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Love this little slice of heaven... and right up top shelf is my Dad’s ukulele that he’d walk around the house with while wearing his authentic Hawaiian shirts singing impossibly off-key versions of Don Ho’s Tiny Bubbles when I was young... only to be topped by his epic Mario Lanza O Sole Mio impressions Dad’s service was yesterday & it was everything we could hope for. Truly he had the soul of an artist, the heart of a warrior and the skills of a master craftsman... and it is an honor to carry forward that legacy & know how deeply he loved us I’m out of the office till Monday and then will pick up a reduced schedule through the holidays depending on how my Mama is doing. So responses may be longer than usual but I will respond... thank you to each of you for your love, prayers, concern, generosity, wishes and grace (If you’d like to help us out with the cost of her care, we’re grateful beyond words. Link is on my IG profile) - #designedtothrivecreative #courageouscreativity #purposemeetsprofit #designedtothrive #creativeatheart #creativepreneur #creativebusinessowner #risingtidesociety #calledtobecreative #creativityfound #communityovercompetition #jaxcreatives #wearethecreativeeconomy #madetomatter #tbiwarrior #thelittlevictories #dowhatyoulove #creativebusiness #illustratedbusiness #dontquityourdaydream #withgritandgrace #storymatters #itsthelittlethings
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Some car ride convo wisdom for ya: “You can either stay at home waiting to die, or you can squeeze every drop of life from each and every moment you have here.” When I said yes to being on the cheer team for @imperfectbosses holiday challenge #theimperfectholiday I didn’t know I’d be where I now am This looks like the perfect hallmark Christmas moment. A billion twinkly lights. Matching penguin sweaters and plaid pj pants. Bright smiles & if you could just hear us laugh But under that Santa hat much of Mom’s hair is gone from recent cancer treatments. She is on hospice & we have no idea how many days or weeks remain. We don’t know if she’ll make it to Christmas. But we are committed to celebrate every day like it’s Christmas this month, because the present is a gift worth celebrating Just before Thanksgiving Dad went home to heaven. His service is this week. This year our Christmas season is a time where life & death, Advent & Easter crash & collide with a ferocity that’s downright dizzying But in the middle of the most imperfect holiday I’ve ever walked through, I’m mostly grateful & determined. I will not let a future loss steal a present joy. By grace, I’ll show up, love big & live bold. Cherishing every second I have with this mama of mine Because beloved, the best gifts aren’t found wrapped under a tree. We find them in one another Mom’s care cost is staggering. If you’d like to help out, there’s a link in my profile with exactly how to do that. I can’t even tell you how grateful I am for all your love & support - #designedtothrivecreative #courageouscreativity #purposemeetsprofit #designedtothrive #creativeatheart #creativepreneur #creativebusinessowner #risingtidesociety #calledtobecreative #creativityfound #communityovercompetition #jaxcreatives #wearethecreativeeconomy #madetomatter #tbiwarrior #thelittlevictories #dowhatyoulove #creativebusiness #illustratedbusiness #dontquityourdaydream #withgritandgrace #storymatters #itsthelittlethings
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Grief has a strange way of creating a space that holds polar opposites in the same frame of an eye blink. Heart-wrenching loss dances with breathtaking beauty. Fragments of eternity held in shattered seasons & scattered moments. The things we never talk about in normal life because why would we talk about a pain that tears at the very fabric of the way we see our world I am reminded again to never tell someone I know what they’re going through because no matter what pain I’ve walked through, I don’t. I just... don’t I’m reminded to be gentle with my own heart. That letting go is not giving up. That radical positivity is not faith. That being raw & real & vulnerable in the middle of brokenness is a kind of bravery that often unsettles the comfort zones and default narratives that we tell each other and ourselves... the stories we hold onto that become our self-protective armor. These stories might keep the pain at a