Valentine’s Day Dilemma

Are you one of the many people that get so excited about Valentine’s Day? Do you plan your adventure weeks in advance? Do you make reservations for that ‘special’ place? Buy the finest chocolates? Or surrender to Kay Jewelers’ sensational, awe-inspiring commercials declaring that you should love your “angel” “enough” to buy her the “finest” diamonds?

Okay, if you’re like me, you just threw up a little. Or a lot. 

I’m not trying to be a bummer.  I don’t tend to throw discouragement out to others, but I have to say that even as a married gal, this makes me nauseous. Married couple: What happened to the vows you made? “Love, honor, and cherish, ALL the days of my life?” Single people, why does Victim X have to shower Victim Y with gifts to show love and care? Do you fall victim to this dilemma like so many others? It is really no dilemma at all.

We tend to abuse the word love all the time. I love pie. I love my shoes. I love my car. I love my job. And the list goes on. Love is not typically used with its true meaning in mind. 

English Teacher Response: Love is a verb, not a noun.

*love (verb) (used without object), loved, loving.
21. to have love or affection for another person; be in love.

©©©But TRUE LOVE is a noun! ©©©

*agape (noun) [ah-gah-pey]
1. the love of God or Christ for humankind. (the gift of Christ is the noun here).
3. unselfish love of one person for another without sexual implications; brotherly love. 

Love is when we wake up not really wanting to do something for the other person (because we humans can be selfish), but we do it anyway. Love is when the odds are against us, but we overcome—together! Love is when we pick up the phone to say “I’m thinking of you, and I just wanted to take some time to talk to you” (out of our crazy busy days!) Love is when we kiss boo-boos, say goodnight prayers, and read devotions with our spouse, our children, or our significant other (a telephone or Skype makes this possible!) Or possibly the hardest: when we say things (out of love) that the other person (husband, child, or friend) may not want to hear, but it’s from our heart, and it makes him or her a better person.  It’s called “iron sharpening iron.”

^{Colossians 3:12} Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

He’s just saying be generous, show some true concern, throw in some tenderness, persevere and don’t give up, but don’t brag about your actions. He did not say do these things only one day out of the year that has conveniently been turned into a commercialized holiday.

God gave us the best “Valentine” ever when He sent Christ:

^{John 3:16} For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 

So in all honesty, Christians, why are we not showing the love of Christ every single day? Or, to those who are not Christians, at least, love for humanity? Christ came as an eternal sacrifice, and sometimes we make no effort to even acknowledge Him (I know I am guilty!)

I know this is not popular among the masses, but true love is keeping others (every person: those we love and those we love but may not like very much) from danger. Personally, I consider hell to be a major danger and tragedy. We will all spend eternity somewhere: As the old saying goes: “Would you like smoking or nonsmoking?”

So my Momma used to always say, “You can’t have John 3:16 without the follow-up verse.”

^{John: 3:17} For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 

So if Jesus didn’t come to “condemn” the world, why do WE do it every day? We judge constantly, whether we realize it or not (no matter who you are!) During Sunday’s message, my pastor said, “We catch ‘em, He’ll clean ‘em!” That pretty much sums it up. NO sin is greater than another or smaller than another. PS… there is no ‘little white lie’ for those who were wondering.

This is what Valentine’s Day currently represents: Commercialized money-sucking insanity.

This is what Valentine’s Day should represent:

EVERLASTING. UNCONDITIONAL. UNFAILING.  LOVE!

“…I trust in God’s unfailing love forever and ever.” Psalm 52:8

And only Christ can give that to us all the time, but we sure can strive for it EVERY DAY!

Happy LOVE people every Day!©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©

In case you’re interested, Valentine’s Day originated as follows:

©It started in the Middle Ages.
©It’s actually a day recognizing Christian martyrs.
©Spring came in the middle of February: Basically, the animals got their “mate” on.
©The actual card giving started because lovers wrote letters to each other
(Romantic, yes. Lost art, yes! I think modern technology now sends you a text message. BOO!)
©Chaucer mentioned this in Parliament of Foules:
"on Seynt Valentynes day,/Whan every foul cometh there to chese [choose] his make [mate]."

Now you know. Show someone your love for them this 

Valentine’s Day, 

but don’t stop. Show them every single day that you have breath.

