Awaken the Authentic You Blog: Special Moments

My father was a man of few words....a gentle caring man full of love and gratitude for his family. In so many ways, he showed me what real love looked like. He was tenderhearted yet strong in his convictions and his faith.

From the earliest days of my childhood, Dad always had a beautiful rose garden….and as an adult when I returned home for visits, there would be fresh roses in my room and bathroom….my favorites being the Peace Rose (pink & cream) and the Tropicana Rose (orange). Dad is now gone from his earthly garden but dances in the great Rose Garden of Eternity.

Father's Day is a day honoring fathers, celebrated on the third Sunday of June in 52 countries of the world and on other days elsewhere. It complements Mother’s Day, the day of celebrating and honoring mothers.

Sonora Smart Dodd, of Washington, first proposed the idea of a "father's day" in 1909 while listening to a Mother’s Day sermon in her church. Mrs. Dodd wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart, a Civil War veteran who was widowed when his wife died in childbirth with their sixth child. Mr. Smart then raised the newborn and his other five children by himself on a rural farm in eastern Washington State. It was after Mrs. Dodd became an adult that she realized the courage, strength and selflessness her father had shown in lovingly raising his children as a single parent.

The first Father's Day was observed as a tribute on June 19, 1910 in Spokane, Washington. It took many years to make the holiday official. In spite of support from the YMCA, the YWCA and churches, it ran the risk of disappearing from the calendar.

Where Mother's Day was met with enthusiasm, Father's Day was met with laughter. The holiday was gathering attention slowly, but for the wrong reasons. It was the target of much satire and ridicule with jokes in the local newspapers.

A bill was introduced in 1913 (in the United States) and in 1924 President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of a national Father's Day. Finally in1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day.

Father's Day has become a day to not only honor your father, but all men who act as a father figure in male parenting. Stepfathers, uncles, grandfathers, godfathers and adult male friends are all honored as the greatest men in our lives on Father's Day.

It was a day born in memory and gratitude by a daughter who thought that her father should be honored with a special day just like we honor our mothers on Mother’s Day.

“Any man can be a Father….but it takes a special person to be a Dad.”
~ Old Proverb

In Gratitude for all our special “Fathers”….

Linda Kay Holden
New Beginnings Community

July 15, 1984 was a very hot sunny day in The Woodlands, Texas !!!

The weekend was filled with golf, barbeques, parties….great joy that encircled a beautiful wedding ceremony that took place beneath an arch on a Texas-sized deck overlooking lawns studded with the giant oak trees of a country club in the woods. Many friends and family from all over the United States shared their love that day when the separate journey of two hearts joined together to become a life of dreams.

Through the years of our journey we have been blessed with more good times than stormy days, and our love and respect for each other continues to grow each year. I am grateful for my wonderful husband….I married my best friend, my confidant, the love of my life, my soul mate.

Our wedding invitation had the following wording….and today it still comes from the heart…

"Today I will marry my friend...the one I laugh with, live for, dream with, and love".

25 years….and we’ve only just begun to live....



Linda Kay Holden
New Beginnings Community

So many wonderful BraveHeart Women have been creating blogs about relationships and marriage lately…. sharing your thoughts and inspiration from your hearts.

I wish to share from my heart to yours a favorite piece that I found many years ago that has been beautifully framed and placed where I can see it every day. While it speaks of marriage, I feel it applies to all relationships on different levels to include strength, courage, values, respect, gratitude, appreciation and love.

The Art of Marriage

A good marriage must be created.
In the marriage the little things are the big things…

It is never being too old to hold hands.

It is remembering to say “I love you” at least once each day.

It is never going to sleep angry.

It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.

It is standing together facing the world.

It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.

It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.

It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.

It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.

It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.

It is not only marrying the right person --
It is being the right partner.

In Gratitude and Appreciation for all the beautiful relationships in my life…

Linda Kay Holden
New Beginnings Community

WOW! What an exhilarating way to spend a Sunday afternoon!
Running the rapids and soaring down falls and over rocks is quite the adventure!

The last river rafting experience my husband and I had was in Colorado about 5 years ago. It was a time when most rivers were running low…but there was enough action for a first time out!

Our kids invited us to go with them on Sunday.…my 19 (almost 20) year old son and his girlfriend along with some of their friends. Us “older folks” did very well maneuvering the raft, surprising the younger crowd I believe.…and…we didn’t fall in like someone we know. However we did get very wet….actually the kids seemed to enjoy getting me extra wet!

The Nantahala River in North Carolina runs through some beautiful mountains and gorges…and this time of year it is full of running rapids and falls, with lots of rocks/boulders and loads of places in the fast current to travel sideways and backwards. We tried it all !!!

I must admit….it is a very strange and un-nerving feeling moving backwards on a moving river and not able to see where you are heading. Best part of the entire day was... we allowed our “child” side out to run and play, and we really enjoyed the experience.

We were reminded of an important joy and privilege in our lives. That is, when your child or children ask you to go share an experience with them, no matter what age they are, be sure to take the time to go!

Beautiful memories are created to last a lifetime and your children will enjoy a look at another side of their parents.

That is a priceless treasure!



It was a day to remember....

Linda Kay Holden
New Beginnings Community

The holiday season is a joyous time of celebration, love, giving, receiving and sharing with others.
As we celebrate Christmas, let us remember the beautiful feelings and joyous fun we share at this special time of the year.

Christmas is…

Loving…. unconditionally.
Celebrating Life…. with our family and friends.
Gratitude…. giving thanks for our blessings.
Being selfless…. doing for others purely for the joy of giving.
Joy…. savor every moment of happiness and delight.
Appreciation....be thankful for your new beginnings each day.
Peace…. the tranquility of harmony.

May the spirit of Christmas fill you with love, gratitude, joy, abundance and peace today and always.
Let the inspiration and miracles we experience during this beautiful season continue in abundance into the new year and inspire our journey together.

Merry Christmas….Happy Holidays to all of you, my BraveHeart Sisters!!!

With Love and Gratitude…
Linda Kay Holden
New Beginnings Community

As we travel through life, we experience many mountains and valleys on our journey.
We learn about joy and celebration along with sadness and separation.
As we experience these life events, our choices make all the difference in the energetic vibration held in that space at that time.

If we remain grounded in our purpose and breathe in the inspiration of our powerful energy, we choose the sacred space of joy over sadness….of celebration over regret. Often it takes more courage and strength than we feel we have, but the power is there within us waiting to awaken.

I have just experienced the celebration of a joyful and appreciated life….the transition of a beautiful soul from her earthly life to her heavenly existence. The sacred space of celebration at her graveside services was the most beautiful, peaceful, joyful experience ever shared at such services by all who attended.

Stories of inspiration, funny and meaningful quotations, experiences of learning and sharing were spoken by dear friends and family.
This special time resulted in surprising and comforting laughter, tears of joy and moving recollections of remembrances shared by many loved ones.

So many stories bubbled up that I had not previously heard. At the end, everyone was smiling and full of the warmth and joy of the moment….of memories of the life we were celebrating.

This beautiful service created a joyful memory that will be cherished by everyone there.
The service was a celebration of life….the life of my dear Mother.
She will be remembered by so many for a very long time.
She was the “Yankee woman” (born in the state of Pennsylvania) who became a “Southern Belle”….a prim and proper woman….lovingly known as the “Cadillac Lady”.
A woman who loved to dance, she is now dancing with my Dad through the rose gardens of Heaven.

What a beautiful legacy…!!!

In Joy & Gratitude….
Linda Kay Holden
New Beginnings Community

Dear BraveHeart Sisters…

For any of you who have recently experienced the loss of a loved one, this message will have deep meaning to inspire you and fill you with joy.
I received this poem today and I lovingly share it with you.

I give you this one thought to keep
I am with you still; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not think of me as gone,
I am with you still, in each new dawn.

Author Unknown

In Gratitude…..
Linda Kay Holden
New Beginnings Community

A new life….a new journey !!!

We are so privileged and blessed when a new life chooses to become part of our family.

Women as mothers, sisters, daughters, aunts, cousins, ‘heart’ friends, ‘soul’ sisters
know the pure joy of welcoming new life into our own journey.
The new beginnings and thrilling opportunities add gifts to our life and joy to our soul.

Several months ago, our family increased with the beautiful addition of a daughter-in-law.
We have an amazing son (in the U.S. Navy) and now a loving ‘daughter’.
They are creating their own connection of love as they settle into their life as a team.

Now entering into their journey is a new life that bonds their love.
A baby has chosen them to be his parents.

Welcome to the world and into our hearts…..
~~ Sawyer Andrew Holden ~~



Born May 31 in Atlanta, Georgia with proud Dad right beside you….
and grandparents, family and friends waiting nearby.

Your life opens doors of endless opportunities.
Step into your power and grow in your purpose.
There is already inside of you all the passion and power you require…
to do what you want to do…to be what you want to be!
Your journey begins….and a new chapter opens for all of us.



With loving gratitude for YOU and your Mom and Dad….
‘GiGi’

Linda Kay Holden
New Beginnings Community

Hello BraveHeart Sisters!

