New Year's Eve

January 1, 2010
We attended mass tonight (vigil mass) as tomorrow, for us, is a holy day; Mary, Mother of God. I always remember years past being at mass on New Year's Eve at close to midnight. During the mass the New Year would arrive. It seemed like such a wonderful way to welcome in the New Year with the first meal of the year being shared with our Lord. One year in particular always comes to mind. A priest friend had been assigned to our parish the year he was ordained. That New Year's Eve he held midnight mass, a small gathering, about 50 people were there. The church candles were lit and the only other lights were from the strings of little white lights woven through the garland that was strung along the sides of the church and the Christmas trees on the altar and at the creche. And there, among the quiet peace, in the soft light, with Jesus we passed into the New Year. He walked among us and you knew it. That evening was one of the most profound moments of my life.

May your new year be abundantly blessed. I wish you all the quiet joy of His presence and love today and always.

The miracle

of life. Arrived to pick up my friend this morning to find out that she had just spoken with her daughter and the "cramps" were 2 to 3 to 5 minutes apart. This will be her third grandchild, a baby boy, a beautiful baby boy. And I saw him, his face ... for on her laptop was the sonogram picture of last Friday. His face so very clear, so very perfect and beautiful. I find it so incredible that there in front of me was a picture of this child that has not yet been born. Amazing! Needless to say, we cancelled the day and the joy of the wait has begun.

The older I get the more astounded I become at creation, at birth. It often leaves me speechless. Its one of those things that I have trouble putting words to. What a gift.

My friend ... she was glowing, giggling, smiling large. It was a delight to watch her, to be near her, to share a few moments of the wonderment of life. So appropriate for this time of year, no? Sometime today, tonight a new little life will be given to the world; praise be to God.

12/30 addendum ... looks like there could be a New Year's baby. Although we thought for sure he would make his appearance the day before yesterday, it wasn't time. And so we wait in great anticipation and excitement.

A Christmas Prayer

Almighty God and
Father of Light,
a child is born for us,
and a son is given to us.
Your Eternal Word
leaped down from heaven
in the silent watches of the night,
and now your Church
is filled with wonder
at the nearness of her God.
Open our hearts to receive His life
and increase our vision
with the rising of dawn,
that our lives may be filled
with His glory and His peace
forever and ever.
Amen.
The Liturgy of the Hours

Merry Christmas

With Joy

Let us then joyfully celebrate the coming of our salvation and redemption. Let us celebrate the festive day on which he who is the great and eternal day came from the great and endless day of eternity into our own short day of time. (from a sermon by Saint Augustine, bishop)

During the holidays we remember our treasures with fullness of heart and we give thanks for the infinite wonder of love and the sweet blessings of friendship.

I believe in angels

and thank God each and every day for my guardian angel. Such a gift, a treasure.


Make yourself familiar with the angels, and behold them frequently in spirit; for without being seen they are present with you. -St. Francis de Sales

I believe in Santa,

always have, always will. This is one of several topics that I will not discuss in my house ... case closed, no voice (other then mine) on this one. Just ask my boys ... now in their mid 30's and 20's ... they'll tell you. I've never said anything other then there is Santa.

I don't know why some people try to dispute this, Santa is as real and you and me. Why, do you remember the letter written by a little girl named Virginia in 1897 to the newspaper The New York Sun ...

Dear Editor—
I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, “If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.” Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?
Virginia O’Hanlon


Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies. You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives and lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

The Unwrapped Present

Sometimes when you think of presents you picture a beautifully wrapped gift with all the trimmings ... not always so, the fondest and most cherised memories are those wrapped in love ...


today my friend (the one who makes the wonderful jewelry and gave me my treasured bookmark) and I were working, as we normally do, then she came and asked what was the best Christmas present ever? She described walking into her grandmother's house and there stood three red barbie doll suitcases ... one for her and each of her two sisters; she was probably about 9 years old at the time. Listening to her describe her delight when she saw them was priceless. What had made her think of it was she had been thinking of how to wrap her grandchildren's presents thinking that they might enjoy ripping off wrapping paper rather then pulling them from a bag with tissue paper. It was with this thought that she remembered those red suitcases and the fact that they had been unwrapped had made no difference, in fact, I think from listening to her speak of having "walked in on them" had an amazing element of surprise ... I guess so, for forty something years later the impact remains. This gift is closely held to her heart, a cherised memory. But the gift is more then a little red suitcase, its a grandmother's love.

I related to her childhood memory and thought of the anticipation and excitement of which my brother and I would approach Christmas morning. Carefully displayed
around the tree was the bounty of Santa, in all its glory, every item standing unwrapped. When I think of Christmases at those times, I was probably around 8 or 9 years old, I remember a Christmas afternoon ... Million Dollar Movie was on, the theme song from Gone With The Wind ... even now I hear it and I remember being sprawled on the floor with a coloring book and the big box of crayola crayons. I loved my gifts, each and every one, but coloring I adored.