Saint Valentine's Day information credit goes to:  http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15254a.htm
and some from the English Literature degree in me.
*Definitions are from Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/

Mission Impossible?

My year started off just fine in January 2013, and then the phone rang.

2:30 a.m.: The phone rang. I slept. 

2:32 a.m.: The phone rang. I slept.

2:34 a.m.: The phone rang. I slept.

Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

5:00 a.m. The phone rang. I sat straight up in my bed, and my heart sank like an anchor thrown off a ship... a BIG ship.

GAHHH... I missed the call. Who is this number? Why have they tried to call me every two minutes? And why haven't I heard the phone?

----My husband was working midnight hours at a shipping facility during the Christmas season. I was having great difficulty getting to sleep until about 1:30 a.m. every single night, living on about 4 hours of sleep per day. -----

Another number popped up on my phone, and I missed it, so I called it back immediately. 

"Mrs. Donica?" The man's voice said. 

"Yes?" 

"Your husband's been in an accident and is at the hospital heading into surgery." 

"Oh dear God." 

Why had I not heard the stupid phone? My heart sank further as if I were wading through quicksand. We had celebrated one year of marriage in November 2012. Dear God, we were still newlyweds. Don't you remember? 

After what seemed like an eternity to get to the hospital, the first 14-hour surgery took forever. My husband was moved to the ICU unit, and I finally was able to see him. I spoke to the doctors who told me, "He's lucky to be alive. He's lucky to have his legs. He's got a long road ahead of him." All I could say was "We don't do 'luck' at our house." 

Thank God, we do not do luck! 

We do faith. We do blessings. We do miracles. We do thankfulness. 

Of course, I will tell you straight up, I was scared. I felt so rock-bottom. Rob and I have been given a marriage of fire trials from Day 1. We knew going in it wouldn't be easy, but we knew with God as our foundation, we would persevere. 

And that's exactly what we've done. Persevere. With God's goodness and faithfulness, we have been blessed beyond our wildest imagination. Thankfully, Mr. Donica (aka Mr. D.) is a strong man :) He was in good physical-shape when the tractor-trailer literally crushed him against the dock. 

With a crushed right leg, a broken left femur, a severed popliteal artery, and much loss of blood, God kept His hand of provision on Rob by keeping him out the 'shock' zone, so that he was able to tell the medical team all of the necessary information, since I was obviously not waking up to the phone. 

The two days in ICU were long, for me anyway. I prayed. I prayed more. I prayed until I finally fell asleep at some wee hour of the morning. My daughter was able to go home with some of our close church family, and I knew she was taken care of completely. On the 3rd day, Mr. D. awoke out of his anesthesia stupor, and said, "I'm hungry." Praise God for hunger! What a day of true thankfulness for me. I was grateful to the core of my being that I was not a widow. We had a heart to heart soon after. He told me, "I've been dodging God's call on my life for almost 20 years, and I can't run from Him anymore." Yep, he's the witty 'punny' one. (My husband started back to school in August 2013 for seminary.)

Throughout the coming months, time seemed to pass quickly, pass slowly, and so forth. Rob was making amazing progress, talking to others about his injury, and witnessing about the love and faithfulness of Christ! We experienced rehab facilities, a few that were horrendous, and one that was a huge blessing! We have made friends along the way, we've been humbled by our church family and the outpouring of love they show each and every day! 

The day that my husband walked for the first time after the accident was scary, yet amazing. 

After all we had discussed with the orthopedic surgeons, as well as the trauma doctors and nurses, this was something I wasn't ready for, but God apparently was. I felt like a four-year old trying to torment a momma: My line of "what if's" were ready and waiting for my Comforter. “What if…he doesn’t heal? What if…he isn’t able to walk without crutches, a cane, or help? What if… But God just wanted me to be still and wait.  

“Those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

-Isaiah 40:31 

Now, let me be real. I’m not a patient person. (Insert giggle for those who know me.) I just want God to hurry up, and then the orthopedic doctor said it best… “We’ll just have to hurry up and wait.”

