Love Is All That Really Matters

His name was John. He was a quiet man.He cared not about living according to the precepts of humanity. He preferred life to be simple, For in simplicity he saw grandeur.

When he spoke, his voice was meek; Most times others ignored his unassuming nature. His peacefulness was seen as weakness, His generosity a flaw of the human condition.

Quietly he walked through life in the most ordinary way. The corridors he passed on his journeys were well populated Though he was hardly noticed; It was as if he hadn't walked them at all.

When he spoke his voice was but a whisper; A breeze passing by the others who were near. His words fell silently around them, And they scarcely took the time to even glance his way.

A select few did notice his passing; They stopped to smile and nod at his peaceful candor. After he had spoken, their hearts soared with new life, For they saw John's beautiful nature, and intelligence.

As humanity swarmed around him, Rushing and darting to keep pace with the craziness that society expects, John noticed the stars in the sky and the warm summer breeze. He felt the green grass beneath his feet and warmth of the sun on his face.

Children surrounded him and listened to him speak, Laughing and smiling at the stories that he skillfully told, Just as a spider spins a beautiful, glistening web, Were his observations of life and life's journeys.

He always stopped to feed the birds and to watch the butterflies Flit through the air like colorful, miniature kites; His day was complete when he had the opportunity To pet a neighbor's dog or feed a squirrel in the park.

John appeared to be elusive, but that was only because Everyone around him was too busy to stop for a moment; To meet as one heart to another, to find a place Of commonality or interests shared.

“He's different,” they would say. “Too quiet. A bit off.” He heard their comments but it didn't bother him. He knew what was truly important. “They must only learn,” he thought quietly in his head.

He remembered the gunshots in the war, His friends dying around him; his best friend Pleading as he bled to death in his arms, “Tell my son I love him.”

John knew life was brief. He valued the things That others took for granted; things like Peace; happiness; soft, puffy clouds in the sky, A quiet place to sleep at night. The hug of a child.

And he knew their indifference was not deliberate, It was just that they hadn't known what he had known: That life was a gift, it was not something to be taken for granted; And that its purpose was to give love to others;

Even if they didn't understand why it was being given, Or what they were supposed to do with it once they received it. Love's grand purpose would make itself known at just the right time, In just the right place with just the right people with absolute perfection.

And that, John knew, was all that really mattered.

Preconceived Notions

I think one of the biggest problems that we have in our society concerning happiness is the factor of preconceived notions. We think we need to conform to society's "norm" in order to find success, peace and happiness. We need that house in the suburbs, a nice car, at least two children, a good job and friends and family who support us. And yes, if we have all of these things it is wonderful but not a guarantee of happiness.

True happiness comes from inside of us. A car, a house and a job will not make us happy unless we are content in our hearts. How do you become content in your heart, you ask? Here is what I have found out about the subject in my own life.

First, you must accept yourself for who you are. You can't compete with the neighbors or your friends or relatives. Or the checker at the grocery store. Or the teller at the bank. We are each unique and we each have our own quirks and talents. It is impossible to compare yourself to another person because no two people are exactly the same. Television and magazines tell us we need to be the same but we don't. Be grateful for your differences. If we were all the same, what a boring world this would be!

Second, don't let greed or envy eat you alive. If you want something bad enough, strive to make it happen. Don't hate your neighbor or relative or friend for what they have. Many times we think we need something in particular when in fact we may not. Let go and let God. Trust that what you need will come to you as you aspire to find it. We all are here for unique situations and reasons. Don't force someone else's reasons upon yourself and think you have to comply. That will only guarantee unhappiness!

Thirdly, have an open mind and get rid of those preconceived notions! Seek to be better, happier, and everything will eventually fall into place. Don't think it has to be a certain way, because it doesn't. Sometimes the most unexpected surprises in life bring the most joy and purpose.

Fourth, forgive. Yourself and others. You don't have to be perfect. In fact, it's impossible to be perfect because only God is perfect. Do your best each day to be the best that you can be and walk in love to the best of your ability. When you send waves of kindness into the world they will find their way back to you. Don't fret and worry. Trust that your love and kindness will manifest in just the perfect way when it finds its way back to your heart. Life has a funny way of doing that when you let go of expectations.

