More Than Words

Isla Mujeres, a slice of Heaven

March 5, 2023March 5, 2023 Laura M

I always post on social media following a vacation, and Isla Mujeres has sparked much interest, just as she should! Many people want information and suggestions so I decided to birth a blog, of my personal opinions.

First, getting from the Cancun airport to the ferry, you’ll need transportation. We love using CARM. We have also used Happy Shuttle and had a great experience. You can book ahead online, include round trip ferry tickets, and even add cold beers! I mean, a cold one in the transport van heading to the ferry while in Mexico – you just must.

There is still so much more to the island that we have not experienced. I hope this blog is helpful but don’t just take my word….venture out, as Isla Mujeres has so many beautiful things to see – many which are behind an entry that seems questionable (to most of us). Behind the threshold, is a tranquil display of utopia, that you would have missed had you not just stepped inside.

One of the places we found by just “going in” was Villa La Bella. Their advertisement is “beer so cold it’ll make your teeth hurt” – headed to south end you can’t miss it. This is also where I had the most amazing pina colada. I don’t usually enjoy sweet drinks, but I wanted something refreshing – and it was just “wow”. Now, it’s a staple on every trip to sit in a swing and have a pina colada, at beautiful Villa La Bella. (Bella is for sale so may change names soon.)

The million-dollar question is where to stay. We stayed at Privilege Aluxes (PA) the first time, and chose all-inclusive. Mainly because we did not know what to expect on the island, and played it safe having the food and drink options at our hotel. Oh boy, we were wrong, but that’s ok, we learned! PA, which also has a non-all-inclusive option, is a beautiful resort and very nice, but we like to be closer to the water for an ocean view, and we figured out very quickly the food is one of the main attractions on the island, so no need to pay for the all-inclusive. Again, personal preference. We have also stayed at Ixchel and it was a great location, close to North Beach, did have a small restaurant, but a little too “people-ey” for us. Once we found Playa La Media Luna, that’s our new favorite-forever spot. It’s a smaller hotel, nothing fancy, gorgeous view of ocean, close to Hidalgo Street and North Beach, and affordable. If you want boujie, this is not the place. If you want peaceful, less crowds, beautiful view, and less expensive – book it! Also, I must note the beach at Media Luna is not swimmable because it’s too rough. For us that is ok, because we always plan to hang at North Beach at some point during our trip. For early mornings and late evenings on the beach, we like the more relaxing environment with less crowds.

There are many rentals that say ocean view but are actually on the seawall (Malecon). Make sure you check into that before booking. I am sure many people love to stay on the Malecon, so it’s truly a personal preference. Also, we always want to be near Hidalgo street at the North End. The south end near Punta Sur is absolutely breathtaking, but for us it’s too far from all the fun stuff we like to do.

Rent the golf cart! Yes it’s an added expense but you will not regret it. We get one the moment we arrive until the day we leave. It allows you to go anywhere at any time – drive through the neighborhoods and see beautiful artwork, murals, blooming plants, dogs on roofs, kids playing outside, fresh hanging laundry, and a peek into a lifestyle most of us have never known. Seeing this way of life, changes you.

This last trip, I sent a DM via Facebook to Julio Efrain Zapata Alvarado and he organized our golf cart, fishing trip and he even has transportation available. He was responsive and friendly. There are hundreds of contacts that can help, I had seen Julio suggested on a Facebook page so that’s how I found him.

The food is uhhhmazing. I cannot stress that enough. Don’t get sucked into eating at your resort every meal – You’d be missing out on a main attraction. Don’t be afraid of the fruit, vegetables or street tacos – it’s all legit! Find the hidden gem restaurants – you may only see 2 tables inside for dining – go inside and try it anyway.

So many things to do and see….There are beach clubs where you can pay a fee, eat, drink, and stay all day, and some without fees. We had a fishing trip planned but it ended up too windy. We love going to the Women’s Beading Co-Op and buying jewelry from the many generations of women who bead for income. Somehow, get on the water – Just being out in the “blue” is a must (even the ferry ride is breathtaking!). It’s so beautiful it does not look real, but more like a dream. I always feel like Nim from Nim’s Island. While on the water I’ll contemplate a brand-new life for myself and think of ideas how I could live off the land and stay there forever.

Hidalgo street is the main strip where there are many restaurants, shopping, live music, entertainment, people watching, and just FUN! We don’t “need” anything from the street vendors but we love to support them and buy hand made items, jewelry, or just unique things to take home. Hidalgo is not the only place for shopping so take the cart all over the island to see more.

Go to Punta Sur. Just do it. To walk near the crashing waves from the edge of a cliff, is a feeling I cannot explain. It’s majestic, powerful, and spiritual. It literally brings tears to my eyes – every time. You’ll take photos with your phone, and say to your spouse, “these pictures don’t do it justice”. During all 6 of our trips, I say the same thing to my husband while taking the same picture while standing on the same cliff. When you go, you will see.

Join the Isla Facebook pages, there are a few. Here you’ll learn so much about the island and common Q&A that will be helpful. I created a note in my phone for Isla and saved screenshots from the FB pages. There is a wealth of information, and I didn’t want to keep asking the same questions on the Facebook page. There is also an app called MapChicks Isla Mujeres. It’s A $15 per year fee, but many people find it very helpful.