ARRRRrrrrGGGgggHHHhhh! Okay, Lord, I’ll wait. So in the meantime, some awesome people were taking care of my daughter and our critters at home. I knew they were all in the absolute best hands! Blessing after blessing came flowing from my heavenly Father. I look back and think “WOW!” He put so many people in our path that truly loved on us, and we are forever grateful.

Mr. D.’s drive and perseverance helped me to keep pushing through those tiresome days. He finally came home in April of 2014 from the rehab facility. I was on edge even more, especially with crutches involved along with bathroom gear, back stairs, and the list goes on. Don’t get me wrong. I know that God is in control. I just happen to like to help Him: A LOT! Of course, He doesn’t need me, but He also gave me the Momma Nurture gene. I tried, without babying Mr. D., to make sure that he didn’t fall, had anything he needed, and rearranged whatever was necessary.

As of this month, January 2014, he is walking without a cane or crutches (as you can see in the photo). The goal (that initiated the photograph) was to walk Crowder’s Mountain before the accident anniversary came. Mr. D. is a true testament to God’s healing power. He is not and will never be 100% until he is done with this life, but he is making the most of his circumstances. I’m so thankful that God chose to leave Mr. Donica here for me to continue to love, honor, and cherish.

JANUARY 2014: Crowder's Mountain

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships,in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10

This journey has been difficult, but with God's amazing grace, His strength, and His direction, life is finally getting back to our "new normal." We are still in the midst of several battles, but God is in control, so no matter the outcome… we win. Mission impossible? Not with God on our side!

I pray that all who read this will see the sunshine through the clouds.

~Mrs. D.

SHOUT OUT: I know that God places instrumental people in our lives to help us weather the storms, stay afloat in the flood, and shine light into the darkness. For this, I am so thankful for my family, friends, church family, and the unknown angels He placed in our path. I can never thank you all enough to show how much you mean to us! 

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I Will Not Apologize

There are many people in this Nation who spout "Tolerance and Acceptance." Let me state for the record that there is a fine line between tolerance and acceptance. I tolerate many things in life that I still disagree with, and sometimes we must agree to disagree.
This, however, does not mean I will open myself up to the immature garbage that is spouted. We are part of this world, but not of the world. I am a Christian. I will stand behind what I believe until the last breath leaves my body. I love sharing with others what Christ has created me to be.

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (Phillipians 1:6).

>    If you are an atheist, I do not hate you for your belief.

>    If you are a Democrat, I do not hate you for your belief.

>    If you are pro same-sex marriage, I do not hate you for your belief.

>    If you are a feminist Nazi, I do not hate you for your belief.

My God said that I am not to judge, because that’s His job. Do I fail Yes, I do. Do you fail? Yes, you do. 

Why? Because we are human. Christ tells us,

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

So while we are human, we will continue to fail. But because I disagree with your view still does not mean I hate you, wish ill on you, or want to burn crosses to get your attention.

>    Since I am a Christian, don’t hate me.

>    Since I am a Constitutionalist, don’t hate me.

>    Since I believe marriage is between a man and woman, don’t hate me.

>    Since I believe that abortion is murder, and

>    Men should still open the door for ladies, don’t hate me.

HOWEVER, I do not have to have the philosophy crammed down my throat that 

I HAVE TO be tolerant, accepting, peace and love…
Harry Krishna kumbaya. 

If I choose to say God’s name in public, I will. If you don’t like it, don’t listen. If you choose to carry the Qu’ran, that is your freedom OF (not FROM) religion, and yes, atheists still practice a “religion,” whether they choose to think so or not. (The definition of “religion” is a belief or faith or conviction.) If I don’t like it, that’s my problem. All I can do is share my beliefs and build relationships, if you so choose to listen that is up to you.
WHAT? 

It means I love you enough to share the MOST important LOVE of my life. With you!

“God sent His only Son into the world, not to condemn the world but to save the world, which was lost.” (John 3:17).

 Now, what is my gripe? I’m tired of seeing Obama turn my country’s (yes, it’s mine too) flag into propaganda for his campaign. It makes me ill to know that there are so many who have given their lives, and there are plenty of military men and women who still fight for that very flag today; yet, he desecrates it with his cause. I have other gripes with him, but that happens to be the latest, and no, if Mitt Romney were doing it, I would NOT be okay with it.My next theory is that it takes a lot of faith to be an atheist. I don’t know if I could muster that much faith and let my life slip by and end up in hell. I will not worship other God’s because I know Who the One true God is. I can discuss ‘religion’ all day long, but my worship is not about religion. 

