Be Thankful

I am so thankful this morning. The last couple of days I have worked, since I came home from Baltimore. Time with my grandson and family really helps me focus. Especially, focusing on the good in life. I traveled to another store to help out and give another manager time off. She had a packet for each day I was there, with a personal note. She even gave me a thank you greeting card. It meant so much to me to feel welcomed and appreciated. Also, one of my best friends lives close by, and she came and spent a few hours with me. In between customers, she would ask how I was doing. I appreciate having a friend who cares so much for me. Yesterday I had a customer who just started asking me questions out of the blue. And, she came back twice more to buy something and talk to me more. She is a devout Roman Catholic and she and her husband go to church every day. Her husband is a cardioligist. She has six grown children. But, she wanted to know about me and pray for me. She gave me her phone number and her husbands. And a website she felt I could find useful. It is about the joy of faith. She told me I was strong and inspirational. I got a little emotional when she said that, because I thought I wish I felt that way. I thanked her. I told her since it was still May, and I think of the Virgin Mary so much in the month of May, I felt our conversation was welcomed. I told her how much my mom loved Mary, and she loved her so much she went to many apparitions of her, including Yugoslovia. She looked at me and said she just arrived home from Medjugorje in Yugoslovia. They were praying for healing for her husband who has cancer. Just wanted to take some time and reflect on the goodness in the world. We also talked a lot about butterflies, that is really how the conversation started. Today I feel organized and focused enough to paint before I leave for work. Today I will be painting butterflies and think of each and everyone I am thankful for. And, if you are reading this, it is because you care about me. I am so thankful for your continued support and caring. Quote of the day: Our Lady of Medjugorje’s May 25, 2022 Monthly Message for the World Year The following is Our Lady’s latest 25th message given through Marija: English May 25, 2022 “Dear children! I am looking at you and thanking God for each of you, because He permits me to still be with you, to encourage you to holiness. Little children, peace is disturbed and satan wants peacelessness. That is why, may your prayer be even stronger so that every unclean spirit of division and war may be stilled. Be builders of peace and carriers of joy of the Risen One in you and around you, for the good to win in every man. Thank you for having responded to my call.” Song of the day: Promised Land Bruce Springsteen

Turning to Creativity

I spent some time with my daughter and her family this weekend. It was such a breath of fresh air. I absorbed every second of the goodness. The most fun I had was painting and coloring with my grandson. I listened closely to his singing as he would color. He would describe each color and why he was picking it. It was pure joy at it's best. I am trying to get back to where I left off last year. This is really difficult because of all that I have been through. With a lot of life changes and all coming with a good dose of anxiety and uncertainty. But, I am finally taking some time off. I really want to go somewhere and recharge my batteries. But, where I am living is such a great opportunity to relax without the stress of traveling. I really hope to try to create as much as possible. I would love to finish some projects and make some gifts. But, most of all I can't wait to really delve into my art and discoveries I have found out about myself lately. I named my business Greetings from Geralyn and in my journey this year, I still wanted to share quotes which helped me each day. I spoke last year as I was going through the basement, earlier in the year, I felt like an archeologist. And, unexpectantly all of my belongings were put in one room. I have been spending as much time physically and mentally going through it all. Bringing it to a second floor small studio apartment was daunting. But, I am nearing the end of retrieving it all. As I try to put it away, I am overwhelmed by it all. And, in comes the guilt. But, my goal is to use anything I am bringing in the apartment or lose it. But, what I am most surprised about is my feelings. I feel like my senses are sharper for the first time in a long time. The birds seem to be singing louder and I am listening. The colors are more vibrant. Coming to my home with a rainbow in the sky on mother's day was such a gift. It makes me feel like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. But, this isn't wishes anymore, it's my life. I am going to start today with sharing some quote cards I made from 2007. I hope to start making a card a day. I hope you follow along with me as I will end up just posting on this instagram page in future: @greetingsfromgeralyn. These cards were from Creative Escape a retreat I went to in Arizona. Heidi Swapp organized this project. Each teacher there made two cards and we were given the supplies to put them together. Quote of the day: "The artist begins with a vision - a creative operation requiring effort. Creativity takes courage." - Henri Matisse. Song of the day: Florence and the Machine My Love