Lastly, accept the shortcomings of others just as you would like them to accept your shortcomings. When you let go of high expectations, there is less to disillusion you and less of a chance for unhappiness. There is also more of a chance for peace because you aren't expecting certain situations and outcomes to occur.

Life isn't easy. But when you walk it in love and acceptance it does become a lot more fun and a lot less disappointing. Just imagine the possibilities and keep your dreams in the forefront of your mind; strive each day to make them happen. Some day you'll turn back and look behind you to find a beautiful path having been paved in your wake....what a beautiful legacy to leave for the upcoming generations!

Diamante's Delicious, Homemade Meatballs!

Every now and then I get a craving for a nice, hot, home cooked meal! These meatballs always hit the spot! Here is what you need: 1 pound ground turkey or chicken, thawed 1/2 medium onion, finely minced 1/4 c. bread crumbs 2 T. minced garlic 2 T. parmesan cheese 1 egg 3 t. salt dash of pepper

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Form into balls about 1 inch around. Fry in a covered electric frying pan approximately 15 minutes and then turn and fry another 15 minutes or until cooked through.

Serve with mashed potatoes and gravy!! Mouthwatering and mmmm mmmm good!!  Your family will come back begging for more!!

Don't Give Up

When you've tried your best,Been challenged and tested, And you're still wading through the muck, Don't give up.

When your dreams aren't handed, To you on a silver platter, And you feel like nothing matters, Don't give up.

When others tell you How wonderful their lives are, Know that they too have scars. Don't give up.

When sorrow hangs around, Like a thorny crown, And everybody tells you to smile, Don't give up.

Life is a series of tests And tribulations With an occasional vacation, so Don't give up.

The sun always shines, After it's been gone a while, Know you'll make it through your trials. Don't give up.

For others are watching you, To see what you will do. And if they see you make it through, They might not give up.

The Dance Of Life

Life is a dance; it is a danceOf love, of compassion, Of nature, of wit, If you do it right.

A dance Of happiness, of holiness, Of peace, of helpfulness, If you follow your own enlightened path.

And when your last days come, You will know if you've succeeded By the people who have gathered around you And the people who hold you in their hearts.

For life is not a game of chance; It is a testament Of who you are as a person And who you have become,

Through the path You have chosen to walk While you found yourself Here on earth.

The Ease Of Transmitting Contempt

None of us likes contempt. We shy away from it for the most part. We don't want to live with it. We don't want others looking at us with it. But yet, at times, it is so easy to spread around. If we find ourselves in a bad mood, it spreads. If we become judgmental, it spreads. If we have misunderstandings, it spreads. The sad truth is, contempt is easily caught, much like a virus. And if we remain unaware as to its capabilities, we become its victim.

If someone hurts you, you will feel contempt toward them. And that is understandable. It takes great strength not to act on it if you find yourself in that position. It is truly a person of great character and wisdom who knows how to proceed in peace and not take up the hateful attitude that contempt brings. It is always easier to get mad than to forgive. Forgiving, however, creates a much more well rounded person in the end. And a much healthier, happier one. But it takes great effort to be that type of person.

Using scapegoats is a common practice. When a certain person harms you, you want to react in the same way to all people who remind you of the person that victimized you. That is a normal reaction as well. But think about practicing that type of mindset. You just may be victimizing someone innocent. And kind. You never know until you completely understand each person you are interacting with. It also re-victimizes you in the process by dredging up old pain and agony. Why do it? It's so much better to seek peace.

There is such a tendency to want to criticize others who are different. And the sad truth is you are different as well. Different to many people who don't understand or know you. So does that give others a right to tread on your humanity? No. We need to practice temperance toward each other because nobody is perfect. If you find yourself having a bad day, the best policy is to hold your tongue or seclude yourself until you get you mindset under control. There is enough hate in the world. What we need is love and peace.