Again, with the golf cart you can buzz around to anywhere and everything is so close since the island is only 5 miles long by half a mile wide. Punta Sur was pretty amazing at sunrise, but the water color does not turn blue-green until the sun has been up for a bit, so be mindful of that if you decide to go at sunrise. Hang around until the color changes, you won’t be mad. I always say I’m going to bring a book and stay there for a few hours – read, pray, relax, and just declutter my mind.

The best fish taco we had was at Marina Bartolome. Ask for Juaqin, and ask him to make it Yucatan style (not on the menu). They use a seasoning called Achiote that makes the fish kind of red – it’s amazing! Pizza Rock was fabulous, Stingrays Civeche and shrimp cocktail – yessss please! Isla Burger is a fave and we just tried for the first time – so good but a little too greasy for me. I mean it’s made from ground prime rib and brisket, so…yeah. Best sunset dinner in my opinion is Mayan Beach Club, at a table near the ocean. The lights, candles, music – it doesn’t get any better. Breakfast at Mango’s Café is a must. Sunset at Coco’s is where we were every night for at least 30 minutes or so, to start our evening.

Take pesos. Book the cart. Drive the streets. Eat the food. Get on the water. Eat the food. Sight see. Eat the food. Listen to live music. Eat the food. Learn about and support the locals. Eat the food. Drink the drinks. – explore and have fun!

XOXO,

Frame This

January 7, 2023January 8, 2023 Laura M

I have a blog, but I’m not always a blogger. It sits there, like a dusty plant in the corner of a room, that sometimes gets attention. I don’t always want to write, but when I do, it’s a quake of emotion that must be documented and put in a safe place. It deserves its own special box with a shiny bow, tied ever so carefully, as a piece of my heart lives in that box. My heart hurts big, but it loves even bigger. When the quake hits, the ripple of emotion births a new blog. So, here is my heart, on this day.

Don’t move.

Be still.

Breathe.

Capture it.

Before it changes.

I sent my husband a text yesterday, “I love you. I wish time would stand still.” Later in the evening we talked about it and I explained, our life together has always been good, not perfect, but good. Right now it’s great, and I know a new chapter is around the corner – it will still be good, and maybe even better. I wish I could freeze this season we are in, and if time would only stand still. If I could, I would “Frame This.”

One of the beautiful things about social media is seeing families grow, new lives being born, smiles, laughs and moments that are so cherished, and a vapor in time that will never come again. Cherished so much they get shared with the whole-wide-world. Many times as I’m scrolling, my heart trips over an image, because I can see through it. It might be as simple as a dad and daughter looking at Christmas lights, a baby trying ice cream, an animal covered in mud, or a grandmother in her flower garden. The joy is unleashed and radiant, as if nothing else matters. I’ll simply comment, “frame this”, and scroll on.

My parents joined us on a trip to our favorite slice of Heaven, Isla Mujeres. The night before our flight, my mom said “take my picture holding this sign.” It was a metal sign she had given me as a birthday gift that read “and I think to myself, what a wonderful world”. That was also mine and Chris’s wedding song, so the quote is truly special. She was wearing a “fuzzy robe”, her signature look, as she held the sign. She wanted it to be the first picture in the camera roll of photos for the trip, because the words were very fitting to reflect on before we spent the next 5 days making memories of a lifetime. In this world, even beneath the tragedy, pain and corruption that exist, there is goodness and there is joy, and yes, what a wonderful world! Not only did I capture this moment in time with my mom, I ordered a painting of the moment to “frame this”.

I have a picture in my hallway of all the cousins, with the youngest one screaming and crying while the others are smiling, actually they were probably giggling about the tantrum unfolding. It’s beautiful. It captures the ages, a toddler having a breakdown, teenagers with acne and braces, in the backyard of my sister’s house, at a family gathering which are becoming fewer and fewer. Of all the pictures I could have printed from that particular day, I chose the tantrum. It was drenched in authenticity and real life. I needed it on my wall, so I “framed this”.

Last year, one very brave lady being Me, decided to schedule a photo shoot for herself, to embark on year number 45 around the sun. I cancelled and rescheduled a hundred times and finally just jumped off the cliff and showed up. It was the bravest thing I have ever done, and it changed my life. I am not ashamed or embarrassed as I once was, and I never want to forget the empowerment it gifted me. The experience was so moving, it brought tears on more than one occasion. One day my children will have these photos, and I hope they will remember they had a strong, beautiful, independent, and brave mother. To me, the photos are a symbol of growth that I’ll always cling to. I printed one for my husband, of his 45-year-old wife because one day when we’re 90, I want him to remember 45, so I “framed it”.

I have a photograph of my grandmother in Florida, at age 14 wearing a flower lei, for a top I guess. I don’t know who took the picture or how inappropriate it was at that time, but I am so grateful for whoever used their brand-new Kodak 35mm, and went the extra mile to develop it. It’s a memory of my grandmother’s youth that is forever etched in my mind, and I “framed it”.

Framing a memory tells part of the story and documents the season of change. My husband and I are living in a season of goodness and I know the next one will be different, but still good. We’ll have grandkids that make us laugh, more wrinkles we hate and less energy that we’ll miss, illness, and sadness as we grow old, but joy will triumph. We’ll continue framing moments in time, good bad and indifferent as the journey unfolds, and enjoy every twist and turn of the ride – smiling until the end.

