A love dove quietly coos to its mate, a woodpecker drills into the bark of a tree. The breeze gently rustles through the oaks and maples, stirring the sweet perfume of roses and wild flowers blooming in the garden. Crickets rhythmically chirp out a summer symphony, while the first locusts buzz out a silent message.Across the street, wind chimes tinkle, guardian angels keeping vigil. To the right, the old man sits on his porch, loudly talking to his daughter, remembering and reminiscing about family, friends and better times. To the left, a cacophony of noise erupts: talking, laughter, the sizzling of burgers on a grill, the popping of lids, the clinking of ice cubes, a splash in the water as they enjoy a relaxing pool party.
Me? I quietly sit on my front porch, swinging on my glider, sipping on a perfectly chilled glass of chardonnay, taking time to smell the roses on this beautiful mid-summer day, after surviving my near fatal heart attack one year ago.
46 comments:
Dearest Sharon,
What a beautiful, poignant and evocative post.
I was only thinking today that it's nearly a year since we nearly lost you, but thanks to the prayers of your many, many friends, the Grace of God and the skill of the surgeons and hospital staff you came back to us.
Thank you for sharing your summer pleasures with us - raising a glass of Chardonnay to you and Oliver!
Beautiful, Sharon. Blessings on your one-year life-changing anniversary!
Wow, I can't believe it's been a year. You're indomitable spirit is truly an inspiration to me. Best wishes for another great year. Thanks for reminder to take time for the little things.
You've just reminded me of another reason to count my blessings. You no doubt are doing the same. We tend to take our lives for granted, but when you are a click of the finger from bowing out permanently, you realize that we should not take a single day as our due, but we continue to live as a gift.
Smell the roses, sip your wine, and keep on blessing our lives, Sharon.
Pat Dale
I'm so glad you're still with us, Sharon. You're an inspiration to us all.
Lovely post, Sharon - God's blessings to you. You're an inspiration on so many levels!!
Sharon, you're a survivor and an inspiration to many of us. Thank God, you made it. Yesterday our priest was saying in his homily: "God gives you according to your belief." You have a great belief in life.
I do, Mona dear, and a great belief in the sweet hereafter. It wasn't my time to go home.
Thank you, Marianne, perhaps inspiring others through the gift of faith is my mission.
Thank you, Sue. As many lemons as life tosses, I count my blessings and thank God for another day.
That was a very scary time not only for you and your family but for all of us who love you as well. So happy to celebrate this one year anniversary with you, dear Sharon. Hugs.
Thank you, Carol Ann, dear friend. Four days in a coma, tetering between life and death was a wake up call. We only get so many days on earth, so live them well.
Love you too sweet friend.
Dora, thank you for your sweet comment. Life is a treasure.
I know, Kathy, hard to fathom an entire year has gone by. Goes to show how truly short life is. I take time every day to smell the roses
Hi Dale, sweet friend, yes how true. I feel so fortunate that I didn't check out before passing the word. Life is precious, our family, friends and treasured moments spent with them. Life is good. Enjoy each day and make every day count.
Lyn, sweet darling girl. I feel so fortunate for all my dear family and friends, many prayers, and my awesome heart surgeons at AGH Pittsburgh. Raising my glass right back, my friend.
Deeply moving and what an important reminder. Thanks so much and God bless you. I spend time with family, especially the little people, and literally smell the roses or whatever is blooming.
What a beautiful post. So glad you're here to share it with us. Enjoy that wine and all the good things in life for a long time to come!
What a lovely post, Sharon. You are an amazing woman, and I'm honored to know you, even online.
Stopping to smell the roses for me can be just that, but I think it is usually time with family or snuggling up with a good book. I used to feel I was being lazy to sit and read, but now I realize I need that time to recharge.
Dear Sharon,
What a beautiful post. It touched my heart so deeply. We all take things for granted and you just let us see that we are all so blessed to be here on Mother Earth another day. The Creator walked with you during this hard time and I am sure you are still scared because of the fact. Always remember that the Creator walks with us every day on every path that we walk
Thanks for sharing
Walk in harmony,
Melinda
So glad you're still here with us, Sharon. {{{Hugs}}} Here's to many more happy, healthy years.