The old adage of treating someone as you would like to be treated is very true. Even Jesus talked to sinners. In fact, He singled them out so that He could help them. And the sad truth is, that is all of us. None of us is perfect. So why don't we try to make the world a better place by being considerate and a little kinder....by practicing empathy rather than anger? Just think of how wonderful this world could be if we all tried a little harder to be just a little more understanding. I, myself, am extremely grateful for everyone who extends kindness to me. Because I'm not perfect. In reality, nobody is. When I'm having a bad day, just having someone smile at me and hold a door open can change my perspective, no matter who they happen to be. So how about being a gateway of love to others around us? Who knows? Maybe we could even find ourselves a little closer to heaven? I wouldn't mind that. Would you?

Interview With Joan, From Breaking The Silence

Interviewer: Hi, Joan. Thanks for agreeing to do an interview. Why don't you give me a background of your story?Joan: Breaking The Silence is my personal story. It is the story of my life and what happened to me. I agreed to have Diamante write Breaking The Silence in an attempt to help others who have gone through the same abuse and problems that I have.

Interviewer: How are you hoping that telling your story will help others? Joan: Well, people that have been molested and sexually abused usually feel alone, like no one else can understand their situation. I wanted my story to help them realize that they aren't alone. And to help them know that they can heal no matter how severe their abuse was.

Interviewer: Is it possible for someone to heal completely if they have been sexually abused? Joan: Yes, healing is possible. It is a long process. it definitely takes time. And it takes understanding. That is why people need to hear my story. To know someone understands and has felt the pain they are feeling. It will give them hope that they can and will get better.

Interviewer: Have you completely healed? Joan: When you say completely, do you mean to ask if I never think of what happened to me any more?

Interviewer: I mean have you been able to move on successfully without your past haunting you any more? Joan: What happened to me will always haunt me. I'll never forget it. But I have come to terms with it and I realize there are good days and bad days, but the bad days don't last forever. I have hope that better days will come again.

Interviewer: So people who have been sexually abused will never forget? What can you tell them that will give them hope? Joan: I can tell them that the pain will lessen year by year as they deal with their abuse and the issues it has caused in their lives. I can also tell them that the days will get better more frequently as time goes on....they will reach a point where they may not think of what happened to them for six months before they have a flashback. And then when they do, it won't last long at all. It is possible to be happy. I mean, nobody's life is perfect.

Interviewer: How have you healed over the years? Joan: By my belief in God, by going to counseling for years, by believing in myself more and by believing in the possibility of my dreams coming true.

Interviewer: In closing, what advice would you give to someone who has experienced sexual abuse? Joan: I would tell them to read my book, to get in touch with a good counselor and to find a group they could join to meet others who have been through what they've been through. It is critical to have hope and to know that others have made it through that type of trauma. And I would tell them they are never alone. And they aren't damaged. They can absolutely heal and have a wonderful life if they are willing to face their demons. As I call it, they can become mighty overcomers!

Interviewer: Thank you, Joan, for sharing your story and for being willing to help others. I wish you great luck with all of your endeavors and I hope your book helps many people to become 'mighty overcomers'!

Happy Mother's Day

"I love you, mom," she said;"I know you do," I answered.

My thoughts became stepping stones, Leading down a path in my mind.

I remembered her youth; Her first words, her first steps;

"Mama," she babbled, holding chubby arms wide, For me to pick her up.

Then she was leaving on the bus, For the first day of school;

I stood in the driveway, And watched the bus take my baby away.

"I think he likes me," she smiled as she Showed me his picture. "Isn't he cute?"

I unwrapped her first purchased gift in pink wrapping paper; A bottle of perfume for my birthday.

She smiled and waved as she got behind the wheel Of her first car, honking the horn as she left.

"I'm pregnant," her voice cracked On the other end of the phone.

I heard the cries of my first grandchild As I watched her being born;

I held my granddaughter, marveling at her Soft cheeks and perfect little fingers and toes.

I took the gift from my daughter. My grandchild looked up at me and smiled.

"I love you too," I said softly. "Happy Mother's Day."

