Discovering unexpected treasures in our life stories.
Welcome! I’m Marilyn
and I’m so glad you stopped by.
My grandmother had a beautiful lilac tree in her yard. Occasionally, she would snip a few stems, place them in a jar of water, and set it on her kitchen counter. Even now, if I close my eyes and inhale, I smell the sweet fragrance.of the flowers and her home.
Welcome! I’m Marilyn
and I’m so glad you stopped by.
My grandmother had a beautiful lilac tree in her yard. Occasionally, she would snip a few stems, place them in a jar of water, and set it on her kitchen counter. Even now, if I close my eyes and inhale, I smell the sweet fragrance.of the flowers and her home.
Lilacs are a treasure and a trademark of my hometown, Rochester, New York. Colonists brought small slips of these beauties to the new world and later, varieties were developed by horticulturists. Today, thousands of people from around the world, visit Highland Park, where over five hundred breathtaking and colorful lilac varieties cover twenty-two acres. As a child, I went there to see an array of trees on Lilac Sunday in May.
A simple gesture of lilac cuttings on the kitchen counter, the tenancy of horticulturists, and acres of varieties of lilac trees on display for the world to see-each is an extraordinary treasure–much like life: small moments and big ones; challenges and ordinary times; personal moments and shared experiences.
For me, the simplicity of growing up in an Italian family and gathering for “spaghetti on Sunday” with endless conversation, moving several times in my married life to unique areas, and the greatest challenge of my husband’s sudden fatal heart attack, have shown me the treasure of God’s faithfulness in all seasons. You can read more on my About page.
If you’re looking for encouragement, you’re at the right place. Together, we can find peace during pain, wisdom for a decision, learning through waiting, hope when grieved, and even joy when circumstances say otherwise. Meet me at my blog and join the conversation where together we’ll encounter treasures in unexpected places.
Marilyn
All is Ours Day
I’ve been fascinated lately by unusual days on the calendar. No, I don’t mean one day the temperatures call for a tall glass of iced tea while considering spring planting, and the next day we're curling up with a cup of hot chocolate reading a good book. Those days are unusual but expected in March and early April. I’m referring to the days...
Bound Newspapers and Broken Hearts
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3 (ESV) It’s not an activity for teens today, but in my era, student government held newspaper drives to raise funds for activities. One Saturday morning, several of us piled into our teacher’s station wagon (yes, that dates me) and picked up newspapers in neighborhoods. We...
March: From Riddles to Growth
In grade school, my friends and I often read riddles. Clever or silly, we heard the answer, laughed, and groaned, “Of course”. One riddle I remember is, “What is the only date of the year that gives a command?” I don’t recall my friends’ reaction, but I recall the sensible answer: “March 4th.” March is the only month associated with movement....
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“You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
Psalm 16:11 (NIV)