A rescheduled job and I have a day to….

Accomplish some things. Breathe. Cleaning up. Deck the halls.. Expect a miracle. Finish a book. Go for a walk. Happy Birthday card sent. Ideas for gift exchange. Joy! Kitten calendar for a present. La! La! La! I’ve a  song to learn! Mailing packages,Not yet,One more thing goes in. Peace! Questions answered. Radio sing along music. Simple supper. This Is Us. Underwear laundered. Very productive. Whisper a prayer. Xchange for size. Zip my coat!

A-Z. What a ride! I will savor the addition of a day to check things off my list while embracing the glory of a M.E. day.

Sleeping in till 10.Grateful to be able to relax. Now ready,set and GO!

I have paper lists but will mentally list the beauty around.

Going Christmas shopping. Making a list and plotting my course with a smile on my lips and a song in my heart. Music on the radio!

I picture each child I’m shopping for and choose with joy. Five children and my grandson. (I’m shopping for Church requests.)

A few things for the home bound at Church. No one should be forgotten.Kathy’s help to get the Christmas card for them just right. Grateful boomerang. Send gratitude out and it returns.

Taking the time today to say a personal goodbye to my brother-in-law. A candle,a picture, paper to compose my thoughts, a condolence card I received and the comforting words of Scripture. Intentional grieving!

Today I begin to decorate my spirit soon I will decorate my home.

Time off the grind of work is a blessing and I am grateful
Time to have breakfast with my husband
Time to read uninterrupted
Time to wrap a roomful of presents for family, and never met friends through Church
More time to spend with my best friends, one of whom is till working and not that social, one of whom leaves every winter for Florida and I’m about to miss my window…..
Time to clean my house in my order to my specifications (not that high) and with music blasting in my ear
Time to sit at my computer uninterrupted
Time to play the piano in my “never used as a dining room” dining room
Time to consider my upcoming retirement this year, how do I want to use that time?
Time to grocery shop, which I hate, but I do get to buy things I like…
Time to relax into being just “me” for a week, not the nurse, not the church worker, not the Mom, just me.
I think I’m going to enjoy this week.

A new month. The busiest one for me. I will try to remember why I do what I do and not just go from thing to thing.

Friday was a day of contacting  cousins as I notified them of the impossible news of John’s death. In the midst of that was the joy of reconnecting. John has reunited us!

Remembering my counselors advice that for every thing I had to do to plan something fun.

A visit to my sister in the nursing home so we could reminisce. Her happiness  at getting a strawberry milkshake.

A Christmas Concert that was so inspiring. The music was sublime. The program was so well rehearsed. Solos,a duet, a quartet and the chorus singing like a heavenly chorus.

Handel’s Messiah! Sing my soul!

Our choir director switching from directing to tenor. His wife”tickled the ivories.” Good job Chuck and Janice!

Seeing friends from Church there and sitting with them. How wonderful to be able to lean over and whisper a comment!

The first Sunday of Advent. The couple doing the reading at the candle lighting holding their toddler. Charlie sad “Amen” at the end.

The Children’s Program. Their joy! Their enthusiasm!The  little girl portraying Mary with her brother(Joseph) rubbing her shoulders.

Welcome December!

1. Realizing so much of life is just showing up for the things you want, and going through the motions. You might not always feel amazing or chipper or even remotely glad to be there, but when you keep showing up, day after day, magic happens- and by magic, I mean: what you truly want comes to pass
2. The sparkle in children’s faces
3. Giving and giving and giving when you know that’s what someone else really wants
4. The power of knowing what you want
5. Flowers, always flowers, may I be forever surrounded by flowers
6. Christmas decorations and sparkles and lights
7. Joy in all things
8. Self-honesty
9. Sunlight
10. Birds

1. Sun Nov 26, good naps, conversation with friend and family, good meals, good medicine, bed early.
2. Mon Nov 27, well rested, pleasant walks to and from work, progress at work, conversations, good meals, recovered from cold.
3. Tue Nov 28, early to work, good doctor appt., cheerful help from co-workers, good meals.
4. Wed Nov 29, early to work, prayers answered, good meeting, cheerful help from co-workers, progress at work, good walk home, good meals.
5. Thu Nov 30, well rested, 3 exciting leads at job fair, good walks, progress at work, cheerful greetings at work, progress at work, encouragement from boss, pleasant music, helpful info on internet, good meals.
6. Fri Dec 1, well rested, good seminar, good meals, cheerful help from co-workers, progress at work.
7. Sat Dec 2, pleasant walks, progress at work, cheerful help from co-worker, conversation, good meals, insights.

God 

Life

My family and pets.

Being back at my old job and getting to hang with my co-workers at our Christmas dinner this past Friday.

My A A program even when I miss meetings.

My church.

The Tree Of Lights Ceremony this afternoon.

A roof over my head.

My health. It could be better but could be worse.

The beautiful sunrise today. Yes, God is Good.

I have given much in the last few days and am depleted. Fill me up!

I am searching for good memories and forgiving bad.

Time to think without overthinking.

I am counting on laughter and music to soothe my soul.

I lean on my friends to keep me grounded.

Solitude helps when one more phone call is too much.

A brisk walk in the park where I do not have to act or react in any way.

I stand firm on the decisions I’ve made.

Grateful even on a day I feel empty.

1. Yesterday, my daughter needed stitches. I am reminded of this:”Fred Rogers often told this story about when he was a boy and would see scary things on the news: “My mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers — so many caring people in this world.”
2. The man who was standing near us and went immediately to get tissues and a bandaid
3. The EMTs who showed up quickly and were so calm and kind
4. My husband, who took the afternoon off work and got to the hospital before we did
5. And held my hand, strengthening me as I held my daughter’s, while she was in the worst parts of it
6. The wonderful crew at the hospital who love kids and did an amazing job
7. And again for my husband, who stopped on his way home to get a balloon and a teddy bear and playdoh
8. To God, that she is okay, and we had access to everything she needed to get help quickly
9. To my daughter, for her strength and courage and sweetness
10. For even these experiences, and all they give us

My brother-in-law is at peace. A cure for his ills was not possible so they let him go.

Weary prayer warriors waiting for a miracle not realizing the miracle was in his release from suffering. Peace  to all!

My niece who kept all of us informed. It was an essential role and she did it well.

We all grieve so differently. It is hard to realize that many actions and reactions fall under  the range of emotions we call grief.If I can remain loving and forgiving, I will be able to do what I need to do.

So December I greet you !

A promise that for every thing I have to do I will do something fun.

Open my eyes to see beauty and wonder. Open my ears to music and quiet conversations.

Close my eyes so I can rest. Close my ears to all that is counterproductive.

May I never take one single day for granted and be grateful always grateful.