Memories Shared

When I think about the memories I have, I think about the memories others have too. I'm sure you have heard of the golden rule. "Treat others the way you want to be treated." These words may sound overused but it holds tremendous value! This is something I live by. I also choose to live in the now but I plan for my future. When I think about my past, I contemplate what memories those I once knew are left with. I hope I leave others with a reason to smile!

When I was growing up, I never felt like I had to be anyone other than myself. I wasn't trying to set an example. I wasn't trying to fit into the box perfectly. I just wanted to be me. I have a vivid memory of when I was a child at church camp. I was doing arts and crafts and I approached the adult in charge and asked her if I was putting the pieces together right. She started to help me and realized that she had constructed the felt pieces incorrectly. I saw the perplexed look on her face and said, "Well, no one's perfect." Then I smiled at her. I saw the nervous look on her face change into a happy one. It was one of those moments you share with another that makes life beautiful. 

Here's a biggie that I have thought about for a long time...almost all parents want the best for their child/children whether you are a kid or an adult kid. No matter how old someone is, they are still someone's child. So, if you give the best of yourself to someone else, in return, you will receive the best back. This is something that will always be remembered by anyone that knows you. Whether it be for a fleeting moment or decades of your life. I believe if you live with your heart and with your soul, there is no way you can ever go wrong. Keep God at the forefront and draw close to Him. Your life will be full of love and happiness and God will bless you abundantly. 

Here is the flip side: Think about how easy it is to hurt someone. Think about how easy it is to be a bully. To be hateful. To be disrespectful. Now, think about being the one that is being bullied. It hurts, doesn't it? As bad as it is to endure the pain of someone being cruel, I would rather be the one being hurt than to be the one doing the hurting. I don't ever want to live that way! I could never be cruel to another. That means animals too. It's not something I had to decide about my own life, I just naturally and authentically lived my life that way. It wasn't until I was older that I realized how we all impact each others lives. I care about others and how they feel. I want to live my best life. It just was. I was just being me, just as I am right now. I wanted to make good memories then and I still do. I don't want to live with regrets. I am a very spiritual person that lives my life deeply through my soul. I wouldn't have it any other way. When I am sad or when I am given any kind of difficult life challenge, I draw upon the strength that God gave me and I conquer the storm. When I am happy and thankful, I do my best to be a light for someone that needs to be comforted from its warmth. My hope for all of us, is that we live our lives the way God wanted us to as if Adam and Eve never sinned. My love to all of you!

Things To Pray For

There are things that I need prayer for. Your prayers are most appreciated. It means the world to me that someone takes the time to talk to God about my needs. 

I recently pitched my books to a Christian Publishing Company and I'm waiting to hear back from them. I hope it's a yes! I have worked so hard on my novels. I also entered two of my poems in a poetry contest and I am waiting to hear back from them too. I reached out to my brother and I am hoping he will act more like a brother instead of a stranger. I am hoping my childhood friend will move back to California so we can resume our friendship. Talking on the phone just isn't enough. My last hope is that I find a way to put my life back together after losing my two best friends...my mom and dad. I was talking to my friend Tiffany and I used a metaphor that showed exactly how I feel. I told her it's like looking at a beautiful stained glass window that begins to crack in various places until it crumbles to the floor. Each crack is something that has broken my heart. Now, it is my job to put the pieces back together. I pray that I can. 

If you are in need of prayer, please reach out to me and I will be happy to pray for you. We are all in this together. Thank you for your kindness.

We Should

I think we should celebrate life. I don't think we should wait till someone passes to acknowledge who someone was. The time is now. Have you ever noticed how empty we feel when we live with regrets and how full we feel when we live with love and kindness? Every day there should be something to treasure. Be that light in someone's day. I don't think anyone ever grows tired of hearing, "I love you." 

I am reminded of a poem that Leo Buscaglia read by one of his students. 

-But You Didn't 

By Merrill Glass

Remember the time you sent me your car, and I dented it?

I thought you'd kill me...but you didn't.

Remember the time I forgot to tell you the dance was formal and you showed up in jeans? 

I thought you'd hate me...but you didn't. 

Remember the times I'd flirt with other boys just to make you jealous, and you were? 

I thought you'd drop me...but you didn't.

Remember that day I dragged you to the beach and it was raining as you said it would? I thought you'd say, "I told you so." But you didn't. 

Remember that day I spilled cherry pie all over your new carpet? I thought you'd tell at me. But you didn't.

There were plenty of things you did to put up with me, to keep me happy, to love me, and there are so many things I wanted to tell you when you came back from Vietnam but you didn't.-

We need to take the time to tell one another that we love each other. We need to put the most important things first. The most precious aspects of our lives should be the biggest part of our lives. Imagine how beautiful life would be if we lived creating our memories boldly. Not a drop of time will be wasted if you live your life with purpose. The Cambridge dictionary defines purpose as determination or a feeling of having a reason for what you do. 