It is about a relationship.
I can tell you what God started in the Garden of Eden between Adam and Eve, and know that He makes NO mistakes. No, I did not go to Chik-Fil-A in order to tear people down. I went to lift up the name of Christ, and I was blessed. Does this mean I think someone who chooses a homosexual lifestyle should be shot or dragged through the street? Of course not. That’s stupid. But why do we have to deal with craziness such as ‘gay pride day?’ I don’t parade down the street half (or almost) naked slobbering all over my husband because of a HETEROSEXUAL pride day. What kind of logic is that?

It is not logic. It is irrational thinking that makes no sense. It teaches our children nothing.My next issue is that I believe abortion is murder. Why is that a problem if that’s my opinion? You are supposed to be the tolerant one, right? I am not one of the crazies who murder the doctors and blow up the clinics. That would make me just as bad as the doctor who kills the baby. 

That’s logical, fair reasoning.

Also, I think it’s pretty darn chivalrous of a man who takes the time to hold the door for a lady. I think we have lost the art of teaching our sons to be respectful; so, instead of respecting a gal he hits her, tells her he loves her in order to get what he wants, and last but not least, marriage gets thrown by the wayside. All because of a door? No, all because of a group of women who chose to say “men are not good enough” and “we don’t need you.”

That’s not logical. That’s ridiculous.

Now ladies, you may be sitting there saying, yeah fellows…. R.E.S.P.E.C.T., but don’t think you’re getting off free and clear. In order for him to respect you, stop lifting your skirt tails: Stop leading them on with your pouty eyes, low-cut shirts, daisy-duke shorts, and bra-less wonders. Modest is hottest, whether you believe it or not.

This entire blog post leads me to this: Stop tolerating me. Stop accepting me. It’s your right. Stop throwing your defenses up when someone disagrees with you. And please, stop saying I’m a hater when all I do is exercise my freedom of speech, religion, and the press. STOP spouting the ‘tolerance’ rhetoric out of both sides of your mouth, all the while expecting others to agree with you. 

This is who I am. If you know me personally, you probably can't remember a time that I wasn't blatant, outspoken, and adamant in my beliefs. And I WILL NOT apologize.

Now, that’s logical.

To Teach or Not to Teach

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GC=Grand Canyon=God's Creation

My newest post.

If you get a minute, I would love to share this with you! 

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"Let Me Hold You Longer"

This is absolutely my favorite 'children's' book of all times! As parents we have baby books/calendars/journals to make sure we note the "First times" such as baby's first steps, first words, first tooth, etc. So what if it's the "last?" Perhaps the last time you have to help them dress or hold their bottle or rock them at night? There is so much that we take for granted though, particularly when it comes to our beautiful blessings. I know from personal experience. I look at my 17 year-old and go "WOW, she's eight months away from being a legal adult. *Insert scream here*

 My 13 year-old has a similar effect on me when I look at her baby or toddler pictures and then I see how she, too, is turning into quite a beautiful young lady. All I really know about this "raising baby stuff" is that my own mom was right: They won't stay little long. My mom used to have a saying, "Right now they're under your feet, but one day they will be on your heart." I didn't get that for a long time. I thought, yeah, ok, Momma wisdom. Unfortunately, she was so very right.

 

See, I have thought for so long that I have been in control. I made sure my kids were fed, behaved appropriately, went to church, did their chores and homework, nurtured, etc. etc. etc. However, I have NEVER been in control. God has always provided. It is Him who has provided a hedge of protection. It is Him who has given me the resources to make wise, necessary decisions. So, just when I thought I had this thing down, I realized I had it all wrong.

Today I Will…

• Love my Lord, because He is my Father, and He is Worthy.
• Love my husband, because he is my partner, friend, lover, encourager, hand-holder, tear-dryer, spiritual leader, job working, awesome kind of man that God sent my way. He is truly my heart's desire.
• Love myself, because God does not make junk (you only see junk in creation because someone else has put it there!)
• Love my family, because they are His blessing and gift to me.
• Love my friends, because I am blessed with supportive and thoughtful people in my life.
• Love my co-workers, because I am blessed to have a job.
• Love my enemies, because forgiveness sets me free.
• Love those I don't even know, because when I do things for the "least of these" not only have I done it as unto God, but I am able to show His love to others.