Maybe I don’t want time to stand still, because I want to see what’s next. But I’m grateful to have a heart that desires framing sweet moments in life. Years from now when someone is dusting the corners for you, packing the box or cleaning out the closet, they’ll embark on the memory and smile, all because you “framed yours” too.

xoxo,

O is for Opportunity

July 26, 2022July 26, 2022 Laura M

Chris and I will forever be on pursuit chasing the best taco in town – it’s what we do as empty nesters – We love it and we do it well. We met Adolfo during our first time at Los Compadres, a Mexican restaurant in Roanoke, TX. This place is a gem and now one of our favorite spots. Adolfo was our server and after we left, we could not stop talking about him. There was something special about this man, our new friend. He exuded joy and by his smile and service, he glorified the job of waiting tables. We continued to visit this restaurant every few weeks and got to know Adolfo a little more. Yes, the tacos are great, but mostly we went to see our new friend.

This man loves his Mama as deep as the ocean is wide. She has dementia and he helps take care of her, in the most precious ways. We learned about their small hometown in Mexico, his siblings, how he loves Las Vegas and lottery tickets, and anything that makes Mama happy. At each visit we learned more about Mama too. Sometimes he let’s Mama scratch the tickets even after scanning the losing bar code, just so she can find joy in the anticipation. She gets new flowers for her garden, the big ones with the big blooms. As she poses for all the photos, you can see her smile is infectious and she is loved well. It was her birthday, and she wanted a party with a clown piñata. An easy “yes” to the clown, and she had a blast swinging in circles, as the roar from a crowd of family cheers her on in a video. He takes her to the favorite lunch spot and they go grab donuts for breakfast. She has a photo of her and Adolfo in a silly black and white antique photo session, that’s only moved once – from the wall to her bedside – she always wants it near. She loves it when Adolfo gives her dollars to spend, but don’t try and fool her with pesos.

Adolfo posted on Facebook, a photo of Mama in her “flower garden”. She stood from her front porch, behind the flowers, so proud and so tall, the face of satisfaction looking over the creation that was born from a collection of mismatched flowerpots to a beautiful oasis. It almost took my breath away, as I knew this image needed to be more than just a Facebook post. Everything about it was nostalgic, unique, and a memory that deserved a frame and a place on the wall, somewhere. It needed to be cherished. In my mind I can see, even 100 years from now, each time it’s dusted or straightened where it resides, the image of Mama’s Garden will live on. I commented, “you should make this into a watercolor painting”. He agreed and said yes, he may just have to do that.

I kept thinking about this image, and we kept visiting Adolfo. O is for Opportunity.

I searched online for a company that could turn this photo into a painting. Most didn’t capture the quality I wanted or had some quirky website adding this and that for more fees. Ironically, Amazon had a painting option with raving reviews, and the paintings were beautiful! I placed the order and my only request was, “make the flowers as vibrant and beautiful as Mama”. Delivery was several weeks out and I refreshed the tracking a few times each day, anticipating Adolfo’s face as we handed it to him. The seller replied to my comments in Chinese and the shipping status was “cleared customs” for more than a week – so I knew it was far, far, far away. Again, I contacted the seller and asked for a refund, so I could find another venue – as this one was clearly stuck at customs.

The painting went from “cleared customs” to my front doorstep in one day. Like a kid on Christmas morning, I unrolled the painting and felt the texture of the canvas, touched the blobs of paint from the paintbrush, and noticed the tiny pin holes in each corner where it had been attached to an easel – I was stunned at this creation in my hands and visualized the artist sitting and carefully creating such a treasure, all the way from China to Texas. O is for Opportunity.

We sat near his section and offered him to pull up a chair when he had a break. He sat down and after a quaint greeting I showed him my phone with a screenshot of the photo from Facebook. He shook his head, “yes, I remember that photo”. I handed him the cardboard tube and he just started shaking his head side to side, “No, you didn’t. You didn’t.”

Tears were forming before he even laid eyes on the painting. As he took time to adore each brush stroke and sweet Mama in the portrait, you could see a glow on his face and the deepest of love spilled from his eyes. A treasure from two people in a small Texas town, who crossed paths over a taco.

You meet people in life that have a purpose in yours, for reasons only God knows. He’ll show us opportunities to love on others, and if we don’t jump on them, we’re missing out on some of the most joyous and precious nectar in life. Create the painting, eat the taco, and don’t wait because these opportunities are only here now, for tomorrow is not promised. O is for Opportunity.

Garden Church

July 10, 2022July 26, 2022 Laura M

Sometimes life is messy, loud, painful, confusing, and chaotic. Sometimes, it is none of those things and just simply beautiful. Taking a pause, to find the beauty is a gift we all have but sometimes we fail to untie the bow and peek at what’s inside.

My husband and I have a gardening hobby, and each year we can hardly wait for the Easter time stamp, to start planting into our blank canvas that has been sitting empty all winter. We have a large flower bed area around the pool, and there is a whimsical feeling when it’s all in bloom. Hearing the pool water splash as it wets the rocks, feeling the sun bright in my eyes and warm on my skin, seeing the wall of greenery move with the wind, is truly a slice of Heaven. We’ve watched the sun rise on this oasis and watched it fall again at Sunset Hill while dancing in the gravel under a cotton candy sky. These moments are the marrow in my life. This morning, I was in awe of the flower garden, and God spoke to me through this beautiful mass of foliage.

