Hello, my friends –
This blog has been quiet a long time. But the first day of spring seems the perfect time to resurrect it. As our ability to be in physical proximity with each other decreases, the value of our online connections increase. This blog, called “Surrendering to Serendipity,” was originally created to allow us to travel together on the 90-day roadtrip following the Mississippi River. It was glorious to have you all traveling vicariously with me then – and also to have you with me on the two-year book tour of Roadtrip with a Raindrop.
Life is very different now for all of us. Changes are happening faster than we can comprehend. We aren’t traveling physically, but life is always a journey. Sometimes it’s smooth and easy and sometimes it can be scary and difficult, but always we need each other.
Life is bountiful and irrepressible. This robin, singing its heart out, is reminding us all that life is constantly renewing itself, regardless of the current circumstances. The daily news is bleak, but everywhere there is evidence of the beauty of the human spirit and the power of Love.
This post is a bit of a trial balloon – to see how many of you are still out there and haven’t changed your email addresses, etc. Then we can see how we can help each other through this. So, if you receive this and you are moved to do so, post a “comment” – it can be very brief if you like, just so I know you’re there!
Shine on, my friends!
Love, Gayle
Roy Cates says
March 19, 2020 at 4:55 pmOur anniversary is on the 1st full day of Spring.
Gayle Harper says
March 19, 2020 at 5:06 pmOh! Happy Anniversary! How really lovely!
Kim says
March 19, 2020 at 4:55 pmWould love to hear from you Gayle!
Gayle Harper says
March 19, 2020 at 5:08 pmThanks, Kim!
Gina says
March 19, 2020 at 5:12 pmStill here and still a fan.
Gayle Harper says
March 19, 2020 at 5:14 pmHi Gina! Thanks so much!
Maggie Castrey says
March 19, 2020 at 5:22 pmYes hello again, Gayle. So nice to hear from you. Yesterday I watched a parent robin dive bombing it’s fledgling trying to get it to fly, which youngster did when mom backed off (although staying nearby with a watchful eye). I’m not much for facebook anymore, so appreciate these other ways, including good old fashioned telephone, to feel connected with others.
Gayle Harper says
March 19, 2020 at 5:24 pmHi Maggie! Thanks and Happy Spring to you!
Guy Fox, Jr says
March 19, 2020 at 5:25 pmYep, still here.
Gayle Harper says
March 19, 2020 at 5:25 pmAwesome!
Neal & Jan Woessner says
March 19, 2020 at 6:12 pmGayle,
How wonderful to hear from you with your encouraging message at this time of uncertainty. We are still at this email address and would welcome any posts from you. Just to refresh your memory, we met you in Hannibal, MO. We were staying in the same B & B there. You even photographed all of the guests and the proprietors saying we may see our photo in a B & B magazine. (Never did.) We love our “raindrop” book and would enjoy hearing from you.
Gayle Harper says
March 19, 2020 at 6:33 pmHello! So fun to hear from you!
Mary Sue Chatfield says
March 19, 2020 at 6:15 pmStill here! We at Montrose Riverfront, Inc. fondly remember the evening you spent sharing your book, Roadtrip with a Raindrop, with us. We continue preserving the past, promoting the present, and planning for the future of our Montrose community. Please be sure to let us know if you’re ever near our bend of the river in the future.
Gayle Harper says
March 19, 2020 at 6:33 pmYay! Hi Mary Sue!
Clyde S. Gorsuch says
March 19, 2020 at 6:20 pmGood to see you again.
Gayle Harper says
March 19, 2020 at 6:34 pmHello friend! Great to see your name.
Todd Morriss says
March 19, 2020 at 6:21 pmGlad you’re back.
Gayle Harper says
March 19, 2020 at 6:35 pmHi Todd! So good to see your name again. (There is sometimes a delay before a comment appears as it needs to be “approved” first as a prevention of spam.
Anne Schmidt says
March 19, 2020 at 6:40 pmStill here,Gayle! Watching the Mississippi River rise as these spring rains feed her appetite.
Gayle Harper says
March 19, 2020 at 6:41 pmHi Anne! I’m sure she’s up and roarin’! Thanks!
Connie Freyer says
March 19, 2020 at 6:53 pmAs always you have a way with words that touches the heart ❤️
Gayle Harper says
March 19, 2020 at 6:57 pmThank you, Aunt Connie. Stay well.
Robert Burke says
March 19, 2020 at 7:36 pmLove robins in the Spring!
Gayle Harper says
March 19, 2020 at 7:38 pmYep – they’re a happy sight and sound!
Tim Mueller says
March 19, 2020 at 7:46 pmHi Gayle,
What a nice surprise to see a beautiful post by you. We discovered you as we prepared for a bike ride along the Mississippi and always appreciate your views and thoughts. As I read your latest post a friend sent me this below which ties nicely with your morning bird song.
