Tears to Joy

Tears to Joy: April 2012

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Inspired to Write



Ever wonder where an author gets her motivation to write? Ever since I was a child, I always dreamed of being a writer. When I was about nine years old, I spent months writing a story to give my parents that year for Christmas. A year later, I asked my parents, "Do you remember the story I gave you last year? Did you like it? One day, I'm going to be a real author." Later that night as I opened gifts, I remember one that seemed really heavy. I unwrapped the paper to discover a DHL box. When I opened the lid, I gasped in astonishment. Inside there was 100 copies of A Month in America, my very first story! Thanks to my dad, I was published!


That was the best Christmas gift ever! My dad had no idea that his gift would inspire me to pursue my dream of being an author. Even as I write this, my eyes well up with tears to know that this dream is finally coming true. Thank you, Daddy, for always believing me and for encouraging me to pursue my dream!

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Monday, April 16, 2012

Big Gift in Small Package



I’ve always heard big things come in small packages, but I never dreamed this small package would get so big. Last year we went on vacation as a family of four (me, Jorjanne, our dog, and our cat) but we came home a family of five. We adopted a pet turtle named Polkala (Pokey for short). He came with a cute little “habitat.”  It didn’t take long for him to steal our hearts.

I love to sing and one day I realized that every time I’d sing, he’d stick his head out of the water to listen. Then Jorjanne and I made up a silly song about his name and we began singing it to him every time we’d feed him. Not too long ago, he started taking the food right out of our hands.

We’ve had Pokey for a year now and my mom asked what I wanted for my birthday. I thought and said, “Hmmm, I think I should get Polkala a new aquarium.” Now, I had a small fish bowl in mind when I went to Pet Smart. Imagine my surprise when the clerk told me that Pokey would get to be the size of a football. She told me that if I continued to keep him in the small container, his shell would grow soft and he would die. We couldn’t let that happen! Not knowing if this was true or if she was just a good salesman, I knew I couldn’t take a risk of letting Pokey die. Now we have a huge aquarium in our living room for him. He’s been in it a week and a half and has already grown. I was shocked!

Once again, I’ve learned that it’s the little things in life that make up the big things. If I had known Pokey would get so big, I probably wouldn’t have bought him --- but I’m glad I did!

This is Pokey when we first bought him and you can see his home with the palm tree.

This is Pokey today.
 This is his new home.

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Wednesday, April 4, 2012

What Makes an Occassion Special?


Ok, call me crazy but when I get that special outfit or some fantabulous perfume, I can’t treat it like something normal.  I have to save it for special occasions. It is very rare that I splurge on an outfit that’s not on sale, but the crazy thing is when I do, it’s like its sacred or something. I never wear it because I don’t want to mess it up. I want to save it for a “special occasion.” Twenty years ago, I received the most precious gift – a bottle of Jean-Paul Gaultier perfume. Wow! Absolutely love love love the smell!!! The problem?  I decided to only use it on special occasions. 

Now, here it is 20 years later and I have half a bottle left and guess what, the pump broke. The only way I can get the perfume out is to break the bottle, which would waste it!!!

Ok, so at first I was pretty upset about this, but the more I think about it, the more upset I am with myself. You see, I’ve realized that every moment of every day is special. We will never get back any of those moments that have passed. Some of the most “normal” days will forever be etched in my memory as some of the best days of my life. Hot summer days in the hammock, splashing in the lake, tickle fights, crying over skinned knees, working in the yard…

I am reminded of Mary Magdalene pouring the perfume over Jesus' feet. Perhaps she understood this truth. She knew that her time with Christ was special; it was limited. She wanted to make the most of it!

The problem is when I try and describe what makes one day more special over another, I can’t do it. Today is my birthday, and I am going to do my best to see each day this year as special. I want to live each day to the fullest, striving to bring God more glory each and every day. 

As for my special perfume, for now it sits on the window sill as a reminder not to let precious moments slip away.

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