It’s New Year’s Eve and I am thinking about what that means to me. To be honest, as I grow older, I am coming to realize that holidays are like a double-edged sword. While there is a joyful, celebratory side to look forward to, holidays seem to come with a lot of stress and anxiety. … Continue reading
Posted in December 2011 …
From Secret Santa: Dear Annette…
Recently I posted my letter to my Secret Santa on this blog (See Dear Secret Santa). I had told my Secret Santa that the reason I was a little late in making my Christmas Wish List known was because, when it came down to it, I really didn’t want for anything; that I really had … Continue reading
It’s A Wonderful Life
Recently I sat down to sort through my boxes of photographs. My sister’s husband is putting together a slide show of family photos to display during our Christmas get-together, and I wanted to see if I had anything to add to his collection. So I got the boxes out and began my journey down Memory … Continue reading
Dear Secret Santa
Dear Secret Santa, I’m sorry I’ve been so slow in getting my list of gift ideas to you, but you see, it’s the same problem I have every year: I really don’t want for anything. I know, there’s always something to want. For example, world peace could be at the top of my list, alongside … Continue reading
The Christmas Story Gets A Modern Twist
Have you ever wondered what it might be like to live in a previous time in history, like say, at the time of the birth of Jesus? Maybe, like many, you’ve considered what your life would be like without the convenience and ease of modern invention, and you’ve thought, “You know. I’m kinda happy living … Continue reading
From Santa’s Helper: A Pre-Christmas Gift to Make for Children
Santa’s Helper Project Christmas, for young children, is a magical time of flying reindeer, toy-making elves, and a jolly, benevolent, red-suited man who fulfills hopes and wishes with his annual nocturnal visit. In the weeks and days before Christmas, every child’s imagination is sparked by the wonder and anticipation of Christmas morning. But waiting for … Continue reading
Holiday Movie Favorites
One of my favorite holiday movies from childhood is Rudolph. I loved the type of animation used, the characters, the music, and Burl Ives’ voice and likeness. It was engaging in every way. And who couldn’t see him/herself in Rudolph in some way? Like many of us, he was the misunderstood, under-appreciated, awkward kid who … Continue reading
‘Tis the Season to be Jolly? Getting Into the Holiday Spirit
“Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la! ‘Tis the season to be jolly, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la!” …or, at least that’s how the song goes. While the holidays are a time for celebration and socializing, gift-giving and indulging, for many of us they are a time for worry, anxiety, and depression. There are pressures to … Continue reading
‘Tis the Season: The Joys of Giving and Receiving
As we approach the holidays, our thoughts become more focused on the spirit of giving. There is a joy in wanting to bring joy to others. It feels good. There is also a joy in receiving, too. What follows is a re-posting of an article I wrote earlier this year. In the spirit of the … Continue reading
A Simple Meditation to Guide Your Day
Setting the Tone When I was in either kindergarten or first grade, I learned a simple prayer. For a child attending a Catholic parochial school, prayer was as much a part of my daily school routine as saying the Pledge of Allegiance. This prayer was so simple and easy to remember, that it came home … Continue reading
Simple Pleasures 