Thankful Hearts

November 24th, 2016
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leaves-thanksgiving

Wherever you happen to be gathering today, may you be with people who have thankful hearts and giving spirits.

The diversity of Thanksgiving menus offered today reflects the healing powers of food, love, family and friends gathering with one celebration in mind.  Lasagna, Vietnamese soup or a traditional roasted turkey with all of the imaginable sides.  Today has been set aside on the national calendar to give thanks for the food and other gifts that are served and shared as a sign of gratitude for the many blessings we have received.

While I recognize our desire to be thankful today, … Read More

Everyone’s A Paddy Today!

March 17th, 2016
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    When my son was in kindergarten, his wonderful teacher had a great way for the children to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. She took all of the last names of the boys and girls in his class and wrote them on shamrocks made of green construction paper and then as an added surprise, she added either “Mc” or “O'” in front of the names to make everyone feel they were Irish.  Just to give you an idea, Smith would become McSmith or O’Smith.  Then she taped the shamrocks to the front of the kindergarten entrance for the whole school… Read More

24 Candles

June 25th, 2014
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Thousands of babies are born every day but today I am focused on one particular birth that happened 24 years ago. Please indulge me a bit while I use today’s post to send birthday love and well wishes to my sweet son.  I wish I could be with you today, but since I can’t, I am sending you the biggest birthday hugs in celebration of your special day!! Happy Birthday Ryan! You are a healing and energetic bundle of unique talents and skills and you are always ready to share them with whoever you think might need them.  When I… Read More

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

March 17th, 2014
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If it’s March, it must be that time of year again when everything green is up for grabs and my family is never embarrassed to wear as much of it as possible. Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all and I’m sure you’re planning to do it up proud! My large and boisterous family gathered yesterday before the snow hit the Washington, DC area to celebrate our Irish ancestry and all the stops were pulled out for a grand time. So in the tradition of my Celtic tribe, it was an afternoon of irreverent jokes and imitations, lots of food and… Read More

Your Dad Is Here

June 16th, 2013
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I see my husband in my son in small ways:  the way he rolls up his long sleeved shirts, the set of his jaw when he is annoyed or determined to do something he really wants to accomplish and the way he plays chicken with his car’s gas tank and won’t fill it up until it is almost empty. When I see those traits it is bittersweet: they make me laugh and but they also make me feel a little sad and wistful.    “He is still with us,” I think to myself.  My husband had a very strong personality so… Read More

Fathers & Sons

June 15th, 2013
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Today I’m going to visit my Dad and celebrate Father’s Day a day early. My son won’t be joining me because he is out of town visiting his girlfriend.  Even if my son were here in town, I would still be emotionally torn on Father’s Day.My Dad is still alive and our family is lucky and blessed to have him. But my son’s father, who was also my husband, died nine years ago and the celebration of Father’s Day makes me feel guilty and conflicted. Guilty because my father is alive and his isn’t.  Conflicted because I want to make… Read More

A Valentine Message

February 14th, 2013
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Photo Courtesy of French Essence You don’t love someone for their looks,  or their clothes,  or for their fancy car,  but because they sing a song only you can hear.                           ~ Oscar Wilde Happy Valentine’s Day!!… Read More

Happy New 2013!!

January 1st, 2013
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Happy New Year to you and yours! I hope you are not feeling too hung over today from the fun you had last night and may your first day of the new year be a harmonious one. My New Year’s Eve last night was a low key one for me: an early dinner with family and then home to try and stay awake to watch the ball drop in New York’s Times Square.  I ended up falling asleep on the family room couch way before midnight (no surprise there) but then woke up at midnight because the neighbors were setting… Read More

Magical Christmas Scenes

December 24th, 2012
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It’s Christmas Eve!  Can you believe it? In some ways, I think Christmas Eve is more magical than Christmas Day. Maybe it’s the anticipation. . . Here are a few pictures showing the wonder of Christmas that I find comforting. I hope they bring comfort and joy to you too! Merry Christmas!! Christmas Candles Courtesy of sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net Christmas Gates Courtesy of vintagerosegarden.tumblr.com Christmas Village Courtesy of dreamingofawhitechristmas.tumblr.com Christmas Sled Courtesy of ullamaijahanninen.net Christmas Walk Courtesy of crushculdesac.tumblr.com Christmas Bucket Courtesy of robomargo.com Christmas Bow Courtesy of tumblr.com… Read More