Category Archives: Gratitude

Tuesdays With The Angels-Angels Butterflies & Little Miracles

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Eleven years ago on my birthday, I flew to California to be with my son. My husband had passed away a few months before. I stayed at a hotel by the freeway and the wall of the freeway was just outside my room. The wall was covered in vines and summer flowers. As I settled in, a myriad of butterflies caught my attention. I’ve always loved butterflies. I sat by the window and began writing about grief, butterflies and angels.

That night, my son took me to dinner on the patio of a lovely restaurant. In the cool of the California evening, I read his card with a butterfly on it. “Mom, You will get your wings and fly again soon. Love Mike.”  It was a meant-to-be moment. Butterflies on the wall and in the card and sentiment. 

In the years that have followed,  I have written more books in the Mystic Bay Series and then a children’s book called, When The Angel Sent Butterflies.

However, months after my book was published, a little miracle happened. My daughter, her husband, son, and new baby girl, sat on the steps of their apartment building in New York City. A butterfly landed on my son-in-law’s finger first and then fluttered to the shoulder of my daughter. Then surprisingly, the butterfly landed on my baby granddaughter’s  shoulder too! They captured each moment with their cell phones.

I believe angels are always around us. Sometimes we  see butterflies at just the right moment to give us the light of hope in our hearts.

In my Mystic Bay Series, my character, Angel Ken, sends calming love on the wings of butterflies. I believe angels send us butterflies  at the very moments we need them like on a birthday card or  miraculously to land on our fingers and shoulders. This to me is heaven’s way to  remind us of God’s love.

& This beautiful saying:

          Just When The Caterpillar Thought It’s Life Was Over It Became A  Butterfly. CoverAngelsButterfliesCMYK

Tuesdays With The Angels-Be The Light

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‘Be The Light‘ is a simple phrase with oh so much meaning. Here I am, a writer for many years now, and with books to share I’ve not had the forethought  to use these very words that mean so much to me.

To me being kind to all and being the light for those you love in as many ways as you can means everything. It’s like my other favorite phrase, ‘Random Acts of Kindness‘. Kindness is a theme in all my books. It is in my thoughts each day if I talk to my husband, children, grandchildren and friends. But it is also  the perfect way to speak to a stranger. A kind word, a nod, a smile are rays of light for someone else’s day. It’s a way to show gratefulness to God and the angels that we get how precious our lives and the lives of others are to humanity.

Being the light in other’s lives brings hope, peace, and joy to the world. But also we must remember to bring light to ourselves. The older I get, the longer I live, I know this to be true.

Years ago, a homeless man ran up to me in New York City as  I walked to my daughter’s apartment. “I need six dollars for medicine,” he said as he tried to keep up with my fast walking. Never closing my handbag, a habit of mine, I reached in and gave him a twenty dollar bill. He said, “Thanks,” and ran on ahead but abruptly turned around and said, “You’re an angel.”  He then ran on and I didn’t question he really needed the medicine. I pictured him going into the drug store to get what he needed. I was pleased with myself.  I knew I was a light for him that day.

But now years later I wonder,  maybe he was an angel, teaching me how showing random kindness is such an intregal part of love. How being the light helps me grow into all I can be. Being The Light is forever in my hopes for a good day. The character, Madam Norma, who is in all my books always says, “Kindness is the first ingredient of love.”

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Tuesdays With The Angels-Message From Above

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Kate, my late daughter, was the sunshine of my life. She passed away years ago but her memory is embedded in my heart. I dream of her upon occasion, yet it one dream she spoke to me.

She  was sitting on the couch with her twin brother and sister. I had been worried that day about whatever problem  had come up. In fact I was ruminating about it. But love has no boundries between heaven and earth. Kate looked up at me and said, “Just live.”

Wasn’t this a voice of reason for me to ponder at just the right moment?  I woke up  realizing that today, the now, is all we ever have. We can look back with regret on many decisions or happenings or we can look forward and believe in today.

I have precious memories of her that no one can take away. She was the sweetest little girl and welcomed her twin brother and sister with love, caring for them calling them, our babies and then, our twins. She lived a life full of love for her family knowing we loved her and she knows that still. Kate is in heaven’s realm with angels by her side. I feel her with me every day. I’ve written ten books with angel themes. My latest, ‘New Angel In Town‘, reflects all the true angel encounters  family, friends, and those I meet at book signings have told me. I treasure her memory and go on. I have people to love and animals to care for and hope for the future. “Just live,” Kate said. It was a beautiful message for everyday from my heavenly daughter.

