One of the blogs I read every morning is Donna Boucher's, Quiet Life. Her photography is my inspiration and my "Encourage one another" at the end of my blog posts was "borrowed" from her. Although we have never met, she does so inspire me. Today's post especially touched me and I wanted to share.
"With enough hard work and dedication, dreams can become a reality".
Patricia Zhou
I believe that.
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Encourage one another,
As most of you read this post I'm on my way to Los Angeles for some display pieces and gift items for the new store.
Today they are framing the classroom and Friday I meet with three different flooring companies for bids. Lumber for the cabinets has been purchased and the saw dust is flying. Things are definitely coming together!
My office is stacked with boxes fIlled with some of the most exciting new buttons, flowers and embellishments. We've all been sewing up a storm to finish fresh new models and gifts to fill up our wonderful new space.
I guess you could say this new store is a total leap of faith for me. Faith that in these hard economic times you will continue to support my unconventional quilt store. Faith that things will continue to get better, that women will always want to sew and will always delight in finding carefully selected fabrics, trims and embellishments. Faith that there will always be buyers for fabulous sewing machines and beautifully made sewing furniture.
I have faith in the future of this industry just as I have faith in this country.
What I'm not so sure of however, is whether or not I can keep all of these exciting plans and merchandise under raps for another five weeks!
Encourage one another,
*************************************************************************************************
Update:
I had an unbelievable day shopping for the store! I found so many fun things and I can't wait for everything to start arriving. I can't remember ever having so much fun. Sure hope you all like them too!
Everyone has their share of life lessons. Sorrow, loss, uncertainty, triumphs, sickness. We all have our share. It is how we handle them and learn from them that defines us and helps us become who we are. It is my hope that by sharing the journey I can help and encourage others.
Recently I was given the opportunity to grow my business by moving into a much larger, more visible space within our shopping center. Negotiations went on for over two months. Yes, I was moving. No I'm staying where I am. I fought with some ugly feelings of pride, envy and jealousy. I struggled with patience. Finally I just surrendered, remembering that ultimately it's God's timing, not mine. I knew that everything would be fine, whatever the outcome.
During this whole process I had even briefly considered retirement. After all, I've been doing this for most of my life and some people seem ready to put me out to pasture. Then, last weekend I received two amazing emails. (I'd like to believe they weren't by accident). One was from a blog reader who shared my story and journey with Jeff and ALS with a friend whose son had been recently diagnosed with ALS. She said my story gave her friend courage and strength. The second was from a first time customer who found us by accident when she came to the shopping center for cupcakes and discovered something even more delicious at Strawberry Patches. It's through these encounters that I am reminded that I'm not done yet. I love this business of helping and encouraging one another. Of providing a happy place for women to come together to grow and learn and comfort one another when the journey gets rough. Right now I can't imagine my life without this important part of me called Strawberry Patches.
So, anyway, today I signed a lease on a wonderful big new space. I'm beyond thrilled and quite frankly a bit exhausted! After all, it's been a long and emotional journey . But I'm in a good place. Confident and secure that The Great Flood of 2010 was just the beginning of a plan that was yet to unfold. It was the nudge that I needed to move me to this exciting new chapter of my life.
I'm committed to be better and to do better. After all, life's journey is about becoming everything you were meant to be. I know without a doubt that I'm meant to be here for you just as you all are always here for me.
I can't wait to show you our fabulous new space and the exciting things we have planned!
And you know what? I believe through every hardship there's always a rainbow.
Sometimes you just have to be patient and wait for it.
Encourage one another,
I wanted you all to read the comment left by Kara to my last post.
