Today, July 14th is my late husband Paul's birthday. I miss him every day, his birthday is one of those days where I miss him even more.
 When I first met Paul in 1981 he felt birthdays were no big deal he would say "it's just another day".  So, when his birthday came around that first year that we were dating I made sure to get him a card and a present.  My birthday just so happens to be six days after his on July 20th. It was then, that he saw another side of birthdays with singing, cake and presents.  He smiled at all of this and he took part in the celebration.
As time went on, and we began our life together, our children would make him birthday cards with the crayons and art supplies we had on hand. One year in particular they made signs, with little words on the signs, they then taped the signs to the floor to make a path that led him to his birthday cards.  Most certainly a special day for him.
Today I spent some time at the cemetery-my small way of letting him know I miss him and love him.
While I was there, I read this "Goodbyes are not forever. Goodbyes are not the end. They simply mean I'll miss you, until we meet again".  With faith in Jesus taking our past, present and future sins to the cross, we keep this faith that we will see our loved ones again. Hebrews 11:1 tells us "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Thank you for visiting my small, humble blog.

Have a blessed day.

Patty

It may not always be easy to "Begin Each Day With A Grateful Heart"-however, if at all possible, I try my best to find something to be thankful for each day.
One way to make this an ongoing endeavor and to keep me accountable-each Thursday I send a group text to my daughters called "Thankful Thursday" and we each reply with something we are thankful for. Some weeks it may be a struggle to find something to be thankful for. Other weeks there are many things to be thankful for. We each do our best to reply with at least one thing we are thankful for.
Since doing this, I have found myself more aware of the many blessings I have.  It has helped me focus on the positive and not so much of the negative.
I also found this wonderful article on the 10 benefits of giving thanks, hopefully this will be helpful to you as well.
I would like to share this blog post on the 10 benefits of giving thanks

Feel free to comment below on something you are thankful for today.
Have a wonderful day.
Thank you for visiting my small, humble blog.

God bless you,
Patty

Happy 4th of July!
The 4th of July is an official holiday when my work place is closed and with today being a Wednesday it feels somewhat awkward to be home. However, I'm not complaining-ha ha. I'm going to enjoy this mid-week break of rest.
 For some, I realize it may not be a day of rest. Perhaps you are dealing with things that will not give you rest. Perhaps having a day off from work is not an option. For all these things my heart goes out to you. I do understand to some degree what it is like not to be able to rest. When I'm so overcome with grief from the loss of my son Joe and the loss of my husband, Paul rest seems so far away.  At those times all I can do is take one moment at a time.  Those words may sound so ordinary; however, those words came to life for me when dealing with grief.  Turning to God's Word is helpful as well in Matthew 11:28 we are told to "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest"
Today I would like to offer up a little prayer for you:
Lord, today I give you all my burdens that will not give me rest.  In Matthew 11:28 it tells us to "come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest". Lord help me to know that You will give me rest and that You are with me at all times. In Jesus name, Amen.
May you have an enjoyable 4th of July and hoping you will find some time to rest.
Thank you for visiting my small humble blog.

~Patty~