It's all a matter of perspective. The picture above brings vivid memories of my love for the ocean but almost a memory. It has been my place to come alive and breathe again. Years ago, when going through a divorce, my daughter took me to Newport and for the first time in a long time, I laughed and smiled again. Pastor J has this keen sense when I need to get close to the ocean to breathe again. A few years ago, my excitement for the ocean changed. We were walking hand in hand. I remember Pastor J saying, "Never turn your back on the waves." I got closer to feel the water on my feet while noticing another lady enjoying the ocean the way I was. I said to Pastor J, "See, I have a sea sister." We smiled and I continued to enjoy the waves. Then, a sneaker way took me under. Before I knew it, I was held down by the force, as it tumbled me out. I felt Pastor J trying to pull me but he was losing from the strength of the waves. I knew that soon, I would be swept so f...

You all know me - I like surprises, especially ones that I have forgotten about. One of many best parts about being a pastor's wife is the trinkets and goodies that I get handed to me. Last Sunday, a precious little one who has taken to me as much as I like her, told me that she likes collecting sticks. I asked her if she would do me a favor and bring me a stick, a wonderful, beautiful stick. Yesterday, I hear footsteps running in church. "Ms. Simone! Ms. Simone! I got your stick!" This little princess, all of 5 years old, remembered her promise to bring me a stick. The smile on her face was priceless. She made my day but I think I made hers more! She danced from foot to foot. As I prepared for church to start, all I could think about was that little one's precious treasure for me. If only I had the same giving spirit in giving things. Not only would there be a whole lot of sticks being handed to the people I meet but smiles and maybe a dance from foot to foot to...

When I think the many, incredible, amazing, unusual, horrifying, exciting, loss for words moments in my life the last few years, I'm speechless. Those of you that know me know that that isn't very often that I'm speechless. I can't wrap my mind around loss. I lost my mom, then my dad. I lost my godmother, a second mom to me, an aunt who also help raise me and my sisters. Then came the loss of a deep friendship. But even though there has been loss, there have been so many blessings to rejoice over. Pastor J pastors a church where we truly love the church family. We have the joy of ministry together. We have a wonderful neighborhood in the small community we live. And get this, four children's chapter books getting published next year. I have joy in the simple things. Watching my peonies bloom, hearing the wind blowing through the trees, working a puzzle, creating artistic masterpieces, cheering my love on and snuggling up with our 75 pound labradoodle and pint siz...

There’s a quote that says, “If you carry your childhood with you, you never become older.” – Tom Stoppard In my space sits not a shrine but a place where memories come alive, imagination flows and courage is embraced once again. My space has cherished teddy bears, a game of Pick Up Stix, a Spirograph, a Viewmaster and candy – sweet reminders of my childhood. In the corner of my space is a cherished piece of furniture – one that I have thought of and looked for throughout the years. It is called a step stool but my mom called it the hair combing stool and to me that is exactly what it is. The hair combing stool is where magic was made. My mom called for me to bring the hair bucket (the bucket with barrettes, ribbons, rubber bands, a comb and a hair brush) along with the hair grease and other magical hair ointments. I’d return with the red bucket in my hands, ready to sit down for the hair magic to begin. It was during this time of hair combing magic that my mom often tal...

Last week, Pastor J and I opened our hearts to emergency foster care for two kiddos, 4 and 2 years old. This was also the same day that our 17 year old was being sent b ack to military school for three more weeks until graduation....so chaos was raining down. The kiddos came in with stories that only they can tell but suffice it to say they needed to be loved from the moment they walked through our door. Little Princess wasn't much for conversation. She babbled to herself but cursed fluently. Little Man Short Stuff was less verbal and used hitting and kicking as a way of getting his point across. I got a left hook twice in the ear before I wisened up. Before long, their hearts were softening and they were beginning to relax into the only thing we knew to give...love. Flash forward,..McDonalds. Every kid recognizes the golden arches and as we drove into the parking lot, the kiddos were applauding and cheering. They quickly ate and scrambled down, wanting to go into the p...

Recently a friend made a courageous decision to disappear. She didn’t fall off the face of the earth – nothing that drastic. She disappeared from every aspect of social media – Instagram, Facebook, LinkedN, Google +, Twitter and even got rid of her email accounts. What’s even more amazing is that she is a gifted writer and has had a “presence” in this blogosphere of ours for quite a while. Although her disappearance was sudden, her decision wasn’t. In her words….”Being off of social media puts things in perspective. I can focus on the here and now. The tangible right in from of me – relationships with my family, my daily priorities and in self-care. I’ve gained more hours in my day by taking myself off of social media.” I asked if she felt like she was missing out and she replied, “No. In fact, the withdrawals only lasted about 7 days.” When asked about friendships that she had made online her response was, “Friendships that I found online and where I made connection also in r...

Hi there! I'm over at the Brave Girl community , sharing my story of walking away. Hope you'll join me there!!