We plant these flowers as tiny babies, just a little wound-up ball of roots, soil, leaves, and maybe one bloom. Itty bitty chunks of nothing, but with such massive potential. We nurture them and watch them grow. It gets hot, we get busy, they get ignored, but we know they are still there and still growing. This morning, as God spoke to me through this oasis, I was filled with gratitude and walked away from Garden Church with a renewed soul.

The definition of a weed is “a wild plant growing where it is not wanted and in competition with cultivated plants”. As I looked at this unique sprig of greenery that had popped up between random mounds of color, I knew I needed to remove it because it was a “weed” and would create disorder in our masterpiece, or that’s what the experts say. I quickly disagreed. It was beautiful, and I decided it would not be a weed, because now it is wanted. No competition here. It found the perfect space to come alive, and peek into a place it would never be normally welcome. It brings a different texture to the garden and even has tiny white clusters of blooms. It drapes ever so perfectly over the neighbor it encroached upon, and it is thriving. It will stay here for all its life because I like it and I want it here. Lord, please always show me to love those who may seem unlovable and remind me they have purpose and a place here. Please always let me be brave and show up in places that may not always feel welcoming.

Glancing across our perfectly, methodically placed plantings, I notice the ones who volunteered to come back this year, in the same place they had been last year. These are not ones that are expected to come back, nor were they invited back – They were not part of our plan this season. These are annuals which mean they live for one season only. Seeds were thriving in the soil all winter and came back to life in a season where they did not belong. These volunteer flowers have the thickest stalks, greenest leaves, and are thriving today, when we thought their life was over. Lord, please always give me strength when I feel hopeless. Thank you for allowing us to bloom where we’re planted, even during chaos and fear of feeling unwanted and unloved. We belong where you lead us.

Looking down past the volunteers are the mounding flowers which I love. I cannot comprehend how each stem grows individually and over time they create a sphere of blooms, as if they had been trimmed and carefully groomed to grow at a perfect pace and length, creating this rounded mass. When the mound gets too big, it becomes heavy and falls over creating an empty space inside of the mound that looks dead, ugly, and empty inside. When the mound falls over, it does not end there. The split mound starts to bloom from inside the gaping hole and a new mound comes to life, in the same spot that once was dead, ugly, and empty – It’s now filled with delicate new shoots of color and will soon fill the space that we thought was broken. Lord, when I fall, I am thankful my story is not over there. With grace, you turn death to beauty during times we thought our brokenness was the end of our story, but only You know it does not end there.

The next lesson came from noticing the different needs of each gem. In Texas, of course we favor drought tolerant plants. We plant in the spring and are a little disappointed when these careful selections don’t thrive like we know they are capable of. We know what to expect – Lavish blankets of bold color that take the heat like a champ, but where is this brilliance we know to expect? Spring ends, the temperatures rise – and now, it’s go time. They bust out of their pods and turn into unstoppable superstars, that will own the stage from now until the first freeze. These gems also don’t like a lot of water. Perhaps they can’t endure their mission if they’re too heavy. Lord, thank you for knowing my seasons of growth and guiding me there in a perfectly orchestrated timeline, step by step. You also know when I’m thirsty for truth, and when I need to rest in a place of dryness, as you prep me to walk out of the valley to stand atop a mountain.

As the burden of heat continues to weigh down on this glorious creation, some of the gems don’t survive the battle. They put up a good fight, but their time is up. Once carefully removed from their once home, a clean and empty space is revealed, a new beginning. The newbie clump of potential arrives with hopes to become part of the show. Soon, a new, fresh look comes to life where death once sat. The space is no longer empty, and it lives once again. Lord, thank you for filling emptiness with hope and life at just the right time. You bring us to our knees so that we can rise and fill spaces with purpose and order, for your Kingdom.

Garden church continues and the bees make an appearance. Without them, this creation would not exist. These tiny critters have a bad reputation, it’s too bad only a painful sting comes to mind. Actually, they are the life line behind this portrait. They keep on working and completing their job, even though most people fear them and run away. Lord, please always remind me that you are the only judge and we are all your people. Even clothed in a weary cloth, a light lives inside all of us who know your name, and our works are to be your hands and feet.

The gems have been planted for several months now, and the roots have become lengthened, strong, hearty and healthy. We treat the soil with nutrients to encourage this growth in the roots, so that the plants can perform their best and live out the season to the fullest. Last week, as I was making a selection to fill an empty space, I brought home a heat tolerant plant and filled the gap. Of course it was an itty bitty coming straight from the nursery shelf, like all the others had in the spring. I planted it next to it’s elders, and sadly over the next couple of days it’s life was over. The roots were not strong enough to handle the heat combat. It turned into a crisp chip, and never even had a chance. Roots are a precious commodity and need to be strong before facing a time of despair. Lord, please always give me a strong foothold, to face giants and fight battles with your truth planted deep in my roots. I would dry up into dust without your cultivating.

