A Heart In Heaven

Oral Dow "Bud" Gibson

01-10-1926

to

11-17-2012

Thank you, Daddy, for giving me the gift of seeing the hearts in my world.

You will be missed ...

But I know you are in a better place.

Beach Bag Heart

Sometimes I tend to get distracted ...

When I came home from a trip to the beach in September, I carelessly tossed my empty "beach bag" under the rocking chair to "put away later" ...

With Dad being in the hospital, my chauffeur duties are on hold.  I have been on a nervous frenzy of cleaning and rearranging furniture. I moved the chair ... and found the long lost beach bag ...

And realized it had been showing me it's heart all along!

Guest Heart Thursday #136

Welcome to Guest Heart Thursday -

A Place to Share YOUR Heart!

Daddy is nearing the end of his struggle -

The gates of Heaven are swinging open,

The angels are gathering,

Ready to swoop him in ... as soon as he is ready to let go.

Thank you all so much for your thoughts, prayers and support.

During this hard time.

I found this beautiful Valentine tucked into one of Dad's photo albums.

From his Aunt Pearl and Uncle George.

There is a small note penciled on the back ...

"Recieved while in 4th Grade"

That would have been around 75 years ago.

Thank you, Daddy, for saving this card ... and for sharing your beautiful heart with the world.

Guest Heart Thursday #135

Welcome to Guest Heart Thursday -

A Place to Share YOUR Heart!

From My Heart:::

Dad is still in the hospital; and the prognosis is not good.

He will be going into Hospice/Comfort Only care in the next few days.

He never regained his ability to swallow or talk ...

He can't tolerate a feeding tube.

Nor does he want one.

I apologize for not visiting everyone who linked up last week - I hope to carve out some time in the next few days to do so. I miss visiting your hearts - and can't wait to see what you've found in your worlds the past couple of weeks!

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

They are deeply appreciated.

Deann is an incredible artist -

And a wonderful friend. She is one of my adopted Heart-Sisters.

Deann's art inspires me; her humor lifts my heart.

Deann often incorporates hearts into her artwork ...

Which I love.

When you visit Deann over at "The Whimsey Asylum", be sure to look back over her older posts. You will laugh, and you will cry. You will fall in love with "Grannie Annie" - as I have!

Thank you, Deann, for sharing your heart!

As always - a huge thank you to all who linked up with Guest Heart Thursday last week. I loved seeing the delightful and amazing hearts you found in your world!!!
 

Would you like to share your heart on Guest Heart Thursday?
The rules are easy ...

There are none!!!
As long as your post includes a heart!

If you have found a heart (or drawn a heart, or designed a heart, or written a heart-felt poem, or ...), please join us for Guest Heart Thursday. Just link the URL of your heart post to "Simply Linked"! It would be nice if you linked back to Random Hearts ... but it's okay not to ... we just want to see your hearts!

Simply Linked for Guest Heart Thursday is now open all week!

Have you found more than one heart?

Put in more than one link!
Is your heart from a long time ago?

It doesn't matter, as long as you put the direct URL to that post!  

Guest Heart Thursday #134

Welcome to Guest Heart Thursday -

A Place to Share YOUR Heart!

Once again, this is an abbreviated version of GHT -

My dad had a severe stroke last Thursday and has been in the hospital since then. He has lost his ability to speak, and can barely swallow. His right arm is paralyzed.

His prognosis is not very good; but each extra day we get to spend with this amazing and precious WWII Veteran/POW is a gift of HEART to us.

So many people from around the world have been keeping Dad and our family in their thoughts and prayers; thank you.

We also keep in our thoughts and prayers those affected by "Superstorm Sandy" on the East coast of the US. Our hearts go out to those who have lost so much.

I hope to have a little more time this week to visit everyone; and see the amazing hearts you have found in your world!!!

And please, hug someone who needs it this week - show your true heart to those you love. Life is fleeting, and time is precious; more precious and fleeting than we can know. 

As always - a huge thank you to all who linked up with Guest Heart Thursday last week. I loved seeing the delightful and amazing hearts you found in your world!!!
 

Would you like to share your heart on Guest Heart Thursday?
The rules are easy ...

There are none!!!
As long as your post includes a heart!

If you have found a heart (or drawn a heart, or designed a heart, or written a heart-felt poem, or ...), please join us for Guest Heart Thursday. Just link the URL of your heart post to "Simply Linked"! It would be nice if you linked back to Random Hearts ... but it's okay not to ... we just want to see your hearts!

Simply Linked for Guest Heart Thursday is now open all week!

Have you found more than one heart?

Put in more than one link!
Is your heart from a long time ago?

It doesn't matter, as long as you put the direct URL to that post!  

The Heart of Nature

The rains have brought out the mushrooms ... and the critters that eat them.

I just love it when they leave their hearts behind!!!

