Gratitude Journal – Day 242 – February 28, 2015

Everyday….

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is a holiday, reads the small plaque on the sill in Margaritaville. And that very same plaque has been in the presence of a never ending holiday ever since. Lined with chairs of every shape, size and color to lure you to relax and sit a spell, Margaritaville transforms the air into a magical atmosphere as it passes through the screens from the lake breeze.

Time to look for a house he said…. and it seemed that the perfect ones were elusive, until the day he sent her an email with a photo of a deck that spanned the entire back of the house …. and overlooked a small lake, with a little dock. Water, breezes, fish, birds, sunsets – say no more – they knew this was the place before ever seeing the inside.

And the décor from the teeny, tiny apartment porch was good, but needed lots of company in this new larger space. And she sought the counsel of chairs, shook the can of paint until the bead inside clicked freely, then sprayed. The fine mist of turquoise, tangerine, sunshine, lime and fushia coated the chairs as they were transformed into delightful thrones for their guests.

The birds and fish followed, making their way into this new haven called Margaritaville amidst the lanterns and parking meter. And she made (or tried to and he rescued her) tangerine colored end tables that hold sand and a drink so their guests could feel like they are at the beach. The stage was set and the guests appeared….

The holidays were and are everyday - whether a memory of family all sitting around playing and singing Hawaiian songs wrapped in blankets on a chilly spring evening; or her Dad just relaxing and reading a book. Everyday holidays - his early morning travels from the kitchen to Margaritaville to the back porch to prepare a feast for their guests; or just the two of them sitting together marveling at the good life they have. Everyday holidays – Leilani’s tie dye factory with all of the Ohana hanging shirts off of every available chair, ledge and window; or the grandchildren playing with the containers of sand carried from the ocean. Everyday holidays, the granddogs making their own doggie door through the screen door; and wet noses against the French doors as the family dines inside.

As she pauses on a chilly morning; coffee in Robert Kenui Pope's Saints mug, and a warm breeze fills her soul as she knows that he will always join her in this magical place where every day is a holiday.

I am grateful today, dear Lord, for your love and the rays of hope and peace that you give so freely to us. And it is by putting our trust in you that we can truly live everyday as a holiday.

‪#‎KeepLookingUp‬ ‪#‎EverydayisaHoliday‬ ‪#‎TrustintheLord‬

Gratitude Journal – Day 241 – February 27, 2015

Three weeks

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she said… it seems as if it was a lifetime ago, but yet just yesterday that he left. I understand I replied as I saw a reflection of myself in the tears that welled up in her beautiful brown eyes. For just a few days ago, a friend had also commented on my post that it is hard to believe that so much time has passed since myDarlin’ Robert Kenui Pope left us.

How appropriate it seems that I am with her three weeks after the day that God tapped me on the shoulder to go see her honey play. I remember thinking to myself as he played, who is this man? What soulful music is roused from the strings of his guitar and wanders to the heavens? And tonight, she told me that he often referred to his guitar as heaven’s harp. And now it makes perfect sense, the dots have connected in my head…. he was able to convey his very thoughts of heavenly music drifting from the stage, and they permeated my very own thoughts. And he looked to the sky…

Three weeks…. the first steps of a new journey. Pray, love, write, cry, feel and don’t forget to breathe my dear new friend. And every day I invite you to join me in renewing your trust in the Lord, on this journey that seems to have just begun yesterday but has been going on for a lifetime.

And today my Lord, I am grateful for the honor of sharing my journey with anyone who may need to hear the message. And though it all, you have not forsaken me but are there every step of the way, giving me the strength and understanding that he prayed for yesterday a lifetime ago.