The final takeaway from Garden Church, came in perfect time, like closing the hymnbook, and hearing the choir harmonizing to the highest note. The garden, composed all of different species, needs, colors, tolerances, growth speeds, bloom times and life cycles – They all share the same soil and thrive together in one space. They are careful to encroach on and around each other, stretch out where there is space and lay down on others when they feel heavy. Some lift each other up and others cover to protect their neighbor. They grow into each other like a puzzle we designed in the spring, without even knowing how perfectly it would fit together, bloom by bloom. It was created from seeds planted long ago. With cultivation, hope and wisdom, it has become the greatest gift and taught me a lot about this one life we’re given, and church finishes up without a word ever spoken. Lord, thank you for Garden Church.

Oh, the depths of our Love

February 26, 2022July 26, 2022 Laura M

I hated history in school, and I think politics mimic a good Broadway show. I don’t pretend to be highly informed on either topic – I take in the highlights, follow the rules and keep my opinions secure in my bubble, to avoid conversations I cannot confidently defend. The war on Ukraine has sparked a hunger in me to learn more, listen longer and recalculate my priorities. I never thought I would witness anything like the devastation unfolding.

My daughter just celebrated a very special Valentine’s Day, getting engaged to her boyfriend, who is from Ukraine. Now, they watch together as he clings to every phone call, news clip, bomb launched, missile fired, and braces himself wondering if his family has been hit. The Russian soldiers are in his home town now, as I type. The agony is not something I can pretend to know. It’s truly unfathomable and bone chilling. This young couple will start a life together experiencing strength, faith, pain and loyalty at the roots. Oh, the depths of our love.

This morning, the cries from a mother hit my soul, hidden in a bomb shelter with her 3 kids, pleading on the national news, to please help Ukraine. I saw the desperation in her eyes, as her baby slept in her arms, and it was not about politics, religion, or war – it was a humanitarian plea, to simply survive. As my eyes filled with tears, I came unraveled listening to her cry for help, in my warm bed, in my safe home – almost guilty. I am not experiencing the same fear as she, but my heart is bleeding for her, and all the Ukrainian families. Oh, the depths of our love.

The father leaving his wife and child on the train, to protect them while he stays to defend their country, “at all costs”, and a sacrifice at its finest. Saying a final goodbye to my spouse and children, with breath still in my lungs, is a place my mind has never traveled. I cannot imagine searching for the strength to take those steps. Gut wrenching and so undeserving. Oh, the depths of our love.

Today, my stepfather will speak at his lifetime-best friend’s funeral, not due to a political war, but a war against sickness and time. The years of friendship, memories, and stories are irreplaceable. Looking back, I am sure he will consider it an honor to speak about and celebrate his friend’s life, but today I know his heart is broken. Oh, the depths of our love.

My sweet neighbor across the street, lost her husband during the holidays in 2020 – a sudden heart attack with no warning. A love and life gone too soon, while she also battles cancer and cares for her twin sisters. Recently, the cancer treatments targeting her brain, have caused strokes. Today, she is now home resting, on Hospice. A family so deserving of all good things, is fighting and hurting. Oh, the depths of our love.

My husband has a cat at work that he loves. The cat was wild and after months of love and attention, she became somewhat tame and his new best friend. He takes her food on days off and makes sure she has a warm place to sleep in the cold. This week, she was missing for a while and came back with an injured leg. She ran as he tried to catch her and care for her. This morning, as he prepared to go visit “Goldie”, I noticed he is cooking a piece of fish in the oven. He said, “she is hurting, and deserves a warm piece of fish”. As simple as a stray cat, it was a refreshing act of kindness, and a front row seat to pure love with no boundaries. Even if it’s just a cat. Oh, the depths of our love.

Driving in to work this morning, my mind is spinning with images of Dan speaking at the funeral, Nick pacing the floor waiting on updates from his family taking shelter in the basement, the Ukrainian mother crying to the world for help, the father leaving his wife and child on the train, my own children witnessing this disgusting war on innocent people, my neighbor fighting for her life, and the injured cat that will get warm fish. The radio is playing “Cornerstone”, and my heart flees to that safe space, that God is with us and will not leave us. He is our Cornerstone, in ALL things. We cling to this hope in chapters of pain and loss, but let’s also cling here in between the pain. Oh, the depths of our love.

As we lay our heads down and wake again, be reminded that Love is Love. We all bleed red, and breathe the same air. Hug a jerk, pay it forward, help a neighbor, feed the stray cat, smile for no reason, listen even if the story is boring, forgive with gratitude, go in early, stay late, speak more life and less doubt, love on others whom are different from you, talk to God even when things are not tragic, and be a LIGHT in this very DARK world.

As I try and soothe this heavy heart, I ask – If we could reorganize our priorities to reflect on the depths of our love, what would that look like? We might think twice before getting twisted over something meaningless. Will it really matter, when we are facing the end of the flame? Love deep and hurt deep, from the inside out. Spread it everywhere, as deep as the oceans are wide, as tall as the mountains can peak. This difficult week looks different for all of us. My hope is placed in the Cornerstone, and my prayer is we stay focused there, for all the days of our lives. We get one chance. I pray for all the broken hearts, as we press on and cling to the One where Hope is found.

Lord, hold us close.

Isaiah 28:16, “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.”

Just Maybe…

April 25, 2020July 26, 2022 Laura M

I am so thankful for my Mom.

