Memories – yourhappyplaceblog

BEFORE YOU READ THIS….please read my last January Post https://yourhappyplaceblog.com/2024/01/

THEN….you can actually answer this question to your fullest.

WHAT TREASURES DID YOU FIND THIS YEAR? As I ask myself this question and I immediately gravitated to LOVE LETTERS TO MYSELF that I have been writing ONLY since September. For me, seeking a deeper connection with something greater than myself has been a need, I should say longing. When you begin to ask a simple question and then just write what comes to you…its like a secret portal for the soul. Its like another layer to your own story. For me, there is magic in finding the hidden places within yourself. There is a necessary connection to a higher place when you have this knowing that there is more beyond your own stories you tell. There is something greater beyond what you can see and feel and a knowing that you are just a conversation away from that existence. It is a gift. I highly suggest you try it.

Another treasure that I would say….LONG-DISTANT LOVE….TIME WITH THOSE YOU CARE ABOUT. This comes in two-fold. My little family got into a job crisis that caused my sweet husband to pick up and move to a different state so we could financially survive. At one point this year—-I was in one home on the Oregon Coast, my daughter in her apt a couple hours away on her college campus and my husband in an apartment in Montana. Talk about long-distance. We have all been living separate lives, which has been life-changing and also eye-opening. My husband didn’t truly appreciate living in Oregon & his time on the coast–he genuinely just wanted to move back to Utah. Now, he lives in Montana and now talks about just needing to get back home, to Oregon. Sometimes we have to truly lose something to genuinely appreciate it, right? Well, the three of us have been home all together for the holidays. It has been weeks of quality time, laughs, memories, moments creating memories, lots of movies, games and time together. We constantly just keep saying how nice it is to be all together. We are cherishing this time because in a couple of weeks we will all be alone again (my daughter doing a study exchange in France, husband back to work in Montana) and having our long-distance relationships. I don’t think you REALLY appreciate those closest to you until they are gone…or at least…at a distance for a period of time. IF anyone out there is not feeling the love for those closest to you—-maybe take an extreme route and have an extended period of time away to truly find your feelings…to unearth the treasures that you have lost.

The other gift—MY DAD…almost losing my Dad to a five-valve bypass of his heart. He was a walking dead man..that survived. I looked at a picture of him taken for Christmas and thought, “he was almost not even here for that moment…that picture.” Since I am out of the state I flew in to spend some time with him after the surgery. Talk about life-altering. My Dad has always been the picture of health drinking his “green juice” every morning with his supplements, playing pickle-ball with guys half his age, so really he could have probably been gone a long time ago if he had not taken such care for himself. Good for you, Dad!! My Dad has always been the spark that ignites the fun in the family. The guy who works so hard to get family together to make those connections. He has been the one who strives to make it to grandkids recitals or swim meets or soccer games. He truly enjoys his family and those connections. They are his treasure and we almost lost him!! He is the families treasure and we are so grateful to still have him around.

OH, LOLA….This was definitely a treasure and a heart-break. To see the genuine love and care that my husband gave to our beloved dog at the end of her life. To see him sacrifice and clean and wrap her decaying body that was being savaged by cancer and just love her through so deeply. I have seen my husband take care of both of his Dads at the end of their life and I know the great, sincere care he gives, but to see his genuine, deep love for our dog was another level. I watched him with such admiration and bravery as we all escorted one another to the vet to say goodbye. It tore my little family apart. We were all in such tears of despair. To see my daughter so bravely handle such a hard situation, I will never forget. She was stronger and braver than me. I couldn’t be so brave. It was an incredibly heartbreaking day, but our family was there together. The treasure was giving so unconditionally to this little dog that loved so deeply. A dog that my husband didn’t want in the beginning (four years earlier) was now a dog that he has cherished and loved on another level. It was so good to witness such love….that was a treasure. Our Lola…such a gift.

LIVE WITH INTENTION…Learning to be more intentional in all I do from one of our sweet 90 something neighbors who takes time to HANDwrite long cards, she says thank you for every little detail of a gift you give (even down to a banana), she takes yarn and has special knots she ties to make handmade ornaments. She lovingly puts little pieces of herself in all she does. I have boxes of little details she has made that I don’t dare get rid of because I have never met anyone like her. She is a treasure. Thank you beautiful, Patty. You are an incredible example to ALL around you. xoxo