These are hard "wills" to live by sometimes. We never know where our day may take us, but we have the opportunity to go freely. Now, what we choose to do with it is another story. 

For today, and tomorrow, and the next day, try something new.

• Give over $5 to the person at the end of the exit ramp holding the "Will work for Food" sign. Just do it. You have no control over what he or she does with it, but I can tell you from personal experience, it is not on your head. Or donate that $1 to the grocery store for a shamrock, or wherever it is in your community. The biggest thing that will happen is not only will God *smile* but you will feel good about doing something "for your neighbor" or "the least of these."

• Call your husband at lunch time, take him lunch, or make him lunch to take with him (with a hot steamy love note!) Little things that we do for each other, whether it's every day or a surprise, mean so much to someone. This will put a skip in his step, a sparkle in his eyes, and a *smile* on his face. (Already 2 smiles so far!) Fostering and showing love is important. As Toby Mac sings "Love is a Verb": This is an action word, descriptions are great but the old adage "actions speak louder" really is true! So get moving!

• Spend some YOU time! What's stopping you from going on the ladies' retreat? Going to get a manicure? No money? Ok, what's stopping you from grabbing a book, blanket, and reading in the sunshine? Don't take electronics!!! No phone, no Ipad, no Kindle, no laptop: JUST YOU! Another *smile!* Suggested reading? Read a devotional (they're small for lack of time), take your bible, take Hemingway or Shakespeare, or Hunger Games. Or even one of my favorite short fiction writers, Fanny Fern. Yes, even Twilight, if you must.

• Speak positive. Ever heard the term "don't give the devil a foothold?" NO, I'm not getting all religious on you. Here's my point, negativity breeds negativity, thus overflowing to those around you. Don't feel positive? Start counting your blessings (like those beautiful, messy children you work so hard for! or your husband, fiancé, boyfriend, sibling, and/or friends) or "FAKE IT TIL YOU MAKE IT!" Yep, sometimes, if we tell ourselves over and over and over and over (like a skipping record lol), we will believe it. If this were not true, marketing TV commercials would be pointless.

So, "ACCENTUATE the POSITIVE"
or
NO LIFE SUCKING ALLOWED!

• PS.... Gossip is NEGATIVITY! Stay away. Run for cover. Lock yourself in your room. Don't let the gossip hit your ears. If someone looks at you and says "Did you hear what so and so....?" Be BOLD. Just say NO! For garbage that Goes In, must always Go Out. GIGO. I'm also forewarning you that gossip sometimes comes in the form of a prayer request lol (e.g. "Please pray for Bobby-Sue. Her man's out running around on her, and just think of those babies......." You know you've heard it. You're probably visualizing someone at this very moment. You don't have to know the steamy details. God already does.

***On a side note, one great way to BE positive is to write positive statements on sticky notes and post them all around so you can read them no matter what room you are in (I do this some days). ***

I have only listed 3 things for you to do or 4 if you count the gossip separately. Do 1 or 2 or 3. Create new ones for yourself. Ultimately, you are in charge of what spoils or brightens your day. Be Bold. Take Charge of your sunshine flow. Don't let things crawl under skin and darken your day. Use those moments for the 'stuff' you have no control over, like sickness or death.

If you are a male reading this story, (no, I wasn't forgetting you guys), you can do these very same things. Love on your wives! They are your backbone. Support. Confidante. Helper. Make today not just "Population me" as Matthew West says, but rather population you plus however many lives you can touch today!

Blessings,

Pam

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Airplane? What? Really?

My account of the past week of my crazy life!

Ok, so I took my very first airplane ride. I'm 39. This should tell you it was not for pleasure. I wasn't afraid to fly; I had just never had a reason. So, my husband was in Boston over the weekend and had an accident on Sunday. I am very proud of myself that in a stressful situation that I can pull off making a plane reservation and kind-of knowing what to do afterward.

