Wednesday, February 25, 2015

To Russia With Love


I have a thing about pier shots. 
I guess it's because I spent many summers with this as my view. Sitting with my friends, next to the pier, bodysurfing, watching the boys surf, and laying out, working on our tans. 
It's still one of my favorite views. 

Which brings me to views. 
Blog views...
Oh wait, I'll backtrack a little first.
I'll start by saying that I'm not on here very often anymore. I know that's stating the obvious, lol. Like many other bloggers, I had moved on to other things and this blog seemed to take a backseat in my life. I've never been much of a writer anyway. I can remember sitting down to write a story for a school assignment, and thinking, "No, let me draw a picture instead." 
Art was my easy "A" class, not English. 

In fact, the only thing I remember writing that didn't stump me was poetry, which is kind of a written form of "Art" class. I guess that photography is now my "Art" of choice, hiding behind the lens of a camera instead of using pencils, pens or paint, sitting in the shadow of a pier, or waiting for the sun to pass just below the horizon to get the most vivid colors of a sunset. 

However, I come from a long line of storytellers. My mom's side of the family has always told stories. True stories. Oral history though, not the written word. My kids have heard my stories so many times they can tell them for me. I've written a few of them here on the blog, but my strength is not in the writing, it's in the telling. When I tell someone about the day I was held up, you will probably laugh about the ineptness of both myself and the robber. My next job was working for spies..no lie. I can tell you that one with a whole slew of websites to back me up :) I then worked for an actress, and I think a sitcom could be created from all of the stories I tell about that job. 

So what does pier views, storytelling and blog views have to do with one another? Well, the "pier views" comment was really just because I wanted to include a photo. I always want to include a photo. (Btw, that's my hubby on the surfboard. I'm still watching the boys surf, lol). The "storytelling" is because I haven't been telling any, and the "blog views" is because I'm always surprised when I check in here and see the stats on my blog.

First of all, I'm surprised that anyone is still checking. You are all wonderful to keep doing that. Secondly though, I'm surprised at the amount of visits coming from places like Russia...and Iran. Blogging has broadened my world, or shrunk it, depending on how you look at it. When I was blogging regularly, I "met" people from many countries who have come to be my friends.  So I started thinking, "If Russia is my second biggest viewing audience, what could I give them that would be meaningful?" 

I didn't know the answer. I wasn't even blogging anymore. The last post about my mom was going to be it. I'd lost the desire to share online. I'd lost my biggest cheerleader. I didn't know how much life could hurt without your mom in it. I didn't have any idea what this change was going to look like. My family has been very supportive, and I realize that people lose loved ones everyday. It just looks different when you're the one saying goodbye, doesn't it? 
So I've been learning to grieve. 
Hard stuff.

My mom was never one to let her kids wallow in their problems. Give them to God, she always said. Count your blessings. I can still hear her singing that song while she worked in the kitchen. I began to think about how I have it so easy. My goodness, I have it so easy! I have a roof over my head, food in my cupboards, and clothes on my back along with many more in my closet. My kids have never gone hungry, my husband has always had a job...
and I'm free to worship my God.

So I've decided that's what I'll share. I don't have the gift of writing, but oh, how I love the written word. My musical background is 'forced piano lessons for 5 years, and singing in a praise band."
I know enough to know how little I know. 

But I know what speaks to me. So I'm going to share that. The photos I hide behind. 
The stories that glorify Him. The songs and the lyrics that teach me, that inspire me, 
that remind me there is another view. 
An aerial view. 
His view.

"Lord I'm Ready Now
All the walls are down,
Time is running out
And I want to make this count."

Listen to the rest of this song if you have a couple of minutes. It's beautiful.


16 comments:

  1. Oh dear friend, I know how bad it hurts to lose your Mom! Praying for you and your family as you keep your Mom's memory alive in your heart! I lost my Mama in 1988 and I still miss her SO bad daily! Have a blessed day and don't stay gone so long! HUGS!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think it is lovely all that you shared. Grieving is a funny animal. You never know where or when it will strike and it just washes over you like a wave and then you can only give into it. I lost my first Mom at 11 I still miss her and I will never stop missing her. Then I had to repeat losing Mom part two when my step Mom died four years ago. I guess I didn't get it right the first time. I grieve both. I am thankful though that God allowed and has given to me such a gift.
    You say you aren't a writer? I disagree, I think you are a wonderful and engaging writer.
    You always have been an incredible photographer. I wish you all the best.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is a beautiful post and I think you write beautifully and from the heart. You really do ...

