A HEART INSPIRED

Mirror, mirror on the wall, whom is it that you see, after all?  Who do you see? Who is reflecting back at you? There are so many images of ourselves that we portray, which one do we believe in? Which one is true? Which one is it that the world around us can trust? We are all so unique, yet so much alike. Put us in familiar surroundings and we lose all inhibitions. We're 17 again and life has no boundaries. Put us in a corner and you may have the fight of your life on your hands. Put us on a pedestal and you'll forever have a treasure in your hands. Complex and adaptive as we are, we are all the same. Deep down, beyond the surface. Underneath the facade. Our hearts beat with the same expectation. Our arms ache for the warmth of an embrace. Our minds race with thoughts of adventure. Our spirits thrive for freedom, yet at the same time for a sense of belonging. Mirror, mirror on the wall, whom is it that you see, after all? We are reflections of one another. You, looking...

Valentine's Day. That oh so special day. It comes but once a year. You'd have to be an idiot to not see it coming. The jewelry commercials, the love songs, candy everywhere. Balloons. Flowers. Red. Red. Red.  Chocolate. Measuring in the tons. It is a sweet holiday, kids love it. Moms adore it. Guys sorta like it, if it means a little extra affection. We shower our kids with heart shaped boxes and bears holding treats. Sweethearts spend days planning special dates. It really does bring out the best in people.    Wish everyday could be Valentine's Day. Could you imagine, having that kind of excitement and anticipation to look forward to. The funny things is, it comes and it goes. Just like every other longed for event.  How can we keep the thrill and excitement for longer than one day? How do we make it last? Feelings are so fleeting and iffy. We, as a race are so fickle and I can surely empathize with the masses. It's like everything in life. ...

I've been thinking of a "word" to live-out through all of 2013...It would have to be positive and inspirational. Uplifting and honoring. One that would remind me to be good to myself and others. Daily. It would need to possibly challenge me, although not too much. It should, as a result, improve my outlook on life and benefit everyone I know. The first word I pondered was...grace. Give it, receive it, be abundantly generous with it. That was quickly rejected two days later when life kicked me in the teeth. Okay. So next choice...decadent. I would simply find something that I would label decadent each and everyday. Be it an experience or a treat. A sunrise or a sunset. A breezy, balmy tropical storm. An emotion or a memory. This one seemed simple, after experiencing some lovely moments two days in a row. Wonderful, we're on a role. Except, yeah...not so quick. The kids went wild, work got nuts and let's just say the cash wasn't flowin' and it got pretty...

The dawn of a new morning is shining bright. The alabaster haze breaks through the night. The pulsing beat of a heart surrendered. Revealing the mask of a great pretender. The drift of sleep and a midnight's cry. The difference between a truth and a lie. Confusion and wonder lead the way. As the dreamer yearns for one more day. The scope of reality is nothing more. Than the embers of illusion nearing the shore. Adrift and alone in the mighty depths. Reaching the light searching for strength. And all the while the light shines through. The darkness recedes, releasing you. And once again, an alabaster haze will come a'beckoning. Whilst your midnight's cry is left reckoning.  {© Valentina Silver} ~ The dream world. It fascinates me. It thrills me. It can, on occasion, frighten me. I have always had movie-like dreams, in that they play-out like a prime-time mini-series. At times, I have full command of their direction and ending....

I often, cannot seem to find the words, when in conversation with a non-believer, to express the true majesty of  God. The creator of everything. I feel like a bumbling idiot more than half the time and more recently have found myself, surprisingly, quieted. That should be proof enough right there that there is a God...me quiet. That's funny! Anyway, I just wanted to talk about what I know to be true and the One great thing that truly inspires my heart. It's the love of God . Plain and simple. My daughters wrote a song...and it goes a little like this...." It's a love like no other ...it's a love I can't describe"  {It is just beautiful. BEAUTIFUL. I hope you get to hear it someday.} And that is true to some extent. The, 'I can't describe part.'  But really, I can. I know I can. My aunt gave me a New Testament Bible when I was just five years old. I have moved more than 30 times in my life and this little Bible...is on my desk as I wri...

I love books.... I just LOVE books. I love to read. To escape. To go on an adventure. To experience a wide range of emotions. To be somewhere else, altogether. Even if its for a few moments each day. I've always been a reader. {This passion has not wained in the slightest in all my years}. So much so that I have lugged around books from my childhood through umpteen moves. Two huge duffel bags to be exact. Now, one of  my girls is reading some of my favorite teen novels. She's gone ahead and scribbled her name in her 6th grade swirly scrawl, right under mine. The little heart with the arrow through it, too. I actually still get giddy when I touch these books. I have spent an absolute small fortune on books for the kids and myself. We packed and moved roughly thirty five boxes this past year. Twenty or more, of which contained books. Oh good gracious! We've since sold or donated a majority of them, because, well darn it all....my kids are just not readers. ...