Amazing Grace

I can't let May get away without writing about the stregnth of the month of May. Each year as I write, I find out little clues of what brings me happiness and Joy. May is the month of most joy for me. Last year, even though I was grieving the loss of my mom and my job, I was coming to some helpful conclusions. I had no idea what was going to happen in the month of June to bring me to the position I am in now. It was really important for me to get to this point in my life. It was really important, I was comfortable in my home and able to process my life. I never used the word process before a couple of years ago. But, more and more I find I have to take some time to really process everything that is coming at me so quickly. So, I can react with grace. Grace.....what does that even mean? Well, the month of May gives me grace. It is the month we celebrate our moms and the Virgin Mary. Hail Mary full of grace starts my favorite prayer. I started this morning watching some videos on You Tube and this video was one in the suggestion to view. And, thankfully it helped me process! I can't let this month go by and not write down the things I am most grateful for. First and foremost, I think I truly am living my life with grace and being true to myself. Second, I would like to thank an amazing amount of women I have met or have known for years who are supporting me with Grace. From my landlord, to the girl who is the receptionist at where I get my car serviced, the women at my dentist office, my gynocologist, my hair stylist, and my co-workers. Then there are my friends I have talked with in person or on the phone who have handled conversations with me with the utmost of grace. And, then my sister who calls me each week to ask how I am doing in every facet of my life. And, finally my daughter who has faced a year of her own unimaginable losses with total grace. This video helped me in so many of the conclusions I was coming to to last May. Then, in June I went into shock and survival mode. Choices were made quickly, but with God by my side I am continuing to see the light. I am in the driver seat. As much I try not to worry about the future, I am getting there, gracefully. My mom when she went through the loss of her parents, the first thing she did was buy a car and the model was a "Spirit" and her bumper sticker said "Let Go Let God". The name of my car is Soul (kia). I am more of a believer of spirts, soul and intuition, then I ever was. And, I feel that is what is leading me on this trail of grace. It's a good trail to be on, it has been really bumpy lately. But, I have an appreciation of where I am now and how I got here. It's all going to ok, by the grace of God. Song of the day: Immaculate Mary sung by children One of my top ten favorite memories of childhood is the May Crownings. But, it does come with the day I was yelled at the most from my mom. And, that was the day I picked flowers from the neighbors yard to give to her without asking the neighbors. Finally, not feeling guilty about that now. And, realizing the things she got most mad at me for, was me trying to make her happy. I spent my life in a very good relationship with my mom and have so much guilt it was never enough. Slowly and especially with the distraction of last year, I realize my life is about me. And, taking ME back as she is......is the greatest gift I have ever been given. Quote of the day: definition of grace: grace noun Definition of grace (Entry 1 of 2) 1a: unmerited divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration or sanctification b: a virtue coming from God c: a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine assistance 2a: APPROVAL, FAVOR stayed in his good graces barchaic : MERCY, PARDON c: a special favor : PRIVILEGE each in his place, by right, not grace, shall rule his heritage — Rudyard Kipling d: disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency e: a temporary exemption : REPRIEVE 3a: a charming or attractive trait or characteristic Among disagreeable qualities he possessed the saving grace of humor. b: a pleasing appearance or effect : CHARM all the grace of youth — John Buchan c: ease and suppleness (see SUPPLE entry 1 sense 2b) of movement or bearing danced with such grace 4—used as a title of address or reference for a duke, a duchess, or an archbishop 5: a short prayer at a meal asking a blessing or giving thanks 6Graces plural : three sister goddesses in Greek mythology who are the givers of charm and beauty 7: a musical trill, turn, or appoggiatura 8a: sense of propriety or right had the grace not to run for elective office — Calvin Trillin b: the quality or state of being considerate or thoughtful accepted his advice with grace grace verb graced; gracing Definition of grace (Entry 2 of 2) transitive verb 1: to confer dignity or honor on The king graced him with the rank of a knight. 2: ADORN, EMBELLISH graveled walks graced with statues — J. A. Michener I like these definitons because like love it is a noun and a verb. P.S. This post was about the women in my life. But, I witnesed my son's grace this week and he is admirable. He spearheaded a fundraiser along with Sarah from Asbury Park Distillery and it was a wonderful event organized and executed with grace. Not just theirs but, to those who attended and the support of the musicians who performed. It was Amazing Grace in action!