    So sorry about your mom being gone from your site but she will always be with you. she has been transformed to a higher form of eternal life and is where there is no more pain, sorrow or tears in eternal joy of knowing God real presence.

    I hope you continue blogging as you can get energized by your blogging friends even if you just blog occasionally.

    Many blessings,
    Hugs,
    JB

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Marcia! I was excited to see a post from you here today. I was away from blogging for a while so did not realize you lost your Mom. I am so sorry. Losing someone you love is a pain that never really goes away-it just subsides to a dull ache that you can kind of ignore some days.

    You can show us pictures, or write, or woo us with poetry- we just love having you here. xo Diana

    ReplyDelete
  5. How lovely it is to see your view and hear your voice. Makes me think of one of my favorite verses in Song of Songs "o my dove, in the cleft of the rock, in the secret places of the cliff, Let me see your face, Let me hear your voice; For your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely,"

    I am so sorry for your loss. Mourning takes time and it is important to let it hapoen. To allow your heart to mourn, to weep, to remember, to hold on, to let go, to be still, and all that you need to do. God's gentle love comforting you each day.

    ReplyDelete
  6. so sorry about your Mom, but wow, she sounds like she was wonderful. I loved your words so much! You DO have the gift of writing. Don't stop. Praise the Lord with all you are and all you do! My prayer too. Blessings.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I've missed you Marcia. Funny how we found out we grew up in the same small town, friends with sisters.

    I think your post was beautiful. So is your heart. I'm sorry for your loss. I pray that you will allow yourself to grieve even as you give it to the Lord, as your Mom would have wanted. Jesus wept too. He understands our hearts.

    Deanna

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm so glad I stopped by, I"m sorry about your mom we just celebrated our moms 80th and I can't even imagine not having her around. Don't give up on your blog, even if you don't think you are a writer, you truly are.

    Take care
    Saimi
    www.mydogarchie.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. That was a beautiful heartfelt post Marcia! We're both from the same beautiful area and I know all about spending every waking moment at the beach!
    I'm so sorry for your great loss. I can't imagine it although it will most likely happen someday. I'm glad you have God and a very supportive family.
    On a lighter note, I found you on instagram! :) Now I can see your beautiful photos from my home!
    Take care and thanks so much for visiting my sites!
    Jen

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Marcia! I know it's sometimes hard to bare your heart and your feelings but this was just a beautiful post! I so understand about loosing a mother. My own little mother passed October, 2013. I still miss her everyday but the hurt does get less and less. I like your idea of telling us your stories! Thank you so much for popping in to see me and I will be praying for you.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm so sorry about your Mom. This is a beautiful post. It's good to see you again. :)
    -Marie

    ReplyDelete
  12. *** So I've been learning to grieve.
    Hard stuff.***

    what a preciously brave thing - to share your heart and desire to continue. i'll be here, reading, looking, supporting. i know grief though different circumstances. bless you dearly as you learn a new rhythm to your days.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Marcia,
    So wonderful to see you over at my place, so hard to lose a loved one, and you my dear have had your far share of tribulations in your family, if not for God in our lives we would have nothing but mans junk to depend on.
    This post was beautifully heard and the song lyrics is and should be a testimony to giving it to the Lord.

    I am blessed to live on this dessrt knowing you are here as well doing his work. We so need to run into each other, Antique Station is expanding, and Carriage House is a close stop as well.
    Hope to see you soon.

    Xoxo
    Blessed you are ....counting blessings.

    Xoxo
    Dore

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm still listening to beautiful billboard songs that came after the Mark Hall video :) so will come back to this song later. For someone who doesn't like to write, you sure do it well. It's easy to get bogged down in loss and the daily grind of life, but always so much to be grateful for and joyful in. :) Hugs, Tammy

    ReplyDelete
  15. Nice! And a very cool video. :) Best wishes, Tammy

    ReplyDelete
  16. My words will not fill up the void but they will atleast express my solidarity with you in this moment of grief ... Sorry about your mother.
    You have laid bare your heart in this post ... And you weave magic with both words and pictures.
    Keep going.
    Best wishes,
    Ruby

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for stopping by :)
Blessings,
Marcia