Tuesdays With The Angels-Hopes and Dreams

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As a child I never dreamed I could become a writer. I was a shy girl who loved to write little stories and poems and yet this evolved  years later through moments of hope through dreams of a better future.

When my daughter, Kate, passed away years ago I thought I couldn’t go on. But hope sometimes comes in dreams and one dream weeks after Kate’s death changed the course of my life.

A dream,came unexpectedly to read the book, Charlotte’s Web, a children’s book. There would be a message in it. Never having a message like this before during sleep and with hope in my heart, I bought the book. The message at the end of the book was clear. Just as Wilbur the pig would go on without his friend, Charlotte, the spider, I would go on with my life, loving those left for me to care for, my surviving childen, my husband, my friends and students.

When I met a  man I know was an angel months later, I felt compelled to write about angels, grief, loss, forgiveness, over coming bullying and moving forward with kindness in my heart and hope for the future. This culminated in years now of writing stories from the heart. 

Over the years, my writing has evolved with a memoir, Special Needs Children The Angels On My Shoulder,  my children’s book, When The Angel Sent Butterflies, and many heartfelt stories in my Mystic Bay Series.  My tenth book coming this new year, will surround the same themes and angel stories with a new character, an angel in town.

So many hopes and dreams have come true for me. Grief and loss happened but how I’ve handled it is thanks to my belief in angels and God. I believe the ability to write came from above. Some readers feel my books bring hope for a more kind tomorrow. It’s happening all around us now, a change, a love for our fellow man, an awareness, a spiritual awakening of the gratitude for our earth, our lives, and each other. I had my spiritual awakening years ago once upon a dream, a dream which came true. 

Tuesdays With The Angels-If I Were An Angel I’d Whisper, “Kindness Stays”

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Why do I write books about angels? Is it because I think I met an angel once or is it because kindness has stayed with me  even through the darkest times?  I remember all the kindnesses others have bestowed on me, those I know and strangers passing through the moments of my life. Being kind helps my life with an indescribable feeling of love.

When I see the daily hurt others in our world inflict on those less fortunate or troubled, I realize the energy of  hate and bullying never can match the gift of life and ability to love we’ve been given. Why doesn’t everyone see this? When I write myMystic Bay novels  kindness is always a main theme in the fictional town of Mystic Bay.

If  I were an angel, I would whisper all  to remember kindness is a gift that can be shared. It is a holy thing sent to us from above. Having a heart full of kindness for others with an avenue to forgive has seen me through the losses in my life, the hard times, the restless nights of solving problems. To be kind brings joy to my life. Kindness stays.

 Madam Norma, the wonderful character in all my books, is based on my dear friend of forty years who passed away at ninety-four. She was always the dearest friend, a surrogate mother to me. She lost both her children and her husband yet she continued to be kind to others, loving her life while creating joy for others. So in my books, I impart a phrase of wisdom that must have come from an angel’s whisper. My character Madam Norma always says, “Kindness is the first ingredient of love.” 

Tuesdays With The Angels-Angel Inspirations Manifesting Little Changes

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As I was writing my tenth book in the Mystic Bay Series, I found myself stuck. The turmoil of our country and in our world is sad, disheartening and stressful at best. But then the other day there was an inspirational  thought that crossed my mind when I asked myself what can I do. The words–  little changes.  This was just what I needed, a thought from above I’m sure.

I believe we can manifest what we want and I want my children and grandchildren living in  a world that’s  striving for  peace and harmony. We Are the World was the great song of the 80’s. That powerful song put forth the truth. Helping each other and working together is primary for peace. Taking the utmost care of our children and teaching this principle could solve so much.

 My novels, hopefully uplifting stories, contain love, redemption, forgiveness and hope. That’s the kind of world I want for all children. The children around the world are watching and learning from us. We are the role models.

 Making little changes in our lives can manifest big changes. My little change is to keep on turning stress into writing a storyline that is full of hope and good outcomes.  Our voices need to be heard in what ever way possible.  Writing is part of my soul’s journey. Stay tuned, I’m manifesting a story filled with kindness, gratitude and hope for a better world.

Love and Peace!

Tuesdays With The Angels-Bringing Peace To The Children of the World

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Peace is possible if we think only of our children and grandchildren’s safety and happiness. The world is suffering and the most vulnerable, the children, are suffering the most aren’t they?