All the best to everyone,
Tim
“May there be space today, tonight,
in this moment or the next one,
with this breath, or the next,
to still your frantic mind
to slow your racing heart
to center your scattered spirit
to remember what steadies you
and anchor on something you love.
Bird song in the morning?
Coffee in the cup?
This loved one far from home, but right there on your screen,
laughing, waving, reassuring you that yes, they are okay?
The dog at your side who has not learned, and never will, the word “pandemic,”
but only “treat,” and “leash,” and “nap” and “walk” and “Good dog.
You are such a good dog, now and always?”
Anchor on that which you love, and rest there, just a moment.
Finding stillness, just a moment.
Slowing down, for just a moment.
Centering your worried soul.
Anchoring on stars and moon, the sun that keeps on rising.
May there be space,
may you make holy space,
some breathing room,
where all day long you’ve felt there was room for nothing but fear –
may there be space,
today and tonight and beyond,
for what you love.”
Gayle Harper says
March 19, 2020 at 7:48 pmOh, Tim. Thank you. That is truly beautiful. Exactly the kind of thing we all need right now.
Marilyn Chana says
March 19, 2020 at 9:11 pmWhat a surprise to find an email from you on this first day of Spring 2020! The robin and you are both a bright spot during these uncertain times. I will anxiously await each new post as I did when you blogged about your Mississippi trip. So glad you’re back! Will we possibly see a new book come out of this blog?
Gayle Harper says
March 19, 2020 at 9:20 pmHi Marilyn! Great to reconnect here with you. No plans for a book at this point – life seems to be plenty to keep up with as it is! But, one never knows…
Mike Jungers says
March 19, 2020 at 9:36 pmWhile we talk every day, your blog provides me with the gift of your written expression. You find inspiration effortlessly and write about hope, joy, and love. Such a gift.
Gayle Harper says
March 19, 2020 at 9:37 pmAaawww. Thank you! ❤️
Judy Spearn says
March 19, 2020 at 9:49 pmGayle,
Your words are an inspiration to others. I have such wonderful memories of all your family. Nanny lives on in the hearts of my boys and me. We are enjoying a lot of springtime rains and the desert flowers are beautiful this year. the the birds are happily chirping.
Judy
Gayle Harper says
March 19, 2020 at 9:55 pmHi Judy! One of the gifts of technology is that it keeps us connected to people we almost certainly would have lost otherwise. Thanks so much!
Nora Ogden says
March 19, 2020 at 10:32 pmGayle,
Thank you for reaching out. At this time, a thunder storm is passing. Looking forward to a sunny Spring.
My mother, Leona Doll, has celebrated her 100th birthday. She is well and safe in her assisted living place.
Stay well and safe,
Nora Ogden
Gayle Harper says
March 19, 2020 at 10:45 pmI remember your sweet mother very well. Please give her my warm regards. Thank you for responding and I look forward to how we can all support each other.
Leslie Carrier says
March 20, 2020 at 12:42 amWe all needed to hear from you and remember that raindrop that flowed down the river. We’re all looking for peace and comfort right now, so your blog post was perfect timing! Thanks for sharing and bringing a bit of spring to our days!
Gayle Harper says
March 20, 2020 at 8:01 amHi Leslie! Thank you so much. It’s great to hear from you. I’m excited about reconnecting with people in this way.
Bruce Helm says
March 20, 2020 at 10:13 amThanks for the inspirational message and photo, Gayle. We’re all in this together.
Gayle Harper says
March 20, 2020 at 10:18 amHi Bruce! Thanks for responding. Yes, I believe this will in the end be good for our connections with one another.
Jane Harris says
March 21, 2020 at 5:07 pmStill here. Enjoyed so much our trip on the Great River Road several years ago. Also enjoyed following you along on yours. Indeed troubling times but we can weather it fine if people can stop and enjoy where they are for a bit. Thanks for the message about spring. It is coming here in east TN.
Gayle Harper says
March 21, 2020 at 5:24 pmHi Jane! Thanks so much for responding. Yes, we can all support each other and come out even better as community – wherever we live.
Sharon says
March 22, 2020 at 10:54 pmIt is so good to hear you once again as we travel in this great unknown.
Gayle Harper says
March 22, 2020 at 11:31 pmThank you so much for responding. We will carry on together.
Julie Donnelly says
March 24, 2020 at 4:22 pmHow cheering to hear from you. I continue to be in rehab healing my knee.
Julie
Gayle Harper says
March 24, 2020 at 4:26 pmYes Julie. I know that. Since you can’t get to the woods just now, perhaps I can bring a bit of it to you. Sending wishes for quick and easy healing.