My Magical Christmas Memory

Guest post. I might be partial, but I think it's pretty amazing. She wrote it for school, but when I went through her folder, I asked her for permission to share.

My Magical Christmas Memory: Lilly A. Strong

My magical Christmas memory was when I was 8 (she's 9 now;)). All the things I did were fun. I went sledding, effortlessly built a snowfort, had a nice breakfast with Santa, easily found the pickle  ornament on my grandma's Christmas tree, and had a cheerfull Christmas dinner with the best cookies at my grandma's house. I got my awesome ipod, our nice, new fireplace, and our jolly elf: Rosie Mittens Star. My most magical Christmas was the best Christmas you could ask for.

This year Lilly is asking for SOCKS. That's all she wants: SOCKS!! Love her to pieces.  Lilly is becoming a great writer and is an avid reader of anything we place in her hands.  She did promise us tonight that she would spend some time with us instead of reading;)

A Christmas to Remember

GUEST POST.  I don't think Daren Cable needs an introduction.  He's famous for his first guest blog http://publiclookin.blogspot.com/2013/10/guest-post-its-just-game.html and well, just being an ok guy;)

 

A Christmas to Remember

 

        Cinnamon, that’s what I remember.  I can smell it like it was yesterday.  I was probably 9 or 10 years old and had just walked home from school.  It was a crisp, early December day and there was a dusting of snow on the ground.  As I entered the front door of our house and walked into the porch, I was greeted by the same fantastic sight that was there every December as I grew up.  Stacks and stacks of old potato chip cans that were filled with a multitude of Christmas candies and cookies.  (Yes, that is correct, potato chips used to come in cans!)  Our enclosed front porch was not heated so it was like a giant refrigerator for the weeks leading up to the big day.  Cinnamon, there it was again.  So strong it almost burnt my nose.  My mom was in the house busy making Christmas hard candy.  Most people would pour hard candy onto a cookie sheet and then break it into pieces once it hardened.  I always thought my mom was some kind of superstar because she used to pour it into small rubber molds to shape the candy like Christmas trees, stars and Santa’s.   I specifically remember the small Santa shaped candy that she made and that she always made them with cinnamon flavor.  Evidently, on this day, she was making Santa’s.  The Christmas trees were spearmint flavored and the stars were flavored like lemon.  I really enjoyed the holidays as a child; it was a special time of year for my family.

          It is amazing the things we remember and the pictures that are painted in our heads from when we grew up.  What is it that you remember from your childhood?  I’m sure we all remember different things, but I believe that most of our memories are made up of the little things.  Even though the holidays were a big part of my younger years, I can only remember a couple of the presents that I received as a child.  Most of what I remember are the parties on Christmas Eve, the cookies and candies that my mom made, my sister playing the trumpet during the Christmas Eve church service (after several glasses of wine back home at the party) and waiting on Christmas morning for my Dad to get out of bed before we could open our presents.  Memories are not built on the material things we have in our life, but rather the relationships, traditions and experiences we gather, build and create over time. 

          I would love to know more about my parents and their life.  What do they remember from their childhood, what kind of teenagers were they, how did they meet, and the questions just keep on coming.  Wouldn’t it be neat to go back in time and be able to see their perspective on their lives?  What was their passion? What did they want for their children? What did they envision me doing as an adult when they held me as a baby? 

          I have always believed that one thing we all should strive for is to leave a legacy once we leave this material earth.  How will we be remembered? What will people think of when they hear the name Daren Cable?  What will my kids, grandkids, great grandkids and even great great grandkids know about who I was and what I thought was important?  Eventually we all will die, that is inevitable; but what will we leave behind to be remembered by? 

          I really wish my parents and grandparents had done more to document their lives.  I would love to know more.  My mom died when I was 13 years old, and one thing she did before her death was she wrote each of her kids a letter.  She wrote about what we meant to her and the things she loved about us.  It is something I will always keep close.  So what can we do to leave something like this for our kids and grandkids?  My wife and I started a new tradition a few years ago.  Each Christmas we write a letter to each of our kids.  We talk about the great things that happened that year and the things they do that we love so much.  This letter gets put in their stockings that hang on their door.  In our house, if the kids wake up at any time during the night, they are allowed to open their stockings (no peeking downstairs though).  Putting their letters in their stockings gives them a little something extra to enjoy as they sit in their rooms in the middle of the night anticipating the big day to come. 

