“It is good to have an end to journey towards; But it is the journey that matters, in the end.”
LeGuin
On this day, May 20, 1961 my parents, John V. Marchell and Connie A. Mitchell were married. It was a bittersweet wedding for my mom’s father, G. Clifford Mitchell, had passed from a heart attack less than a month prior to their wedding date. Their love for me is crystal clear as I was the honeymoon baby. Dad would often say to me that I was a ‘much loved child.’
I do believe that Grandpa Cliff’s Spirit has been with me always, as he was a graphic artist who, at an early age, was asked to work for Walt Disney. He declined the offer and went into business for himself with many of his creative works promoting IBM in their beginning stages with their first place of operation located in Endicott, New York.
So on this day, I honor my parents unconditional love and everlasting guidance still evident miraculously in my life as love transcends our human understanding. It is through building a firm foundation by focusing on the gift of union which makes the relationship stronger and resilient to withstand any storm. With the extraordinary gift of a once in a lifetime love, one hundred percent belief, trust and faith in one another with open heart awareness; together the two open their arms wide to embrace the unknown.
As their hearts joined together pictured in the glowing setting sunset clouds, I know that their gift of new beginnings is approaching for me as their message permeates my soul.
“It’s time to unite your hearts, for together your energies combined are magnetic, magical and infinite in their abilities to manifest miracles.”
Mom and Dad
“One does not discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore.”
“You are a child of the Universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.”
Max Ehrmann
OK, so the joke about this cover photograph has to do with the beginning of sharing the original manuscript with friends and family, with the first draft completed September 2010. My good friend, Debbie Standard, arrived at Arrowhead Parable Christian Center with her first copy of the story in manuscript format and traded it in for the published book! You gotta love it!
My cousin, Michelle Michalek, arrived early for her copy of Chert’s story. The book signing had a tremendous outpouring of my extended family which warmed my heart and soul! So very thankful for their encouragement and support in this labor of love!
So here is the real “synchronicity” about the dress I am wearing. The top beaded neckline of the dress that I made is taken from a party dress of my Grandmother Marge’s. She was my first editor of the manuscript. As a word lady and Scrabble, Upwords and Crossword Wiz, she also had the married name from her first husband of Margaret Mitchell, the author at the time of “Gone With The Wind.” Her use of words has been a strong influence in the building of becoming an author in my life. Thank you, Grandma! Ya Ti Muc Muc Muc Lubiem!!!
As Aunt Kathy Stolarcyk walked in and saw me, she smiled ear to ear and asked me if that was Grandma Marge’s dress, as I told her it was the collar from her dress. The beaded dress is what Grandma Marge wore to Aunt Kathy and Uncle Mike’s wedding! I could feel wedding energy in the dress, and now know where exactly she had worn it!
Quilted Painting of Hummingbird with beadwork
As some of you have seen from a previous posting, I painted a hummingbird on the yellow dress of my Grandmother Marge’s and utilized all the beadwork from the hemline of that dress to frame the picture. Interestingly enough, my hummingbirds have been coming back around to the feeder this week and I am reminded of my beloved Grandmother Marge whose first anniversary is on the Blessed Mother’s Assumption. Ironically, my Grandmother Susie Marchell also passed on that sacred day as well, with Mom’s anniversary being Easter Sunday, so I have been very blessed with such spiritually strong, powerful and loving women figures in my life!
“The color PINK represents caring, compassion, unconditional love and understanding.”
“The color YELLOW symbolizes friendliness, warmth and honesty; displaying light, hope and encouragement.”
My cousin Michelle Stolarcyk arrived as we shared our stories about Grandpa Stolarcyk and his crazy wild pants that he would wear as well as Chert’s love of Battaglini Bread from my Uncle Joe and Aunt Carol’s bakery, where no dogs are allowed!
Now here is another “synchronicity” story about Becky Tinker, a previous co-worker with my Mom who happened to move across the street from me a few years ago! We have great fun together and always feel my Mom’ Joyous Spirit hovering around us when we go for our walks around the neighborhood! I offered Becky the manuscript, but she wanted to book instead!