A Tribute To Those Who Are Hurting

There are so many people in the world who are in pain of one sort or another. Mental pain, physical pain, the pain of being in a difficult situation. These people suffer day in and day out without much regard from others around them. Many of these people tell others that they are fine when in fact they are not.

There are such a myriad of reasons why people are hurting. Incest, rape, domestic violence, wars, prejudice, health problems and accidents are just a few reasons. These are the types of things that can change a person on the inside and the outside. They can change a person forever.

Life can be beautiful. It can also be horrible. Since I was little, I could relate with "horrible". And I always had a feeling inside of me that I wanted to help others who are stuck in "horrible". Maybe because I could relate. I always knew that "horrible" was truly "horrible". And the thing is, it is hard to be close to others when you're in that state. It seems that others are light years away even when they are only inches from you. It feels like there is a bubble around you and you are alone no matter how close you are to others. That is why I write inspirational stories. I want to pass some hope around.

The books I have published so far are about hope. And healing. My fantasy adventure is written in a much different format than my women's fiction novel, but they are both about new beginnings. They are both about picking yourself up by the bootstraps and starting fresh. That is a motto I live by every day. Each day is a new beginning to your new life. And if you look at it in that format, it is easier to make strides in the direction you want to head in.

It is all about perspective. And thought process. Always redirecting. Always putting one foot in front of the other to reach your desired outcome. Journey with me. We will be journeying together and reminding each other day by day. Because life is a journey and you never know just what you'll find if you let go of the old and embrace the new!

Please Do Not Weep

I wrote this poem to begin my novel entitled Breaking The Silence. This poem is a summation, in essence, of my book:  

Do not fret For your grievous loss;

Do not feel Like a wave that is tossed;

Do not weep By yourself, so alone;

For I am with you, Soon you will be Home.

The things of this world Are transient and brief;

I will be your comfort, Your ease and your peace;

Notice the good And perceive not the bad;

Observe what you've learned, The lessons you've had;

For everything you've been through Has come at a cost;

There is good in the bad, You have won and not lost.

I have set you here, love, And you shall I keep;

Do not lose hope, And please do not weep.

-Diamante Lavendar (from my novel, Breaking The Silence).

Interested In Writing?

This blog is geared toward those who feel the "writing bug" biting at them. Do you have a story you want to share? Some insight you want to talk about? One of the best ways to get your information out there is to write! There are many reasons why writing is a great way to portray your thoughts.

One is that writing is received by many different people. Word of mouth is great, but writing is a much better catch-all. Your written work is readily available to share via the internet, publishers and social media sites. More people will be able to read your work than you could possibly reach by word of mouth. And your work is available day and night to pour over again and again in the various places where you post it.

Another reason why writing is such a great way to share your information is that it is done in your own personal style. Nobody can write just like you! Each author has his or her own way of communicating. It is almost as distinctive as your fingerprints! No one else can imitate your voice!

Thirdly, writing gets your name out there! Writing is a great way to let people know who you are and what you believe in. It is a wonderful way to connect with others. And who knows? You may just make some new friends in the process which is always an added bonus!

So next time you feel the writing bug bite at you, take a chance and pull out your pen and paper! You might find writing to be a new passion in your life!

She Was Her Daughter's Example

"Why are you always gone? Who are you with? Who are you REALLY with?" she hissed at him, her eyes glaring.

"I'm with my friend Mark! I told you this!" he answered, his voice cocky as he withdrew and went to lay down on their bed.

"I'm sick of this crap!" she retorted, following him into the bedroom. "You're always gone! And you say you're with Mark but I don't believe you!"

"Well, believe it," he snapped at her. "I'm done talking."

Deep in her heart, she knew it was a lie. She stood and stared at him as he rolled over on the bed and faced the wall. It was 3:00 in the morning. He had been gone all night just like the night before and the night before that. It had been going on for weeks.

"You don't work, you don't help out at all! I'm the only one trying!" she stated, her voice shaking.

His lack of response was customary. He lay with his face toward the wall with his eyes closed.

She turned, her baby crying in the next room. She went to her daughter and picked her up out of her crib.

"Watch her while I take a shower," she said to him as she walked back into the bedroom and lay her daughter next to him.

"I'm tired," he told her, his voice icy.

"I don't care! You've been gone all night again! Take her!"

He rolled over and grabbed his daughter and pulled a blanket over them both. She continued to cry.

"She wants a bottle. Go make one," he informed her.

She turned around and went to the kitchen, making a bottle. Then she brought it back to him and he fed the baby.

"I'm taking a shower."

She walked into the bathroom and shut the door, locking it behind her. She turned on the water and sat on the toilet and cried. Her tears fell on the floor in puddles and her heart ached. She wanted to end her life, but she knew her daughter needed her.

"Why?" she asked quietly between sobs. "How did I get into this situation?"

Everything around her became blurry as she focused on her tears dropping on the floor. "I just want to be happy. That's all."

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Can you relate to this scenario? Do you need a change in your life? Do you feel the need to escape? If so, don't give up. Happiness is attainable. Just change your focus and resolve to make your life better. You are only in charge of yourself, you can't control the actions of others.

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She wiped away her tears and blew her nose. "I can do this. I can do anything I set my mind to." She whispered the words to herself, allowing them to sink into her heart. "Tomorrow is a new day. A day to start fresh."

As she left the bathroom and stared in on him sleeping with their daughter, she decided that this was the first day of the rest of her life. If he didn't repent of his actions, she would make sure he left. She had to be strong for herself and her daughter. After all, she was her daughter's example.

Excerpt from The Secrets Of Yashire: Emerging From The Shadows

"What is it like, anyway, to be sent by The Spirit of Truth on a mission?" Abiba asked.

"Well, when I first got here I was really confused because I can't remember who I was before or where I came from. But now I'm just accepting the fact that I'm here to fulfill this mission and I'm not thinking much past that," Brianna responded.

"You'll probably get your memory back soon," Abiba warbled.

"I sure hope so. I'm hoping that completing this journey will bring it back."

During their conversation, Angelos had wandered off to munch on some grass. He followed at a distance while they talked, wandering in and out of the trees.

"I would hate to lose my memory," Abiba stated. "I am so curious. I need to know what is going on at all times. And I would hate the feeling of looking at something and having no idea what it is."

"That's the strange thing about it. I know what everything is. I just don't know who I am or where I came from."

"Hmmmm..." Abiba was deep in thought. "That is very interesting. I wonder what the reasoning of that might be."

Just as Brianna opened her mouth to reply, a horrendous thundering roar came towards them from the woods on their left. Moments later, Angelos fled madly out of the underbrush and ran to Brianna, singing frantically and wildly thrusting his tail back and forth. She looked down and spotted some large, round seeds stuck to his tail. She and Abiba both began to laugh hysterically as she bent down to pick them out of Angelos' fur.

"You need to be more careful, Angelos! These things are really sticky!"

He sang in agreement, gratefully waiting for Brianna to pick them all out of his tail.

After she had pulled out the last seed, Abiba said they were headed to a grassy glen not far ahead. He told her that she would receive her first virtue there.

(My first virtue! I get to use the magic words!)

They meandered through the trees, which got fewer and farther apart the more they walked.

"We're getting closer," Abiba affirmed as they continued weaving in and out of the trees. "It's not much farther ahead."

The landscape seemed to open up and expand as they pushed forward. The area where the glen lay was quite large and only dotted with a few trees.

As they walked into the open area, moonlight fell around them like a soft blanket.

"This place is called the Whispering Meadows. It is a magical land," Abiba chirped, gesturing with one of his wings.

"I can't wait to see this! This is going to be awesome! I get to use the magic words!" Brianna said excitedly.

Brianna walked further into the field of moonlit grass.

"Say the magic words," Abiba persuaded.

Brianna cleared her throat..........................

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If you're curious about what happened, check out The Secrets Of Yashire: Emerging From The Shadows on Amazon! You will explore a whole new world with Brianna! Blessings!

