Greet the Day with Thanksgiving and Praise

This is the day the Lord has made

Each new day is a clean slate

A chance to begin again

Greet the day with thanksgiving and praise

Don't worry

It gets you nowhere

Make a choice

To choose faith instead

Awaken and welcome the new day

Whether the sun is shining

Or the rain is falling

Greet the day with gratitude

Life is good

All the time

Every day

In every way

Instead of complaining

Choose gratitude

Instead of worry

Choose joy and happiness

When troubles come your way

Don't dwell on them

Mom always said

This too shall pass

From the rising of the sun in the East

To its setting in the West

Beauty is everywhere

Just look around you

Be grateful to God

For the sun's rays

For the moon's light

For beautiful sights

As you pass through the day

THINK before you speak

Speak what is true and helpful

Inspiring and necessary and kind

Learn about love

By watching children

They love deeply

And forgive easily

Making a living is important

But don't forget

To take the time

To make a life

Each person is unique

Created with special gifts

Be who God meant you to be

Set the world on fire

Take time each day

To be still

And take delight

In the simple pleasures of life

Let your love shine through

In all you say and do

It sounds so easy

It's all up to you

For life is beautiful

Despite the challenges

No matter the worries

You have but one life to live

Give thanks to God each day

For the blessings He gives

More than we deserve

Given freely with love

Share the love

Find joy in the simple things

Love makes the world go around

Pay it forward and pass it on

At the end of the day

Give thanks for the blessings

Faith, family, friends

Let go of your failures

Each day is a gift

It's here and then it's gone

You'll never have it again

Embrace the day and enjoy

Celebrating Mom: Cherished Memories

Today marks my Mom's one year angelversary. 

On June 5, 2014, Mom slipped out from the chains of this world

 and marched joyfully into her eternal home.

It still seems impossible sometimes that my Mom isn't with us. 

She planned to live to 120, but that wasn't God's plan for Mom.

I know I'll shed some tears today

I've already shed a few

The tears are about me, Mom

and not at all about you.

You're done with your journey -- you finished the race

I know there's a smile upon your face

While all of us who you left behind

Feel so alone and out of place.

Just for today, I promise I'll try

To cherish the memories as I wipe tears from my eye

I'll celebrate who you were and all that you loved

And try to stay busy so I won't sit and cry.

You loved all of your children

And our kids and grandkids too

Your God and the Girl Scouts

And the kids up at school

You loved Snoopy, Coke and ice cream

KFC and little boxes of juice

Playing with babies

And walking downtown

Working your puzzles

And word searches too

Your Mom and your Daddy

Brothers, sisters and grandparents too

Of course you loved Daddy

And he loved you too

We came from that love

And I'll always thank you

Once a young Mommy

You loved each of us so

Each of us special to you

From oldest

To youngest

And the middle kids too

We were a handful together

Some worse than others

But you were so proud

That we all called you mother

That twinkle in your eye

So wonderful to see

Was reserved for the grandkids

Who filled your world with glee

Some of them lived nearby

And others far away

But all were Grandma's favorites

Whenever they came to play

You taught us well, dear Mom

To make the best of things

To put our faith always in God

And know that He's in charge

To cherish those you love

And that chocolate's always best

To light a special candle

When anyone needs help

To take time to smell

The flowers of life

To take it as it comes

And know that this too shall pass

Our God is a God of mercy

Of hope and of endless love

Our Mom who we all love so much

Is waiting with Him above 

On your first angel anniversary

Always in my heart

Never forgotten

Always loved

XOXO Love, Ciss

Happy First Birthday in Heaven, Mom!

You were smiling on your birthday in this photo five short years ago. You joined us in the birthday song: "Happy Birthday to ME," you sang.

When I think of you today on your first birthday in Heaven, this is just how I see you -- filled with joy, laughing, singing and happily surrounded by your parents, brothers and many others you love.

I know you're safely home with God, just where you're supposed to be. But that doesn't stop the pain deep in my heart that comes from missing you. 

I think of you in the morning, when each day dawns anew. I think of you in the day, remembering lunch time walks taken while talking with you by phone. I think of you in the evening and when I close my eyes to sleep. You're never far from my thoughts.

You dropped a penny down to me the day you went away. As the days have passed by, the penny pile has grown -- and includes nickels, dimes and quarters too.

Some days when I look up to the sky, I see angel clouds or clouds shaped like hearts and I know you're watching over all of us.

Sometimes I see butterflies -- often in pairs -- dancing in the meadow or flitting from flower to flower. Maybe you've sent them down so I'll feel your love surrounding me.

I can't send flowers to Heaven, but I'm sure that there's no need. Heaven must be filled with flowers much more beautiful than these. 

Heaven's the perfect place -- more beautiful than we can imagine. How fitting it is that my beautiful Mom is forever at peace in such a wonderful place. None of us knows just what it's like up in your eternal home. Perhaps Heaven is filled with all of your favorite things.

Maybe there are brownies for breakfast -- or anytime your heart desires. 

Perhaps there's a Jayhawk or two to keep you warm.

Heaven may hold a puzzle stockpile to last you through eternity.

There may even be a Snoopy or two up there in Heaven with you.

Maybe there's KFC up there for you to enjoy.

Coke in Heaven? Who knows -- but whether or not there's Coke up there, I'm sure that you're wearing that same big smile. Because to be in God's presence is certainly worth smiling about.

The streets of Heaven may be paved with gold, but maybe there's springtime flowers too.

We miss you here every day, but you're finally reunited with so many of those you've loved and missed for years.

Here's flowers for you to enjoy, Mom
All of your favorite colors are here
As I look at flowers in my garden
I feel your presence here.

Happy Birthday in Heaven, Mom
I'm sure the celebration's grand
I'll try today to choose joy over sadness
As I remember the warmth of your hands

You're always in my heart
Even if I can't see your face
I know you're up there waiting
For us all to be together in that perfect place.

 

On your birthday and always
You're loved and missed forever
With all my love
XOXOXO Ciss