I would color the pages in succession, never skipping around, until the book was completed. On some pages the entire picture would be outlined in black, then carefully select colors to use within the black lines. Sometimes the different items in the picture would be outlined in a darker shade of the color I used in that space. Sometimes I would color in circular motion, sometimes back and forth. For me coloring was an art. I loved it! It was my greatest memory ... for a moment and then I remembered the coat.

I think I was 19 or 20. I had stopped (and I cannot remember why, I think maybe my mother had asked me to pick up something there) at the showroom of a coat factory in town a few days before Christmas. Maxi coats were in fashion and becoming more and more popular by the day. There in this store was a most beautiful coat. It was a wool, orangey red with a hood, and had a tapestry strip that ran up the front, around the hood and down. It was absolutely wonderful! You should have seen the size of it ... all I'll say is that its "several" sizes smaller then what I wear now, and it fit like it was made just for me.

Later, while we were making preparations for Christmas Eve dinner the following night, I spoke of this coat and then thought no more of it. Christmas Eve was always very special, although we didn't have family any where nearby it was always a grand dinner, set up in the dining room, the tree was also in the dining room in front of double glass doors making it very pretty during dinner. The four of us, my parents, brother and I. This would have been the last time I had ever celebrated Christmas with my brother, but that's for another time.

After dinner, before or sometimes during dessert, we would open our gifts. A warm, cozy Christmas Eve exchanging presents. After everything was done my mother asked me to go to her bedroom, for what now I do not remember, but when I walked into the room, there hanging on the closet door was the coat. Unwrapped, just hanging on the closet door! I think I almost fell over. How my mother ever got to get this coat, I don't know. And when I think of this now, how she did that for me. And so, what was my best present ... the coat ... no... its discovering a mother's love and five seasons later its so very clear. Thank you mom.

Love cannot be boxed, wrapped in paper or adorned with bows, glitz and glitter. It stands unashamedly unwrapped, uncovered ... bare and bold. To receive it, there is no greater gift. It is the ultimate. -glor

Fondest Memories

During the holidays we remember our treasures with fullness of heart and we give thanks for the infinite wonder of love and the sweet blessings of friendship.

And so it begins,

Advent ... a time of waiting ...

the Lord who we are waiting for is already present in the people we are waiting with.

Sharing the Fifth Season together ...

with one of my ten; my friend and I. We met a long time ago, in high school. (Ok, a very long time ago). She was sweet then, a very nice person; altered not by time, she is still the same. We reconnected a few years ago now and what a blessing that has been. We both have had our 59th birthday this month just days apart. We both will bask in the sunshine of HIS love and, like children, run through the fields of this new season taking each day's blessings with thanksgiving.

A treasure

from a treasured friend ... (of my ten) ... she made this herself. Reading is something I do a lot, this will be used a great deal. My faith and belief in God is most important and so the cross and the three blue beads ... again a reminder of the Blessed Trinity.

She designs and makes many beautiful pieces of jewelry. Each and every one reflects the beauty of her being.

Blessed with the treasure of her friendship... so speaks this bookmark.

Some of Life's Little Rules

Wake up deciding to enjoy your day.

Look up at the stars every now and then.

Never slap a man chewing tobacco on the cheek.

If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything.

The right thing at the wrong time still makes a mess. The wrong thing at the right time turns out fine. Timing is everything.

What you don't have in your head you'll have to have in your heels.Translation: What you don't remember you will have to go back and get.

Give them roses while you can put them in their hands; don't wait until you can only put them on their coffin.

Live the life you love.

If you want something done and done right, do it yourself.

Never look down on anyone, unless you're helping them up.

When you say "I love you," mean it.

Always thinking. Always thinking ahead

Its about to begin ...

the life begins at 60 (which used to be 40), the what I call My Fifth Season, we're oh so very close now. And, no, I don't feel any different. I actually think the different, if you can call it that, arrives several years earlier then this, but its at this juncture that I am celebrating, not just a day, a year, but life, for the rest of it in each and every day that is to come and for how many yet are to come. I think that this is a challenge as often we become bogged down by the daily hum drum, by life itself and what is presented to us. From here on out, can I look at each day and find in it the good, the beauty, the blessings no matter what the situation? This is my time, this is my journey and to begin to try to do just that.

These arrived yesterday, hand carried by a very dear friend ... yes, one of my ten, a tender, caring heart that God sent back into my life. We went to school together, reconnecting a few years ago ... thank you God.

As beautiful as these look, the picture does not give justice to the magnificence to this bouquet, it is stunning. I adore flowers and this bouquet is to be adored. Thank you my friend. There are three roses, three ... so very significant to me. The Trinity, the Blessed Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I am always struck by three, it is always a comfort, a heavenly hug, a reminder that we are so loved.

November

November, my birth month and so approaches the beginning of my sixtieth year. In just less then two weeks now.

My Ten

Count them, 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 ... true blue, loyal, golden; my ten. Ten people who I entrust with the title friend. Ten people who put up with me. I have said it before, I will say it again ... I am blessed. Some of these people I have not seen in a long time, however, the bond was made and it is steel strong. When we do come together there is no time lost, other then looking a "tad" older nothing changes, we just pick up and go on and on and on ...