She Was In Prison

She lived in a beautiful house with her husband and family. Every day, she kept her house clean and cooked delicious meals. She baked bread and cookies. The smells wafted through her home, making it appear to be a happily lived in sanctuary.

She kissed her children often and told them she loved them. She hugged them and saw them off to school, waving as the bus pulled away from the driveway. Then she went back inside when she was alone and crumpled to the floor. She was in prison.

She felt the pain of the past, the let downs of her life. Her failures, her lost dreams, her wishes that seemed to have washed away with the rains of the seasons. Her nerves were frazzled. Her heart ached. She grasped for the knowledge of how to start over, for the energy to become who she seemed to be on the outside to transform her insides. But the knowledge eluded her. She was forever in prison.

Her children came home and gathered around the dinner table. Her husband sat on the couch and ate. She and her children talked. And laughed. They told her tales about their days. She smiled as she listened to them. She really loved them. Their cheerful voices and their exuberance brought life into her barren soul.

She truly cherished the moments she spent with her family. She went through the motions of each day, but at night's end, as she crawled into bed, she cried. Desperation filled her. Though she lived a life that others wished for, she was in prison.

She was tormented by thoughts of overdosing.  Of slitting her wrists with razors.  She wished for her existence to be over, but she hung on for the love of her children.

Was it fate that kept her alive?  Was it hope in things one day being different?  She wasn't sure. But she didn't want to give up and leave a dark legacy for her children.  So she continued on although she was in prison.

How many people live lives of quiet desperation? Lives filled with depression, PTSD, fear, addiction, physical pain and mental torture? There are many. Too many to count. They feel alone. They feel useless. They feel they can barely make it through another day, let alone another minute.

This blog is for those who are suffering. You are not alone. There are many who feel tortured, some of whom you would never guess.  Keep hanging on and searching for the love to heal. Because it is there.  And you can find it.

You don't have to be in prison.

Brokenness

There is nothing worse than the feeling of a dry, barren soul. A spirit that is broken. Bare and lonely, empty and despised.

When we feel that nothing can help us, that life will never get better, that is when we need refreshing. Many of us feel that we need a vacation, and maybe we do. But a vacation will never permanently rejuvenate us. We feel like a desert; dry and barren. Like a land that needs rain to seep into our pores for weeks on end. But there is no rain.

Nature can refresh. So can loved ones. But the biggest refresher is God. Only He can fill the dry, empty cracks inside of us. We can seek to find relief anywhere else and it will never fully recharge us.

So the question is: where can we find God? The answer: in your heart. He's not in a building. He's not in any specific place. He's everywhere around....in the trees, in the breeze, on the face of the person who smiles at you at the grocery store. He's in the helpfulness of the man who holds the door open for you and in the woman who tells you she loves your hair. He's everywhere. His essence can't be held by any specific thing for He's omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent. That's the beauty of God. He's everywhere all the time. He even sings to you through music. He tells you He loves you when you feel the peacefulness of an ocean roaring. He fills your heart as you listen to birds chirping happily in the trees. And when you read His word, the Bible, you find out just who He is and what he stands for.

As in any relationship, you must know Him. Just as you build a relationship with your spouse, your children, your friends, you must also build a relationship with Him. The difference is, your relationship with Him will rejuvenate you throughout your entire life. It won't wax or wane unless you allow it to. It is completely up to you as to how well you get to know Him. And then He will fill your brokenness, your dry places like nothing else and no one else can. When you get to a point in life where nothing can satisfy you, that's when you will realize the beauty of God. For He can satisfy anyone. Anytime.

I spent many years broken beyond the point of repair. It was extremely difficult. It was excruciating. I didn't realize He could fill my broken pieces like glue. How I wish I would've understood so much sooner what He had to offer. I would've been able to mend so much more quickly. But, as roses have thorns, we have our problems. And sometimes those problems are necessary in making us change for the better. It's painful. That's why I'm sharing this with you. So you know there is a solution.

