THE 'TEMPORARY DEMISE' OF GOOD TASTE AND RESPECT

A series of essays....

THE WHITE HOUSE STATE DINING ROOM

   Courtesy, Elle Decor

....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

Mary, a Facebook friend of mine, reposted the picture below that was originally from The Guardian with, “This is the first thing you see when you get to hell!” as the headline. I don’t know about you, but knowing that this is the first thing I would see in hell.....Heaven and being a good, kind person has gained even greater mass appeal for me! Yes, despite the memories of years of Parochial school teaching and the enormous effort it took to keep my eyes open during eight o’clock mass each school-day morning! And, I would do it all over again, if not become the white-clad Missionary Sister working and spreading love within a third world country, a phase that struck most of us young, Catholic girls around fourth or fifth grade, in order to avoid this horrific sight anywhere and at all costs.

PRESIDENT LINCOLN LOOKS ON
 IN TOTAL CONFUSION

                  Courtesy, twitter.com

May we take a moment to quickly analyze the ludicrous aspects of this photo, long before it gets committed permanently to my memory? Sorry, too late.

I initially visited the White House in 1989 with my youngest daughter who was a winner in an essay contest sponsored by the California Raisin Advisory Board along with ad promotions by the claymation musical group, The California Raisins, singing “I Heard It Through The Grapevine.” The contest was promoting the health benefits of raisins and why California Raisins were a nutritional powerhouse. The spokesperson appointed by the board to represent them was a sprite and spunky seventeen-year-old by the name of Alyssa Milano.

                   Courtesy, Amazon.com

Besides touring this venerable estate of the people, we spent time in a small, classroom-type setting with Ms. Milano and others as the twelve young essay winners, chosen from across the country, relayed their personal ideas as to the promotion of physical fitness and good eating habits. Their amazing collective ideas, entered into official governmental record, were encouraged to be taken back home to be shared with their school and community, family and peers. It was quite the experience for the kids and all of us parents, alike.

ALYSSA MILANO AS THE TIGER BEAT,
CALIFORNIA RAISIN PINUP

One of the many things we learned on this exciting four-day excursion was the tremendous importance and major responsibility that the people living in this historical home place upon their own shoulders by becoming the President and First Lady of the United States of America. George H. W. Bush presided over our nation at the time of our visit and I, for one, was inspired by a capable and working agenda of a government consisting of and supported by its two political parties. 

The strength, memories, and historical importance of the White House, encouraged by an intellectual powerhouse consisting of respect and collective thoughts, encircled the American people as a whole during the time of our visit. The feeling of hope was tangible in each room we entered and reaffirmed the belief of respect for the Constitution of the United States, as well as the people it helps to guide and protect each day.

Democracy, literally, rule by the people and for the people, is a very beautiful and comforting thing.

When you look at pictures of the State Dining Room you will find George Peter Alexander Healy’s 1869 portrait of Abraham Lincoln. It has occupied a place of honor over the fireplace for many years and depicts Lincoln during the final days of the American Civil War. Tables are set with their finery and used for receptions, luncheons, large formal dinners and state dinners to celebrate and acknowledge visiting chiefs of state on state visits. Mr. Lincoln looks down upon them helping to create a formal elegance that serves to inspire those who have come to participate in the sharing of higher ideals of freedom, the warmth and hospitality of our President, and the willingness to harmoniously work with others around the globe in order to create a better, stronger world at large.

Once again, the current resident of the White House has intentionally decimated the wholesome images created in this formal room that echo the voices of heads of state and heroes at the expense of our most young and talented citizens.

In a gesture of high public esteem for the victory of the Clemson Tigers over Alabama’s Crimson Tide in the National Collegiate Football Championship, the White House has given Honest Abe a whole new dimension of dining to frown down upon within the hallowed walls of the State Dining Room. In a gesture of respect for some of the country’s finest, healthiest young athletes, the current resident in chief has displayed only the finest and healthiest of culinary delights in honor of these young men.

Just kidding...

No amount of twinkling candlelight reflecting off of tall, golden candelabras or masses of silver in the form of elaborate serving trays in every shape and form can camouflage the tackiness and sheer classlessness displayed by a dubious White House leader and carried out by his staff. Cold fast-food burgers, French fries, and soggy pizza greeted our football heroes reflecting a personal bias towards young, successful athletes for whom he aspired to be but failed horribly in his quest.