          Do yourself and your loved ones a favor this Christmas, write them a letter expressing your love for them.  It is something they will hang on to forever!

When I thought I was dying, I started writing more often to my monsters. They have always enjoyed it when I write about them and to them. What a great idea with their stockings!!! Thanks for sharing, Daren Cable. Merry Christmas to your beautiful family!!  Love, Laura

Mele Kalikimaka

I can't get this out of my head now, bratface;)  Guest post from one of my favorites! Oh, and I want to be in Hawaii now:P  Merry Christmas, Cheryl!!

 

Mele Kalikimaka

(Merry Christmas in Hawaiian)

When you think about Christmas many things come to mind and for everyone this may be similar, or something different all together. For me though, there are three words that come to mind that describe how I feel or feelings that arise this time of year. Funny thing is, not long before Laura presented this challenge my youngest child posed the question of why I love Christmas so much. My answer to her was a little less in depth, but held the same meaning.

Ohana (Family)

Family. One word that can mean so much to many. I love that during the holidays we get to spend time with family near and far. We may not all be able to gather at the same time but at least the time is spent with each other.

As I get older I learn to cherish that time spent together. Things can change so quickly; here and gone in a moment's notice. Give a loved one that extra hug. Say how you feel. Because hindsight is just that, hindsight.

Recently I had to say goodbye to a loved one in my work family. One day we were celebrating her retirement with cake and smiles, the next we sat by her bedside as Hospice was called in, sharing tears and whispers of "I love you". The realization of this person's passing finally hit me full force as a snapped a photo of my Christmas tree. I thought to myself "Pat is going to love this one". And then it hit me, like a punch to the gut. I will never share family photos or stories ever again. Family was everything to this special lady and the best advice ever given to me was to always say I love you and cherish every moment. Family!!

Maopopo (Understanding)

Understand that sometimes the holidays have a negative feeling or bring about times of sadness. During the holidays some individuals are not as lucky as others to have family around. Their family may be far away unable to visit, or they may not have any family at all. For those who have lost a loved one during the holidays prior, this time of year may bring negative feelings or deep sorrow. Please try to understand that some may not share in our happiness or celebration.

During this time of year in the hospital we are always busy. Some come because they are sick, but others come because they are lonely or sad. For those individuals please try to show them compassion and empathy. The do not need sympathy or someone to feel sorry for them, just an ear to listen or even a kind word or gesture will do.

Which leads me to the next word......

Ha'awi (Give)

Give selflessly. Every year I take the kids shopping for toys to donate for "Toys for Tots". They enjoy picking out toys for other children and trying to decide what those children would want. I like that it gives them a sense of the needs of others and the joy of giving.

But the need does not stop there. There are so many that go without basic needs for whatever reason. Food, shelter, basic care items, a warm coat or blanket.... the list could go on and on. The ultimate gift of giving was given to all of us when Jesus was born. Given to us, to save us all and help us see the light of God.

So give. Help your fellow man, woman, and child. The gift does not have to be monetary, your time is just as valuable and appreciated. Spread the love that was given to us all.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

**In case you were wondering about the use of the Hawaiian words, I am more of a tropical weather person. I would not mind a green and bright Christmas as long as my family was there by my side!!** :)

Cheryl Helmke

The Perfect Gift

What can you get for someone that has EVERYTHING?  What can you give to the rich, but also to the poor?   What can you give to both the old AND the young? What can you give to your bestest friend, but also your enemy? You don't even have to shop!! You can give it to your boss, your spouse, your children!

It's a gift that is free.  It's my favorite present to open. I open it over and over and over again. 

You don't have to save it for Christmas day.  You don't have to be greedy with it because He will refill it as often as you ask. You don't have to share it only with the people you love the most because there is an abundance of it if you believe.

It's inside your body, buried deep under skin and bones and muscle to protect it from the outside world that can be so cruel.  Your body is the container for it and it operates separately from it. You get to decide when to listen to it and when to turn up the music and drown it out. It lives on when your body fails.

