Heart | A Thankfully Imperfect Woman

Jan 2

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One Cha-Cha Step at a Time

This is the year…

The year I take myself back.

Not to anywhere or to anything.

I take back me…control of my life.

Control of who I am. Read more

Dec 14

9 Comments

Witnessing a Story of Faith, Love and Support

What child is this, who, laid to rest, On Mary’s lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, While shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:

Haste, haste to bring Him laud, The Babe, the son of Mary. So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh, Come, peasant, king, to own him. The King of kings salvation brings, Let loving hearts enthrone him. Raise, raise a song on high, The virgin sings her lullaby : Joy, joy for Christ is born, The babe, the Son of Mary.

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In this season, this ‘Christ’mas time, may we all stop our fun preparations: the decorating, present buying, wrapping, and cookie making…to reflect on Christ’s birth. The gift God gave us on this day…His Son.

The babe that would grow into a 12 year old child who would sit amongst the elders speaking wisdom in the temple. The young man who, when baptized, was descended upon by the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove and a voice came from heaven, which said, “Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased”. The man who would die on the cross to save us from our sins.

And God, the Father, watched from above. He saw all the joy…He saw all the suffering. He was there through it all…beside His Son.

On our worst days, we may wonder ‘Where is God?’.

He’s watching. He’s waiting. He’s with us, just as He was with His Son.

We just need to have Faith.

I’ve witnessed this show of faith.

First, in my husband’s Grandpa, who passed 12 years ago: Frank was at home, having fought a good fight against cancer. He was in hospice care…and he had faith. In his last weeks he spoke about seeing Jesus there in the room with him. And we knew…He was there. He walked Grandpa home to Heaven…of that there is no doubt.

And in the past few months, an incredible story of courage, faith, and love has filled our small town – pulling it’s people together in a show of support for an incredible young man suffering from leukemia. Read more

Oct 2

12 Comments

A Tiger for Elena

Little Miss Elena loves tigers.

Not just any tigers, she loves the tiger at the zoo…and I think the tiger loves her.

We all went to the zoo on her last birthday so she could introduce us to her friend, and while we were there Elena stood on a ledge to point out her tiger, who was pacing back and forth. One moment he was pacing, and the next he’d reared up with his front paws on the glass to literally look at her eye to eye.

I’m not sure if he was thinking ‘lunch’ or not, but I quickly told her he was saying “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” The poor little peanut turned her wary look into a big smile and off we all went to see the next animal…and her love of tigers remains!

I decided a week ago to get rid of an old dresser I’d been hanging onto. I mentioned it to Elena’s Mom, Jen, and she said she didn’t have one for Elena yet and maybe it was time.

Well…I couldn’t just sell her the plain old dresser, not for our little Miss Elena. I had hoped at one point to paint a beautiful flower on the front and then sell it, but had decided to just get rid of it…needless to say…the idea came back to me. I asked Jen what animal I could paint on the dresser for Elena and she immediately said a tiger. I should have known.

A few days later little missy appeared in her favorite t-shirt adorned with what else, but her favorite animal. So I convinced her it was dirty (it actually was), so I could borrow it.

Here is my weekend project, done with lots of love, for a sweet little girl who loves tigers…

(This is where my oldest daughter would say “Ta-daaaaaa!”)

Elena got to see her new dresser yesterday and her smile said it all.

Patty O

ps…this is absolutely one of my favorite things to do…so if you know of anyone who wants an extra splash on their decor, whether it be for a child’s piece of furniture or an adult’s, just give me a call!

Sep 16

3 Comments

The Red Fred Project…Join Me

Have you heard of this project yet?

If you’re like me, you haven’t. It was just introduced to me by my good friend Karen, who knows the creator.

I don’t think there’s much I need to say beyond…please, please take a moment to click on the link and watch the video, then read what this project is all about. You may want to grab a kleenex…

The Red Fred Project: 50 Books by 50 Critically ill Children

My heart is filled with love for this project, from the beginning of working with a critically ill young person and their family, to the end result of the book and book sales, which The Red Fred Project gives to the family to help with their medical costs. This truly is an incredible project. It’s not just about life or death…it’s about giving a child who is chronically ill a chance to be creative, a feeling of purpose, about leaving a legacy and an incredible memory for that child’s family to cherish.

Loving & empowering children, and helping families in need. This is what life is about.

I’m going to send in a donation…do you want to join me?

They need $75,000 by Sunday, October 13th to move this project forward – so please – donate soon! If they are short of their goal, by a penny, none of the funding happens for the project — no one’s donation goes through. Even now, the people who have pledged will not see their money leave their account UNLESS The Red Fred Project hits its goal in October. Give now, give generously, give what you can…every little bit helps!

And then share their link on your facebook page, twitter account, and every other account you’re on…copy it and hand it out at work, church, the dog park, the laundromat, local restaurants, on the bus, in the subway, to your mother, to your brother, to your sister, to your mother’s brother’s sister-in-law…just share it with everyone!

Patty O