Emotional Connection and Free and at Peace

**THROWBACK POST**

October 11 2015:

Thank you Barbara Richmond Chastain for asking me to be a part of the Connexions Workshop today. I thoroughly enjoyed facilitating the Emotional Connexion segment. I’m grateful I got to experience the emotional connection that happened for the participants.

After I left we went to Big Washoe Lake and Little Washoe Lake where I took this picture of Thomas. This is how I hope everyone felt afterwards … Free and at peace. xoxo

Thomas Little Washoe Lake 10.11.15

Oh my gosh! He had such a great time. First he asked if he could take off his shoes and walk in it. “Sure”, I said.

Then, he asked if we could come here on our next date so he could wear his swimsuit and get all the way in. I told him that wouldn’t be til November so take your shirt off and get in now! YES! xoxo

Fairy Angel and Honeysuckle

October 10 2017:

Looks like we aren’t the only ones who liked the honeysuckle. Check out the gorgeous little fairy angel! Funny how I didn’t even notice this when I took the picture in 2014. What a blessing to discover it last night! Thomas and I had been on a fun and creative date where I gathered this honeysuckle to bring home.

Fairy Angel and Flowers 2014

I Have No Idea How It Will Happen – Yet It Does

October 8 2017:

Such a moving and inspiring memory from one year ago today … I find it so moving and inspiring as the same scenario is repeating with Lillian’s book. I had no idea how it would happen. Yet, IT IS …

“Tonight I go to bed tired and exhausted …. a blessed and good exhausted. I end this day full of gratitude. I am grateful to so many people, for so many things, and for magical and miraculous happenings over the past 3 months.

For the past 3 months I have worked on completing one task and fulfilling a promise I made to the T in our Team TLC. I have hardly “worked” on anything else.

For the past 3 weeks, I’ve helped Thomas get ready to show 2 of his photographs at the Young Blood exhibit and be prepared for the Kids Business Fair today.

I was so tired when we got home and unloaded everything, all I could do was run a hot, epsom salt bath, and slide my tired body into it. And, it was amazing. I cried tears of gratitude, joy, and knowing.

I have many stories to share via blog posts that have been patiently waiting for the completion of Biggest Little Photographer for Thomas. One being that I had no idea how I would make this happen when I made the promise to an 8 year old Thomas (10 years old now). Yet, I knew in my heart it was what I was supposed to say to him.

When the time came to fulfill that promise, I still had no idea how I would do it. What I did know from my past experience is to just start doing it and keep doing it and it will happen.

What I also knew is that this came from my heart and nothing from one’s heart is ever the wrong thing to do. And, it ends up being not about the end result, it’s about all the “doing it” leading up to the end result.

I simply started taking steps to create a book with Thomas’ 365 day photography project. Many times not even knowing where and how my foot would land. Not knowing how to put it all together or who we would have help with final steps of making it into a book.

I checked out a couple of books from the library to use as inspiration, looked at some books online, and just started. I did back up once and start all over, deciding to go about it differently and am so glad I did.

We aren’t completely done yet, as we’ll be having book signings around town and are available to speak as a Mom and Son duo. I will take a brief break to catch up on my own writings …. and to fix the driver’s side mirror that has been held on with duck tape since July!

Then, it’s on to fulfill a promise to the L in our Team TLC …… For now, I know what I know, what I know, what I know …. xoxoxo

Volunteering at Nevada Humane Society

October 7 2017:

Just spent three hours with Thomas attending orientation and the cat handling class. We’re all set to begin volunteering now.

Thomas is incredibly excited and proud!! I think he is 2 inches taller now!

Humane Society Volunteer Orientation Thomas and Camilla 10.7.17 #1 Humane Society Volunteer Orientation Thomas and Camilla 10.7.17 #2 Humane Society Volunteer Orientation Thomas and Camilla 10.7.17 #3 Humane Society Volunteer Orientation Thomas and Camilla 10.7.17 #4 Humane Society Volunteer Orientation Thomas and Camilla 10.7.17 #5

 

Let Them Know They Are Loved

**THROWBACK POST**

October 8 2012:

After she had just shown me EVERY Mardi Gras costume she has designed, made herself and worn in New Orleans at Mardi Gras since 1992; I said to her, “YOU are a talented woman! What do you do? Are you a designer?”

She got quite, her eyes welled with tears and I could feel the hurt and pain. She went on to explain that she has an MBA and things just haven’t lined up how she wants … she’s in limbo … she hasn’t made any money in a long time. She’s disappointed in herself …..

