C. S. Hall, MS, LPC, Counseling

12/12/2025

I'm grateful to finally have a day off. I mean a TRUE day off. I don't have to go anywhere, no doctor appointments, no errands, no lunch dates, do not have to leave the house!!!! Yippee!! I might actually get my tree decorated. I brought it down from the attic last week and it has been sitting naked in the dining room since. I have quite a list of chores I want to get done in addition to decorating. I also have a room full of gifts to wrap.

My family did me a huge favor this year. They all sent me an Amazon wish list and allowed me to choose what I wanted to gift them with from the list. Of course it was hard for me to choose and not want to give them everything on the list, but the budget made that little problem easy enough to solve. I'm sorry for the delivery drivers though. I'm sure I am not very popular with them by this point. However, I did put out a snack and drink table to thank them for their service. This morning I went out to refresh everything and noticed that some of the snacks expired in 2023!!! OH MY GOODNESS how time flies. These are nuts and granola bars out of my personal stash. I've been eating them too. It never occurred to me to look at the date. I'm so embarrassed. I hope they didn't think I was trying to disrespect them. I couldn't help but think about when I was a kid and we would visit the old folks in our family for Christmas and they had these candy dishes of little hard candies with gooey centers and they were so old they were all stuck together and faded. I think they just brought out the same dish year after year. They would just about push a piece up your nose. I promise I wasn't trying to discard expired food onto drivers I hold in such high regard. Their job cannot be easy. I have even had deliveries as late as 8:30 pm. God bless him. I wanted to feed him supper but he was gone before I could get out of my chair.

Well here it is 10:00 and I'm still sitting here in my jammies Facebooking when I need to be working on this long list. Times a wasting. I've enjoyed my slow and easy morning. Gotta get cracking. Enjoy your day. God bless.

12/10/2025

I miss my cousin Reggie. Not only was he the most handsome Santa I ever saw but he was kind, funny, wise and an all around great guy.

12/10/2025

I'm so grateful for friends and family. Some people say they enjoy being loners. I could never live that lifestyle. I asked my daddy one time if he got lonely living alone and he said no he enjoyed his own company. I get that. I enjoy mine too but I wear myself out and need pleasant distractions from time to time.

This past weekend Ray and I visited our friends Gayle Trammell and BC in Baker Florida. We were joined by our long time friends and Gayle's cousin Donna Ward and her husband Eddie Ward. The purpose of our visit was to visit a friend who survived several heart attacks and won victory over cancer in the past year. His wife gave him a surprise birthday party and invited over 100 of his closest friends from all over the country and over 75 of them showed up. He was overwhelmed with joy and emotion. He couldn't believe that many people cared enough about him to come celebrate his birthday. What he may not have grasped was that we were celebrating his victories and life. We had all been praying fervently all year for his healing. His recovery was a miracle worth witnessing. We wanted to embrace the miracle of a life touched by the grace of God's powerful healing.

Every day is a miracle. The breath of life is fragile and a precious gift. Wouldn't it be great if we celebrated the miracle of life every day for those we love and even those we don't know as if we had prayed all year for their healing and recovery. Just run up to them with joyful eyes and hearts full of love and glee and pour our blessings out on them as if it was a miracle they made it through the night. My grandparents used to do that to me and it always made me feel so loved and special. My Papa Smith would say "Honey you are a sight for sore eyes." God rest his sweet soul. Let's try being gushy at least over our loved ones for the rest of the holiday season as if they have survived a great ordeal for indeed they have. Life is fragile. We don't know what terrible things they may have escaped on their way to see us. Pretend they went through hell and made it to get to you and then act accordingly. Youmay freak them out a little bit but that's okay I think they will still feel loved. I love you. ❤️

11/29/2025

11/29/2025

God said "Let there be light."

Scientists have captured a truly **extraordinary moment** right at the beginning of life: the very instant a s***m penetrates an egg, a microscopic burst of light flashes. This tiny spark, which signals the successful start of fertilization, is caused by a sudden surge of **zinc and calcium** released within the egg, creating a visible, brief "firework" under advanced imaging. Researchers interpret this natural glow as the egg's immediate signal that fertilization has successfully occurred and a new, unique genetic blueprint has been established.

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This stunning burst of light is not merely a beautiful phenomenon; it holds significant biological meaning. Studies indicate that eggs which produce **stronger, brighter flashes** are generally healthier and demonstrate a greater likelihood of developing into viable embryos. This incredible discovery provides scientists with an entirely new window into the dynamics of early human development. Furthermore, this knowledge is now helping fertility specialists identify which eggs possess the greatest potential for successful growth, offering a promising avenue to **improve IVF success rates** for hopeful parents.

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The brief spark has captivated the scientific community because it perfectly symbolizes the moment two distinct sets of DNA unite to initiate a new human life. Although the flash requires high-resolution microscopes to be seen, it powerfully underscores the remarkable precision, complexity, and perfect timing of conception. It is undoubtedly one of nature's most stunning hidden moments: **the very first spark of life**, captured in a single, brilliant pulse of light.

