A Little Bit of Joy

Saturday, December 8, 2012

DECEMBER FIRST

(photo from Google Images)

December First

(a few days late)

So begins my love-hate relationship with the holiday season.

I absolutely LOVE the romantic notion of Christmas: Old English Christmas music, fire in the fireplace, little white lights everywhere, greenery, hot cocoa (with a bit of Baileys), baking, creating handmade gifts, candles, smells, family (in small doses), the Nativity, Hallmark Christmas movies.....Oh, and snow - all month, with icicles hanging from the eaves....I am sure that I am forgetting something but you can get an idea, right?

What I hate is the hype, which seems to be starting earlier and earlier every year. Why should one holiday dictate what I have to buy, or that I even need to buy anyone anything? Personally I like the idea of giving gifts whenever you want, especially out-of-the-blue when it is not expected. Those are the best and seem to mean the most.

Second I hate that I very seldom get my "white" Christmas. I have friends that say, "If you want white go to the mountains." Ba Humbug! It is part of my cozy, along with the warmth of a fire. Who can argue with the beauty of snow and cold and colorful lights and....and....and....

I have found that if I stay home and don't shop I can stay perfectly "content" with my choice of simplicity, it is when I run into a store for something that I have to keep my "needs and wants" in check.

Christmas is a beautiful time of year when it is all kept in perspective. Joy and peace and hope, words that we find on cards, in songs and decorations, can really only be found in one place....rather, one person...God, through his son, Jesus Christ.

Please remember this as you go about the days leading up to December 25th.

Friday, November 30, 2012

30 DAYS OF THANKFULNESS - DAY 30

Day 30

This last day of November I would like to give thanks for a special lady.

Her name is Vivienne and today she is 85 years old.

I met her 38 years ago when I started dating her son (my ex-husband).

It took me awhile, once we had married, to call her Mom....I wanted to, but for two years I had called her Mrs. White.

She was always so kind to me and we got along quite well, despite our spiritual and political differences.

I always knew that I was loved.

I learned many things from her gardening tips, love of quilts and antiques, and how to make the BEST potato salad.

When her son and I divorced we didn't have much to say to one another...there was no hatred, or what not....I guess you could say that we gave one another "space" for a few years.

Four or Five years ago we "reconnected".

We are friends, I know I am loved, and she is loved.

Happy Birthday, Vivienne.

I love you.

I hope your day is blessed.

I pray that this next year is filled with joy, hope, and grace.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

30 DAYS OF THANKFULNESS - DAY 29

Day 29

Leaves are one of the most beautiful parts of Fall.

Seeing this picture reminds me of some wonderfully fun times while growing up.

There were several Maple trees bordering the back of our yard and we would help Dad rake them up and then run and jump into them sending our nice pile all over the place.

Thankful for this memory.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

30 DAYS OF THANKFULNESS - DAY 28

(from Google images)

Day 28

I am thankful for this country that God bless me to live in.

Despite all the things that may seem wrong,

I choose to be grateful for all the "good" that we, as a nation have.

I remember when my oldest daughter came home from spending 2 months in another country she said to me, "Mom, Americans do not know how great we have it..."

I encourage all my readers to choose to focus on the good you have; I am sure that regardless of how dismal your life may seem right now there is something you can find to give thanks for.