Initially, I had planned to go on my very first plane ride, in May with my family to visit (and meet new) in-laws that did and didn't come to the wedding. Not anymore lol. That will be my second flying experience.

So, my husband had a seizure and conked his noggin on the ground (I can say that with ease now). I wanted to be there so badly that if I could have wiggled my nose like Samantha Stevens, I would have been by his side instantly. The doctor's kept telling me not to catch a flight in case they needed more medical info. Ok... pacing, waiting, pacing, waiting, does not make for a happy wife (of only 4 months!) 

Let me insert here the absolute LOVE shown by my family (his and mine!) My sister-in-law used her flying miles for my ticket! My sister made sure my kiddo was cared for! Lots of prayers from everyone, especially during a difficult time of cancer illness on the Donica side of the family! I <3 you ALL! You are priceless!!!

So I took the plunge.

My sister dropped me at the airport 40 minutes prior to my flight. Jet Blue (and this is my own deal... nothing sponsored or all that jazz) made my first flying experience better than I could ever have imagined, given the circumstances. From the ladies at the check-in counter to the gate (where they were already boarding lol) to the flight attendant! They all put my mind at ease and were so understanding.

I landed in Boston at 8:30 p.m., and thought "I'll take a cab to the hotel." Cab fares are nothing more than legal highway robbery. I am so thankful for my own vehicle, even with the price of gas! $117.70 later, I arrived at the Marriott Courtyard in Foxborough, MA, where I was treated like absolute FAMILY! The staff are the most precious people that God could have ever put in my path! Without pouring over all of the details, by the time I left the next day, I truly felt like I was leaving behind family! Kudos to this hotel (also nothing sponsored, nothing gained by the way, except good people looking out for others.) They were just awesome!

So, I couldn't find the key to my husband's rental car, and I was not paying another cab, because the hospital was Rhode Island Trauma Hospital. So, how was I going to get to another state? Especially since I had no idea of where I was in Mass. *sigh* So, I went to grab something to eat downstairs in the hotel's bistro, and I met Jackie. What a precious gift from Heaven! She did not get off from work until midnight, but offered me a ride to the hospital. WOW! Really? Yes, really! :)

At 1:20 a.m. I was by my precious husband's side having no idea of how we would get back to the hotel or anything else for that matter. I called the hotel the following morning to let them know that the car key was not in my husband's belongings. Immediately, they were on the phone with EMS and police officer that was on the scene to see if they may have kept it with them. No luck. Danielle (operations mgr.) was on the phone on our behalf speaking to Enterprise to try to see what could be done. WOW! Really? YEP! :) During the time I was on the phone with Danielle, Jackie sent me a text message asking how we were doing and if all was ok. No, I'm not making this up! It was SUPER!

Danielle sends a local proprietor named Great Woods Shuttle (no, not paid for this kudos either lol, even though the hotel did pay the fare for us : ). Russ, the gentleman who was driving just happened to be the owner. He was hot on the trail of the hotel because our flight home left at 3 p.m. and it was already 1 p.m. What a genuine and all-around nice fellow! He made us feel right at home! (And ps... he's a WHOLE lot cheaper than a cab fare!)

Back at the hotel, thankfully, my husband found the key immediately in his Saturday's clothing (who would've known?) We said many thank you's to the awesome staff (Karen, the G.M., Danielle). There hotel is beautiful and I can't wait to go back this summer and explore and enjoy time there.

So, off to the airport we return the rental to Enterprise, and apparently Danielle had explained our medical emergency and they comped the extra day for us! That's why I love Enterprise (nope... the only thing given was they comped the cost of the extra day and 4 gallons of gas).

We made our flight home with 20 minutes to spare! No colonoscopy from the TSA (probably the reason I haven't flown lol). And I was in the air, heading home, with my precious love by my side!) Wow! Isn't God awesome?!?!?!!! He put exactly the perfect people in my path during that 24 hour period! I could never show my gratitude to all of the great people who helped us, showed us so much concern, and became a permanent part of my family! Thanks to all!

Now, the most beautiful part.... my husband is doing well! 4 staples in his head from the fall, but I am blessed! Don't take a moment of life for granted. You never know what can happen in a split second. You never know if your last words to someone are truly your last words. I'm very thankful that our last words are ALWAYS...

I love you <3

Blessings!