Here in the glow of these lingering moments, well before Christmas, I take pleasure in its warmth. The magic of the season, the romantic touches it feels. So easily I get swept up in the passion of it all - the sights, the sounds, the smells and that warm, enchanting ambiance. I yearn to press the pause button. Stop. Reflect. Maybe even rewind back to the good parts.
Breathe Deeply.
I went to my mailbox yesterday and retrieved a Christmas card with a beautiful message inside. In the past few years, they had lost my current address, and well, time ticked on.
Apologies were sent for not being more diligent. I laughed because, at some point, every member of my family has had to call me to get my correct address. Truly though, it is not like I move under the cover of darkness, gone without a trace. I send everyone the address if I know it before I move. I am good like that. Anyway, it was a nice surprise.
Have you gotten any surprise mail this year?
Christmas brings the musing out in me.
So many beautiful memories.
A lifetime of happiness and joy in my world.
One day we can write a poem, or perhaps muse together, you and I. I wish not to wait too long for that day, but, not to rush. I read thoughts here on the platform which provoke provoke something I didn't even know am sitting on from within. There are so many that bring pleasurable beauty to the world, you just have to open your eyes to the possibility.
So many people have wondered about the true meaning of Christmas.
Sit right back and Linus will explain it to you.
Yuletide Greetings to you.
There must be a flower. Always. To color my world. #alwaysaflower This may be hard to believe, but, pinecones are the official state flower of Maine. Technically, it is not a flower. What's up with that, Maine? I didn't believe it either. See here
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.
I wrote a letter to Santa
To make sure he would know
It's only two weeks until Christmas
And we still don't have any snow.
Just didn't want his reindeer
To have to work too hard.
I was afraid they might get stuck
In the mud outside in our yard.
I mailed my letter on Monday,
Only two days ago.
As I dropped it in the mailbox,
It slowly started to snow.
It's been snowing ever since,
More as each day goes by.
I'm getting kind of worried now
That Santa will think I lied.
I'll write another letter
And mail it off today.
Tell Santa not to worry,
There'll be lots of snow for his sleigh
Annabel Sheila
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No surprise mail for us this year, but we have one friend who always sends us a card. It actually makes me feel guilty though because we are terrible at sending out cards ourselves. I used to play games with myself (figuratively speaking), I would tell myself that this year I would send them but then I would always fail to do so and make excuses why I didn't. Now I don't try and pretend to fool myself. I know I'm not sending cards and I often tell people that I don't send cards out hahaha 😂
Cards are super nice to receive though 😆
Silly! :)) Speaking for myself, I never expect a card from anyone I send one to. It is something I do, not to spread guilt or to get a card, but, to share a piece of me, just because. I am good with that. Honestly.
I am in contact from time to time with most of these people and it is an update on the family or things and because I have such a huge family, it is a good way to keep everyone updated on family things. I have about 4 different letters that go in the cards, depending on your status. :)
Oh, yeah, let's not forget you still have to write in the cards. I am glad you like the cards you get. That is probably the most important thing!
We all just have to open our eyes to the possibilities. This is a very beautiful thing. You have written a lot of beautiful things and shared some wonderful photography as well.
Thank you so much for the kind words. I hope you have a wonderful night!
There must be a flower. Always. To color my world. #alwaysaflower.
This is lovely. No wonder you've been using flowers for your post.
Indeed we should open eyes to the possibility. Christmas is a wonderful season for all. When it's seasons comes like this, it has it own fragrance you will perceive. Everywhere will be smelling Christmas Christmas.
Thank you @dswigle for sharing with us. Merry Christmas in advance.
#alwaysaflower is the other one that I have, besides #MarketFriday. Christmas is a wonderful season that has a fragrance all of its own. I hope you are doing well and that you have a great day ahead!
My eyes are well opend and all is see is pure beauty from this. Thanks for sharing this today dear.
Thanks so much for the words, Sam! @mcsamm It is a pleasure to share with you. I hope you have a wonderful day ahead.
Mail through the letter box is such a rarity nowadays unless it's junk mail or some one wants money off you.
We've been a bit unsettled these couple of years and living a little nomad due to COVID, so our normal Christmas card list has shrunk even lower as I don't have my address book with me. So sadly, I don't think I'll be getting any surprises this year.
Thanks for sharing a beautiful post, it has bought warmth on a wet winter day here.
Awwww! You should have posted on Fakebook (I don't post there, but, have an account as most of my school/hometown friends have one, easier to find them!) if you have friends on there and asked for an updated address. I had to do that when I moved back to the States. I am unsettled and I am home, but, this COVID has put a damper on working/living anywhere else right now.
