I had so much fun at a Spiritual Retreat in wine country in the beautiful city of Temecula. There was so much laughter, hugs and love to go around. There is something very powerful about women coming together to share experience, strength and hope with one another through story telling. I was inspired by the courage and strength I witnessed throughout the weekend.

The topic for our Saturday meeting was Acceptance. One of my favorite sayings is “God, Grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference.”  Acceptance doesn’t come easy for me, especially when it conflicts with my idea of how things should be. However, I find that Acceptance gives me peace as I surrender to God’s will for my life.

One of the most difficult things that I have had to accept was when my son and his family moved to Dallas 4 years ago. At that time, my granddaughter was 20 months old and I enjoyed watching her grow during my monthly weekend visits to their cute little apartment in San Diego. Now, I fly out to visit them 2 to 3 times a year.

I have also learned to love and accept people as they are. In the past, I have tried to change people into the image I thought they should be. I find when I let go of trying to control others, it frees me up to live the life I want. When I put the focus on myself, and let others live their own lives, I am free.

Since my parents transitioned to the Afterlife, I had to learn to accept that they are together once again, although not here in the physical form. I shared about my experiences with each of them on hospice in my book, Messages from the Afterlife – Memoirs of a Hospice Nurse.

Acceptance that there is pain in life, in many different forms, brings me to the awareness that this life is temporary and the most important thing is Love.

“When we long for life without difficulties,
remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds
and diamonds are made under pressure.” 
– Peter Marshall