Friday 4/2/10 - "I BELIEVE"

FLASH NON-FICTION FRIDAY 55

"I BELIEVE"

I BELIEVE I am powerless over alcohol? I surrender to God?
I DO!

I BELIEVE in Jesus Christ?
YES!

I BELIEVE in God's miraculous power?
I DO!

I BELIEVE God is love?
YES

I BELIEVE in love for my husband for better or worse?
I DO!

I BELIEVE my children are in God's care?
YES!


Prayer Girl
says, "Amen"

(Photo credit: Believe by powerpointer@deviantart.com)

Flash Fiction Friday 55
is hosted by G-Man.

Thursday 4/1/10 - "APRIL ARRIVES

"APRIL ARRIVES"

A glorious day welcomes the first day of April. It is sunny, low humidity, high will be 80. It is beautiful.

No new eggs yet in our little nesting area out by the front door. When we cleaned out the old nest after mom and ducklings left all the rocks in the bed were spread out evenly. Within ten days I found a new indentation in the nesting area. Will a third mama duck begin laying soon? Could be!

Anyone ever hear of a Sweet Tomato restaurant? There are salad, soup, dessert, pasta, and bread bars and lots of choices from each. For many years if we wanted to eat there we had to drive up to Ft. Myers. No longer. They opened one last week here in Naples. My three longtime girlfriends, daughter, and I went there last night. It was packed, but they helped us find seating and what a fabulous meal we had. The salads were fresh and exotic as well as the standard salad fixings. The soups were fresh, hot, and totally yummy. There was a penne pasta with lemon butter sauce and capers that was out of this world. I overate and enjoyed every bite. Today I will eat a little less. :)

Yesterday was my noon women's Alcoholics Anonymous meeting and as always it was a highlight of my week. I admit that I have many highlighted days each week. Monday is volunteering at the hospital that brings so many blessings. Tuesday is an Al-Anon meeting based on the book, "Opening our Hearts, Transforming our Losses". Wednesday is the women's AA meeting. Friday is an Al-Anon meditation meeting. Saturday is another AA women's group that uses "Each Day a New Beginning" for discussions and Sunday is my Al-Anon home group that uses "Hope for Today" as the reader.

Easter is approaching fast. This time of year brings back the many memories I have of RCIA (the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) and my confirmation into the Catholic church at the Easter Vigil service the Saturday night before Easter two years ago. It was a spiritual landmark in my life. I reflect now on the circumstances that led me to join the church. I remember the miracle and wonder of receiving the gift of a healing touch the year before I made the decision to become Catholic. The two stories are intricately entwined. I pray God will continue to bless others through me as He wills.

Yesterday while walking dog Lucky on his retractable leash he suddenly came upon a cat who leaped out of the bushes and dashed across the street. Dog immediately followed suit and in a split second as I watched the leash play out I saw a car coming down the street. Dog is big. I could only jerk back on the leash, fall backward into a sitting position on the grass to halt him, and wrench my upper arm in the process. I managed to prevent dog from entering the street and many ibuprofen later, iced arm, and soothing balm applied, the arm feels better. All will be fine.

Today is a free day. No plans other than a Thursday night church liturgy. I will go or stay as the spirit leads this beautiful day.

Have a glorious day.

Prayer Girl
(Photo credit: Waddle by Lisa Boulden - a Kodak Picture of the Day)

Wednesday 3/31/10 - "ROCKETED INTO A FOURTH DIMENSION OF EXISTENCE"

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY


"ROCKETED INTO A FOURTH
DIMENSION OF EXISTENCE" *

Prayer Girl

* From "Alcoholics Anonymous", p. 25

(Photo credits:
Alien Thoughts by Popa Florin@deviantart.com
Another Dimension by ladyrapid@deviantart.com
To See In Another Dimension by peewee82@deviantart.com
Quest for the Fourth Dimension by Jonathan Shih@deviantart.com)

Tuesday 3/30/10 - "LIVING THE MANY SHADES OF GRAY"

"LIVING THE MANY SHADES OF GRAY"

I used to live life in black and white. I remember the first television my family ever owned. I was about four when it arrived in our house and it's picture was in black and white. It was fascination at first sight and I loved it. Life was played out in black and white on that set and in the same way my thinking developed in those two stark contrasting colors.

