WHAT SHOULD I DO?!

        This is the question that I am asking myself as I look at this beautiful notebook that my twin sister Janine recieved from her Australian pen-pal Carolyn some years ago.  It was safely packed away to be used just at the right time.


         About 1 year after her death I came across it as I went through some of our things. Again I have seen it as I approach the 3rd anniversary of her death next month.  I am contemplating some choices - inspirational quotations, Bible verses, special memories of the things she said etc. It is not a big notebook but I want it to be a special book. The cover has on two of our favourite things  - birds and flowers.


         If you came across this notebook left behind by a departed loved one, what would you do with it?! 

THOSE JIGSAW DAYS!

By Judy Haughton-James

       For many years I enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles.  It would take a lot of my attention whenever I was working on one as every free chance I got I would run to go and see if I could place some more pieces.  Janine was never that eager to do them but from time to time she would pass by and try and find a few pieces.  I do not think she had the patience and determination that I had to keep going until it was finished.


        I have done puzzles in a variety of sizes but never one with more than 1,000 pieces. I really admire persons who have been able to do even bigger ones.


        Janine and I loved beautiful pictures so the minute a jigsaw puzzle was finished we would be armed with all that is needed to paste it together so that we could have it framed.  Above are two of our favourites over the years - Mount Fuji in Japan with a snow covered peak and a breathtaking scene with a river. These pictures grace the walls of our living-room.


       Oh, how I would love to be seated where trees boast such a beautiful autumn scene. I am someone who finds peace amidst nature. 

AN INSPIRATIONAL LIFT!

I love these quotations! There is nothing like an inspirational lift.  One of my favourites has always been " Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying "I will try again tomorrow." - Mary Anne Radmacher

9/11 - FACING DEATH AND GRIEF

         I can still remember those frightening moments when my twin sister and I stood in front of the television watching the horrible situation that unfolded on September 11, 2001.  So many persons knew individuals who died or families, friends or acquaintances who suffered the loss of a family member or friend.  The loss of a loved one is a very difficult experience to handle and especially when he/she departs in a terrorist attack or suddenly. 
  
        Recently I learnt that of the nearly 3,000 persons who were killed about 46 were one of twins. I understand that a documentary titled 'The Twins Of The Twin Towers' will be shown on this anniversary that explores the personal stories of twins who were left twinless. According to the link "The film delves into the unique connection these brave siblings shared and the process they have endured for dealing with their devastating loss and moving forward with their lives."  The movie produced by BBC Wales was directed and produced by Olivia Lichtenstein and executive produced by Tim Green.


         It is very difficult to find words that comfort those who grieve the loss of a loved one especially in a situation as 9/11. However I would like to share these words that I have found comforting since the loss of my twin sister:-


         "Those we love don't go away,
          They walk beside us every day,
          Unseen, unheard but always near.
          Still loved, still missed and very dear." 
  
P.S. Update 2 p.m. Sunday, September 11. I listened to the midday news on one of our radio stations  and it was stated that about 16 Jamaicans died. This tragedy certainly touched the world.

FLOWERS BEATING THE HEAT!

I have been roaming around my gardens taking pictures of these flowers that have been surviving our hot summer. They even made me write a poem! I had not written one for quite some time!



FLOWERS BEATING THE HEAT
By Judy Haughton-James


Sun shines brightly on my tropical isle
As flowers in my garden smile awhile.
They bravely face the sweltering heat
Somehow this they proudly beat.


With camera in hand I am ready to roam
Capturing blessings that beautify my home.
A gentle breeze is welcomed every day
The flowers seem to dance as they sway.


They come in a wide array of colours
Ginger lilies, the strongest of these flowers.
These favourites attract many an eye
And helps to make my spirit soar high.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FLOWER?

By Judy Haughton-James


          I  love nature and show me flowers and I am in awe. I have seen some of the most beautiful flowers from around the world via pictures, postcards, Blogs, television, magazines, you name it.


          However there is always that favourite flower. Janine and I just loved roses. We have had pink, white and red roses in our garden over the years. I know that there are roses in other colours and I have seen beautiful yellow ones in other gardens.


         The summer heat is on over here on my tropical island and my roses aren't doing so well now so I welcome rain. Anyway I got some shots of this beautiful red rose in our garden.

