DAY 30, MARCH 30, 2024, CLOSING THE GATE
Good Morning, Everyone,
The time has come. The 2nd Annual RRBC “A DAY IN MY LIFE” 30-Day Blogging Challenge is closing its gate. It has given me the time I needed to contemplate, to exhume things I had buried and forgot about, peep through doors that are daring me to open and take steps toward them, and to bury those situations that needed to be buried so that I may live. And it has indeed been a challenge in that it has reinforced those things I believe in.
Faith is the substance of things I hope for, the evidence of things not seen, but I’ll never hope for them if I don’t step out, leave the gate, and start walking that path. Another thing I know is when I close the door to this gate; I won’t be able to open it again. It disappears, and I must choose to stand still or continue walking out the purpose designed for my life.
Very few people tell us that our destiny is a collection of decisions. None mention that it is OK to make mistakes either. You lose when you don’t know the sting of rejection, or the loss of a loved one through death or divorce, or the burden of trying to overcome financial oppression or an illness in your body. To experience undefeatable joy, you will encounter such paths and discover what makes you grow. It is the fertilizer for your soul.
It’s been a pleasure working beside colleagues who participated in this challenge and to get to know them better than I have known them before. In some of their posts, I cried; in others, I laughed; and in others, I said, OK, that’s their way of thinking, and I accepted it. I don’t have to agree with their opinions to respect them.
Thank you to everyone who has been by my blog and left a comment. I really appreciate that. I heard from writers I hadn’t heard from in a long time, and it brought joy to my heart to know they were still writing.
Thanks to all the writers who make it a point to attend the RNH (Raters Not Haters) Zoom Show I co-host with John Podlaski. You have been following me daily, which has motivated me immensely.
Thank you to that person who has been pingbacking me. I appreciate every pingback I receive. The pingbacks were a tremendous boost because someone put my writing out there. I smiled each time I saw one.
Thanks to all the new followers that I have received on Facebook and Instagram. I will respond to those comments on my Facebook Author Page and Instagram. I only got the chance to respond to some of the comments on my blog. I will finish as many as I can today.
Tomorrow is Easter Sunday, and I will go to church, say hello to a few people, return home, sit in my home, and enjoy the peace and quiet I receive for being in the right place at the right time.
In closing, I have taken pictures of the front part of my house with its garden this morning. A bird’s nest is in the tree beside the house. Lydia has blossomed in my backyard, and White Eagle, my VW Beetle, is nesting in its parking space beside my home.
Take care, everyone. Remember that Easter deals with the resurrection and not only Easter eggs, and walk safely through the rest of the year.
Shalom shalom,
Pat Garcia
Hi, Pat! You have no idea how much I have loved your posts, especially with the personal photos and images of your surroundings, your home… and the VW made me smile. (Secret: I have a VW in my garage “Shelby”… “she’s” not a Beetle, but “she” is white, and although “she’s not the only car I drive, she is my favorite out of the bunch!) When I saw your “WHITE EAGLE” I smiled, because it suits you perfectly!
Thanks so much for sharing more of you with us!
NJ
nonniewrites.wordpress.com
White Eagle is super cute! I also have a white car since I now live in the hot south of the US.
Congratulations on finishing the blogging challenge, Pat.
Hi Pat,
You made it through the blogging. Good for you! I’m loving your Beetle. I remember getting one as a wedding present from my new brother in-law. I couldn’t drive a stick shift and fortunately didn’t have to at that time. I have since learned how to drive a stick when I bought a Toyota Corolla because they were cheaper and made better than the American cars. This was years ago. American cars had to get better and they did because they were losing so much business.
Didn’t mean to get carried away in my thoughts. Pat enjoy that Beetle and have a nice rest of your day.
Congratulations, Pat! You did it! Thank you for your posts and photos – I enjoyed them and they helped me to know you better. I hope you had a wonderful Easter!
I hope you had a blessed Easter.
Good Morning, Gwen,
I am still having a blessed Easter. It is Easter Monday here and it is a holiday for all. I am enjoying my morning, reading and meditating.
Thank you for stopping by.
Shalom shalom
Pat, I congratulate you for facing the challenge head-on. We have all learned so much about ourselves and each other. I wish you a warm spring and a continued flow of your excellent writing. All the best.
Good Morning, Karl,
Yes, we have learned much and gotten closer to each other. Thank you for the wishes for a warm spring. I hope that happens soon. I could use 25 degrees Celsius right now.
I wish you also much success with your new books. You mentioned writing two this year, but you might write three.
All the best.
Shalom shalom
Lovely words for your last blog Pat ! Thanks for travelling alongside me through this challenge.
Good Morning, Joy,
It was my pleasure to travel with you. I enjoyed your blog.
Take care and all the best.
Shalom shalom
Good Morning,
Thank you for the pingbacks. They always gave me a smile.
All the best.
Shalom shalom
Hi, Pat,
I love what you said about life’s difficulties and pain being the fertilizer for our soul. What a beautiful image. I picture it as walking through the valley, where growth occurs and where we’re nourished for our climb up the next mountain to the view from the top. Life is a series of valleys and mountaintop experiences. With God alongside, we will make it and become our best selves along the way. No one, whether a believer or not, gets out of life without painful experiences, and we are all a product of the choices we make. Beautifully written, as always.
I love your house and car! Thank you so much for sharing your life with us!
Blessings, and Happy Easter!
Patty
Hello, Patty,
You said it. Life is a series of valleys and mountaintop experiences that we forget. Thank God that we are never alone.
It was a joy to me to read your comments and I thank you for the time you gave to stop by.
I pray you and Bill have a beautiful cruise in May. Leave every worry behind and just enjoy yourselves.
Take care, and God bless you.
Shalom shalom
What a beautiful finale to a lovely month of writing Pat! I love how you said our life is a collection of our decisions — and mistakes, and that’s OK, especially as we celebrate the power of the resurrection this weekend! Thank you again!
Good Morning, Dear Lisa,
Thank you. The power of the resurrection is that we have been righteous by Him. My mistakes have been covered regardless of what they were, are, or will be. My mistakes are covered. I believe that, and I live by that.
Take care.
Shalom shalom
I’ve gotten to know you better, especially through the scenes of your home and neighborhood. This post resonates with gratitude and contentment. Blessings, and Happy Easter, Pat!
My Dear Marian,
Thank you for your support and for dropping by to comment. Yes, I am thankful. I have let go to let God show me the way.
All the best.
Shalom shalom
It had been a pleasure getting to know you better, Pat. I’ve enjoyed reading your thoughts and seeing your pictures.
Thank you, Partner, for taking the time to read my posts and leave comments.
It is also a pleasure to get to know you.
Shalom shalom