Lady Traveler's Appointment.

There will always be the unknown.  There will always be the unprovable.

But faith confronts those frontiers with a thrilling leap.

Then life becomes vibrant with adventure!

Our old hometown, Huntington Beach, CA
There we are, camping near the Surf City pier
2016

There were times when I asked myself,

Who am I?

Why am I here?

Where am I going?

I have a feeling you've asked yourself those questions 

at least once in your life, 

especially on a bad day.

Through my seventy-one years,

I'm slowly learning who I am, why I'm here,

but I still don't know where I'm going.

Well, besides heaven.

I've stopped wearing most my masks.

For example, the one that politely answers,

I'm just fine, thank you.

when someone asks how I am.

When actually I want to say,

I'm crappy, thank you.

I'm going through a divorce,

I can't eat or sleep,

my Mother just died,

and my Daddy has been diagnosed with Parkinson's.

(that was me, back in 1986)

Where's my mask?
Zion National Park, UT  2016

Through the years, through many challenges,

God has shown me how to be more honest.

I don't have to say all the right words,

and do all the right things.

I don't have to be perfect.

So I threw my sweaty, stinky masks in the trash can.

(don't you remember those confining halloween masks 

you wore when you were a kid? Yuk!)

And with that came such freedom!

Freedom!!
Moab, UT  2016

I love the story of Esther because 

she didn't know what her outcome would be,

but she resigned herself to obey God anyway.

And her obedience saved millions of Jews from annihilation.

That was her appointment.

Read her story in the Old Testament to inspire and encourage you

because each of us has an 'appointment.'

I say all that to say this, my friend:

You are special.

You have an appointment for such a time as this.

(wife, mother, single career gal, doctor, nutritionist, architect, writer,

artist, housekeeper, whatever your title)

You might not know all the details, but that's okay.

You have a purpose, an assignment.

Whether big or little in our sight, it doesn't matter.

It's BIG in God's eyes,

and that's all that really matters.

So I ask myself daily,

Am I in alignment with my assignment?

(that has a ring to it, doesn't it?)

As you pray, God will guide you daily, step by step.

Simple, isn't it?

That gives us the freedom to enjoy our life,

God's creation, and God's blessings,

I wish you oceans of freedom blessings!

... and who knows whether thou art come to the kingdom 

for such a time as this?

Esther 4:14

www.sharonleaf.com

My Mother, the Traveler

My Mother, a true southern belle

Mommy's warm brown eyes showed me love every day

My sweet southern belle Mama, Katherine Sue (Sue Dee)

left a legacy of faith, love, and laughter.  

She was born and raised in Sumter, South Carolina, 

content to never leave her hometown.  

Her family was poor, and her mom and dad died 

when she was a young girl. 

Her first husband was murdered right before her eyes.  

A few years later, she met my Daddy when he was stationed at 

Shaw Air Force Base. 

They soon married, had a darling baby girl (me!), 
and five months later
they were on a train heading for California.  

Mom's first trip across country.  Mine too.  

Before flying was in, traveling cross country 

via trains, buses and automobiles was the norm.

My Mommy, the beauty queen,
in the backyard of our 2-bedroom house in the 50's
Downey, California

When I was fifteen, Mom got up enough nerve to 

climb aboard a Greyhound bus in Los Angeles, 

along with me and my fourteen-year-old brother, 

and set out east to Surfside, South Carolina for the summer.

To most of you, that's not a big deal.  

But as I look back, I know that those two journeys for Mom 

was a very big deal.  

She was shy, fearful, a worrier, and a home-body.  

She was happy staying home, taking care of John and me, 

cleaning, ironing, cooking, 

taking us to church every Sunday ... 
all the things that were important to her.

But there were moments when she had to 

lose sight of her safe shore and dive into a new ocean. 

Yay, Mom!

When she died at the young age of sixty-six,
(heart issues and Multiple Sclerosis) 

a big piece of my life was taken from me.  

