Category: LivzLetLivz’s Musings


Here’s another first read for me of Sophia Henry – “Delayed Penalty”, a Pilots Hockey Novel. It took me a bit longer than normal to finish it, not because it doesn’t hold your interest, but rather it kind starts of a little slow, but sure picks up pace.

DelayedPenalty-PilotsHockey#1-SophaHenry-Oct 2015

Auden Berezin is thankful for getting a gig as a Russian translator for one of the star players of the Pilots. Having lost her soccer scholarship to college funds, she latches on to this life saving temporary job to pay for her college education. She’s smart, intelligent and hardworking and wants to move out of her grandparent’s protective wings and put a painful past behind her.

Aleksandr Varenkov knows pain and scars that plague a person. Channeling his anger and desperation into his passion for hockey makes him a great player, yet his playboy image needs a makeover. As Auden works as his PR translator, he finds himself falling for her, with all her insecurities and pain.

Two people with painful pasts, two kindred souls brought together by fate to help each other heal, “Delayed Penalty” is a good one time read. Sophia Henry does a pretty good job giving Auden and Aleksandr strong personalities with human flaws. As much as the story is captivating, it was a tad bit longer and felt certain parts seemed drawn too long. Will I re-visit her? Maybe……

Received an ARC from Random House Publishing Group Loveswept via NetGalley for an honest review.

Time flies on wings

Toddler to a lady so fine

Yet memory only sings

Of a little girl mine

ApekshaCheerWin-UnionCity-Nov2014Dress-ups and tea parties

Bountiful in hearties

Taller and faster

Funnier and smarter

Each year brings a new you

Humble, kind and true

Adios to silly girl games

Hello to boys with aims

Drop-off and pick-up

No more your kind of cup

Learning permits and mania

Cars and driving hysteria

FullSizeRender_4-003Proud we are of your spoils

Impressed we are of your toils

Never afraid of change

Angel on the home range

Sixteen different ways we love you

And many more to the moon blue

You are a special pleasure

A parent’s priceless treasure

                                                                  “Happy Sweet 16”

Days, weeks and years go by as the cycle of life takes us on a journey of surprises and amazement. Children grow so quickly as the sun rising in the east and setting in the west, normal in its function yet eventfully fascinating from light to dark. And in the normalcy of life, we tend to forget the force that gave us the privilege of breath and nurturing, morals and manners, tradition and respect, personality and individuality…. a Mother, a Wife and a Woman.

From the soft and cuddly maroon giraffe with big black kind eyes that chased away the shadows lurking in the dark to the warm and fuzzy blanket that had seen the wrath of my fingers as I created fuzzy balls with it, you taught me the importance of nurturing and security.

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One of the fondest memories of my growing years is the pleasure of you reading mythological stories and reading books. And this has become an addiction to me now as I’ve become a voracious reader. I still remember the shelves of books and the stories you both discussed. You made sure I understood the good and the evil, the black and white with shades of gray, and the importance of humanity, morals and respecting life.

Been part of a large joint-family, traditional yet liberal in certain ways, I cannot forget your independent streak and wanting to give us opportunities you’ve never had. Be it playing badminton at competing levels or dancing our way to performances, you instilled confidence and endurance, strength and courage to leave home and create our own lives.

Over the years we may have agreed to disagree the turn of events, yet you’ve been my biggest supporter and criticizer that had motivated me to learn from my mistakes and make changes. Miles may be separating us, yet you are not far from my thoughts. We may not see each other often enough, yet you are in my vision all the time. We may not talk, email or text, yet you are always in my mind as I welcome each day with you as my guiding light.

I can’t thank you both enough for the lessons of love, pain, patience and kindness you’ve given me over the years. You have taught me to be humble and be comfortable with my perfect imperfections. And you have taught me that a beautiful mind, heart and soul define a mother, wife, friend and a sibling.

Atha Pic-MD2015

Dear Mom and Mom-in-law, you both have made a tremendous impact in my life and I just wanted to say that without you, I don’t think I would be the woman I am today. Even now, I can’t even dream of comparing myself to your powerful personalities and the sacrifices you may have made, but I sure hope that my children feel proud of me as I am, of being your daughter and your daughter-in-law.

Thank you!! Thank you for your trust, for your influence, for your unconditional love and never ending blessings!!!!

A grateful daughter and daughter-in-law with immense love for her mothers!

Time is one fact of life that moves, at its own pace. Neither does it wait for anyone, nor does it stop for anything. But it definitely leaves memories, and it sure leaves shadows that play a pivotal role as we move forward with our lives. Some memories stay with us in vivid Technicolor and some shadows fade to distant memories. As time passes, some memories make us feel sad yet happy, and bring a smile after years, comforting and warm in its wake.