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11/24/2025

Good morning. I'm grateful I slept well last night. I dreamed about going to Lake Condy. Notice I said "going" to Lake Condy, I didn't say swam in Lake Condy. I have always been afraid of swimming in a lake. I've done it but only under peer pressure and only beside someone I felt would save me from fish bites. I remember it being especially shady and cool. The only place to get any sun was on a floating dock way out in the middle. You know me I'm always looking for my spot in the sun. Somehow in my dream I got to that dock in a white blouse and shorts without getting wet. That's a great win.

I'm also grateful for sweet friends who think of me when we are apart. My sweet friend Donna Henderson knitted these beautiful fall colored pot holders and trivets for me. Hand made gifts are so special. What a glorious blessing. Donna I will think of you every time I touch one. I love you.

I'm grateful for energy, strength and sunshine this morning. I have great plans and a long list. I hope I hold up to get most of it done. I'm like a kid going to the fair. I want to do it ALL at the same time. I'll let you know how that turns out.

Have a great day. Be kind to others and yourself. You are the only you we have. ❤️

11/24/2025

I'm grateful to have had lunch with Judith Hall and Edith today. Leonard has been gone since February and while we have kept up with each other on FB and in text this is the first time we have been face to face since February. I'm embarrassed that I let so much time pass without loving on my sister in law in person. She and Edith keep live flowers on Leonard's grave. What a sweet tribute. The football season has been hard for Ray because he and Leonard always went to the Opelika games together. Leonard would bark like a bulldog. Ray says everyone misses his bark and his humor. Leonard was a larger than life kinda guy. He left a big hole. He is missed by many. It was good to be able to speak his name today. We miss you ol buddy.

11/24/2025

Holidays why you be so mean. Why you be picking on me. I'm doing the best I can. I just wish I could cry in private, when I want to, on a schedule, and not have tears welling up in my eyes unexpectedly ALL THE DANG TIME. I'll get there but when........

If you’ve been around here a while, you know I’m not big on sugarcoating the hard stuff.

So let’s just call it what it is…the Sunday before a big holiday.

And it’s always reminds me that my heart has a big dent in it.

That mix of emptiness and anticipation sneaks up on me every year around this time.

There’s this quiet moment when I realize the house is missing its usual feel, not just the noise, but the spirit of the person who always anchored the day.

It’s thinking about, yet again, setting the table for a feast and noticing one chair is empty.

Not because someone forgot to show up…but because someone’s not coming back.

Here’s the thing…that emptiness feels full, if that makes any sense.

It’s the kind of empty that’s loud in your mind.

And then comes the anticipation, not the warm-and-fuzzy kind, but the ‘brace yourself’ kind.

You know the one…wondering if you’ll cry, or if you’ll just make it through without falling apart in front of everybody.

And in those moments, between setting the table and cleaning up, I try to remind myself it’s okay to carry it all. It’s okay to sometimes be happy even if I’m also feeling sad.

Because grief is strange like that. It rattles around in your brain and clouds everything that used to feel normal. It makes everything feel different. It makes everything feel hard.

But is this Sunday really any different from any other day?

Nope.

It’s just another day where I’ll figure out once again how to survive grief.

One quiet, messy…and somehow hopeful moment at a time.

Gary Sturgis – Surviving Grief

11/23/2025

Yep I can relate. I am not naturally a grumpy person so when this happens to me it feels so wrong. Then I'm mad that I'm mad. I prefer to be pleasant.

Grief does strange things.

One of them is anger.

It’s something that’s never mentioned in all those pastel sympathy cards.

But it definitely happens.

A lot.

Even in the most understanding grief groups, someone is usually trying not to yell and scream about how unfair it is that the person they love died.

After my own loss, I found out I was capable of lashing out at just about anyone that said or did something that upset me in my grief soaked state. A friend once told me, “Everything happens for a reason,” and my response was, “Well, when someone you love dies I hope it’s for a good reason!”

It turns out grief can turn you into someone you barely recognize. I’ve said, “Sorry for what I said” more times than “Thank you for your support.”

Maybe Hallmark should make a card about that...on the outside; “Sorry I Said What I Said” and on the inside; “But Grief Sucks!”.

Here’s the thing…losing someone you love scrambles your brain and heart until even a well-meaning phrase sounds like nails on a chalkboard.

Grief doesn’t care about manners; it just demands attention in the loudest way possible.

If you’ve found yourself fuming, growling, or snapping at people who are just trying to help, you’re most definitely not the only person that’s done it.

Grief is messy. Some days you’ll be reflective, and other days, you’ll just want to punch something (or someone.)

But anger is actually a necessary emotion when it comes to grief.

Someone you love died…and you have every reason to be ticked off about that!

Gary Sturgis – Surviving Grief

11/20/2025

I heard this on The Well 88.7 today and it literally struck a chord with me. Sounded like Sundilla singer songwriter music. This guy, Ben Fuller, has quite a redemption story.

