Sometimes the clearest truths are the ones we learned long before we knew their names. This week, I returned to the simple, steady way a child sees the world —with wonder, with openness, and with a heart that knows how to laugh first. In that softer light, even the smallest moments become invitations to joy.
Can you believe that this is already week number four? It has been such a pleasure to be here with you.
If you’ve noticed the trend, each post has been a subtle reminder that the heart matters. Most importantly, finding our inner child within our heart makes a tremendous difference in how we perceive life.
It has the ability to change our response in any situation.
Oftentimes, our childhood provides us with unnamed mechanisms that help us through adulthood. Yet, with each year that passes, we allow our inner child to fade into the background.
During these first three weeks, the elements of mystery and anticipation have been purposefully utilized. They were chosen to help reawaken the child in your heart.
Some of you may be wondering why these posts have been following that path. Maybe you are even questioning what this site is all about. I hope that this week’s post helps to shine the light a little brighter for each of you.
Evergreen Yuletide is developing each day; however, its foundation remains the same. It has been created with the understanding that everything begins in our hearts. Our hearts serve a purpose beyond our physical needs. Our heart is love’s home.
Everything that is being created, designed, and shared here finds its beginning in love. I understand that not everyone grew up with the perfect family, but if you were lucky, through all of the imperfection, you still learned about love. Some of us learned what love is by being loved unconditionally, while others learned love by learning what it is not. In spite of anything and everything that daily life throws our way, we continue to desire the most precious gift, and that is love.
Evergreen Yuletide is about finding the light that we all seek in life.
It isn’t about pretending.
It isn’t about perfection.
It isn’t about having all the answers or solving all of the problems.
I know what it’s like to be loved by a family. I know what it’s like when you lose members of your family. I know how life feels when all seems good and you seem to have everything you want.
I also know how it feels when your world changes, and you’re not sure if you can change with it.
Evergreen Yuletide is about the light and the love that continue to exist in my heart. It is the continuation of my mother’s and my sister’s love living through me.
It is the understanding that the heart needs to be resilient and a reflection of the inner child.
Last week’s blog focused on the ability of a child to switch directions — to move from crying to laughing within a heartbeat, to get up after a fall without thinking about falling again, to trust that when something is broken, someone will help us fix it.
Ultimately, in the words of one of my friends, if you are looking to find your authentic self, you want to be here. The puzzle pieces are a tool leading you to a valley of make‑believe, where you find the reality of who you want to be.
I do not have all the answers, but I have found a path. That path begins with the love that I hold in my heart and the desire to share as I walk through this journey that we call life.
This week, you are receiving your fourth puzzle piece. With puzzle piece number three, you had a small sneak peek of a very special person. He lives in the unfolding valley.
🌲 Introducing Bernie
As we step into this fourth week, the path ahead begins to glow a little brighter. You’ve met hints, shadows, and small pieces of what is unfolding here, and now someone very special is ready to greet you.
For just a moment, I’m stepping aside so the caretaker of the valley can speak for himself. His voice has been waiting patiently, and today he would like to welcome you in his own words.
**“Hello, my name is Bernie, and all of my buddies refer to me as Uncle Bernie.
As the weeks pass, the valley before you will appear piece by piece. I hope that as you gaze upon my beautiful valley, you will find the same peace, joy, and love that my buddies and I experience.
As the story unfolds, you will see that not everything is perfect, but along the way we learn that being perfectly imperfect is OK.
The life that I live now is not the same as it once was — sometimes things happen, and we just can’t understand why. I am learning, though, that whether or not I understand the reason, there is always purpose.
My purpose in this valley is a responsibility that I accept now with joy.
With me today, on puzzle piece number four, is Holly. She is a beautiful Samoyed, and her heart is even more beautiful.
I hope that you will stay with us as dawn lights the valley. I have many buddies for you to meet and eventually many stories to share.
My creator, Paula, has left a little something special in your Secret Garden. Just tap the gold key at the bottom of this page and use the password for the month of May that you received in your subscriber newsletter.
Maybe this is your first visit, or you haven’t been sure whether or not you wanted to subscribe.
If it is something you decide you would like to do, feel free to tap the subscribe button at the bottom of this page, and you will be returned to the homepage.
At the bottom of that page is a subscription form. Your privacy is important, and your email address will never be sold.”
Glad to meet you,
Uncle Bernie**
I am so glad that you have had an opportunity to meet Uncle Bernie and Holly.
Your puzzle piece awaits you. If you have gone to the Secret Garden to receive your puzzle grid, you can place this piece in spot number 11. Just tap the image below to be taken to the treasure chest of puzzle pieces.
⬅ Click here to download puzzle piece #4
As promised, the rest of his body is here along with a small friend too!
Story card number four is also waiting for you. Take the time to read the rhyme. It always leaves a hint or two. One gentle touch on the image below will take you to the magical storybook where you will find your latest story card.
The valley is officially alive. Won’t you come inside?
⬅ Click here to download story card #4
Deep in the valley lies Your Secret Garden. Two new gifts await all who enter. Click the golden key at the end of this post to enter.
Come and see 🌹.
There is so much more waiting for you.
As a gentle reminder, subscribers have their own secret garden where, occasionally, gifts appear. A golden key opens the gate, and subscribers receive the monthly password in their welcome newsletter.
The golden key can be seen below. Tap it to step inside the garden.
I hope to see you again next week—
Same day, Sunday.
Same Adventure.
Another piece of the story waiting to be revealed.
With an open heart and a quiet corner saved just for you,
Paula
You are also invited to click the subscribe button at the end of this post. You will be transported to the home page, and at the bottom of that page is the subscribe form.
Your Secret Garden Key
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🌹