Inspirational Sunsets, Clouds

I keep wondering just what it is about preserving life's beautiful moments with pictures...

I find myself traveling through my days, my evenings with camera in hand--I am always looking through a camera lens, trying my best to capture life's most beautiful moments, the artistic displays of nature, the wondrous and fantastic exhibitions that the sky, the clouds, the sunsets perform for me, and for you too. I hope you will enjoy these pictures. Each one "speaks" to me of it's beauty, of the wondrous and beautiful life and blessings that we are given each and every day.

These are just a few of the moments in time I have tried to capture. More to come in the days ahead...

Life is Such a Gift!!!

This life is such a gift! Never have I been more aware of that than these last few weeks. You see, I have had the awesome honor and true pleasure of spending time with my oldest daughter and her sweet family. This has been a very special time, as we have all been awaiting the birth of their newest family member, little Colton. He arrived at 7:15 a.m. on June 5, 2008.
Jenny had carried this child in her womb all these long months and already, we had all come to love him dearly. Even little Camden would walk up to Jenny's hugely swollen pregnant belly and wrap those little arms around her mommy and say, "I love you baby brother."
Jenny was so laden with child and so uncomfortable that I arrived in May to help her through those last weeks of pregnancy. She kept having strong contractions and she was so sure he was going to be born just any moment, but little Colton took his time and only came 2 weeks ahead of his scheduled due date. Thankfully, he was a good weight (8 pounds, 14 ounces) and was quite healthy, save for a bit of jaundice!
I was able to be with my daughter and her husband when their precious son was born and oh my, what a wondrous and beautiful blessing and truly awesome experience! To be able to comfort and encourage my beautiful daughter as she goes through the pains of labor--to see the love flowing between her and her husband, to watch as my daughter so bravely handles her fears and the pain--words can never really describe it adequately! I was so very proud of Jen as she was so determined to have this baby vaginally (her doctor had stated they might need to do a c-section). But that's my daughter. Whenever she decides to do something, she does it!
And now, as I prepare to take my leave after spending a beautiful week getting acquainted with my grandson and helping this little family as best as I can, I leave with a very full heart. I watch my daughter and her husband as they strive to adjust to this wonderful new addition to their family and I feel such pride and assurance that they will all do just fine. Big sister will soon realize the magnitude of her new role, Jenny and Nick will have plenty of love to share with their children and one another and this little family will bond and bring much joy and excitement and many adventures to us all as the years unfold.
I know my angels, my spirit guides, my god and my Universe will surround each of them with love and nurturing guidance (just as they do me and all of my other precious gifts of my loved ones). We all are so very blessed in this life. Yes, life is such a gift! Each morning that I awake, I am abundantly thankful!

Clouds

LOOK WHO'S HERE!!!

I couldn't resist showing off our new addition! Baby Colton was born into a very loving family on June 5th at 7:15 a.m. Mommy, Daddy, Big Sis and Grandma Pam are all excited to have him here and doing well! With Awesome thanks to all who sent wonderfully good vibes and prayers for his safe "journery" into this life!~

My Magnificent Daughter, Jennifer Kay

I remember watching you when you were little--that tiny little petite strawberry blond girl and thinking, "What a wonderful mother you will make some day." I used to watch you take such loving care of your dolls, but you also tried to "mother" your older brother when you both were still pre-school age and then later, when your baby sister came along and she was growing up, you watched over her so lovingly and worried and fretted over her just as if she were your very own child.

Remember taking your sleepy headed little sis into your bed so that you could make sure that she would continue breathing during the night? You were convinced that she had sleep apnea and for all we know you were right--the doctors said that she could very well stop breathing for a few seconds at night, but she would grow out of it one day. Still, you were more comfortable checking on her and keeping her near you. It touched my heart how much you worried about her.

And now I watch you with your own little girl--you, very pregnant and ready to give birth just any day now (to a little boy this time)--and you are such a loving, strong, caring mom. I have such a great admiration for how you handle your child--the loving patience and sweetness you display even when you are extremely exhausted. It amazes me to watch you continue with your daughter's established routine at bed time--your continued determination to fix meals for her and your sweet husband. It melts my heart whenever I hear Cami's sweet little voice telling you she loves you or whenever she is pretending and I hear her talking to her toys in the same loving tones that you use with her.

