Monthly Archives: January 2019

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How a 40-Minute commute Turned Into a 2-Hour Drive

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My Weekly Commute

Once a week I travel to my place of employment for our weekly staff meeting and lunch. I work in Orlando, Florida a little less than 30 miles from home (29.7 miles to be exact). Commuting is a hassle for me since I don’t enjoy driving. Therefore, I am always in search of alternate routes – even if I have to pay tolls – to make commuting more comfortable.

Things Don’t Always Go My Way

My feelings weren’t any different this week. I was feeling a bit under the weather so I left work before lunch at about 1:28 p.m. I figured I’d be home by 2:10 in the afternoon at the latest. Since there is construction on the Interstate 4 – also known as I4, (when is there never construction on I4), I had to take a detour to the interstate entrance. It was already congested so my first thought was to exit at the East-West Expressway (408) and take that route home. But I quickly realized that was not a good idea when I saw there was congestion on 408 as well. So, I decided to stay on I4. I figured that if I was going to be stuck in traffic then might as well stay on the route without tolls.

Traveler Wows Agency

No Relief In Sight

The traffic congestion was so insane that my speedometer never went past 6 mph! According to construction signs, there were two closed lanes further ahead. “This is a nightmare,” I thought and once I saw the John Young Pkwy exit I felt a sense of relief! “I can take that route home too!” I thought. Once on John Young Pkwy, the first two to three miles flowed freely and then it happened. All of a sudden, we were no longer moving. And with the stop lights, it was worse than I4! My speedometer was between 3 and 4 mph. What now?

There’s Traffic Everywhere!

While speaking with my husband on the phone (hands-free of course), he suggested I take Central Florida Pkwy and cut through International Drive. So, as soon as I reached Central Florida Pkwy and saw that there was no congestion, I made a right and continued driving. Finally, I’ll make it home! I reached International Drive and made my turn. What a bummer. Traffic congestion again, what could it be?

On International Drive

A Lesson Learned

This time it was a dump truck and huge commercial landscape equipment blocking all three lanes. Luckily, that didn’t last long and in less than 10 minutes I was back on my merry way home. Once on the Osceola Pkwy and crossing the I4 overpass, I looked towards the I4 and realized there was no more traffic congestion. I laughed and thought, “Had I stayed on I4 I would’ve probably been home by now.” I finally made it safely home at 3:30 p.m. A ride that should’ve taken me no more than 40 minutes took me 2 hours – exactly why I don’t enjoy driving. Next time I’ll just “chill” in traffic.

Moral of this story: Taking short cuts will not always get you to your destination faster.

Safe driving everyone!

Grief, Healing, Life, Mother's Grief, Mother's Heart, Spirituality

Life After the Loss of Our Child

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I Need A Magic Wand

I’m not perfect and I don’t have it all figured out. I am at a good place in my grieving process. So, when I see someone who I’ve befriended on Facebook or that I know struggling with the grief of losing their son/daughter it breaks my heart. I wish I could help them get to that place of peace that I have reached. I would love to help them try to live fully in memory of their child. If only they knew what I’ve learned on how to live life after the loss of our child. Can I get a magic wand to make that pain go away?

The Pain is Unbearable

It hurts, I know. It seems as if there is no hope in sight. The days are long and the nights are longer. We don’t think we’ll make it. There’s no space in our mind for anything else except to grieve the loss of our loved one. There is only plenty of space to relive every second of our last moments with them and mourn every day of our lives.

Who Are My Guardian Angels?

There Truly Are No Words

We know people mean well, but we really don’t care to hear anyone’s advice or comforting words because there aren’t any that will help us understand why. This holds true especially when coming from people who have never experienced such a loss. And, believe it or not, a simple hug will do much more than words. We don’t want to think about anything else other than our deceased child so trying to divert our attention towards other things won’t help either. I know because I’ve been there.

What Were Their Dreams?

My only advice to those who are grieving the loss of their son/daughter is to try to live for them. If your child(ren) were of talking age, most likely you’ve had conversations with them. Try to recall those conversations. What did they like? What did they want to do and didn’t have the chance to? Where did they want to go? What were their dreams? So, once you’ve identified those things, try living for them. Do, in their memory, what they could not. Try fulfilling those dreams for them.