Her heart and wisdom impact every one who crosses her path. She wrote her thoughts about this pandemic and it’s definitely worth sharing. The next time we’re able to all be together is going to look and feel much different… thank you mom. ~ Laura

The Pandemic

After about 6 weeks of sheltering in place and social distancing for this Covid-19 virus…. reading and seeing it take over our local and national news and social media every single day…. seeing how people react – from “yes, I’ll do my part and all I can to help in this effort” – all the way to “This is a Chinese conspiracy” or “I’ll take my chances, and need to be working. If more people die, so be it.” And, of course, the politics.

The FB group “View From My Window” has given me a whole new perspective. First of all, this is a GLOBAL event. Our entire planet Earth is dealing with the same issues – the pandemic, separation, death, unemployment, parents having to school their kids (and put up with their disrespect, bad manners, and entitled attitudes – with no one to blame but themselves), not being able to see loved ones in nursing homes and hospitals, missing our families and friends, the brave front-line workers making huge sacrifices for their communities, no eating out or a simple day of shopping…not to mention the economic effects of it all. Did all the leaders in every other country screw up, too?… Even though we now know it was spreading everywhere before anyone had a clue (except maybe China?).

But, in any case, here we are in the midst of it all…. and what are we learning? How is our world going to change? Will we come out of this as a new and improved human race, or will it eventually pass as we get on with our usual lives?

Maybe there are huge lessons to be learned here. Not only in the medical field, but in every aspect of human life.

Maybe Mother Earth needed a rest to restore our rivers, oceans, the air we breathe, our cities that never sleep, the ozone layer, our wildlife… and our very souls.

Maybe huge companies needed to realize that people can be responsible and productive enough to work from home with all the wonderful technology we’ve developed – instead of jamming the freeways in a mad rush to and from a huge building every single day, and therefore needing more freeways, more buildings and more cars.

Maybe we needed to realize that we can actually do without expensive designer clothes and accessories and plastic surgery to look “perfect.” We can go a little longer between hair and nail appointments – actually even do our own nails sometimes, and not worry about being made-up all the time. Maybe we needed to learn that we can get by with less – and to appreciate when we have more.

Maybe families needed a break from the rush and hustle of getting kids up and out the door to school every morning, to all their activities, and finally back home just in time for a fast-food dinner, homework & bedtime. Maybe some parents needed to actually have to face the consequences of not teaching their kids respect, manners, and a decent work-ethic – because they have to put up with them all day, and they can’t blame the teacher or the school any more.

Maybe we all just needed to slow down, take time to enjoy the “view from our window” and count our blessings, enjoy the simple things in life… instead of missing out on the “now” because we’re constantly thinking of “what’s next?”

Maybe we just needed a wake-up call to really appreciate the people we depend on every day and take for granted like medical personnel, first responders, teachers, truck drivers, grocery workers, fitness instructors, day-care providers, restaurant workers, farmers, hair stylists, manicurists, cleaning services, and small business owners, many of whom barely make a living, even in good times. Maybe we also needed to realize how much our folks in nursing homes need us, our presence, our personal touch. And our extended family and friends… how much we need that contact… and hugs!

Maybe we needed to be reminded how important it is to live within your means…and have some funds stashed away for an emergency (or a pandemic).

Maybe we all needed to learn how important cleanliness is… and personal space, raising kids to be good people, and caring enough about each other to make some personal sacrifice for the greater good.

Maybe the whole world just needed to stop, take a deep breath, and remember to be thankful.

Namaste

~ Pam McGregor

Andrea McClain | Photographer

April 25, 2020 Laura M

Expecting a tiny miracle soon? This gal is the baby whisperer with a camera-in-hand! She just became a Mommy herself and has her own little model, to dress up and create albums upon albums of chubby-cheek bliss!

As you can imagine, it takes a lot of time, patience, perfect props, soft hands and gentle nudging to capture those oh-so-precious moments. From bundled up newborn toes, to the first spring in the tulips – she knows exactly how to freeze these moments in time that we get to experience just once. They always say “don’t blink” – that phrase couldn’t be more true.

I have known Andrea McClain for several years now and have watched her bloom into such an amazing, creative, self-taught artist. As if babies are not adored enough already, she has the magic touch to create the treasured images that you’ve been thinking about since the day you saw the pregnancy test was positive. You know it’s true. Peek at her website for more “oohs” & “awwes”….

http://www.andreamcclainphoto.com

Granny’s Fork

March 22, 2020April 2, 2020 Laura M

She had a remarkable spirit about her, that demanded your attention just by sharing the same oxygen in a room. Her laugh was the absolute best – boisterous, contagious and traveled straight to your heart. Flaming red hair, the best storyteller, full of wisdom but always with a few choice words. She stood as our rock and fearless leader, the place to turn when there wasn’t anywhere else to go, or even when there was. Everybody has one. She was ours and we called her Granny.

Sorting through the memories burned in my mind – First, I’m in her closet trying on her heels. She always caught me. As a small child if I went missing you could always find me near the shoes. She dressed sharp and heels were the finishing touch – and they ruined her feet is what I think she always said.

Her condo was orderly and put together. It contained all the things a “Granny’s” home should have. The velour autumn scenic couch, and the large buffet against the wall was where the plastic apples always lived. Good grief those apples have been through hell and back, but are still just as pretty. The drawing paper was inside the buffet drawers – fresh new legal pads, always ready for a masterpiece. I can see the round, brown table – It was near the bay window covered in white gauze curtains. Under that table is where we created the best Barbie showdowns and endless wardrobe changes. On Sundays she took care of her manicure at that table and that could have been my favorite part of us visiting. You must trim your cuticles, and always buff after filing.

