Merry Christmas 2009

Christmas has come and is now nearly gone. . . 

This has been a wonderful holiday filled with family and love.  

As a mother I have recently come to understand that Christmas with children is a precious experience.  For the innocence and wonderment of our children it should be tenderly approached, excitedly encountered and forever cherished.  This year our Little Women were finally old enough to participate in and enjoy our Holiday Traditions, these provided a wonderful backdrop for countless special moments, that as a family will be looked back on throughout the coming years.  

Christmas Eve in our home inspired a unique magic that we only encounter once every year. After pajamas were opened and stories were read, the girls were tucked into their beds.  They gently drifted off to sleep and into the anticipatory dreamworld that Christmas Eve tends to inspire in all little ones.   

On the morning of the Special Day the Little Women awoke full of excitement and joy.  They were sure that Mr. Claus had visited our home, because after all "Santa doesn't expect children to be perfect, pretty good is almost always good enough."  (Eldest Little Women-2009)

Due to the simple and basic faith of our children, Santa did indeed visit our home while we were dreaming.  He left personalized gifts specifically addressed to our Little Women. Needless to say, the girls were thrilled with their dolls, their strollers, and their very own table.  

Due to our break from school, we were able to enjoy an entire day spent together.  The girls wore their P.J.'s, they had no interest in dressing.  We played, we chatted, we laughed, we enjoyed one another.  We had a simple and beautiful Christmas.  A true "Jolly Holiday."

  

          

5 Years Ago Today. . .

5 Years ago today my miracle was born.  

December 23, 2004

An answer to my heartfelt prayers. 

Oh little one who almost ceased to be-  

Thank you for being my firstborn child. 

It was meant to be, for no other could take your place. 

Thank you for entering into my world.  

I was missing a piece of my heart 

and then you looked into my eyes and offered to share yours with me. 

Thank you for your loving spirit.

So often your sweet countenance has picked me up when I have fallen down.  

Thank you for being strong.

When I am weak you lend me strength.

Thank you for being my focus, my core, my center.

Your presence anchors my existence.

Thank you for your friendship. 

I am and will always be your mother. You are and will always be my friend.

Thank you for the hope that you inspire and the promise that you show. 

You are my past, my present, and my future!

You are my daughter,

You are my world!

Happy Birthday to My Sweet and Precious Girl.

You are and will always be my little one.

I love you forever,

Mommy

Freedom

Stop, Pause, and Breathe!

.

As Anne Frank would say "people are truly good at heart."  

We are all the same.  We all live our lives and our lives are remarkably similar.  We are all doing our best to be our best.  We all want to be loved and accepted.  We all need to feel valued and cherished.  It is my intent to note the "heart" of others, to keep in mind their perspective, to enjoy my life, embrace my happiness, and forget my sorrows. 

I stumbled across a list of advice the other day that melded with my inner most thoughts.  I couldn't help but record it here.  Without hesitation, I will keep it posted somewhere pertinent so that I might view it often.  

We should follow this wise advice and counsel and see what a difference it makes in our lives, in the live of others, in our communities, in our world. 

Enjoy. . .

 1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
 2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
 3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
 4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will.  So stay in touch.
 5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
 6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
 7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
 8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
 9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
 10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
 11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
 12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
 13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
 14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
 15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
 16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
 17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
 18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
 19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
 20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
 21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
 22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
 23. Be eccentric now.. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
 24. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
 25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ''In five years, will this matter?".
26. Always choose life.
 27. Forgive everyone everything.
 28. What other people think of you is none of your business..
 29. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
 30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
 31. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
 32. Believe in miracles.
 33. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
34. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
 35.. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
 36. Your children get only one childhood.
 37. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
38. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere..
 39. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
 40. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
 41. The best is yet to come.
 42. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
 43. Yield.
 44. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Friends are the family that we choose for ourselves.    

-By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio