From the Front Porch: Patriotic Inspiration
Welcome to this week’s From the Front Porch: Patriotic Inspiration Edition, sweet friends. Thanks so much for being here and for making us a part of your day!
Recently, we were on the phone with a loved one who had just completed 16 weeks of radiation treatment for melanoma.
At 87, he’s a salty old Navy sailor who’s passionate about politics, current events, and speaking his mind.
We’ve tried a million different ways to get him to move to Florida with no luck.
So, if you’re also trying to manage a loved one’s care from another state, my heart goes out to you.
We know firsthand, it’s not easy.
While he’s stubborn and set in his ways, he also has a tender heart.
And just before he finished his final radiation treatment he discovered one of his neighbors, who’s a bit of a recluse, was undergoing chemo treatments and having to make some tough financial decisions.
We knew our loved one had secretly collected money from fellow neighbors to help with his living expenses but what we didn’t know until recently was that he had also offered to pay for his neighbor’s lawn care.
“How did he react when you offered to pay for his grass to be cut?” we asked.
“He told me no! Can you believe that? I mean, how stubborn can you be?” he said growing heated.
It was literally all I could do to stifle a giggle because we’d been living out similar scenes with our loved one for YEARS.
“He knows there is no way he can cut his own grass in his condition,” he passionately continued. “It’s not even safe.”
Our loved one had a point.
There are very few flat spots in the private mountain enclave he and about 7 other families live in, most of which are close to their homes and near the main road.
“Well how did you leave it with your neighbor,” we asked.
“I told him I’d give him a day to think about it,” he replied.
The next day, our loved one brought his neighbor a few groceries and presented his case one last time.
“I know you don’t need help,” he began, “I know you’re not asking for anything either. But how about we just ease into this little arrangement? When my yard man comes over to mow my yard, I’m just gonna tell him to mow yours too. We’ll try it a couple of times, if it doesn’t work for you, we can stop it any time you want.”
When our loved one called to tell us the latest development, I had to hand it to him, *easing* into an arrangement that was helpful but felt incredibly uncomfortable to his reclusive neighbor was a genius move.
There was no long-term commitment.
No payback or expectation.
All that was required was to simply, try.
As we hung up with our loved one, I couldn’t help but think about how many times I had allowed my own pride to hold me back from opportunities and blessings because I didn’t want to be seen as a bother, dependent, “too much” or from fear of needing help in ways I had not planned or imagined.
Being vulnerable in any capacity is not easy.
What I learned from those salty old men though is that love shows up when you need it most.
It might look like groceries and lawn care.
Or a kind word of encouragement, acknowledgment, and validation from someone who has walked in your shoes.
It always shows up, at exactly the right time though.
And it’s up to us to open our hearts and receive the gift.
A Few of Our Favorite Things from Around the Web…
Beautiful Home and Garden Tours:
- This Naples home tour from Bria Hammel Interiors feels like the perfect way to celebrate summer in Florida.
- There were so many beautiful homes in this portfolio from Kipling House I couldn’t pick a favorite.
- This home in Watercolor from designer Kara Miller is really pretty. I love all the flower arrangements they incorporated too!
- 81 Small but Mighty Kitchen Ideas to Steal (via Elle Decor)
- How to Create an Outdoor Pavillion (Renae from Peacock Ridge Farm has an amazing outdoor space)
Independence Day Inspiration:
- 15 Ways to Use Ticking Fabric in Your Home Decor (I pinned so many of Rachel’s festive and creative ideas from The Ponds Farmhouse)
- Red, White, and Blue Summer Home Tour (Jen’s home from Midwest Life and Style is always so warm and inviting)
- Have you seen, Emily’s of LeCultivateur patriotic mantel yet? It’s gorgeous!
- Budget-Friendly Patriotic and Summer Home Décor Ideas (You will not believe how quick Cindy’s of County Road 407 ideas are!)
- A Perfectly Patriotic Tablescape (Oh my word that view! I’d sit at Kim’s table from Shiplap and Shells and celebrate with her any day of the week!)
- If you’re looking for fabulous vintage-inspired patriotic tablescape ideas, my friend Lora of Create and Ponder, has you covered!
- Easy No Sew DIY Flag Garland (Anna of Sky Lark House is my go-to for simple ideas I know I’ll use year after year)
- I can’t wait to try this easy red, white and blue ribbon garland from Heidi at Eleanor Rose Home too!
Health and Wellness Inspiration:
- 7 Science Backed Ways to Lower High Cortisol Levels (via The Everygirl)
- What is a Growth Mindset and How to Achieve It? (via Intelligent Change)
- 20 Things You Need to Stop Wasting Time On (via Mark and Angel)
- Loved this post from Susan of Home with Grace and Joy, Who Did You Bless Today? It literally changed my week!
Style and Travel Inspiration:
- 4th of July Outfit Ideas (via My Chic Obsession – these are all super cute)
- 23 of the Best Road Trips in the US (via Travel and Leisure – bookmarking this for the fall season too)
- 75 Hotel Hacks Everyone Should Know (I would never have even thought of half of these from Heidi at The Frugal Girls!)