What is this most perfect gift that you can give to each and every person that you pass?  Pieces of your spirit!

When we listen to our spirit, the possibilities of gift giving are ENDLESS!!

Imagine if we gave these gifts each day...to OURSELVES AND OTHERS:

LOVE, Kindness, FORGIVENESS, Humility,TRUTH, Sympathy, ENCOURAGEMENT, enthusiasm, COMPASSION, conviction, COMMITMENT, Loyalty, DISCERNMENT, Support, TIME, Understanding, GRACE

What if every day we passed out our gifts to both ourselves, our friends and frenemies to open?  Over and over and over again.  Not for recognition, not because we think it's the "Christian" thing to do, but simply because we listened to our spirit. 

If you haven't taken the time to listen your spirit in a while, this is what I do when I want/need to have a little chat with mine. Sit in the still...sometimes this is very difficult.  It's difficult because so many thoughts can be racing through your head that it's hard to pick out the ones that are from your spirit and focus on them.  Sometimes it's difficult because you have to be quiet with yourself...that in itself is hard sometimes.

I HATE shopping. However, I LOVE giving the perfect gift.  I thought long and hard this week and decided to share the most perfect gift with you.

I'm going to offer all of you a piece of my friends spirit today.  She gave it to me.  It was free and simple.  It's for the young and the old, the rich and the poor.  I know that she will not mind that I'm sharing it with you because she understands exactly how to refill it.

I held her hand.  The hand of a very brave woman, it was an honor. I talked briefly on facebook about her grace.  What I find truly fascinating and endlessly inspiring is how quickly she reached acceptance. She battled hard. She strategically moved each pawn in her best attempt to conquer, but she also knew exactly when to surrender to The King.  In His timing, she will find peace.

Tammy Reichert is her name.  She isn't old and frail.  She is young and beautiful and only a few short months ago she was bopping around, here and there and everywhere.  Her mind is strong.  Her body is failing her, but her spirit is soaring.  She is so full of light.  The kind of light that shines bright- even in the darkness.  Even before I open the rest of my Christmas presents, I can tell you without a doubt that the gift that she gave me is my favorite this year.  I plan to tuck it away safely and reopen it often.

Among many other important pieces of advice, she offered this gift of truth, CELEBRATE LIFE. 

I watched her say goodbye to a roomful of friends.  Only a very small fraction of the people that love her were there when I stopped to see her. I wish I would have reminded her friends that it's not the end, but only the beginning.  We will meet again. 

I simply can't even fathom the pain she must be feeling to know that she will be leaving her family.  So much left undone.  So many moments that her adult children still need her for.  So many more years her husband wishes he would get to grow old with her. And what about her wise beyond his years grandson, what will he think?

Yet, she concentrated on her inner light. She continued to remind everyone to celebrate life.

You can share your most perfect gifts, not only at Christmas, but all year. You can be this light to and for others because when you celebrate life, your light shines brighter.  When you offer the things listed above, the parts of your spirit, you are giving the most perfect gift that you have to offer.

Thank you to her wonderful family for allowing time to visit.  Thank you, Tammy, for the most perfect gift: a piece of your spirit. I will cherish it always.

Celebrate life with your loved ones that are here with you this Christmas and the ones that live in your heart forever.

Celebrate life,

 

The Christmas Split

Anonymous writer today!!

 

The Christmas Split

I love the Holidays! Always have, always will! I love seeing people smile when you give them their gift. I love that somehow people seem friendlier this time of year. More doors get held, more people look each other in the eyes when in a store instead of the normal glare that people have when all they want to do is get in get out and not see anyone they know and possibly delay their day. People seem to say excuse me, please, and thank you a whole lot more than on any other time of year. That to me is the Christmas Spirit!
 