Life After Death with Bios Urn

Keeping Their Memory Alive

If they loved horses spend time at a stable, volunteer at one or go horseback riding in your child(ren)s memory. Did they enjoy dancing? Then take dance lessons, teach dancing to another child or something to that effect. What was their favorite color? Paint a wall in your home in that color and make it a memorial wall for your child. There are so many things that to do in memory of our child(ren) which will keep us busy, give us a sense of accomplishment and believe me, make us feel happy once we reach our goal. Most important of all, our child(ren) will be so happy and proud of us even though they’re in heaven. And, there’s no better feeling than knowing that our child(ren) are happy.

We Shall Live

I wish I had a little magic wand to make my grieving friends whole again, but I don’t. That little magic wand is within each one of us. Only you can make it happen and believe me, it is possible and it does help us continue to live.

My heartfelt blessings to all. {{Hug}}

Diary of a Grieving Mother’s Heart

Diary Of A Grieving Mother’s Heart is a compilation of my grieving journals, rants, sadness, and joy. I’ve been through many different scenarios – both good and bad – which have helped me reach the place of peace that I now have. I invite you to explore my journey and I pray that, as it helped me, it will help you. You can find it on Amazon in paperback and in Kindle version too.

Anger, Healing, Life, Negativity

The Greatest Gift is Life – Learn to Live It

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“For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Anger Is Everywhere

Why is there so much anger in this world? It’s like if people were angry at being given another day of life! Whatever happened to waking up and being thankful for another day of life? I see it every day on the road, on social media, while shopping, and I wonder what has happened to humanity?

Hostile Commuters

While commuting to work early in the morning I can see the anger in other commuters. Hostile drivers drive erratically and have no regard for their fellow drivers. People honk their horns on the milli-second of the traffic light change. They tail-gate the slower drivers even if these are doing the speed limit. Maybe they didn’t get a good night’s sleep.

No Good News

I don’t watch TV or listen to the news often, but when I do, there’s the anger splattered all over the media. Politics, homicides, missing people, accidents, etc. Why can’t the news talk about something nice for a change?

Following Social Media

Then when I log onto any of the social media platforms there it is again. The ones who berate others with their negative comments. Those who are annoyed by photos of happy couples, selfies, and family vacations. Others who judge the mourning or ill. Just this morning I was talking with my husband about this. And precisely today, when I logged onto Facebook, the first post I see was one about allowing others to express themselves. I enjoyed reading it therefore, I’m sharing it below.

Life Is Short

So, why not let people be? Stop with the hatred and negativity. Let’s spread love and positive energy. Maybe we should take a look at those who are thankful for their lives and learn from them. Life is short. We don’t know about tomorrow. So let’s be grateful for today. Appreciate what we have and live like if it were the last day of our lives because, in reality, we never know when we will be called home.

Facebook Post

To the pregnant women on social media posting constant updates and belly pictures — I love seeing how excited you are to become a Mom.

To the stay-at-home parents posting about cooking, baking and homemaking — I love seeing how you manage the hard work of being a provider for your family. 

To the person posting their whereabouts or new gadgets — thanks for showing how blessed you are. This will serve as a reminder for us to work hard and strive to achieve our goals.

To the people posting about your fitness and health — I love seeing your progress pictures, your healthy meals, your gym check ins…I especially love seeing your before and after pictures! You inspire me with your strength. 

To the women posting selfies — thanks for letting young girls know that it’s okay to love yourself and to feel beautiful! 

To the Mom posting a million pictures of your kids — it makes my heart so happy to see parents so proud of their babies! 

To the happy couple, constantly posting love posts — thank you for being a reminder to the next generation that all hope isn’t lost and happy marriages/steady relationships most definitely DO exist. 

To the business owners who constantly post about your work — keep going! Your will and passion for what you do is outstanding! 

Let’s stop being annoyed by everything and start lifting each other up! #

If you feel the world would be a better place if everyone would think this way feel free to Copy & Paste. 

Healing, Life, Short Stories, Spirituality

Listening to the Sounds of Wind Chimes

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I love wind chimes. I enjoy listening to their melodic sounds. They help me calm down and meditate. I can sit and listen to a wind chime for hours. I have nine wind chimes ranging between metal, wood, stone, and glass. They all sound so peaceful. You’d think one would go crazy listening to so many sounds at the same time. But no, that’s not the case. It really is enjoyable and just the perfect tone needed to feel relaxed – maybe too relaxed I’d say.

One of my many wind chimes

Wind chimes have been around for a very long time. There are a few legends surrounding them. Some believe wind chimes could get rid of bad energy such as in Feng Shui; others thought they attracted ghosts, and also forecast the weather. I don’t believe in any of these legends. I just know it gives my home a sense of tranquility which I and my visitors love. So you take your pick, what is your belief about wind chimes?

My favorite wind chime’s melodic sound