distance for a season, but they often keep the very people we need to heal together with at a distance too This sunset burst into the sky just as I was leaving hospice after picking up the last of my Dad’s papers a few days ago. When I saw it, I smiled because this sunset looked exactly like something Dad would paint And just maybe... he did Thank you friends for all your incredible support. You bring such joy, grace & strength just be being here. Forever grateful for you - #designedtothrivecreative #courageouscreativity #purposemeetsprofit #designedtothrive #creativeatheart #creativepreneur #creativebusinessowner #risingtidesociety #calledtobecreative #creativityfound #communityovercompetition #jaxcreatives #wearethecreativeeconomy #madetomatter #tbiwarrior #thelittlevictories #dowhatyoulove #creativebusiness #illustratedbusiness #dontquityourdaydream #withgritandgrace #storymatters #itsthelittlethings
25
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My little cottage house has one of the few tree types in our area that turn color for fall. I can’t even tell you how happy this display of red, orange, and gold leaves make me 🍁🍁🍁 Life is found hidden in the simple things and little moments that unfold every single day - #designedtothrivecreative #courageouscreativity #purposemeetsprofit #designedtothrive #creativeatheart #creativepreneur #creativebusinessowner #risingtidesociety #calledtobecreative #creativityfound #communityovercompetition #jaxcreatives #wearethecreativeeconomy #madetomatter #tbiwarrior #thelittlevictories #dowhatyoulove #creativebusiness #illustratedbusiness #dontquityourdaydream #withgritandgrace #storymatters #itsthelittlethings
26
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Got to spend Thanksgiving with family, some of whom I haven’t seen in years. It was such a gift to catch up and reconnect. Relationships and gratitude... these are the things that make us truly wealthy. Fireplaces and stories and gut-level laughs. So grateful. And I’m not eating again for a week I hope and pray your Thanksgiving was overflowing with family... whether that family is related by genes or adoption or marriage or friendship... newly gathered or steeped in history, family comes in all shapes and sizes. Thank you friends for being part of mine here online ☺️ - #designedtothrivecreative #courageouscreativity #purposemeetsprofit #designedtothrive #creativeatheart #creativepreneur #creativebusinessowner #risingtidesociety #calledtobecreative #creativityfound #communityovercompetition #jaxcreatives #wearethecreativeeconomy #madetomatter #tbiwarrior #thelittlevictories #dowhatyoulove #creativebusiness #illustratedbusiness #dontquityourdaydream #withgritandgrace #storymatters
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I didn’t know my heart could hold such profound pain & deep gratitude at the same time. After several 12-16 hour days getting care set up & the house prepared for mom to return home, I was beyond exhausted Monday night. But at 12:30 AM I knew I needed to stop one more time to kiss my Dad good night & reassure him on my way home I got to lean over his bed & tell him how much I loved him. That Mom & I would be fine & wanted him to rest. He fought so well & is so brave. How I am so proud to be his daughter & wanted him to know letting go is not failing or giving up. It is the ultimate act of trust. He didn’t leave anything undone or unfinished. It is an honor to be his daughter & I love him more than than there are words I told him good night, sleep well, & even as the Son rises with healing His wings, I will see him there in heaven in the morning. He walked on 2 brand new legs into glory with Jesus moments later. I got to be the last voice he heard here & I will cherish that forever Thank you Daddy. You had the soul of an artist, the heart of a warrior, the skills of a master craftsman & gave some of the best hugs I’ve ever had. Your legacy is a gift. Show some angels how to make coffee the right way & I’ll see you again soon #designedtothrivecreative #courageouscreativity #purposemeetsprofit #designedtothrive #creativeatheart #creativepreneur #creativebusinessowner #risingtidesociety #calledtobecreative #creativityfound #communityovercompetition #jaxcreatives #wearethecreativeeconomy #madetomatter #tbiwarrior #thelittlevictories #dowhatyoulove #creativebusiness #illustratedbusiness #dontquityourdaydream #withgritandgrace #storymatters