I was going through a divorce,

so I took refuge in God and 
raising my two wonderful children.

Mom isn't far from me; 

she just moved to heaven where I will one day join her.  

I know she is dancing and singing with Jesus, 

talking her head off, as usual, 

and making everyone laugh without even trying.  

That's my sweet southern Mama in a nutshell.
There's much more, but I'll leave the rest in my
Memory Box.

My message today: 

Wherever your mother may be, near or far, 

take some time to reminisce of times gone by.  

If she's still with you, ask her some questions, 

because when she's gone, it will be too late.  

I have so many questions I wish I had asked about her childhood, her younger years, her thoughts on topics-of-the-hour.  

I knew she loved Tom Jones and The Beatles.  

She sang Morning Has Broken and 

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross 

when she ironed and prepared dinner. 

Her first love was Jesus.

To all of you mothers--and YOUR mothers--

I wish you oceans of Mother's Day blessings!

www.sharonleaf.com

Lady Traveler, walking, biking, & swimming in Surfside ~ Part 3

One doesn't realizes how beautiful it is to travel until 

one comes home and

rests one's head on one's old,  familiar pillow.

Happy to be back in Surfside, SC May 2017

What a wonderful, whimsical week I had at

Ocean Lakes in Surfside, South Carolina.

Morning, afternoon, and evening swims.

Likewise, morning, afternoon, and evening walks along the beach.

Ditto bikerides.

Meeting new friends.
And of course, lots of writing.

My beach walks were my favorite times.
Each day as I gazed out at the magnificent Atlantic,
memories returned of the weeks spent crossing the Pond
on the WWII ship, MS Restoration.

Surrounded by miles of water, I was always reminded of how small I was,
and how great our God is.

Enjoying the surf with a dear friend.
Thank you, Betty and Reg, for driving down from Florence,
not once, but twice!
(they will follow us anywhere!)

I'm writing this blog from the comfort--and spaciousness--of my home-on-land.

(I consider Moon River to be our home-on-wheels).

Two homes.  Two worlds.

All the comforts of home.  It's called 'glamping'!

Popcorn loves glamping too!

Upon arriving home after our long drive home from the beach on Sunday,

(the traffic was bad)

my body needed to move around, so Rob and I spent several hours

emptying the RV of food, clothes, dirty laundry, etc.

Finally, after a long-awaited shower, I fell into bed and slept for 10 hours!

I never sleep that long, so I guess my body was telling me something:

Take a break.

Now, enough about me.

Many of you tell me that you are living vicariously through my travels,

thus, the title of my blog, Lady Traveler.

Some of you, due to circumstances beyond your control

--health issues, family responsibilities, work obligations--

cannot take off and travel for long periods of time.

(By the way, we couldn't either until Rob retired in 2015.

Also, we were care givers for Rob's Mother until she went to heaven in 2015).

A few of you just do not have the desire to travel.

You're content with staying at home, which is wonderful.

Travel isn't for everyone.

I just happen to love the combination of staying at home and traveling.

My encouragement to you is small, yet wise:

Wherever you are, at home or on the road,

Make each day count.

Smile, and thank God that He has allowed you to live another day.

Be aware of your surroundings.

There is someone outside your door that needs your smile,

that needs a word of encouragement from YOU.

Lady Traveler's view from Moon River
Surfside, South Carolina 2017

June will find Lady Traveler heading west to Shawnee, Oklahoma to an ACA Rally,

then north to Missouri to visit our son and d-in-love,

Shawn and Frances (yay!)

God only knows where we'll end up in July ...

Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, North Carolina ... 

Time will tell.

For now, this lady is going to spend the month of May 

enjoying every minute at home,

resting, writing, and 

inviting family and friends over for food,

coffee, sweet tea, a glass of wine,

and good ol' southern hospitality.

A view of Lady Traveler's backyard. Home sweet home.

