutely delicious!  We feasted all afternoon long on chicken, pulled pork, pasta salad, garden salad, baked beans, parsley potatoes.....the list goes on and on.

I love my brother and sister.   I feel very fortunate that we're all close.  We've always got each other's backs even though we aren't constantly in touch with each other.

When we do get together, it's always a great time.  Our juvenile antics keep us entertained for hours, and all of that silliness and laughter become memories that make me smile.  I don't think we'll ever grow old.

Weddings are special occasions not just for the bride and groom, but for everyone in attendance.  So much love gathered in one place is a gentle reminder that the only really important thing in life is the love of family and friends.

I'm thrilled that I finally got to meet all my new sisters in person!  Family is such a beautiful thing....

and to see the happy newlyweds really warms my heart.

We were back at the cabin yesterday for my "new niece", Jen's, college graduation party.  I strolled back to the pond that served as a backdrop to Saturday's wedding.  It was quiet, serene and peaceful, and I couldn't help but smile as I remembered the joyous ceremony that had just hours ago taken place.

The hot, humid day gifted us with a sudden downpour of rain.  As we all huddled under the shelter of the tent, I couldn't help but think that just as we seek shelter from the rain, we seek the shelter of our loved ones when "storms" enter our own personal lives.  I thought about how lucky I am to have so many wonderful family and friends to seek shelter with during those bad times.

And when the sun broke through as it was still pouring, I reflected on the fact that there really is a bright spot to focus on even when times are tough.  If we can only change our perspective, we can look past the rain and into the sun....

and realize that just as the flowers need rain as well as sun to bloom, we also need those challenging moments in life to help us grow beyond where we are today.

I hope you've had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, and I hope you are blessed to have a shelter of loving family and friends to help you through your own storms.

CELEBRATE * LOVE * CREATE

Are You Taking Time?

OR IS TIME TAKING YOU?

Are you taking time to enjoy the beauty surrounding you?

Are you taking time, or is time taking you?

Are you taking time to witness the small beauties in nature?

Are you taking time, or is time taking you?

Are you taking time to enjoy the people that you love?

Are you taking time, or is time taking you?

It's true: time is what you make of it.  Time is fleeting.  The minutes tick away into hours until another day slips away into golden sunset.  So ask yourself this question:

"Am I taking time, or is time taking me?"

Take time for "Happy Creating!"

"LET YOUR ART SHINE ALL OVER THE WORLD!"

"Traces of Love"

A bit of nostalgia prompted by the rose patterned paper.