‪#‎KeepLookingUp‬ ‪#‎TrustintheLord‬ ‪#‎YesterdayLifetimeAgo‬

Gratitude Journal – Day 240 – February 26, 2015

Responsibility

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…real, personal, perceived, others…. When I was a child, I had no responsibilities. I was free to explore my own little world and knew no right or wrong. It’s hard to put a finger on when the R word began to creep into my world. Was it when I discovered that with a simple laugh or cry that could elicit emotions from my parents? Was it when chores and school work became part of my everyday life? Was it when I made a conscious decision to volunteer to do something for another, or when I got my first paid job? Was it when I became a mother?

responsibility - accountable forsomething within one's power, control, or management

And so we grow, and learn more about responsibility with each passing day until we realize that we are responsible for our actions. If that were all there was, it would be easy, right? Peel the onion…. so many layers of life… only to find that you are responsible for so much more than just ‘yourself’.

As I witnessed firsthand the gift of life, I realized what an honor it is to be responsible for another life. God made each being so wonderfully and entrusted me with that tiny person to nurture and guide. At work, our responsibilities seem pretty basic as we do the job we have been taught. In our relationships, we take it to the next level by not only doing what is normal and expected, but going out of our way to show others how special they are to us.

The greatest responsibility is to be the best example one can be in living well and walking the talk, being a man or woman of your word. For others are watching… and they ‘dismiss’ many and ‘focus’ on the few. As I look back over myDarlin’s Robert Kenui Pope life, I see that he was truly one of the few, and did so in such an easy going manner that the many were drawn to him without even knowing why. His easy going Aloha spirit was the foundation, but his sense of responsibility to God, his family and friends – aka Ohana – was a choice that set him apart.

Today I am grateful that we all have a choice to take responsibility to the next level, to walk the talk, to guard our words and actions to reflect only the best that God and life has to offer.

‪#‎KeepLookingUp‬ ‪#‎WalktheTalk‬ ‪#‎Responsibility‬

Gratitude Journal – Day 239 – February 25, 2015

Snow…..

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‘a foot of it’ he posted on Facebook as the city reacts to warnings of sleet on the roads. And the photo, is one that myDarlin’ Robert Kenui Pope took of his masterpiece last year around this same time. I thought of him this morning as the snow gently fell to the ground, knowing that he would be excited to get out and play.

myDarlin’ had been to the edge and made it back. He didn’t speak of death, but how blessed he was that God gave him a second chance. A chance to make a difference in the lives of others, so that they could see for themselves what a precious gift life really is. And so he danced in the rain, after all it’s only water, right? He built a snowfoot (gotcha! not a snowman!) that lasted for days on end. He wore slippers on a cold day, as well as a warm and sunny day.

And I made my way to the music this evening… it’s calling my name just as it always has. I watch and I listen as friends play familiar songs, and if I close my eyes can see myDarlin’ too. And as I listen to them play the familiar song, I nod my head and look to the heavens…..

Well, we all need someone we can lean on
And if you want it, you can lean on me

Today I am filled with gratitude as I lean daily on myLord, and I know that if he were to sing a song to us – he would say, ‘you can lean on me.’

‪#‎KeepLookingUp‬ ‪#‎LeanonMe‬

Gratitude Journal – Day 238 – February 24, 2105

Serenity….

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God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
forever in the next.
Amen.

Today I am grateful that God gives me a serene heart and mind as I remember myDarlin' Robert Kenui Pope with each day break and sunset.

‪#‎KeepLookingUp‬ ‪#‎TrustintheLord‬

Gratitude Journal – Day 237 – February 23, 2015

Yesterday….

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the days are moving further and further from yesterday, and in some ways I want them to stand still for just awhile myDarlin’ Robert Kenui Pope. I struggle to capture every memory before they float away on the wings of angels, but yet I know that every day brings me closer to seeing you again and witnessing the glory you’ve already seen.

The past weeks have been extraordinary in ways I can’t begin to explain, the roller coaster of life requires complete and utter trust in the Lord knowing that he is the centrifugal force that keeps us from falling. And as we come to the peak I throw up my arms, grabbing a pen to record my thoughts on the clouds, on the window overlooking the mountains, on the asphalt of the parking deck and on my virtual paper….