Thank you to Craig Hall at Arrowhead Parable Christian Store, to all the people who came to visit and hear about Chert’s story and purchase a book for themselves or family and friends! I hope that Chert’s story warms their hearts and gives them some insight into the short and purposeful lives of angels in furry clothing!
“My Father’s Greatest Gift: Life Lessons from a Black English Labrador Retriever” is available online through Barnes and Noble, Amazon, etc., as well as my website:
“Doghead is pretty easy to learn, you just have to speak from the heart.”
L.D. Marchell “My Father’s Greatest Gift:
Life Lessons from a Black English Labrador Retriever”
As some of you may know, I promised Chert Dog that I would get his story of unconditional love and forgiveness published, but that I would also promote it so that his mission and purpose would spread across the world. Today was “his” first television interview with Kara Conrad, producer and host on WBNG -TV CBS Channel 12 News featured in “Around the Tiers” segment aired Monday – Friday from 12:15- 12:30 pm. As synchronicity would have it, my booth at Otsiningo Park’s “All Paws for a Cause Dog Walk” is how this interview came about! Following is the link to the interview. Enjoy!
“Like” Kara Conrad on Facebook and “Follow” her on Twitter.
Chert was an old soul, and his charisma attracted all the children in the neighborhood including his female girlfriend, Syria, a Sassy White Bichon who just happened to live across the street! Chert had two loves, for his stomach it was PIZZA! And for his heart it was Syria! His favorite time of year was Halloween when everyone would come to visit HIM (or so he thought)! His last year with us, it was a prerequisite from all of the trick-or-treaters that they had to pet the dog first before they got a treat! I will always remember the magic and wonder Chert brought to my heart and am much blessed to have known, loved and to have been loved by such an altruistic angel in furry clothing!
Throughout the creative process, I paint pictures, write stories, take photographs and compose music which all interweave into the tapestry of my life. Though viewing the process from the underside with all the loose threads it appears to be quite a mess, the passion within is determined to interweave all the colorful threads to behold a brilliant gift from the Universe!
This copyrighted piano composition is inspired by 1 Corinthians 13 and spans my life journey. When my beloved Mother passed, Dad had this engraved on their stone:
“A hug, a smile, a kiss, fond memories of a lifetime”
(Posted on You Tube as well as on my blog’s Piano, Art and Photography tab, with some of my artwork, photography and family photos to go along with the music).
Ah, Doghead here. Hope you enjoyed hearing about what
my mission was while I was here. Just thought I’d like to point
out the synchronicity of all of the events that led to bringing that
much needed peace and serenity to John’s tormented soul. His wife,
Connie, had told him that if she were ever to leave the earth plane,
she would come back as his dog because he gave so much love and
attention to all of the animals in his life. All I can tell you on that
note is that since Love is all there is and we are all One in the Spirit,
it is quite possible that her love channeled through me to mend his
broken heart and bring life more abundantly into his life. So my
mission was accomplished and I want to thank you for giving me the
opportunity to share my experience of the unlimited powers of love
with you. Doghead out.
“You can develop good judgement as you do the muscles of your body – by judicious, daily exercise.”
Grenvile Kleiser
My favorite reference book is Roget’s Thesaurus for the various meanings behind the proper usage of words. Under the word judgement are five separate meanings!
Intellect
Discrimination
Decision
Condemnation
Sentence
Through our lives lessons we learn to access intellectually the power of sound judgement in arriving to conclusions in decision-making in our lives.
The use of discernment in terms of discriminating what serves the highest and best for all concerned is utilizing another aspect of sound judgement in our lives. This can also be used towards spiritual discernment.
Our freedom and power of choice comes into play when we are calling upon utilizing out tool set in making decisions based on judgement.
Criticizing and lower vibrational fear based thinking is involved in condemning others acts, beliefs and behaviors without compassion when judgement is used in this context.
And then there is the legal system associated with controlling and manipulating others in sentencing them due to the judgement ascertained upon their actions.
“I love when things are transparent, free and clear of all inhibition and judgement.”
