Hi,
Dad and I were sitting in Church listening to music - I had been struggling to keep the Spirit of Christmas with me this year. I had been non stop trying to catch up on cleaning and shopping and presents etc....it was hard even though I kept expressing gratitude to feel that love I was so used to feeling.
So I asked the question, it is your birthday, I want to remember you and give you a gift, specifically for Thee what could I give you....a thought came back to me of a woman I had known years ago, she had passed away, her son was in jail and I felt this kindred spirit asking me to visit her son in the jail. I could not handle others not knowing that someone loved them and was thinking about them...so dad and I went. We had a beautiful day and a beautiful visit, we had not seen this man in 28 years and he welcomed us as if we had been in his life the whole time.
One of my favorite things in the whole world is to connect - really connect to be real and giving, open and vulnerable and to communicate in a sincere and honest conversation and I realized that I went there to give him a gift but he gave us one.
It really is just another way of connecting with God. Merry Christmas Jesus! Where would we be without His love!

Reflection

Merry Christmas everyone!

As I reflect on Jenn's word to "wonder" I "wonder" at the contrast between Seattle and our little town of Ashburnham. Seattle had overcast skies and even though they had a tree lighting ceremony the houses and yards were bare. It was the strangest thing. There is this overcast spirit there in the winter. It really is dismal there when it rains. One has to make a conscious choice to be positive, uplifting.

As I flew into Manchester last night and looked out the airplane's window I could see the trees with the lights and the individual houses all decorated. I was amazed that you could see them from the airplane. My spirits lifted as I realized I was home... and yet sad that I left a loved one behind. I wondered if I would ever have all of the family together again. The next day was blue sky and brisk fall air...go Ashburnham...but the song says "the bluest skies you'll ever see are in Seattle" that is sooooo true when they are blue - they are dynamite.. for now I will enjoy the wonder of being home and having my husband to hug and a warm fire and soon to see children and grandchildren....Christmas trees and presents and family times together. The whole purpose is to remember the love and feel the love... I wonder how much love I can give today? Does our capacity to give more increase? What helps people to feel loved...

For today, I am thankful to come home to a warm cozy fire in the fireplace and Christmas lights twinkling on the mantle and the biggest hugs from my honeybunch!