Staying strong with a little help

These images are of my favorite tree that resides in Simsbury, CT. 

 If you have not seen it in person it is well worth the trip.

This tree has withstood, hurricanes, snow storms, high winds, and the flooding

of the Farmington river. It is 100's of years old.  It has lost large limbs and small branches.

Through it all, it has stayed strong and is just as beautiful, 

if not more so for what it has endured.

If you look closely you can see wires that 

help to support the heavier branches.  This was a proactive step 

that was taken by those who oversee the health of the tree 

to try to keep it safe from breaking.

When you feel as though your body or mind could break at any moment,

reach out.  I know it is not always easy to ask or to find someone 

willing to help but there are many who will and do. If you reach out, there will be a path to find your way. the world has a way of helping when the intentions are there.

No matter how big or strong you are, sometimes you need a little help from friends.

Pinchot Sycamore Tree Simsbury, CT

Largest tree in CT and New England

Some say over 300 years old

and still standing tall

From a distance, finding peace and forgiveness

FROM A DISTANCE

Guilt and pain are two very real emotions that

follow not only addicts but their families and friends and well.

Today, more than ever it is important to recognize that this is not a

moral failing.  It is a disease that is extremely hard to treat.

The cause of the disease can be heredity and/or exposure.

Today's pain medications are highly addictive and whether or not 

you have taken them for treatment and became dependent, used alcohol, or 

other chemicals to self medicate underlying mental illness, depression, and anxiety,

or simply one thing led to another because genetically you were predisposed to the disease; 

It is a disease and unfortunately

relapse can be and is often a part of the disease.

We all must work hard to replace the guilt and pain

with forgiveness and healing.

We would not be angry with someone who was diagnosed 

with cancer if they had sat in the sun unprotected since they were a child.

I saw this scene as I was driving to work this morning. 

I took the photo and waited for the inspiration to follow. 

That inspiration came in the form of an email from a woman who was 

doing her best to move along her journey toward peace.

What I see is a path toward the other side of the lake.

There does not appear to be an easy way to get there but

it does look hopeful and inviting.  The sky is blue and it is a clear day 

for traveling. Take the first step, and then the next, and the next.

You may have to stop along the way to regroup or you may have to

take a couple steps back if you find you have moved in the wrong direction.

No journey is ever complete and utter smooth sailing.

Forgive yourself for your stumbles and get right back on the path.

Eventually you will get to the other side, how long it takes really does not

matter in the end.  All that matters is that you made it, stumbles and all.

Be proud every day that you have not given up.

Please let go of the guilt and pain that stops you from continuing on your journey.

Today, it is my prayer that some day those who have resentments

and hold feelings of anger toward you will find a way to forgive the 

choices that were made in the throes of this devastating disease.

For the one suffering with the disease

Most merciful God of the universe,

I am grateful for another day to journey toward the peace

that you desire for all your people.

Guide me with your love and support

in my travels and help me to forgive myself  for stumbling,

the way that you, by your grace forgive me unconditionally

all the days of my life.

In the name of all that is good and loving that you have created.

~AMEN~

For those that love, those that suffer from the disease

Most merciful God of the universe,

I am grateful for another day that my loved one was able to journey toward the peace

that you desire for all your people.

Guide me, and them with your love and support

in our travels on this difficult path.  Help me to forgive them  for stumbling and myself for not being as forgiving as I could be in the way that you, by your grace forgive me and them unconditionally

all the days of our  lives.

In the name of all that is good and loving that you have created.

~AMEN~

A prayer for the day

   Prayers of love,   

    prayers of peace,   

    prayers of hope,   

    are yours to keep.    

     Today...tomorrow...    

      forevermore...    

   prayers of comfort      

       at your door !     

Amen

Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday

Hello and good morning,
When I started offering nondenominational prayer to anyone and everyone, it was with the understanding that I would send out messages of healing to the universe without a religious bias. For me, my God and divine creator had a son named Jesus who was sent to show the world how to love one another as a teacher and a friend.  