What I don’t love is something that I like to call the Christmas Split. As many do, I come from a divorced family and so does my husband. Mine have been split up for about 16 years and his for about 7. You would think that by now everyone (us included) would have our ducks in a row when it comes to the Holidays. Well folks, we definitely do not and every year it gets crazier and crazier and every year my husband gets crankier and crankier! I HATE (and I don’t like to use that word very often) that he literally can not find anything to be happy about this time of year. I try to make our house pretty for the season, (he did help put the tree and a few decorations up=big success) I try to be extra nice and act like frickin Mrs. Claus to ease the stress of the Christmas Split but the truth is there is not a damn thing I can do to make him the jolly husband I want him to be. As a woman I try and fix/organize things and events so there is no stress for him when this time of year comes. I also try to point out the fact that we are lucky to have so many people who love us and want to see us and that we are very fortunate to have a gazillion places to go because there are a lot of people who don’t have that. At the same time I am constantly trying to remind myself all of these things too because it would be very easy for me to slip in to Grinch mode right along with him.
 

We literally have 6 family Christmas events to attend this year. 2 this Sunday, 2 Christmas Eve, 1 Christmas Day, 1 the following Saturday. The hubby a.k.a. The Grinch said “I am not going anywhere this year I am going to sit on my ass and if they want to see me they can come here!”……… (GEESH are fricking joking me!!! Seriously people he is the nicest guy all year long but he turns in to this mean grumpy old man at the sound of jingle bells and falalalala. Because I have the patience to deal with this while trying to coordinate the gazillion places we have to go, what stuff to bring to eat, go to the store buy the stuff ,make the stuff, what presents to buy, wrap, and coordinate which house everything goes to. ) I say with a smile “Ok Grinch Husband I totally understand your frustration. But its one time of year that we do this and then it will all go back to normal, and you and I both know once we are to all the places we need to be we have a great time!” Grinch Husband says “Ugggh Whatever!!!”
 

We truly love our families and although it’s frustrating and stressful at times I wouldn’t have it any other way. Because we are lucky and fortunate for all of our blessings and if it wasn’t for this day that little baby Jesus was born we would never have all that we do. So I just laugh it all off and know that at some point my Grinch of a hubby’s heart will grow 3 times bigger and he will go back to the man I know he is. I will sneak a look at the slight little smile he gets as he watches our little nieces and nephews opening their gifts, the big hug he always gives my sweet grandma, the twinkle in his eye when his grandma serves her peanut butter pie and the way he laughs so hard at the way our dogs tear open their presents. My heart will be full and it will feel like there is Peace on Earth. Even if it is only for the next 11 months ;)
 

Merry Christmas to you all! May you find Joy and Peace wherever you may be this Christmas Season!!

Reminder: The writer of this piece is an adult!! Imagine how the children that are forced to deal with the Christmas Split must feel.  Try to be cordial and kind, understanding and peaceful when you're making plans with ex's and grands and extended family so that the monsters feel as little of the Christmas Split tension as possible!!

 

The Meaning of Christmas

First Guest Blog about Christmas is written by a childhood friend of mine.  I have a lot of the same memories.  I remember calling Maureen's cousin Christmas morning just as she remembers calling her best friend. My dad was a little more spunky than her dad, Mike...we didn't blast Neil Diamond;)  I wish she could be "home" for Christmas and see that our little church hasn't changed all that much and that Silent Night by candlelight is still unmatched.  Lots of Love, Maureen:)  Here is a picture of the monsters at the Christmas play this year for you to see!

If you want to join the challenge, there is still time!! http://publiclookin.blogspot.com/2013/12/guest-post-anyone.html

 

 

The Meaning of Christmas

By: Maureen White

What is it? What is the true meaning of Christmas? So often, we lose sight of the things that matter the most to us, not matter what it may be. For many of us, Christmas time becomes one big rush of craziness that we have to attend to. Ok, let’s back up and really think about that one. It doesn’t start with just Christmas, it starts with Thanksgiving. There is a Holiday party here, dinner with family there, kids concerts, dance recitals, things to bake, cookies to frost, gifts to buy then you have to wrap them. There is always that last minute, “Oh crap, I forgot a gift for ____! What do I get?!”  But somewhere in there, the true meaning of Christmas gets lost. So what is it?

