Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Day 15 - Photo Challenge, Someone Who Inspires Me

This is a picture of my blog buddy/friend Melinda and she is so amazing that you cannot get to know her and not be inspired.

When I first met her, she was so happy living on Whidbey Island with the love of her life and then...she became the raising grandmother of two beautiful grandchildren and she just moved forward with that beautiful presence she has.

Tragedy struck and she was left alone on Whidbey Island with those beautiful children, no job and she was devastated. But out of that devastation, Melinda created beautiful things for her grandchildren and herself and for my family.

We never got to meet before she decided that Whidbey Island had taken its toll and she had to move on. Melinda moved to Utah in with family and found not one, but three different jobs that I know of. The day she arrived, she got hired in a fabric shop. Then she went to work for a phone company and now a furniture company.

Her daughter whom she loves and worries about came and took her grands back to Oregon and that broke her heart, but not her spirit.

She met someone special, they dated, they married, they honeymooned on an exotic island, they redid an old travel trailer and made it gorgeous, she planted a garden, raised chickens and was happy.

Live never ends as it does in fairy tales and Melinda's husband met someone else and walked away. She was crushed, but she still continued on...she made as she has done every year my grands teachers special Valentine cards, she joins swaps and though her heart was once again broken she moved on.

Melinda has always found ways to reach out to others with her sewing, crafts and quilting and she has always walked beside me encouraging me when I was down or when I lost my beautiful mom last year.

My inspiration is this beautiful woman and if you get a chance to stop by and encourage her today or tomorrow or know her or have met her, tell her she inspires someone with her beauty and love for others. I am sure she could use a word of inspiration from all of us!

Melinda has a blog called Melindas Fabric Fancies, stop by and sit awhile and look at how wonderful she is!

2 comments:

Scrappy quilter said...

Isn't it wonderful to have people who inspire us in life. She sounds likea wonderful lady. I'm off to check out her block. Hugs

Christine said...

What a nice tribute to your friend. and whidby island...sounds like a beautiful place. Thanks for the comments on my blog. I appreciate them.