      
         Speaking of flowers, I am getting in that mood to go and buy some packs of unusual flower seeds and plant them as soon as the weather is just right for them to thrive. Actually I am thinking of setting up a little garden in memory of my twin sister Janine. I may even put some bird figures in there. Who knows I could put it somewhere so that I could put a bird feeder high and maybe I will see a lot of birds again including our favourite bird - Jamaica's Streamer Tail Hummingbird. Of course I would have to make sure that it is protected from animals like goats, donkeys etc.


          Where foreign flowers are concerned my memory went back to some pictures and postcards that we saw of lavender flowers some time ago.  This occurred recently when I received the  Victorian  Lavender Sachet pictured below from my English pen-pal Pam.  I know that this flower has also been used for perfumes. Right now  I can actually picture those breathtaking scenes of lavender.

        Well, there is a flower for every month and we were born in November so ours is the Chrysanthemum.  Some years ago I had a lot of these flowers in our garden.  Another flower that thrives well even during summer at my home is what is called the Ginger Lily. Some of them can be seen in the pictures of the rose. Nothing daunts them and we have put several of them on Janine's grave from time to time. So, what is your favourite flower? I know there are so many to choose from.  

GET CONNECTED TUESDAY BLOG HOP!

I  want to say a BIG THANK YOU to Nekky from Reflexions for choosing me to be the featured Blog on the Get Connected Tuesday Blog Hop. I love Blog Hops! 

Welcome to  Get Connected Tuesday Blog Hop. I'm very happy to have you here. A special welcome to all my first visitors. If you are already a part of this hop, I'm thanking you so much for your help in building Get Connected Tuesday Blog Hop and making it a success. Come and Get Connected and stay Connected. With this hop, you will increase your strength, followers, readers and connect to other bloggers in which ever way you like.

This blog hop is for family friendly websites only.

This week, I'm featuring Judy of JUDY H-J'S THOUGHTS - A TWINLESS TWIN

Congrats Judy

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1.) Follow Reflexions  the host on Google friends connect.

2.) Follow the guest host - Judy

3.) Visit and read some great blogs and follow the ones you like.

*  It would be nice if you follow at least the two blogs that are linked up before you, that way, everybody will get followed. Thanks.

If you are a new follower please leave a comment so we can follow you back....

Thanks for linking up and have a great week...

WOW! MY FIRST BLOG AWARD!

      Thanks a million to Itin who has a great blog titled 'MISS ACIDIC' for giving me the LIEBSTER BLOG AWARD!  You have certainly started off my week in great fashion! I am happy to have over 100 Followers of this Blog which I started in March of this year. Now the rule says that it is my turn to pass it on to some of my favourite Bloggers who have less than 200 Followers.  I have met so many wonderful Bloggers from many countries and they already have over 200 Followers! By the way, the word 'Liebster' means favourite in German!  Well, my top 3 favourites for this award are:
                                           
                                                  CHEERFULNUTS
                                                  SERIOUSNUTS
                                                  SAKURA HARUKA

Please pass it on to your favourite Bloggers who have under 200 Followers at this time and link back to the Blog who gave you this award. Cheers!

BE INSPIRED!

I am a big fan of quotations and I find many of them inspirational. They often lift my spirit when I go through low moments. Here are some of my favourites from Facebook Status Shuffle:

"The struggle to get out of the cocoon is what helps strengthen the wings of the butterfly and helps her fly above the world. Struggles strengthen us to fly."


"To get through the hardest journey we need to take only one step at at time, but we must keep on stepping."


"What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."- Thoreau


"We cannot change the cards we are dealt in life but we can change how we play the hand."


"Just remember when you need to talk to someone and it's too late to call a friend, God is always up!"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO A WONDERFUL MOM!

By Judy Haughton-James


     September 1 is my mother's birthday and I take this opportunity to publicly wish her a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Every birthday she would get a card specially made by my twin and me. I have kept up the tradition and for sure Janine's name is still listed with the words 'looking down from heaven' beside it.  This year I have decorated the card with things that Janine and I were big enthusiasts of - birds and flowers from around the world.

    

  Here are also some pictures of Mom over the years.