AlimaWithDaddy-2015

It’s exactly twenty five years today, my father gave up his battle to gall bladder cancer. It was sudden, short and painful! For a person who never travelled and being a homebody, dying in the United States was an irony in itself. And as I inch closer to another year and seem to get closer to my parents age in that time, it just sounds so surreal! My whole life flashes in a kaleidoscope of images and those memories hiding in shadows, come to light with my heart missing so many things and feelings of having lost so much.

What really stayed with me as he was breathing his last was his smile mixed with sadness on seeing us. His eyes filled with content, yet with regret that he will not be there to see his daughters make successful lives. And the utter resignation that he’ll not be there anymore as a father to his daughters or a part of their married life or a grandfather. But above all is the immense love he had for his family, shining in his eyes and the satisfaction that his family was in good hands in the future.

My early memories of him and up until his last breath are of a happy, always smiling, hardworking Dad. Born with a silver spoon, he was not spared from the ups and downs of life and circumstances. He can crack some mean jokes and his laughter is one of the most wonderful memories I have. Like a typical Indian Dad of many years ago, business kept him busy with my Mother being the amazing homemaker. Yet, he never missed what was happening in our lives. He was proud of our achievements and every small milestone. He may have not helped us with homework and school projects, but he made sure to talk with us before going to bed. He may have had arguments with my mother, yet he always made sure that it was a part of life. In his own quiet way, he made sure we were raised with morals and ethics, kind and good hearted.

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I still remember his shocked expression when he realized his daughters have reached puberty, and his utter surprise that his babies have matured into young adults. Yet, he never missed bringing chocolates or waking us late in the night to share a candy bar or just chats with us. As I matured with my own family and children, I miss him more now than ever. I miss him when I see my husband spending time with our daughters. I miss him when I hear my daughters talking with my in-laws, and I miss him more and more and it actually scares me as I age every year and as my daughters enter adulthood.

Nothing can replace the feeling of losing a father, and no one can replace the empty space left by a father. I am grateful for every moment of love and support that helped me come this far in life, and that love and support still continues. I am forever grateful for being part of a close-knit family and I sure hope my children will have the same love and support.

I just hope my Daddy knows that we have done well, are doing well and have weathered some strong storms. And I sure hope he knows that he’s missed a lot, yet have left a treasure trove of memories for his family, and I hope that wherever he is, he’s happy and content knowing his family is happy and content.

Eulogy 2014

As another year gets ready to write it’s final lines of its existence, leaving behind memories of pain and loss, of gain and recovery, of mistakes and hurt, I’ve learned to embrace the small blessings bestowed on me, of the tiny pleasures of daily life, and the sweet smiles of loved ones, of the helping hands and the constants in life; grateful, appreciative and thankful!

This year has been a steady flow of mending fences, bringing sanity to minds, re-laying foundation for fledglings and re-evaluating selves. I’ve re-connected with a childhood passion of reading and writing that took me through a doorway into a whole new world; a world that gave me immense personal satisfaction and brought me in touch with some charming and beautiful personalities. And these very personalities and creative artists have decorated my life with their charisma and friendship.

I may have mentioned several times, and will continue to do so; to me love is a journey of the good with the bad, the pain with the cure, and the ups with the downs, going forward and together. And my mate indeed made his presence known stronger than concrete and reclaimed the crown of my eternal soul mate! He has been a bull with a goal to solidify the foundation and single-mindedly went about it. With his many quirks, patience and understanding, he’s managed to keep his sassy, charming, beautiful gem of a wife right next to him ;).

My daughters have blossomed into two amazing human beings, who have made me proud and I shall always be eternally grateful for their presence in my life. With their typical teenage oddities, many idiosyncrasies, non-stop questions about life and their fanatical obsession with One Direction, they keep us entertained, muddled, annoyed and rooted!!! And lots of times I wonder with my husband, how a dysfunctional couple like us have managed to parent these two charming daughters.

No trades offered for them!!!! J

And now, here I’m again, a couple of years later, more than half way down on this wonderful path called my life, reminiscing some could haves and should haves, yet not regretting things that have happened and have learned not to confuse sadness with any regrets. A different person, hopefully a better person, and with a wish to pass on some warmth, empathy and compassion where it is needed, I hope to be there for the people in need.

My belief that things happen for a reason, and with life throwing its usual curve balls, choices will be made, futures may be different, journey will be destined and fate will take us on a ride that already has been decided……as always. We are just players on the stage of that life, and we are entitled to all the surprises that come our way. And I’ve realized that sometimes not everyone can be a part of my journey, and that only a few would be with me until the very end.

As my family and I enter another New Year with new dreams and aspirations, I thank the year gone by for its priceless lessons and bountiful blessings. As I welcome the New Year with renewed hope and faith, I draw strength and courage from my wonderful husband and my daughters, and my extended family, as they constantly remind me of their unconditional support and love.

My family to yours, here’s wishing everyone a safe and healthy New Year, and hoping that the new year brings more joys than sorrows, and more happiness than sadness, painting the walls of your life, with some priceless memories.

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