Honesty. Integrity. Loyalty. Humbleness. Love. Sincerity. These are beautiful traits. Some you are born with, others, you develop. Through life experiences. Choices. Mistakes. A character developed; you can live by these traits or spit in their face. Turn a blind eye and these characteristics are a force to be reckoned with. Walk the crooked path and life will hunt you down. Choose the righteous road and the rewards are immeasurable. No one ever need know that you continually choose the road doling out the least amount of ramification. It is with a clear conscience that you lay your head down to nestle on your pillow every night. It is the restful sleep that is your gift. Choose to lie, steel and deceive and...well, your nights....not so restful. Similarly, no one ever need know that you continually choose the other direction, the one with pits and holes and mud puddles. The road that keeps you wondering, how the hell did I get here? In this world ...

Okay. Yesterday I posted "Why I Won't Be Reading Fifty Shades Of Grey" And you know what? My blog got hit 101 times in less than 10 hours. As a blogger/contributor I have access to my 'Stats'. 101 hits is great. It's epic for me. But guess what? I'm disappointed. Disappointed because even the mere mention of this book has women in a tizzy. They'll even read the negative reports. Well, yesterday I did portray my true feelings. But I'm thinking it was too bland. Obviously, what our culture wants and needs and thrives on is 'JUICE' ...I know this because I post lots of  'sweet' things and they do not get anywhere near the viewing audience. So here it is....    I WILL NOT BE READING THIS BOOK because; EROTIC, PORNOGRAPHIC, LUST KILLS RELATIONSHIPS. Plain and simple. It destroys families. It severs marriages. It demonizes true intimacy. It lends itself to fantasy that can never ever satisfy or fulfill. I. So. Am. Not. Cool. Pe...

dressing table mirror and brush, curlers and pins and a whispered hush momma  and me in a fancy gown, we're getting dolled up to go on the town sashes tied and cheeks pinched pink, we look in the mirror to see what we think a dusting here and a little smudge there, momma smiles pulls back my hair the finishing touch and napkin kissed, I am sad for somethings been missed momma's worried she's good at caring, what could be wrong my little darling I want to be pretty just like you, isn't there something more we can do angel my love my precious bug, come sit on my lap and give me a hug momma brushes her lips on mine, I look in the mirror and see the shine lip gloss and mascara we're almost done, a few more touches maybe just one  rose water and a strand of pearls, daddy claps when he sees his girls a snap shot is taken and smiles are shared, all because a mother cared {Valentina Silver©️}

I've been holding back on you. It's true. I know I share personal details and hopes and even hard facts about mine and the kids lives. But....there is so much more to the story. I have very strong opinions about right and wrong. And, sometimes, I even blur the lines a little if it means getting away with something that I normally would scoff at. Its true. I have been pounding at this keyboard for the past two days, in order to reach my goal. Fifty Two posts in one year. I'm running a little behind. Well, because I didn't actually think I could do it, but I'm so close now. [This is Post Fifty] I started this blog on May 19th of last year. 2011. That was not such a good year for us. In some ways. It was a truly blessed year in a lot of others. I should be working on The Novel [ which is what I call it, because the Title hasn't come yet] . I tend to avoid things that I feel are intimidating. I don't feel intimidated by The Novel though, so I can't expla...

For those of you who know me well, you know that I have always had strong judgements/opinions and glide on the border of being a prude. I stand by this depiction and wear it as a badge of honor. I will preface this by saying that in the recent years I have been blessed with a much less judgemental heart and attitude. And this, only by the Grace of the living God. Growing and learning each and every day I have come to trust and lean on the knowledge that He has the final say, which thankfully relieves me of the burden to condemn others. Not my job..., anymore. Yay! So please, please, please know that I am NOT judging, nor condemning; this statement particularly applying to those of you who are in the throngs of Mr. Christian Grey himself. I only know of this book's contents from a friend who is reading it. I personally have no desire to delve into the murky depths of this literature, for I am quite visual and tend to be more old school Catholic in terms of the guilt that would pla...

{an excerpt from my work [ The Novel]; {© copyrighted and expressly owned by: A Whisper Beneath The Moon} Hope you enjoy it...let me know what you think. FYI...No, its not any shade of Grey. ~ ~ The view from the front porch hadn't changed a bit from her childhood. The porch itself, however, had not weathered so well against times gone by; worn out floorboards, battered shutters that stretched from floor to ceiling, handrails in desperate need of repair. Original windows and the old storm door with its awful squeak that made sneaking in or out almost impossible. Her family had been busy growing and living to notice such subtle erosion even occurring. Nothing that a small amount of attention couldn't remedy, she'd always reminded herself. Lisa loved the home just the way it was and always thought it odd how people allowed themselves to be overly consumed with every flaw of their own homes. Constantly tinkering and repairing each crack and freshening every chip of...