Pharrell Williams
It became apparent to me this morning that the summons I recently received to serve on jury duty placed me in an awkward state of mind. Who am I to pass judgement on someone else? Have I lived their life, was I raised in their environment, have I experienced the social, moral, mental, spiritual and emotional influences that they have had and walked a mile in their shoes? And even then, who am I to judge? The log in my eye requires much more attention than the speck in my brother or sister’s eye.
“Let the refining and improving of your own life keep you so busy that you have little time to criticize others.”
H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
It also became apparent to me when someone commented on something inadvertently directed towards me, it made me dig deeper in questioning myself to find the meaning to the feelings which were conjured up within me.
We all know that we are not to take things personally, yet there was a hidden message in what was said that made me “chew” on the concepts as I kept asking for a deeper understanding as to be clear about the message this messenger brought to me.
“Judge not lest you be judged. For with the judgement you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?”
Matthew 7:1-3
Worthiness and self-love are core issues of the heart which are oftentimes disregarded in our early growth and learning process which eventually catches up to us.
“What is not fully exposed earlier in life is revealed and made up for in development.”
Author Unknown
So the truth of the emotionally charged comment revealed an insightful level of understanding for me that was two-fold. First and foremost, when someone is unfairly judged, they unconsciously direct that towards others. Secondly, by it “affecting” me, it shows that I still have more inner self-healing to work on in that area of my life. It’s always about the refining and improving of yourself on this personal path of enlightenment, as all messages are a present to open and reveal the gift of inner growth.
So I am forever grateful for this message, for it has revealed a much deeper appreciation of conscious awareness towards others as well as teaching me what is most important in taking care of myself. It all comes down to compassion, unconditional love and forgiveness.
“Circumstances and situations do color life but you have been given the mind to choose what the color shall be.”
John Homer Miller
The conclusion to my summons? It is clear that I will most probably not be selected for jury duty as it is not for me to judge – it is, however, essential to be compassionate towards all as our life is a journey of the heart.
“When sparkles dance upon the water, our souls twinkle like stars in the evening sky.”
L.D. Marchell
“Nature’s infinite palette splashes vibrancy upon the autumn day.”
L.D. Marchell
“We are drawn back to Mother Gaia, connected with her compassion and ever-constant love for all; in our returning back, we become one united with her; calling us to love her as she has unconditionally given infinitely and ceaselessly to us.”
L.D. Marchell
The breath of life, passionate, rapturous, invigorating, revitalizing; Let us welcome God’s love with open arms.”
L.D. Marchell
“All roads lead home to where the heart is.”
L.D. Marchell
“Friendship is two spirits allowing each other to soar and fly.”
L.D. Marchell
“Take time to travel apart for the answers you seek are within.”
L.D. Marchell
“Faith is believing in things not yet seen but felt with the heart.”
Hebrews 11:1
“Walk ever softly, tenderly taking in the wonderment of the present.”
L.D. Marchell
“Wherever your heart is, there also is your home.”
“Once I used to think that shadows were to hide; But now I am very clear that that is where faith, hope and love abide.”
L.D. Marchell
“It is family which has no boundaries in unconditional love, surpassed by blood lines, defined by the attunement of the heart, we seldom glimpse the vast array of soul family members until we become awake within the consciousness of the heart which speaks truth in all its purity. Therefore, become aware of your soul family as they are calling you home.”
Connie Andrea Marchell
“The conscious pause of the moment; The silent pause of the mind. The alignment of connection; Of the soul to the Divine.”
Lisa Ann Carucci Lash
“Mindfulness = apparent by the breath of life, the peacefulness of nature, the energy from Gaia, the embodiment of the greatest gift of all – life to share, give, receive, embrace – memories of a lifetime.”
L.D. Marchell
“The hawk’s confirming wings,
In circles up above,
Fly closer to us in,
A message of pure love.”
Lisa Ann Carucci Lash
“Those that mind don’t matter; And those that matter don’t mind.”
