Gone but not forgotten

 I should begin by saying Happy New Year, it is my deepest wish that it finds you full of hope, surrounded by love and overflowing with blessings. 

Once again, we venture into the arms of a New Year. Uncertain of what the days, weeks or months may bring but willing to put one foot in front of the other. The reasons may vary from person to person but for me it is simple. I do it for those held in my heart, in and out of my time. You may be wondering what I mean by that so let me explain. I believe our loved ones live eternally in our hearts even when their time runs out. And if we are truly blessed, we will live eternally in someone's heart when our time runs out. With that said, there are a few I carry whole heartedly with me who no longer exist within the ticking of my time and a few who, thankfully, still do. After God, they are what matters most to me. For the ones gone, their faces have begun to fade from my memory, but my heart can still see them clearly. For the ones here, every moment counts. I give to them every bit of myself through my laughter, my tears, my courage and my fears. When I stand and when I fall, I carry them with me through it all. They are and shall forever be my greatest blessings; I pray that I am theirs as well.

Do you hold someone in your heart?

I hope you do but more than that, I hope someone holds you in theirs.

KEC

AKA Deo Volente

1/25/2025

Courage

 Do you know what the definition of courage is? 

Google defines it as "not deterred by danger or pain; brave. "

In other words, pushing through in spite of doubts and fear.

Do you agree? 

How would you define courage?

A firefighter that runs into a burning house at night to save a sleeping family.

A police officer that steps between a bullet and an innocent bystander.

An abused child that goes to school determined to get an education.

A hard-working employee who sleeps in a car because they have no home.

An abuse victim who runs away.

Did you choose the 1st or the 2nd, what about the 3rd, 4th and 5th?

I think although bravery can manifest in a moment courage requires longevity. 

A determination to blindly continue, never knowing but instead hoping. 

Clinging to that which cannot be seen but hoping that it exists.

Peace after the raging storm, light beyond the darkness, rainbow after the rain.

Do you know what the definition of Faith is?

Google defines faith as " A complete trust or confidence in someone or something"

I think it takes Faith to have Courage. 

KEC
aka Deo Volente
11/16/2024

I am not a fan, well maybe just a little.

 I should start off by saying, Happy New Year. Now that we've gotten that out the way let's get to it. 

I don't know if it's because of those formative years on an island where it was easily 90 degrees in the shade or just age and the bones that come with it, but I can honestly say, I do not like winter. He seems to come with a vengeance of bone chilling air, dreary sky and rain you dare not frolic in. Yet he does have moments that make you smile. Christmas is certainly his finest hour, the lights, the smell, the joy. One cannot deny that if you are blessed to share the holidays with someone you love, it has a way of warming your heart. Snow also has a way of warming the heart, I know that's strange to say but it can be magical and inspiring as long as you don't have to shovel it, drive in it or lose power because of it. I suppose the truth is, everything has an upside, you just have to be willing to see it. It is on that note that I will say this, seek the beauty in everything. I know, it isn't always easy, but I think it's important. It can be so easy to get caught up in the bitter taste of the moment, losing sight of the sweetness that came before it and if we're not careful dismissing the sweetness that comes after. My resolution this year is to laugh as often as I can and allowing myself the grace to stand joyously through both the bitter and the sweet. Afterall life is short, and no one gets to write my story but me, so why not make the best of all of it.

Wishing you warmth in body, mind and soul. 

K.E.C.

aka Deo Volente

1/27/2024

Friendship - It does matter.

 In a world of virtual friendships, I wonder if we know what true friendship looks like. 

The other day I felt out of sorts and being a woman of a certain age, that isn't all that uncommon :) Nevertheless, I muddled through as best I could until I simply couldn't and in a moment of clarity, I texted a friend. This friend said "call me" then sat on the phone for over 2 hours with me just shooting the breeze, but they were not done. The following morning my friend came to visit just to check in. The entire situation got me thinking, so I asked myself the following...

On the list of those I call friends, how many would drop everything to be there if I needed them?

And on the list of those I call friends, how many would I drop everything for, to be there if they needed me?

We have to be realistic right, dropping everything is easier said than done. Still, do people today bother to take the time to be there for someone else? Not to gain something or to be nosey but simply because they care. I honestly believe that this is the sign of friendship, not likes, followers or tweets but being present, sharing time, thoughts, moments, listening with intent and purpose. 

If you know me, you know that this was merely the beginning, so needless to say I asked myself another question... 

Could the alternative be a selfish distant cousin to friendship? 

Let me expand on that.

Though I believe that true friendship can be found in any environment be it professional, social or personal and can as a result be a catalyst for growth. More often than not people today align themselves with others merely to reap the benefit. Not because they care about the individual but rather because they see them as a connection that can be utilized to climb the perpetual ladders of our selfie world.

What I concluded is this: 

I am blessed to have a Friend! The fact is I have more than one but in a world such as we live in today, one is all you truly need. 

That said, my advice to you is this. You may be the one for someone else so even if you don't get a text, remember that your friendship makes a difference. So be sure to listen, be present, share your time, thoughts, moments and most importantly, do it all with purpose and intent. If we're lucky it may become the next big thing. 

 K.E.C

aka Deo Volente

8/12/2023

Reflection of grief.

I find that I am weary
this day so bright yet dreary
has crept into my soul with sigh
drowning hope with burning cry
a scream to echo, why!

But this is not a question friend
it is I fear the woe of end
that wraps around in tune
with tears to follow soon.

Where darkness keeps the light at bay
and what should be, now dare I say
eludes the bleeding heart
miles and miles apart.

I kiss the night with every hope 
and pray that on this wretched rope 
my faith will not run dry
until the day I die.

So as I look up at each star
I wonder friend, which one you are, 
for you were like no other ...
I love you still, my brother. 

K.E.C
aka Deo Volente
August 12, 2023.

Trust

There are moments when the darkness finds,
shadows deep within the lines,
as color that was, simply fades away,
moments when the world just turns to gray.
 
When marvel is no longer thine,
and seconds weave deep into time,
mercilessly keeping joy at bay,
moments when the devil comes to play.

At least that’s what the darkness cries,
as it creeps and folds and binds,
shattering the peace you thought you knew,
then sunshine calmly burns his way on through.
 
I love you son, my sun, I really do!

KEC
aka Deo Volente
October 15, 2022

Alive and kicking :)

Yes I am in many ways still myself today
Woman, Mother, Wife and Child...

I have faltered, I have stood
I have done the best I could
In every aspect on my weary road
I have trudged on with my often heavy load

Yet he stands beside me sound
I know that in him peace is found
no matter how the weather turns the sky
upon his wings I know that I can fly

I can soar to height unknown
certain I am not alone
for he who made me
chose to love me still
not one second, is without his will

and though sometimes I may stray
going off this narrow way
I have no doubt he waits for my return
confident that in my faults I'll learn

So I stand with peace of heart
knowing we are not apart
filled with love that man cannot provide...
Faith is an extraordinary ride.

KEC
aka Deo Volente
9.8.18