Focus on Him. He is the way, the truth and the life. He is the solution. For everything. We just need to trust Him to light the way.  For only He knows how to enlighten our understanding in just the right way to make us take notice.  Only He can fill in the cracks of our desperation and need.  And only He can give us peace to make our despair disappear.  He is the ultimate answer.

God Gives Us Heart Warmers

When I say "heart warmer", I am thinking of those people who God puts in our lives to make us happy, to make us believe in ourselves more and to give us a heart glow like nobody else can.

It's not every day that we receive a heart warmer. Usually it is a rare occurrence. A sibling, a parent, a child, a grandchild. Someone that makes our heart beat with more purpose. Someone that makes us laugh without trying. Someone that brings tears of joy to our eyes without even knowing. Those people are precious....and they are rare.

When you receive a heart warmer, embrace them. They are a gift...a true gift from our loving Father. He knows we need people here whose hugs are monumental and whose kisses are sweeter than chocolate to our souls. Those are the people who God indwells in order to physically meet our needs of love.

I was always told that if we have made at least five good friends in our lifetimes, we have been blessed. And they don't all necessarily stay through the course of our lives. Some are only around for a few years. Some last longer. But those who are heart warmers live inside of us all of the days we fulfill on this earth. They are cherished. They are precious.

Some of my heart warmers were loved ones who passed away.  They changed me in profound ways and still linger with me through each day that I spend here on earth without them. Luckily I have more heart warmers that are with me, living on this earth, their hearts beating in unison with mine. They are my children. And my grandchild. The most precious things God has ever given me.

Some of my heart warmers have only been with me a short while.  But still they live inside of me.  I have experienced authors who have been heart warmers.  Their words have etched marks upon my soul.  I am grateful for them.  I am also grateful for the friends I have met over the years...all heart warmers of one degree or another.  That's the wonderful thing about heart warmers.  They all change us in some way for the better.  We don't even have to know them personally, or for very long.  We only have to internalize their words, their emotion, their caring, their love.

I consider myself fortunate for all the heart warmers I have known. Through the years I have been blessed. And I wish to be a heart warmer for others. Those who feel the words that I write in their souls and spirits; those who can empathize with what I express. I challenge you to take notice of your heart warmers. God, in His wisdom, knows exactly the kind of hugs, kisses and encouragement we need to keep our hearts beating with His love. He loves us. Our heart warmers love us. We love each other. And that's what it's all about at the end of the day. Love. And truly loving. And being grateful....for love.... and for our heart warmers, His gift to us.

We Are Like Snowflakes

We are like snowflakes.  Each of us is unique.  None of us is exactly the same.  Like snowflakes, we can be very similar yet we each still have our own unique properties.

It is so important to cultivate our uniqueness....to be grateful of our differences.  Can you imagine how boring the world would be if we were all the same?  Our differences are a reason for celebration and learning and growth.  Without them, there would be no exploration, no causes to work toward, no understanding to gain.

The thing we must be wary of is the fear of our differences.  That fear has the potential to turn the beauty of our differences to ugliness.  That fear whispers that we are not acceptable unless we are alike.  The fear of unacceptance and misunderstanding is what we need to truly be afraid of because it not only robs us of our individuality, it robs us of our compassion and our destiny in life.

We each have a unique destiny;   a reason why we are here.  If we were all the same, we would not have a destiny, a soul-searching aspect for being alive.  It is freeing to know that we are all unique like the snow the falls softly in the winter.  Each snowflake is different, yet they all fall in peace and unity just outside our windows.  They don't wonder or worry about being different. They just are.

My wish is for us to be more like snowflakes.  At peace.  In unity.  Not comparing ourselves to each other.  Think of the beautiful snowfalls of destiny our combined efforts could accomplish! If we were not divided against ourselves, how much stronger we would be as a whole!  As the saying goes, a whole is greater than the sum of its parts!

Heavenly Salad

It has been a while since I posted a recipe, so tonight I will post my recipe for Heavenly Salad.   You may wonder why I call this salad Heavenly Salad.  It has been deemed to be heavenly because of its wonderful sweet and tangy taste.  It is also a very versatile salad; it can be eaten with a wide variety of main dishes from turkey to beef to seafood.  It is a wonderful side compliment for many different meals.

