Great minds discuss ideas.
Average minds discuss events.
Small minds discuss people.
- Eleanor Roosevelt
24
Dec 11
A Different Sort of Christmas List
Dear Santa,
I hope this letter finds you and Mrs. Claus feeling healthy, happy and optimistic about the New Year. Please know how much I appreciate the way you spread good cheer and lighten the mood in our little home.
I bought myself boots this year, Santa, so I’m covered. I’m being presumptuous, I know, but I wonder if you could see to it that our friends on the blog get some good things this year.
I’m sure you’ve noticed that they always put their own needs and wants last. Perhaps you could put them at the top of your list this year.
Christmas List
- Three foot snow drifts for those who love snow.
- Sunny skies, 70 degree temps and gentle breezes for those who can do without the white stuff.
- Enough time during the holiday to enjoy a movie or a good book with loved ones, without worrying about what ought to be done, or what needs to be done.
- Total reign over the remote, a full bag of Cheetos, and no interruptions for the length of an entire movie.
- Cards and calls from dear friends, without the pressure of having to schedule one more party or luncheon.
- Eggnog with the perfect pinch of nutmeg.
- Enough calm, quiet, peaceful moments to appreciate the good things they have.
- Excited squeals and genuine appreciation from kids who get “just what they always wanted” on Christmas morning.
- A warm conversation void of cynicism and sarcasm.
- Enough wine to add to the merriment, but not so much that they forget when to shut up.
- All their favorite foods, and the discipline to recognize when they’ve enjoyed enough.
- A cozy bed, no need to set an alarm clock, and dreams filled with all good possibilities for 2012.
- A genuine pat on the back and acknowledgement for all they’ve accomplished in 2011.
- A healthy dose of unconditional love.
- Resolution to at least one of the troubles that keep them awake at night, and the wisdom to see where they could resolve more issues.
- The perfect bite of chocolate when they think there isn’t a bite left in the house.
- Sleighs full of laughter to last the whole year through.
- A surprise in the stocking of the ones who always make sure to fill all the other stockings.
Thank you, Santa. I don’t have to tell you how deserving they are. Best wishes to you and Mrs. Claus.
__________
Merry Christmas friends.
Thanks for all your kind wishes this year.
21
Dec 11
When Mom Is Santa
With their pinkies pointing at my face, they backed me up against the kitchen counter saying, “Pinky swear you aren’t the one bringing us presents on Christmas morning! Pinky swear to it!” Continue reading →
16
Dec 11
Chocolate Pillows
It would be the closest I’d get to being a real Santa Elf. I was thirteen and my brother eleven. Through the family grapevine, we were selected to help the Cookie Lady. Continue reading →
It’s cold outside. 08
Dec 11
If It Isn’t One Thing, It’s Your Period
They could have banished me to the old white shed. Continue reading →
05
Dec 11
I Want to be a Sparkly Turquoise Scrunchy
It sat there for six days.
I couldn’t bring myself to put it away.
In my typical state of doing too many things at once, while talking to Will, brushing my teeth and straightening the bathroom, I almost tossed it in the cupboard.
But I stopped myself.
I had grown to like the look of it.
Really.
I’m okay.
I swear.
__________
I liked its simpleness.
I liked its sparkles.
I liked that it barely left a slight shadow.
I liked how it stood out amongst the things it sat beside.
I liked how it waited patiently until it was pressed into service.
I liked that it didn’t have an identity crisis, and knew completely and without a doubt what it was expected to do. It might be worn on a tiny wrist or twisted into a doll’s hair, but it had a single, primary function that it performed better than most anything else.
It didn’t care that it was no longer in style.
It didn’t care that it wasn’t used very often.
It levitated happily, in its place, letting its shiny threads brighten our day.
Oh… to be a Sparkly Turquoise Scrunchy.
30
Nov 11
What Do You Need To Be Happy?
I could have said, “Geez you guys! I can’t handle this stuff laying around everywhere!”
I could have said, “I want more time to do what I love, instead of having to pick up after you two!” Continue reading →
28
Nov 11
Ignore the Two Steps Back
One step forward, two steps back.
One step forward, two steps back.
One step for……
I know, already!
Yet I can be found grumbling, kicking rocks and beating myself up with each one of those steps taken back.
My cheerleader voice says:
“Focus on the progress.”
“See how far you’ve come.”
“Hello, Girl! You are way better off now than you were five years ago!”
“It’s okay to slip up once in awhile.”
And because I was never a cheerleader in real life – is high school real life? – I gravitate to the curmudgeon side of me that says:
“Why do you let him get to you?”
“Wow, Jesse, way to emulate grace and poise,” in a most facetious tone.
“Hello? Have you forgotten what the pattern is here?”
And then the wise old soul in me – the one who lightens up, the one who doesn’t take all this shit too seriously, the one gently encouraged by the Universe, the one whose cup is empty says:
“Jesse, it’s okay.”
“That’s what it’s like to be human.”
“Slip-ups happen on the way to progress.”
“You are showing your kids that it’s okay to make a mistake, own it, and move on.”
“Remember that thing about the bitter and the sweet?”
“Just keep moving, honey, and don’t put so damn much emphasis on those two steps back.”
24
Nov 11
Appreciation for Blessings
Call it gratitude, thanks, or appreciation.
Blessings come in many shapes and sizes.
I am grateful for many things every day, but today I am especially grateful for these blessings.
- A safe, cozy home – free of judgment and negative energy.
- Family and friends who infuse our lives with love, humor, skill saws, plumbing knowledge and free labor.
- A cat who knows when we need extra attention, and doesn’t get too mad at us when we take occasional road trips.
- The opportunity to let kids be kids in all their exuberance, sweet messiness, and enthusiastically curious selves.
- The ability to let the kids pick the menu for today’s feast. (Pot roast, buttery noodles, lasagna, macaroni and cheese and Cheetos – cuz it’s about the getting together and not about forcing kids to eat stuffing made with chunks of gizzard. Sorry, mom. But I will miss your stuffing.)
- The chance to start a new day with grace and integrity even though I blew all my grace and integrity out of the water with Mark a couple days ago.
- The deep understanding that I am perfect in my whole unique self. I may have a long way to go, but it’s okay if I mess up, and the important thing is that I keep trying.
- The insightful, often funny, warm and encouraging comments from all the caring individuals who read this blog.
- Two amazing kids – one tucked under each arm – who chose to make this journey with me.
- That look in the eye of someone who knows you, understands you, and loves you anyway.
- Second chances.
- The quiet moment to sit down with a fresh cup of coffee and laugh, after the mountain of holiday dishes are done.
- Leftover lasagna instead of leftover turkey.
Happy Thanksgiving, dear friends!
