Thursday, May 19, 2011

A Lightning Symphony Revisited

-->
My creative voice has been knocking, pleading with me to let it out. I've let it lay dormant for sometime...too long. Lately, I've begun writing again and the words are promising, but as with anything left on a shelf for too long, they're a bit dusty. I decided to revisit one of my pieces from '09 to see what my mind was up to before I let it drift off to sleep. This is "A Lightning Symphony." 

If only my eyes could hear...

It was day.
The sun was setting through the clouds behind me,
illuminating my path in shades of pink and orange.
I barely noticed when He began to play for me.
Because it was day.

But as I looked ahead
on the path toward my destination
I began to see the subtle notes He played.

***
Three notes of brilliant light
masked within the clouds on my left.

*   *
Two notes, long and sweet on my right.

*******
A barrage of blasts straight ahead of me.

I almost dismissed it...
thought it was something man made.
It couldn't be Him,
Because it was day.

But as I continued to look ahead,
on the path toward my destination,
I realized.

It was a silent symphony played
for a single soul.

His notes continued to light the sky.
Singular parts played in succession.
But there was no rain.

His notes continued to light the sky.
Weaving themselves into three part harmony.
But there was no rain.

This Masterful Conductor,
Creator of Melody,
Weaver of Harmony,
directed each bolt into a
call and response of clouds...

Until they all crescendo into a luminous,
unified sound to illuminate my way
making my destiny as clear as day...
Only to be followed by the silence of a blue-black sky.

As I look ahead
on the path toward my destination,
I face the symphony.
The road is dark and uncertain,
but the storm does not come.

I must go boldly into the unknown
for I must reach my destination.

Lightening illuminates the contours of the clouds
revealing to me the Conductor's secrets.
And I listen.
I am not afraid.
I am in awe.

I boldly proclaim that my storm is
Over.
It cannot overtake me.
But it does begin to rain.

And then I understand that those drops
are my blessings.
They are the Conductor's secrets.

Some travelers on the road with me
do not hear His secrets.
At the first sight of a storm,
some run for cover.
They do not hear His secrets.

Others leave the treacherous road
and await the storm's passing.
They do not reach their destination

Still others choose to ignore the drops
and find themselves in a ditch.
They must be rescued.

And others sleep when darkness falls.
They do not hear His secrets.

But I...
I am listening.
I stand in awe of the beauty of His wonder.
I slow my pace and follow the light He gives me.
I am not afraid.

If only my eyes could hear.

As day turns to night,
and the night grows darker
and the road more uncertain,
the more His light reveals to me.

I almost missed it when it was day.
But now it is night
and I am in the middle of a storm.
And, though I cannot see it,
My eyes are fixed in the direction of my destination.

And just when the darkness surrounds me the most,
He plays for me just one more time.

And one more time.

And one more time.

The music slows, but
never stops.

Though I am uncertain, my tension eases
and my pace slowly increases.
I am not afraid.

The drops slow.
I can see more clearly.
It is still dark,
but there is more light.

Then the drops cease
And still He plays.

And I know,
He did this just for me.
Photo Courtesy: Weatherpix Stock Images



Tuesday, May 17, 2011

How Sweet It Is - Sweetopia Desserts

"A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand."
~ Author Unknown

"Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first."
~Ernestine Ulmer

There are few things that can stop me in my tracks like the aroma of freshly baked desserts wafting through the air. So you can imagine my dilemma during my photo session with entrepreneur Jennifer, of Sweetopia Desserts. We set up at an outdoor location full of green grass, shady trees and cool breezes. It was all I could do not to pull up a chair (and knife & fork) and help myself. Her creations were picture perfect and smelled divine. And although I did not have the pleasure of tasting the "models" of the day, I did get the opportunity to indulge myself in Jennifer's handiwork when I ordered my daughter's birthday cake and cupcakes from Sweetopia. The first bite had my eyes rolling back in my head! Hahaha. Let me compose myself...

Once I was able to focus, we got down to the business at hand. Allow me to show you the sweetness of Sweetopia.

Sweetopia_Cupcakes1
Sweetopia_Cupcakes
Custom Cupcakes

Sweetopia_Misc
Sweetopia_Pies


Sweetopia_CookiesAre you hungry? Sweet tooth aching? Mine is. You can contact Jennifer at info@sweetopiadesserts.com.

Live (Sweetly) in Love,
}:{ Keda }:{

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Bzzz: Artist Session with Bee

Have you ever heard a voice so soulful it gave you chills, but so smooth it warmed your heart at the same time? Yeah, that's what happens when Bee's pipes get to work. I first had the pleasure of meeting her during the time she sang at my church. Her tone & vocal choices instantly made her my favorite person on that stage every Sunday. Add her sweet (and goofy) personality, and I knew I had met a one in a million creation.

I've had Bee in front of my camera before...she was gracious enough to model for me during the creation of the cover art for Riisa Renée's book Breaking the Silence. Although a different image was chosen, Bee produced my absolute favorite image of that day.

BTS_Bee


When I found out that she was embarking on a new adventure as an Alternative Soul artist, I jumped at the chance to photograph her again. I had a blast, and happened to capture some nice moments along the way. Bee, thanks for hanging with me for a bit. I hope you like what we got!

Bee

BeeBee

Bee
Bee
Bee
Bee
Bee
Bee
Be sure to visit her page at ReverbNation and show her some love! Thanks for looking...let me know what you think!

Live in Love,
}:{

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Perfectly Imperfect

I often have a picture in my head of how I want my kids to look, how I want them to behave, how I want them to be. And as I'm sure you guessed, that picture hardly ever matches my reality. Truth is, the same is true for me. But I'm learning that sometimes "good enough" is just that...good enough. They may not sit still for a photo, may not eat how, what and when I want them to. They may not keep their shirts tucked in or pants hole-free. But they're mine. They shine in other ways, and that's good enough for me.

Easter 2011
Easter 2011
Easter 2011

Monday, May 2, 2011

A Mama & Daughter Moment

I woke my baby doll up this morning and, as usual, she groaned quietly, refusing to open her eyes. So I rolled her over and got her dressed in her half-asleep state. When she finally sat up, eyes still closed, she quickly nestled herself into my lap and snuggled her face into that crook in my neck that always seems to fit just right.

"She's so big," I thought to my self. "But I already know that I'll let her do this for as long as she wants to."

I let my mind roam to the not-so-distant future, to boys & shopping, car keys & braces. And there's something that tells me that, no matter how grown my baby gets, we'll still share brief moments like this one. And they'll remain buried in my heart forever. So here's to beautiful Mama & Daughter moments. Cherish them, always.

Mothers & Daughters Storyboard


With Mother's Day quickly approaching, we've reached that time of year when our kids pick us dandelions, give us homemade cards made from construction paper & markers, and shower us with more hugs than we thought our arms could hold. It's the perfect time to reflect on girlhood dreams, wondering what it would be like to have a baby, wanting to experience that rite of passage. It's a time to rekindle the passion that was birthed in our hearts the first time we laid eyes on our tiny treasures. It's a time to inhale the sweet fragrance of motherhood.


Live in Love,
}:{ Keda }:{