The boy came with me today to do some errands. There was nothing special or exciting about the trip to town except for the fact that my 16 year old willingly spent the day with me.
But the big moment came wrapped inside the small moment when on the way home he quietly said thank you for all you do to make our lives better. I can’t imagine where we would be without you.
Those words wiped out so much of the mom-doubt I’d been carrying. It’s really the most important part of who I am – their mom.
The boy and I went out and did our Christmas food shopping at the Italian Centre – our food version of Disneyland.
I mean who doesn’t love a wall of cheese?
Whatever else that needed to get done shopping wise isn’t getting done. Now it’s family time for the next couple of days.
Happiness
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
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
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.
Christmas time is almost here and although it’s my favorite time of the year, it’s also one of the most stressful times for many people – and for many different reasons.
Family and finances are probably two that top many peoples’ lists. I go into this season with anxiety about both.
However I’m also aware that the family and financial issues I’m stressing about I can’t do anything about. It’s a good lesson in practicing the art of letting go and trusting God.
I have noticed that many people are struggling and stressing about what they are expected to give to each other. Interesting that when giving should be a joyful experience that comes from the heart, it actually causes us heartache.
This year as I head into Christmas that’s actually not one of my stresses. Sure I’m not happy with my financial situation – in the ideal world the 30k that Mr X owes us would be in my bank account and I would have the security knowing I can provide for my kids. But, honestly, that’s a giving issue on his end. I can’t change that until the system in the states comes after him.
This year, knowing there isn’t a lot extra for things and stuff, our focus is much more on family. And at the end of it all, the relationships I have with my loved ones are so much more important.
I have learned a very valuable lesson this year. I grew up in a family who gave – they gave to friends and family, they gave to strangers, they gave to each other. They still do. For years I lived in the family I created in an environment where there was never enough to give We were always lacking. Even though we had lots of nice things, there was never enough. We couldn’t give because that meant people were taking from us. Not healthy.
I have found that giving to someone when I am at my lowest brings me more joy than I would have ever imagined.
The flip side of that is receiving which, it turns out, can be extremely difficult. This summer when I broke my shoulder I had to learn how to receive the gifts of others. I was hugely resistant to that and I had to explore why. It was like I felt weak and incapable because I needed to accept help. The thing is, I was weak and incapable and I did need help. Not one single person who helped me out ever made me feel like a burden. And I’ve never judged anyone I’ve helped out either. Yet it’s incredibly difficult to do – to say yes I need your help. Thank you.
We fight for our independence and feel successful when we do things on our own. Yet like the waves on the ocean we are all connected. We need each other. We need to give and we need to receive.
This morning when I got home from dropping the kids at school I noticed the girl had left her lunch. I texted the kids and my boy – without skipping a beat – offered his lunch to his sister so she wouldn’t have to go without.
I am so proud of those two my heart feels like singing. That is happiness.
