A Valentine’s Story: A Grandfather’s Love

Growing up I was blessed to have my maternal grandparents in my life…they raised my siblings and I.  So, I have so many fond memories and the joys of living with my grandparents.  My grandfather was an awesome man.  He showered me and my sister with so much love.  He was the perfect example of the type of love you should receive from a man.  He was the first man who ever loved me and showed it.  There was not a day that he did not tell me that he loved me and that I was beautiful.  He promoted love 365 days out of a year, so on Valentine’s Day he went out of his way to shower my sister and I with cards, candy, teddy bears, etc.  Do you understand why he felt it was important for him to do this?  His whole mantra was for us to understand that love begins at home and to help us develop self-love first.   So when we went out into the world we’d appreciate acts of love because we deserved it.  And  because we love ourselves first, we aren’t disappointed if we don’t receive a Valentine’s gift on Valentine’s Day because our Valentine’s Day is everyday!  My grandfather is no longer here physically, but I am often reminded of his love everyday and although I won’t get that extra special love he displayed on Valentine’s Day by him, I still hold dear to the memories I shared with him.  Happy Valentine’s Day Granddaddy! May you Rest in Peace!

02.14.13

~Happy Valentine’s Day from Lovebug’s World to yours!

Valentine’s Day is the National “Love Day”.  Tons of companies make so much money off of this one day.  Although love should be spread everyday, this day is still highly emphasized.  It’s all about the commercial appeal, so it’s easy to get sucked in. Valentine’s Day every year spark so many emotions good or bad usually evoked depending on if you are in a relationship or not.  And sadly, depending on if you ”receive” something or not.  Which usually puts people in a not so good mood from the wives, husbands, girlfriends, boyfriends, the single people, and even the side people(I have been seeing topics on this more and more as today was fast approaching, so this is a whole other topic). My friendly advice is whether you are with someone or not remember that love starts within.  If you are with someone show that person you love them the other 364 days as well. Love isn’t always about showering someone with gifts.  If you are not with someone love isn’t always about a guy or a girl, it could be your Child, your Brother, Sister, Mother, Father, Grandparents, and even friends.  So, see you are loved in all the most tangible ways possible from more people than you could ever imagine.  So, in the spirit of “Love Day” let’s  spread a little love by giving someone a smile, a hug, and even a “Happy Valentine’s Day!”

Happy Anniversary!

On this day exactly 1 year ago, I married my Soulmate! I can truly say within a year I have learned so much and I would do it all over again with the exact same person! Marriage is a beautiful thing between two individuals who become one! Here’s to a lifetime….

Dear You…..

Dear You,

Hello there…just where have you been? I thought I buried you. So why must you resurface again as if you are needed. It took awhile to get here and once again I have to face you. I’m not looking forward to this trip. Engulfed in a sea of what you use to be. Triggered by the need to put you behind me. Familiarity dares me to welcome you. Stubbornness to be strong holds true. I’ve built walls and put up guards just to avoid you because you were all a thing of the past and although at times it creeps back up lightening fast I want to hide so it doesn’t find me. But, somehow circumstances always present me with the challenge to accept it or decline and kindly walk away. So, as I stare back at what you were I can’t help but to smile. You just don’t do it for me anymore and since we are no longer one the best gift I could have ever given you I present to you with pleasure and that’s to watch me walk away…..again!

Signed,
Me

Friendship

Friendships are born at that moment when one says to another: “What! You, too!  I thought I was the only one!” ~ C.S Lewis

I have known these lovely ladies for quite some time.  Three since birth, one since 1st grade(although she claims it was 4th), another since 5th grade, and one since 2003.  I take friendship seriously and everyone doesn’t make the cut of getting the title of “Best Friends”, but I can truly say these are my Best Friends!  There are 3 others missing from this pic(one girl and 2 guys), but they are apart of my inner circle as well.  I have treasured all of  the tears, laughter, but most importantly….Memories!!!  And boy have we created plenty of memories!!!

A Sister’s Love

I can always count on my sister to be right beside me in the good times and the not so good times!!  She always has my back and I will always have hers! A love from a sister is a special bond!! She is truly my best friend!

Just Try

Sometimes you have to try. If you never tried then how would you ever know if it works?!

Dare To Be Different

Try something different today than what you did yesterday. Smile more, speak more, be nicer, be sweeter, shake more hands, give more hugs, give an extra thank you, tell someone “i love you”, praise more, pray more…..go the extra mile! It’ll make a difference!