HEALY'S 1869 PORTRAIT OF
ABRAHAM LINCOLN

                         Courtesy, virginislandsdailynews.com

President Lincoln, looking down from his lofty perch that day, recognized the mindset commensurate with these hard-working, winning young men as they encapsulated his own superior work ethic and ‘mis en place’ status.

In turn, these young men must have, at least, felt the ever-giving strength of Lincoln, the history attributed to this fine, stately room, and the wisdom of our forefathers encompassed within the symbol of one of Democracy’s finest achievements, the White House, and the person who resides there. I pray that all of this given so generously to them via time and history will far outweigh the tiny backslaps accompanied by the rude and ignorant hospitality that was afforded them on their special day of honor at the White House. 

May the future of this country see a kinder, smarter, diplomatic and charismatic, and respectful person presiding over her once again.....soon. We the people deserve it!

PRESIDENT OBAMA'S FINAL STATE DINNER

                   Courtesy, Pinterest

Copyright © 2019 by Jacqueline E. Hughes

All rights reserved

THE ROAD TO DOWNPATRICK HEAD, THE MYSTERY OF DU BRISTE, AND BREAKFAST AT MARY'S

A series of essays....

FOLLOWING THE ROAD TO DOWNPATRICK HEAD

....as seen through my eyes!


  

MARY'S COTTAGE KITCHEN

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

Most of us wake-up to multiple sources of input even before arriving at the morning’s destination of work, school, or visiting a friend for coffee and conversation. The morning news, YouTube videos, and weather forecasts circle within our brains like the farmhouse in The Wizard of Oz while fragmented visions of unnecessary walls, various video tutorials, and colorful umbrellas encompass the little, white house in a mass confusion of swirling bits and pieces.

Today, I’m not going to allow these hollow fragments to haunt me. Today, I’m thinking about Mary, homemade raspberry scones with lots of creamy butter, and the pure charm of the local Irish people.

SCENIC DRIVE TO BALLYCASTLE

ROLLING HILLS AND STONE WALLS

You see, it all began when Dan and I decided to take a road trip up to meet the Wild Atlantic Way and follow it to the village of Ballycastle and visit the windswept outcrop of Downpatrick Head located just north of the village. Our hope was to find a quaint little eatery in Ballycastle and enjoy a homemade breakfast with the locals before finding the famous stone sea-stack standing close to the edge of the cliffs we were seeking. 

This sea-stack is called Dún Briste (broken fort) and legend has it that when a pagan chieftain refused to convert to Christianity, Saint Patrick struck the ground with his crozier (staff), splitting a chunk of the headland off into the ocean, leaving the chieftain on top! The sea-stack is beautiful to behold because you can see layers upon layers of multi-colored rock strata easily dating the land back millions of years, long before the dinosaurs roamed the earth. 

DUN BRISTE IS WAY OFF IN THE
DISTANCE, JUTTING OUT TO SEA

IN THE FOREGROUND: THE RUINS
OF SAINT PATRICK'S CHURCH.
IN THE BACKGROUND: THE WWII LOOKOUT POST.

The coastline of County Mayo can be rugged and wild while it curiously curves around the North Atlantic Ocean as you follow the Wild Atlantic Way. The designated signs allow you to follow this road quite easily and, I promise you, it will take you on adventures you will never find by tour bus. I always recommend renting a car whenever possible while traversing Ireland in order to get into all of the brilliant nooks and crannies and offbeat tracks that this craggy island has to offer.

Making it up the final hill with Ballycastle within sight, lo and behold, the very first sign we came across was Mary’s Cottage Kitchen! “That was certainly easy, wasn’t it?” I said, thoroughly delighted with our instant find and anticipating a cuppa or two in my near future.

“The stone façade is very inviting,” Dan added and we were instantly swept into the little structure by the strong wind at our back as soon as we opened the rustic front door. 

~~ MARY ~~

“Hello. Hello, and a good morning to ya!” Mary’s kind voice preceded her physical presence as our eyes adjusted from the bright sunlight to the dimness of the cottage’s interior. “Hello and please sit wherever you’d like. Indeed, my name is Mary and I’m gonna see what Beth here would like to have this morning and I will be right with ya. Make yourselves at home, won’t ya?”