With a heat index of 114 degrees today, I would LOVE to be on my porch soaking in the ambiance. And I will in a few short weeks!!
Blessings as you continue through your survivorship.
Thanks Penny, so good to hear from you.
Wow Loree, 115 would be too hot for comfort. We hit 90 last week and it felt like a sauna. Here's hoping for cooler temps so you can enjoy the outdoors.
Caroline, one more blessing to be grateful for, the amazing power of the Internet. I've been fortunate to make so many online friends and you are way up there, my dear
Thank you Melinda, so true. God had the biggest hand in my coming out of four day coma where I died twice but came back. Not my time.
Hi Beth, our wee ones are our greatest reminder that life goes on. Thank you!
Thank you Lilly Gayle, sometimes we need reminded to take time to smell the roses...
Thanks for sharing this beautiful post, Sharon. So glad you are doing better. Sue is right, you're an inspiration to us all. In fact, you're one of the most inspirational people I've met on the web, and you've been a blessings in MANY ways!
Congratulations. So glad you're here to blog this important blog. And I'll lift a perfectly chilled glass of chardonnay with you in celebration today.
Sharon,
You gave us a scare last year. But joining together in prayer brought this group closer together while we focused on one goal--bombarding heaven for your recovery. And God heard us. Praise God!
The Bible says, "Life is but a vapor." Compared to eternity that is so true. During those touch-and-go times, we realized how you could have been taken from us.
I'm glad you are a fighter. I don't know anyone as strong as you. I don't want to lose you, sweet friend. You mean so much to me.
Hugs,
Laurie
Sharon, it is hard to believe it has been a year since your circle of friends were holding our collective breath as you held onto life. My daughter, who was in a near-death accident, gave me a lovely box with the inscription "Every day is a gift from God." And it is, for all of us. You are truly blessed and we are blessed who know and love you. Linda
Sharon, I want to wish you my most heartfelt congratulations at reaching this wonderful mildstone. Here is to many, many more wonderful years. I so glad I got the chance to know you. Big hugs!
AJ, thank you so much. I feel so blessed to have you in my circle of friends. Big hugs back m'dear.
Linda, my sweet friend, getting to know you has been a blessing. Your daughter's close call is such a beautiful and moving story. I ditto the words of that box, so true. Hugs my friend
Laurie, sweet darling girl, one of my first friends in the garden. I felt the love, all the prayers, the encouraging whispers in my coma. Love and blessings to you my friend.
Anne, so sweet of you to say. You are all inspirations in my life. Hugs
Thank you Lynne, and here comes Oliver with that wine. Wink
Ladies and Gent, plenty of chardonnay, champagne, mimosa or what ever strikes your fancy to celebrate the boss lady's one year anniversary. The coffee bar is also open, including gourmet coffee, tea, croissants, muffins as big as your fist and fresh fruit cups with anything your heart desires!
Sharon,
I can't believe it's been a year. We are so grateful to have you with us and to have you doing so well.
Hugs and love. (And thanks for the inspiring post.) You are one fabulous lady.
Hi Sharon,
May God continue to bless you in the coming years. He's given you a true gift of storytelling, one which inspires us all...
Wendy
www.wendydavy.com
Thank you, Debra, I think you're pretty terrific too!
So sweet of you to say Wendy. Writing is my passion, my driving force, right up there with all of my wonderful family and friends.
It is hard to believe that it has been a year. I am so thankful that you are here with us today and that your writing ability gets better each day! Thank you for the reminder today - it is beautiful!
Thank you, Lori, your kind words mean so much to me. Life is good.
No one could have written a message that touched me more. You're imagery is so touching. You are a survivor, you appreciate the smallest of joys. Thank God they did not give up on my wonderful friend. My life would have been sorely affected. I thank my lucky stars every day for you, Sharon. There is no one like you...
Cheers, to you, you are so very special!
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