I am passionate about life, family, friends, and relationships. This blog is about survival. It's about the voyage through grief, and heartache, and joy, love and loss. It's about my experiences, and the very raw, and personal journey, and the highs and lows of living life in the best way I know how. It is honest, and real, and is often uncomfortable.
As we released these balloons into the atmosphere and watched them float up..up..up..there was a strange sense of triumph and awe for me in that moment. Not quite what I was expecting, but non the less it was there. It was a rather dismal grey sky, with the promise of blue hiding behind the cloud … More The Rain in my heart
“The serenity of a clear blue mountain lake..” Thank you John Denver for that evocative line.. When I was young, I always liked John Denver. His voice was so melodious and soothing, and the pictures He drew in my mind were filled with images like this one. I recall putting on my earphones, popping in … More Rocky Mountain High..yes please…
This boy/man of mine…Logan, where do I start? He makes me laugh like no other! I don’t even know what it is exactly about him, but his gift is humor is contagious. He has many other things going for him, but his ability to make me completely lose it in laughter is unsurpassed. He loves … More The incredible gift of laughter
The sun came out today. I didn’t think that it would, in fact, I kind of dared it not to…However as we opened our eyes from bidding a farewell prayer to my beloved child over her casket..there it was…the sunshine. I’m not gonna lie, it has been rather gloomy and cloudy the last few days, … More The Sun came out today
As I sit down this morning at my pine rough hewn breakfast table, I’m struck with the exquisite glory of morning sunshine, which turns the fresh sunflowers In the red glass vase in front of me, the most delicious hue of smoky golden yellow. It is just breathtaking to me.. A dear friend lovingly brought … More Bathed in Glorious Light
I wait….I wonder…I lay awake and my mind travels afar off in this darkness of the night. The moon hangs “like a fingernail” against the impossible blackness. It is only a slice of moon, but it illuminates so gracefully the void in such a pretty arch. I stare out my window, and my thoughts turn … More In the absolute quiet of the night
The pilot announced from the cockpit..”fasten your seat belts ladies and gentlemen..we are expecting turbulence!” These are never words that one finds comforting to hear, in fact the exact opposite occurs when the word turbulence is heard. It brings fear, anticipation, and a “hang on for dear life” type of mentality. As those words rung … More The View from above…perspective is everything
I cannot fathom that I am truly in France today…going to a local market. The air is warm on my face, the sun brightens the day, and I am full of wonder at where this day will take us. We have traveled far, and are spending our time at my cousin’s lovely home in Thouars. … More Joy and forgiveness on a French holiday
We are all broken…all of us in some way or another. There are those with whom this condition is very obvious, but I fear there are so many more of us that our hurts, pain, and brokenness remains hidden. It is always so inspiring to me when people humbly ask for help…all pride aside, and … More Come all who are broken…..
Jilly Brandon 