Christmas has its own personal meaning for everyone. Some think that it is a time to outdo their neighbors with decorations. Others think, I have to get this and that for my kids, and will do anything possible, even if it means getting up at the crack of dawn (or before) to go get that toy that everyone wants. It could mean purchasing the most beautiful shiny wrapping paper and taking an excruciatingly long time wrapping, ribboning, and decorating the packages into little showpieces that look good enough to grace the cover of a magazine.  So much is lost in the hustle and bustle of shopping, baking, wrapping, decorating that we lose sight of what really matters in all of this. To me, that meaning of Christmas is so much more than wrapping, giving, receiving, and the tree. It’s the memories made.

I remember as a young girl, calling my best friend on Christmas morning asking what she got from Santa. I remember the Christmas cookies and picking out the right ones for Santa. I remember going shopping every year with my dad and blasting Neil Diamond on the ride to the mall.  I remember going to church for the Christmas Eve service and singing Silent Night in the candlelight. I remember bringing home poinsettias one year that didn’t survive the walk home. I remember playing with the nativity under the tree while my mom wrapped gifts in the next room. I remember having the last Christmas dinner with my Grandpa- and him telling stories about my dad and uncles as little boys. I remember the year that my dad got a new tree and I HATED it because it wasn’t what we always had. I remember the first Christmas I spent away from home and I cried because I was so homesick. Those memories that have been made can never be erased.  But that, right there, ladies and gents, is the true meaning of Christmas. Those memories, even the little ones are worth more than the perfect present.

As I am celebrating this year with my family, so far away from “home”, I am once again reminded that the true meaning of Christmas is so much more than giving a great gift.  So, before you get lost in the shuffle of concerts, caroling and heading out to the next gathering make some time with your family. Take a drive through your town and look at the lights. Start a new tradition of everyone getting a new pair of PJs and a watch a Christmas movie on Christmas Eve after church. Go to a Christmas Eve service. Drink hot cocoa in front of the tree. Enjoy those moments.

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Bitter or Better

Every obstacle, every challenge will make you bitter or better.  It's your choice.

Right now I'm trying to choose better. 

Bitter is easier though. Bitter is less work, less emotion, less time in the mirror.  Bitter is, "whatever" or "F it" or "not my problem" or "you just don't understand".  Bitter is avoidance and denial.

Better is harder.  Better is trying to understand when you don't really want to. Finding sympathy, or better yet empathy, when you don't seem to have any sympathy juice left in your body.   Better is taking a step back, taking off your glasses and trying on a different pair. Better is taking a few minutes (DAYS OR WEEKS OR MONTHS OR YEARS sometimes in my case) before you make assumptions and allegations.

Maybe better can be "still"?  What if every time we were hurt, we were still and let the wound get some healing momentum before we exposed it? When the wounds are still fresh and need some air to breathe, maybe we need to protect it a little better so that bacteria can't creep in!? Once bacteria is in, the wound can easily be infected.  The sting deep inside the wound, the sting not from physical pain, that's hardest pain to deal with. Maybe if we spent more time in "still", the wound could begin the healing process more quickly and with less chance of infection.  

Better is sometimes "I'm sorry". "I'm sorry" is hard. "I'm sorry" is especially hard when you're stubborn, bull-headed and your maiden name is Runion.  Even when it's hard, especially when it's hard, even when you're own wound is still very fresh and painful, "I'm sorry" is important.

A few months ago, I hurt a friend.  It took all of my strength and courage to show up.  Showing up is really hard, too.  To walk in her house after knowing that I broke her spirit with my actions/inaction's was difficult, but it was necessary for our friendship to survive. Even when she drives me cray cray, I value her.  Even when we disagree, there is love present.  I knew I had to show up.  Showing up is picking better instead of bitter.

 I've done this MANY times in my life: http://publiclookin.blogspot.com/2011/04/do-not-be-quick-with-your-mouth.html  I'm sure I'll do it many more.

This time I'm really struggling because my hurtful actions/inaction's are all embedded with MY truth.  (There are always MANY truths to each conflict.  Seeing all of the different truths is difficult, but better.) My truth is the story through my glasses, but it doesn't mean it's THE truth. 

So, I've said "I'm sorry".  I tried on a few different pairs of glasses.  I've decided to be still, to be better, to dig deep in my heart where the pain is and grab the sangria neosporin.

I found this little gem to read while I'm being still: http://www.gotquestions.org/hardened-heart.html

Choose better.

XOXO,