Murphys Mom

Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Just Let Go

lizetheridge

A few years ago, I saw a commercial for a company called "Let Go". It showed a guy hanging off a cliff, but wouldn’t let go of a bowling ball. Another guy is running from someone chasing and shooting at him, but he is dragging a BBQ grill with him. The concept behind "Let Go" is to show people who are in situations where they need to drop something in order to survive, but don't want to let go of it. The company, LetGo.com, is an online marketplace for those of us who need to sell those things that drag us down and keep us from living well.

I chuckled when I saw it cause so far in the first 30 days of 2022, we have let go of Wayne's "house", his "furniture", my "clothes" in the closet to make room for his, and even my "expired-food-in-the-pantry" to make room for his UN-expired-food, just to name a few. We feel like we’ve lost 50 pounds having let go of the things that have weighed us down for so long.

But we're also in a season of "Letting Go" as we approach the Season of Easter. Many Christian churches celebrate what is referred to as a Lenten Season that encourages letting go of "something" during the 40 days leading up to Easter. As someone not raised in this tradition, its been confusing to me when I would hear of friends giving up things like chocolate, ice cream or wine...but not margaritas....no, never margaritas, for the sake of Lent.

“What’s the point of Lent”, I kept asking them. "It's Tradition" was their standard answer.

So I’ve studied this long-time "tradition", I’ve discovered that Lent is less about tradition or our dietary habits and more about letting go of.....Ourselves.

We need to let go of those things that interfere with the communication lines between God and us....you know, that static in the line between the Creator and His created (that's you and me, btw) and not the mere tradition of giving up “something” for Lent. Is chocolate really interfering with your relationship with God? If so, sell it on LetGo.com. Does beer or wine keep you from loving your neighbor? LetGo.com can help! But don't give something up if it’s not what is causing the static-in-the-line between you and God. If it is just about self-improvement, then it’s just about us, and not about God. How about instead, we give up grudges and vengeance and meanness and pettiness and rudeness? Now that’s a Lent tradition God would be proud of!

Our life is more than just the things we haul around. We must "Let Go" of ourselves....in order to Survive.

Saturday, February 5, 2022

Wedding Photos - Day 5 - "Sanctuary"

Wedding Photos - Day 5 - Sanctuary

Guys....I need to introduce you to this woman...Amy Keever. A dear, dear friend from East Texas and a Coffee Chick, Amy is an amazing accomplished artist whose work has been featured at the Gaylord and in numerous top-rated art studios around the country. But that's just a small part of who Amy Keever is.....

A "sister" close to my heart for many years, Amy gave Wayne and I one of the greatest gifts we've ever received. A piece of herself in one of her art pieces that she made especially for us.

It's called, "The Sanctuary".

When she presented it to us at our wedding reception in December, she explained the inspiration behind her creating it. She said this......

“Sanctuary” by Amy Keever

"It was made to be a representation of all the providence God has placed in yours & Wayne's lives. To me, nests have always represented almost a “second womb”, a haven that’s prepared for the one who is to dwell in it. A mosaic of things collected for the space that life will thrive in.

As I think about both of your journeys, Wayne and Liz, I see there has always been a sanctuary around you - defined as a holy and sacred place, a space that provides safety and protection from danger or difficult situations…….

You will find Manzanita branches in the nest which, by their meaning, are known to represent interconnection and symbolize things magical……how magical you’ve been to so many people in your love, honor and support……..

Limbs of a Texas tumbleweed wrap all around this piece ….in nature they actually tumble to distribute thousands of seeds…..by bouncing and rolling in the wind, a tumbleweed spreads out tens of thousands of seeds so that they all get plenty of sunlight and space…..the tumbleweed gives the nest a very delicate feel. I greatly love and appreciate all the seeds and sunlight you both delicately planted in so many lives…..and we feel those rays coming down on us.

I chose white woven horse hair to represent the freedom of a mustang I believe God has brought you both to love fully and live richly. There are small cuts of gold Smalti and stained glass that I love to think of how God has used your brokenness to create something so beautiful in you…….

A little birdie told me that Cyndi carried a picture of “Monkees” in her wallet, so tucked away is a little silver monkey smiling within…

I remember Chuck carrying dog bones for the neighborhood dogs, so I had to include one of those, each placed by a feather, which as we’ve heard, if you find a feather, you’ve found me, you are close to angels. Babies breath represents everlasting love and that, we know, you have both found in each other……

On the inside, you’ll see dozens of soft blush and off white feathers to symbolize God’s grace and favor………your true North.