Patriotic Inspiration From the Blog…
Patriotic Inspired Grain Sack Table Runner
Tips and Tricks for Patriotic Tablescapes
Quick and Easy Patriotic Party Cones
How to Decorate a Store Bought Cake for the 4th of July
Simple Summer Movie Night Ideas
Patriotic Inspiration: Last Minute 4th of July Ideas
Patriotic Inspiration We Spotted Online at Amazon This Week…
(Amazon affiliate links have been provided for your convenience. As an Amazon and Impact Media Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Any sales made through such links will support us with a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can read our full disclosure policy here)
Pullover * Paper Fans * Table Runner * Hydrangeas
Serving Tray * Dress * Mini Flags * Napkins
Ice Cream Sundae Kit * Tote * Dress * Bunting
Vase * Ice Cream Scoop * Hat * Romper
As always, we appreciate you more than you could ever know, and we hope your weekend is peace-filled and relaxing.
Many blessings,
CoCo
Fridays ♥
Thank you so much for your help with this, Lee, I really appreciate it! Hope your weekend is amazing, CoCo
Wednesday and Friday please. If there was an option for more days, I would have chosen that!
You are an inspiration with your meaningful articles and thoughtful ideas.
Keep up the Good work and thank you for lifting me up when I need it.
That’s such a sweet and kind thing to say, Jo, thank you so much. I really appreciate it! Thank you for weighing in as well. It’s super helpful to get your feedback. I hope your weekend is filled with all good things, CoCo
You are the sweetest! Thank you so much for the shout out.
I love the lesson you learned from your loved one. I’m with you, it’s so hard to receive! We had a pastor tell us once that you have to not only give graciously, but you have to receive graciously as well. Otherwise you rob the giver of their blessing. It’s still so hard.
As far as when you send out your posts, it doesn’t matter to me as long as you send them. They are my favorites!
You are so welcome, Susan! I have the same pink Bible you use for one of the littles so it’s fun to see your notes and to learn from your devotionals and posts. We’re totally twinning. It is hard to receive and I have no idea why because it’s easy to give, you know. We’ve had a lot of discussions this month about boundaries and self care and self sabatoge and gah they’ve been so hard but honestly so necessary. I don’t think I’ll ever look at giving and receiving the same way again. Thanks for weighing in on the emails, I really appreciate it! Big hugs and happy weekend, CoCo
Those salty men are wise 🙂 Wishing you a lovely weekend ahead, CoCo!
I’m tellin ya, Rachel, there are little nuggets of wisdom everywhere! Hope your weekend is a lovely one too, sweet friend, CoCo
Salty and crusty. But so sweet. Thank you for the tears of happiness at the kindness of others. It does not take much to make a difference in the life of another.
That is so true, Elle! We never really know what kind of impact we’re going to have on someone’s day or in their lives. Even the people that are salty and crusty and are hard to get close to at times. I hope your weekend is filled with fun surprises and thank you for your sweet comment, CoCo
Monday and Friday…days I don’t have scheduled .. more time to enjoy your great posts. Thank you.
I appreciate your help with this, Linda, thank you so much for weighing in and for your sweet support too! Hugs, CoCo
Wednesdays and Fridays (hump day and TGIF) for this reader. Thanks so much for asking and for sharing your insights and ah ha moments.
I really appreciate you weighing in on this, Debra, thank you so much! I hope your weekend is peace filled and relaxing, CoCo
You always have the best posts. Thank you so much for the feature. Hugs to you. Are you going to Haven?
Love that you are asking your readers about your email schedule That’s brilliant CoCo! You found some adorable things on Amazon too!
Hi CoCo- First THANK YOU for sharing my No Sew Flag Garland! I loved all the links you shared – Rachel’s ideas for using ticking are great. I want to make some of the napkins she shared. Thank you for sharing the story of your salty loved one – who is helping a neighbor. My mother in law lives an hour away and she is turning 79. This is the first year we were able to successfully convince her that it’s ok to have someone else mow her lawn. It only took us 8 years to convince her . . .🤣 Anyway, I think getting older is so much more complicated than we know. Everyone wants to maintain their independence and still help others and still live a busy – full life. You know? It’s just not easy giving any of that up. Even mowing your own lawn.
One more thing – to answer your question – I personally enjoy having a weekly email. Also, I like getting emails on Friday because I feel as though it sort of eases me into the weekend.
You are adorable in that dress! But your smile makes it even more beautiful. Thank you for sharing my patriotic farmhouse ideas. Every time we get down there and I walk in, I grin from ear to ear. I love red, white and blue. But speaking of things I love – wholly smokes the Burton Joyce, Nottingham house is a dream. I love the wall color, the floors, the decor, that kitchen! Wow.
Always love these posts. Hope you have a wonderful celebration this weekend.
Friday – sure do enjoy your site!
That’s so kind of you to say, Sherra, thank you so much and thank you for weighing in on this top too. I really appreciate it. Hope your week is filled with all good things, CoCo
I always love your “From the Front Porch” posts, CoCo. I agree that it’s up to us to open our hearts and receive the gift. What fun features this week. I love seeing all the 4th of July ideas from other bloggers for inspiration. Thank you so much for sharing my patriotic table ideas today. It was such a lovely surprise.
Sending lots of love,
Kim
I really loved all of your fun red white and blue patriotic party ideas. Especially your super creative menu and tablescape ideas. I can’t believe you shared my hotel hacks, thank you so much!
Hi Coco,
Hope this finds you well and that your house is coming along quickly with the painting, and that you are also getting some rest and relaxation. Loved your story about your loved one, and how he worked with his neighbor to get him to be able to accept help. For those who are givers it seems it is hard for them to take, but we have to learn to do both. I once heard a lady say A closed hand can’t receive…..which is so true. God can sometimes be sending us help, but can’t if we want accept it.
Have a great rest of the week.
Blessings, Nellie