One of the ways I coped with a chaotic mind and erratic emotions was to quickly classify unpleasant or disruptive thoughts and feelings into categories of black or white. If I could pigeonhole them then I did not have to think about or experience them anymore. Things were either good or bad, evil or holy, all or nothing, smart or dumb, wise or foolish, pretty or ugly, perfect or worthless, etc. etc. I had no idea this method of coping was destructive.

Living in this world devoid of shades and colors of thought and emotion was crippling. I engaged in many types of behaviors that I did not recognize as self-destructive. I lived in a world of escape.The final blow to my denial was my deadly confrontation with alcoholism. That got my attention. It brought me to my knees and I surrendered.

Recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon has shown me a different way to live, think, and feel. I have discovered the many shades of gray that exist between black and white. However I retain one black and white item. I am an alcoholic, alcohol is poison to me, I don't drink, no gray.

Otherwise life today is full of an infinite variety of shades of gray. In meetings I hear, "There is a little bit of good in the worst of us and a little bit of bad in the best of us." I understand this today.

Life is full and rich. Life is good.

Prayer Girl
(Photo credit: tears of a rainbow 2 by tristefleur@deviantart.com)

Monday 3/29/10 - "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SON"

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SON"

39 years ago this night I was laboring away in a hospital delivery room in Bethesda, Maryland. It was back in the "olden days" - before Lamaze births, before delivering babies became a more civilized affair, before it was routine to be able to identify the sex of the coming baby. I was totally alone, screaming, visited intermittently by nurses till finally at 3:00 a.m. 3/29 you arrived.

I was so delighted that my first child was a boy. You were perfect. My memory of past events is not always the best, but I remember that night and your birth vividly. I always will.

So, son, happy birthday. I have been proud of you always. I was proud of you when you were a little boy, proud of your accomplishments in scouting, school, and friendships. I was proud of your compassionate heart when you were so helpful while living with your grandparents. You worked, went to college, and were there for them as well. I was so proud of you when you graduated from college and your success in your chosen profession. Things have not always been easy for you, but you have a wonderful spirit that rises to all challenges. You have grown into a man that I continue to be proud of. I am so happy that you will be celebrating your first year wedding anniversary in just 6 days on April 4th. My heart is filled with happiness that you are happy.

SON -

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

LOVE YOU ALWAYS,

MOM

Prayer Girl
(Photo credit: birthday cake by vonzilla@deviantart.com)

Saturday 3/27/10 - "FILL THE VOID"

I AM WITHOUT INTERNET CONNECTION :(

THIS BLOG ORIGINATES FROM MY FAVORITE
ALTERNATE INTERNET SITE - STARBUCKS
HOPE TO BE BACK ONLINE SOMETIME SUNDAY

- - unless I come to Starbucks again :)


SIX WORD SATURDAY


"FILL THE VOID"

LET GOD

FILL THE VOID WITHIN

Prayer Girl

Friday 3/26/10 - "SILENCE"

FLASH FICTION FRIDAY 55

"SILENCE"

Silence
Hushed hallowed space
Outside sounds all around
Of birds and breezes
Of running in the rain

Inside total silence reigns
Exquisite interior quiet
Peace and prayer exist
There in that universal union
One with God

All is still, sweet silence
No note, no tune, no word
Just miracle muted music pure
Love's power sure



Prayer Girl
(Photo credits:
still winter by luvne32
silence by vebri rizcha carolin@deviantart.com)


Flash Fiction Friday 55
is a story in exactly 55 words.
Let the G-Man know if you write one
and read the ones of your fellow writers.