More music, more nature, more goodness

My soul is craving all things beautiful these days.  I woke up with a mission in my heart today -- a walk on the beach, connecting with people I love, restoring my soul.

I'll listen to beautiful music as I put away the winter things and bring out the little bird and bunny figurines to open my heart to spring.  Like this music by pop-opera teens Il Volo: Watch and Listen Here. (Click on the pause button for the music at the bottom of this page first, though).

Pen and paper will come out later today -- journal entries, pressed spring flowers, love notes to friends and family.

It's a day to get in touch with goodness.

Laying My Father to Rest

It has been almost three months since I made a blog entry here.  My heart just wasn't in it.  In early January my dad had had a massive stroke.  I was on a flight to his bedside that afternoon and my sisters joined me the next day.  January was a month I would just as soon forget -- just a little over two weeks later, he was gone.

He was a great man.  People spoke of his kindness, his heroism, his gentleness, his sense of doing what was right always.  How do you sum up the life of a man so beloved, so strong and gentle, such a role model to not only his children, but all around him?  On a very windy afternoon, we paid tribute to him.  He'd been a Navy man for six years when he was younger so there was a 21 gun salute, the presentation of the flag to the family, and the playing of Taps.

I miss you, Dad.  Sleep well.