Everyday Beauty

Remembering

It's been 7 years, and the tragedies of September 11th are still fresh in my mind. I imagine most of you feel like me, "How could it be 7 years already? It feels like yesterday since I stopped dead in my tracks and stared at the TV, weeping". I had the chance to visit Ground Zero while in New York last month. We couldn't see much, as the area is under construction. The Freedom Towers are being built to stand in memory of those who died and also as a symbol of our freedom. This Bell was a gift to the City of New York from the Lord Mayor of the City of London a year after the attacks. It was created from the foundry in the East End of London where the original Liberty Bell was cast more than two centuries ago. It stands in the churchyard of St. Paul's Chapel, right across the street from where the Towers fell. The church was miraculously unharmed.

I just wanted to do this simple post today. To remember.

I still cry every time I hear this song by Alan Jackson.

EDITED: I found this video on You Tube, for those of you who haven't heard this song before. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvj6zdWLUuk

"Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)"

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Working on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock at the site of
That black smoke rising against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger
In fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry

Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below

Did you burst out in pride
For the red white and blue
The heroes who died just doing what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself to what really matters

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Teaching a class full of innocent children
Driving down some cold interstate
Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her
Did you dust off that bible at home
Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Speak with some stranger on the street
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger
Stand in line and give your own blood
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

The greatest is love
The greatest is love

Making Pink Lemonade

Thank you to everyone who left a comment of support or said a prayer during this sad time. Your words and kindness were felt and so very much appreciated. I felt the compassion and sincerity in every comment and email I received. It was an awesome feeling to know so many people care. My friends are doing ok, just taking each day as it comes. The sun rises every day, and life continues. Sadly, it's not the same as before, but it continues nonetheless. Sometimes it would be nice if time could just stop (or even reverse) for a while, let us regroup, take a deep breath, figure some things out, and try and make sense of it all. But, it just doesn't work that way. And there is no sense to be made of this. No rationalization at all. But, I do know that the power of love is amazing, and the kindness of humanity is reassuring.

If anything positive can come out of a tragic circumstance like this one, I think it is the reminder that life is fragile and that people need people. At the funeral service, the pastor spoke about refocusing our lives. Focusing on the important things and showing kindness and compassion to others. It's true that something so small can make such a big difference in someone's day. Try to find something GOOD in everyone and in every situation, as difficult as that may be sometimes.

In this same vein, last week I encountered something negative, and I struggled to see the positive side of it. Someone left me an anonymous comment (which wasn't so anonymous) on a recent post saying hurtful, untrue things about me. I know there are always going to be people who feel the need to hide and shout nasty things from the sidelines, while covering their faces. It hurt my feelings, of course, but I knew it wasn't true. I know what I am, and I certainly know what I am not. I am honest. I try to do the right thing. I am not deceptive. I am not spiteful. I try to treat other people as I would like to be treated. I have been put in awkward situations, and I try to handle them with grace. Once in a while, something happens that shakes my faith in people. And then I realize it's just that one person or that one event, or whatever. Let it go, Andrea. Just let it be. There is nothing you can do about it. It's just a bad apple.

I guess that's the positive aspect right there: one bad apple makes all the other apples look so much shinier and better. It made me realize (even more than I already did) how many wonderful people are woven into the fabric that is my life. I am blessed and lucky and happy and loved. The one or two rotten apples are irrelevant in the scheme of things, ya know?

This blog is a place to share beauty, build friendships, and be happy! I could sit here and write about people who have done me wrong, deceived me, flat out lied to me....blah, blah, blah..... but this is not the place for any of that, and I won't let it become that place. I am focusing on good things, the positive things. The good stuff far outweighs the bad!

Petty nonsense does not live here.

Happy lives here.

Friends are always welcome here.

Beauty lives here.

If you read all the way to the end of this post......(thank you)...... I hope you will share my focus and spread a little kindness and try to see the good and the positive side of things. Be nice and think twice before uttering negative words. Take lemons and make lemonade....and better yet, make it PINK!

Life is too short. I know we all know this, but sometimes it takes a sad circumstance to put things back in focus.

I hope you have a happy weekend and get a chance to share a little joy with someone else! I'll be back very soon with lots of shop updates and pretty things to share with you!

Taking a Break

Hello Friends~

I wanted to let you know that I'll be taking a little break from blogging, at least for the coming week.

Dear friends of ours lost their son yesterday. He was just 17 years old and took his own life. It's beyond horrible and still a shock. Ryan was such a sweet kid with a big heart. Having no family here in Virginia, they have become our family. We all get together to celebrate birthdays, holidays and just to have fun for no reason at all. My Mario adored Ryan, and Ryan loved to play with him and make him laugh. I am dreading the next time Mario asks me, "Mama, where's Ryan?"

As a mother, my heart aches for my dear friend Deirdre. I cannot begin to imagine the depth of her pain. He was her only child and her whole world. I am planning to be with her as much as possible to offer support and just to be there. What greater loss could there ever be than the loss of your child?

If you pray, would you mind saying a prayer for them? They need all the help they can get to begin the very slow and painful process of healing and finding peace. Thank you.

Hugs,
Andrea

A Prayer

Here in my state, an unthinkable massacre at VA Tech has occurred..... and all we can really do is say a prayer for the innocent lives that were lost far too young. Sickening and so, so saddening.

A Very Important Video

If you have small children, please watch this short video. It could literally mean the difference between life and death.  A friend of mine sent this to me and I have sent it to every person I know with little ones. Many have responded thanking me over and over again.

I'm not trying to be depressing here, I just think this is so very important to know. I did not know this myself.

As mothers we are all like lionesses protecting our little cubs. We've gotta pass on the knowledge and support each other.

Please watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azgBhZfcqaQ