As Mary glided over to Beth’s table, we sat down at a small one near a front window and were now able to see our surroundings quite nicely, as well as our intriguing host. From the ‘happy’ yellow walls to the solid oak tables and chairs that mimicked my Mother’s dining set but represented over twenty-one years of constant wear and tear contributed to by hungry local workers, farmers, ladies out for tea and scones, and families seeking refuge from having to cook dinner in their own kitchen one night a week...Mary’s Cottage Kitchen lived up to its name.

OUR VIEW OUT TO BALLYCASTLE

WE APPRECIATED
THEIR KEEN SENSE OF HUMOR

After perusing the menu inside and out, we determined that Mary must have a unique sense of humor and may show a little jealousy towards Bart, her husband, when hair color and age are concerned. “Canna get you both something to drink?” her warm smile imploring us to order and stay awhile. Walking away to make my tea and pour Dan a cup of coffee, it dawned on me what she reminded me of in a quirky sort of way. “Mary looks like a train engineer with her white hat and striped apron, don’t you think?” I asked Dan who was watching two men blowing in from the front doorway. “Maybe a little bit. I just think she’s adorable!”

MARY TAKING BETH'S ORDER

The two newcomers sat down at the table near us and made themselves at home. With one blink of an eye Mary was bringing out two steaming cups of black coffee and placing them in front of the men. “Hello, Cal! What’s up, Pat? Will it be the same as usual today? Yes, I thought so. Hope the world is treating you both well. Won’t be a moment, all right?” And, as if the front door had been left wide open, she blew straight back into her tiny kitchen. 

Shortly afterward, Mary emerged with tea and coffee in hand accompanied by fresh lemon wedges and honey and eager to take our breakfast order. When we saw that she offered poached eggs on toast with a side of rashers, there was no way we could resist. “Now, you get a side basket of bread, too, don’t ya know. I can fill it up with brown bread and a side of my mixed-berry jam, homemade and sweet as heaven. And, with your eggs, you’ll have a raspberry scone I made just this morning and practically hot from the oven.” With our mouths watering and tummies rumbling, about all we could do was nod our genuine approval as Mary turned to speak with Beth a few feet away.

AHH! THE PERFECT BREAKFAST!

DAN ENJOYING HIS BROWN BREAD

Now, the local men near us were carrying on a quiet conversation when Mary reappeared from the back like a choreographed dancer holding two steaming plates of eggs, rashers, and toast. Slipping one plate gently down before each man, she asked what more she could bring them and said she’d be talking later about a construction job she might have for them, soon.

“Do you notice how very few words are spoken and yet...everyone seems to know what everyone else is thinking? It’s as though spending enough time in close proximity together has enabled them to read one another’s mind,” Dan observed. I agreed wholeheartedly when Mary, quite the one person show, was bringing our own plates out to be placed down before us. Could she see how we were salivating in genuine anticipation?

MARY'S DISPLAY CASE
OF HOMEMADE DELIGHTS!

Discreetly wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, I asked Mary if she created all of the scrumptious baked goods displayed in the glass case behind her, along with the brown bread and fruited scones. “Every day I wake-up early to work in the kitchen creating different delights to sell. Today it is raspberry scones but, tomorrow it will be strawberry or blueberry. I go by what’s available to me at the time. My jams are made in the late summer days when the fruit is the freshest it can be and then they are ready to bring out throughout the colder months.” 

It was such fun listening to her speak, her charming accent spreading joy to our ears. Before leaving us to devour our goodies, she asked, “Are ya bound for Downpatrick Head this morning? If so, be fairly careful. The wind is mighty powerful (pointing out the front window). The view of Dún Briste is stunning but the wind off of the North Atlantic can be a wicked ting.” We were both thinking that heeding a local’s advice was probably quite prudent.

Having finished our grand meal, a pot of brewed tea, and two cups of coffee, Dan was paying our bill while I was running all about taking pictures of Mary’s Cottage Kitchen. Mary gave us both a genuine hug good-bye and said she’d more than likely be there if and when we ever returned to Ballycastle. We decided we could not return without seeing Mary again!

FOLLOWING THE WILD ATLANTIC WAY

THE NORTH ATLANTIC IN THE DISTANCE

WHERE BLUE SKIES MEET THE BLUE SEA....  

