Reflections

re·flec·tion  (riˈflekSHən/)

noun

1. "the reflection of light"-- sending back, throwing back, casting back.

2. serious thought or consideration. synonyms: thought, thinking, consideration, contemplation, deliberation, pondering, meditation, musing

Reflecting is a part of my everyday life.

I reflect more these day. Maybe because I am getting older. 

I have lost loved ones that are very close to my heart and I often find myself reflecting on the life I lived with them. Where my life is now. And, where it is going. 

I like alone time because I like to "think". I often get lost in my own thoughts and I like that. I have come to know myself pretty well. My husband used to tell me that he "knew me better than I knew myself." That might have been the case several years ago. But, not any more. 

The deaths of my parents and my daughter caused a great change in me. For the good. When I reflect on those difficult days and the loneliness I felt without them, I knew to what source I had to draw strength from. My Savior! Through His atonement I found courage and healing. I learned what I was made of. I was a lot stronger than what I thought I was. You can't get over losing a child without deep Faith. Hope. Prayer. And a loving family. 

I turned to the scriptures, more than ever before, and found great comfort and peace in the words of the Lord and the promise of being with our loved ones again. I love to ponder and consider the glorious truths found in the scriptures. 

And, sometimes, I just love the surprise of seeing a reflection in still water. Or a reflection of the unexpected after a rain storm. I feel a deep sense of gratitude every time I see the awe and wonder that is in the beauty of nature.

I got on Pinterest because you can find anything on Pinterest. I found quotes and images that struck a cord with me. I was inspired! I was amazed! Some of the following are my own reflection images and thoughts, too.

Reflection is good therapy for me. Maybe it will be for you today, too. 

Love this!

And this!

Such wise words to live by!

May we never forget. 

My own photo -- Willow Park Zoo. Last week was Spring Break for the grandkids. The girls and I took the little vacationers on a day adventure to Willow Park Zoo. The sun was shining! It was warm. I love the reflection of the trees in the stream.

I've been here -- Tubigen, Germany. Beautiful!

My own photo - Venice, Italy. I love this shot at dusk and how the reflection of the light on the water is soft, broken, and subtle. So serene.

My own photo -- Willard Bay. Our home overlooks Willard Bay. Shortly after my mother's death, my husband took me out on the boat. It was so peaceful and calm and good for my soul. All was quiet. Only a soft cry of a seagull could be heard every now and then. Husband knew I needed time for reflection. I was grateful for his thoughtfulness. With my face to the sun and a gentle breeze on my back, I soon found myself drifting off in pleasant memories of my mother. 

My own photo - Antelope Island. I got a shot of beautiful Antelope Island reflected in the Great Salt Lake as we rode out to help in the Bison Roundup. 

My own photo -- Heber Valley Fairgrounds. This was a bittersweet day for my husband. The old fairgrounds are now abandoned. A large, new, and very much improved County Complex was built just to the west of it. The hubs spent many happy days at the fairgrounds with his father, who served the community as the Wasatch County Extension Agent for over 30 years. To me, the standing water is a symbol of reflection of days gone by.

My own photo -- Great Grandmother's Pink Depression dishes. With my reflection! It's next to impossible to get a picture, that has anything to do with a mirror, and take it without some part of yourself in it! 

How do you define Reflection?

Writing prompt # 3: Write a blog post inspired by the word: Reflection.

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Six Word Fridays: Colors of Spring

Ushering in the colors of Spring

are Tulips of Yellow, Orange, Red,

Pink, Purple, and Blue! Bringing with

them... vibrant hues, fresh and new!


Color

What a Woman!

My oldest child is not only my daughter, but my best friend! (along with my other children) She is amazing! She has high expectations of herself and never disappoints. 

It's given me great satisfaction and enjoyment watching her grow through the years into the confident and beautiful woman she is today. She is a mother, a daughter, a wife, a nurse. She may be my child, but she has the characteristics and qualities that even I, her mother, look up to with love, respect, and adoration.

What have I learned from her?

1. Think big and follow your dreams!

2. When making a plan, doing a project, deciding the future – stick with it and follow through until it’s done.

3. Think before you speak.

4. Pay attention to detail.

5. Be patient and kind.

6. Think it, create it, make it!

When she was just a little girl, about 8 years old, she knew what she wanted to do in life. She made a plan and followed that dream her entire life. She’s been a nurse for 16 years and decided to further her education a couple of years ago. Her acceptance into the U of U will allow her to practice in the way she has always dreamed... or pretty close to it! She really wanted to be a bush pilot doctor in Alaska. That is until marriage and children came knocking on her door. She adjusted life accordingly. She has served diligently as a nurse in the Emergency Room and in Home Health. When she is done with school, she will be a FNP DNP (Family Nurse Practitioner, Doctor of Nursing Practice). I’m so proud of her! The sky is the limit for this girl. She knows how to chase her dreams, yet be realistic about it. Nothing gets in her way!

Oldest daughter, Kelsey (on right) with younger sister, Shaniel (who we lost last year) - two nurses!

Oldest daughter can sew like no other. More often than not, she envisions a specific look, a design that can’t be found anywhere. So… she designs her own pattern and makes it look like a professional did it! She sewed her youngest sister’s wedding dress, countless blessing and baptism dresses, and beautiful Easter and Christmas dresses for her daughter, nieces and friends. Not to mention the quilts she has designed and made. She is so talented and attentive to detail. She’s a pro!

When she starts a project, she finishes it. Something her mother has a hard time with. She saw a painted dining room set she really wanted. Rather than spend the $800 for it, she found a table and chair set on the local classifieds for $50 and did it herself. It turned out amazing! Another talent that she has not wasted.

She’s been painting her house the last couple of months. She muds, sands, tapes, primes, and paints to perfection! Her work looks better than most pros! Another attention to detail.

She knows how to grow the most beautiful garden. She plants like it’s an art project. She not only grows her own food, but she preserves it. She is thrifty.

My heart swells with pride watching her mother her children. When the kids were younger, she amazed me every time I saw her bend down on her knees, to their level, so she could look them straight in the eye when they needed disciplining. She did it in such a way that the kids both listened and learned a lesson. How did she always get the results she wanted? With both love and firmness, always using a calm, soft tone of voice. The kids are teenagers now. She doesn't have to bend down to look them in the eye anymore. She can do it straight on! And still gets the same results! She has an extreme amount of patience. Nothing ruffles her feathers! I adore this quality in her. It makes my heart so happy. 

My oldest daughter is knowledgeable, dependable, persistent, creative, fun, thrifty, professional, and talented! And, can be very influential... especially on her mother!

You might think I painted a picture of near perfection. Well… she is what she is! I am a lucky mama.

picture, top - patterns she designed to make the skirt, blouse, and dress she and granddaughter are wearing in the photo just below it. Her beautiful garden. bottom - painted dining room set. So country!

My oldest child.. my beautiful daughter, my friend... Kelsey.

Writing prompt #4: List 6 things you've learned from your oldest child.

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