On That 25th Day

Christmas was one for the books.

As a child, there are those elaborate notions of what Christmas is like--the magic, the warmth, the beauty.

The glow of those twinkle lights intertwined with the pine needles of the Christmas tree. Crimson bows adorned on presents nestled beneath a proud evergreen.

Folks skip around, happy and joyful with never a stranger near.

There is something about the season, it has a way of wrapping you up in its grasp and refusing to let you go.

And this year, I experienced a whirlwind combo of a child's Christmas mixed with a Mama's love for her son.

There was a thought never too far from my mind, as I looked on at my growing son. I couldn't help but think of Mary and Joesph and the birth of their Son. The love you have for your children is one that far surpasses all understanding and comprehension.

 It is a love that runs deeper than any ocean, and stands stronger than any mountain. This love consumes you from the inside out, and all you can think to do is hold them close and never let go.



With the New Year upon us, many will be making New Year's resolutions, promising to better themselves, to eat healthier, to exercise more, to be more patient, to show love, to be happy, to be more fiscally responsible, to give more of themselves, to volunteer when they can, to donate what they have......and while each of these are respectable and positive in their own light, I do believe that we shouldn't wait til the beginning of a new year to better ourselves or the lives of those around us. The gift is nestled within the dawn of a new day.

 We have an opportunity to do what we can with the time we have.

Life demands that we seek it out.

That we strive for better.

That we go with gusto.

That we dare to walk where no one else has.

That we take the journey ahead.

That we do all we can with what we have.

Life begins each day, within each hour, within each minute that passes.

Life is waiting.....

And if the magic of Christmas wasn't enough for my already bursting heart, God gave me my first ever white Christmas, on my son's first Christmas nonetheless.

So we put on bear cub hats, and bared the blustery winds.

And there it was.

Another perfect day.

Happy 2012.....and happy 2013.

With sweet memories in hand, I say, bring on the days ahead.

Merry Christmas

 There is nothing cuter than a kiddo with twinkle lights.....

 

 We wish each and every one of you....

 

A very Merry Christmas!

(Even if you think Santa is a little scary and refuse to let go of Dad :) )

What Do You Say?

I wasn't sure if or how I would attempt to write this post.

My everyday life has gone on like normal. We went to visit Santa (at our library nonetheless since we don't have a department store of any sort) and then we got our Christmas tree. Our little family had a wonderful time, and together, we made Christmas ornaments. It was what memories are made of.

But there are those who don't have that normal anymore.

I'm sure it goes without saying, but what happened in Conneticut, brought us to our knees. My husband and I both couldn't help but think about the children and adults affected by that day. Heaven's gates were much too busy on Friday, and there will be a hole this Christmas for too many families.

We took extra time this weekend. We smiled more. We laughed louder. We held hands just because. We threw out the lists and chose to live in the moment. We decided to honor those who left this world with our lives.

And now, we are continuing to honor them by taking what we gleaned from this weekend and applying everyday. The arguments dissipate. Snide remarks go unsaid. We are relishing in the time we have together, the now and not the later. We have chosen love, family, patience, kindness, peace.

I couldn't help but think as I began to fret about getting everything done this Christmas that there are Mom's and Dad's who were fretting about the same thing, and now their kiddos will not be home for Christmas. That is an ache and a pain so deep that words would elude anyone trying to convey it. So I threw out the lists, and even now, we still don't have lights on the house and we decided to bake just one type of cookie. There is no rush, no hustle and bustle, only a peace that has descended upon our home. We are focusing our eyes on God, and thanking Him for this time together.

I hope and pray that this Christmas, you may also find peace, joy, and a love so deep that your heart overflows. Let that overflow spill over to those who need it, and may we all remember that we know not the time or the hour, and all we have is right now.

Merry Christmas my dear friends.

Breathing for a Moment

There is much to learn from the lessons our little ones can teach us. I find myself amazed at how such a little person carries with them so much knowledge.

I watch as he readies to take his first step. Each time he goes to walk, he isn't quite there, but he tries nonetheless. Perseverance.

His laughter bellows from deep in his belly, a sound filled with happiness and contentment. Joy.

He sits quietly with the sun's rays dancing around his feet. Peace.

Whenever someone walks into the room, his face lights up with excitement at the sight of you. Benevolence.

His chubby little fingers reach out and touch my face, singing a song straight to my heart. Love.

One of the greatest joys has been learning from my son to be patient and understand that things take time. Just the other day, I told him to be patient and to take his time, and no sooner did I finish saying those words, did I realize that I should take my own advice more often. I have grown impatient with some aspects of life, refusing to recognize that all I need to do is wait. We have grown accustomed to thinking that everything needs to happen now, or rather yesterday. I have been camped in this school of thought for far too long, and as I watch my son try over and over to learn something new, and rejoice in the moment that he figures it out, I want to do the same.

I want to keep trying, and despite failing, I want to get up over and over again. I want to have the moment of pure elation when I realize the very thing I worked so hard for has come to fruition.

 

There is much to be learned from 'taking our time'. When the days seem rushed and the hours flint by, remember to take a moment, to find your inner kiddo and just give it time.

A Perfect Day

There are moments when upon completion of the day, when I take a moment to reflect, that I realize life is just as I had hoped it would be. Every so often, when diving into the recesses of my brain, it dawns on me that I had a perfect day.

Today was a perfect day.

To an outsider, nothing spectacular happened today, but for me, it was a day that I hope to always remember. I do believe that given the opportunity each and every one of us is capable of having the perfect day. On this perfect day, I did not go any place special or have any visitors, but I did have a moment when what I once thought was black and white came into color. You see, the past couple years came with their fair share of trials, and I began to feel that pang associated with a sadness that runs deep. My world looked black and white, and while I was happy, I was not the utter contented happy I knew I could be. I have been praying for God to heal my heart, to fill my heart to the point of overflowing so that I may love my family to the best of my ability.

And then without even thinking about it, God painted my world in the most beautiful colors. As I stood in the backyard, listening to hymns, and working the earth beneath my feet, I noticed the golden hues dancing across the setting sun.

Sweat began to bead up on my brow, dirt collected under my fingernails. My heartbeat picked up and my body warmed with the blood pulsating from within. I felt alive, from my soul to my body. As I worked, I prayed to God, thanking Him for all He has done and continues to do in my life and in that of my family's.

When the work was all done, I sat quietly on the front porch, content to just be. The wind whipped and whistled around me, the hymns played softly in the background. My heart filled with gratefulness for the life I have been given and for this perfect day.

There are days when life is a storybook.

And on these days, I hope my story reads that this one perfect day will forever be carried in my heart, as a reminder of God's promise and of His undying love. My Christmas gift will not come nestled beneath the tree, but you can bet that I will be relishing in all the golds and greens, reds and whites. I will be looking and living with a heart wide open, a gift too large to wrap up and stamp with a bow.