Posts Tagged: christmas

Last Minute Gifts of Comfort & Joy

December 22nd, 2017
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Holiday Present

It’s the Friday before Christmas and it’s a good bet that you may have finished buying gifts for everyone on your list.

But there’s still time to think about buying one more gift.

This year you may want to put a special twist on your usual gift giving by buying a present for a loved one or friend who has died.

On the face of it, the idea may sound a little strange not really.

I saw this wonderful idea recently tweeted by Grief Compass in a series called the 12 Holidays of Grief and thought I would share it … Read More

Reducing Holiday Stress-O-Rama

December 8th, 2017
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If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I recently posted some thoughts about December and it’s ups and downs. More than any time of the year, expectations run high and emotional triggers seem to be lie in wait all around us.  There’s shopping and decorating and socializing and it’s all supposed to go according to schedule and be everything that you want it to be. You know.  Like the holidays in the magazines and on television. Except that in real life that doesn’t happen. And it’s okay.  In fact, it’s more than okay. It’s just what life is.… Read More

Merry Christmas 2016

December 24th, 2016
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Photo Courtesy of Victoria Magazine Just like you, I have surrounded myself this past week with rolls of wrapping paper, scotch tape, ribbons and layers of tissue paper as I have carefully and lovingly wrapped Christmas presents for my family and friends. Some of the presents made me smile for they brought back how I felt when I found the particular item and how I immediately knew it was the right gift.  Score! But as I came to the presents that I had bought for my parents they seemed woefully inadequate. My parents are now in their eighties and at… Read More

Experiencing The Holiday Spirit

December 28th, 2015
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Don’t you find that every Christmas has its own vibe and dynamic? I reminisce about Christmases past and there are things that stand out that I will never ever forget. From childhood Christmases, there is always the cozy sounds of Johnny Mathis while running around in my pajamas getting ready to put out cookies and milk for Santa on Christmas Eve.  Adult Christmases bring back loving memories of my late husband and those first Christmases with our young son.  I remember those Christmases as being simple in decorations and gifts and always having a feeling of innocence. And then there… Read More

You Are Merrily Appreciated

December 24th, 2015
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  I pause today to extend my best wishes to all no matter what holiday you may celebrate this time of year. Throughout this holiday season, may peace and joy be with you and your families. Holidays are great opportunities to celebrate life but I find they are also difficult to manage because we bring so many emotions and expectations to them each and every year.  Don’t think I am being a Scrooge when I say that the decorations, the music, the food, and the rituals are important, but I am of the mindset these days that if something doesn’t… Read More

Parking My Heart

December 18th, 2015
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Hey there Resilient Readers! Today’s post may seem at first to be just a simple story about a bike shop in my hometown of Washington, DC. But it’s really about so much more. I want to share this wonderful story with you because it reminds me of the compelling message found in the classic Frank Capra Christmas movie, It’s A Wonderful Life: one person really can make a difference. Today’s bike story is a real life example of what happens when one person gets involved in their community and the difference they can make for others who are looking to… Read More

Holiday Temptations

December 4th, 2015
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Photo Courtesy of Katie Lee Kitchen Oh my goodness! A few days ago, I looked in the refrigerator and spied the last containers of homemade mashed potatoes and stuffing and I couldn’t take it anymore. I hate to waste food yet I had to throw the rest of the Thanksgiving leftovers away!  I know I overindulged over the holiday and it was yummy and fun but it also is time for the food party to stop. But it’s really hard, right?  I know it is for me.  Maybe it’s a little easier for you.  I definitely like to think you… Read More

Fa-La-La-La Life

December 24th, 2014
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Today is Christmas Eve and I am full of hope but also wrestling with conflicting thoughts and emotions. I am amazed that Christmas is almost here and yet as I try to finish the last bit of my Christmas wrapping and cooking, in my head plays a spontaneous feature film of Christmas memories jumping around in no particular order: from tender scenes with my brothers and sisters when we were children listening to Johnny Mathis sing Christmas songs through a wonderful Christmas morning with my son from last year.  Then it’s back many, many years to the precious time when… Read More

Kick It Up For Christmas

December 22nd, 2014
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Hey there Resilient Readers: It’s the Monday of Christmas week and today I am going in an entirely different direction; one that is fun and healing and in tune with the holiday spirit.  It’s a post that I hope makes you smile and perhaps reminisce about your own unfulfilled but fond dreams. I have a saying that life is about finding your music and dancing to it.  Dancing has always been something that comes natural to me and something that I love to do.  In one of my former lives, I took dancing lessons for years as a child and… Read More