Bobbie Blackson Deaf Celebrations

10/08/2024

How lovely is this. No more worries about allergies. No more worries about flowers wilting. And what a lovely keepsake to have.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/KrV32Skm7dbvbFhh/?mibextid=WC7FNe

18/02/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/rXUMMEmjfrCwBxWZ/?mibextid=WC7FNe

"If I die before my dog, let him see my body.
He understands death, if he feels my death he can cry for me.
If he doesn't see me again he will think I abandoned him and he will continue waiting for my return.
If I die before my companion, let him say goodbye to me.
"Dogs are an endless friendship, a loyal friend, a part of life and a reason to exist! "❤️🐾
Author: unknown
Artist: The Old Shepherd's Chief Mourner-Edwin Landseer 1837.

25/03/2023

A gorgeous day at the office. The weather couldn’t be more perfect. Congratulations to the couple.

10/11/2022

Why? – Adapted from He Gathers broken souls
– Cynthia J McKenzie

In one moment in time, when all hope seemed far away
When despair weighed so heavily there seemed nothing left to say
When confusion and pain were all that he could feel
He decided to leave all the illusions he thought were real.
He forgot about the rainbows that follow skies of grey
He forgot about the kindness he witnessed everyday
He forgot about the future he once dreamed could be
He lost sight of all the truth and reality.
The fact that people loved him, the knowledge that they cared
The love they had to offer him, the many things he shared
The pain that he would cause, just never crossed his mind
He only pictured solitude and the peace that he would find.
Sometimes a gentle spirit in a world that’s gone awry
Gets lost and cannot find its way, can’t bring itself to try.
It’s hard for us to comprehend the meaning of it all.
It would be so much easier, if we could stop a stumble, or a fall.
If we could have seen inside his mind
And searched carefully, no evil would we find.
Just discontent, confusion, pain, and fear and sorrow
With no hope for today and no vision of tomorrow.
No malice little forethought, just decisions made in haste
It’s difficult for us to understand this senseless needless waste.
There will be struggles and questions from those whom he adored
But for now we hope the peace he sought, is his forever more.

07/11/2022

Yes, we change. Death changes us. We carry our sorrow with us everywhere we go. It comes in waves, in tsunamis, in ripples, in stillness and then all over again.

Reach out if you need to chat.

07/11/2022

I found this (long) quote from a sermon Pope Francis gave last week in Rome - take some time to reflect on these words -

It may be that Pope Francis can no longer stand on his feet and suffering has shaped his character, but this speech by Pope Francis is simply AMAZING!

"You can have flaws, be anxious and even be angry, but do not forget that your life is the greatest enterprise in the world. Only you can stop it from failing. You are appreciated, admired and loved by so many. Remember that being happy is not having a sky without storm, a road without accidents, a job without effort, a relationship without disappointments.

“To be happy is to stop feeling like a victim and become the author of your own fate.” It's walking through deserts, but being able to find an oasis deep in the soul. Is thanking God every morning for the miracle of life. It’s kissing your children, cuddling your parents, having poetic moments with your friends, even when they hurt us.

“Being happy is letting the creature that lives in each of us live, free, joyful and simple. You have the maturity to be able to say: "I've made mistakes". It's having the courage to say I'm sorry. It's having the sense to say "I need you". Is having the ability to say "I love you". May your life become a garden of opportunities for happiness... that in spring he may be a lover of joy and in winter a lover of wisdom.

"And when you make a mistake, start over. Because only then will you be in love with life. You'll discover that being happy isn't having a perfect life. But use tears to irrigate tolerance. Use your defeats to train your patience.

"Use your mistakes with the serenity of the sculptor. Use pain to tune into pleasure. Use obstacles to open the windows of intelligence. Never give up ... Above all never give up on the people that love you. Never give up on being happy, because life is an incredible spectacle. ".

Pope Francis

(Shared from the Ipswich Catholic Community page)

06/11/2022

I recently officiated at a wedding at a most beautiful rural location. The ceremony was personal and intimate. It was for themselves and something that didn't have to be shared with everyone. The very private couple gave permission for this photo to be shared. The rosemary sprig is a symbol of trust and loyalty. Sending them my warmest wishes for a long and happy marriage.

17/09/2022

17/09/2022

A lovely day here at the .

Come in and say hi at the Little Church 🖐

16/09/2022

Looking forward to seeing you over the weekend in Brisbane. Come look for my booth in the Little Church and ask about weddings, funerals and other life celebrations.

09/09/2022

Vale Queen Elizabeth. Thank you for your service.

31/01/2022

Did you know? You are not allowed to interrupt a funeral procession on the road. What is a funeral procession? It is a long line of vehicles with a hearse at the front and all have their lights on. This is a person being carried on their final journey to their resting place.

It is also the law. You can't interrupt or drive through the procession or you may be fined.

It doesn't take long - just be patient. It is the most respectful thing you can do for someone you do not know - and maybe use the waiting time to reflect on yourself, your family and friends. Drive safe.

02/01/2022

Love is love.

The pandemic kept this couple separated for a year, now they can finally start planning their wedding
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-03/queensland-couple-talk-about-strengths-after-year-of-separation/100724164

The pandemic has made David and Angelica's long-distance relationship harder. However, after a year apart, they are reuniting and marking a romantic milestone.

28/07/2021

Inclusiveness matters. We matter. Make your wedding and reception that much more memorable for your family and guests.

https://www-mirror-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/deaf-wedding-guest-cries-tears-24634612.amp

A bride who ensured that a deaf wedding guest would be able to follow along with the speeches moved her long-time friend to tears with the thoughtful gesture

17/06/2021

Is the ability to mourn and grieve unique to humans? What about other species? We know about dogs - plenty of stories about their strong attachment to their humans. What do you think of this story (picture in comments)?

09/05/2021

SOMEWHERE INSIDE OF YOU IS A LITTLE GIRL WHO NEEDS HER MUM.

Whether you have a mother or not, the need will always be there.
Even if you never had one, even if you don’t have any experience of that maternal love, there is a hole inside of you that perhaps, you didn’t even know you had.
A woman needs her mum, this much is true.

So if you’re lucky enough to have a mother living, call her, listen to her, show up if she wants you, or even if she doesn’t.
Let her care, let her in, let her be a part of your life, for you, you are an enormous part of hers.

If you no longer have a mother, be very kind to the little girl who lives within you, she is hurting. She misses her mother more than you realise.
Be gentle on her and don’t be too harsh when she is lost. She doesn’t have a mother to show her the way.

For those of you who have had a mother who couldn’t love you the way you deserved, your heart is even more broken and bruised. There is nothing much in this world more painful than that.
Surround yourself with as much love as you can possibly find.

You see, a mother is the source of life, the first source of love - she is shelter, she is nurture, she is home.
Take her with you wherever you go and let her love carry on even after she has gone. It’s part of you, it’s inside your cells, your DNA, you are imprinted upon.

So,
she never really leaves. If you look within, you will find her there.

Hold on to that, my friend, hold on to that.

Donna Ashworth
From ‘to the women’ https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08LRGWY74/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabt1_OYLVFbX4YR91V

Art by Saundra Lane Galloway

To The Women: words to live by