Sonny’s mom, Harmeet, so generously loaned us the proper clothing to wear to her son’s Sikh wedding.  It was a beautiful memory for us, and a mind-broadening experience. Sonny rode in a procession on the back of a white stallion, surrounded by his groomsmen on foot.  There was chanting during the procession and a great deal of cheering and clapping.  What I remember most about the inside of the temple, was the missing pews.  We sat cross-legged on the floor in rows, the women on one side and the men on the other.  I loved the feeling of sisterhood with the beautfully dressed ladies.  At the end of the service, the woman next to me leaned over, and instead of asking how I enjoyed the service, she said, “you really prayed with us, I could feel that you were part of the service.”  There was surprise in her voice.  I told her that it was a beautiful service, and to me we all worship the same God, whether we call him Abba, Allah, or Heavenly Father.  Relish your neighbor’s differences, it what makes the world interesting.  There’s is something to learn from every culture.

A story straight from a fairytale, Matt and Ika met on New Year’s Eve as 2010 rolled in.  She had come on vacation from Sweden to visit her sister Katarina for the holidays.  Katarina had married a Clear Lake man and settled in the area, as good fortune would have it.  Matt, Katarina and Ika were invited to a mutual friend’s New Year’s Eve Party.  Of course, the clock struck midnight and everyone grabbed their loved one for a lucky kiss.  Matt and Ika kissed, the rest is history:}

Of course, it took a bit more persuasion on Matt’s part to encourage Ika to give up her career as a School Counselor in Stockholm and move to the US.  Being a pilot, and having access to free flights made it easier for Matt to visit several times before convincing Ika that she must come and help her sister Katarina prepare for her first child.  They found love and in a future blog I will share their wonderful wedding with you.  For now, let’s just say God smiled on the Wilcox’s the day they met; and I believe Ika’s Dad, Kenneth, and Matt’s Dad, Robert, both smiled from above.  All of us have memories of meeting special people that make our lives better.  Sometimes it’s good to just reflect on these blessings.

The honeymoon was in Tahiti.  While we all can’t go to Tahiti, as Tres & Laura did on their honeymoon, we all can find a place where nature provides breathtaking beauty.  It’s as close as a city park, a nearby campground or a national park in your state.  Getting close to nature is one of the most uplifting memories you can give yourself.  Sunrises, sunsets, flowers, trees, birds and yes, even squirrels are there to be appreciated.  The Europeans are so wise when it comes to travel.  It is an essential, just after food and shelter.  They do not consider travel to be part of their discretionary spending.  Most live in small apartments or condos and many do not even own a car (if near public transportation, which is commonly available).  They do travel.  At the end of the day, who is building beautiful memories?

In climbing toward the sunshine, looking forward to special moments with family and friends are so uplifting.  Within months of Robert’s passing we were planning Tres and Laura’s wedding in the hills of the San Bernadino Mountains at Camp Ronald MacDonald where they met as counselors.  We rented the campsite for a 3 day weekend and the camp chef cooked every meal for us.  Everyone who came chipped in some time to decorate the dining hall for the reception.  We hung sparkling blue tulle from the rafters and strung rope lights.  It was a labor of love, and couldn’t have been more beautiful.  After watching the beautiful couple exchanging vows at the foot of the hills under a gazebo, we went inside to dance the night away,  At midnight the bride and groom announced they were tired and going to their cabin.  Didn’t stop the rest of us.  We danced on!  An amazing memory for everyone who attended.  I recommend you get involved in planning celebrations for friends and family.  Birthdays, christenings, anniversaries, it doesn’t matter what your planning or how much or little you have to spend.  It’s a labor of love and you will always get back more than you gave.

My life as a widow began a little over 5 years ago in 2009, when my husband of 40 years passed to the next life.  It has been a slow steady climb out of the dark hole where I started, but I am in the sunlight now and want to share with others who need to know there is a light at the end of each tunnel you find yourself in.  Having an abiding faith that we are all here for a very good reason, and have a brilliant future at the end of this life, is a rock available to all of us.  Helping others, your children, your siblings, your friends, even an occasional stranger lifts you up as you climb out of that hole.

Today I live the life I always dreamed of as a salt water soul.  I wake each morning to the sounds of the surf and the seagulls.  Teaching children and helping the stray animals of the island are my passion.  I want you to find the passion of your soul too.