What beautiful, thoughtful answers you all have shared. I’d like to embrace all of them. Although since I’ve already retired I can cross that one off the list. 🙂
We just moved to a completely new area of the country and we have been doing much exploring of our surroundings….a completely different landscape from where I lived for the first 65 years of my life. So much more to see and do and many plans and adventures to plan and dream of….especially experiencing all the wonders of nature and wildlife that the western U.S. has to offer. With only a year to live, I imagine we’d be moving up our timeline to visit as many of these heavenly places as we could.

I love this question ♥ It’s a joy to read everyone’s quotes…all so meaningful and each one of them speaks to me. I am a “do-er” and am learning how to simply “be”. And that is enough. “Be still and know that I am God” is engraved on a plaque in my meditation room. It reminds me that I don’t have to earn God’s Love..it is freely given. It reminds me that God is in conrol and I get to let go.
I live with chronic illness, and since I’m a “do-er” this provides me with lots of opportunities for radical acceptance! Mother Teresa helps me when I’m frustrated that I have limitations and feel like I’m not contributing enough. This quote makes my heart smile and opens up my idea of what “fulfilling my purpose” means in this life:

“We can’t all do great things. But we can all do small things with great love”

I’m actually quite eager for this. Like Kevin I really don’t see this as a “stretch” This question encourages me to make that happen. I wonder how? Like Yram, my world is pretty small right now. We recently moved into a 55+ community where everyone is pretty much of the same ethnic, economic, and social backgrounds. An idea that just occured to me as I write this….like Antoinette, perhaps I can find a native speaker to help me become more fluent in Spanish. I love learning about different cultures…they all have their own unique history and deep, meaningful traditions.
So blessed and grateful to be here with you this morning. Thank you all for your honest, thoughtful and generous sharing. ♥

Cara Anna….it is by God’s grace that I am here to be with you and our dear friend Mary. How precious and miraculous are our friendships throughout these years and across the miles. My heart is with yours as you process this disappointment and hurtful words from friends in your beloved choir that has brought you so much joy.

I admire so much your honest sharing with us and I had to smile when you talked about your “little flame of opposition”. I hope that you will always keep that flame burning just a little Anna…it is a passionate flame that the world needs more of. I have every confidence that your light will continue to shine, and with Divine guidance, will shine with peace. This is your nature Anna and it could not be otherwise. .

~Sending you my love, blessings and un grande abbraccio mio amica ♥♥♥

Dearest Mary….My heart is hurting for you my friend. In this, sadly, we are kindred spirits. We have shared so much with each other here that has bonded us together in a very special way…including this painful loss of a sister.

I pray that your sweet memories and deepening relationships with loved ones will be a comfort to your soul. It is a Grace as you have recognized. I have grown closer to my nieces since my sister passed and that has been a blessing.

Mary….I hope that with time, your regrets will fade as you come to accept that you did what you could. I am speaking from my heart as one who understands. My prayer for you also is that you will feel her presence from time to time. My sister has visited me…it is a mystery, but she has reassured me that she is happy to be reunited with her husband and our beloved Nana.

I’m grateful that God prompted me to check in this morning. May you feel all the love, light and prayers that are being sent to you from this sacred community. You have blessed us all by your heartfelt, vulnerable and generous sharing of your pain. God bless you my friend as you move forward in this life, as we all must. I’ve no doubt that you will continue to be a shining light for your family and all of those blessed to have you in their lives. ♥♥♥
~Shalom dear friend

Hello Holly….I hope you don’t mind if I respond to your post to our dear friend Pilgrim. I don’t presume to speak for her, but I want you to know that Pilgrim has always had “room in her heart” for any new people who have joined us here in this community. We all have. You are correct in saying that this is an inclusive community and those of us who have been here for many years have always honored that spirit.

What Pilgrim (and I) have been conversing about is that the direction has changed and yes, you are a major contributor to that change. With that being said, it is obvious that you have met a need here and that needs to be honored as well.
You have provided a place for people to come and chat and that is lovely. But it is a big change and with any big change comes loss. It really has nothing to do with not “accepting” newer people. I can say with total conviction that Pilgrim has opened her arms and provided wisdom, compassion and unconditional acceptance to all of those who have come and gone over the years. Her heart has more than enough room and it’s important to me that you know that..

I hope that you will continue to bring your own unique self to this community….which many here seem to be thoroughly enjoying.
~Blessings to you Holly

You are so sweet ch…thank you for your kind words. I am grateful to have been a part of a truly sacred community all these years. I feel that I have received so much more than I could possibly give.
Lately, I had been limiting myself to posting on what was our “prayer Tuesday” but now that day has become a coffee clatch of sorts and, although I can see that many dear ones are blessed by this, I feel it is time for me to find another forum in which to share my own musings.
Blessings upon blessings to you friend during this beauitful Lenten and coming-of-spring season. ☘🌷🌺🌼
~With grateful love ♥