Open Wide and Radiate

over 2 years ago

Open your arms as wide as you can. I can see the Season of Joy getting ready for a warm hug. Decorating the retirement home today as one of my daughters volunteered us. Honestly, it's one of the easiest ways to spread the cheer for the holiday, and instantly gets you in the spirit of things. The people are kind and were eager to help. We brought candy canes and played Christmas Carols, of the vintage variety, I think I had as good a time as they did.

It really is so easy to get swept up in the magic, isn't it? It's always been about family and being together. I think some of what is missing in retirement homes are family traditions. I have held on to most of the ones that seemed important to me, passing them along to my family, until one day when they have families of their own and keep those memories alive. The ones that you don't use eventually fade into oblivion, perhaps becoming one of those remember when stories we all tell when we get together with our families.

When I was growing up, I always loved to hang the most glittery, ostentatious ornament there was. It would hang on the tree radiating into the twinkling lights. To this day, the ones that catch my eye are the gaudiest, bejeweled, sparkly ones, so I guess not much has changed. I even think they are delicate and beautiful, I sit in front of the tree, perhaps sighing a bit. Maybe not. All I know is that my heart is full. I'll take it.

It has been a little bit difficult emotionally for the last six months with one of my family members being sick. Sometimes we forget to count our blessings when it comes to good health, whining about things that don't really matter. I try to count my blessings instead of wishing for bigger or better. Sometimes just being happy, one day at a time is satisfying. I'm not asking for pity, perhaps a prayer would be appreciated. I still believe in the power of prayer. Why not?

Are you ready to see what is left? In keeping with the Christmas countdown with one picture and the countdown, there are 13 days, 00 hours, 31 minutes, and 29 seconds left! It is closing in on us! Oh, I am already lamenting the ornaments going the way of the turkey... I want it to last a little bit longer, keeping those elaborately decorated ornaments coming.

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Is it still #alwaysaflower if it isn't real? The urge to resist has gone the way of the wind tonight. Sparkle on a pretend poinsettia? Yes, please. I pushed them into the green boughs and added a little sparkle. Glitter me again. It is contagious!

Embrace this time like never before. You just never know when it might be the last time you see someone you love so intensely. Spread your love. It's free to give, free to receive. Love to all, Denise 💖

All I have are my words, armed in my mind, written in pen, stand by stand. Oh, yes. Still by hand. It has a different feel. Altered not by keys, backspace, and delete, I write, erase, tear it to pieces and start all over again. And again.

It’s my way. I walk out to the deep end of the page and dive right in.

Recapture the Magic

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The Naming of Cats

The Naming of Cats is a difficult matter,
It isn’t just one of your holiday games;
You may think at first I’m as mad as a hatter
When I tell you, a cat must have THREE DIFFERENT NAMES.

TS Elliot