Love Your Dash

There’s Always A Reason

Published May 23, 2013 | By Allyson

It has been a terribly low week. I’m not really ready to talk about most of it. Maybe next week, if I can find the strength in my heart over the next few days. I’m sure I will. Honesty is an interesting thing. It is scary, but most of all it is healing. And healing is what I long for most. So here’s to hoping I can put on my big girl pants, pull myself together, talk freely about some rather sticky stuff, and look forward to clear, blue skies next week.

All of that aside, I have really needed to smile over the past few days, so I decided to bring some beauty and fun into my world, hoping it would help me break through this darkness. I also felt the need to challenge myself a bit, and take some decent photos. I know that doesn’t sound like much, snapping a few simple pictures and hoping for the best. But everything feels hard these days. The simple step of taking pictures felt manageable to me, when I have desperately needed that sense of accomplishment that has been missing for so long.

When I say I feel completely broken, I mean it, and it’s crappy; but I am largely responsible for my own happiness and finding it again. So without further ado, here is my little photo essay of sorts. I hope it inspires you to take the small but significant step toward whatever activity that makes you feel good, or at least helps you feel better.

These tulips now grace my family room end table.

My Mother’s Day callas are looking gorgeous.

And I bought this super cute white lemon cake, decorated with my favorite thing: bees!

My little bee friends were made of honey and cream cheese frosting with slivered almonds for wings. How perfect is that?

I love succulent plants, like jade and aloe. I added these little ones to my succulent family recently. So far they are happy and thriving.

A dear, sweet loved one sent me a care package filled with all kinds of random goodies. The most special item was this ceramic angel, made by an artist in her hometown. I have displayed this beautiful angel prominently, where I can always see her. She reminds me to have hope, and to always remember how much I am loved.

And speaking of hope and love, here’s my girl.

My constant reminder to never underestimate the power of a nap, kisses, or an awesome belly rub.

Yes, I hurt. Yes, things are uncertain.

But there is always, always, a reason to smile.

Have a gorgeous weekend, friends.

Posted in Home

In My Thoughts

Published May 20, 2013 | By Allyson

“On a long journey of human life, faith is the best of companions.

It is the best refreshment on the journey. It is the greatest property.”

~Buddha

I had something completely different in mind for this post when I woke up this morning.

There is an eventful doctor’s appointment to talk about. And in the hours following, a few pleasant surprises came my way. My heart longs to share those details.

But something else happened in the hours following, something that led my heart to share something different.

Fellow citizens lost their lives near Oklahoma City, when the unfathomable forces of nature bore down on them, as they innocently went about the ordinary of every day. People who woke up in the morning with the innocuous expectation of going home to those they love after a day well spent. Some will never return home again. And some stand, devastated, where their home once stood. And then there are those left behind, who will never again hold in their arms, in this life, a friend, colleague, neighbor or loved one.

I heard about a man found deceased on a sidewalk. A young mother cradling her infant son, both of them gone. A school obliterated, third graders and others found drowned beneath the rubble. Drowned. In water. But how? How can it be? I can’t comprehend it. But they keep saying exactly that as I flip between rival news networks.

I have begun to hear the usual words get tossed about. The kind of words people say to make sense of things like this, the kind of words meant to usher peace into an aching heart. They have gone to a better place. God needed them more. There is a greater plan for them. I understand the emotions at work. But why?

Why God?

Why now?

And why like this?

I breathe deep. I feel love rush into my heart. I am so thankful for my life. And I know, now more than ever, that faith and trust are needed when they are tested most.

My thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy in Oklahoma and elsewhere.

May lots of love and countless prayers lift you up, now and always.

Posted in Home

So Blessed

Published May 14, 2013 | By Allyson

My weekend was filled with that special kind of lovely.

Time with my amazing mom. The company of the most amazing man a woman could ask for. The love of two crazy pups, who “told” Grandma that Mommy really needed flowers for Mother’s Day, and Grandma delivered.

In our family there is no distinction between the kids who come on four legs and the ones who come on two.

Calla lilies. Elegant trumpets of purple, pink and ivory perfection now grace my kitchen table.

Yellow orchids tilt joyfully toward the sun, their new home next to my family room window.

And outside, the greatest gift I could ask for. My father’s little apple tree, now ours, its tiny trunk just shy of four feet tall, delicate branches reaching for the sky with all their might, bearing fruit for the very first time. I have counted five little apples in all, scattered about, but there is one special twosome. Joined in harmony, robust and thriving. My heart sings and swells with this progress.

As a woman living with compromised health, I spend a lot of time at home. For that reason and for many others, I want to walk into every room, turn every corner, step outside into my backyard sanctuary and always see a reason to smile.

Beautiful flowers and a happy little fruit tree make for a beautiful start. The flowers representing so many things, like simple beauty, and my father’s thriving little apple tree representing so much more. It means, to me, that his happiness and passion have found a way to live on, nearly three years after he left us.

There is no greater gift he can give me.

It is simply without question. Despite loss, despite illness, despite every pain and challenge, mine is a life filled with infinite love and blessings.

May you always find the good and light in your life, and feel the same.

Have an amazing week.

Posted in Home

Have A Blessed Mother’s Day

Published May 10, 2013 | By Allyson

On this glorious Mother’s Day weekend, I want to spend every moment I can with the beautiful woman who gave me life.

She is my teacher, my hope, the keeper of my every wish and secret. I want to slow down and linger over her gorgeous smile. I want to hold the hands that have nurtured and comforted me over these many years. I want her to know how much I, how much we as her children, cherish and appreciate her.

Because this woman’s devotion and generosity know no end.

This weekend, I want to set aside all that hurts and just bask in the love of family. There is no greater gift.

Have a beautiful weekend, everyone.

And Happy Mother’s Day to all of the amazing moms out there.

And Happy Mother’s Day to you, Mom.

Thank you for everything.

Most of all, thank you for showing me, and everyone who has the blessing of you, what it means to love.

Posted in Home

A Better Day

Published May 9, 2013 | By Allyson

I refuse to sugar coat it friends.

I haven’t been in a good place. I have wanted to give up, disappear, simply forget who I am.

I feel in my heart that my soul is meant for something different; like it is meant for so much more than me being sick. I accept my illness as part of my journey, but lately it has completely defined it.

Completely defined me.

And I just can’t figure out how to break away from that.

I want things to look up. If I can’t be well, I can at least take the small but integral step toward choosing happiness. And maybe, just maybe, that small step will help me break free.

This morning I sat outside in my backyard and closed my eyes. It continues to amaze me how healing the simplest things can be. Like sunshine. And birds. Flowers. Colors. Warmth.

Light.

Life.

Make it a beautiful day everyone.

Let’s always remember to slow down and notice the simple and unassuming.

With love always to you and yours.

~Allyson

Posted in Home

There’s Always A Reason

In My Thoughts

So Blessed

Have A Blessed Mother’s Day

A Better Day

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There’s Always A Reason

In My Thoughts

So Blessed

Have A Blessed Mother’s Day

A Better Day

My Book:

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