Daddy's Little Girl...

• I once heard, "Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a daddy." I know I've said it many times before, but my dad is like no other. He doesn't say much, but I know exactly how he feels. He would do absolutely anything for me, and perfectly, because it's for his little girl.
  
  He can look at me and know exactly how I'm feeling. He can look at me and give advice without saying a word. He can love me without telling me. Because he shows it. He is a man of his word, a man of integrity. My dad leads by example, not by preaching. He doesn't say much. He just does what's right, puts no thought into it because there is no need to think about doing the right thing. You either do it or you don't. He chooses to love by doing exactly what he should do, and without making a lot of fuss out of it.
• Dad, I want you to always know how much you mean to me. I've always thought you were the strongest man alive. You have been through so much in your life, but I can't ever remember hearing you complain, or making an issue out of it. You have loved my mom like so many kids want to see their moms loved. With honesty, respect, and love. Thank you for that.
• I have so many memories of time together. Not on fancy vacations or major events. But in the things that matter. Every day life, simple times together. Not alot of useless words said. One look has always summed it up. I hope the blue eyes you gave me tells my children what you've always told me. I love you.
• Happy Fathers Day,
• From your adoring little girl.

Just Breathe...

• Stop. Inhale. Exhale. Listen. Just be.
• Do you ever do that? Just be. Just you and a rare friend called silence.
• I like to just be. I have a special chair on my back porch that is slowly becoming my "thinking chair." I like to ease my self into that rocking chair and just rock, and be. Just me, myself and my thoughts. It's a great place to reflect, a great place to pray, and a place to...just be.
• To me, life is simple. In every aspect of the word. I am all about a 10 letter word. Simplicity. Life is about the simple pleasures. I think about that often when I'm in "my chair." I think about my kids, and how they are changing, I think about my past, I dream for my future. I enjoy the sounds of the birds, the breeze in my hair, the sun on my face. I go into my zone, relax, inhale...exhale. Just be. Where the only thing on my itinerary for that moment is breathing. Thinking. Pausing. Reflecting.
• Life is too busy. Too hectic. Sometimes we forget to just take a minute. Pretend your life is a movie. Take a moment. Hit the pause button. You can get back to the rest later. Have this be your intermission.
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  Can you do that for me? Can you find a quiet place, just you and silence? Say a prayer or just reflect in the moment. I once learned this and I want you to try it. Don't feel silly. Just do it. Think about it as you do.
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  When life gets too hectic and you are sweating the small stuff, when things are getting out of hand and you are losing control, or you just are forgetting what life is all about. Go into a "silent zone." No distractions, no sounds. Just you and the sound of your breathing. Just you and your thoughts. Get into a calm state. Say a prayer or sit and reflect. Once you feel like you are in tune with yourself, put your hand over your heart. Just sit and feel your heart beat. Realize the miracle you are feeling. Think about the amazing creation He made you to be. Think about the breath you take. In and out, and the beating of your heart. Be grateful for every beat of your heart and every breath you take and the miracle of just existing. It's a celebration of life.
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• I took a deep breath and listened to the old bray of my heart. I am, I am, I am.
• -Sylvia Plath