Dad Update: Dad has been in the hospital since Thursday, when he suffered a stroke. He is still unable to speak, swallow, or move his right arm.

He is being transferred to the VA Hospital this morning - which is where he wants to be.

When I visited this morning (before his transfer), I noticed a marked improvement in his demeanor. When I asked him if he was happy to be going to the VA, he reached over, grabbed my hand and kissed it. I had to blink away happy tears ...

Dad will never be the same, and I don't know how much time he has left.

But so far, we have been granted just a little longer with this amazing man who has meant so much ... and touched so many hearts.

Autumn Leaves ... and Heart

Autumn has come to my corner of the world; the colors are incredible, hearts are everywhere.

Autumn is always a hard season for me, for many reasons.

This year brought another.

Yesterday afternoon, as we were talking with him, Dad (who is 86 years old, 100% disabled, a former POW of WWII) suddenly lost the ability to speak. He began to grunt and growl, his right arm went limp, and his mouth went sideways.

Mom called 911, and Dad went to the ER. Once there, our suspicions were confirmed.

He had suffered from a stroke.

It is still too early to expect a long term prognosis.

It's enough that he made it through the night.

 

So many people from around the world are directing their thoughts and prayers toward Dad and Mom; and our entire family. My heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you.

 

I will try to continue posting the hearts I find in my world ...

Because they are still here!

 Healing hearts of love.

 

To help fill the "Heart Interrupted".

 

 I love you, Dad.

Guest Heart Thursday #133

Welcome to Guest Heart Thursday -

A Place to Share YOUR Heart!

This is one of my favorite beach heart photos of all time.

There is a story here ... a love story.

Are you intrigued?

Then be sure to visit Debbie over at "It's All About Purple".

For a beautiful story that is true life!

Thank you, Debbie, for sharing your heart!

(Thank you, Chuck, for being such a sweetheart!)

Once again, Gypsy Lala found a heart - this time a sweet and delicate flowery one.

You can find Gypsy Lala over at her blog, "Just Capture" - where she shares beautiful photos of her world.

Thank you, again, Gypsy Lala ... for sharing your heart!

I couldn't help but notice the two hearts on this delightful cowboy's horse.

To see more wonderful posts about daily life in Oakland ... visit "Oakland Daily Photo".

Thank you, ODP, for sharing your heart!

I always love to visit JM. He is also part of the wonderful "Daily Photo" community - and shares photos and history of his world through his eyes over at "Oeiras and Environs Daily Photo".

I love that JM called this shot "Red Plastic Invasion" - he made me smile!

Especially when I noticed each one of these bright red chairs was sporting a heart!

Thank you, JM, for sharing your heart!

As always - a huge thank you to all who linked up with Guest Heart Thursday last week. I loved seeing the delightful and amazing hearts you found in your world - in support of Leontien!!!
 

Would you like to share your heart on Guest Heart Thursday?
The rules are easy ...

There are none!!!
As long as your post includes a heart!

If you have found a heart (or drawn a heart, or designed a heart, or written a heart-felt poem, or ...), please join us for Guest Heart Thursday. Just link the URL of your heart post to "Simply Linked"! It would be nice if you linked back to Random Hearts ... but it's okay not to ... we just want to see your hearts!

Simply Linked for Guest Heart Thursday is now open all week!

Have you found more than one heart?

Put in more than one link!
Is your heart from a long time ago?

It doesn't matter, as long as you put the direct URL to that post!  

 

Heart - Under Construction

Sissie and I were walking back to our car ...

There had been recent road construction, with new power poles being installed.

We were skirting around one of these poles, when I looked down at the tar which had pooled and hardened at the base ...

And found a perfect heart!

A Heart Interrupted

What was once a broken and shattered heart

Has become, over time, 

A heart interrupted.

The hole will always be here; memories of those gone from my life ...

A Heart Interrupted.

That hole is full to the brim with love, joy, hugs and kisses ...

A Heart Interrupted.

A precious thing, that Heart Interrupted.

Dedicated to my Bro, Dow, who lost his battle 10 years ago ...

And Howard, my friend, just two years ago.

And Uncle Benji ... this past summer.

And all of the others whose lives touched mine ... before they left.

A Heart Interrupted.

 

 

 

Guest Heart Thursday #132

Welcome to Guest Heart Thursday -

A Place to Share YOUR Heart!

This is a special edition of Guest Heart Thursday ...

Dedicated to a special person ...

And a special link.

Leaves For Leontien

Autumn has crept into this corner of the world ...
For Leontien.

So much beauty
For Leontien.

So many leafy hearts.
For Leontien

This morning I got an e-mail from Nancy over at "A Rural Journal".

An invitation.

To join together, once again, as a blogging family, to support one of our own.

Leontien.

Leontien is a beautiful young woman, whose rural dreams are on hold ...

She has been sharing her fight against cancer on her blog,

"Four Leaf Clover".

Bring a tissue.