I loved the time that my puppy was crying and Cami was soothing him, "It's okay, Mr. Paws, it's alright. I'll take care of you..." was her soothing refrain when he first came here and was unsure of his surroundings. I knew that her soothing tone came straight from what she experienced with her loving mommy.

What pride it gives me to know that you have grown into such a beautifully loving and caring young woman! You are a wonderful wife to your sweet husband, a fantastic friend and daughter and a fabulous mother to your daughter and I know you will be just as wonderful with your newborn son. I am honored to be a part of your family, to get to see you "in action" with this sweet little family of yours. You truly are a magnificent woman in every sense of the word. May you always know how very proud you make me and all those who love you!


With Heartfelt Love,


Mom

Happy Birthday To Ron, June 2, 2008

On this special day, June 2, I cannot help but turn my thoughts to one of my favorite people on this earth. Today is my brother Ron’s birthday and though I am not there to wish him a Happy Birthday in person or to give him this huge hug that I carry for him in my heart, I just wanted to tell him in my own way that I love him and cherish his friendship, his kindness and I am so very proud to be his sister, his friend.
Ron is a wonderful person in so very many ways. He is truly caring and thoughtful and good from within. It is a joy to see him interact with his beautiful daughter who is just as devoted to him as he is to her. He loves his child and provides for her lovingly in the best way that he can and he teaches her valuable life lessons of kindness, caring and love and I am so proud of him!
Ron, I hope you have a wonderful birthday and I hope you feel this huge love that I am sending to you on your special day, but also every day of the year! I look forward to seeing you and your sweet Angela soon and hope that you are smiling and enjoying life and knowing that you are so very loved! Happy Birthday, Bro!
With Love Always,
Your sis, Pamela Rae

A Poem by Mom about ME

Sometimes I just miss my mom, you know? Today is one of those days. Perhaps it's because we are so close to celebrating yet another gift of life in our family and I so ache for my mother to be able to be here to see her great grandchild enter this world. I know she is with us in spirit, I feel her near almost every day and I am so thankful for her continued love and guidance even though she left this earth some 13 years ago.

In tribute to my Mom, I thought I would post the poem she wrote for me when I was a teenager struggling with life's many problems and trying to figure out what I believed then to be such heavy and burdensome problems. I was always wondering why the world never loved like I did (and I still wonder that at times)--but my mother knew me best of all back then and knew that this child of hers with this huge capacity for love just needed to be accepted and nurtured and encouraged to continue her quest to be kind and giving and caring.

My mother had a wonderfully loving heart and cared greatly for all of her children and always strived to give them a better life than what she herself had growing up. She gave me the gift of an open and caring heart and the gift of not judging others, but always being open to new and wonderful relationships. Through her and my father I learned to love without bias or prejiduce and I am so thankful for that gift--for my world is surrounded with kind, caring, beautiful, loving people from all spectrums of the rainbow. I am so truly blessed.

The poem below is how my mother saw me as a teenager, and for the most part, it is how I remain:

Ode To Pamela

Thou art the strange one, Pamela
Thy mystical dreams and fantasies
as romantic as a fairy tale
as malcontent as an infant
suckling its mother's withered breast.
Oh, but thou art the sensitive one
As fragile as an egg shell
but nay--not as shallow
for thy depth is unbeknownst
as the depth of the Ocean's waters.
Thou art the sweetest one, Pamela
Thy heart is filled with Love
So that it runneth over the brim
and trickles out like so many fingers
feeling their way to a final destination.
And thou art the silent one, Pamela
And secretive--thinking thou criest alone
When no ears are near to hear
Thinking no one cares
and never aware
that a mother hears with her heart. #

LOVE (AS I KNOW IT)...