I believe in positive thinking and prayer as the late minister Norman Vincent Peale’s works influenced my life, helping me through the grief of losing my daughter years ago.  I believe in imagining a world where God’s grace shows us the way to peace. We must realize the precious short life we are given and how loving each other is the only way to live a peaceful life.

I met an angel long ago. He appeared human but the circumstances were extraordinary. When I lost my daughter and was in the saddest place I’d ever been, he  comforted me with his words and then he was gone in a flicker of a candle moment. Did God send him? I know He did.

As I pray for peace, I pray for all of us to see the light, the light of love. Change needs to come in our sensitivity to others pain. Human kindness is the way to the light that love shines.

Below is the cover of the first novel I wrote in the Mystic Bay Series. The book is dedicated to my dear daughter, Kate. Because I met an angel long ago, my life has been forever inspired. My life is full of prayer for my family, friends and also just as fervently for the world. 

“In the night of death, hope sees a star and listening love can hear the rustle of a wing.” Robert Green Ingersoll

Tuesdays With The Angels-Take Heart

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Today I reflected on my writing and how fortunate I’ve been to write eight books. 20 Moon Rd. An Angel’s Tale just won first place in the communication contest from the National Federation of Press Women. Writing has been a second career but more importantly an avenue to get my whole being into writing about angels, love, forgiveness and triumph over sorrow.

I reflected today on the state of the world where war destroys countries and anger dominates so many lives on our beautiful blue planet. At night when I can’t sleep I write my books in my mind. I think of the characters, plots and scenarios for my readers to ponder. Of course, good always wins in all my stories. I believe good always wins in the end.

I could have easily become a bitter old woman losing my precious daughter so many years ago but instead I  moved forward. I had to go on in a positive way for my living children, my family, my friends and also for myself. I was given a gift to live here on planet earth as just me. 

I have had so many beautiful experiences, met so many unbelievably kind and wonderful people. I am blessed to have the appreciation for our earth and her creatures.

The words ‘take heart’ came at night from the angels, I’m sure. Writing at night also changed the way I pray. Yes, I pray for my family, and for the answers to problems but mostly now I pray for those less fortunate. I pray for the war torn lands and people, for the suffering of others and for a change in the wrong doings of others. I pray these people see the light. The light to me is God and His angels. Trying to  evolve at any age, is another gift I’ve been given. I’ll keep praying, writing and loving  because I know living is learning. Learning to love others and to pray for others is the greatest gift of all.

Take Heart.

Tuesdays With The Angels-The Bully Never Wins

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As a young girl I witnessed bullying in our neighborhood. The little girl was cruel  to my friend and me. My own mother didn’t seem to notice but my friend Sally’s mother did. She sat us down and talked to us about it. Her words gave me confidence. I’ll never forget her kindness. Perhaps she is the inspiration for so much of my mothering skills. 

Unfortunately, in our lives today bullies come and bullies go. The bully is in the schoolyard, the neighborhood, and the politics played out like a TV show in the news headlines.

What can we do about it? Like Sally’s mother, we can gravitate to those who inspire us with their kindness and support. Besides these people with angelic qualities, I always visualize Heaven’s angels near. I think they send messages of hope, and positive thoughts and ideas.

Gratefully,  I’ve met many a kind person in my life especially one I am sure was an angel sent from above to comfort me long ago.When I lost my child and sorrow took me down, a kind friend took me on a girl’s trip. There we met a man who had to be an angel. He is the inspiration for all my angel books. In my books, of course, there are kind characters, themes of hope, redemption, forgiveness and love. But also, there are oh so many angels to help make sure the bully never wins.

Tuesdays With The Angels-The Angels On The Writers Shoulder

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Years ago, when I started writing my first novel, The Angel’s Daughter, I encountered many experiences that seemed to be my destiny. Since my daughter, Kate, passed away years ago, I have written seven books and I am writing the eighth. This was not happenstance, this was meant to be in the tapestry of my life. You see, writing became healing, especially about angels, because I know I encountered an angel once in human form. He comforted me at my time of loss. I will speak of this encounter and more in my talk, The Angel’s On The Writers’ Shoulder. I am excited to announce I will be at the AZ Author’s Series Desert Foothills Library in Cave Creek, Arizona, November 1, 2022 at 4 pm. Come join me as I take you on my writing journey with each spiritual discovery. More information to come. Sending this in Light and Love.