Turning our rental car north to the coast we followed the signs leading us to the famous sea-stack and the mighty cliffs of Downpatrick Head. “Oh, look at that view, Dan! Please stop,” I pleaded for, at least, the fiftieth time that day. By now Dan was quite familiar with my need to shoot practically everything in sight! With a country as naturally beautiful as Ireland, this can be a very time consuming affair. But, so well worth it in the end. “Don’t worry, I’m pulling over here,” he explained with a smile on his face.

“Stunningly beautiful! What more can I say?” I exclaimed while madly clicking away.

ENJOYING THE MAGNIFICENT LIGHT
AND THE CRASHING WAVES

THE VIBRANCY AND COLOR OF LAND AND SEA

THE BEAUTY OF DOWNPATRICK HEAD

Parking the car and arming ourselves with woolen scarves and warm gloves, we prepared ourselves for an invigorating coastal walk up green slopes dotted with grazing sheep, around Poll N’a Seantainne, a magnificent blowhole that plummets down to the tempestuous ocean below, and a small stone building built near the edge of the cliff that served as a lookout post during World War II. The name Downpatrick is derived from a time when St Patrick himself founded a church here. We could still see the ruins of the church building, a stone cross, and a holy well nearby.

And, of course, there was the glorious Dún Briste majestically floating yards out to sea and resembling a giant layered cream torte baked to perfection over the span of many centuries. Dan snapped several pictures of this decadent slice of historic importance and has had it as his screen saver ever since.

GRAVEL PATH TO THE TOP OF THE CLIFFS

POLL N'a SEANTAINNE BLOWHOLE

DARKENING SKIES AND SUNSHINE....
PERFECT LIGHTING!!!

“Look at the dark clouds and mist rolling in. I believe we’re in for a big storm,” Dan said, as our fascination with the place had yet to ebb. With wide eyes I noted that I’d not taken the time to notice the thick cloud cover approaching us from far out at sea. It was a living, breathing white fog that had designs on engulfing the deep blue waters and the rolling landscape neatly bordered by rocky cliffs. “Let’s move now because we have quite a hike down to the car park,” I replied, a bit anxiously.

THE GLORIOUS DUN BRISTE

How many Irish men, women, and children stood along this same spot, year after year, watching the sea mist devour their land and homes in a matter of a few moments? The sea is a powerful force filled with mystery that takes up a large space in the history of Ireland and defines her people. On that particular day in early October, this fact was never more evident to us. We, also, learned to respect the land and the majestic cliffs that constantly work at keeping the mighty sea at bay.

HEADING BACK TO BALLYCASTLE
IN THE MIST AND RAIN

Copyright © 2019 by Jacqueline E. Hughes 

All rights reserved

Photo copyright © 2019 by Jacqueline E. Hughes

All rights reserved

SHUNNING THE SUN: IS IT DRAINING OUR HEALTH?

 A series of essays....

MICHIGAN SUNSHINE FIGHTING TO BREAK
THROUGH THE CLOUD COVER

....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

Making it through the gray days while retaining some semblance of sanity is my goal in 2019. You see, I’ve been here once before in my lifetime, twenty-two years ago, and had hoped to never have to tread these particular waters  again. However, I’ve discovered within the past eleven years that we have absolutely no control over our heartstrings and certain people know how to play the most melodious tunes on them while making you dance and sing as though the world were young and hopeful once again.

Those people include our grandchildren. Our first grandchild was born over eleven years ago. To be able to watch them grow-up while being a part of their lives was always our main reason for moving back to Michigan. The added benefit was reuniting with high school friends and making new friends who have become our family and pull at our heartstrings by just being their interesting and kind selves. Thank you each and every one of you! You've helped to make this transition possible.

CELEBRATING OUR
GRANDSON'S BIRTHDAY

Watching the Citrus Bowl New Year’s Day with Dan gave me another jolt of self-pity for which I’m not proud. As my husband was following the Kentucky Wildcats prove victorious over the Penn State Nittany Lions with a close final score of 27 to 24, I was observing the soft, white clouds drifting through the powder blue skies high above downtown Orlando, Florida! I was, once again, vicariously, feeling the warmth of the Floridian sun on my skin. For these reasons alone, it was the only Bowl Game I was truly interested in watching.

