And I Will Always Love You

Ok everyone, dust off your dancing shoes...you have exactly 29 days to celebrate our 40th anniversary with us. Yes indeed, 40 years! Let's just think back. I had my hair in hot rollers when Al arrived at our house with my flowers. It was considered "bad luck" to see the bride before the wedding so I pretended to giggle in my room. My wedding dress was green and white because that is what my parents insisted on. I made a small statement by hemming my dress "a little" above my knees. Our wedding cake had white icing but yellow flowers.

So here we are, 40 years later and buying each other sappy love songs on CDs. We still hold hands, finish each others sentences and now we call each other Mommy and Daddy. Our kids think we are sickening but truth be told, I think they are happy when we can sing along with "And I will always Love You"

Piece of Cake

Words don't come easily for me. I stutter, stammer, gather my thoughts and try again. My Emily has a beautiful gift of words. She knows how to translate the thoughts of life and put them into beautiful verse. That is just what she did for me tonight on Face book.

Six years ago when God placed (thrust) me into the role of advocate/caregiver He, in his ultimate wisdom, started me off slowly. Of course it was hard, and yes very heart wrenching but after that I kind of felt "OK that wasn't too awful bad, I think maybe I could handle this again, piece of cake". Oh yes, again and again and again He has given me the blessing of being an advocate/caregiver to loved ones and I am the first one to tell you I fail over and over and over again.

This is gut wrenching business not for the faint of heart. I am forever changed because of it though. God knew he could take my completely broken life and transform it through caring for my loved ones. Would I have signed up for this? No, plain and simple. I am surrounded by a huge circle of loving, supportive friends and family. If you are reading this tonight that means YOU. Yes, I'm talking to you. Thank you dear ones, I love you.

Hey Santa...

I'm not quite sure when "it" happened. Somewhere along the line I grew up. I no longer cared what the group said or what was "in". Imagine (age seven) kind of awkward, tripping over your own feet and breaking your arm. All the girls at the birthday party had a great time with that one.

Fast forward to High School. All of a sudden everyone had a boyfriend, smoked (cigs and pot) and once again I just didn't fit in.

Here's one for you. 1990 and we are attending a church faithfully. Having never been a joiner I'm confronted by some women who claim "I'm just not friendly enough".

So now, I've come full circle. My students come to me with stories that will guarantee "this is the worst thing I've ever gone through" Dear God, I know this isn't true. And since they put so much stock in you...hey Santa, don't disappoint my kids.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

All the songs and movies tell us this is "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" I agree, I love the Christmas season. I begin my planning even before Thanksgiving. This year I'm finding a HUGE void in my planning. I keep asking "why?" It occurred to me tonight that I am trying too hard to recreate the feeling of Christmases Past. I have all these happy memories of the Christmas parties held at my Grandma's house. I remember working so hard at my parent's Deli to prepare party trays and sandwiches for the "rich people" who had Christmas parties.

And then, thanks to the computer age, I received calendar reminders to send special cards to loved ones. Those loved ones have passed away in the past few years.

So, I go back to the Truth. "But that very first Christmas, the best gift of all was the Baby himself, snuggled up in the stall. For He taught us to love in all that we do, to love strong and forever...the way He Loves You."

The Leader of the Band

This post is dedicated to my brother Michael and Daddy.

There was a great song in the 70's or 80's (aren't those years a blur to most of us?)

The song is called "The Leader of the Band". Google it, listen deeply and try to imagine yourself in a time and space where you needed to realize the love and strength of one who has gone before you.

And so for you Mike and Daddy:

"I thank you for your kindness and the times when you got tough.

And Papa, I don't think I said "I Love You" near enough.

Happy Birthday Michael :-)

Twas the Night Before Christmas

How many of you remember the weeks leading up to Christmas when you were younger? I mean "really remember"? The smell of the Christmas tree, the huge multi-colored bulbs, the scent of fake snow on the windows. How about the gigantic coloring books with images of Santa and his elves, beautiful dot to dot creations that brought the North Pole and Rudolf to life?

I distinctly remember one special year when I received a paper doll book of the Nutcracker. It had a fold out scene that once the dolls and their costumes were punched out I could "play Nutcracker".

Please share your memories with us, right down to the orange and nuts in the toe of your stocking. Can't wait to hear from you!

Welcome December

Welcome December! I've missed you. I've missed the soft twinkly lights on our tree and stairway.
I've missed the smell of pine and cinnamon and the excuse to add touches of red throughout the house.



The puzzle table is set up to encourage family to gather in the living room and enjoy the crackling fire and the soft lights from the tree and scented candles. Yes, welcome December, I've missed you.