I remember she was always put together so sharp. Her makeup routine was very serious and meticulous. When she came to visit, she had the hard suitcase, and the black rectangle makeup box. It lived in the bathroom during her stay and I would peek inside to see what all was in this magical beauty box she carried. It even had a distinct smell. Maybe it was the fragrance from the makeup, or maybe even the musty age of the box – it just smelled like Granny’s makeup box to me.

Her visits to us during the holidays were mostly full of creating the nostalgic recipes and sharing the techniques so one day we could handle it on our own. We still have not figured out how much sage goes in the dressing or how much miracle whip to put on the bread for a leftover turkey sandwich. Ever made yourself that same dang sandwich but strangely it tastes so much better when Mama makes it? Some things just can’t be recreated no matter how hard we try.

As the years did what they do to the ones we love, Granny’s duties became lighter and eventually we just asked her to make the pies and show up. I think that’s the year my mom, my sisters and I whipped the meringue all day but never got that stuff to rise. Granny burned the pies but sure enough she did show up with a few from Kroger. Oh, if you want the peaks on the meringue those eggs need to be room temperature and for heavens sake don’t use a plastic bowl.

She passed her antics down to all of us. We inherited the love for Days of our Lives with Hope, Bo and Stefano. That man must have died a hundred times or more but we kept watching anyway. We inherited two stepping and honky-tonking – all of us that came after her have danced a million miles at the Reo Palm Isle in Longview Texas. We might have a nickname as “Hound Dogs” but we can talk about that part later. Further than the antics, we also share diamonds from Aunt Sue’s ring, but most importantly she passed down a love that never knew boundaries.

Granny’s days have ended and my goodness I wish we’d kept more of her “stuff”. I don’t know where the makeup box landed but I wish I had it. Mom has always had the buffet, plastic apples, and – the fork.

Yes, a fork. It’s an old fork. It’s silver but tarnished and has a specific engraving that makes it Granny’s fork. We don’t serve a dish at Thanksgiving before stirring it with Granny’s fork. It means she is with us. When I see the fork it takes me back to the little girl hiding in the closet trying on heels. I see her huge smile and that laugh.

Sure, pass down the big heavy stuff like buffets, and furniture, or timeless items like plastic apples and quilts. Don’t overlook the little trinkets from the past that take you back to a special place and face.

Through the years of traveling with the fork, it lives with me now. This morning after breakfast, washing the fork took me back there and led me to share my thoughts here. What will your fork remind your tribe of?

XOXO,

Stepping Stones

March 6, 2020March 22, 2020 Laura M

Irony? Coincidence? Luck?

What do you think?

How many times have you looked back on chapters of your life to see the “ah-ha” moments, where the stars aligned to make sense? You finally see the purpose in the valley you were in, which is much easier to see from the mountain top, right? Actually, it’s the only place you’ll see it! There is a peaceful comfort, when looking back to see how God strategically joined pieces of my life, where I jumped from one stone to the next, in perfect rhythm. One stone could not happen without the one before it, and on and on. Sometimes one stone was about to sink in the sand, just when the next one popped up. Some painful, some pleasant – they each have purpose.

The same way I’ve wanted to be a runner, a morning person, have the confidence and bravery of a public speaker – I’ve also always wanted to be one of those “readers”.

I want to love books. Well, I actually do love them. I buy them, but I don’t read them. I just look at them and think about reading them one day. I’ve even got the cutest magnetic bookmarks ready to do their job, and a few special shelves at home where these books live, just waiting on the breakthrough. I feel terrible for the books, just wasting space and collecting dust. My mom always feels awful for the last green bean in the can that gets tossed into the trash – same level of sadness here. We all want a purpose – even the last green bean and the dusty books!

I’m in a Facebook fitness group with some amazing women. We’re a community of chicks just encouraging each other, sharing recipes, workouts, and life stuff – in a safe place. You must admit, big Facebook world can be scary. Some of the chicks are “readers’ who share their personal development books – then of course I buy the books they talk about, to add to my dusty collection. Our fitness coach tossed out a challenge a few months ago, to drink a gallon of water in a day – I gladly accepted. While drinking a gallon of water that also means a gallon of going to the bathroom. While out running errands, the nearest potty was at Barnes & Noble. As I was leaving the book store bathroom I passed by the end cap where all the best sellers are displayed, and stopped to scan for more books that I will never read. I picked one up, read the back, sounded great, and put it under my arm to hold onto. Picked up the next one by the same author, sounded great so I grabbed it too. The potty break at the book store ended up costing me about 30 life-changing-bucks.

I decided to give these books a chance. The first one was Love Does by Bob Goff. The next morning I got up early, flipped on the fireplace, grabbed the book, “Bruther” (sweet-mean-dog), our favorite fuzzy blanket and actually started to read. It was a surreal moment, “who am I”? It was almost comical – kind of felt like playing dress up – at 43 instead of 4, it was still kind of fun, but so weird. I was reading, on purpose, early in the morning, and it wasn’t a book about Sales from my boss.