I hope that things will be looking up soon! Thank you for your kind and generous words.
Have a great day ahead!
The joy of seeing your decorations, gorgeous little video, card with a Santa looking like Santa peeking from behind the tree, all good reason to start feeling the joy of the season.
Well done on lovely thoughts and words taking counting down the days Denise.
!LUV
@joanstewart(1/5) gave you
Thanks for the LUV!
Thank you so much, Joan! @joanstewart I cannot even explain the reasons for loving this time of year so much, it has always been such a lovely time since childhood, never having to do with gifts as we weren't big gift-givers, but, it evokes the gift of love.
Thank you for taking the time to stop in!
Now there's a name I know.
Quill
Hello there Quill long time no see, hope you are well!
It's pretty rare that my wife and I get any mail these days. Mostly junk. Now that we have most of our bills paid off we don't even have those to look forward to. I have a feeling we will soon start getting some Christmas cards to put up on our wall. I am not sure if we are sending any out this year.
Hey mate. 🍻
Long time, no see.
Quill
Hi!
I know the feeling. When you have no bills, you have nothing good to look forward to. :) Ha! Even if you did have bills, most are done on BillPay or electronically. Christmas cards are around the corner, I just know it.
I told someone else that I send out a fair amount of cards, but, I never feel bad if I don't get one back. It is not a vote me/I'll vote you kind of thing. It makes me feel good sharing a piece of my life with them and I am okay with none back. I am probably weird that way, but, nobody should be expected to do something without a reciprocal agreement. :) I am more about spreading the cheer. Most of the people find something of their own they like sharing.
It works out.
I hope you are having a peaceful night!
Thanks! You too!
🎄
How adorable - love the surprise mail. ❤️
I love all your Christmas decor and all the fun little Christmas things! Great ideas :)
God bless you dear friend @dswigle
Thank you so much for your kind comments.
Beautiful sentiments and pictures invoking the holiday spirit. People are so much more inclined to send greetings on social media and have stopped sending actual cards. But a card you can hold in your hand and display as well is truly appreciated. Working for the postal service I used to hate having to sort all those red and green envelopes, but I still loved receiving them.
It's true! I know you are right. I still love getting cards too and as most of our friends are still traveling with business, it is always a great catch up as well as showing off the cool local cards that come from these places.
The internet has taken all the cool out of life. :)
However, I can't imagine going back to not having it. I imagine I will give up sending them, especially when my mothers' friends are no longer on my list. I find that the older people really love them, the younger people don't care. :) Oh yes! I forgot you worked for the post office! Booo! For sure!
And there's another name I know. 🍻
Quill
Do write a poem!
It is unbelievable the beauty that others bring ...
to this platform... to the world actually.
The things they share...
the feelings ...
Oh, if only I can write as lovely as you, @dswigle!
Actually, there isn't much special in my writing and because you have such a beautiful soul, I encourage you to close your eyes and let your mind wander in that place.
You would be amazing. @silversaver888 💗
Okay, I will try!
I think my job, my busy-ness... gets in the way.
Ha! Keep in mind I could/would/should ever get on Hive at work. Ever. Work certainly gets in the way. :)
I posted using the alwaysaflower tag, I may have misspelled it, haha
Denise, you have the best Christmas decorations I've ever seen and I'd bet that even Santa is envious.
BTW, I loved that little poem at the end. It reminded me of when Katie was young. She inisisted upon a running correspondance with Santa ... and I'm not talking about a paragraph here or there. Full-fledged letters replete with inquiry and cordial advice. As I grew up in Canada (much closer to the North Pole), she often consulted with me about linguistic expressions with which she thought Santa might struggle ... given that she was from down south (Florida). 🎅
Quill
It is easy when you love Christmas as I do. :) Thank you.
Haha! Poor baby! When you go back home to Canada, will she come with you? Actually, I don't see that happening either. Leaving the salt and sand for the tundra.
"Hardly," he scoffs. "I am taking it with me."
I can only imagine baby ChillQuill corresponding with Santa. :) The thought just puts a smile on my face. I hope you kept at least one if not all of them. Those are treasures.
Thanks again, Quill! @quillfire Have a great night!🎄
I'm not eager to trade sand for snow. Indeed, I've now lived considerably longer in Florida than I did in Canada. I've acclimitized. Respecting Katie's coorespondance, I still have ever one. They are treasures indeed.
Quill
Oh, I get it. I am hoping I won't regret selling my house in Florida, but, I guess there are more where that came from. ;)