Richelle E. Goodrich, Slaying Dragons

"It’s simply this:the Irish kiss,a snog o’ bliss,be blessed luckfrom any miss."

"The wind is made of haunting souls that moan and groan in whistles and whispers. This ghostly choir chills the breeze and orchestrates a rise of goose bumps on my skin."

"Impatience is racing at misery full speed."

"On Easter we wrap up pretty, little decorated eggs symbolizing life and renewal. We do this because of the intangibility of a promised gift, which is the eventual resurrection of the body, restored to its finest forever state. Easter celebrates life and the idea of its eternal value, most notably the life of the gift-giver who demands nothing in return. He is your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ."

"Things that remind me of Mother are these:the truth ‘mid deception, a warm summer breeze,the calm within chaos, a stitch in a rip,a comforting blanket, the smile on her lip,an ocean of love in a heart big as whales,the morals in everyday stories she tells,a wink amid laughter, the wisdom in books,the peace in humility, beauty in looks,the light and the life in a ray of the sun,the hard work accomplished disguised as pure fun,concern in a handclasp, encouragement too,the hope in a clear morning sky azure blue,the power in prayers uttered soft and sincere,the faith in a promise, and joy in a tear. These things all attest to the wonder and graceof my precious mother, none else could replace."

"I wear my wrinkles like battle scars, having earned every last one slaying life’s dragons. They boast of my victories and some defeats while their beauty is a wealth of wisdom gained."

"When I ask you to be my valentine, I’m not asking you to love me. I’m simply asking you to accept tokens of my love for you."

"The whispers you hear in your ear that you fear in the air everywhere,they are ghosts. The moans and the groans in the lowest of tones no one owns or condones, they are ghosts. You might deem them gremlins or water or wind,while others say shadows or rodents or sin. But oh! I say no! ‘Tis not so, child, for lo!The chills that you feel in a thrill that proves goose bumps are frightfully real,they are ghosts!"

"It seems there's confusion at this time of yearregarding the reason for Christmas. From shopping for presents to spreading good cheer,the world makes an overly huge fuss. But Christmas is not for the gifts we exchange. It's not about sleigh rides or sweet candy canes. Nay, Christmas is simple. A time to recall Christ's gift of atonement He gave to us all."

"To believe in yourself is to light a spark with the potential to start a fire."

"You can do things. Do you know this?Do you believe it?You should. It’s true. You can do great things."

"If we were to behave half as well as we believe others ought to behave, we might prove ourselves as grand in character as excuses and justifications prevent us from being."

"If all of our sins, bad habits, and poor choices were permanently inked into our skin like tattoos, we would all dress quite modestly."

"Love in its essence is unconditional. When conditions, exceptions, and ultimatums are cast into the mix, its purity changes. It is no longer love and should be referred to by a less-desirable name."

"When you understand that faith is God’s muscle at your disposal, moving mountains doesn’t seem so extraordinary."

"Love is the ultimate no-calorie sweetener."

"How easy it is to slip. How hard it is to climb. How wise it is to keep in step And never fall behind."

"Sometimes the craziest laugh in the world is the only one that will save your sanity."

"New light in the skyannounces a sacred birth. Shine brightly young star."

"Glittering tinsel,lights, glass balls, and candy canesdangle from pine trees."