The Christmas Box

I ran across across an explanation written and shared by the famous author, Richard Paul Evans, that I thought was appropriate to share with my readers.  It is entitled:  The Christmas Box

"The human life cycle no less than evolves around the box; from the open-topped box called a bassinet, to the pine box we call a coffin.  The Box is our past and just as assuredly, our future.  It should not surprise us then that the lowly box plays such a significant role in the first Christmas story.  For Christmas began in a humble, hay-filled box of splintered wood.  The Magi, wise men who had traveled far to see the infant king, laid treasure-filled boxes at the feet of the Holy Child.  And in the end, when He had ransomed our sins with His blood, the Lord of Christmas was laid down in a box of stone.  How fitting that each Christmas season brightly wrapped boxes skirt the pine boughs of Christmas trees around the world"

Evening Challenges

I sit in my room today watching my angel swaying and I am thankful for so many blessings in my life.  The beauty of the snow today reminds me of God's greatness.  During our support group,  I was asked what people can do to pass time after their spouse has died.  I suggested that be the topic of conversation for our meeting tonight.  What does one do when alone and grieving the company of a loved one?

Keeping busy is usually a good thought, but often our minds and bodies are not cooperating with what we should do.  I remember several years ago a gentleman in our support group stated that he could not stand to stay home in the evening after his wife died.  He would make the rounds to all the coffee shops just to have company.  By the time all the coffee shops were closed, he was tired enough to go to bed and sleep.  I do believe he met a wonderful lady in one of those shops which he later in life married.  This is not a recommended solution for everyone, but for him, it worked.

Everyone has a different goal in life and an idea of how they may be able to survive this grieving syndrome.

Some suggestions or thoughts would include:  Crafts, crocheting, knitting, scrapbooking, painting, puzzles, coloring, etc.  You could also start to blog (it is a wonderful stress relief.... ).  I have also found that writing your daily "Dear God Letters" is a wonderful thing to do in the evenings... thanking him for your day and the blessings you noted for that day.  If you  are a reader, it is a quiet time to read your favorite book or watch all the wonderful Hallmark Christmas movies. Putting puzzles together also passes a great deal of time in the evening.

These are just a few things that you can try to see which one is beneficial to you.  Evenings are also a great time to eat with a friend, volunteer to help someone who needs it, run errands for someone, or a time to clean those closets.  The problem is most of the time our grief saps our energy so that we do not want to do anything.  A perfect time to talk with God.

Fairytale Magic

  "If you can see the magic in a Fairytale, you can face the future."  Danielle Steele

During the Knapp Memorial Service Sunday, I asked for you to do some homework and let me know what you have discovered about childhood fairytales, etc.  Please share your findings.... I am anxious to hear from you.

Glory and Praise

This is a blog which I hope will give you a little faith and inspiration.   My mom has been staying with me a few months during a convalesing period.  From the beginning I was not sure I knew how to care for her or even if I could.  Our house is not necessarily built or arranged for such not-so-easy times.  I began this journey by praying that God would be with us, would give me strength, would provide healing, patience, and love.  It has been an interesting journey.  When I needed something... it was there.  When I needed help..... it was there.  When I needed patience.... I took a deep breath and it was there. We have discovered how to do many things... including climbing stairs.  Every day I thank God for his presence in our lives and for his healing hand.

 Tuesday I heard on the radio and TV  that the area should be prepared for this very large amount of rain.... my prayers continued.   My thoughts were that we just could not handle the day where our energies would be focused solely on a basement of water and pumps.  Wednesday morning I awoke to water surrounding the farm buildings and the drainage ditch full of water, which is always a sign of  danger in the basement.  We immediately went to the basement to begin our day long routine of pumping and mopping to find it.... you guessed it.... dry!  How can that be?  God heard our prayers and I am forever thankful.  I truly give him glory and praise for that miracle on a day when we needed it.  I continue my prayers for everyone who has been effected by the high water this week.

26 Lessons Learned

As promised in my last blog, I am going to share with you Mare Chernoff's 26 lessons learned by the age of 26

1.   Being an adult can be fun when you are acting like a child
2.   Love has nothing to do with looks, but everything to do with time, trust and interest.
3.   Laughing, crying, joy and anger...all are vital.  All make us human.
4.   The greatest truths in life are uncovered with simple, steady awareness.
5.   Greed will bury even the lucky eventually.
6.   Bad things do happen to good people.
7.   Paving your own road is intelligent only if nobody has gone exactly where you are going.
8.   Uncertainty is caused by a lack of knowledge.  Hesitation is a product of fear.
9.   Time heals all wounds... regardless of how you feel right now.
10.  Most of the time what you are looking for is right in front of you.
11.  Your health is your life.
12.  Chance is a gift, so act on chance when given the opportunity.
13.  Kindness and hard work will take you further than intelligence.
14.  People deserve a second chance, but not a third.
15.  Marry your best friend.
16.  Take lots of pictures.  Someday yo will really be glad you did.
17.  Money makes life easier only when the money is yours free and clear.
18.  Carelessness is the root of failure.
19.  Your actions now create memories you will reminisce and talk about in your elder years.
20.  Stepping outside of your comfort zone will put things into perspective from an angle you can't  
        grasp now.
21.  Motivation comes in short bursts.  Act while it's hot.
22.  Purposely ignoring the obvious is like walking backwards toward the enemy.
23.  Taking ownership of failure builds the foundation of success.
24.  First impressions are completely worthless 50% of time.
25.  Personal glory lasts forever.
26.  If you never act, you will never know for sure.

Life on a 3x5

I was going through some old papers and found an article I wrote a few years ago that I felt would be worth sharing today.  There was a movie starring Jennifer Anise.  The movie placed her in New York city where she owned a small floral shop.  While meeting with a potential client, she handed him her business card stating, "My Life On a 3x5".  Immediately my feelings were rather sad for anyone who would think their life could be summed up on a 3 x 5 pieces of paper.  There is so much more to life than that... it can fill a book!  Ours is but a journey into ourselves.  Our life is like a book that we write throughout our life by dancing, singing, smiling, trusting, loving, laughing, crying, learning, dreaming, remembering, working, winning, losing, and healing.  Life on earth is to be lived, even through those difficult times as it all becomes part of our book.  Those difficult times teaches us lessons that we carry forward.  In my next blog I will share with you Mare Chernoff's 26 Life Lessons learned by the age of 26.  Stay tuned!

Never too Late or Old!!

Twenty plus years ago when we bought our property, we planted 100 or so evergreen trees which we hoped someday would provide privacy and wind break.  Now 20 plus years later, it is time to clean up those huge evergreens.  Over years, vines grow up and smother those greens which requires trimming and shaping.  Since I am now retired, I have experienced  the chore of assisting in that task.  My husband has taught me a great deal.  For instance.... attire must be of long sleeves, gloves, shoes that can withstand sap, and hat or headband....all learned the hard way of course.  Secondly, one always piles branches with base toward you so they are easier to load and unload. Thirdly, there are certain words one pays attention to such as Heads up, help, oops, sh--! and run.  There are also a few words that one takes no offense to such as "sappy", "creeping", and ugly ... not referring to any person in attendance thank goodness.  It has been a huge task and we are only half way done, but.... it has been a learning experience and something I have not experienced previously.  So..... it is never too late or we are never too old to experience something different, something difficult, or something unexpected.
Tackling something new, no matter how easy or work intensive, expands our knowledge base and adds to our self worth.  Besides.... we sleep very well at night!