Building a Nest

The picture above is from the apartment I just moved from. The little bathroom scene was in the bathroom. I had the exact bathroom set in my dollhouse growing up. I had so many signs that this is where I was meant to be. Also, I found white feathers as I vacumned on my way out the door. This stage of my life is so stunningly surprising, I have a hard time staying focused. But, when I opened my store more then twelve years ago, it was mostly to help me get through the empty nest stage of my life. This new way of life for me, I never saw coming. I am working a lot, so I try to get as much organizing in as possible, but also try to get the rest I need at the same time. Luckily the weather is SO horrible, I don't feel like I am missing much by not getting outside. Last night I went to sleep thinking of what I was going to do today. And, this morning I changed my mind to continue setting up my studio apartment. So, I really like this part of life, when you are in a new place to live. I was pretty excited to have curtains from my house to move here and get them up right away. I unpacked in the waking hours I wasn't working. But, this week I just couldn't do anymore. But, this morning I woke up with a couple of ideas of moving this and that to make my small space more functional. I get so frustrated with myself with the Artist in me. The one who collects and saves everything! But, during this process I am really trying to embrace that part of me at the same time. So, that's when I started turning the way I am thinking around. It was this morning, I decided to embrace that side of me. Hopefully I will get in a couple of hours of putting everything out of site, so I can start creating again. This is making me realize I am not an empty nester anymore. I am building a new nest for myself. And, I only have to think about me. This should be so easy, but it is really hard to not think of the future at the same time. But, thinking of myself as a freebird this morning, and that is the feeling I always wanted in life. And, here I am a freebird, looking out my window to a lake and another to the ocean. I will take deep breaths this morning and just be. Quote of the day: Everyone needs time to develop their dreams. An egg in the nest doesn't become a bird overnight. Lois Ehlert Song of the Day: Livin' Thing ELO

Moving Along

Just wanted to share how I really feel sometimes. My life isn't all sunrises, flowers, rainbows and positive inspirational quotes. Sometimes I feel like these manaquins who are onto another life. I feel like I am disposable. But, with perseverance I insist on moving onward and upward. The horizon I see when I do witness a sunrise is beautiful. And, only with a good mind set can I do this. There may be some kicking and screaming going on inside of me. But, most of all I refuse to give in to that side of me. I am trying my hardest to keep calm and carry on. (But, man this load is heavy)!

Follow That Dream

Sometimes my life takes a strange turn, and I become so in awe of it, I can't believe I am not dreaming. I used to drive by this house and wonder who lived in it. I still can't believe I lived in it for the last eight months. I hosted Thanksgiving with my grandchild and children. When my landlord started decorating the porch outside my window for Christmas, I couldn't believe it. I love decorating for Christmas. But, this year I had to deal with all of my years of Christmas decorations. I ended up donating them to a church in Ocean Grove. I do admit it came with some tears, but honestly this time of my life, I need to lighten up. My apartment was decorated in french decor and was named the Versaille Chalet. Last year I was home after the loss of my job, visiting french markets and bakeries. I had the attitude if I couldn't go to France, I could at least pretend. I filled the freezer with french onion soup, quiche and macarons. My scent of choice was lavender and lemons. Basically, I was living the mantra: if life gives you lemons make lemonade. I met a woman who lost her job due to covid as a flight attendant. She loved her job of thirty five years. She took a winter rental in a bed and breakfast. She continued meeting other kindred spirits at sunrises. By the new year she met seven women and decided to host a game night at the bed and breakfast. She would also make us all soup each week. I was in a tea room with a fireplace being nurtured by someone I only had met once before. I so enjoyed hearing everyone's stories and we met once a week for months. They all had winter rentals, but we hope to continue randomly meeting up in the coming months. At work I was up for a promotion in February. It would have been in Annapolis, Maryland. I interviewed and waited to hear if I had another huge life changing event to get ready for. They decided to keep me at my present position in Freehold. As, my life is still a whirlwind of settling into a new apartment, major dental work now completed, car troubles and the divorce being final, I finally feel relieved. It was SO busy at work this week, too. Today is the first day I can really focus, and enjoy where I am now living. Where I am sitting to write, I can see the waves of the ocean. Again, I am in total awe of where I have landed. I am so looking forward to some time off this summer to soak in the sun and ocean air. Song of the Day: Follow That Dream Bruce Springsteen Quote of the Day: Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. Steve Jobs