Dearest Captain, As I have learned and can testify, my greatest gifts, blessings, and growth have risen out of my unknown moments (weeks, months). If I had -planned everything, I would not be who I am today because I am so limited in what I can see happen. I love that God is SO much bigger than us, our problems, our expectations! No one ever has the situation that God cannot handle or hold in His hands. Even when God reveals some answers, I believe that He uses these things to stretch our hearts, challenge our patience with faith in Him, and keep us excited about His amazing plan for Him. Above all, sit in the TRUTH that He does have you in His hands, in His plan and even though it takes an extra measure of trust today, tomorrow you will look back and smile at His glorious provision. Lay it at His feet, He always provides wisdom, peace, & joy...He might be waiting for you to lay the issues down. Love you!
God has blessed me by bringing such amazing women into my life. Kara is truly an old soul. Not yet thirty, but so wise. She constantly amazes me with her faith and wisdom. I wanted to share this because I know many of you have questions about your life, your future or your relationships.
I love you too Kara!
Encourage one another,
PS Kara: I have given this to God. Are you kidding me? You know me. I delegate everything!
I know someday I'll look back on the Great Flood of 2010 and remember how in the early hours of the Friday after Thanksgiving a plumber was summoned when water was discovered spewing from the roof of our store. By the time we arrived for work our ceilings had caved in and our carpets were soaked. There was moisture in our walls four feet high. It was a disaster of epic proportions. At least for me.
I'll remember how the next four days were so emotional as we worked to put our little store back together all while continuing to carry on a business during some of the busiest days of the year. It was exhausting. It was frustrating. And quite frankly I sometimes wondered if it was all worth it. Dealing with disaster recovery services and landlords who seemed to have more important things to deal with than my little problems. Finding yet one more thing that was ruined and adding it to a list that was growing about as fast as my fortitude was waning.
I've always believed that things happen for a reason. (The reason for our flood was a frozen copper water line that hadn't been properly weather proofed. But I'm not talking about that). I'm talking about the good that can come from bad things. Yes, even when there is a flood, there is an ark in the form of friends willing to pick us up and carry us through the storm.
We can dwell on the flood or we can remember the blessing of that ark and the promise of a rainbow. It's our choice.
Just to keep it real here, I admit I had my share of tears. I was angry that my neighbors cooler and air conditioners always leak on MY store and not theirs. I was angry that the cooler lines hadn't been properly wrapped and leaked on my space. I was angry that my vacuum was clogged with wet and crumbled ceiling tiles and my phone lines didn't work and I was totally pissed off at the property manager who wouldn't man up and take responsibility for his pipes and his plumbers screw up.
But as the carpet started to dry and the last of the mess had been sweep away I started shifting my focus from the bad to the blessings. The offers of help from customers, family and friends. The afternoon latte and delicious hot soup brought in by an employee. The beautiful bouquet of roses. I'll always remember the love.
On Wednesday I posted about our ALS quilt and a new wave of love came pouring in. I'm talking about a whole different kind of flood here people.
And then this. Oh my! I hardly feel worthy of the outpouring of love!
As I think back over the past year I am so glad I've shared my sometimes bumpy life's journey with you all because it has brought us all together and allowed us to know a bit more about what makes us tick. You've shared your faith, your love and your own story. You've prayed and bought raffle tickets and supported a little boy who is working through his grief by raising money in his daddy's memory.
You've picked this broken hearted momma up time and time again and carried me. And that, my friend, is what I choose to always remember.
Encourage one another,
Having our family all together
over the last few days
made it hard to be sad for long.
You see, silliness would frequently break out without warning and before you knew it we'd be laughing through tear stained cheeks
and emotions would swing from sad to silly and back again.
When I think back on these days, I draw strength from a family that loves unconditionally
and supports one another when times are tough.
It's the love and support from family in times like this
that lifts me up
and carries me.
Encourage one another,
A week before our first baby was born Bill brought home a stray kitten. I loved cats and he thought I'd welcome that scrawny little fur ball.
I freaked out. Wouldn't even touch it. What if it had fleas? What if I had our baby and couldn't even hold it because the kitten had given me ring worm?
Poor kitty. Poor Bill. Dang hormones. That was one of the first recollections I had of my protective motherly love kicking in.
