My Daughter's Shoes

A pair of shoes...many steps have been taken in this pair of shoes. They were given to me by my daughter. They are her Sperry's. She loved them, they are super comfy. She wore them to pieces. Then one day she got a new pair of Sperry's and gave these to me. Little did she know that they were going to have a whole new life with me.

I have worn them almost every day since she gave them to me. My daughter lives many miles away from me in the mountains. She is going through some difficult times. Overcoming great obstacles in her life. I cannot be near her, she is married and has a home of her own. I have a family to raise and take care of here. But... my heart will always be her heart. When her heart is hurting...my heart is hurting too.

When I wear her shoes, I feel like I am right beside her. It is my small way of remembering her. Hugging her "In theory," with each step I take. If I could as most mothers wish they could do, I would swoop in and wipe away each tear drop. I would hug away each cloud. I would literally smother her with this mother's love. A love that covers a multitude of hurt. My love for her.

Sometimes our children do not realize the depth of our love, until they have traveled some of the longest roads in life. I hope and pray that my dearest can feel the love and hope  that I have in my heart just for her.

This pair of shoes. I would walk many miles in my daughter's shoes to take away the clouds and give her rainbows. Just one small step...one tiny day at a time...we are traveling together down this road of life. No matter how hard, how difficult, God is with us. We are never alone. The three of us travel together arm in arm.
Hug your dear ones today, be a rainbow while you may.
Blessings,
Valerie

Copycat Kind Trail Mix

 Ever try a Kind bar? Well, this homemade trail mix is like a Kind bars twin sister. Can I just say this stuff has a serious YUM factor and it is so easy to make.

If you want to give it a whirl visit My Whole Food Life ~  to find the recipe for Blueberry Cashew Vanilla Trail Mix. A healthy snack for on the go. I used dried cherries, unsweetened  dry coconut flakes and chia seeds in mine .

I think I just found my go to snack. =) I'm in love! Who can resist the flavor of toasted cashews. Not me for sure!
Blessings,
Valerie

 

Whispers of Spring

Nothing whispers spring so softly and so beautifully as tender green jonquil sprouts. I love the cheery yellow blossoms in early spring. I need to thin and transplant this new little cluster that  has popped up in the flower bed. Spring is right around the corner...at least in my mind. =)

Blessings, Valerie

A Sparkly Shoe Kind Of Day

Ever feel like you woke up with your shoes on the wrong feet? That the minute your feet hit the floor, you want to just crawl back under the covers? Today has been one of those days. I'm so thankful for my little one who makes me smile each day. 

Every day when she gets dressed she says "Let me see." This is her way of saying "Let me choose."  In the picture above she chose some pretty, pink, sparkly, Hello Kitty tennis shoes. The only problem is they are about 4 sizes too large and she put them on the wrong feet. These were a gift to her from her older cousin; we promptly threw them in her "Dress up bin." She also chose a cozy pair of pink jogging pants also WAY too big. Nothing like comfy clothes to get the day going just right. 

On days like today when every thing seemed to go awry, I wish I were still at the age where a gray day could be cured with sparkly shoes. =) Well...maybe they do still put a smile on my face...especially if they are the right size. Maybe it is time to go shoe shopping. ;)

Blessings,
Valerie

A Snowman Kind Of Morning

When you are three, a snowman makes for a happy morning. Glad to have made it through the ice storm without losing our power. We woke to a glittering ice covered world this morning. 
~ V.