Another treasure—LOTS OF LITTLE MOMENTS that CREATE BIG MEMORIES. Seeing my daughter look up at a giant Redwood tree this year in awe. Watching my daughter laugh with her Dad at funny videos on social media. Walking through the forests where we live and walking strand lines of the ocean together. Seeing my husband so excited to take out tumbled agates after they have been rock polished. Looking at pictures of our beloved dog, Lola that we lost and will never forget. Taking my brothers ashes to the ocean and having them blow back at me into my hair. Love you, Scotty. You will always be with me. haha. Always reading loving letters from my little family. The sincere happiness my husband shared with me in videos, photos and enthusiasm over the phone with his many beloved fishing trips in Yellowstone this summer or his joy at a new pop-up camp tent to make his weekend campouts alone bearable. Finding and seeing JOY in those you care about—priceless gem. My sweet husband giving me one of my beloved childhood stories (The Velveteen Rabbit) and then being able to read it to my daughter this holiday season while she was sick. Lying by myself on the wet, golf tee box and looking straight up into the sky with a prayer and seeing a bird so high up in the sky. It was a beautiful moment to feel like what it would be like looking down from heaven (a very big—I see you moment) . Walking the beach with my Jonny when he is home is a priceless gift and treasure—I appreciate it even more now. Just time together is more appreciated, whether its simply driving to get gas or walking a thrift/antique store together. Seeing the colorful northern lights from the coast with my little family and taking fun photos. Having sunrise and sunset moments with my daughter over the past few months I will always cherish. Seeing my daughter’s excitement and hearing her happiness as she experienced so many different places in the world this year—Her independent adventures & day trips that brought her such happiness—sea shells & big outdoor showers in Fiji…the smallest dolphins, blue penguins, fur seals and Mtn hikes in New Zealand, so many moments & places in France with someone she loves…so many memories of her pure Joy! So memorable. Watching baking shows together and having our family Survivor binge watches are always great treasured time together. Having my daughter break down in tears after I surprised her with a decorated Christmas tree in her room (knowing she had no time to decorate) Watching my sweet daughter mature and grow in her relationships with friends, family and falling in love. Its amazing to see such growth from those you care so deeply about. My sweet dog, Teag that makes me feel so loved and cared about (he has been a huge help when I am all alone) & the little moments when we literally stretch together each morning. Having sincere conversations with my brother and feeling like I am a safe place for him & he for me. Feeling loved and appreciated by valued friends & neighbors. Giving our neighborhood a small lantern fest on Christmas Eve & having people grateful for the light. Convertible rides along the coast with favorite music. Inspired podcasts full of inspiration and life lessons. Books to share wisdom. Music that can transport you to special decades of your life…even a dance, a kiss, a lifetime moment. We were just reminiscing with our daughter about when she was a newborn and how we would stay up watching MTV and listen to the song “Running” by No Doubt & how that song can take us back to that sweet moment in time. It is amazing the power music has….really all of our senses–they take us back to so many places. Which brings me to Photo moments that can touch you with a treasured moment from yesterday to 20 years ago. It is amazing how talking, sharing, seeing, feeling little moments can take you right back to those special, treasured spaces of your life.

EVERY DAY Every day is full of little treasured moments. Write them down or snap a shot so that you hold onto them even longer. It is the moments that are the real treasures in our lives. We live and seek and find them every single day. The moments are what make our lives really rich…..with the things that matter the very most. Those are the real gems. Hold on to those with all your heart. xoxo

Asked my family for their “reaction”Treasures”: They talked about one or two memory highlights from the past year & one tangible thing you could actually put into a treasure chest. Jon–Memory from this past year—walking the streets of our neighborhood, pretty brown trout that I caught that he can still replay back in his mind. Tangible thing—pontoon boat that allowed him to float some amazing rivers. Kate—tangible jewelry that represents various moments and very meaningful memories…photos…moments, intentional photo moments or selfie moments…brings the memories of places, people and important moments to her and her life.

There are sooo many moments for everyone. Take the time to even write down or reminisce over some of the many memories made over the last year. That in itself is a gift—to hear what is meaningful and memorable to one another is a priceless treasure. Take the time together.

HAPPIEST NEW YEAR. May you find everything you hope for…long for…need…wish for…desire…seek…may you find it. xoxo

“Don’t be afraid to shine, the world needs your light.” -Gabby Bernstein

I have been truly understanding the concept of getting out of yourself and striving to live from a higher place. I think we get into the habits of being human and caring soo much about what others think that it becomes hard to get out of that trap!

My realization–genuinely started by reading “The Book of Joy” by Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama. The book is all about finding Joy, living compassion and striving to become better. Such a good read. Highly recommend!! While reading that book, I had a complete stranger notice and acknowledge my spirit, my joy!! It blew me away and I have been trying to live a little higher each day & it has made so much of a difference for my life.

Here are a few examples: yesterday, my husband and I were stuck for thirty minutes in a one-way commuter lane & no way to avoid sitting, stuck in traffic that was not moving. After a few minutes of me and my husband complaining about being stuck because we were going to be very late to pick up our daughter from work, we gave in and began to let go. We could not control or change the situation, so we began to dance in the car. Our spirits began to get happy, so I decided I could do something! I opened my car door, stepped on my side rail of the car & began blowing kisses to the VERY long line of cars behind us. The line wrapped around for miles. As I blew kisses, the guy in the car directly behind us lit up with a huge smile & gave me a huge rock on/love you sign with his hands. It was AWESOME!! I guarantee we all felt a little better sitting in traffic. It was such a fun and memorable moment. I will never forget that guy’s face as he lit up. Priceless.

