If you want to sing out, sing out...

April showers are soon to be upon us, and I think this is the perfect time to read a book that is best known for the movie version of the story. It's quirky, touching, and surprisingly thought provoking. And what it has to say is just what we need to hear in the world right now. Love is everything. Find happiness. Let your freak flag fly my darlings.

So for the GGBC April 2016 book I give you:

                                         Harold and Maude

by Colin Higgins

Nineteen-year-old Harold Chasen is obsessed with death. He fakes suicides to shock his self-obsessed mother, drives a hearse, and attends funerals of complete strangers. Seventy-nine-year-old Maude Chardin, on the other hand, adores life. She liberates trees from city sidewalks and transplants them to the forest, paints smiles on the faces of church statues, and “borrows” cars to remind their owners that life is fleeting— here today, gone tomorrow! A chance meeting between the two turns into a madcap, whirlwind romance, and Harold learns that life is worth living, and how to play the banjo.

(From Goodreads)

You will find you see a little of yourself in these characters, and maybe wishing you were a little more like them. This is a title that is easy to get a hold of at your local library or bookstore, and even for your e-reader. This story is going to be some spring cleaning for our winter weary minds, and I hope you love it.

We will chat about this book starting the last Saturday of April, and we are on Goodreads, Facebook and Twitter at #GGBC or @nikkisticks if you want to tweet me directly. All the links are in the sidebar of the blog. I really can't wait for us to read this one, so I'll see you the end of the month. I'll be the one with the banjo, liberating trees. 

Happy Women's Day

These women...

I have a friend, who lost her husband after helping him through the ravages of a stroke. She remained loving and positive, even through her pain. Spreading her heart to others. She is Love personified.

I have a friend, who is an artist. She has fought past physical hardship and uncertainty to find her truth, to stand fully in who she is, to create with vision. She is Joyfulness herself.

I have a friend who is an actress. She took a leap of faith to entertain, to bring joy, to be what she is meant to be. She brings fearlessness with her in whatever she does. She is Confidence.

I have friends who are sisters. They not only care for all their family and friends without hesitation, but they live their dream of running a farm. All with working full time jobs and helping their dad through illness. Even in his loss, they are beacons of positive energy and who I want to be. They are Hope.

I have a friend who is a single mother. She raises 2 amazing girls and never wastes time on the negative. She fought through much so she could come out the other side making the world better for her girls and her community. She is Strength.

I have, unfortunately, friends who have fought, and are fighting cancer. Their grace and beauty remained untouched by disease. They used their journey to expand their hearts, and the hearts of those around them. They are Warriors.

I have a sister, who never lets her dreams slip away. She is constantly creating in words, in art, in her own way, a life that is unique and her own. She never lets fear stop her, she keeps her life turned toward the light. She is Inspiration.

I have a daughter, who at a young age has achieved more than many ever will. It's not just her amazing grades and achievements as a child, but as an adult, she has made a life to be proud of. She has a job she loves and friends who support her. She never, ever gives up. She makes things happen. She is Determination.

I have a mother, diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in her early 30's. It has physically crippled nearly every joint, causing daily, unforgiving pain. After more than 20 surgeries, she still walks on her own two feet. Has volunteered to make her community better, has raised 2 children and been married joyfully for almost 46 years. My first teacher of grace, of always helping others, and never letting the negative take the brilliant shine off the positive. She is Grace incarnate.

I am blessed, for all these women, and many more I could name. Thank you for giving me your lessons. Thank you for giving me your love. Thank you for making my heart better for knowing you.