I took my kids and niece on our annual Christmas shopping much too close to Christmas run today. We were lucky and I managed to park the snow covered car in the underground garage so it could thaw.
As we got out of the car my niece grabbed snow from the top of the car and threw it at me. This erupted into a full out 4 person snowball fight in the parkade.
Silly, happy, crazy moments. Happiness.
We decorated the tree at my mom’s house this evening. The boxes of decorations don’t match and don’t have order. What they do have is memories.
There are ornaments from my childhood, from vacations, from crafting nights with family, and from the kids’ childhoods.
As we hung them up we shared memories and stories about some of our favorites. When the tree was done the boy looked at and called it the tree of memories And it is. All those ornaments hold memories of times with loved ones. That’s happiness.
I shared lunch with my boy today. I feel honored that at his age he wants to spend time with me and I’m so grateful for the relationship we have. Happiness.
We all know that things don’t bring happiness, that it has to come from your heart. Sometimes though, things can trigger memories that do bring happiness and those should be cherished.
I started the morning with a cup of Murchie’s tea and some homemade strawberry jam. The Murchie’s takes me back to my childhood and time spent in Victoria, of sitting at the table with loved ones and sharing laughs, of love shared with my family. The strawberry jam brings memories of my dad. I used to “help” him when I was younger, and the last couple of years before he died I actually was here at jamming time and I really helped him, those are good memories.
Tonight we decorated our tree and listened to John Denver and the Muppets which is a childhood tradition of mine. The Star Wars lights lit up the background which has become a tradition with my kids, and we laughed and reminisced about certain ornaments as they were put on the tree. So many traditions, new and old, are made at this time of the year.
Happinesds
Peace. It’s a powerful word at anytime, but it’s one that is used a lot at this time of the year. How do you find peace? Where do you go for peace?
I felt our pastor explained it really well yesterday. To find peace first we must look upward and secure our connection to God, to our Source, to the Divine. Then we must build peace within ourselves. Once we have done that we can extend our peace outwards into the world.
I have been guilty of ignoring my connection to God with the thinking that “he has big shoulders, he’ll always be there, so he can handle the fact that I’m mad as f*ck at him.”
Turns out it doesn’t necessarily work that way.
So – the question I had to ask myself is where do you go for peace?
My soul connection has always been a horse. Before I knew about connecting, before I knew about meditation, before I knew people spent a lifetime trying to find God; I was out on the back of my horse riding through fields in complete alignment. It takes a bit more work now but it still is my easiest line of connection.
I always come back a much happier person. Today my girl looked at me while she was cuddled with her therapy cat Abu and said he’s your Abu. He makes you feel safe and loved.
That horse is happiness.
Do not let your heart be troubled
We made it to church this morning in time to sing some beautiful Christmas carols. I love singing carols in church. This afternoon my girl and her cousin made their gingerbread houses. It’s family time ❤️
Happiness.
It was Christmas Party time at the Hall tonight for the first time in years. Some of my best memories are of singing for Santa with my family at the hall. It’s a tradition that has gone on for generations and came back after a 10 year hiatus.
We need our family, our community. It’s essential that we remember that this is what it’s all about – sharing love and laughter
After 5 very long and sometimes scary weeks, mom is home – at least for the weekend – but hopefully for good. The hospital gave us a 48 hour pass to assess where she is at and to make sure she feels she can stay at home. It is so good to have her back where she belongs, where she is loved, where she can enjoy the peace and quiet of home.
She’s tired, she needs to gain strength, but she is home. That is happiness.
I have seen and been part of so many tender moments over the last little bit. Being in a crisis either brings out the best or the worst in people, and I’ve witnessed so much love and tenderness the last few weeks it has really warmed my heart.
This morning we had a very odd but lovely family reunion in the hospital with me, my mom, my cousin, and her mom. There’s something about being in crisis that strips us all down to our barest selves – and that’s who we really should be anyway.
I had a tender moment of a different kind this afternoon with my Drishti. I fell in love with him the minute I saw him, but actually building a bond and learning to trust each other has taken some time. Today when I went out he wanted to play with me for the first time. I stayed with him in the field for almost an hour grabbing his nose while he grubbed around with his lips. He was more relaxed than I’ve ever seen him and he kept rubbing his head against me – it was most certainly a moment of tenderness and love. We are learning how we are together.
His sleepyhead face
Life is all about the relationships we share with others. I am so grateful for my tribe.
My boy wrote a letter to the pope a couple of months ago – he wouldn’t tell me what was in it because.. confidential.. but he was pretty excited to send it off and see if the pope answered his question.
It’s an interesting road I find myself on with these kids going to Catholic school. I’m learning a lot about the religion and they’re embracing it a lot more than I would have expected.
Today he got a letter back from the pope. He won’t tell me what it said because… confidential… but there was also included a rosary that had been blessed by the pope as well as his signed picture.
I continue to be amazed at how seriously this kid takes his spirituality. He certainly knows he’s a spiritual being having a human experience, not a human being having a spiritual experience. Happiness.
We are in the process of getting mom home for the weekend. If it is a success she will be able to stay home.
Prayers are answered. It will be wonderful to have her back where she belongs – happiness
There’s no place like home