He tapped me on the shoulder saying ‘listen to me my child…’ and as I began to ask ‘why’ he placed his finger to my lips and said ‘trust me’. And the prayer that myDarlin’ prayed for me the day he left was a gift - a prayer for strength and understanding… has seen me through the days and nights.

Today I listened to his story in his words and in song. I watched this innocent man’s eyes and saw a window into his past as he relived the disbelief of a wrongful conviction as his mother watched on, the years of despair, fear and anger, the hope she brought and finally the joy of freedom. And I wept for the young man who was never set free, then again with joy for the wise man who saw the light in her and our Lord as he walked away from those prison bars 18 years later.

Tonight I am grateful for my faith in our Lord and the gifts of music; for it is both of these that give us hope for tomorrow and beyond.

‪#‎KeepLookingUp‬ ‪#‎GeorgiaInnocenceProject‬

Gratitude Journal – Day 236 – February 22, 2015

A new tradition…

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was born last night. Wonderful, yet bittersweet… Three years ago, she sent me a note telling me about a fabulous play in town, one that would have a personal connection for myDarlin’ and me. And try as we may, our dates didn’t coincide with their, but we decided to go anyway.

And we drove into the night on that ribbon of highway filled with bright lights seeming to reach for the stars, into the indie-bohemian neighborhood of Little Five Points, we were filled with anticipation. You see, Waffle House had become part of our life, and we wondered how, or should I say ‘if’ this play would be able to capture that feeling.

Lavender hued hallways lined by blue Christmas lights lead the way to the well-worn wooden stairs… to the desk with friendly faces. As we enter the doorway, the path leads directly to the set – the stage, surrounded by old wooden theatre chairs. We walk up the stairs, creaking with each step, and take our seats – not a bad one in the house. I reach over and give myDarlin’ a kiss on the cheek and thank him for the beginning of a wonderful night. Any evening with him was always a treat as our conversation and souls intertwined in conversation.

The lights, just like those at a Waffle House, dim for the first act…. This is the beginning of a story that touches ones heart with laughter and tears, hopes and dreams, temptations and triumph, and historical ATL truth with just the right touch of fiction. And we took photos with the cast afterward, sharing our very own Waffle House stories and the place it has in our lives.

Three years gone by…. the flyer came in the mail – and I thought about going for the third time, but thought to myself, it just wouldn’t be the same….

As we were out, our daughters asked what I was doing one week from today – checking my calendar, racking my brain – nothing. OK, be ready to go at 7:30pm. Trust – yes, curiosity – you bet! And they picked me up and we drove into the night on that ribbon of highway filled with bright lights seeming to reach for the stars. We recollected the story of how their Dad, myDarlin’, was full of guesses when we took him for a surprise birthday dinner and laughed. So I began to guess…. And as we turned into the indie-bohemian neighborhood of Little Five Points, I knew it was none other than the Waffle Palace! But who could we be meeting?

And as we climbed the well-worn wooden stairs, there they were… You see, it was she that a short three years ago, sent me a note telling me about a fabulous play in town. I know that myDarlin’ was smiling his big ear to ear grin as we watched, and laughed and cried, and took photos on the set.

A perfect ending to a perfect night…. None other than at the Waffle House with Ohana. I listen to him pray and feel myDarlin’s presence and hear this song from the play echoing in my heart.

Oh come angel band
Come and around me stand
Bear me away on your snow white wings
To my immortal home
Bear me away on you snow white wings
To my immortal home

I've almost gained my heavenly home
My spirit loudly sings
The holy ones, behold they come
I hear the noise of wings

Today I am filled with gratitude for wonderful WH memories with myDarlin’Robert Kenui Pope and Ohana. And a new tradition is born, for every year from here on out, you will find me at the Waffle Palace.

‪#‎KeepLookingUp‬

Gratitude Journal – Day 235 – February 21, 2015

Light…

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they say photography is light….and I cannot disagree. For when the light is all around us, it is easy to focus through the view finder as well as in life. All of the image, the lines, everything is lit just right and is crisp and clear.