bumble bee bumble bee buzzing at me, come on out from behind that tree you drip of honey and flap your wings, coming at me with your stings the sun is shining and the rain clouds low, full of droplets they let go summer showers and misty fog, creepy crawlers slip through the log lady bugs frogs lizards and toads, travelling across so many roads finding shelter as dusk draws near, amongst the quick and roaming dear hopscotch and leap frog lemonade and sun, all this and more in a days fun laughter and giggles boo boos and scrapes, as the kids march and traipse youthful glow and shimmery skin, the pond is glorious for a swim the day draws to an end, sunshine lollipops and a sweet friend {Valentina Silver}

moments measured by the beat of a heart, shreds of intimacy to discard the start of something fresh and new, watching and waiting as it grew ageless and youthful in its form, until the moment the veil is torn beauty and lust in the raw, a crimson trail is all they saw a burden to bear rigid and cross, stopping short of a deadly loss pearls of sweat remorse and regret, dismay and pity never forget one is not humbled nor ashamed, such is the fool who is not named double jeopardy and endless games, looking into empty frames darkness comes and sees you still, all alone and with no will driven by the game of life, dodging bullets full of strife               {Valentina Silver©️}                        

the story begins its woven through time, eclipsed by love heartache and rhyme the pages are written on whispers of chance, beguiled by melody rhythm and dance  through ages and ages the telling is dear, enchanting young maidens to shed a tear for a love to be earned desired and kept, nevertheless the lassies they wept the war was fought and the scar remains, fighting off the shackles and chains heroes and warriors honor and glory, all on the pages of the written story the centuries pass yet the tale is the same, the last man standing earns the fame the princess is won her love is pure, the knight in his armor does endure a white horse and trumpets that sound, for a love that was lost and turned up found the credits they roll and the lights they shine, on a story that lasts for all time                                               ...

Time. A blessing and a curse. A friend and a foe. Time and its passing. As a kid, there were moments when time literally stood still. There were moments that barely made an impression, only to reappear as a foggy image...many, many years later. Time. It could not move quickly enough for me. Only now, I cannot get it slow down. Where does it go, where has it gone? I want some of it back. Mom's will say there is never enough of it, kids will always want more. From  nine to five and then from five to eleven, it all comes down to how much time is left. I want some of it back. I want to rewrite some of it. I cannot wait to write the rest of it. God says that one minute is like a thousand, and a thousand like one. Can you even imagine it? A time, when time won't matter. It will just be endless and always new, at the same time.  The kids keep holding on for the perfect time to come. They reflect often on how perfect life was. They wait expectantly for it to be so again. I...

I spent the day quietly. I didn't open my Bible...but neither did I put the television on. I have been enjoying 'silence' recently. I did put my Christian radio station on half way through my day, but that was just to draw me nearer to God. I followed my heart. And that's where it led me. I visited some Christian web sites and was blessed with a Proverbs 31 Woman teaching. (Always a favorite). I have never been able to just sit in the silence....always having to have either music or TV in the background; something, anything to direct my thinking... away from thoughts that could have the power to consume me. I am a thinker. Sometimes to my own chagrin. But lately, I have grown to enjoy it, the silence; remarkably, I have stopped being afraid, {and intimidated and consumed by the stillness}. Which ever way you look at it, the need for constant noise, or company, like I'd call it, stemmed from a fear. Kind of. I think the things I was avoiding were the conversation...

I've always been honest on this blog. Ridiculously so. I don't know any other way to be. Especially behind the computer screen. Some of you may think that to be not wholly true, considering that all of the pictures I post of myself are a few years old and well, not completely a true depiction of my real appearance. To justify that, I'll just go ahead and claim ignorance, but I won't deny it. Its true. I take terrible pictures. Always have. So, any half decent picture of me is on my FB. Truthfully speaking, there are no good 'current' pictures, so why would I post them? And if there was a half decent "chubby" picture of mommy the kids are instructed to delete them into the black abyss that never was. This is the extent of my 'dishonesty' capabilities. Oh, and that little thing I do with friends or the general public, where I always smile and always say "everything is fine". This is not new for me. I've always been that way. A lot...

I cannot believe where this life has landed me. If you could see my life through my eyes, you would see the very distant future. Seldom, do I envision a year or two ahead. It's always decades...out of reach. Yet, that is what I have been focusing on. Probably, because life seems so difficult right now. Don't get me wrong, life is good. It's just, there are alot of things to worry about. Mostly survival. Keeping a roof over our heads and food on the table are my biggest worries. So, I often allow my thoughts to drift beyond the here and now. Where I'm certain life will be easier. The kids will all be grown, with their own families and I'll be free to work all sorts of crazy hours and not have to be concerned about the children. Going back to my first sentence.... I cannot believe where this life has landed me. Here, right now. In the very place I thought I would never be; Free spirited enough to take my dreams by the horns and run with them! A novel. Me. Now.  I...

You began as a wish, a hope and a dream a prayer in a bottle, sent down the stream The wait was brief, the promise received never would have thought, who could have believed A baby girl, to love and to keep oh my love, how it ran so deep A joy from the moment, I knew of your being I couldn't believe the face I was seeing Sweet and perfect, darling and mine to hold and to treasure, for all time We spent each moment, wrapped in splendor  no sacrifice at all, for this heart to surrender My world and yours, no space in-between for your trust and happiness were mine to glean The years they did fly, so fast and so swift the years we've shared are a cherished gift You've been dealt more than your share sometimes, I know, it hasn't seemed fare But the days they were hard and often long you made it thru, this life has made you strong You are my sweet girl, with guts and true wit...a mind of your own its been my pleasure an...