Freedom to Love. When Freedom isn’t Free.

A day to remember those who protect our nation and our freedom.

A day to connect, or reconnect with family as summer casts it’s golden spell on our country.

A day to remember what all of this means ~

A day to enjoy company of friends and neighbors at the Village Parade. This weekend, as my husband dresses in his Fire Fighter’s Uniform, dressed in their best, they ready to march in our town’s parade in honor of those who gave so much for our freedom . Across the country, children and their parents gather for their Town’s Memorial Day Parade ~ little ones will sit on the sidewalks and wave their flags as the band goes by, some will cower under Dad’s arm because the fire truck sirens are wailing too loudly. Gramma has her lawn chair settle near the curb, her eyes in her family and remembering the loss, the sacrifice other family members have made; but, her grand-children are free. These children are blessed.

Later, maybe, they’ll have a BBQ or a picnic at the lake or beach. And that’s good, because today is a day to be with the family and to remember.

”It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Abraham Lincoln,16th President of the United States ~ Gettysburg Address
Thank you all, who have given so much to preserve our Freedom and the Freedom’s of others.
God Bless America!
Pray for God’s blessing on America. Ask for God’s protection over all branches of our military.

If you can’t be with all of your loved ones…remember them as you enjoy your freedom.

Remembering, connecting, and enjoying all that these day have to offer ~ here on lil’ farm.

Be well,

Jess

Butterflies and Ruby

Why do I associate Ruby with butterflies? I’m not real sure, to be honest.

It may be that at the time she was born my beautiful niece Courtney was terribly ill. Butterflies and babies are hope. Oh, and she was a marvelous baby, with a sweet, spunky demeanor. A face you immediately fall in love with.

I tend, as you do, to find beauty in things I love. Photographing these things is only natural; capturing the simple things in our lives, where we go and where we’ve been.

(Ruby loving on a friend.)

It may be that butterflies are a lesson of letting go, their beauty is only with us for a short time. As was our beautiful Courtney. Her beauty, deep within, touching every facet of our lives. She became our glue. She kept our hearts close, our spirits yearning for one more minute.

Courtney, with butterfly’s wings will fly gracefully and beautifully; a gentle dance on the breeze, from flower to flower.

“I like living, I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow, but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing.” ~ Agatha Christie

Be well,

Jess

A month of Thanksgiving ~ Day 4

Loss comes in many forms: the death of a loved one, an ended relationship, the loss of a home. Sometimes it’s more abstract — a job loss can cause you to lose yourself and your identity.

November 4, 2011

Courage to be me.

I am thankful I have the courage to be myself; earlier this year I lost my job, a stressful time for sure, but within that stress I was able to find a new sense of peace, a harmony within myself. I am not young, so the thought of starting over was overwhelming beyond measure…after what seemed to be an eternity of tears and self indulgent pity (actually a week or so) I finally came to the realization: this is a perfect time to re-evaluate what I want from my career and life. (I should add, I was blessed to have a thoughtful caring husband, who was relieved that I was no longer in that position…he did not think I should be in a position that brought me home in tears on a weekly if not daily basis, and yes, financially it is terribly difficult – we are finding a way to make it) I will use this time to find where I truly belong, maybe it will be to paint, to create, to do what makes me feel alive, what captures my imagination, or do what comes naturally to me… Perhaps I will use this time to start the business I have many times planned, but never had the guts to begin…still,it’s easy to become mired in frustration; I have often had to take time out to regain perspective. My life has thus far been based on the belief an assumption, maybe…if you work hard and do your absolute best, everything will work out…now I need to apply that theory to myself and everything will work out.
In the end, it is me who needs to answer all of these questions to be able to go forward being true to myself…this loss has enabled me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life. For that I am grateful.

Here are some photos I took through out the past summer..I hope you enjoy them.

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life… Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary…Steve Jobs

Be well,
Jessica