When is enough enough?

I found this quote the other day and it really spoke to me...

"Gratitude turns what we have into enough!"

Let's see...


What I have...
What I don't have...
What I have... blessings galore...
What I don't have ... my sweetheart and best friend!
Cup half full?
Cup half empty?
My eyes perceive,
my mind records,
but my heart will decide.


As Alain left this world, I know him,
and I know he would worry and wonder,
"Did I leave "enough" for Donna?"


Enough "I love you's!"
enough forgiveness,
enough examples of strength,
enough words of encouragement,
enough means and security,
enough time spent in her service,
enough honor to family,
enough counsel and wisdom,
enough good memories,
enough humor and laughter,
enough honest examples,
enough faith in her abilities.
enough evidence of his love of God,

and his testimony of the Savior, Jesus Christ...

Yes.... 
enough...  
enough and so much more.

With a heart that is still heavy and missing him... 
I will try to practice Gratitude daily
remembering to turn what I do have...
into enough!

Wishing my family and friends a very safe and Happy Thanksgiving!  
Grateful for YOU!

What's a Mia Maid?

I pulled up my boots straps

and went outside to tackle the lovely snow yesterday!

I shoveled a path to the front door,

part of the sidewalk,

and a path to my mailbox.

"Pretty good," I thought,

for a spoiled girl who hasn't lifted a snow shovel in six years!

Later I heard noises out front and looked out the window...

and there was "Annie"...

shoveling the remaining snow on the driveway!

Annie is one of my Mia Maids...

My calling right now in the church is serving

in the Young Women Program...

girls ages 14 to 16... hence... Mia Maids!

This calling came about 2 months after Alain died.

I just about fell off the chair when I was asked.

"I don't really think I have anything to give right now!"

Empty, frightened and just trying to keep one foot in front of the other,

I said, "Yes."

Well,...you truly love those you serve, 

and sometimes they love you back!

Thank you Miss Annie... you made my winter...

I will never forget your thoughtfulness and example.

I was touched!

Patiently I'll await...

I'm watching the brilliant colors of Autumn

quickly dissapear

as unwelcome flakes of winter

bury their radiance and life...

slowly erasing summers warmth and laughter

born with springs gift of life anew.

Summers promise of life continued 

gave me strength and hope

that I could carry on without you

 minus frozen tears and ice cold memories

of death.

These could be replaced with

a living, vibrant colorful existence.

I will try to hush my fears

of cold and gray and white

of long, long days without you, 

and appreciate the quiet, restful nature

 of winter and death...

its purpose and promise.

I will ponder on our pure eternal love and future

as I patiently await our spring.

I love you Alain!

Announcing Mr. & Mrs....

Today is another timeline...
Nine months.

I was touched by an email I received from a very dear friend, Sharon.
One of the things she mentioned is the following...
"Donna, I really think that a great source of keeping your heart turned outward
is your deep, abiding gratitude....
MAYBE THAT IS THE SECRET TO GRIEVING...
WE JUST HAVE TO BE MORE THANKFUL THAN THE PAIN...
...THAT WOULD BE A LOT OF GRATITUDE!"

(Thank you for that PERFECT insight...
I agree 100% and I'm trying to outweigh it every day!)

The airport became more familiar again

as I flew to Augusta, Georgia

for Adam & Lauren's wedding!

The happy couple were married

October 29th

in a beautiful outdoor garden setting.

When we arrived in our hotel room

Lauren had a WELCOME basket 

for each person!

It was filled with goodies and treats and information

all about Augusta...

Alain's sister Chantal was my invited

traveling companion...

we had some great times this trip!

Many of our family were there for Adam & Lauren.

Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, best friends!

Lauren has a wonderful family as well.

We all got along instantly and enjoyed getting to know one another.

(I could listen to that southern drawl all day long,

with a bonus of sitting on a rocking chair on the veranda!)

The BRIDE and her BRIDESMAIDS...

Some of the GROOMSMEN....

...another groomsman...  (so dashing I might add!)

I finally got to visit Brandon and Megan 

in North Augusta, South Carolina.

Look at this beautiful home!

The surroundings were just as stunning!

This is one of their three dogs...

JAKE!

Brandon so graciously offered to make us all lunch.

We all tried to pitch in, but he is too fast and too good

for us to keep up with.

The inside of their home was beautiful as well.