And these are the good times, the times when all is right with the world. Everything seems to magically fall into place in that perfect moment. The moment or moments that we are drawn to, that we wish all life to be; that simple and carefree moment.

But in the darkness….we must look for the light, even if it is just a flicker. And once we find the light, we adjust our focus to that very spot. Slow down….look for the goodness, the love, the kindness, the soul… focus… ‘click’

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5

And as we look back at those times in our life, at the photograph in the playback menu, we see that the light is permeating the darkness; bringing a ray of hope to despair.

I focus my life, my being, my energy on the light; whether it be just a small flicker in the night, the lightning on a cloudy day or the full sunshine on a clear day.

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

Today I am filled with gratitude for the constant light in my life. I am comforted knowing that myDarln’ Robert Kenui Pope saw and sees the same light; and it is the light of His Love that connects us.

‪#‎KeepLookingUp‬ ‪#‎AllYouNeedisLove‬

Gratitude Journal – Day 234 – February 20, 2015

Aloha Friday….

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no work till Monday…. used to play on the radio as I made my way into work each Friday morning. And now, I am struggling to remember… Why don’t I hear that song anymore? Where did it go? Fridays are still Fridays, right? 
Here I sit…. long before the sun will rise today, remembering you. Your gentle kiss and I love you as you headed out of the door to work. You’ve always been the one myDarlin’. The one that would go in early to prepare coffee and a feast for those stumbling in sleepy eyed.

I remember as we would get ready, you were always first – and would wait in the truck for me. I’ll be waiting for you right here you would tell me, as I hurried to finish and gather all that I needed for the evening. In retrospect, all you need is love, right?

And you were always first loading in…. Not sure if you were ever a Boy Scout, but you were always ready for anything. By the time the first dinner patrons were rolling in, you had already set up and were ready to go, allowing you to spend some time getting to know them. And I would roll in from working a bit late, blow you a kiss, then grab the Kona flags and set them up to bring others in.

Parties brought lots of planning and teamwork for the family, but the one thing that I’ll always remember is waking to the smell of the grill making its’ way from the porch through the dining room and down the hall. Right about that time, when I opened my eyes, there you stood with a cheerful ‘Good Morning Baby!’

And we worked hard and played hard myDarlin’. (Although, I just started a bit after you…) As I sit here, awake long before is normal for me, I think of you already in heaven, getting the feast ready and setting up for the gig. Don’t worry myDarlin’, I’m working late – taking care of business, setting up the flags to bring others in.
We work hard, then play hard don’t we myDarlin’? I close my eyes and smile as I know that your work here is done… time to play, play in God’s House Band myDarlin’.

Today, on Aloha Friday, I am ever so grateful for the memories of myDarlin’Robert Kenui Pope and the precious time we shared. Work hard, Play hard.

‪#‎KeepLookingUp‬ ‪#‎AllYouNeedisLove‬

Gratitude Journal – Day 233 - February 19. 2015

Hang on….

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‘He’s got you.’ she said as she gave her the well-worn, warm wooden cross. And it fit perfectly in her hand too, this one size fits all cross.

Hang on, help is on its way
I'll be there as fast as I can

She told a story of how the cross made its’ way to her hands…passed from another to whom it was given during a difficult journey in her life. ‘This cross has served me well, and I have held on during times when it felt like I was alone. Please take this cross, and keep it for as long as you need during your journey, whether it be for a lifetime, or until you know it is time to pass it on.’

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down,
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it someday for a crown.

Turn to page 150 in your hymnal she heard a distant voice in her head say many, many years ago, as the congregation began to sing. And she opened her eyes, to see her fingertips on the keyboard of her laptop and realizes it was a dream… the words on the page, sung all of those years ago now had a new meaning for her.
And she had carried that well-worn, wooden cross with her everywhere since the day she gave it to her. She would often cling to it as she drifted to sleep, holding it so tightly, that she had to pry her own fingers from it in the morning as she woke.

