Thursday, December 30, 2010

Missin' Mom

Today would have been my mom's birthday........

Mom has been gone for just about 14 years now.
When mom died we were left without parents (dad had died nine years earlier).
It was a very strange feeling to become an "orphan" at the age of 39.
I remember how terribly difficult it was to digest, the fact that there was no more parent in my life. No one left who knows everything about me, who was there for every moment of my life, the ones who raised me and saw me through the ups and downs of life.
Unfortunately we also lost our sister two years after dad (she was only 29 years old).
So, half of our family is already in heaven!

Days like today are a little melancholy. It is difficult not to feel the effects of a life so changed.
B U T . . . . . .
I am thankful for the promises God has for us, for the life He has so graciously given me.
Today I was blessed to share life with my love and our son and his two precious angels.
It helps.
But just like the band aid on the "owie" it still stings and hurts, it will heal and feel better with each passing day.
But today is just one of those "owie days".

How about you? Have you had your fair share of those "owie days" lately? Have you felt "orphaned" and alone in this life? It is easy to feel like this, sometimes we have an abundance of people around us and we still feel lonely and sad.........

I hope that if you have those feelings you will go to the source of HOPE and HELP and COMFORT. God is the one and only one who knows and understands completely.
He is our parent when we have no other parents.
He is our lifeline, our strong shoulder to lean on......

I have taken a few moments to say a prayer, asking God to remind me of HIS love for me, to fill me with enough love to share with all the ones I love. I am releasing my pain and gathering His comfort.
Now I will be grateful for that which I have right here and right now and go snuggle with my precious grand-angels and be thankful for the JOYS He has given me to lighten my load and brighten my days!!!

I pray you are feeling God's love and peace and comfort.........
Today and every day!!!!!

Sweet love and blessings to each one of you!
XO

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Unto Us A Child Is Born....


Unto us a Son is given.
Over 2000 years ago a tiny baby was born that changed our world.
If we have welcomed Him into our hearts He will have changed our lives as well. Nothing will ever be the same again. He does not promise us a life without difficulty or struggle, but He DOES offer us a love like no other!!!
His LOVE is never-ending, it is all we will ever need in this life.
I pray that your Christmas is a special day, one filled with lots of LOVE. I pray you made many precious memories that will live on in your heart forever!
I realize that for some today was not easy breezy, picture perfect and bliss.
Sometimes holidays can be difficult, life is imperfect. Sometimes things don't go exactly how you would like them to. Sometimes holidays remind us of those we love who are no longer gracing our lives. It reminds us that life has thrown us too many blows. It grinds in the fact that our hearts are hurting for one reason or another.
No matter what, the bottom line is that we always remember that it all hinges on our attitudes.
We can be disappointed, or heartbroken and life can be difficult to manage, even amidst a most blessed holiday. Let me remind you, if you are in this position, that GOD is for you...He loves you, and if God is for you, who can be against you!?
Nothing matters more than His love.
It doesn't mean your heart does not hurt, but it DOES mean He is there with you and He will never leave you! Seek Him and you will find the peace you need.
I pray you find great love, joy and peace today and every day!!!

Much love and blessings!
XO

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Tis the Season!!

I sure do not mean to advocate the busyness of the season, yet here I am admitting to the way it has sucked me in and caused me to be so immersed that I have barely had time to breathe, let alone write a blog post!

It all began back in November.
A week prior to Thanksgiving we (@my job) began the flurry of Christmas decorating for our customers. We were consumed with juggling the Christmas decorating with the customers who still needed/wanted things accomplished in their homes. It kept us hopping for sure.
In the midst of this time I was also buried with several projects I was commissioned to create.
On top of it all my son and his girls came "home" for a few weeks!!! What a sweet blessing that was!

In fact this was the first time in a while that we were able to have our entire family together for the holiday of thankfulness!!! The image of all of us standing in a circle holding hands saying a prayer and sharing what each of us is thankful for still resonates in my mind and in my heart. THOSE are the precious memories we live for.

We made lots of sweet memories while the family was here. When our son comes home our oldest daughter does her best to be here with her kiddos as much as possible so the kids can all be together. The busy days always ended with all four of the little ones together in Mimi's big bathtub......then they all snuggled together in our living room ,slumber party style, for the last two or three books/stories and finally nodding off for a good nights rest.
It melts my heart that they are making such sweet bonds and memories.

We are thankful that we get to be together again for Christmas, but it won't be ON Christmas. You see...as many families do, we have to go around many things; work schedules, & which weekend the kiddos are with which parent, plans with the other families, etc.
Soooooo....I decided long ago that whenever we can make it happen, whenever we CAN be together THAT would be Christmas (or whichever holiday it happens to be). So, this year we will actually be celebrating Christmas on New Year's Day!
We can choose to be all sullen and fussy about these kinds of things or we can make the best of the situations, knowing full well that what really matters is being together (at some point in time!)

I am actually still in the throes of helping others create Christmas in their homes in various ways. But soon....very soon....I can focus on what is left for ME to get done! Maybe it is a good thing we are not celebrating til New Years Day!!!

Are you ready for Christmas?
Are you thinking ahead of what you will do to make it memorable?
Are you keeping some traditions going? Making new ones??

I feel that traditions are the things that connect your family, that sweet memories are made of. It is a consistency that reminds you of the season and the meaning behind it.

One of the traditions that we have enjoyed for many years is one of the easiest ones you can adapt right now.
Once the holiday is over and you are taking down all of your cards, photos and newsletters you received......place them all in a basket. Keep the basket close at hand and at each dinner time, pull a card out of the basket...look at it once again, read it, talk about your precious memories with those who sent it. THEN pray for the person/people who sent the card.
I usually leave the card on the table til the next day when we drew a new one.
It is a great way to read the card again (when there is not as much hustle bustle going on). Some times I would feel led to send them a quick note of love and encouragement in the mail, and let them know we had prayed for them.

My prayer for you and your family is a holiday of precious memories, of sweet love that surrounds you. I hope you enjoy whatever and whoever you are blessed to be with.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!
XO