Check out the lyric video for “Black Sheep”Listen to my latest release here - https://BenFuller.lnk.to/NewestReleaseIDListen to :Spotify: https://...

11/07/2025

I have said in another post how hard October has always been for me. I don't know what happened to me in my childhood in October that gave me such a visceral experience that it has to manifest each and every year as fear of dying and immense sadness but it does against all odds, against all my religious beliefs, against all my faith and intellectual knowing it happens. This year October is stuck to me like gum on my shoe. Here we are in November and I'm still dragging October around. I have historically had my big sister, Gail Meek to talk me out of the closet. Not this year and that has been hard. I have prayed that I could hear her voice, that someone would speak to me in her voice and put my fears to rest.

God does not disappoint. He told me that she always spoke to me in His voice. That it was His voice that was calming me and He was using her as a vessel. He has shown me that He has many other vessels and He has surrounded me with them this week. My heart is so full. I have had some very surreal experiences this week. Let me tell you about a few.

I made an appointment with a therapist I have seen off and on for years. I had recommended her to Gail when she was going through a rough patch. I saw her Monday. She asked what it was I needed from Gail and I answered "wisdom". Gail's wisdom mixed with humor always anchored me. It kept me from flapping in the breeze from feeling like I was running around with my dress tucked in my panties. It gave me direction and confidence I couldn't muster on my own. She blinked at me a few times and said "You can be your own Gail. You not only look alike, you think alike, you talk alike and you care about others the same way. You have the same quirky way of looking at life." Blink blink blink
That kinda made me mad at first. I paid a lot of money for that. But as the day wore on and I pondered those words they made more sense.

Then Monday night I went to my cousin Eddie Smith's swearing in as Mayor of our fine city. I felt compelled to take a picture of Gail with me. She was so supportive of Eddie and so much smarter than me on the political scene. I knew she would want to be there in spirit so I slipped her in my pocket. There were a lot of her friends there. The Mr. Bean in me wanted to pull her picture out and say Gail says hey, but that would have been even too weird for me so I didn't. Seeing Eddie meet that milestone after recently victoriously overcoming stage 4 cancer in Jesus name was thrilling. Saying the pledge of allegiance was moving and a privilege. Watching the other council men and women take their oaths of office was a very proud experience for me. I'm so thankful to live in a free republic.

THEN on Tuesday morning I went to Eddie's prayer breakfast and patriotism and faith collided into the most beautiful heart warming experience ever. We said the pledge of allegiance again, sang America the Beautiful, sang some old hymns, It's Still The Cross and Because He Lives and heard a moving message from Pastor Jeff Meyers. I left there with my heart so full of pride for Eddie, our city and our country. We need more opportunities to say the pledge and sing America the Beautiful and the Star Spangled Banner. Eddie is going to do great things.

Don't ask God for something and expect mediocre. He doesn't know how to do wimpy. Wednesday morning I met with the monthly group of Christian counselors at ACC and Carolyn led the group with a beautiful story of grace and redemption. Her message was right on target with everything else I had heard all week. It was like a continuation of a conversation God was having with me all week. In Gail's voice no less.

And last but not least last night I attended a prayer and worship service at A Quiet Place Counseling Center. It was so beautifully orchestrated. Soft guitar music playing hymns, corporate prayer, individual prayer, worship and praise. Oh what a night. Oh what a week.

I am so immersed in the Word and God's love right now. I feel like my feet are not even touching the ground. I'm so thankful for people who are willing to pour into others and pour into us who so often pour ourselves out but fail to receive nourishment. I promise to take better care of myself and not have to be reminded that it is a mandate that I be well so that I may be here to minister to those who are in need. We are all in need at times. Be sure to ask for what you need. God will fill your cup to overflowing so that you can pass it on. He is waiting, tenderly calling for you and for me.

10/24/2025

I'm grateful to have another wonderful camping trip with some of my laughing cousins and some friends in the books. Camping is always a deeply sensory experience for me. We spend most of the time outside, my favorite place, regardless of the season or location. We eat fabulous food, either prepared at the campground or eaten at the best restaurants in the area and sometimes those places look like little holes in the wall but come highly recommended by the locals so we listen and are rarely disappointed. This trip was no exception.

The weather was absolutely perfect. The sunsets were gorgeous. I didn't get to see the sunrises, we slept in. Our home wakes us up with the sunrise, but our camper is dark as a cave so we don't wake up until about 7:00 but that is just fine and enough time to meet the group for family breakfast at 8:30 sharp each morning.

I enjoyed meditating under the beautiful sky and trees and taking in the nature sounds and laughter. However I'm going to have to work on my RBF because I got asked several times if I was okay when I was perfectly fine and in "the zone". Maybe I'll get one of those weird red light masks and do two things at once, meditate and rejuvenate my face at the same time. Might also scare off any unwanted visitors. Lol.

I highly recommend spending some time outdoors as much as possible over the next few weeks while the weather is so nice. Drink lots of water, get good sleep, and eat colorful vegetables. Your body and your family will thank you. ❤️