Precisely as I sat down to write this my little one came over and asked me when I started my blog and then wanted to know why.  I was stunned that she would ask not only today but at the very moment before I started to type.  I launched Seashells and Carousels exactly one year ago on Thanksgiving Day.  My sweet mother passed the day after Thanksgiving two years ago.  I thought I was doing OK until my first year without her was about to end.  Grief and an overwhelming sadness over her loss and of being an orphan started to overtake me.  So I began thinking back to all my father had instilled:  to be positive, to look for the good, and above all to keep faith in the deep, abiding love of Jesus Christ.  The American author Melody Beattie wrote:

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.  It turns what we have into enough, and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.  It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.”

As I was setting our table tonight I took this picture.  It is not in our formal dining room; rather it is where we always eat.  I did not drag out our wedding china, crystal, and silver; I just used our regular plates, glasses and flatware.  This is my life.  This is what it looks like after a long day of work, playing with my little one, and trying to cook a special meal for my family.  We had a fire going, soothing music playing, and were surrounded by our precious wolves, cats, turtles and fish.  I had no make up on and we all were completely relaxed.  There was no pressure; just the pleasure of each other’s company.  It is my sincerest hope that as you read my blog each day you will leave feeling a little happier — regardless of race, faith, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, political affiliation, or anything else.  Just come as you are and know that you are always welcome with no judgement.  As of this writing I have had over 20,000 visitors and over 318,000 hits.  Be blessed; it is for you I also give thanks.