Inspirational, Who me? Couldn’t be!

I have never thought of myself as being inspirational until I began my blogging journey. I have always been opinionated and because of it I’ve been accused of being a “know it all”, bossy, lacking empathy, no emotion, mean, and the list could go on. The picture I am painting doesn’t sound too appealing, huh? It sounds like a monster, right?  My argument has been, Yes…I am bossy, but I would never ask someone to do something I am not willing to do myself. Yes, I do feel like I know a lot of things, but I’ve never claimed to know everything. That would be insane! Yes, I have struggled with not having empathy. I don’t think I lack it completely, but I deem it where i feel it is necessarily suited. And usually it is not where the accuser feels it should be.  Crazy thing is….for everyone that has called me anything other than my name, usually has to come back and apologize and tell me, “Hey, you were right!”  But, I don’t gloat, I just keep doing what I believe is right and because I have the biggest heart, I will always still do my part and being exactly what God has placed me here to do and that’s be helpful! I do empathize with people and situations, but what I don’t tolerate are excuses. I believe whole heartedly in being who or what you say you are and doing exactly what you say you will. I believe in action. If you say it, then do it. There is nothing more disappointing than to be told something that is not carried out by action.

Lately, along with blogging, I have started back writing in my journal.  I have seriously been trying to reevaluate myself….my life period.  I believe I live up to what I speak, but I have been seeking the help from God to make me over.  To make me fit in his eyes so that with anything I put out, it be from God.  I am human, so I do make mistakes.  So, I do ask for forgiveness when I do fall short.  I am so thankful for how far God has brought me!!  I will continue to seek guidance and to live out exactly what He has placed me here to do.  And in that process, a few have deemed me as inspirational and even though I didn’t think I could wear that hat, I will accept it. There are those before me that have inspired me and there are people who are continuously inspiring me as I type these words, so If I can give back an ounce of what I have been given, then it makes my heart and soul smile.  So, for every negative thing that I have been called, there is a piece of positivity lying within.

Ironically, I have been sitting on this posting for a few weeks, but today as I was catching up on some of my fellow bloggers posts, I came across my favorite bloggers site ispygod and exactly what I had been feeling, she had already wrote about, so it gave me the push to finish this posting.  Writers block always come at the wrong time!!!  Lol!  So instead of scraping it, I decided to share it!!

~Lovebug

A Father’s Love

A Father’s Love stays with you even after you’ve grown from a little girl into a woman. That’s why it is so important to love our daughters because Father’s set the bar for every man we will ever encounter. I was blessed to have my Father in my life and my Grandfather, so on this day….Let’s honor all the wonderful Fathers out there!

My Father and I at my wedding!

Open Your Eyes

I know we tend to use the term “everything happens for a reason” so loosely, but I think the average person doesn’t really take the time to fully understand the reason or can even identify what the reason really is.

In every situation whether it is good or bad, I always try to figure out what role I played in it, what I did right, wrong, or what I could have done better. Some people call it anal, I call it being thorough so that I can not make the same mistake twice. If it was something good, I want to figure out how to be even better the next time.

In life we go through things to learn from it. If we never experienced anything how can we grow?! The decisions we make in life determine how our life exists. We have a right to every decision we make, but the consequences are far from our reach. We don’t control it…God does! We have to make better decisions and to do that, it first starts with building a better relationship with God.

Before we make decisions, we should be consulting with God. I don’t mean telling him what you are going to do, but asking to see if it aligns with what he has planned for us.

If you find yourself in the same situations over and over again then it’s time to try something different. Change is inevitable, but can be so beneficial. It can be the next best thing in your spiritual growth.

What are you going to differently? What works for you?

Life Rhythms

This past week or so has been a very trying time for me.  I was just feeling like life is just like a roller coaster…the tracks are built for your cart to go up and down and when you are on the ride while it is down, you anticipate the going up!  It has to go up and as slow as it may take it to go up, you know it is going to go up.  These very words I had to give to a blogger friend today, but as I was typing it for them I realized I needed it for myself as well!  Life is just funny like that.  We go through all of these life rhythms and even though you feel like you might be off beat, there is always that point when you eventually have rhythm.  It’s at these times where your faith has to be in tact.  I was reading one of my favorite blogs ispygod today and she gave me that boost I needed to get back on track.  As I was reading her post, all I could think about was Matthew 17:20….having Faith as small as a Mustard Seed.

