~~~rare & one-of-a-kind~~~

no...i'm not talking about flo~blue...i'm talking about shelley. so i think it's only appropriate that she collects this classic beauty...it speaks of her.

go with me here for a moment...close your eyes...& think of a time when your life was forever changed.

take a deep breath, and get that memory in your heart and mind. let it really sink in.

you may only have a handful of those moments in a lifetime...but, you cherish them...and will forever be changed because of them. well, this is what happened to me when i met shelley, eric, and their daughters...i walked into their beautiful home...with it's calming spirit, and i knew i would never be the same. i am forever grateful for this meant-to- be-encounter. there really are no mistakes.

my life had been altered in the sweetest way. my cup runneth over...i was one of the very lucky beneficiaries when i met this dear family while on my trip to california for the "blushing brides" party. i couldn't put this into words, and still can't for the life of me describe what that whole experience felt like...how it seeped deep down into my very being. 

i really don't want to say too much about the "have not-s" but the "have-s" that this family is blessed with. LOVE washed over me like a gentle wave coming slowly into the shore. PEACE filled my soul like warm honey, and tears welled up inside of me like a river just waiting for the dam to break. i'm still needing to find a quiet spot to soak it all in...the oh so sweet & unconditional love that i witnessed that day! 

shelley's beauty shines. strength & courage must be her middle name. these words go for the rest of the family too, but they don't really do this dear family justice. i am still kicking myself for not capturing a photo of eric, (i don't ever want to forget his face) he's shelley's dear life companion, soul mate, caretaker (in the very sweetest sense), & best friend. his smile and enthusiasm for his family is just WOW! indescribable. he made me weep, sob is more like it...he made me laugh too. his pride in their home and his amazing love that he gives so freely was so cool to witness. he told me that she'd do the same for him...and she does! eric and shelley have two beautiful daughters. very precious girls...really darling. i haven't even mentioned the incredible decor in their home...but, just look for yourselves. at every turn...eye candy! i'll post more eye candy at the end of this post...for you to drool over.   

 

i know i need to tell you a little about the challenges that they face...shelley has lou gehrig's disease...als...and even though i don't know too much about it. i will now...and i hope you will too. shelley's such an inspiration. her abilities to get around, not that good...her abilities to move mountains...i'd say very, very great...an example to us all...as you can tell. i wish you could all meet them! if i could only have a fraction of her courage...a dose of her spirit...a slice of her determination...a mere smidgen of her outlook on life...i'd be one happy lover of life camper...that, i know for sure.

here we all are with shelley...(minus the other annie; from "a slow moving train"...see her link at the bottom of this page along with the others)...a time i will treasure forever. thank you shelley, eric and darling daughters...for the warmest of welcome, the yummy cookies...the home tour...letting me take oodles of photos of your beautiful, homey home.

xoxo..............from the bottom of my heart!

ps...today we all decided to post about shelley & co. so, please visit corey @ tongue in cheek, ulla @ ullam, lea @ lea's labyrinth, nicol @ nicolsayre, the "other" annie elf @ scenes from a slow moving train, for their take on this wonder-filled time we all shared. 

Comments

[Marie-Noëlle]

THANK YOU Annie... simply THANK YOU !!!
You can't imagine how much I would have loved to be there with you !
I've heard so much of Shelley through Corey !!! This a wonderful post !!!

[Shelley]

Annie,
Thank you so much for the wonderful post. You said so many lovely things about me and my family. Something special happend that day thats very hard to describe i've tried, but know one seems to understand what i'm trying to say. To bad for them hahaha. Eric loved your accent thats all he talked about how sweet you were and your southern draw. I loved it to. Thank you for being part of that day.

[Tongue in Cheek]

Annie what a beautiful post. heartfelt and giving. Shelley, Eric and her family are such cornerstones of courage and love.
xoxoxo

[Pinkie Denise]

Oh dear Annie, you have such a way with words and am sure that the touching tribute you wrote to Shelly not only reached out to her family but to all who hear and see. The love and kindness in your sweet written words and pictures speak huge volumes. I feel so bless to have been able to meet you and your precious gift given so freely.

[eb]

thank you for such a beautiful and deeply heartfelt sharing of your afternoon with Shelley and her growing family...

xox - eb.

[Mo'a]

I am so touched by what I have read about Shelley...she is truly loved.

[Nicol]

Dear Annie
How lovely you have captured the special time spent with Shelley...Your words are truly beautiful! xoxo N

[Lea]

'Tis true dear Annie... our cups runneth over having met Shelley and family in person and in these words and images that give us such a gift and change our lives forever more... much love to you, and to you Shelley!

[Ulla]

Annie, Shelley touched us all in ways we can only guess at... Your post is a loving and true blessing to dearest Shelley and her 'family' of many! Hugs to you and Shelley!

[AnnieElf]

I pinch myself sometimes, Annie, and wonder how I got so lucky to be drawn into such a brilliant light as Shelley's. We were all so blessed on those days.

[Sharon at Norah'S]

So beautifully said. Thank you for sharing this is your gentle way.

[ro bruhn]

What gorgeous still life images at every turn and beautiful words too Annie

[JUDY WILKENFELD]

What a sensational and sensitive post, spoken straight from the heart - my kinda thing - it was so refreshing to read such a post, it was certainly inspiring. Thank you for your insights and the tenderness with which you spoke ought to be a shining example to many folk. Thanks