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

Thematic Photographic 173: Flash of Color

The Host, Carmi at Written Inc.

Flash of Color makes me think of brightness in maybe a not so bright time...in this case fall.  Last November I tagged along with Hubs to Houston. While he went to class, I played. As I got lost one day (sorta) I had turned to head back into downtown Houston, and too see if I could figure out their China Town. As I approached a traffic light I noticed some art to the right.

With the silver grey skyline behind it. All the pavement. The grey skies and the silver/grey cars...well this was a flash of color and I had to snap a picture. Unique considering all of its surroundings.

(do click on the picture to make it bigger and see Ms Green vogueing)



While in Texas, we also hit a couple Mexican restaurants. In one, color was everywhere!

So here is the second Flash of Color ...

An Early Gift

The other night, as I was surfing through various blogs about Advent, Demolition D came in to sit and talk. I am so enjoying the times he sits and visits – it is so nice.

As he talked he brought up Christmas, planning and then talking about Christmases past. His girlfriend is the daughter of two doctors. Her world and our world are different. I would imagine, at another time in history, she would not have been allowed to date my child – being from different economic worlds. But they have now dated over 2 years, and from my perspective, the only issues that have arisen from the financial differences is the sometimes flack Demolition D has given me.
As he was talking, though, he said, “The way they do Christmas and the way we do is so different.”
I responded with an, “oh?”
Demo D, “yes, they are really different, but you know, I like our way better…”
Me, “and why is that” (I don’t make my questions too very long)
Demo D, “well they get ALL these presents, like 20 from her mom, then 20 from her dad, and then the grandparents (20 is probably a little of an embellishment). It is all about the presents. We get presents and all, but there is more to our Christmas then that. Their’s is so material.”
Me, “you really think so?”
We went on talking about gift giving and some of the issues that arise and ways to simplify and yet be thoughtful, when he again brought up last Christmas, “like last year when Carrots (fake name) asked what I wanted for Christmas. I didn’t really want anything, and some of what I would have liked was not the type of stuff you ask other people for.”
“So I told her just make me something. Just do something creative. Her and Peas (fake name, and Carrots son ;)) made that Star ornament for me. I have it still hanging on my bulletin board. I think it was one of the best Christmas presents I got last year. I don’t think I will ever get rid of that gift.”
So as I had been reading about Advent traditions, and wondering what traditions we could add to add back that magical feel of Christmas, I was given an early Christmas gift. It seems maybe I didn’t miss the mark after all…

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

Matthew 2:9

(not my image...)

Enjoy more stories, recipes, traditions...more Advent at Kerry's Nativity Carnival (and link up your traditions too!)

Nary A Lump . . .

I received this email and just had to share!

Hope all have had a great day and made sweet memories . . .

Twas the night of thanksgiving,

But i just couldn't sleep.

I tried counting backwards,

I tried counting sheep.

The leftovers beckoned -

The dark meat and white,

But i fought the temptation

With all of my might.

Tossing and turning with anticipation,

The thought of a snack became infatuation.

So, i raced to the kitchen, flung open the door, and gazed at the fridge, full of goodies galore.

Gobbled up  turkey  and buttered potatoes, pickles and carrots, beans and tomatoes.

I felt myself swelling so plump and so round, 'til all of a sudden, i rose off the ground.

I crashed through the ceiling, floating into the sky, with a mouthful of pudding and a handful of pie.

But, i managed to yell as i soared past the trees....

Happy eating to all - pass the cranberries, please.

May your stuffing be tasty,

May your  turkey  be plump.

May your potatoes 'n gravy have nary a lump.

May your yams be delicious.

May your pies take the prize,

May your thanksgiving dinner stay off of your thighs!!