Check out my quite awesome editorial review from Kirkus Indie... So excited!

Check out my quite awesome review from 

Kirkus Indie..I'm one happy girl!

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/laurie-goyen/river-through-my-heart/

Have a wonderful Wednesday!!

Ever changing....

Life is fluid, a winding stream through landscapes never ending.

The heart grasps at memories past, holding them still to keep them near.

But TIME is moving and ever changing.

The bittersweet sting of nostalgia brings tears for wanting what has gone.

Yet these indelible impressions linger always.

In the midst of a beautiful life happening here and now,

There is joy in the present and for the future yet to come.

Still a faint and dull ache runs deep within the current.  

And the soul grieves little by little,

sentimental for moments transpired

and for precious eras forever lost in time.

L. Goyen

 

Brett

       I miss you Brother.

B eautiful Brother of mine.

R adiant in Heaven with God.

E ternally at peace.

T  ears because I miss you.

T hankful for the Gift of you in my life always.

Switch Things Up.

I noticed that me and the boys were bickering too much of late-so this morning we decided to switch things up and do something a little different.  Sometimes you have to change your routine in order to ease out of a rut. Change is good for the soul..that's why vacations are so wonderful right?

I gently rustled everyone out of bed..."Let's take LuLu (our lab mix) out to the dog park right up the street and throw the frisbee around".  After we navigated through the grogginess, Doug drove us first to the Starbucks drive-thru for some Latte's (some things are fine to stay the same ;) )and hot chocolate for G.  BTW, I would soon discover that ice coffee and heat don't mix well...fyi.  

"The sign says Dog Park Closed".  Doug noticed out loud as we approached the turn in.  "Okay...let's just get out and walk the trails for a bit then". I responded.  We all spilled out of our slightly bruised up Equinox (thanks to that church parking lot oopsie (my bad) two weeks prior). 

We had some quality family bonding time in spite of the heat and I was enjoying the change of scenery; the wildflowers, bridges, creeks, wild bushes and trees.  Afterwards, we decided to check out a Memorial I've passed many times off of Custer Road which is literally down the street from our house.  The grounds of the Memorial are beautifully landscaped with a dedicated rose garden in the center of the lawn and Crape Myrtles surrounding.  Reading the plaque honoring those in Collin County who had fallen and sacrificed their lives in World War I, World War II and The Vietnam War, I glanced up at our flag waving in the warm breeze and appreciated the moment of reflection.  The Memorial is also beautifully designed with sculptures depicting  war scenes in bronze.

I was struck by how close all of this is to our home and how a slight detour from our usual morning was becoming blessing in more ways than one.  We were enjoying our time together and thinking of things beyond our little world.  We were out for only about an hour but the change was what we all needed. When we got home, Garrett  said, "That was fun.  Thank you".  It's the little things isn't it?

If your soul is complacent, turn left instead of right on the way home.  Order Pistachio instead of Vanilla ice cream.  Volunteer and help your fellow man. Call an old friend or have lunch with a friend you haven't caught up with in a while.  Read a book, take a walk.  Do something different..Switch Things Up -it's good for the soul.

Here are some pics from this morning. Thought I would share. :)

Life is good!  

SHE AND HE

She moves along steady and fast and at the same time slow

So much to experience, to learn and to know

A teacher in the school of hard knocks through my youth,

Back when I was immature, screwing up and being uncouth.

But while I was busy sowing my wild oats,

I was also taking meaningful notes

He molds me like an artist with clay

through the experiences He brings forth everyday.

As I grow older, He helps me to evolve,

Into someone with wisdom, peace and resolve.

He is patient as I fall and keep getting back up.

He’s always waiting there patiently to fill up my cup.

I still have my cracks and I have to confess,

That I will always be a work in progress.

But now I want to pay forward the gifts and insights

that I've soaked up from Him and Her through all my days and nights.

Because in everything, we know there is a season.

And it's time to share my light for a purpose and reason.

So when the time draws near for me to be at rest and free.

I’ll take comfort in knowing,
 I honored God and the precious Life that he gave me.

L. Goyen

My thoughts for the day...

This photo encapsulates the joy and fulfillment I have felt and continue to experience since I've started stepping into those things that have always been within me (the ones that I used to let my head talk my heart out of).  Things like writing and speaking - sharing myself more with others and being open to all of the possibilities that life has to offer.

My heart has also been heavy lately...I can't believe it's been six months now since my brother Brett died and I miss him so much. My uncle Don just passed this past week from cancer and today we attended his funeral.  
Sunrise, Sunset...

Yet I know in my heart that both of them are really good now.

Being 47 is an interesting dichotomy. Things seem more heavy now as my youth gradually becomes less and less.  But at the same time, life has truly started coming together in a wonderful way.  A veil has been lifted - one that was threaded with fear, anxiety and self-induced limitations of many a kind. Now its all in technicolor. 

In this half of my life, the possibilities are as vast as the ocean and as many as the grains of sand on any beach.  So, while I walk in life each day knowing that heartache and loss surround and are a possibility.   I also know that things have truly never been better.  

Not because we're suddenly rich (which we're not) or that all of our problems of have dissipated.  No, life is more meaningful and fulfilling because I've learned through the years to truly enjoy and be grateful for all that I have.  And I've learned to savor each moment for what it is...A BLESSING. 

Life is also richer because I've come to realize that the only thing that has ever held me back was me and I decided to stop doing that.

Here's to embracing Life and all that it is;

the good, the bad, the happy and sad.

Save the Date: Speaking Event! -Wed., April 30th - 7p.m. to 8:30p.m.

"Hide not your talents. They for use were made. 

What's a sundial in the shade?

Benjamin Franklin

I am excited and honored to be speaking at my Church -
Christ United Methodist:

Wednesday Night, April 30th from 7:00 p.m. -8:30 p.m.

Trinity Hall

(Location:  on the corner of Coit and Parker Road)

Event Title:

  

"Step Up, Step Out, Step In to your Purpose/s".

My book "River Through My Heart",  

will be available for sale after the Q&A.

Women and Men are welcome.

I hope to see you here!