And the conversation was filled with questions and tears, love and hope as she dug into her bag past the camera, the keys, the wallet, the notebook and the dollar reading glasses. Aha…. She thought to herself as she felt it slip into her hand.
She grasped the cross one more time, and it fit as perfectly today as the day that she gave it to her. The same little angel that tapped her on her shoulder less than two weeks before whispered in her ear, ‘Yes, it is time to pass it on.’ And she turned to her, placing the cross in her hand and said…

Hang on, help is on its way

‘This cross has served me well, and I have held on during times when it felt like I was alone. Please take this cross, and keep it for as long as you need during your journey, whether it be for a lifetime, or until you know it is time to pass it on.’

Today I am filled with gratitude for God’s love as we make the journey here on this big blue and green ball, one day, one step at a time. And I miss myDarlin’ Robert Kenui Pope so, but am comforted knowing that he is waiting for me and our Ohana amongst the band of angels.

‪#‎KeepLookingUp‬ ‪#‎HangOn‬

Gratitude Journal – Day 232 – February 18, 2015

The Gate…

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We’ll all face it at one point or another in our lifetime. The question to ponder is, ‘Will you be ready to walk through?’ It’s one that most don’t want to think about, yet each one of us must. Just hours before myDarlin’ left us, we sat listening to our pastor speak to all of us about walking the talk every day of our lives. It’s not enough to just talk a good game, we must live it.

Actions speak louder than words.

As my son and I spoke this evening, we talked about passing through the Gate and whether it is a sad or joyous occasion. And he said, ‘we may be sad that we just left our loved ones and won’t see them again for a long time, or (insert long pause), we may be overjoyed – saying I can’t wait for you to see what I see!’ And we don’t know… and we can’t know…. until we experience this for ourselves. All we can do it trust, trust in the Lord.

And I thought back to a discussion that myDarlin’ and I had more than a couple of times after solo or band performances. He said, “I really wish you could see the view from up here, you can see everyone and everything.” Naturally, he was talking about the view from the stage, or was he? He would catch my eye and nod in the direction of one of our friends who had just walked through the door so that I could greet them.

Today I am grateful for a life well lived with myDarlin’ Robert Kenui Pope, knowing that when he came to the Gate he was ready. And as I look to the heavens, I can hear myDarlin’ say, “I really wish you could see the view from up here, you can see everyone and everything.”

‪#‎KeepLookingUp‬ ‪#‎TrustintheLord‬ ‪#‎WalktheTalk‬ ‪#‎ActionsSpeakLouderThanWords‬

Gratitude Journal – Day 231 – February 17, 2015

I'll remember you

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Long after this endless summer has gone
I'll be lonely oh so lonely
Living only to remember you
I'll remember too
Your voice as soft as the warm summer breeze
Your sweet laughter, mornings after
Ever after, I'll remember you
To your arms someday I'll return to stay
Till then I will remember too
Every bright start we made wishes upon
Love me always, promise always
Oooh, you'll remember too
I'll remember you

Tonight I am grateful for sweet memories of myDarlin’ Robert Kenui Pope, for delightful and carefree days gone by. And no matter how strong and cold the breeze blows outside of my window, it will always be gentle and warm in our dreams.

‪#‎KeepLookingUp‬ ‪#‎EndlessSummer‬

Gratitude Journal – Day 230 – February 16, 2015

A glimpse….

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into his soul. As I listened to her tell me about the love of her life, her soulmate, her everything, I knew that she has been blessed just as I have with a love that fairy tales are made of. I look at the flower as the petals begin to bend and the edges fray, and see deep within the miracle of life that God has designed. For we are so much more than meets the eye….

Our bodies, our emotions, our intelligence, our presence are all beautifully and wonderfully made by the Lord. And even though the petals may fall, the flower will continue to live as the winds carry the seeds over the meadow….

Tonight I am grateful for my soulmate Robert Kenui Pope, and that she found hers too. And as we traverse these showers of life, we will know that we are covered and protected by God’s love.

‪#‎KeepLookingUp‬ ‪#‎TrustintheLord‬

Gratitude Journal – Day 229 – February 15, 2015

Tomorrow….

