Purple Aurora
On Nov 21 2019, I decided to have a camp fire. It was a mild evening shortly after 7pm. It was one week before Thanksgiving. A time when I miss my Mother the most. Family gatherings just aren't the same without her. Though sometimes I feel she is right here with me. That evening was no different. At 7:21 I started taking photos of the campfire. The cold season was already upon and I wasn't certain how many more nights like these were left. The next twelve minutes left me in a mysterious awe of wonder. It was like having my own personal Aurora in my back yard. I really have no explanation for the images I took. Only I have my own conclusions. I know what I saw, and I know what I felt. Did I mention Mom's favorite color was purple? The images are not edited. I took several in those twelve minutes and the shadows left like they came.

Gems in the rough

As a young teenager I was intrigued by rocks and minerals. I had a great collection and a black light. Shortly after moving to NC my Mother called to let me know of a mineral mine close by. I never knew where it was and never seem to have the time to research where it actually was. Soon after my Mom passed. I was offered an opportunity to show my photography in a little town named Hiddenite. I had no idea what that little town was all about. On my way to the location of my debut I saw a sign that said Hiddenite Emerald Mine. Holy cow! This must have been the place my Mother told me about! I decided I needed to stop on the way back to at least inquire about setting up a time to actually dig for rocks and minerals. They had a table outside where you could buy rocks and minerals. I wanted to buy a pretty blue stone but a voice in my head told me it wasn't necessary. After inquiring about days and hours of operation, I left. I knew I would be back one day.
My week ahead as a flight attendant was a busy time. Some days would start out with five flights in the first day. After each flight it was our job to make certain the cabin was clean and all seatbelts were crossed and ready for the next flight. Oddly enough I came to a row where one seat already had the safetybelt crossed. On top was a gift left for me. It was a blue heart shaped stone. I cried, it immediately touched my soul. No wonder I didn't to buy any stones the other day. Much to my surprise, it was also the anniversary of my Mother's passing.
A few more years past before making time to get back to Hiddenite. Actually 10 years.
 I didn't know what to expect. When I arrived I met two women getting out of their car. I asked them if they had ever done this sort of thing before and they said no. I introduced myself and told them my story of how I came about coming to dig rocks. They found my story inspiring and invited me to join them. We started the day digging but we really didn't know what we were finding. I found some quartz right away. On the way back to the entrance I came upon some erosion with small emeralds and jasper. Even though I was content with my findings we all agreed we would try our luck buying a bucket and sluicing. The mine has a variety of buckets to choose from. I happen to pick a bucket that had Emeralds and other Hidden gems. Did you know an Emerald doesn't have to be green? One in particular was a heart shaped Emerald. It was the perfect way to end a day decicated to my Mom.

Sign Above

It was a super hot day walking the streets in Santiago Spain with my daughter. We decided to visit the Cathedral. What a wonderful spiritual experience that is breathtaking! I was the typical tourist with my camera stopping to snap photos every now & then. We crossed the street and all of a sudden a sign appeared before us.
I looked at my daughter & she looked at me. We were both speechless. She knew the story my Mother always told when I was born. If I were born a boy I would have been named Michelena. I instantly took a photo of the street sign before us. We knew right away my Mothers presence was with us. It truly was a sign from above.

Act of Commitment

Spring has arrived and we jump in, arms wide open and anxious to begin the To Do list. There's a whole bunch of stuff we're committed to! Some yard work, planting, gardening, celebrations, weddings, graduations and more. You may even end up finding excuses because there's only so much one can handle. 