A week later my doctor said I could drink Castor oil to start labor. (They did crazy things like that back then).
I remember taking a big swig of that nasty stuff then sticking my head in the freezer so I wouldn't throw up.
That night I went into labor with diarrhea. For the record. I don't recommend drinking Castor oil before delivering a baby.
I was twenty two when Jeff was born. He was, without a doubt, the most beautiful baby in the whole. entire. world. The day Jeff made me a mother was the day I discovered what real love was. My heart nearly burst with a love deeper than I ever thought possible.
Forty one years later Jeff continues to teach me about love.
As I shared Jeff's story and our journey, you felt our pain and helped us through this with your loving, encouraging words. You gave us your hearts when ours were breaking. I couldn't have gotten through this without you. I've never felt so loved.
Now, I think I finally understand why I started writing this silly blog - this quiet, extremely private person that I am...or was. Through your comments you reminded me of the things I always knew. About God's love and His plan for us. You prayed for us and we were strengthened by your outpouring of love. Two years ago I had no idea how much love I was going to need to get through this. My heart is full to overflowing.
Today is Jeff's birthday. Tomorrow we celebrate his life and his journey to heaven with family and friends. Happy birthday baby. I love you.
I love you all.
Encourage one another,
Come with Me
God saw you were getting tired
and a solution was not to be.
So he put his arms around you
And whispered,
"Come with Me"
With tearful eyes we watched you suffer
And saw you fade away.
Although we love you dearly,
We could not make you stay.
A golden heart stops beating,
Working hands are put to rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best.
Jeff passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 5, 2010.
Our family is comforted knowing that Jeff is once again well and strong and that we will be together again in heaven.
Encourage one another,
Jeff continues to fight but grows weaker each day. Today he received a blessing from his priest. It was emotional for me as you can imagine.
Afterwards I took the boys to lunch - Jake suggested a "real" restaurant and chose Cheesecake Factory. Bless his heart, it's been months since he and Nathan have eaten out other than fast food. After chicken strips, fries and a huge slice of strawberry cheesecake it was off to an amusement park complete with go karts and bumper boats. We had a great day together although my heart and mind was with Jeff and Cherene.
Right now we're all watching a Disney movie together with Jeff right here with us - zonked out in his chair. He's surrounded by the family that loves him and that's the important thing.
We're taking it day by day - really more like hour by hour. I pray for a peaceful night.
Encourage one another,
I feel badly that I haven't up dated sooner. So many of you pop in to see how Jeff is doing and I so appreciate that.
Last night was rough. Jeff's breathing became more and more agitated and labored throughout the afternoon and evening. The regular things weren't really helping much and by nine I told Bill that I was staying the night and sent him off to the hotel to bed.
After many calls back and forth to Hospice we got his meds to ease his discomfort and by eleven we finally got him to sleep.
One funny thing happened in the middle of the chaos. Cherene and I were trying to get Jeff comfortable. It was crazy, trying to help him breath, getting him in a comfortable chair, switching up meds and making emergency phone calls to the RN on duty. Jake walks in - in the middle of the whole drama, oblivious to what's going on and asks, "Has anyone seen my glasses case?" I look at Cherene and say, "Yeah, Jake. I think I saw it in your room." "Okay thanks!" and off he goes to bed completely unaware of what was going on.
As many of you have shared, Hospice is wonderful. They gave us an emergency med kit for situations like we experienced last night. No need to go to emergency or call a doctor. Everything is already in the house that we might need. We just call the on call RN and get instructions on how to administer the meds. Then they call back a little later to see how we're doing. If at any time we need an RN to come to the house all we have to do is call. What a blessing!
Speaking of blessings. Father Mark is coming tomorrow to see Jeff. He's the priest that married Jeff and Cherene and recently baptized Jeff. Jeff really likes him and I know his being here will be a comfort to us all.
I have been trying to decide whether to stay for awhile or go home and come back early next week. After last night it's very clear where I need to be.
Encourage one another,
