Good Tiding To You All!

"...And with true love

and

brotherhood

Each other now embrace;

this holy tide of Christmas

Doth bring redeeming grace"

Merry Christmas!

One Hundred One

In May she will be 102.

But she fell Saturday and then again Sunday. She is now in the hospital, speaking to my grandfather that passed away 16 years ago. She thinks the son that is alive is dead...her mind is skewed.

She has been living on her own, limited sight and little appetite and not much ability to get around. 1600 miles away, we hear two different stories as to why she is still living on her own. But family dynamics make knowing the truth a hurdle too large to attempt. The divide has been too great. To question is taboo.

My son looked at me, when I smiled and pushed back the tears, and asked, "are you sad, mom?" (with a puzzled look). I found it hard to explain to him something he has yet to experience. Something I have not experienced much. How do you explain that while I do not wish for my grandother to suffer, while I realize she cannot do anything that she once loved and while the idea of sitting listening to a tv all day, by herself, is depressing, there is still sadness at the prospect of death.  I finally came to the realization that the saddness is wrapped up in a chapter closing. A final chapter in her book. At least this volume.

In my case, it is sad that family relations were what they were, and are, but I don't take on those regrets with quilt, because our family dynamics are shared by every member. And try as one might, many situations are going to be what they are going to be and we learn to find the little treasures of enjoyment where they may be.

I managed to call and catch my grandma home and awake a few months ago. It was the most pleasant conversation we had had in a while. Not the practiced safe topics conversations, but in this one, she seemed truly delighted and giddy. She laughed and talked away unabandoned. I treasure that conversation. Last week my Aunt sent out Christmas cards for my grandma. A picture of her now and picture of her as a young adult. One of my favorite pictures of my grandmother when she was young. I sent a card sharing the memories that that peice of mail brought back , sitting on the floor with her looking through all her pictures, over and over...I hope it did arrive last week as it should have.

This morning we are waiting to hear from family how the night went. I can't say there is not anxiety in the wait, and tears at the thought of her waking up confused, somewhere with unfamiliar sounds and smells and shadows and with people that she does not know. Then again, she might wake this morning in glory...all troubles erased, all pains eased and all at peace.


Update:  Strong heart keeps one going... Longevity is intriguing  . . .

Thematic Photo 174: Seeing Red

And the photo theme this week is RED... wanna join in the fun?

Go HERE

I see red

In the sea

and over yonder in the tree

(enlarge to see the red across the water)

I see red

behind a fence

In the sky

and even

while someone sends a text



There is red in being silly

and some more red in Philly

Red encased in ice

   

and on a back wall when I raised my eyes...

On the ground

and in the excitement of a crowd

...on the road? under a roof?

 Finding red didn't make me fuss, I even found it on the front of a bus

And if we may, a glass of red at the end of the day

 The End

 

Advent Week Two - Peace

The Nativity Carnival hosted by Kerry - Thank you!

Peace… Or at least at our church, that is the order we are following. While visiting around the Nativity Carnival and various sites, I have noticed that not all follow the same order of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. I like that they do not. It helps to remind me not to become to rigid in the process, which would in turn, take the focus from what I am desiring to focus on.


Peace during this month is a concept that cracks me up, with all the seasons hurry, scurry of activities and demands. But, when I become still; when I focus on God, on the amazing, on the mysterious, on the gift, that feeling of peace comes over me.

I can honestly say, I have been a pendulum with that in the past few days. I suppose a pendulum is better than being stuck on the frantic, bah hum bug, that I have, in the past, arrived at.

Last week, I finished up Traveler’s gift box. I do not have a good track record of gifting Traveler with gifts that meet expectations. I decided to add a count down toChristmas, and the idea stuck to me like cooked sticky white rice. I really wanted to do an Advent/ count down to place in her box. Something to maybe keep Christmas in her world in a way that might be unique and add a daily gift. A little bit of home in her new home.


A Christmas Tree.


Some Garland.


A few goodies to open through out the month.

An Advent Countdown.

Bits of fun. Bits of scripture. Bits of service.

I hope she likes it, it should arrive today. But, back to the peace, I won’t allow myself to worry about the reception the box receives. I will focus on the One I need to be focused on and be at peace.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.

I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled,

and do not let them be afraid."

-- John 14:27