  Keeping the Faith, Believing, Prayer and Knowing that we can increase any and all areas of our lives with just that simple formula.  Prior to writing this post, I decided to reread one of my many journals.  I would be lost without a journal….a pen/pencil and paper is like my therapeutic realm.  I collect journals not only because I love to write, but because I have to write; my thoughts, feelings, conversations with God, songs, poems, short stories, things to do lists(that’s another post within itself) or just to doodle is just how serious it is for me to have a journal handy at all times.  As I was reading one of my journals, I came across a Journal Entry dated October 18, 2009:

Dear God,

These days my mind has been so full!  There is just so much that is swarming around in my head and it is not any bad things.  Today as I was getting my brakes done, the guy that was fixing them said to me, “I don’t hear any music, but you are surely rocking back and forth and that tells me that you are a happy person!”  That made me feel extra good and put an even bigger smile on my face.  I am happy, happier than I have ever been in a long time.  I feel so at peace.  It almost feels like I have this big secret that only you and I know about.  I just want to scream and shout and just get my praise on and tell everyone I come across just how awesome you are.  I was so upset that I couldn’t go to church today, but unfortunately my brakes gave out as I was pulling out of the driveway.  So, I know there is a reason for that protection.  Lord please continue to guide me and help me to make sound decisions spiritually, mentally, financially, and even physically.  I thank you for your grace and mercy and patience.  I thank you for all the blessings that you have blessed me with and will bless me with.  All I ask is to be blessed to be a blessing to others.  Thank you for all of my family, loved ones, and friends!  I love you!

In Jesus Name,

Amen!

So, you see Life is full of rhythm and even when we get off beat, we can always find our way back and get right back in tune with the beat!!  Reading my journal entry from 2 years ago really made me smile because it is so me to always rock back and forth because there is always music in my head.  I truly fit the phrase, “Dancing to the beat of my own Drum.”  It’s almost as if I am having a special dance with God because he is my leading man!! 

Day 16 #photoadayMay

What I am reading…..

Day 14 #photoadayMay…Grass, a Rainbow and the Silver Lining

I missed yesterdays “Photo A Day May” because it was so rainy and I didn’t want to take a gloomy picture of Day 14 “Grass”! So, I decided to wait until today since it is nice and pretty out. I was just reading butterflyofhappiness’ blog that I stumbled across today thanks to reading one of my favorite bloggers blog today(Eric at healthdemystified). The first thing that I see when I clicked on her blog is a picture of a Rainbow and I LOVE rainbows!! Rainbows remind us of God’s Promise…..Genesis 9:11-17. (Please check out her awesome post for today!!)

Yesterday was a trying day for me. I fell into a “I just want to curl up into my own cocoon and shut the world out” day! No motivation what so ever. I had decided at the end of last week that I would take a week off of blogging and just focus on trying to write my book that I have been working on and how do I start the week?!! In a funk of a mood. Maybe because the weather was so gloomy and my mood matched it, but I just wanted to stay in my room and I literally did not resurface until the lack there of sun went down. And then I was beating myself up for not sticking to the plan of working on my book. Let’s just say nothing got done yesterday.

Low and behold today…the sun is out and there is not a trace of rain and I was able to take my pic!! And in that pic there is a tiny yellow flower that caught my eye. That put a knowing smile on my face!! Just as I was composing this, I was thinking about the silver lining of it all….it’s okay to began again. We are blessed to see another day. It’s another chance to be all that we can be and continue to do exactly what we were placed here to do!! Happy Tuesday!!

Thursday Ranting

I created this for my Instagram this morning, so I thought I would share it.  Just some random thought while I was straightening up my house this morning…..

Hey all You Bloggers…Here’s to your Awesomeness!!

I began this blogging journey a little over 2 months ago and as I was telling a few other bloggers, what I had in mind to do with my blog is completely different from what it has turned into. Not a bad thing at all…I just let it flow and here are the results. I like to think that what I post is just all these random thoughts that come across my mind. I decided to be transparent, which was a big step for me because I am such a strong person and I am use to being the one that has to stay strong for others and be that shoulder, that helping hand, the one to wipe someone else tears, and the one to say “It’s okay…it’s going to be alright.” But, the moment I decide that sometimes I need those very things and it’s not a sign of weakness to say, “Hey, I need exactly what I give!”…..life took on a new meaning. Thus, the birth of Lovebugsworld!

