Heaven on Earth


Last weekend Bill and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary by spending a few days at the Cape – Yarmouth to be exact.  We stayed at a tiny cottage…

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…with huge views.

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It was lovely being surrounded by so much lushness.

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The birds seemed happy with the view too, since their chirping filled the air with joyful music.

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That first evening on our way to dinner we stopped at nearby Gray’s beach for a little walk…and again, we were treated to a huge view.

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On the walkway I happened to notice a board with a romantic thought written across it (“Our first kiss”).  Seeing it made me smile.

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It was so quiet that night.  The waters were calm, the air was just as calm, the light was low and easy on the eyes, and the entire earth felt like a gentle whisper.  I felt like I was at a point where the heavens and earth come together and meet.

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And again, it was lush…a quiet kind of lush, and yet very much alive.

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As Bill and I watched the light lower and fade, my heart felt full.  The beauty on the outside, filled my inside, with peaceful content.

Prior to our getaway I made Bill this card…

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…with these words…

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…that came from my heart.  Living this life together…feels like heaven on earth.

The day after our anniversary, Bill and I hiked the dunes at the Cape Cod National Seashore.  While there, I came across multiple moments of inspiration…some which are art related, as well as more personal, similar to what I’ve shared above.  I’ve been debating whether or not I should keep sharing these very personal parts of my life.  To get right into it, I am concerned that by sharing so much, I may come across as bragging…and at a time when I know that some of you have been struggling with your personal relationships (I would never want to make anyone feel bad by bringing up my own joy).  Plus, maybe you’re only interested in reading more art making related posts?  At this point I’m really not sure what direction to continue.  My heart says to show more, yet my heart also says to edit more.  What do you think?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



19 Comments, Comment or Ping

  1. Laura H

    What a lovely place to celebrate 17 years together. Thank you for sharing your beautiful life. Everyone has trials and tribulations, but you stress the positive. I love coming here to see what you’ve made, or what’s going on in your life. I always feel good when I leave here. Thank you for sharing your art, love, life, and your positive self. Don’t question your true self, what others take from your site belongs to them. Feel good about what you’re putting out into the universe. Enjoy the weekend.

    July 26th, 2014

  2. Jeanette in Illinois

    Becky,
    You always share your pure light and goodness with us, a very special part of you. As long as you follow your heart that is what matters most.
    I love everything you share and feel blessed you do, whether it’s your art, life, insights and inspiration, my heart is fuller!
    Your genuiune spirit always prevails in your posts and what makes them so beautiful…
    Hugs,
    Jeanette

    July 27th, 2014

  3. It’s always a joy to read about your creations as well as your life.

    July 27th, 2014

  4. stacey

    the pictures are beautiful and the thoughts are genuine. what else could we want? i enjoy seeing the places and things that others are doing. thanks for including us.

    July 27th, 2014

  5. Laura

    We read about horrors in the news. To hear about joy and love is a blessing. The pictures and words are beautiful. How can anyone find fault in that? It should uplift and encourage us to seek the simple joys in our every day lives.

    July 27th, 2014

  6. Fonda Rush

    I promise to never let your joy over shadow my unhappiness… … so share what you feel comfortable sharing. It’s your blog to use as you see fit.

    July 27th, 2014

  7. Rita Montgomery

    I enjoy ready your blog, whether it’s art or personally related. It’s your blog….share what feels right….you’ll know what not to share. Happy 17th.

    July 27th, 2014

  8. I loved hearing about your wonderful anniversary trip and congrats on 17 years! we made our 18th (20 together now!) in May and it’s nice to know how you feel and I enjoy knowing there are others who are as happy as I am and lucky to have such a special person in our lives that makes us content and fulfilled!! I also feel sad for others that aren’t as happy ,but hope they will find their happiness again and I would like for you to share what you feel comfortable with and I am sure others will enjoy it as well! thnx for sharing!

