What a fun day today, at the Orlando Pickle Festival! I was there to volunteer for One Heard for Women and Children. Lots of crazy food choices, all of it under $10. Pickle pizza, pickle ice cream, pickle everything. Every food truck had a “pickle themed choice”! There were also craft vendors, t-shirts, popcorn, ice cream, lots of yummy choices. It was a hoot. I noticed all walks of life. People from every generation, it was so much fun. Just chatting with the attendees, while checking them in; Scanning tickets and placing bracelets on their wrists. Making idle chatter and small talk. Everyone was so nice. I would joke and say, she’ll scan ya and I’ll wrist band ya! (I was a poet and didn’t even know it)! People laughed.. no one seemed to have a "chip" on their shoulder. They were all kind. There were so many people that suffered heat stroke. One lady was sitting down, and she just all of the sudden tossed her lunch, covered it with dirt, and did it again! I asked her if she was OK, she said, yes, I am just overheated. I have water. I went and got the paramedics. She needed to get out of the sun and they needed to get her a barf bag and electrolytes. I am actually not sure what they did for her. Another girl, literally collapsed, while waiting in the pickled pretzel line. Which, BTW was the longest line out of all of the food trucks. Except maybe one of the ice cream trucks. I love being a part of something bigger than me. This event was raising money for One Heart for Women and Children. I love that. It allows me to love on people in our community. It fills my heart for sure. When I left, I couldn’t help but reflect of some of the children that were clearly obese. It’s just sad that we’re not teaching our children the importance of moving your body. Eating Whole Foods and not feeding them crap all of the time. As adults, we should do better. Our kids deserve better. It’s not about vanity, or being skinny. It’s about long term health and living a full life.

Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen.. I am so glad you're here.. I woke this morning to the most beautiful site... the sun coming up over the horizon - reminding me how blessed I am to have another day. Sometimes, we think things are happening to us.. but, in reality, they're happening FOR us. Remind yourself today, God loves you. During the darkest times and during the brightest. No matter what you're facing, HE is and always will be with you. There is nothing you can do that will make Him love you any less. Take heart, He loves you today. The sun rising is His proof..

Welcome Leeanne Hurren to Rooted and Rising. Tell us a little about yourself and share your community link!

My story matters because I have been a caregiver most of my life. First, to my husband. 3 years after we were married, he had open heart surgery. 7 years later, I took care of him after a cancer diagnosis and several surgeries, chemo that almost killed him.. until he passed away, 3 years later. I would do it all over again, 10X! I was the primary care giver for my momma, before she passed in 2021. She had dementia and was my everything. Covid took a full year with her away from me. I lost her in November of 2021. I lost my house 14 months after buying it, to Hurricane Milton. Relocated to Orlando. Then, a few months after I received my FEMA money, I was the victim of fraud. Lost $25K.. Who cares for me? I do. Caregivers rarely have people that care for them. It’s not a bad thing, it’s who we are. We must be in charge.. we are caregivers… So, unless a caregiver falls ill, they rarely ask for help or to be cared for. If you know a caregiver, love on them. It’s one of the most difficult jobs, for very little pay. What we get is a peaceful heart knowing we are taking care of our loved ones. Most caregivers are strong and refuse the help, but desperately want it. AND need it. I’ve been taking care of myself for 11 years now. I wonder sometimes if my heart is hardened from not having anyone in my life to lean on, or someone that will give care to me. It’s been so long, I just resolved it’s not going to happen. So, I take care of me, just like I take care of everyone around me. I have learned to love myself better than anyone else can. But I still long to be loved, held, seen, cared for…