And a prayer.

Please join us in support of Leontien by posting an autumn leaf, and linking it up to "LEAVES FOR LEONTIEN"

And be sure to leave Nancy a special "Thank You".

As always - a huge thank you to all who linked up with Guest Heart Thursday last week. I loved seeing the delightful and amazing hearts you found in your world!
 

Would you like to share your heart on Guest Heart Thursday?
The rules are easy ...

There are none!!!
As long as your post includes a heart!

If you have found a heart (or drawn a heart, or designed a heart, or written a heart-felt poem, or ...), please join us for Guest Heart Thursday. Just link the URL of your heart post to "Simply Linked"! It would be nice if you linked back to Random Hearts ... but it's okay not to ... we just want to see your hearts!

Simply Linked for Guest Heart Thursday is now open all week!

Have you found more than one heart?

Put in more than one link!
Is your heart from a long time ago?

It doesn't matter, as long as you put the direct URL to that post!  

Guest Heart Thursday #131

Welcome to Guest Heart Thursday -

A Place to Share YOUR Heart!

When I found this amazing heart shaped root that Gypsy Lala posted ... I was so excited to share it!

And when I need to take a virtual walk, and find some real peace, I visit Gypsy Lala's blog, "Just Capture".

I just know you will find the same.

Thank you, Gypsy Lala, for sharing your heart!

I love to spend time with Judy over at "Lilac Gate".

Judy delights my heart with her wonderful photography of the nature she finds in her world ... and sometimes, the hearts! Do you see the shimmering hearts she found in these watery reflections?

Thank you, Judy, for sharing your heart!

I am a fairly new follower of Nancy over at "A Rural Journal".

And what a treasure she is!

Nancy hosts the wonderful "Rural Thursday Blog Hop" - and even though I rarely get to link up, I love visiting those who do!

Nancy didn't realize she was posting this elusive moth heart. Do you see it? 

Thank you, Nancy, for sharing your heart!

Tina delights my soul. When I am burned out with life, and need a break, her blog is one of the first places I go to escape ... and find joy.

Those of you who love memes already know about "Tina's PicStory".

She hosts several!

And still finds the time to photograph her world ... and find delightful hearts!

Thank you, Tina, for sharing your heart!

I have been following "Unseen Rajasthan's" blog for a long time, and am constantly in awe of the beauty of India shared here. If I ever visit this amazing country in person, this is where I will start!

Do you see the ancient flower hearts at the top of this relief?

Thank you, "Unseen Rajasthan", for sharing your heart!

As always - a huge thank you to all who linked up with Guest Heart Thursday last week. I loved seeing the delightful and amazing hearts you found in your world!
 

Would you like to share your heart on Guest Heart Thursday?
The rules are easy ...

There are none!!!
As long as your post includes a heart!

If you have found a heart (or drawn a heart, or designed a heart, or written a heart-felt poem, or ...), please join us for Guest Heart Thursday. Just link the URL of your heart post to "Simply Linked"! It would be nice if you linked back to Random Hearts ... but it's okay not to ... we just want to see your hearts!

Simply Linked for Guest Heart Thursday is now open all week!

Have you found more than one heart?

Put in more than one link!
Is your heart from a long time ago?

It doesn't matter, as long as you put the direct URL to that post!  

Guest Heart Thursday #130

Welcome to Guest Heart Thursday -

A Place to Share YOUR Heart!

I love Laura.

She is a huge inspiration in my life.

( Shine the Divine: Creativity IS a Spiritual Practice)

When I see the trials she faces with grace and love ...

I am awed and humbled.

Thank you, Laura, for sharing your life - and your heart.

I love it when JM finds hearts.

Even when he doesn't realize it!

(Oeiras and Environs Daily Photo).

Thank you, JM, for sharing your heart!

I fell in love with Lessandra's artistic hearts.

You will too, I am sure!

( Home is Where the Heart Is)

Thank you, Lessandra, for sharing your he'art'!

Teri and her sister Gina find wild hearts.

Even though separated by distance, these beautiful ladies are forever linked by love.

Isn't that beautiful?

(Our Wild Hearts)

Teri is also a wonderful photographer.

I love seeing the beauty she finds all around her.

(Teri H Hoover Photography)

Thank you, Teri, for sharing your heart!

A Heart For My SISSIES

Sissie and I left home early Wednesday morning ... we drove to the beach for a super special day.

Our first stop was Boiler Bay. What a perfect and gorgeous day!

But the best part was yet to come.

Because the reason we drove to the beach that day was to meet up with Cheryl.

(She's the gorgeous lady on the right - Beth is the equally gorgeous lady on the left)

When I was a blogging newbie, Beth was my first "follower".

Cheryl was my second.

From the moment we met in person, we knew we were part of a wonderful sisterhood!!!

This one's for you, my SISTERS!

(and for the other bloggy sissies and bros I have met - you know who you are!)