I instantly felt a connection with her. Those who know me, know why. I touched her arm and her heart, looked her in the eye and said YOU Are an Amazing and Talented Woman, What you Want WILL happen … I shared some of my story with her and gave her one of my books. When it was time to go, I gave her a big hug and repeated what I had said earlier. I could have changed the subject right after I asked the question that brought her to tears. I could have. I chose not too. I chose to let this woman know that she is loved, that she is perfect and that she is worthy.

We have a choice when we come across these moments …. We have a choice … Let others know they are loved … No matter what … xoxo

Reiki with Camilla: It Was Amazing and Relaxing

October 1 2017:

“This was my first time experiencing Reiki. It was amazing! I felt so relaxed. It’s hard to describe, but I couldn’t tell where my body ended and the air began. I had been curious about Reiki but was waiting for the right person to give me my first Reiki experience. Camilla was that person. Looking forward to my next session.” J.R. – Reno, Nevada –

Feeling out of balance? A wee bit or A LOT overwhelmed? Let me help bring balance and peace! I now have a wonderful space in North Reno or I can come to you if we already know one another. xoxo

Walk with Lillian Vintage Lake Heart Rock 4.16.17 #1

The Real Treasures are Happiness and Love and Friendship

**THROWBACK POST**

October 6 2012:

“I’m going to write a book about the real treasures being happiness, love and friendship” said Thomas earlier today …

Reminded me of something he said back in August … “The only real treasure is love and friendship …” – Thomas Darnell 8.4.12 …. When we’re HAPPY we just think differently y’all … In a DARN good way!

The Only Real Treasure is Love and Friendship 2012

The Great Universe by Lillian Darnell

September 24 2017:

Working on Lillian’s debut book, “Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories” ….

Thought I’d share one of the stories to be included (this one hasn’t been edited yet). It’s one of my favorites!:

Where Would You Fly Updated Cover 9.2017

The Great Universe

It all started on a warm summer night in a cozy home where a girl lay sleeping until she felt a jolt and she realized she wasn’t in her home anymore. She thought, “Why is there nothing?” and she got her answer. A echoing voice said,”You are where the universe began. It’s up to you to make the planets including Earth. Once you’ve made Earth, start creating. Have fun!”

So the girl quickly discovered she could use her mind and creativity to make everything. First she designed Earth to look sparkly, clean, and rainbow colored. Second, she made other planets look like the colors of the rainbow. She went into Earth and saw she needed to make the moon and stars. So she made the moon look and taste like cheese. She made stars look like glitter.

(Want a book? Go herexoxoxo)

She made the sky look indigo when it was daytime. She exited Earth to put the blue colored sun near Earth. She went entered Earth again and realized she needed to plant some plants. Luckily, she had some seeds in her pocket. She planted them. She added orange water to Earth to help the plant. She also needed rain. So she made red rain by circling her hand. She made green clouds too.

She realized she was lonely so she added animals of different colors. She created yellow grass so she could rest. Soon the animals became bored with just the little girl. The animals spoke to the girl about being lonely. She said, “No problem. I can make humans but first, I need to set aside some land for roads, buildings, homes, shops, stores and more.”

As she spoke, she created all the other things humans needed. After that, she formed the first 2 people. She also casted a spell to make a child and make it grow. The humans were magenta. The animals were amazed at how quickly the humans formed and adapted.

She thought she was done but the voice spoke to her saying that she would have to use creativity, quick thinking, and more. So she tried casting a spell to make the years speed by but it didn’t go as planned.

She made a makeshift bed and tried to get into her cozy home. That didn’t work so she tried to get the the people and animals to help her. They saw a note on the palm tree. The girl was able to reach it. She realized it was a riddle. She realized all she had do was fall asleep.

Before she fell asleep, she cast one final spell and it was the days of the week, months, and years. She fell asleep after that. There was a surprising jolt and she woke up. She was happy to find herself back in her bedroom. She couldn’t help thinking was it all a dream. Just then, a friendly voice explained that it wasn’t a dream. It was morning.

She went to the kitchen to tell her parents the most amazing thing happened to her. Her parents explained to her she had a real vision. Years later, she grew up to become a beloved author. Her name was Morgana and she had been 11 when the amazing thing happened. She lived in Australia at the time. She loved the book Anne of Green Gables. She thought it described her life perfectly.

The End!