Lady Traveler wishes you oceans of Mother's Day blessings,

and lots of rest in Him.

Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads,

and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

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Lady Traveler taking a long, beachy walk to the Surfside Pier - Part 2

Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.

Broken Pier.  Broken Promises
Surfside Pier after Hurricane Matthew 2016

Returning to Surfside is always nostalgic for me.

Loving the present, and remembering the past.

After we set up camp at Ocean Lakes on Sunday,

I took the long walk to the Surfside Pier.

How wonderful it is to walk without pain, thanks to my new bionic knee.

As I approached the familiar pier, I noticed her damages.

Boards were torn off, her sidings down, and the end of the pier was literally demolished.

The pier was closed.

I later found out that her injuries were caused from Hurricane Matthew

that fiercely blew through the area last September.

Her injuries reminded me of my own knee injury.
Thank the good Lord that mine was repaired and better than new.
This is what I wish for the old Surfside Pier.

I stood for a long time, thinking of the memories that old pier represented.

It was the summer of 1961.

Flashbacks of ...
My Uncle Jimmy Bobo fishing off the end of the pier,

My young brother's first kiss at the end of the pier.

My hand-in-hand stroll with a 15-year-old tall Texan to the end of that pier.
(sorry, I'm not giving any further details).

And my cousin who eventually married a young man who worked at The Pavilion.

So many memories of fun in the sun with my family and new friends.

Two years later, my parents gave me a graduation gift:

a trip on a Greyhound bus to Surfside, South Carolina.

Much fun! More memories. And a few broken promises.

I smiled as I took the long walk back to Ocean Lakes,

thankful for my life, my husband, my family, my friends.

So much to be thankful for.

Even my memories.  

Eating breakfast at Surf Diner on the Surfside Pier, SC
Remembering.
And oh yes, delicious food and beachy atmosphere!

Until next time,
I wish you oceans of wonderful present memories.

To those who use well what they are given, 

even more will be given,

and they will have an abundance.

Matthew 25:29

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Lady Traveler walking and biking at Myrtle Beach--Part 1

Walk on a rainbow trail; walk on a trail of song, and all about you will be beauty.
There is a way out of every dark mist, over a rainbow trail.

Myrtle Beach State Park Pier SC
April 2017

Sea Captain's House, Myrtle Beach
One of my favorite restaurants

We drove three hours to arrive at this beautiful stretch of coastline
at Myrtle Beach State Park, South Carolina.
Our campsite is a two minute walk to the warm Atlantic Ocean.
They have two small markets; clean facilities; friendly atmosphere.
Note: Not all full hook-up sites will handle 50-Amps.

Rustic campsites
Heavy tree canopy; restricts satellite reception.
Local TV antennas seem to work.

After seven days of bliss, we are counting our blessings to have experienced God's beautiful creation.
Walking with Jesus by the sea was a peaceful joy I shall cherish.

Miles of long, sandy beaches
Myrtle Beach State Park, SC

Time flies when you are having such tranquility.
Morning cup(s) of coffee.  Breakfast.
Then decisions of what to do to fill the day.
Up speaks the Activities Director (me):
Morning walk on the beach. Bike ride. Lunch.
Afternoon nap (optional).
WRITING (mandatory). Reading. (optional)
Seashore walks.
Lounging on the beach.
Afternoon nap (mandatory)
Showers.
Dinner.
Game time.
Movie time.
Bed time (optional).
Believe me, I'm ready to hit the bed by ten o'clock.
You say, "No TV?"
That's right.
Life is Good

And of course there is walking our Princess Popcorn several times a day.
She loves the glamping life, as do I.
I notice she's getting older (14) because she loves getting cozy indoors, as am I (71 at last count).

Now onward to Ocean Lakes RV Resort, just a mile south of here.

I set my rainbow in the cloud, 

and it shall be for a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.

Genesis 9:13

Whether around the world, or around the block,
I wish you oceans of daily adventures!

www.sharonleaf.com