The sunset was absolutely beautiful yesterday. I went out to take a few pictures just before the skies started to turn dark. I have enjoyed photography as a hobby for many years. It’s fun to look for interesting or beautiful shots. It is challenging and enjoyable to set up the angle, the lighting, the space, and the focal point to get a good picture. The absolute best of all though is showing the pictures to others. When I see something beautiful, or funny, or interesting, I want to share it with my family and friends…because I was taught from an early age to share…and I dearly love doing it.
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My grandmother and my mother both set strong examples of sharing for me throughout my childhood. Whenever either one of them found a new restaurant, a new shop, a new recipe, a new song, a new book….anything that was particularly great – they could not wait to share it with others. It was a routine, normal occurrence when we were at a new restaurant eating something particularly good, Mother would think of someone she wanted to share it with. Oh, won’t they love this!” she would say, full of excitement.
My daddy also loved to share – but in a different way. Daddy loved to quietly help people – by giving money, time, effort – whatever was needed to help someone who was down get back on their feet. He did it over and over throughout the years. Daddy was also a fun storyteller. I have so many wonderful memories from childhood – sitting quietly while the adults (Daddy, my uncles, cousins, friends, neighbors, etc.) laughed and reminiscenced – sharing stories and memories. I was a little mouse in the corner – just listening and soaking it all in….
My friend Susan Gilley often says, “It’s not what you know, it’s what you share.” I think she’s right! Last summer, I took a trip to Mount Rushmore. I had wanted to go for years and years – and was so excited to finally be there. I was delighted with the trip – I couldn’t wait to share it with others. I wanted to show my friends who had never seen Mount Rushmore and South Dakota some good glimpses of what it was like. I hoped they would enjoy it – and was delighted when they seemed to do just that. It made me want to share more!!!
Growing up, I read and reread the Laura Ingall Wilder series. I loved Mrs. Wilder’s writings and thought how wonderful it would be to write as she did. However, I did not “feel” like a writer. I didn’t think that writing was a skill I possessed. I wrote anyway sometimes – just for myself – because I liked doing it. Then, a few people starting reading my writing and said they enjoyed it. (I was thrilled!) My Aunt Sharlet even urged me to write a book. I pondered the thought of that!. Through those nudges, I was encouraged and decided to try my hand at a blog. Do I know what I’m doing? Probably not! Do I know how to do this? Definitely not! I’m just jumping out in faith to see if anyone is interested in the writings, pictures, and thoughts I have to share. I have so many stories about my family, my friends, and places I’ve visited. I hope you will enjoy them – and I truly hope they will bring a positive message to your day.
Thank you for being here. Your support is appreciated.
Lisa