The same goes for relationships, there's that word again...Commitment! There is no partial or only 50%, it has to be a minimum of 100% when it comes to your partner in life.  But then how do you know for certain just how committed is the other person? How well do you really know your partner?  My only advice there is trust. But these days, you might want to do your homework first before committing to a serious relationship and marriage.  It is a known fact that 55% of your friends can be fake. Take the time to ask the appropriate questions to be certain you are both on the right path. The last thing you want to find out is that your married partner is not the person you think they are. One cannot just say they are committed, it is an act that speaks louder. We live in the times with so much technology and social media at the touch of a click.  And sometimes you have to stop and be still,  put away those devices then ask yourself does it interfere with those commitments?  As like our walk with Jesus, we committ our lives to Him and try to live our lives accordingly the best we can.  Always learning. Without judgement, unconditionally with love just as He did when he died on that cross for us. I hope this Easter you will take time to reflect your journey and ask yourself, am I really committed? Are you walking the life you really want? Are you committed to your list of things & places to do and go? Are you committed to your partner in life? Are you committed to the Lord? What does commitment mean to you? Have a Blessed Easter.

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Take flight into the New Year

When December 31 comes around most people will be out celebrating, singing "Auld Lang Syne" bidding farewell to the old year by the stroke of midnight. The title of the tune translates to "times gone by" and is about remembering friends from the past and not letting them be forgotten. What does this song mean? Should old acquaintence be forgot? Or does it mean that if we happened to forget them, we should remember them? Some have lost loved ones, family & friends, and we carry them forever in our hearts.
It's also a time where we reflect on the year gone by, what did we accomplish? Did I treat everyone like I would want to be treated? Did I make resolutions or make my goals and wishes come true? And what will I do better for the coming year? Better myself or by help others?
We all know there will be changes in the coming year, nothing stays the same. We evolve forward, out with the old, in with the new motto. Maybe a new house, new job, new exercise program or new relationship. Or maybe just a new perspective on life in general without the material things.
For me I don't ever forget where I came from, the people I have come in contact with or that have crossed my path. Nothing happens by chance or by accident. I am grateful for all of you and the lessons life has taught me. But know for certain, next year will bring about a more improved version of you. For whatever reasons, as you surround yourself with friends old and new tonight, sing on!

Greatest Gifts are never seen...

Gifts come in all sizes and shapes. It can be extravagant or a lovely gesture. Some of the greatest gifts are never seen and felt by the heart. November is a wonderful time of year to be Thankful for the gifts in our lives. It may be your children and family, or your job, food and a roof over your head. Or maybe you're thankful for the gift of life itself. Sometimes gifts are left for loved ones and neighbors yet to be surprised and found just at the right moment. Have you ever just left a gift or treasure for someone to find to make them smile and feel special? Sometimes we pick four leaf clovers, flowers and sea shells to bring home to give to others. Or maybe you go shopping and find just the right item that reminds you of that special someone. What about the gift of love? Or just doing something nice for one another as a token or gift of appreciation. In these materialistic days, it can be hard for some people to appreciate a precious gift that cannot be valued in monetary terms. However, when you reflect on the sacrifice that God made, the redemption, salvation and hope that He gave us, it should be a source of inspiration and wonder. There is no way in which we, as humans could justly repay The Lord for his un fathomable love. Yet, we Can open our lives to Him so that through the love of  God and the grace of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit will enable us to do His work and to spread His love amongst all we come into contact with. Give Thanks this Thanksgiving but also be loving and Giving to others.
May the grace of The Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.  2 Corinthians 13:14

...No Hate Here...

The greatest of all things is LOVE....why can't we all just get along? I can't even begin to write down my feelings of the divided world we now live in. God created us all equal, white, black, red, you were born a child of God. You were born with love, created in love and desire love to survive as an infant. We are born with innocence. You grow up to love your family, your friends. You go to school with all walks of life. How is it that when some become an adult that changes? Have some folks forgotten how to love? Lost that lovin' feeling? I passed a playground in town yesterday evening and notice a group of teenagers all hanging out together. Actually, this their Friday night out. I stopped to introduce myself and ask their permission if I could take their photo. At first they caught my eye as how many of you can all fit on the monkey bars at once. Then it occurred to me they were all walks of life, all colors, all just innocent friends. There's No Hate Here. I ask you now, is there someone you need to reach out to and love? How will you act towards the next stranger on the street? Will you lend out your hand and help another no matter their color or race? Will you shake someone's hand and introduce yourself? Share the love God has given you from the very beginning...Peace.