Well… it’s been a little bit since my last entry. For the most part, it was due to the busyness of the holiday season. Although, to be honest, I haven’t known for sure how to articulate what I’ve been feeling into a positive blog entry. (Disclaimer: Be prepared that this a lengthy entry)

One thing that I’ve learned or maybe it’s an internal safety mechanism. Who really knows for sure. I’ve learned not to have too many expectations. Especially around the holidays, for all people have a different vision of what holidays are meant to be. I try to live by this and yet, I fail many times. If you know me, you know that everything I do is motivated by the heart and those connections of those I hold dear.

Since the Thanksgiving of 1977, Leonard and myself have participated in Thanksgiving and/or Christmas holiday traditions with his extended family. I have enjoyed these gatherings with his family even though they have dwindled with elders passing and nieces and nephews living distances away. Last year, there was not an extended family gathering due to the governor’s urging. Yet, my rebellious husband, gathered his siblings to celebrate the holiday. This year, discussions came up for a holiday gathering with extended family. I was not in the discussions but understand that there was much debate over masking and vaccinating, etc. and as it turns out, that event was canceled as well. I am not going to lie, I was disappointed. Not only that this long time tradition was canceled but it concluded what I had been witnessing in the prior year and a half. The fact that people would rather sacrifice family and friendships over their opinion of what other’s should do or not do. Don’t get me wrong, I understand fear. I have had it many times in my life and as my son stated a few years ago. To have a fear of losing something or someone means that you have something valuable that you don’t want to lose and that you should feel fortunate that you have had something that valuable.

This is what I know. I hold every single person in my family and extended family and my friends and acquaintances very dear to my heart. Any time that I get to spend with them is etched in my heart and I feel so lucky to have had that time. We are not promised even our next breath. So, I want to cherish every moment. Even if that moment is doing nothing at all. I am not sure if those I come in contact with on a daily or not so daily basis, are aware they have such an impact on my life everyday. I do feel so lucky and blessed. For many years, I did not appreciate the differences between Leonard and I, but as we have aged, I have found that they too, are the things that we need from each other.

I have through my life at times, had a fear of dying or having a loved one die. I have come to realize that whether I fear cancer, covid, aging, car accidents, some dreaded disease, poverty, array of sickness, tyranny from the government, nuclear war, or any form of death itself, it will not change the outcome. Yet, I still ask my kids to let me know when they get home from a trip or keep me posted if they or their kids are sick. I do believe God answers prayer, but my fears change nothing. You may not be afraid of the same things that I might be and vise-versa. So, I am challenging all of us… if we have a fear, please don’t let that come between family and friendships.

Last week, I went around to many people at work and told them that I was taking a survey and asked them the following open ended question. I realized that it was hard to answer. “What do people need right now?” Some said -Affordable housing and affordable child care. Most of the answers were on the line of — hope,compassion, love, understanding, tolerance, kindness, encouragement. People are being tried by the events of the world and these are the things that they need. They are the same things that we have needed from the beginning of time and will continue to need. I feel from the depth of my heart that this is something that we each can do to make a difference in our world. I’m starting to look for ways that I can incorporate this everyday.

I got a little off track, but back to the events since my prior post. For the past several years, we have had a fake Christmas tree and are never happy with the ones that we pick. This year, we decided to go back to a real tree. My long time neighbor offered us to cut a tree from their property this year.

The following week, I was lucky enough to have a three hour visit with my life long neighbor. What a blessing that was!

Two of Leonard’s sisters share the same mother-in-law. She was someone that I was quite close to. One year, she gave us a very small nativity figurine set. I have set it out every Christmas ever since. Unfortunately, this year, while setting up the decorations, I dropped one of the figurines and it broke. I glued it back together to remind me that even broken things can be cherished when it reminds us of those people that are special to us. Still, while visiting the resale shop, I came across these :

Christmas day, Leonard and I had a quiet Christmas morning as our children celebrated with their families at their own homes making wonderful memories. We always read Luke 2 every Christmas morning before opening gifts and it blesses my heart that this tradition continues.

Christmas evening we visited Tina, Collin and Isaac and had a wonderful meal and hosts. It was fun! I wish I would have captured how special it was with a few photos. We are very lucky to have such a special family and to be able to spend this time with them.

After Christmas, we had a gathering with Leonard’s sisters. It is always a good time with his siblings. The quilter’s guild had made Leonard a quilt for being a veteran and I presented it to him when his sisters were here.

Despite working a couple jobs, Brian and the boys came up the week after New Year’s. I had given Luke a book by Temple Grandin and there were directions to make a marionette. I think he had fun making it. We are so lucky to have been able to spend this time with them and to have this special family!

Today, I had the privilege of spending some time with Tina and Isaac. I do not believe in coincidences. I believe God orchestrates our lives each and every day, He finds ways to bless those He loves. I have been lucky enough to experience many, many blessings on a regular basis. Today, while having lunch with Tina and Isaac, my long time friend and her husband came into the same restaurant. It was just so good to see them. It was such a blessing to see my daughter, my grandson, my special friend and her husband today. Yes, these are the things I cherish. Each moment. Each connection. Yup, we ARE the Lucky Ones! 🙂