This week (Holy Week), is my favorite time of year because it holds the entirety of my faith. I believe that although we may or may not share the same faith, it universally offers wisdom and support to those who struggle with difficult life choices and feelings of loneliness and despair.

Simply stated:

Beginning with Palm Sunday; Jesus enters Jerusalem to cheers of how wonderful he is with love and support for his mission from many.

By Thursday, he shares with his followers that he will not be with them much longer and that it is up to them to continue to teach others to love one another as he has loved them. After this time he is alone, and although his followers love him, he knows that ultimately they can not follow him where he is going.  It is a road that he must face on his own.

It is Friday, and Jesus, after being arrested, is crucified and dies; in the end knowing that he had to trust that there was a plan greater than his death. He had to trust what God had told him and believe that His God is merciful and would bring him to peace and fulfill His promises.

Saturday has always been the tough one for me; what now, how do I prepare, what do I do today to honor the loss and get ready for the miracle? I think about my journey and the events that have transpired and what my new role in life will be.  I have learned what I needed to learn through the teachings and I have prayed for the strength to live out those teachings each day so I can take that next step.

Then it happens, Easter morning it all makes sense.  All you have to do is believe, and what truly is a miracle can and did occur.  Jesus had power over the grave that could not hold him, and you have power over this disease.  Take that power and use it to be reborn into a new life of sobriety and peace.  This life is not an easy one, but you are not alone.  The decision you make every day to choose light over darkness is worth it.  You must do your best to focus on the incredible feeling you receive when you have made it work for one more day. Then one more day turns into a week, a month, and by grace and really hard work a lifetime.

I believe that addiction is a journey to hell and back, sometimes more than once. In the beginning, most people are unable or unwilling to see a problem.  In time, they realize that the disease has taken over and that they don't have as much control over what happens to them as they thought they did.  The disease continues to rear it's ugly head, and before you know it you realize the only way out is to give up your current way of thinking, let go, and let God (or whatever your higher power is) take over.  The 'Saturday' period of 'limbo', is that time when you must believe that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  You must believe in yourself and the power or your spirit to guide you and see you through; you too, must take the next step and love yourself each step after that.  Before you know it you have journeyed farther than you dreamed possible.

 Most loving and merciful God, 

 I give you thanks for another day and for those 

you have placed in my life to guide me on my journey.

 It has not been an easy one. 

 Just as your Son overcame the grave, 

 and was granted new life. 

 I, too, can overcome all that causes me 

 to die to my old way of life and be reborn 

 into a new one filled with 

 peace & hope. 

AMEN

The empty palm cross 

a reminder of rebirth in Ben's memorial garden

With Love & Support

Today & Always

Kristyn

Gratitude for Lincoln's smile!

 For me, gratitude is necessary for healing to occur.  On my worst day I always look for at least one thing that I am thankful for.  Sometimes it is something grand, but most of the time it is something simple; my pillow, a few minutes of peaceful rest, or knowing that someone out there is thinking of me.  Today I am grateful for smiles of every kind. The ones from total strangers, from families, and friends. I am sharing Ben's son, Lincoln's smile because it brightens each and every one of my days. Look for smiles today and soak in that healing energy.

              

  In peace & love and many smiles~Kristyn  

Every day holds endless possibilities

If you live in New England, you know that the weather is very unpredictable. Yesterday I awoke to snow on the trees and covering the ground.  Today was a glorious sunny spring day with no trace of the snow that was here just one day ago. Looking to the west       

         the sun falls behind the trees      
             looking to the east             
            the full moon rises              

All of this change in just 24 hours.  Mother
nature has a way of reminding us of the endless possibilities that each day holds. Whenever you doubt YOUR ability, look outside and remember that YOU are one of God's greatest creations.  Take each and every second of each and every day to be as awe inspiring as the universe knows you can be.
In peace and love for the unique creation you are.Kristyn

A prayer & picture for you by: Izabel

A bird flying by 

With not a cloud in the sky 

with flowers galore

A prayer to make you soar

With hope in my heart

And hope for you too 

We can pull through this together 

Just me and you

Izabel (Ben's little sister)

Age 10

Prayer

God of the universe

Today I am weak, but you are strong; I pray for the strength to be all that you see in me.