The nest rests upon an old piece of driftwood found in NW Arkansas which so reminds me of your path. You both have had moments where you probably felt like you were drowning, yet you just kept praying and believing and, just like the piece of driftwood, you withstood the storms and emerged with more character and resilience than ever before.

Which leads me to the last feature that, at first glance, will be hard to see…….I placed tiny glow in the dark butterflies no bigger than an 1/8 of an inch, and just like all the friends that surround you here today, it might not be noticeable all the time, but in the darkness will reveal all the sisters and friends that surround you both.……

You, our darling girl, and Wayne our dear new friend, we honor here today and thank you for all you’ve done by watering each of our souls as only you can………

With Much Love,

Amy & Craig"

So as you can see, friends, we were handed a gift like no other. A one-of-a-kind tenderly and gently made piece of Amy Keever. Every time I pass it as it sits proudly in the center of my most favored antique cabinet, I feel Amy's love pouring out to both Wayne and I. She is a gift straight to my heart.

Tuesday, February 1, 2022

Soooooooo……this just happened! And I feel the Breeze from the page turning….

Soooooooo……this just happened!

And I feel the Breeze from the page turning….

Monday, January 31, 2022

Professional Wedding Pic's Day 4: THESE-THREE-MEN....

It was a short aisle at the Chapel....10 rows to be exact.

But as I envisioned my walk down that aisle months prior, I saw a couple of the greatest men in my life walking down it next to me. They were my late husband Chuck's brother and son, Doug and Troy. I'm not going to lie; I was nervous asking them for this favor. Very nervous.

How do you ask these men who loved my late husband so much, to walk you to your future husband?

But I believe their exact answers to me were, "I thought you'd never ask" and "I'd be honored to." I went home and cried.

And I remember standing there in the foyer of the Chapel before the doors opened and seeing Doug Etheridge mouth the words, "You look beautiful". It was all I could do to not cry. And as he walked me to aisle 5, halfway to my future husband, my step-son Troy stepped out and walked me the rest of the way.

Chuck would have been so proud of these men he loved.

Troy walked me to my 93-year old Dad on the front aisle....whose face was wet with tears as he hugged me tight, told me he loved me, and handed me over to Wayne.

These Three Men......mighty men in my heart and soul and in my life.....men who lead by example that even through death, life is meant to be lived. There are no words in this girl-of-many-words' heart to fully express the BLESSING they showered down on me that day.

A truly unselfish love they each have.....and they are my heroes.

Monday, January 24, 2022

Professional Wedding Pic's Day #3: "THINGS"....

They are just "things". But isn't it funny how "things" have a way of grabbing our heart like they're a warm blanket wrapped around us?

These things.....well....they felt like that soft embracing blanket around my shoulders my wedding day that reminded me of people near and dear to me....and several who are no longer on this earth but still occupy a corner of my heart.

The silver bracelet with the "L" on it was given to me by one of my dearest friends, Terri Ruyle, for my birthday a few years back. I remember everything about that moment, including the tears we both shed that June day as we ate lunch at Two Senoritas. In a little over a year, she would be gone....unexplainable, unimaginable and undeserving.

The pearl necklace was loaned to me by my friend Carla Melcher who knows style far-far better than Liz. As she went with me to pick up my wedding dress she said, "I know the perfect necklace for this dress!". And she handed me these stunning pearls to wear on my wedding day. This friend of almost 30 years who, if not for Chuck, I would have never met, has been one my greatest cheerleaders as I started this new chapter.

The heart necklace came from my then-fiance-now-husband on our wedding day....just minutes before the wedding....as he couriered it from person to person to arrive in my lap. I'm wearing it even today as I type this to you. And......it's engraved.....for just his and my eyes.

My beautiful bouquet (thanks Savannah Mars) was put together with my Mom in mind. Mom passed away in 2012 and was my maid-of-honor at my wedding to Chuck. Mom would have loved Wayne and to see her youngest daughter happy....and I needed a part of her at my wedding to Wayne. Thanks to my niece Jacque, we found an embroidered hankie Mom had made and a butterfly broach I had given her and made it a part of my bouquet. She was definitely in attendance at our wedding.

And last but not least, our Guest Book was Wayne's & my Bible. A Bible hand-painted by our dear talented friend Madison Melcher. I've known Madison her whole life and she has now started her own business

(https://www.facebook.com/coveredbygrace.design)