dailyprompt

No Game

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How did you meet your significant other?

I met my husband when I was holding his pre-mature twin daughter. I was babysitting the twins so he and the family could attend their mother’s funeral. Little did I know this man I heard about and who had a wife die at just 29 years old would become my second husband.

We had “no game” as we were both so honest and vulnerable. We shared our stories and they were so familiar. I had been widowed 9 years earlier and left with a two year old daughter. He was just widowed with newborn twins a boy and girl.

It turned out we were both born in 1959 from large Italian Catholic families. He was one of six kids and I was one of five.

From the moment we met and began chatting we shared so much and all of it without any “game” our first date was to the Orioles baseball game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. It was the opening season of the brand new park and he was a season ticket holder.

Brian wanted to thank me for watching his babies so he could attend his wife’s funeral. It was on the ride home from the game when I asked when they married that he said the date. I was shocked! He had married her on my 30th birthday!

We had so much in common and again came to one another without any “game” and completely vulnerable. This month of August we just celebrated 29 years of marriage and 34 years together as a couple.

From the very beginning we just wanted to be together. We are the best of friends and true lovers. God had a plan and we are both thankful and truly blessed to have found each other. I can’t imagine anyone else who would be so perfect for me as my husband Brian.

What is meant for you, will find you!

#truelove #marriage #Godhadaplan #life #living

That Moment

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What’s a moment when you realized you were officially an adult?

The moment I realized I was officially an adult was when I watched my husbands casket being lowered into the ground. I was now a 23 year old widow. I realized I had passed a milestone in life where my experiences were more adult than even what my own parents had yet to experience in their lives.

I knew I was officially an adult and actually felt really old. During that time those first few years, I looked really old too. I felt the weight of my own life decisions heavily weighing on me. That was then.

Years and years later people would tell me I looked younger as I was aging. I agree!

Certain things in life happen where you are definitely no longer a child, and being a young widow with a toddler at that time was definitely when it happened for me.

#adult #mature #aging #widow #life #lessons #death #growing-up

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer and Instagram @bernadetteamoyer @bernadettesahm

Other writings available http://www.bernadetteamoyer.org

Life is for the living …

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What’s a quote that perfectly describes your outlook on life?

Life is for the living, live it! Has been my mantra since the age of 23 when my first husband Randy died.

As a young married woman with a toddler if was my first real experience with death. This death totally transformed my views on life and living.

Not one of us knows how long we have here on earth. When someone you knew well and intimately unexpectedly dies at a young age, it changes you.

I learned very early on that life is for the living, live it! Translation don’t take anything for granted, don’t put off what you can do today because we are not guaranteed a tomorrow.

That doesn’t mean we should be reckless and without intention but rather that we should live fully for the time that our lives allow.

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer

Instagram @bernadetteamoyer @bernadettesahm

#life #living #lessons #death

Comfortable Casual

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What’s your home decoration style?

My home is comfy and cozy by design. We live at the beach and there is also a coastal classic flair to it.

Part of what I’m drawn to from growing up on a farm can also be described as a twist on Country French. Visitors tell us our home is comfortable and recently a friend called it “cute” much of what we incorporate into our home environment has some fondness or memories associated with it.

Like my personality there is nothing pretentious in our home. It’s welcoming by design. A place of calm and retreat surrounded by my many books.

During the holidays our everyday plate and glass collection is replaced with Christmas themed plates and glassware.

Being so close to the ocean we tend to decorate for two seasons like summer coastal and winter Christmas. That’s what works for us!

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer and Instagram @bernadetteamoyer @bernadettesahm

#home #decor #style #comfy #cozy #country #homesweethome

Shaped by …

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Do you think we’re shaped more by our experiences or by who we are?

By Bernadette A. Sahm

Such a great question! Are we shaped by our genetic makeup and who we are born into? Or are we shaped by the experiences we have in our lives?

I’m willing to bet it’s both, part of our personality comes from our family ties and our roots, and part of our personality is formed by who and what we experience in our lifetime.

We are a composite of all that we learn and who we learn from.

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer and Instagram @bernadetteamoyer @bernadettesahm

Acts of Unexpected Kindness

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What are you passionate about?

I absolutely love and am passionate about acts of love and kindness. Today while wading in the water at the beach, I was picking up shells and stones. A little boy about ten years old came up to me and handed me three perfect seashells. I said, “don’t you want them?” His response “no they are for you!” I was stunned and replied “you are such a sweetheart” he just walked away. It literally made my day and made me smile so much.