Side note: Before this particular day, the only other book I had ever finished (sorry boss!) was The Notebook, in 2004, on an exercise bike with tears streaming down my face. I kept peddling because I could easily disguise the tears as sweat, and it was just-that-good! Anyway, as I began to read Love Does by the fire – I could not put the book down. My dreadful mornings of lying in bed with lists swarming in my head, had turned into being excited to get out of bed and read this book. I finished Love Does, and went straight into the next one, Everybody Always. Same connection. Same love. Same Bob.

One quick second…Who is Bob Goff anyway? Glad you asked….

“Bob Goff is the New York Times Best-Selling Author of Love Does, as well as an attorney who founded Love Does, a nonprofit human rights organization operating in Uganda, India, Nepal, Iraq and Somalia. Bob is a sought after speaker for leadership, church and university events, inspiring current and future influencers to get to the “do” part of life. Choosing to live audaciously, Bob connects to audiences in a powerfully inspirational, yet down to earth manner. Love Does has now been translated into ten languages!” (bio from PremierSpeakers.com)

Bob’s books are stories of his own experiences in life, of everyday normal things – that turn extraordinary when the view finder is flipped. He writes to express how simple it is to find Jesus, in everyday junk – showing love in ways that Jesus did, and loving types of people like Jesus did. I crave true stories, true struggles, and true victories. I want to fill the space in my head with things of real value where I’ll grow, learn, become better and maybe even pass it on to others who come behind me. Iron sharpens Iron – and this is where I find the magic in reading books about life stuff that genuinely matters. Bob Goff’s plain cover, no frills, simply written books – were the perfect gift I never knew I needed, all from that gallon of water challenge from my “stepping stone” friend, the fitness coach from Facebook.

Once I had finished Bob’s 2 books, I then read Sweet Maria’s book (Bob’s wife), Love Lives Here – which was equally amazing. What’s next? Aside from Bob needing to write more, I was now very intrigued with this early morning stuff. I had shocked myself to say the least… Girlfriend, let’s keep going! Next I started reading Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod – another game changer! I’m now realizing at this age how many great books and a wealth of information I’ve missed out on. I simply can’t get enough.

Being a new super-Bob Goff fan, with red cape and all, I’d find myself scrolling on social media seeing his speaking events and conferences all over the country, day dreaming of when and how I could attend. I had a thought to contact our pastor at church, and plant the seed about this Bob guy and how he’d be a great speaker for one of our services. Nah, there is no way. Bob is a really big deal, probably too big for Argyle, TX. Fast forward a few weeks – I’m scrolling and see that Facebook has suggested an event that I might be interested in, “Bob Goff, at Cross Timbers Church in Argyle, TX”. WHAT? Yes. It’s true. I didn’t’ take another breath before I had recruited my family for attendance, made our dinner plans for the night of the event, had husband committed to arrive early for front row seats, and planned my outfit. I couldn’t contain how excited I was – we talked about it each day leading up to the event, I even emailed Bob – yes I said I emailed Bob. He wrote back….

“Hi Laura!
What a beautiful note. You’ve got a knack for words. I wonder if there’s words inside you that needs to get out of you? Honest. Give it some thought. I’m so honored to be part of this adventure you’re on. Keep loving people the way Jesus did. I can tell you’re good at it! ….Bob Goff, Chief Balloon Inflator”

That’s one of many, really cool stepping stone stories. I don’t know what your trials are, and you don’t know mine (well, you might soon), but I do know that God knows what he’s doing and it’s always His plan not ours. This is a silly story about an author who touched my heart, but the story has a purpose, way bigger than me. Keep moving forward, one stepping stone at a time. It will change your life, even in the valleys. Oh yeah, read the books, and drink more water, a gallon if you can.

XOXO,

For what is in a Name?

March 4, 2020March 4, 2020 Laura M

I remember it like it was yesterday. I was 13, on a van full of tweens headed to church camp. It was hot, the boys smelled awful but they sure were cute. I had my eyes on one of the smelly boys and was dying inside just wondering if he was going to sit by me, touch my elbow or maybe even make eye contact on the van.

It was 1990 and – you guessed it – More Than Words was just released by the band Extreme, and we sang it from the top of our lungs all the way there, and all the way back – probably from a cassette single on a Sony Walkman. That was 30 years ago, and the song still stirs my heart every time I hear it. Today it means much more than it did on that smelly church van in 1990.

We’ve played this song quite a bit over the years and it’s always just stuck around, with the kids too. I’d always talk about why I love it, what it means, and I hoped me sharing it with them was stitching the same meaning on their hearts.

Fast forward to March 1^st 2019 – the baby girl turned 18. The best idea we could come up with was “tattoo shop”. When your kids ask to get matching tattoos with mom, you just do it – or at least I did. It’s not the first time we’ve had multiple generations at the tattoo shop and I’m sure it won’t be the last.

For our tattoo field trip, we had bounced around several ideas on what to get. So many options, and truly meaningful ones! When I said “more than words” – we all took a nano second to agree and that’s all she wrote – pun intended. We permanently inked this on our bodies, because it means so much. It’s a reminder to live life out loud, with actions and not just words. If my children want to carry this torch into their adult lives, and wear it proudly matching their Mama, I’m all in.

“More than words is all you have to do to make it real,
Then you wouldn’t have to say that you love me…
‘Cause I’d already know…”

Welcome to my Blog | More Than Words | live life out loud

XOXO,