With that being said, along this blogging journey, I have met some awesome bloggers and it still amazes me with all the wonderful things I read and come across. It just shows you how we’re all unified in a sense where we share that common thing….blogging, but yet are minds all are unique. Hence the topics we choose to share with the world and I love it!! And even though a lot of us are not being compensated monetarily, we are truly doing what we love!! We have discovered things about ourselves that we probably didn’t realize was there and if we did know, we have increased those things.

Blogging is so serious because we are checking emails in our sleep, approving comments and responding at the crack of dawn, we are thinking of things to write at the start of the day, in the middle of day and or night, and the list goes on. I am guilty and I dare not believe I am the only one…lol!! Blogging is a full-time job. Hey, it’s a job I actually don’t mind giving all my time to.

Thank you to the following Bloggers…you guys/gals rock!!!

dliteraryprescription.wordpress.com (my awesome husband)

wisdomistheprinciplething.wordpress.com (my awesome bestie)

ellecwolfe.com

healthdemystified.wordpress.com(Eric!!!!)

xlittlemsmentalcasex.wordpress.com(Tinisha!!)

livinginyourworld.com(my fav Top 5 Friday guy )

inspiredthoughtinspiredaction.com

que274.wordpress.com

waitingforthekarmatruck.com

ispygod.net(my inspiration dosage)

plasticbagpoetry.wordpress.com

thefoolishtruth.com(my laugh factory)

misfit1976.wordpress.com

lindsaythomas20.wordpress.com

outsideair.wordpress.com

And here’s to the new blogs I have found over the last day or so….

peasandcougars.com(A sure laugh and awesome animation)

eyelaugh.wordpress.com(Another awesomely animated blog)

sandylikeabeach.wordpress.com

Here’s to our Love of Blogging!!!

~Lovebug

I’m Still Here…

I’m Still Here

In the absence of my physical being

I’m Still Here

In the deafness of my tone

I’m Still Here

If the limelight of my stare is obsolete

I’m Still Here

If the curving of my grin is not found

I’m Still Here

If my fragrance no longer lingers the aroma

I’m Still Here

If my occupied place no longer is filled

I’m Still Here

If you reached a bit further and looked beyond the obvious

You’d realize…

I’m Still Here!

“My 5 Biggest Pet Peeves”

My husband picks on me all the time about my long list of pet peeves.  My list is so very high because honestly a lot of things irk me…..quickly!!  NO, it seriously doesn’t take much to get under my skin and to freak me out.  Maybe I should go to a Pet Peeves Anonymous.  As I stand and raise my hand…..”Hi, My name is Shira and I have a problem!”  Lol!  On a serious note, I do have a Looooong laundry list of Pet Peeves and although I won’t list them all here, I will give you a glimpse of my 5 biggest Pet Peeves.  Enjoy!!

1.  People that don’t cover their Mouths

Dear sickly people,

It really bothers me when people sneeze/cough and do not cover their mouths.  No one wants your nasty germs.  After watching the movie “Contagion” it drove me into an even worst germaphobe than what I had already been.  Please people…….respect other people and their need/want into not wanting your nasty germs.  All I want is to avoid colds because they are the worst especially in the summer!

Signed,

A Severe Germaphobe

2.  People that don’t wash their Hands

Ewwwww…especially those that don’t do it when they come out of the rest room!!  I use to only think that men are horrible at this, but in the last 5+ years, I have witnessed so many women doing this as well.  News flash people, NO ONE WANTS YOUR NASTY PRIVATE JUICE EVERYWHERE!

3.  Slow Drivers

Ok, I must admit that I have/had horrible road rage.  I promise you I have gotten better over the years(Pinky Swear at that)!    But, gosh it really works my nerves when people drive entirely tooooo slow!  Okay, okay….call it impatient, but seriously some of the reasons is just ridiculous!  One of the craziest I see a lot is if a cop has someone pulled over.  WHY are YOU slowing down if YOU are going the speed limit anyhow!  Oh and the biggest one….when there is a wreck!!  AGHHH….stop the rubber necking please and keep it moving!  Excuse me while I bring my blood pressure back down because just the thought of it makes me boil!!