Today I am sad, but you bring joy; help me to see joy in this beautiful world you have created.

Today I am afraid, but you bring comfort & hope; place in my soul the knowledge that you are always with me.

Today I am alive, and I am grateful for another day

of your strength, joy, comfort, and hope.

Amen

September 17th 2015

Red moon

A coach offers a teamwork approach to winning the battle

Hello and good morning,

I have a friend who shared with me his 

coaching inspiration that earned him

a winning record that most only dream of.

This is what he shared:

It takes a team!

Every member of the team is important

and every member of the team has something valuable

 to offer that the other members might not have.

If we focus on each other's strengths and

not our weaknesses, we are more likely to succeed.

and most of all;

Believe in yourself and your ability to win and you will.

~R.E.

You're # 1

You are an important member of our team,

we will win if we don't give up.

Stay strong

In peace and love ~Kristyn

In honor of St Patrick's Day

"May your days be many

and your troubles be few.

May all God's blessings

descend upon you.

May peace be within you

may your heart be strong.

May you find

what you're seeking

wherever you roam"

~Irish Blessing~

Kent Falls, Kent, CT 

In peace & love ~Kristyn

FLY

The word 'fly' has many meanings: soar through the air, spread your wings, and looking cool. This is what fly means to me;

First

Love

Yourself

Loving yourself has to happen for recovery to begin and last. You must believe with all your being that YOU are worth the effort, and I promise, you are! Then you can spread your wings, soar through life, and look pretty awesome while FLYing

Prayers for courage to spread your wings, today & always ✌🏼️

Kristyn 

Not every day is going to be

the day we expect or want it to be;

those are the days

we watch the sun set 

and wake up to watch it rise again.

Fall down 7 times get up 8

......Please

Prayers of love and support

for better or for worse

~hugs~ Kristyn

How to get stones

Good morning everyone, I continue to receive questions regarding cost of stones. There is no cost, it is simply a gift from our family to yours. Please request them if you would like them for yourself or those you love. Simply send me a mailing address and they will be on their way. In peace and love

 ❤️💙💗💚💜💛

Kristyn

The Spirit of The Hawk

For me, symbolism and analogy have always played a major role in my spirituality.  I have seen more Hawks in the one year since Ben left the physical world than I have in my 46 years of life combined.  Whenever I see something repeating itself in my life, I try to find out what I am meant to learn. This is what I found:

Hawks are messengers connected very closely to the spirit world.  The Hawk is sent from above to teach us to be observant and to take a closer look at our surroundings. It has the strength and power to overcome difficult situations. It fly's over life on earth, suggesting that we view our own lives from a higher perspective. 

 

Today this beautiful creature watched as I drove past, turned around, got out of my car, and took a photograph. THIS hawk wanted to be seen so that I could share this message with all of you.

You have the power!  Look for it, and it will show itself to you in many unusual ways. 

In gratitude for all the messages from the world of nature, I pray for your continued growth in spirit to aid in healing your bodies and souls. 

In peace & love & courage 

Kristyn 

Hello and good morning 

Peace and love and support to you today and everyday

Today's photo is of  life regenerating in my back yard.

The cold and snow and darkness of winter

had caused this tiny plant to lie dormant under the ground.

Today as you can see this plant has chosen to rise

from the dark and give this life another chance.

today I pray that no matter how dark it may seem,

remember it is always darkest before the dawn.

You too, have another chance to rise from the dark and choose

to give this life another chance

REBIRTH-RENEW-REGROW

I LOVE YOU, YES, I MEAN YOU!

Prayers for all 🌈

Hello 

Today I was able to bring 'Stones of Support' to ADRC detox center (Mt Sanai) and The Recovery House (sober house) in Hartford. Both places were a part of Ben's journey.  Although it was hard to walk through those doors, the stones were well received by both places.  There was a young man close to Ben's age who was checking in and seemed surprised to know that he was being thought of in a loving way. I hugged him and told him I would think of him and pray for his recovery every day. Please join me today and send your thoughts of recovery to the universe in the hopes that he will feel the power of your support from afar. Thank you, you too are in my thoughts as you have been from the moment our spirits met. 