Another ‘light’er life experience was deciding I was going to do a lantern walk for my community neighborhood. I am not the same religion as everyone who surrounds me, so after living here for nine years & not feeling very connected I have felt a need to do something. So, I told my husband and daughter I was going to create a lantern walk & invite EVERYONE! They both looked at me & thought my family would make fun of me & that no one would show up! With my new feelings of trying to be a spark–I carried on with my plan. I created a website in a day, began ordering paper lanterns, lights, found a four-foot LOVE sign and began planning every detail. I planned Oct. 7th at 7 to have people gather at my home & all walk together down a forest path next to my house. They would walk through branches of hanging paper lanterns, a tree adorned and decorated with flower lights, mason jars of “fairy lights” and paper lanterns with butterflies. My “fairy tree” was especially made for the children. [It is a special tree that I would take my daughter & her cousins to when they were growing up & they would look for fairies who lived there] There were two other decorated trees that had quotes about being a light in the world. People would then cross bridges with lights and a trail of paper bags lit by votives, a four-foot heart on a hill made from light rope and would then end at a small amphitheater where they could take pics with their families at the large “Love” sign. I had it all figured out in my head!! It was going to be a lovely evening made for families.

Weeks passed and I was hoping I would have someone in the community offer lanterns, to help set-up…anything, but I heard nothing. My husband was wondering if anyone was going to show & kept saying, “maybe you need to post more notices or have someone send out something again to let people know about it.” I told him I had two neighborhoods post it multiple times on their email groups, I made a large sign I posted on the forest path & I just kept telling him, “those who are meant to come will be there.” Smile. Smile.

I was popping paper lanterns for days & preparing everything for the big day. My husband and daughter began to see the bigger vision & began to get excited. The morning of Oct. 7th came & my sweet husband had taken the day off of work, knowing I would not be able to pull this all off without him. The crazy thing—it is actually a literal Godsend, was that when I first began to plan this event I just imagined us with ladders in the forest & now I know we would have NEVER finished in time. Just a week after I began planning, my father-in-law passed & in his will he left my husband a side-by-side atv. It was a genuine Godsend. If we would have NOT had this vehicle, the outcome of our lantern walk would have never been finished. We were zipping up and down the forest path all day. My husband was standing on the top of it to reach large branches to hang lanterns, it made the timing so much faster. I kept hoping someone might help us, but the day was ours. It took me and my husband all day & by 7pm, I had not showered, was running to meet anyone who may be at our house & I was in a tank top for any first impressions. It was hilarious. I had my parents man my home & invite anyone who showed up into the backyard. I ran upstairs to change my clothes & found that my husband had locked our bedroom door to ensure no one entered. My husband was still at the park trying to finish set up & laughed as I called him begging to get into our room. I finally made it in [after he told me where the key was & how to open it] & threw a shirt on. I quickly ran to my backyard and found probably a hundred people waiting. My Dad was saying something to everyone & then noticed me, he turned the crowd over to me. I merely said, “What a wonderful surprise!! I told everyone that my husband was still trying to finish up details in the park, so we just wanted to remind everyone to make a memory with their families, to spread some love in their communities & I invited them to take some kindness cards that we had printed up to say kind things & share them with others, kids lockers, a meal to someone in need…to spread some love.” It was short but sweet and heartfelt. I then invited the whole group to head to the forest and it was a beautiful night.

My husband will never forget seeing the huge group of people coming out of the forest, all holding lanterns, walking as a huge community of people. He was happily surprised! Everyone was so grateful for the night. It made my heart so happy to see families taking pictures around the love sign, talking to neighbors, just sitting on a nearby grassy hill watching the night light. It was a lovely time. Definitely a night of Love and Light—just what it was supposed to be.

Even though no one showed up to help, my husband, my daughter & her friend will never forget working so hard to put so much love into something. We did it together and it was a beautiful gift and memory we will always treasure.

All of our family and neighbors kept talking about doing it next year & I kept saying, “We will see.” My husband has been talking about next year ever since. It was a gift to all.

Check out some of the pics below. IF you want to do a lantern walk where you live—-I can help!! Its all about spreading Love and Light. You can also check out my website and click on the Spreading Love link where there are lots of things you can do. There are printable kindness cards and more. Check it out http://www.loveandlightlanternwalk.com

Begin with you. One person can do small things that can spark a little light and love into the world. DON’T let other people stop you. DON’T let other people make you feel small or worry so much about what they think. This is YOUR life. Make it bright!! Make it full of LOVE and LIGHT.

Peace, Love and Light to you today!! -H

PS Smile, say hello or wave at someone today!! Make their day. Be a LIGHT!

Here are some of the quotes I used & hung on trees CvvE5wWUMAAxL_m quote_1-1.5.18 shine1 0863536030fee581b324a74a5d2f73a9-1

Tag: Memories

What treasures did you find this year?

Be Love and Light