4.  A Dirty Tub

I won’t spend too much on this one because not only does it makes my skin crawl, but no one wants to feel that ickiness on their feet if they are taking a shower and if I can’t take a bath because the tub is always dirty, then “HOUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM”!

5.  When Men don’t hold doors

I promise I am not trying to ruffle any feathers with this one, but there is nothing worst than to witness a man either not hold a door for a woman and even worse, to witness that man walk in before a lady does.  Ok, we get it…..Chivalry is dead, but somethings are just out right not okay.  I actually saw a post on Facebook that one of my friends posted about this very topic and can you believe that the excuse that one man gave was that women don’t hold the door open for men.  Wow….ok, yeah we are Miss Independent in this new era, but come on….JUST HOLD THE DOOR IS ALL WE ASK!

***Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect anyone in particular.***

P.S.  My Husband threw one in and said that my Biggest Pet Peeve is People that just Breath….lol!!  Clearly everything gets on my nerves! 

~Lovebug

Finding Happiness

What is this feeling that is building in the pit of my stomach?

Not quite butterflies

Nor is it a case of nerves

Not that feeling of anxiousness

But more like anticipation

I feel like singing

Though I can’t carry a tune

I feel like dancing

Boy do I have rhythm

Wait….is that the faint sound of drums?

Slow and steady, the distinct sound of a beat….Wow it moves me!

What is this feeling that makes me want to smile?

It’s almost as if I have a secret and I’m the only one who knows

I feel like laughing

Quietly at first and then I hold my head back

Boisterous and Loud

What is this feeling that is stirring inside of me?

I can’t quite put my finger to it, but it sure feels good!

Alas, HAPPINESS has found me!

~Lovebug

The Road Less Traveled

When my Husband proposed to me in 2010, my creative juices immediately began to flow.  I wanted to begin the process of making sure that every element of our wedding spoke to who we were individually and collectively.  We both are truly creative people and one thing that we most definitely have in common is writing.  We both love to write!!  So, I came up with the bright idea of putting together a short book of poetry as our Favors to give to our guests at the wedding as a small token of our appreciation for everyone that shared that special day with us.  I immediately begin coming up with what I wanted the book cover to look like(I also have a Graphic Design Background).  I had my Best Friend’s husband to illustrate my idea(He is a great illustrator) because I had so much on my plate. So, the whole poem centered around the title of the book and the book cover.  The poem came to me a few years back while sleeping.  (Usually where most of my poems hit me) I fell in love with the same title many years ago by Robert Frost entitled “The Road Not Taken” and just created my very own interpretation of that poem.  My husband also wrote his version which I will include as well.  He can be followed at dliteraryprescription.wordpress.com.  Enjoy!!

~Lovebug

The Road Less Traveled

From the start we were a sea of blended colors

Beautifully matched and patiently waiting to be discovered

Pulled together by an unforseen force

So many times the patterns became the forbidden curse

Before me stood two roads ready to be traveled

To the left was a road so ragged and unraveled

To the right was a road so smooth and ever so bright

And from there brewed a storm that lingered from what was wrong

until I realized what was obviously right

It was then that HE showed me I no longer had to fight

HE whispered so gently, “This is where you belong

Hold your head up high and continue to be strong

For I told you that I will never leave you nor forsake you or will I ever steer you wrong”

Though it had been an uphill battle

You have shown me a love so genuine that the past just didn’t matter

I thank God everyday for sending you my way

You not only helped save me, but you showed me what it feels like to finally be free

I have fully let go of my past

I now only look toward the future at last

I love you from the depths of my heart and soul

And from this birthed a story that will forever be told!

By: Shira Williams

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Road Less Traveled

I’m taking the road less traveled and even with taking that path

I’m so glad that I have you

On the other path was destruction, a traffic jam_feet to feet

Sometimes we go to war, it’s all good because at least we speak our peace

One thing I know about relationships is that communication is key

 I’m talking about-face to face, not Facebook posts or twitter tweets

We don’t keep up with the Jones or do what’s hot in the streets

No lip service, all action starts with your feet

We’re held accountable for every deed or word we speak

 Celibacy and respect for God is how we both reached our peak

 Many take the busy street and follow the world

Us, we took the back road on the way to raising our boy or girl

By: Terry Williams

***At the last-minute we decided not to give out the books as favors, instead we gave out cupcakes that we had made from Atlanta Cupcake Factory(we did a cupcake tower instead of a traditional cake).  Look out for our book of poetry soon!!***