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is on my mind, as I listen to my dear friends sing ‘Yesterday’. You see, I have big plans for tomorrow – both work and personal, but many are warning that God may have something different in store for us – it’s called the weather.

As I ponder the weather, and how just the mere mention of something other than a sunny day can bring panic and grief to many, I realize that it is reflective of our lives.

We long for the perfect day and the carefree life

One in which the sun rises at the beginning of a long wonderful day - take your time

One with no rain - no worries

One filled with blues skies and fluffy white clouds - imagining the possibilities

One with a gentle breeze - lovingly caressing our soul

One with the perfect sunset - reflections of a day well spent

One with a dark sky sprinkled with the moon and stars - a glimpse into tomorrow as the moon reflects off our eyes…

And when the day is less than perfect…

Rain sends us running for our umbrellas – protection from our troubles

Reports of impending weather – send us into panic mode to make last minute preparations

Storms of either snow, rain or ice – incapacitates many minds and actions as we wait for it to pass before peeking our head out of the door of life.

It began to sprinkle as I pulled up to the church parking lot the day after myDarlin’ went to join God’s House Band. I reached over for my trusty umbrella, then paused as I heard myDarlin’ say, ‘It’s only water Sheri, it’s only water.’ I laid it back down, and as I closed the car door felt the drops of water, God’s love and grace, falling on my body and knew that I was going to be OK.

Today I am grateful for God’s love as it rains on my life and that of my Ohana. I look to the sky and am reminded of myDarlin’s wonderful outlook on life as he danced in the rain and slid in the snow.

#KeepLookingUp #TrustintheLord

Gratitude Journal – Day 228 – February 14, 2015

Happy Valentine’s Day…..

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myDarlin’…. another first without you by my side and perhaps one of the most impactful for me yet. A tear slides from the corner of my eye, and as if in slow motion falls to my keyboard leaving a drop of love reflecting my image back at me. And I can hear your gentle voice saying to me, I love you Baby.

I close my eyes and turn my face to the sky as I stand underneath the waterfall of memories crashing all around me. And I try to capture each one on the tip of my pen, not wanting to ever forget a single moment since we met on that Valentine’s Day twelve years ago. The magnet holding our marriage certificate on the refrigerator reads, ‘We do not remember the days, we remember the moments’ and I pause to reflect on the wisdom of that statement.

One year ago today, you were packing up for your gig and I was hurrying to get my work done and out early to make the trek up to Jasper. Kona flags - check, blinking hearts - check, cameras - check, equipment - check! It was a magical night for all of us, and the little Kona hearts were blinking throughout the room. Happy Valentine’s Day Baby, you said to me as we headed on the road back home. And we talked again about how the hearts would invariably be tucked away in a drawer only to be taken out one day to bring back memories of a Valentine’s Day long ago. Little did we dream at that time that this would be our story just a short year after.

And as we made our way up the walkway to the front door, you held it open for me and I gave you three kisses as I passed through under your arm. We lay our heads on the pillow, and you looked over to me and said, ‘We have a good life, don’t we Baby?’ Yes, we do myDarlin’ Robert Kenui Pope, yes we do.

Today, I am so grateful for the gift of love and the doors to my heart and mind that it opened up. And today I pray for each one of you, that you will experience in your lifetime a love that will take your breath away and fill your heart with joy; and when you do that you will cherish it as the most precious gift you’ve ever received.

‪#‎KeepLookingUp‬ ‪#‎AllYouNeedIsLove‬

Gratitude Journal – Day 227 – February 13, 2015

Serendipity….

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coincidence? God being anonymous? The master plan? Listen to the small voice, for it will not betray you.

The text below read:

I received this today, but I know it was meant for you.

He comes alongside us when we go through hard times,
and before you know it,
He brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times,
so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 MB

I believe this was meant for everyone today. For our experiences teach us; how to cope, how to move forward, how to see the light in the darkness. And when we are able to relate to others through this shared experience, we help them, and ourselves, to see the possibilities in this journey we call life.