There is no order, no ranking in their standing. They are all number one! They all possess the same quality ... they are a friend, they are my friend. Thank you God.

Friendship

Throughout all these years one would think that there would be a tremendous accumulation of friends. After all, almost 60 years of mingling and mulling around. Try and put a number to the people that you have come in contact with, spent time with, conversed with. No doubt the numbers are enormously high. And there are those who enjoy a boast of those numbers, however, there comes a point for others (me) when the endearment of "friend" is a closely guarded treasure and only awarded to the best. Where would I dare to entrust my heart but to that of a friend.

That surely must give you the insight to see that friends I have are far and few between, but those that I do have are golden. My mother always said that acquaintances are many, friends few. I'm sure I can count on my hands my friends and probably with fingers left over ... lets see ...hmmmm ... counting ... my goodness ... no fingers left over and none borrowed ... I am so very blessed.

Family

Trust no one but your immediate family. That is something someone once told my son. Its that simple, it doesn't need a lot of words, it doesn't need explanation ... trust no one but your immediate family.

Oh, in life we have to trust others and most often we do and in God's goodness I believe that most people are good and so, yes, ...yes we trust.

But I think there are depths to trust and to our family and only our family do we place our deepest trust where you give your heart and place your life.

To you, my family, who has my heart and my life.

Faith

....always.

Focus - Faith, Family, Friends

What's important? I mean really! What is truly important? There are always wants and always will be but for many of us if we look closely and close our mouths to complaining for even just a moment (making mental note to self) we will find everything we need we have.

So what's the problem? When we take a look around what do we see? Do we appreciate that which God has given? Can't buy any of it. Do we appreciate what those in our Families do for us? Couldn't afford to hire their skills and abilities and if we could, there is no price tag that would include love. To have a Friend are we a Friend? This is probably one of the most important positions there is.

I'll Be a Silver Fox

As on a few mornings during the week I'm at my dear friend's house. Her granddaughter enters the room and I'm aware (as I'm not really paying attention) of gentle talk behind me ... her and her nana in conversation which amounts to the fact that "she has white hair". Oh my goodness, how funny.

See right now I have lots of color hair, blonde, brownish, lite brown and quite a bit of silver ... I am, for the first time in many years, letting my hair grow out to its now natural state (she says white, I like to say silver!). Now, she sees me every week and has for most of her life but the growth now is much more then noticeable, its in your face noticeable! The game plan has been and will be to add highlights, lowlights, whatever, to the silver as it grows out. Right now I'm liking what this is doing and it will be so much easier then an every 4 to 6 week coloring. I think it will take another few cuts to get all the old color off then to add just this touch of highlighting. I really can't wait to see how this will look, so far the grow out highlighting process has been very pretty.

And so ... birthday approaching in just over a month, four plus weeks of hair growth ... becoming more silver, more silver ... like a silver fox. Well, now, I'm not sure that I was ever a fox but you know what ... its my Fifth Season and yes, I'll be a silver fox! Besides, if I really don't like it there's always the every 4 to 6 week option again. Then I'll just be a fox.

Experience, Savor, Treasure

Life happens ... it really does. One day you're 30 years old and the next, almost 60. "They" told me it would happen like that, didn't believe them, now I do. I find myself telling young ones the same thing, oooooh, did I say that? I'm one of them??

The day following my 59th birthday, beginning my 60th year, I want to experience, to savor, to treasure that day and all the days that follow from there. I am very excited about this. And I truly think that this is the time, there would be no other. After all this time, we know what's right, what's truly important and how to work and when to play and to celebrate life and that's what I'm going to do.

A single step ...

...and I've been walking quite a while now, fast approaching the age of 59, I am on the horizon of 60. They call this the new 40 ... life now begins at 60! I met a woman last night who turned 60 this past spring and said that it hadn't phased her one bit. (Yay!) Others have found this new 60 troubling. I find the growing older to be something more then ok!

I've lived spring, summer, fall and winter and only by living are the lessons learned. There has been wonderment, happiness, silliness, sadness, lonely, sorrow, inspiration, success ... I could go on and on with adjectives, but I think you get the picture. I see 60 and getting older as a whole new season ... I call it The Fifth Season. We've done the 4 seasons ... we begin in spring - a new life; blossoming throughout summer; gloriously splendid in fall and arrive at winter void of blooms and color. However, winter holds a charm all its own. Beyond winter we find a clean palet so that we can pick and choose from which we have sampled and tasted during our walk.

I do have to say though, that the body does not cooperate as well any more with the mind which shouts with glorious invigoration that I'm still 18, (and somedays maybe 16!) but the aches, pain and, at times, limited abilities, speak a different truth. But I'm seeing things I've never seen before, oh, I'm in the same place, but a different mindset. There just aren't bad hair days anymore.

And so it is, the four seasons - we begin in the spring of new life, blossom and bloom throughout summer, gloriously splendid and seasoned come fall and arrive at winter's stillness to take it all in. Putting it all together .... the best is yet to come, The Fifth Season!

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.Lao-tzu, The Way of Lao-tzuChinese philosopher (604 BC - 531 BC