    July 27th, 2014

  9. Jani Howe

    Dear Becky,
    My feeling is that to get to understand a person better, one needs to know the whole person, not just bits and pieces. It is the sharing of your life with us that keeps us loving you, and also give me, personally, a vision of where your beautiful art comes from — your heart, and your life and family. That is important to know. It makes me appreciate the things you do even more. Enjoy every beautiful day with your sweet husband!

    July 27th, 2014

  10. Like Laura H above, I always feel good when I read your posts. Share whatever you are comfortable with 🙂

    July 27th, 2014

  11. Becky Shander

    Thank you all for sharing your thoughts with me…this helps a lot. And thank you for the encouragement too!

    July 27th, 2014

  12. Emily

    Happy anniversary! I love seeing what’s going on in your life, I don’t feel like you’re bragging or showing off. And of course I love to see what new things you’re making! 🙂

    July 27th, 2014

  13. Linda K

    What a really beautiful cottage and surroundings to celebrate 17 years of love! Without making this too lengthy let me just say personally what a joy it is to celebrate anyone’s achievements and happiness. We hear far too much more about sad things, tragic things and divorces,etc.etc. esp. on TV and other social media. Your blog -and so many others is what I love about this caring, kind and supportive community. We lift each other up. And give support thru sad/bad times(at least that’s been my experience). If your heart wants to share what’s inside then allow it to flow. Congratulations on 17years of marriage , ad for producing such a lovely daughter.
    PS- we’re at 31 yrs. this Sept. since marrying after only dating 6 months and neither of us would have changed a thing. I am so blessed and why should I feel guilty or bad about sharing it? Many don’t know our individual life history-and I don’t know many of yours-so why judge? OK< this was longer than I wished but just had to say…love and light my friend.

    July 28th, 2014

  14. I love the way you share your life. Having a happy marriage gives others the hope that they, too, can find true happiness with another. It also shows them how to treat their spouse in a loving, kind way. I found my happy ever after 21 years ago and it came from observing others that were in a good marriage. I saw that it could be done. Congratulations and here is to many more years together. Hugs.

    July 28th, 2014

  15. Hi Becky! I came over today to tell you how much I enjoyed reading over coffee about your fabric sea stars! I love sea stars! I’m so worried about the real sea stars actually, have you read about “sea star wasting disease” that’s happening on the west coast? Anyway, on to a lighter note, Congrats on your anniversary! What a charming place you visited! That’s exactly how I picture the east coast, and I love your perspective with the bird shots! Like me, you post from your heart wether art or personal related, either way your posts are beautiful and I think it’s your blog and you should post whatever you feel. I don’t think you’ve ever come across as “bragging.” Don’t stop being you Becky! 🙂

    July 29th, 2014

  16. Melanie LeGrand

    I love these photos. Makes me want to be there. I feel peaceful just looking at them. I enjoy everything you share. Keep sharing to your heart’s content! Joy, happiness, love is contagious. Keep sharing these wonderful things with us. The more details the better. 😉

    July 29th, 2014

  17. Becky Shander

    Thank you ladies…I hear you all loud and clear. Your words of encouragement make me feel like I should keep going…with sharing both my art and my personal life. Thank you for taking time out to leave me these comments…they’re very helpful to me, thank you.

    July 29th, 2014

  18. Your life is lovely. It is a joy to those of us you share with. I read your blog because I enjoy and am inspired by your art. To be able to read a glimpse into your personal life makes you more real.

    We all have difficulties in life. Thankfully, I am grateful for my daily life now, the path I have taken to get to today, and the ability to trust the process that will take me to my tomorrows. When life was more difficult than it is now, it helped me to read about, see, others who were able to experience joy.

    Be yourself. Your followers enjoy what you share from the heart. It you don’t speak to them, they will click in another day.

    Thank you for your expression of creativity in so many ways.

    July 30th, 2014

  19. Ann Marie

    Sweet friend, I am late to this blog post but PLEASE share all your wonderfulness … don’t ever edit yourself. I absolutely look to you for your lightness and joy and I absolutely want to always know more about my friend, personally and artfully!! Share away sista!

    August 12th, 2014

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