Bless Her Heart

30 Days with a Grateful Heart - {Day 28}

Day 28 ~ Maggie and Fred...

Maggie moved out here to Texas when Liam was just a wee baby. At the time, he was her only grandchild, and she was ready for a change of scenery. She settled here, made a fresh start, met and married Fred and they both worked out their days until retirement. They moved back out to Western North Carolina this year, to start their next adventure (homesteading, farming, chicken wrangling). We have been so blessed to have had them in Texas for the time that we did. Never have you met a more welcoming, generous, kind, wise, hilarious pair. I'm just so grateful to have won the family lottery so many years ago...and can't wait to get back out to the farm to soak up more of their goodness. <3

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Fighting the Good Fight, Day 28: Southern Poverty Law Center

From their website: 

The SPLC is dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of our society. Using litigation, education, and other forms of advocacy, the SPLC works toward the day when the ideals of equal justice and equal opportunity will be a reality.

30 Days with a Grateful Heart - {Day 27}

Day 27 ~ This aging, yet still forgiving, body of mine. With all of its creaks and cramps and spasms, it still moves slowly forward...providing a catalyst for the steady in and out breath that helps me clear my mind.

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Fighting the Good Fight, Day 27: The SAFE Alliance

From their website:

The SAFE Alliance is a structured partnership between SafePlace and Austin Children’s Shelter, two organizations that serve the survivors of child abuse and neglect, sexual assault and exploitation, and domestic violence.

Our Mission

To lead in ending sexual assault and exploitation, child abuse and domestic violence through prevention, intervention and advocacy for change.

Our Vision

A just and safe community free from violence and abuse.

30 Days with a Grateful Heart - {Day 26}

Day 26 ~ These words by Mary Oliver:

Angels are wonderful but they are so, well, aloof.
It’s what I sense in the mud and the roots of the
trees, or the well, or the barn, or the rock with
its citron map of lichen that halts my feet and
makes my eyes flare, feeling the presence of some
spirit, some small god, who abides there.

If I were a perfect person, I would be bowing
continuously. 
I’m not, though I pause wherever I feel this
holiness, which is why I’m so often late coming
back from wherever I went.

Forgive me.  

~Mary Oliver

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Fighting the Good Fight, Day 26: Human Rights First

 

30 Days with a Grateful Heart - {Day 25}

Day 25~ My mama...

Compassionate caregiver, healer, mama, midwife, teacher, student of life. She has taught me to try and always lead with my heart, even especially when it's most challenging to do so. She has taught me that you can always handle more than you think you can. From her I've learned to value people and experiences over the things you buy at the store. From her I got my love of reading, my devotion to the underdog, abundant optimism and the best soup recipes around. She, more than anyone else, has shown me what it is to just be in a space while the world feels like it's breaking apart, whether it be through chronic illness, death or a long and arduous labor that leaves a mama feeling like she just simply can't anymore. She is the calm in the storm, the safe harbor, the balanced voice of love and reason. She carries the weight of not being able to fix all of the things for everyone, but rolls up her sleeves and carries on, steadfastly led by the work of the heart anyway. My gratitude for my mama extends way beyond what she has given to me. What she has given to so many throughout her lifetime, is where the gratitude is so deeply rooted. 

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Fighting the Good Fight, Day 25: ACLU

From their website:

For almost 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. 

Every day across the nation, the ACLU is called on to defend all the freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

There's never been a more important time for freedom-loving people to support the ACLU and our effective work to protect civil liberties.

 

30 Days with a Grateful Heart - {Day 24}

Day 24 ~ A lovely mid-morning of gift giving followed by a solid day of movies on the couch. Unheard of around here, and oh, so appreciated. <3

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Fighting the Good Fight, Day 24: CASA of Travis County

From their website: 

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Travis County believes every child who's been abused or neglected deserves to have a dedicated advocate speaking up for their best interest in court, at school and in our community. To accomplish this, CASA educates and empowers diverse community volunteers who ensure each child's needs remain a priority in an over-burdened child welfare system. When the state steps in to protect a child's safety because the people responsible for protecting them have not, a judge appoints a trained CASA volunteer to make independent and informed recommendations and help the judge decide what's best for the child.

