Dare We Hope For A Better TomorrowI woke this morning full of hope. Hope for better health, new customers and a peaceful day working at home. As I made my way to the kitchen for my first cup of coffee the headline news on TV caught my eye. Bold type on the headline read “50 Killed, Over 200 Injured, Possibly More at Outdoor Concert in Las Vegas”.

I don’t know about you, but before my first cup of coffee, my brain isn’t awake. Information going in takes a little longer to make sense. When the reality of what I just watched sunk in my stomach began to ache, the tears started flowing down my cheeks. All I could think of was “not again”.

Because I work at home, blog, and have a husband who is retired, the news is on three times a day. The office door is always open and I can hear the newscast down the hallway. It seems that people are more sad and desperate than ever before in history, on a global level, too. As a mom, wife, and grandma I instinctively want to protect my loved ones and yet I can’t. Do you ever feel that way, too?

I debated whether to write this post and share it with the world. Baring my innermost thoughts and beliefs isn’t always easy. But, if I am feeling scared, horrified and sick I know many others are as well. The only glimpse of hope I have is in my faith and what the future holds. Now, don’t freak out, I’m not going all preachy on you; but, I do feel a need to express what my hope is based on in hopes that it will give just one other person the glimmer of hope I have and hold onto so dearly.

During another tragic event, the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center back in 2001 I decided to start studying the Bible with a friend. Besides so many awful things going on in the world, my baby boy was entering the military and we were scared to death. I know many of life’s unanswered questions could be found inside of the sacred book. What I didn’t know was how to connect the dots and understand what I was reading. During lunch, one day shortly after that attack my friend offered a Bible study aid and offered to work with me so I could learn. What I found was pure gold and a sense of hope.

Over the next five years, I studied after work, during my lunch hour and sometimes took extra time out of my evening. I dug into the Scriptures to make sense of a world where not much was making sense anymore. I couldn’t wrap my head around mothers killing their own babies, fathers murdering their whole family, sons killing their mothers and on and on. Then, during one study it all came together with just ONE scripture; 1 John 5:19 reads “We know that we originate with God, but the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one”.

I had always known that God loves me but wondered then why does He allow all of this bad stuff to happen. Why do innocent people have to suffer? That one scripture set me free when I learned all of this horrible stuff going on is because Satan is the ruler of this world, not God; not at this time.

I promised you I wouldn’t get all preachy, and I won’t. I’ll leave you though with that hope I promised. If you own your own copy of the Bible, check out this scripture; Revelation 21:4 reads “And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”

So my dear sassy, sexy, snarky women over 50; there is HOPE. One day soon none of us will wake up to sickening news of murders, rapes, death or sickness either. One day soon we all will live in peace like we have never known in our lifetimes. Imagine living in a world where love is everywhere instead of hatred, greed, and sadness.

My hope for you is that you will search for the answers like I did all those years ago. I hope you find the answers that allow you to live your life fully, not scared and hiding under a rock that gives false security and useless protection.

If you found this helpful, if it gave you a glimpse of relief and hope for your future, share it with your friends, family and those you love and care deeply about. I love you all and appreciate the time you take to read what pours from my heart to yours.


Carla J Gardiner, The Fiery GrandmaCarla Gardiner is a mom of 2, the fiery grandma of 7 and has been married to her husband for 38 years. She is focused, and driven; a business owner who made a big move in her late 50’s which rocked her world. Transitioning from her native hometown to her new home 3 states away took guts, work, and dedication to get the job done. Now, she is focused on helping other women handle life’s changes after 50 while making the transition to their retirement lifestyle; one they’ve been dreaming of instead of the nightmare it could become.


Thank you for reading along with me on this journey of growing, changing and shifting about. If we aren’t connected on Facebook – we really need to be, don’t you think? Follow me as a friend then send me a message and let me know you read the blog post! I don’t add everyone on Facebook – only the snarky, sassy, sexy women over 50 who are friendly people who actually give me a few minutes of their time.