A very dear friend…a loving soul-sister…sent the following poem to me today.
It is so beautifully true that I wished to share it with all of you.
Know in your heart that each one of you is beauty, love, joy, passion, courage and peace….
enjoy the many years of growth on your life’s journey.

The Beauty of a Woman

The beauty of a woman
Is not in the clothes she wears
The figure she carries
Or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman
Must be seen from her eyes,
Because that is the doorway to her heart,
The place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman,
Is not in a facial mole,
But true beauty in a woman
Is reflected in her soul.
It is the caring that she lovingly gives,
The passion that she shows,
The beauty of a woman
With passing years - only grows.

In Gratitude….
Linda Kay Holden
New Beginnings Community

It is amazing that there is less than one week until Christmas.
Where has the time gone?

Hopefully you have completed your shopping and are now ready to enjoy the last few days leading up to Christmas day.

Time to start counting the days and checking the lists to see how much is left to finish.
So much shopping, gift wrapping, mailing, baking to do….
don’t forget to take time to really enjoy the beauty of the season.

Listen to the beautiful songs of Christmas…fill your heart with the sounds and join in the singing yourself.

Let the gentle beauty of nature fill you with joy and appreciation.

Gaze upon the glowing lights and let them brighten your holidays.

Fill your home with happiness and your world with joy.

Appreciate every moment with family and friends…open your heart with love.

Enjoy the beautiful church celebrations, holiday programs, special meals and gatherings of the holidays.

Know that there are many ‘gifts’ of Christmas…the most important ones do not come gift-wrapped.

May your holidays be blessed with the true meaning of Christmas.

In Gratitude…
Linda Kay Holden
New Beginnings Community

Dear BraveHeart Sisters…

It is an honor and privilege to share our inspiring journey together
in the BraveHeart Women community.

May your Christmas be full of love, joy, giving, receiving,
happiness, abundance, peace and the magic of miracles.

Have a Merry Christmas…
And a sparkling New Year!

With Love and Gratitude...
Linda Kay Holden
New Beginnings Community

One winter morning recently, I left home early for an appointment. The sun was rising behind me as I drove along a winding road. As I neared the beautiful mountain before me, the radiant stillness of the morning spoke to me. It rose on the mountainside ahead, penetrated the road noise of the tires, and pierced the movement of my mind as I was thinking of the busy day ahead and where I was headed on my journey for that day.

Morning had arrived to me in humble majesty and invited me to pause and take it in. Yesterday was gone forever…only the memories remained. The present moment was all there was…the gift of a new day.

The morning said to me, “All is new; all is forgiven; it is a fresh canvas to paint; all is Light. And through the shining Light, I could see and hear the message and I was profoundly moved and grateful.

I had not stopped to take it all in, but it seemed that the morning had really stopped to take me in, graciously surrounding me with its beauty and radiance as I continued to drive. The rest of my journey, that morning’s gift, was an acute awareness of the transformation that comes from within us when we truly open our eyes to see, our minds to appreciate our world, and our hearts to love and share with others.

The Light of that morning remains with me, still guiding me each day and reminding me of the change in the way I now see the world.

In Gratitude…
Linda Kay Holden
New Beginnings Community

On February 15th, President Obama awarded the prestigious Medal of Freedom to 15 recipients at the White House in Washington DC. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the Nation’s highest civilian honor – presented to individuals who have made valuable contributions to the security or national interest of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.

"These outstanding honorees come from a broad range of backgrounds and they’ve excelled in a broad range of fields, but all of them have lived extraordinary lives that have inspired us, enriched our culture, and made our country and our world a better place," said President Obama. "I look forward to awarding them this honor…"

Dr. Maya Angelou was one of these extraordinary recipients, along with President George H.W. Bush, investor Warren Buffet, cellist YoYo Ma. An outstanding honor for an inspiring and celebrated woman, she was hailed by President Obama as an author and civil-rights activist who “has inspired countless others who have known injustice and misfortune.”

She is one of the most renowned and influential voices of our time…hailed as a global renaissance woman, a prominent and celebrated author, poet, educator, producer, actor, filmmaker, and civil rights activist. Maya Angelou has been awarded the Presidential Medal of Arts in 2000, the Lincoln Medal in 2008, and has received 3 Grammy awards. She has also received over 30 honorary degrees and is Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University in North Carolina.

Maya Angelou has served on two presidential committees, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Arts in 2000, the Lincoln Medal in 2008, and has received 3 Grammy Awards. She has received over 30 honorary degrees and is Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University in North Carolina.

Congratulations to BraveHeart Woman, Dr. Maya Angelou! You are inspiration to us all!!!

In Gratitude...
Linda Kay Holden
New Beginnings Community