Don't wait for a time that will never come. The time is now.

Ephesians 5:1 

Follow God's example, therefore as dearly loved children.

Why I blog

I choose to blog about cherished things because I felt called to. I want to reach others. I want to help others and express that I care. 

I think that life should be a circle of everything you cherish. So, it is never ending. If you love someone, tell them now. Don't wait till later. Take an opportunity and run with it HARD! Live with a purpose! At the end of the day, you will find that peace you so deeply crave.

If animals are your passion, like me, love them with all your heart. Even if you have to deal with individuals that don't understand you. It's not about them, it's about you and who you love. Love is love, a soul is a soul and both go on forever!

One thing that should be made clear, is that you have every right to be who you are and you should never have to be afraid of that. If you pretend to be someone that you're not, you will always be second best. Think about the perspective of a parent...every mom and dad wants the best for their child. So, if you are giving the best of yourself to others, in turn you will get the best back. Hence...a circle. It pays forward over and over again. We will never know how incredible things can be if we don't strive for it!

Here's where I think we get tripped up. I think it's easy to lose yourself along your path in life because as soon as you realize you are trying to please others, you forget who you are. Young children say what's on their minds and they play how they want to. It's refreshing to see them just being themselves. Ponder for a moment if that's how life could always be. I think we so easily give up that sense of comfort, peace and contentment in exchange for looking the part, wearing all the right clothes, saying all the right things, having the right car, the biggest house, the high paying job etc... We chase after peace, contentment, comfort, love and joy when we've actually had it all along. 

So, hold your loved ones close, say you love them, tell them you care. Including yourself. How can anyone grow tired of love?

When My Day Is Blue

There are things in life that hurt so bad that it changes who you are. Every day is a fight and you wonder when you can take off your armor and rest. -Matthew 11:28: Come unto me, that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.- That day came to me but at a high cost. It was the day I lost my two best friends. First my dad (2018) and then my mom (2024). It was the day my soul screamed deep within me. I still hear myself cry whether my eyes are wet or dry. I may not have to see them suffer anymore but I cannot see them at all. I cannot hear them. I cannot laugh with them. I can never have those amazing conversations to hold in my heart. I long for those times when everything felt normal and good. I can now rest from all the responsibilities that broke my heart every day, over and over but there is still work to do. This is my life and how I navigate it. -Ecclesiastes 3:12: I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and do good while they live.- I turn to God. I pour myself into my writing. I listen to Him through meditation and I take care of myself through yoga. I honor my parents memory by living in love and remaining on the strong foundation they gave me. It is my hope that those that are grieving can find a way to live with hope and peace even in a storm. For those that are suffering with the loss of a fur baby or a feathery baby or any creature that has touched your life, I have these words to share: "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched-they must be felt with the heart." Helen Keller. I believe with all my heart that the choices we make here, holds the greatest treasures in Heaven. God's most incredible and amazing creation was the animal kingdom. 1st Corinthians 13:13 states: So, now, faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. Through the sharing of life with a fur child, my life becomes abundant. Through the eyes of my own fur children, I see the power of love. I truly understand how it feels to lose a sweet fur baby. I still hear the silence that I am left with when God calls one of the home. I still cry for them. I remind myself that all is not lost. They are with God and yet their spirits are with me. I will see them again and the reunion will be forever and never be broken. Pray, and God will comfort you. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Please, take care and take it easy. ((Hugs)).

Just a Cher Bear

Hi everyone! My name is Cheryl, Cher, Cher Bear or Speck. My interests include writing, reading, baking, gardening, video games music, dance, yoga, meditation, strength training, stretching and cardio. My biggest love is God and all his beautiful creatures. I love dogs, giraffes, lemurs and sloths and all kinds of monkeys. My furry kids are Loki Giovanni and Sasha Ginger and my very loud cockatoo Charlie Boots. I am a volunteer for rainbowsbridge.com. I help those that have lost a beloved animal baby. I am also a Yard Duty at an Elementary School and I am fortunate enough to love my job! The best thing about it is the kids and how happy they are to see me! It makes getting out of bed at 6:30 a.m. worth it! I am also an aspiring novelist. I have written two books and I'm writing two more. My genre is Y.A. fantasy I also write poetry and have dabbled in writing lyrics. In the past, I did some acting which include a walk on part in "Friends." I was in the background in Central Perk. I was also in the background of "Moneyball." I did two local movies called "Checkmate and George Biddle CPA." It was a blast! I love anything that has to do with the Fine Arts because the art of creating is filled with such love and passion and is fueled by pure strength and determination. There are no limitations!!!! I am also a kid at heart! Who doesn't love to play? My favorite place in the whole world is Disneyland! If anyone runs into Peter and Kitra from Ordinary Adventures, please say hi for me!