30 Days with a Grateful Heart - {Day 23}

Day 23 ~ Yesterday my gratitude was for these words and for the friends and family that brave beneath the surface...

The Well of Grief

Those who will not slip beneath
the still surface on the well of grief

turning downward through its black water
to the place we cannot breathe

will never know the source from which we drink,
the secret water, cold and clear,

nor find in the darkness glimmering
the small round coins
thrown by those who wished for something else.

~ David Whyte

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Fighting the Good Fight, Day 23: Caritas of Austin

From their website:

For over 50 years, Caritas of Austin has been a turning point in people’s lives. Each year we serve thousands of families and individuals who do not have a stable place to call home. Through comprehensive, relationship-based services, Caritas of Austin turns crisis into stability and empowers people toward the life they want. We believe that a thriving community derives its strength from providing all members the opportunity to be self-reliant.

30 Days with a Grateful Heart - {Day 22}

Day 22 ~ Grateful for a long quiet walk by myself, finding a gentle reset as the general stress level seems to be creeping up and up and up....

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Fighting the Good Fight, Day 22: Urban Roots

From their website:

 

Day 22 ~ Grateful for a long quiet walk by myself, finding a gentle reset as the general stress level seems to be creeping up and up and up....

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Fighting the Good Fight, Day 22: Urban Roots

From their website:

 

30 Days with a Grateful Heart - {Day 21}

Day 21 ~ Signs and Symbols....

"Instructions for living a life:
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it." ~Mary Oliver

(Catching up after technical difficulties the last few days)

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Fighting the Good Fight, Day 21: White Helmets

From their website:

When the bombs rain down, the Syrian Civil Defence rushes in. In a place where public services no longer function these unarmed volunteers risk their lives to help anyone in need - regardless of their religion or politics. Known as the White Helmets these volunteer rescue workers operate in the most dangerous place on earth.

As the conflict in Syria worsens, ordinary people are paying the highest price. More than 50 bombs and mortars a day land on some neighbourhoods in Syria. Many are rusty barrels filled with nails and explosives, rolled out the back of government helicopters -- bakeries and markets are the most commonly hit targets. When this happens the White Helmets rush in to search for life in the rubble - fully aware that more bombs may fall on the same site. These volunteers have saved 78,529 lives - and this number is growing daily.

 

Day 21 ~ Signs and Symbols....

"Instructions for living a life:
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it." ~Mary Oliver

(Catching up after technical difficulties the last few days)

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Fighting the Good Fight, Day 21: White Helmets

From their website:

When the bombs rain down, the Syrian Civil Defence rushes in. In a place where public services no longer function these unarmed volunteers risk their lives to help anyone in need - regardless of their religion or politics. Known as the White Helmets these volunteer rescue workers operate in the most dangerous place on earth.

As the conflict in Syria worsens, ordinary people are paying the highest price. More than 50 bombs and mortars a day land on some neighbourhoods in Syria. Many are rusty barrels filled with nails and explosives, rolled out the back of government helicopters -- bakeries and markets are the most commonly hit targets. When this happens the White Helmets rush in to search for life in the rubble - fully aware that more bombs may fall on the same site. These volunteers have saved 78,529 lives - and this number is growing daily.

 

30 Days with a Grateful Heart - {Day 20}

Day 20 ~ The slow return of longer, lighter days. This winter, more than others, I'm finding it hard to just 'be' in the darkness. There is so much uncertainty...and so much work to be done. I'm restless for the light.

(Catching up after technical difficulties the last few days)

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Fighting the Good Fight, Day 20: We are Blood (Blood bank)

From their website:

We Are Blood has drawn Central Texans together since 1951 to provide and protect the community blood supply. By inspiring people to donate locally and to take pride in this precious shared resource, we’re making sure all Central Texans will continue to have access to life-saving blood when they need it.

30 Days with a Grateful Heart - {Day 19}

Day 19 ~ So grateful for last night: the great music, the warmth of friendship, continuous laughter, and that Tom is on this earth. It's a better place because of him, that's for certain. 

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Fighting the Good Fight, Day 19: Mother's Milk Bank of Austin