Having shared that cover of warm, beautiful blue skies, with the sun shining brightly overhead for so many years, a sudden spark of remorse circled within my gut as my eyes roamed from Orlando on the flat screen television to the gray skies and snow-dusted winter scene that continues to greet me outside the screened living room window of our Little Yellow Cottage in Michigan. Quite frankly, it’s not the cold that haunts me. I have several new plush and stylish coats that I enjoy snuggling into on my way out the door. Slipping my stocking feet into toe-covered shoes or sumptuously lined boots is a joy. And, my soft-lined gloves help protect my sensitive skin from being dry and painful. No, I’m good when it comes to utilizing my cold weather armor.

The lack of natural benefits from the sun is my most urgent concern.

A FLORIDA LIFESTYLE

There are good reasons those of us who live in colder climates tend to flock to warm, sunny places for Winter and Spring breaks! We enjoy the prospect of basking in the sunshine, walking a sandy beach, and shedding most of our clothes in order to swim in the warm waters of an aquamarine ocean. We instinctively know that vitamin D does do a body good!

Even though most people become sun-wary and opt to work, Dracula-like, indoors in order to protect themselves from skin cancer, and slather sunscreen on when the outdoors finally beckons, there can be a health fallout from spending too much time shunning the sun. Experts explain that our lack of solar exposure is depriving us from some natural benefits. 

A SYMBOL OF HOPE: A GOLDEN
SUNRISE IN OUR NEW BACKYARD!

STREET LIGHT OFFERING ITS
GOLDEN WARMTH ON A COLD,
SNOWY MORNING.... 

The Today Show contributor, Susan Donaldson James, tells us that nearsightedness is rising, perhaps afflicting one-third of the world's population by the end of this decade, and several studies have shown that kids who spend more time in sunlight are less likely to develop myopia.

She goes on to explain how light also plays a role in mood and sleep problems and how SAD or, seasonal affective disorder, is most common in winter when daylight hours are shorter. Now, new research is stressing the importance of sunlight absorption of vitamin D, a critical hormone steroid that has receptors in more than 2,000 parts of the body. Deficiencies could increase the risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, some cancers, infectious diseases, and even the flu, as claimed by the Harvard School of Public Health.

According to Dr. Michael F. Holick, a professor of medicine, physiology, and biophysics at Boston University School of Medicine, “Sun exposure is so important for your health. If you live above Atlanta, Georgia, for the first ten years of your life, you increase your risk of multiple sclerosis. If you were born near the equator, you have a ten to fifteen percent lower rate of diabetes.”

WINTER'S MANY SHADES OF GRAY

CAPTURING THE COLORS OF
A MICHIGAN SUMMER

More than 80 percent of Americans have inadequate dietary intakes of vitamin D, according to the 2011 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. If you shun the sun, suffer from milk allergies, or adhere to a strict vegan diet, you may be at risk for vitamin D deficiency. Known as the sunshine vitamin, vitamin D is produced by the body in response to skin being exposed to sunlight. It also occurs naturally in a few foods, including some fish, fish liver oils, and egg yolks, and in fortified dairy and grain products. Vitamin D is essential for strong bones, because it helps the body use calcium from the diet.

I can remember feeling a bit disoriented or ‘blue’ after spending three or four hours writing inside my home office in Orlando. Setting everything aside, I would slip out through the sliding glass doors to sit on the edge of the pool dangling my feet in the cool water for ten to fifteen minutes while basking in the warmth of the sun. By then it was either put on my suit and take the plunge or, return into the glorious A.C. and continue my indoor activities. This was just enough time to feel invigorated, recharged, and ready to take on the world.

MISSING OUR BACKYARD PLAYGROUND

The symbolism we find in wearing our flip-flops indoors and outside epitomizes the good life for most of us. It equals living within the proximity of the sunshine and being healthy, happy, and secure in the notion that life in the sun or on a beach is bound to be more wholesome and carefree. Just ask Jimmy Buffet!

There is little time more agreeable than knowing that whether you fly, take a train, or drive yourself to a sunny climate, the ceremony known as ‘peace of mind’ with time in the sun pulls us into another world and out of the constant gloom of gray skies and the lack of vitamin D.

I will be very careful the next time I even consider negating the southern migration of our so-called Snowbirds who require their time in the sun each winter, too. 

Yes, weather wise Dan and I had it made (in the shade?) for over two decades. Sure, there were things to think about such as palmetto bugs finding their way into the house, sharing our outdoor space with various reptiles, and learning how to cope with the neighborhood squirrels eating through the pool’s solar panels up on the roof. But, for the most part, both of us adjusted well to all of the above. 

