One year ago today our sweet Sara departed her earthly home and went to her new heavenly home. I've been wearing my "choose joy" necklace with her name engraved on it. I like tangibly feeling the sturdy metal with traceable letters that I can tug on again and again in remembrance of my friend. The light surrounding the picture reminds me of the radiant spirit she was. I'll never fill that Gitz-sized hole in my heart, but I'll always bask in the radiant light of her spirit that I feel everywhere.
Superman and I escaped alone yesterday. With the leaves rapidly changing, and the sun shining so intensely we took off in the car and headed towards lake country. It was serene, with saturated colors and a stillness in what is typically a lively and noisy summer vacation hot spot.
“The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly alive.” Thich Nhat Hahn
The whole day felt magical. The light twinkled, pranced, radiated and hummed all around everything. Blues ranged from sky blue to turqoise to teal. Reds were punchy and bright. Oranges and yellows glowed in amber waves.
As we turned to leave we drove past this gate and I instantly made Rick turn around and go back. I have this same image from dozens of angles. My favorite is under wraps, waiting to be revealed when its ready. I can barely utter the surge of joy I feel when I see it. I've come to clearly see Joy in thanks to Sara and her reminder to always seek it. And what I can now add- is that joy chooses you back.
So beautiful, Vicky. Thanks for sharing the joy with us.
ReplyDeleteThank you Susan- always my pleasure to share.
DeleteLove, love, love that last picture! The red chair is definitely joyful!
ReplyDeleteI agree- it all spoke to me and I was glad to just stumble across it...
Deletei miss Gitz too; her voice was full of such enthusiasm for living for our Lord, wherever our feet take us. that quote by Hahn is so true--it is harder to live fully alive in each moment, but Sara did so excellently!
ReplyDeletei like your addition to her quote too--it chooses you back! SO TRUE!!
hugs and happy FALL, friend! looking forward to getting a real dose of it when we go to Chicago this weekend.
college visit!
Hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip to Chicago- happy college visits!
DeleteYou certainly have an eye for it Vicky and thanks for sharing the joy with us. Such beautiful photos. I am now curious about the story of the red chair. Glad you got to spend the day with Superman. I like your Keller quote very much.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lilly- the red chair certainly had me intrigued too- it was a pretty old chair but it really was in keeping with the cabin and the yard :)
DeleteAwesome pictures with special meaning....so very nice!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jen!
DeleteWonderful images. So nice that you and superman grab a bit of time for yourselves and immerse yourselves in beauty.
ReplyDeleteSweet memories and meanings about your Gitzen Girl. She really was exceptional on so many levels.
Eckhart Tolle says that we don't need to search for joy, we ARE joy. We just seem to cover our innate joy with our ego needs and defenses until the moment when we become truly conscious. You, dear Vicky, are my prime example of the truth of his assertion. Your innate joy always illuminates what you share via this blog.
Thinking of Colton. I could not respond due to internet connection problems. Trusting that 'all will be well' for him.
I love that- "We are joy," beautiful. When I think about that- it reminds me of how happy young children are in their every day lives- its probably pure joy that we see in them... thanks for sharing Bonnie :)
Deletelove this - and that you and Rick got away - the pictures are WONDERFUL!!
ReplyDelete:) hugging you from too far away!!
xoTiffany
Thank Tiffany- hugging you right back!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful pictures! Glad you were able to get away for some special time together! Thank you for sharing.....Hugs
ReplyDeleteI love the sparkle on the water, Vicky. It reflects the love that you have for your friend. Beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteHugs and love to you,
Jackie
Right when I opened your blog before I even read your post I saw your header and said Now that is a cool pic. It said so much to me and invited me to your blog and said come on in and brought lots of Joy to my LONNNG day!
ReplyDeleteLove all your beautiful pics and your great quotes. :)
Glad you and your hubby got to go for a drive.
Warm hugs,
Michelle
Helen Keller was such an inspiration to me as a child. Still yet I have no idea how she kept from going completely insane with the seemingly insurmountable challenges she faced. I wish I had a tenth of the courage and sheer tenacity she showed. To me, anything she says is just short of Biblical. Thank you for sharing that quote.
ReplyDeleteCan't believe Sara has been gone a year. It's a deafening silence but she certainly lives on in so many hearts here on this earth. And to know that she is singing in Heaven and sharing the joy there is an enormous comfort. Would love to have one of those necklaces. Perhaps if you see this comment and have a minute, you could tell me where to get one. Thanks, Vicky. Oh, and thanks for sharing the beginnings of fall with us. In California it's still blazing summer. This weekend is in the low 100s again. SO ready for a cool breeze!
Such amazing pictures! And the last one with he red chair is indeed the best. It's the kind you find after searching hard on google and can gaze at for hours!
ReplyDeleteIt's a very profound statement "Choose joy". It's our choice at the end of the day. Reading you and knowing you is such an insightful experience Vicky. Thank you for being so strong for everyone! God bless