Dr. Seuss (Ted Geisel)
“It has become apparent to me that the more I learn about others, the better I feel about myself; It is by selfless love that we die to self where then Christ can shine brightly through our lives. Crucifixion of the heart, then, is where the Sacred Heart of Jesus Shines.”
Connie Andrea Marchell
Look Up!
“Gold and White; Rays of sun; Infinite Love.”
Lisa Ann Carucci Lash
“Tire swings; Peaceful things. Nature brings; All of me.”
“And when the storm comes, and the mighty wind shakes the forest, and thunder and lightning proclaim the majesty of the sky – then let your heart say in awe, “God moves in passion.”
Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet
A remarkable storm came through during the night which produced a brilliant lightning and thunder orchestrated display. Mother Gaia marvels us continually through her ever-changing display of colorful radiance and rumbling staccato statements of empowerment. She is to be honored for her magnitude of infinite manifesting and creative abilities, extraordinary resilience and timeless moments of grandeur!
Tofino Photography
“Every shower and dew, bless the Lord; praise and exalt Him above all forever. Dew and rain, bless the Lord; praise and exalt Him above all forever. Light and darkness, bless the Lord; praise and exalt Him above all forever. Lightning and clouds, bless the Lord; praise and exalt Him above all forever.”
Daniel 3:64; 68; 72-73
And so it is with our lives, we experience moments of great joy and depths of painful sorrow. Two emotions on opposite ends of the same vibrant spectrum. By facing tragedies in our lives head-on, this produces courage and integrity of character. Through this deep inner work, it allows for the heights of joyous rapture to be experienced soaring us to new heights. Maybe that is why we are so drawn to the beauty of nature in all of its wonder and glory, for it reflects back to us our own inner journey of the heart.
Tofino Photography
“Therefore let your soul exalt your reason to the height of passion, that it may sing.”
Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet
It is during these times of sublime lucidity while observing an incoming storm, that the creative spirit within is ignited with ecstasy; just as that surreal mesmerizing gaze into a fire which seems to transport you to another place and time. There are these uncanny connections which appear to bring serendipity into our lives, similar to the weather in their arrival; on their own time, in their own way and on their own terms – as if these magical moments were actually cued to appear in our lives when least expected. Such then our lives are like the weather, to be embraced in the present moment of awareness or relinquished forever. Therefore, be mindful and fully, consciously aware to experience the great vastness and expansiveness of the infinite drenching of the soul.
Tofino Photography
In Memory of Prince
In thankfulness, appreciation and gratitude to Tofino Photography for providing the extraordinary photography! Follow Tofino Photography
“All you birds of the air, Bless the Lord; Praise and exalt Him forever.”
Daniel 4:80
On this Mother’s Day, Grandma Marge will be flying around as a hummingbird in her angelic realm for certain! The above painting of a hummingbird in acrylic I painted on one of her party dresses and used the beaded hemline to create a border around it. She was so thrilled when I brought it for her to see, and am so very thankful for the time I spent with her throughout my life! But especially during the time from when my Mom passed and I moved back to New York from California. Our relationship merged into that of Grandmother/Mother and Granddaughter/Daughter. It is these memories that are cherished in my heart for always!!!
I was with her a few hours before she passed. It was the Feast Day of The Blessed Mother’s Assumption. During that most sacred time, she emphatically asked me to put her “poppuchies” on now (slippers in Slovak), put a hat on her head now and she wanted to sit in her chair as if to wait for the angels to come to carry her home! When she had spoken with Father Tim earlier that week, she said that she just wanted to go home and be with Jesus, her best friend! I recall the gathering of birds that flew by me that evening, their haunting calls were not of common birds. As some of you have read from my previous postings, Grandma gave me a gift of spiritual stigmata on my left hand the following day of her passing and it disappeared when I brought her rose embellished urn vase to her resting place at Calvary Cemetery seven days later.
In memory of her unconditional love and forgiveness, I am posting a short video of her singing at United Methodist Homes accompanied by Ralph with his harmonica. She sings “You Belong to Me, Now and For Always.” Ya Ti Muc Muc Muc Lubiem Starinka!!!