In ✌🏼️&💜

Woodbury, CT

Light in the darkness

Even during the darkest of days, if you look close enough; you will find a light that begs to be seen!

✌🏼️&❤️ Kristyn

You are important ❤️

To the world you may be only one person

But to one person you may be the world 

Good morning,
Today is a new day!  Thank you to everyone who has visited so far.  I am still working out the kinks as this is my first effort with the blogging system.  I have added a spot to follow this blog and a spot to leave comments.  Thank you for your suggestions, this is really becoming even more of of team effort.  Today, in Plainville, CT it is supposed to be sunny and warm!  Todays image is from Crescent Lake in Southington, it is one of our "happy places"  I am heading there this afternoon and from the highest peak I will be sending out thoughts and prayers to all of you to receive the warmth and comfort todays weather has to offer
In Peace & Love
Kristyn


PS I neglected to say that there is NO FEE for the stones at all (at least at this point)  There is minimal cost in preparing them and our family is covering that so please reach out and ask for them.  We are trying to connect this chain of support as much as we possibly can and do not want there to be anyone who feels unable to request them for lack of a way to pay for them.

The welcome I shared one year ago today on the first anniversary of Ben's leaving this life. Today is 2nd anniversary please read and see how far we have come in one years time.

Today is the second anniversary of Ben's leaving this life.
Some days it seems like just yesterday and others it seems like it has 
been a lifetime. There have been innumerous changes over the past
two years with regard to the addiction epidemic in our country.
Two years ago very few news stories, politicians, families and friends
spoke of the tragedy of the lives being destroyed or lost to this disease.
Now change is occurring daily, there is more discussion and more options
for the person suffering and more resources available for the loved ones
of the sufferer. The problem is that it is still not enough, we can not be quiet;
we must continue to stand up and speak out.

We all can do our part to eradicate this disease, no part is too small.

Our family has continued to offer these stones to anyone and
everyone who needs to be reminded that they are loved
and that they are important.
I am humbled by the level of reach these small stones have had.

Ben's mom Kim is involved with a group called
Community Speaks out (check it out, they are doing incredible work)

The past two years have been a time of sorrow and a time of healing
although nothing will ever be able to fill the void in our
lives left by the loss of Ben or all of the others who are now
in a different place watching over us until we meet again.

Please re-read our first post below,
the only thing that has changed is initially our SOS family
was small. As of today our family has grown in size
to include 1000's of people  from around the world, yes world.
This blog is being read by folks from the U.S. to Israel, from Parts of Africa
to Asia, and a number of countries in Europe. Many more prayers,
many more folks sending positive healing energy out to you, yes you!
We are still in this together. We can be proud of the efforts we are making
toward an addiction free world one piece of loving energy at a time.

Remember there is never a cost for stones to be sent out.
As many as you need, to wherever you need them to go.
If you need more please let me know and I will get them out to you ASAP!

Our first post from one year ago today
Welcome 

If you are visiting this blog, you or someone you care about

needs unconditional love and support from a family that knows

first hand your struggles.  Family is not always blood relations;

families come in every gender, shape, size, color, faith, and demographic.

What creates a family is a common bond.

WE ARE A FAMILY!

A family of believers in a positive energy that can be absorbed 

by anyone & everyone who understands that a telephone

sends a message of energy and sound waves across the world and is received

in a moment.   We, also,  have the power to use our physical energy and

voices to send messages of HOPE, PEACE, AND LOVE 

all over the world at any given moment.

We are sending these prayers out to you wherever you are. 

If you have come in contact with these stones or

have visited this site than you and those connected to you have 

received these messages.  

Our goal is to create a chain of support 

that stretches the globe.  We will continue to offer words of support 

and prayers for hope and healing to all of you, without judgement.

All we ask, is that if you are able, 

join in our prayers however and whenever the spirit moves you.

Your offering of support is appreciated and 

if we all work together I am certain that we can offer comfort

to "our" partners, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, 

nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Thank you and come back soon

In Peace & Love

Kristyn