A GARDEN FULL OF SUNSHINE

I am certain that we will be able to adjust to winter temps, shoveling snow, and blowing into piles the large amount of leaves that fall in the yard in the autumn. What is in need of the most adjustment is learning how to live through so many gray days with the cloud cover thicker than the ice cover on Lake Michigan and deeper than the clear, blue ocean waters that draw us back to our humble beginnings.

In the meantime, I will make it through my first winter back in Michigan, cherish the companionship of family and friends, and plan on spending future time walking island beaches and sipping a pina colada or two while soaking-up the sun and collecting my much needed vitamin D.

Copyright © 2019 by Jacqueline E. Hughes

All rights reserved

RECONCILIATION

A series of essays....

THE PATH TOWARDS RECONCILIATION INCLUDES DESIRE,
UNDERSTANDING, KINDNESS, AND LOTS, AND LOTS OF LOVE....!!!

        Picture was taken in Garranard, Correens, Ireland, October 4, 2018


....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

Reconciliation...

is the belief that two physical entities, both tangible, independent creatures who share a presence on this earth, are essential, visible, real to one another as they cast their shadows upon the same hollowed ground of their ancestors, may appease one another by reaching a harmonizing balance between their differences, setting their pride aside and reestablishing cordial relations between one another. Time will be of the essence during negotiations as time itself has a habit of slipping through the cracks of relationships like the very air that we breathe, invisible, silent, and fleeting if it is not constantly marked, attended to, and nurtured by both parties involved. If time is allowed a lengthy progression between estrangement or placation, the pain and loss that clings within the pit of the gut, the heart, the soul, only grows deeper, stronger, thicker and is allowed to fester and spread like a growing cancer that has metastasized until, eventually, all hope is relinquished and the physical pain of the loss is worn like a wreath of thorns until our last breath is taken.

Knowing or recalling what word, circumstance, or deed served as the wedge that initially split the foundation of common interest or comprehension between two souls can mark the beginning of reconciliation and allow the negativity to be pondered, analyzed, and dissected by both parties in order to make sense out of it or be able to reach some semblance of common ground within the relationship. Knowledge is the key to opening up the locked doors that may impede progress or prevent discussions. Without knowing what has pulled a relationship apart, how is one party equipped to tackle the necessary measures needed to encourage their full participation in this monumental gesture towards reconciliation? And, unless both sides participate in the act of overcoming the distrust or animosity towards one another in a civil attempt to try to regain goodwill via pleasant and mature behavior, any period of conciliation gained may only be a brief respite from a long term solution and negativity will soon resume.

If a person is unwilling to open his heart to the possibility of forgiving another, any hope of reconciliation is taken away. If communication between them is not worked on or made possible, hope diminishes....for what is progress but a coordinated series of open-mindedness with the ability to politely listen to the viewpoints of another person as you would expect them to do for you in order to reestablish friendship and harmony. Having one’s feelings hurt is a common emotion shared by all humans at one time or another. It is up to each of us to be able to determine how we go about understanding or coping with all levels of emotional pain. Choosing to deny its existence and climbing into a self-imposed vacuum of protection without the desire to communicate with those you feel have wronged you will only elongate and complicate any sense of well-being you may wish to obtain and exasperate the anger and confusion levels of others whom you love and may be closely involved with both parties: a spouse, a daughter, a father, or a close and dear friend. Talk, communicate, share the reason for your hurt feelings and be willing to reconcile your differences with kindness, understanding, and compromise. Never turn a blind eye to any and all possibilities if long term reconciliation is your ultimate goal. 

My wish for all this Christmas Season who feel the pain of loss, misunderstanding, hurt feelings, lack of communication with those we love, and the solid burden of feeling unhappy, misunderstood, or lost within our everyday life would be this: May you, eventually, reach a place in your life where, if nothing else, you can believe that hope will prevail. Having faith in the concept of positive change will prove to be more powerful and far more superior than opposing forces. Make the best of each moment we have together without hate or fear standing in the way. Set-up an appointment with yourself and make the time to reconcile your differences with the goal of compromise and love in mind. Sadly, life is too short. Time is fleeting. Allow joy to fill your heart once again! 

With all my love to everyone at Christmas and throughout the year! Let’s all work together to make 2019 the very best it can be....for everyone!

Copyright © 2018 by Jacqueline E. Hughes

All rights reserved