I went back to my husband who witnessed this act and told me the kid has good taste in making you happy!

When we go out I like to tip good service generously. I was once a waitress and know how hard they work. Giving is for the giver.

Often going through the toll booth we pay for the car behind us.

I am a big believer in what goodness you but into the world comes right back to you. We can focus on all the things we don’t like in the world or we can choose to be the change we want to see in the world.

That young boy gave freely with no agenda and it wasn’t lost on me. All I could think was someone raised a good boy and one day someone is going to be the recipient of his kind actions.

We reap what we sow. When we plant seeds of goodness and acts of kindness we are almost certain to benefit from it.

I love a beautiful life and being a good and giving person is what I am most passionate about.

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer Instagram @bernadetteamoyer @bernadettesahm

#passionate #giving #generous #beautiful #life #lessons

Important for a good life …

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What are the most important things needed to live a good life?

By Bernadette A. Sahm

The first thing that comes to mind as the most important things needed for a good life is peace, love and good health.

Living without worry and living in peace and with love are by far the most important things to live a good life.

Good health is also important. As for possessions a nice home and car or cars and a healthy bank account and a refrigerator and freezer filled with good foods.

Loving relationships and healthy friendships enhance a good life. It’s important to surround yourself with good people.

Doing what you love with who you love and where you love to be all makes for a good life. I am blessed to have a wonderful loving husband and a nice home near the ocean. We have good friends and two precious pups.

As a retired person “living the dream” I honestly feel that I have living a very good life. I thank God daily for all our many blessings!

Books That Meant Something

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List three books that have had an impact on you. Why?

The top three books that have impacted my life and meant something to me are 1) Charlottes Web 2) The Four Agreements and 3) Women and The Blues: Passions that Hurt Passions that Heal.

As a child I loved Charlottes Web and living on a farm in northeast Pennsylvania, I could relate to farm animals. I loved the story and the talking animals and reading about the life cycle.

Later on as an adult woman I enjoyed reading Woman and The Blues. It was a self-help book that gave me the courage to persevere and keep going when things didn’t work out like I believed they would for me.

Last of the three and certainly not least was The Four Agreements. It’s a small book that cost around $10 and I have gifted it to dozens of my friends and acquaintances. The one agreement that literally changed how I viewed all my relationships was, “nothing other people do is because of you, it is because of themselves.” This quote alone changed me. I no longer accepted others actions and words personally. What they did and what they said was all theirs and not mine.

I love reading and I love many books but the three listed above certainly had a huge impact on me.

Happy reading!

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer

Instagram @bernadetteamoyer @bernadettesahm

#books #reading #lessons #life

Most Dear Belongings

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What personal belongings do you hold most dear?

By Bernadette A Sahm

My most dear “personal belongings” are probably three being 1) my framed Christening outfit handmade by my grandmother 2) my diamond engagement ring and 3) the flag presented to me after the 21-gun salute for the funeral of my first husband.

My grandmother knit and gifted me this four piece Christening outfit at my baby shower. It included a knitted gown with matching coat, cap and booties. I loved it then and now. Years ago I had it preserved and framed. It represents multi generational history.

I have a flag that draped my first husband Randy’s coffin when he was buried. It was folded and presented to me with a message from our then President Reagan. It is also preserved in a flag case. It reflects the American spirit of service above self. He died service related.

Last and certainly not least is a ring I wear every single day. It includes 5 diamonds where each represent my husband, me and our three children. It was my engagement ring and I seldom take it off. I love it today as much as au did the day I received it!

So these three items repented things I hold most dear …

My engagement ring with 5 diamonds represent 5 in our family …

#most dear #sentimental #memories #special

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer

Instagram @bernadetteamoyer

Having It All

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What does “having it all” mean to you? Is it attainable?

By Bernadette A. Sahm

First and foremost, “having it all” starts with peaceful living. Living in peace is everything. Then having that special someone to share peace and love in life is truly the greatest gift.

My husband is everything to me. We are about to celebrate 29 years of marriage and 34 years of living life together. We know how blessed we are to have each other.

Together we have weathered many storms and many life lessons. There was a long period of time when I didn’t have peace. It pointed back to numerous family issues. Then one day after years and years of grief and tears it vanished. What I was left with was a man and his unwavering love and that love grew stronger. Love was always there, peace wasn’t.

Is it attainable? Of course it is, you just have to want it! And work for it!

Today we have both lots of love grounded in peace. Truly these two things that define “having it all.”

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer and Instagram @bernadetteamoyer @bernadettesahm

#havingitall #love #peace #attainable #life #lessons