Today I am grateful; grateful for opportunities to make a difference, to use my experiences to help others see the possibilities. And on this eve of Valentines Day, the first time I laid eyes on myDarlin’ Robert Kenui Pope, I am grateful for experiencing a love like no other I have known.

‪#‎KeepLookingUp‬ ‪#‎AllYouNeedisLove‬

Gratitude Journal – Day 226 – February 12, 2015

Is there……

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Facebook in Heaven?  one of our youngest grandsons asked after seeing my entry of the Lord’s Prayer last night. ‘Does Tutu Chef have a Facebook page in Heaven so he can see the photos and kind words being posted of him?’

Yes, one could say that Heaven has the fastest internet ever, watching real life in real time from the best seat in the house. And he watches over us every day and will be one of the first to greet us when it is our time to walk through the gates.

I remember myDarlin’ saying, ‘You should see the view from up here’, as he played on stage looking out over the audience. He noticed everyone coming in the door, and would nod at me so as to let me know to greet them and thank them for coming out. I imagine that as JJ walked through the gates, myDarlin’ looked over to him and said ‘Welcome home, come on up for this set - join me in God’s house band’. And as they looked from heaven to their audience, he was comforted to see his dear wife and family surrounded by the love and caring of the community. And the circle is unbroken, as she slips his wedding band on her finger.

Tonight, I am filled with gratitude for the privilege of being a part of the music community, and the opportunity to give back even a small portion of the love that was showered on me during my time of need. And his ringtone broke the deafening silence, ‘All you need is love….’

#KeepLookingUp #TrustintheLord

Gratitude Journal – Day 225 – February 11, 2015

And I prayed….

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Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come,
Your Will be done,
on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil,
for Thine is the Kingdom,
and the Power,
and the Glory,
Forever.
Amen.

Today I am grateful for all that you have given us dear Lord,
As I remember the promise of Spring with myDarlin’ Robert Kenui Pope,
knowing that Spring is eternal in heaven.

‪#‎KeepLookingUp‬ ‪#‎TrustintheLord‬

Gratitude Journal – Day 224 – February 10, 2015

Keep on truckin’….

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reminds me of the Mr. Natural patch I had sewn on my well-worn bell bottoms in the mid 70’s. I can remember that at times, it seemed that life wasn’t fair when I didn’t get exactly what I wanted. And I would write, and write…. letters to my cousin in South Carolina and a boy that I had met the past summer, letters to my Aunt Katie in Montana, poems describing the world I in which I existed…Looking back, I’m not sure what I thought was missing, but I wanted it badly.

Music would fill my world, even then, as I awkwardly made my way through the world of adolescence. The French horn practices began with sounds of a goose, and through the years with much practice and lessons, became a graceful swan. The hippie wanna-be took up guitar as my parents gave me the gift of a $100 Yamaha acoustic, and I gazed at my instructor wanting to play as well and as smooth as he. And to top it all off, there were the opera and aria lessons recommended by my junior high music teacher to ensure I had the basics down, as she knew that I ‘had it’. Great musical foundation, and I choose to photograph it instead....

And there were afternoons spent lying on the pale blue carpeted floors, of the pale blue room with the pale blue floor to ceiling sating draperies with the sunlight spilling through the stained glass piano windows onto the crushed blue velvet chair. I licked my finger, then turned the page of the Sears catalog….. meticulously writing down the page #, description and price of the items that would fill the space of my imaginary dream home with my Prince Charming, whomever he may be.

And I sat on the front porch stoop, on that perfect summer day with my transistor beside me playing the top 40 on WLS with the Wolf Man Jack, notebook in hand trying to conjure up the words to express how I was feeling…Looking to the sky I thought to myself, a very young 17 year old self, ‘if only I had a baby to love and love me back unconditionally’.

As I awake from a dream, and look back from the bright blue sky dotted with floating clouds to my note book, I am grateful to see that love, faith, family and music have indeed filled the pages of my life with my very own Prince Charming. I love you myDarlin’ Robert Kenui Pope

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