Brave Heart, Brave Soul. She who is brave is free.

"When people are ready to, they change. They never do it before then, and sometimes they die before they get around to it. You can't make them change if they don't want to, just like when they do want to, you can't stop them."  ~ Andy Warhol When I was a little girl I simply loved this time of year. October was a happy time around our house always full of high spirits and amusing fun filled weekends. My parents were never big on Halloween, but they were big on fall. We decorated with colored leaves, corn, pumpkins and gourds. Our house continually smelled of pumpkin and spice. Mom made all kinds of pies, haystacks, hot cider, oatmeal cookies and candied apples. On the weekends we'd gather with friends and celebrate the season together. Sometimes we'd spend the weekend at a Fall Festival or take a hay ride. There was always lots of music, games, goodies and of course bobbing for apples. And no October was ever complete without watching the Grea

"When people are intimidated  by your strength and happiness, they'll try and break you down, and break your spirit. Remember, it's a reflection of their weakness, and not a reflection of you." ~ Free Spirited We have a saying here in the South. Truthfully it's probably where 'Bless your heart' originated. See, while we're biting our tongues, mama's raisin' isn't forgotten. When folks are acting all high and mighty and being ugly we simply remind ourselves to kill 'em with kindness. Lord have mercy! This task may be really difficult at times, but the truth is, you catch way more flies with honey than you do with vinegar, that's for sure. Now when it comes to those who ain't acting like they got good sense or feeling the need to make a mountain out of a molehill, well you just gotta remind yourself, "more Jesus, less drama." Mama didn't raise no fool... I can assure y'all of that. When gossip shows her

"Every test in our lives makes us bitter or better, every problem comes to break or make us. The choice is ours whether we become victim or victor." ~ Unknown This month marks my 11th year recognizing BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH. To be honest the color pink is not really my thing these days. I'm more than a number and far more than any color can define me. I'm a Survivor, and as such I understand the importance and necessity of honoring and recognizing all those who have fought and won this battle as much as remembering the lives of those taken far too soon. And so today I want to share some personal thoughts with you. Truthfully, I'm in a much better place than I was a decade ago. I've learned to accept my scars and to live free from fear. But this hasn't been an easy task, let me tell you. So today, why don't you come with me, back a ways. I think maybe it's time my story is told fully, not as a victim but as a woman who's com

"We are praying that you make it through the rain. I know nothing's gonna break the will of Houston. Oh, and we can't wait to go down there again" ~ Coldplay It's funny when I was a little girl I loved thunderstorms. I might've jumped back a time or two listening to the lighting crackle across the sky or hide when the  sound of the thunder came crashing in  a little too close for comfort. Still my mama was always there soothing my fears. assuring me everything was going to be OK. When fear crept in she held me tight, wrapped me up in her arms and whispered a prayer of peace in my ear.  My love for the rain comes from my mom. All these years later, she still loves listening to the rain beat down on the top of the roof when she's sleeping.  When I was small, I 'd listen to the rain falling and smile. It was beautiful, peaceful and magical almost. Rainy days meant coloring books, paint by numbers, and listening to as many Disney records as my