This salad is composed of three food groups:  vegetable, fruit and protein (nuts).  Therefore it is also very healthy!  What do you need to make this salad?  Here is a list of the ingredients:

• 1 apple, cored and diced into bite sized pieces
• 1/2 c. dried cranberries
• 4 c. mixed greens ( I like spinach, romaine and leaf lettuce)
• 1/2 c. chopped pecans or walnuts

Ingredients for sweet and tangy dressing:

• 1/4 c. olive oil
• 1/8 c. rice vinegar
• 1/8 c. balsamic vinegar
• 1 t. sugar
• 1 t. lemon juice

In a bowl, combine chopped apple, dried cranberries, mixed greens and nuts.  In a separate bowl, combine dressing ingredients and whisk together until mixed well.  Drizzle dressing over salad and toss lightly to coat salad ingredients completely.

This salad is wonderful when served fresh.  It doesn't keep well in the refrigerator overnight because it is tossed in dressing.  Therefore, it is better to only make what you need for your meal at one time so the remainder doesn't go bad.

Just one taste and I know you'll be hooked!  This salad has quickly become one of my all time favorites!  I hope it will become one of yours too!  Bon appetit!

For The Love Of A Cat

She was a cat. She was crafty and cunning, graceful, sublime. She knew her place and it was a place of lofty heights. She took no orders from anyone but the High Priestess of her temple.

There were times when she lay in the warmth of the sun, stretching her legs out before herself. She moved for noone. Unless a fly or bug caught her attention. Then she crept and crouched, her tail lurching forcefully back and forth. She knew what she liked, and she attended to it with great abandon.

There were times when love filled her and she leapt from her lofty height to grace the High Priestess with her presence, rubbing her soft, fluffy fur against the High Priestess' legs. Warm, fuzzy purrs emanated from deep within her belly as she hugged the High Priestess with much admiration. When she loved, she loved fiercely. But ultimately she grew tired of the affection and left to once again to attend to other interests.

During other moments, she became sociable and would follow the High Priestess around as she chatted happily in her native tongue. The High Priestess always seemed to understand although she spoke in another language. They had a communion between themselves, a communication that surpassed their language barrier. When the High Priestess pet her, all was well with the world and she was free once again to explore her terrain.

Through the years, she and the High Priestess shared many wonderful moments together talking, listening to the birds, snuggling and reading books. The days passed quickly and the years quietly passed.

She began to get old and she moved more slowly than before. Her voice became hoarse when she spoke to the High Priestess. But she noticed that the High Priestess was also going through changes. She thought nothing of it. Besides the obvious, things were the same.

The chatting continued, just a bit more slowly. The time spent reading and cuddling increased. It was a season of wonderful communion. The High Priestess seemed to have more time for her now. She spent less time in the lofty heights and more time on the floor in the sunlight, the warmth radiating through her velvety fur as the High Priestess attended to her duties. There was more time for sleep and less time for play.

Until one day when the High Priestess called for her. She was much too tired. She answered quietly but her voice was barely a whisper. She listened as the High Priestess searched through her domain, calling her name. Finally the High Priestess found her and her voice sounded strange. She knelt next to her cat, stroking her fur as teardrops fell to rest in her downy fluff. The cat was so tired that she peacefully purred and listened to the High Priestess' voice float further and further away. As the intense need to sleep overtook her, the cat graced the High Priestess with one final wave of her tail. She meowed a faint goodbye and shut her eyes, feeling the sadness of the High Priestess emanating through her heart;  a feeling she did not enjoy. She knew she would see the High Priestess again. She was only falling asleep.

And she resolved to wait patiently until that time came.  She only hoped that the High Priestess knew they would be reunited;  in a place where they both had the energy and vigor of the days when they had first met.  Then they would talk, play and read books together once again as she waited to jump down from her lofty height to greet her High Priestess anew.

I Love You

I L earned O ver everything that V aluing you improves my E xistence;

Y O U.

-Diamante Lavendar