Love is all about giving your heart, your trust, your respect your true sense of self. It’s about SHARING yourself, as well. I’m not talking about sexuality—I’m talking about sharing your heart, your knowledge, your warmth and caring that lives within. It is about making sure that all of our fellowmen see and feel that we are here as fellow human beings with the same needs, the same wants the same hopes and dreams as everyone else. We are ALL in this together. Why else do I beseech the Universe for help so often? It’s because I know that when I appeal to the Universe, my spirit guides, my angels, my god above, that I am appealing to all of mankind in this life and in ones past and in ones yet to come. I am calling on all of the spiritual forces to join with me in finding true joy, true acceptance and true and heartfelt love not only to receive, but to GIVE. If all people would approach life in this manner, the wars, the selfishness and greed and hate would cease, for we would all be so busy trying to reach that miraculous feeling of acceptance and warmth and love that we wouldn’t have time to feel the huge negativity that hate, greed and selfishness tends to breed. I guess too what I want to convey is that if someone truly, truly loves me and truly cares about the real, inside ME, they will understand that this is who I am. I am someone who loves to love, loves to give and who loves to bring joy to others. I do realize that there are different degrees of love—such as the love I hold for those in my immediate family, the love I hold for a very special man in my life. But even so, Love is Love. It is a true sense of warmth and a genuine wish to give joy and happiness and acceptance to one's fellow man. Love is a beautiful thing. Would that all could just Love and Be Loved and enjoy the blessings that abound from loving and giving and receiving joyful and true, unbridled love!!! Giving the true warmth and sincerity of caring to all who are sharing this world with me is my definition of Love. (As I know it, anyway!) Life and Love are so VERY GOOD!!! I am so very thankful for the abundant blessings of LOVE in my life!

Anxiously Awaiting Our New Family Member!

You came to me in a dream not so long ago, my dearest little grandson. I dreampt that you were born on May 24th and weighed 8 lbs. and 2 ozs. In my dream, you were beautiful with dark hair and a sweet little face and your mommy and daddy and sister were so jubilant to finally have you here with them! Just as I felt in my dream!

I am your maternal grandmother Pam, dear Colton--and just wanted to write this letter to express to you how very much we are looking forward to having you here with us! I know your Mommy is so ready to hold you in her arms after these many months of lovingly carrying you in her womb. But so many are here waiting anxiously to greet you, to get to know you, to hold you, to love you. Please don't wait too awfully long to make your appearance and please know that when you do arrive in this outside world that all of us here will do our best to make it as safe and comforting and welcoming as we possibly can.


You have a beautiful little 2nd cousin named Kannon Cole who is just a couple of months ahead of you and I know you will have fun getting acquainted with him and growing up with him through the years. You have your 1st cousins, Isis and Zoe who are just precious and will love to get to know you too someday! And then there is our sweet little Jadyn who is also a 2nd cousin who will be glad to know you one day too!

So many in this life waiting to meet you, to love you, dear little one! I know your daddy is anxious to get a relationship going with his son--and your big sister needs her baby brother so she can begin the natural process of learning all about being the "older and wiser" sibling. So, if it's not too soon, please just feel free to come joyfully into this world full of folks who are here anxiously awaiting the true joy of meeting you, loving you, knowing you. Always we will be here to guide you, nurture you and keep you safe and always, always, you will be loved and cherished by this grandma who adores all of ther children and grandchildren far more than written words can convey.

Each new life is a true blessing and a true gift and love is the greatest gift of all. This grandma, your grandpa up north, your mommy and daddy and sister and so many others awaiting you all have a wealth of love to share with you! Hurry home to us, Colton! We're waiting with loving hearts!

Celebration of a Wonderful Gift

Today is an awsome day! It is the 31st anniversary of one of the most wondrous and fabulous gifts that I have ever received! It is the day my first child was born--May 10, 1977. I remember the awe and revereance I felt at being a mother for the very first time and I remember looking at this tiny creature and feeling the complete and utter love and devotion to such a wonderful little human. I was awe struck with how very perfect he looked, how very beautiful he was and how he had been created out of love and a union that was meant to be at the time.

I still remember seeing this tiny baby and realizing at that moment that I was no longer a little girl. My first born was my milestone in life for making me realize that now, I am an adult and that I had a huge task set before me--a task to bring this beautiful child into the world and to create an existence for him that would lend not only a warmth and love of being accepted and needed--but lend a union of self worth and confidence and a sense of belonging in this world that we are destined to inhabit.

My child has grown into a wonderful man--a man who has found his way, a man who is a wonderful father, a wonderful husband and a fantastic son. He has given me many years of pride at having given birth to such a good and wonderful person and I am so blessed and so thankful to have this son in my life. He has accomplished so much in his lifetime and I and his father are so very proud of him.

I wish my son on this 31st anniversary of his birth, all the joy and contentment and inner peace and prosperity that can befall him. He is a wonderful man who is loved so very much. Happy, Happy Birthday, My son. I love you, David!

With heartfelt wishes and love,
Your Mom