Lady Traveler ~ Oceans of blessings

The gift of life unwraps itself through time;

all we need to do is sit back and enjoy its contents.

Surfside Pier, South Carolina

Truly each day is a gift of life.

The older I get, the more I appreciate each moment.

With all of the everyday trials and tribulations we go through,

it's vital to embrace the tranquility in our daily lives.

Our family.  Our friends.  Our health.  Our daily bread.

Spending the last three weeks at the beach,

I allowed my surroundings to take me away ...

the sea breeze, the salty air,

the sound of the sea, the sand between my long toes,

the sun and the moon reflecting their light on the warm Atlantic Ocean ...

I could have stayed forever,

and I asked myself several times,

"Why don't we move here?"

Then I came to my senses.

I know that I am right where I'm supposed to be, for now.

Near family.  Near friends I've made over the past few years.

Involved in a loving church.

Surrounded by caring neighbors in a great neighborhood.

A home that overlooks a pond where deer roam in the wee hours of the morning.

I could go on and on.

I'm sure there are times when you wish you were somewhere else.

The mountains.  The desert.  The sea.  On a lake.

For now, it's important for you to be happy right where God has you.

You're there for a reason.  Perhaps for only a season.

So make the best of this precious time.

Here's a few pictures of our days at
Myrtle Beach State Park and Ocean Lakes in South Carolina

The beauty of the South Carolina coastline.

The Blue Angels Air Show in Myrtle Beach, SC
They flew over the ocean above our campground!
What a sight to see.
And loud!!

Princess Popcorn knows how to relax in our
40-foot home-on-wheels, Moon River.

Love at the Beach

Love at the Beach

Sea shells.  Some perfect.  Some broken.
All beautiful.




Let me switch gears for a moment.

Today, May 14,  2018 is a profound moment in history.

President Trump recently declared Jerusalem as Israel's capitol.

Today the U.S. moved their Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Many are politicizing this event.  I look at it from the Bible's point of view.

It's a prophetic sign that is written in God's Word. 

So today I rejoice with the people of Israel!

Shout and sing for joy, you people of Jerusalem,

because the Holy One of Israel does great things before your eyes.

Isaiah 12:6

Here's wishing you oceans of blessings!

To order LADY and the SEA, go to my website:

www.sharonleaf.com

Mother's Day 2018

Lady Traveler remembering ...

My Mom

I could write about my mother for days.  Instead, I decided to post an excerpt from my book, Lady and the Sea. As I re-read this today, these moments came alive as if it happened just yesterday.  

I know you moms out there will relate to my story, especially if your mother has gone on to heaven.

  

Lady and the Sea, Chapter 8, page 36:

Fighting the traffic from Downey to Torrance was worth the frustration for Rosie to spend time with her mother.  Through the years Katherine had given her daughter the spiritual strength that helped sustain her through some rough times.  Now as Rosie sat on the hospital bed, Katherine kept Rosie in touch with her childhood memories and her spiritual heritage.

"Mom, you're my hero," Rosie would tell her over and over but Katherine was too insecure for such talk, changing the subject back to the good old days.  Then Katherine would dismiss her.  "Rosie, it's getting late.  You can go now."

The past weeks revealed to Rosie that her weekly visits were numbered.  Multiple Sclerosis had taken its tole.  Now bed-ridden, Katherine grew weaker with each passing day, now looking twenty years older than her sixty-six years.

One evening as Rosie leaned over to kiss her mother good-bye, her heart became heavy.  Now small and frail, Katherine's brown eyes still held their glimmer.  Can this be the same woman who selflessly gave her shoulder for me to lean on for so many years? Rosie thought as she kissed her mother's cheek.  "Mom, you're my beautiful southern belle."

Rosie knew it was time to release her mother to her heavenly home.  Their tears blended as they prayed.  God must have been ready too, because as Rosie held her mother close, Katherine was already half way there.

Two nights later Rosie was awakened at three in the morning by the ringing of the telephone.  A nurse politely said, "I'm sorry to inform you that your mother passed in her sleep."

Rosie sat on the bed and looked heavenward.  "Mom, you're home at last. And we'll all be together again one day."

Through the night, the One who had been temporarily separated from His father as He hung on a cross so many years ago, gave Rosie comfort.

  

Mom in the backyard in our house in Downey, CA

And I cannot forget to mention our special lady, 'Gi-Gi' ... Rob's beloved mother.  When I met Rob in 1987, she filled the void of the loss of my Mom.  She went to heaven three years ago and we will always miss her and talk about the funny things she'd say and do (like saving boxes and boxes of toilet paper!)

Marcella Leaf (Gi-Gi--Great-Grama) eating her favorite meal:
strawberry pancakes at Ihop.

Here's wishing you oceans of Mother's Day blessings!

You can order Lady and the Sea on 

www.Amazon.com or go to my website:

www.sharonleaf.com