The Gift Of Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone!

My prayer is you know how much you are loved! You have made a huge difference in our lives! Thank you so much! We know we are loved so much because of your kindness over the years. We look forward to a good 2021.

The Magic of Love

 

5-minute read

Our daughter was born from our hearts in 2015. This is the month she came to the US five years ago.

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All of our nieces and nephew have brought us a kind of magical love, each as they came into this world.

Austin is a businessman working with his brother Tyler. He is an avid hunter and could be a TV outdoorsman. He is married to the wonderful Emilee who works in the businessworld as well. They are expecting their first child next year and will be great parents. I have enjoyed listening to Austin's favorite songs, hearing about his hunting adventures and for a bit, loved hearing his guitar playing. He's a natural musician, picking up Puff the Magic Dragon quickly, the easiest song I know how to play.

As mentioned, Tyler runs a business with his brother. He and his wife Alyssa had their first child recently and are terrific parents already. Tyler is also a hunter, but has the gift of organization and how to make things run well. I recall reading books with Tyler and have enjoyed his opinions since a child.

Tori is a teacher and was always great with children and animals even when she was a young girl. She also recently became a personal trainer. She has a gift of painting signs with positive sayings. She is movie-starrish, and well-spoken.

Holden is working with an engineer. He has the gift of detail and can recount a movie in great detail, as well as describe how things work. He's the game of Life guru. I believe Holden won the most when we played. He once picked up John's trumpet and did a great job picking out the notes. Holden is a singer also.

Ava is a nurturer and connector. She enjoyed singing and dancing to movies as soon as she could talk. She is very coordinated and is an adventuress and loves nature. Her laugh is contagious and she's an asset at her job in customer service at a tourist center. She also is taking courses and keeps her plate very busy. Ava sings with her siblings.

Jackson is an very articulate, likes to solve philosophical puzzles quickly and would probably make a great professor. He too is in customer service at a tour center and is loves nature along with his siblings. He is a singer too.

Audrey is a creator and seamstress. She too has a gift with words and has great thoughts on local to global events on social media. She'd make a good journalist one day. She's a student and loves to sing as well.

We have other "nieces and nephews" who are not blood who've made a difference in our hearts as well. Sarah and Andy are two amazing adults as well. Sarah is a college professor who loves to work out and is making a difference in her world. Andy is a businessman is married to Megan, a teacher and men's track coach. They are expecting their first child early next year.

From times at our home playing the game of Life and other games, watching movies, eating pizza and going fun places together, we feel that magical love for each of our nieces and nephews. We were happy being aunt and uncle. Then…

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Monika's story came to us in July 2013. By the time Monika came into our lives, she fit. She's family oriented, friendly, a wonderful student, both in homeschooling and the High School where she finished. She loves her family dearly and wish her only the best in life all her days.

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My favorite Monika story was when we were in Poland, she asked if she was going to get bracelets. We had already purchased many. I cocked my head in a questioning fashion. Then she pointed to her teeth.

“Oh, braces! Yes, we’ll get you braces.” Then she slapped her thigh and laughed that big laugh!

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Now that we are parents, we feel like the lucky ones. Thank you nieces and nephews for the magical love all these years. We have fond memories of each of you. 

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Today Monika’s a well-adjusted young lady. She’s in college studying marketing. She also is number 1 or 2 in sales at her place of business. She has a Julia Roberts’ laugh. Loves everyone, and like her parents are the first to admit to not being perfect. But life is filled with grace, not only Divine Grace, but human grace. There is something good in everyone and every season.

I am very glad to be here today and wouldn’t go back to any place except to relive all the good memories which are countless. In the end, it's all about that magical love that only grows as the years pass.

It Just Doesn't Matter

The saying goes it doesn't matter if you win or lose, but how you play the game. 

In this comic scene, Bill Murray is saying it doesn't matter how they play the game, because the other team will always be advantaged no matter whether their team wins or loses. In a sense, to be concerned about the outcome, or how uncomfortable the game is feeling is the equivalent of filling one's mind with poop.

I read about a famous artist who needed an essential female procedure, a bit later, they were not themselves. For many years, they told an upsidedown version of their lives to many friends and family despite having lived a great life. It was a failing on the doctor's part. But when they got their solution, all that junk faded. They are fine now. In the final analysis, that upsidedown story just didn't matter, it was a poopy-diaper.

If you've ever been through a strange season, never tell yourself, nor let anyone tell you your life/experience/season is a waste. In another Bill Murray movie, What About Bob, Bob makes the comment that sometimes people are temporarily disconnected. Sometimes people need a break so they can get their perspectives correct again. It can happen to anyone at any time. It's never too early nor too late to learn lessons, pick yourself up from having stumbled and finish your race. In fact, those who've stumbled the hardest and get back up are deserving of an extra round of encouragement that they might finish their race well. The best encouragement in these times are encouragement, good/funny stories and memorable experiences that will help a loved one get to the other side.

All hurt hurts. But wounds can heal. There is a hurt called moral wounding. It's where we hurt someone we love or a loved one hurts us accidentally. Most cases can be resolved with a short talk. In the end, the issue goes away, and what remains is a lovely lesson for the next season or to pass on to the next generation.

With time to convalesce, no matter what poopy-diapers get thrown at us, it just doesn't matter.

Sacred Book Covers

Many years ago there was a client who came into one of my work places. He was a nice man, understated and always polite with a bit of a serious flair.

One day out of the blue one of my co-workers said, "It's said that he killed somebody years ago and spent some time in jail."

I was young at the time, and didn't know how to take this. On one hand the man was always polite, cordial and never caused any trouble. On the other hand I had this new picture in my mind, driven a bit by fear.

How should I think about this person? Should I h eyes in the back of my head?

I don't know if you've ever had someone say something like that to you about somebody, or if you said something random about somebody else, even innocently, that may have changed another's perspective for the negative. I never wanted to be that person, but sadly I've lived long enough to see where I have made that mistake a few times unknowingly.

Every book has the right to be judged by its contents, and not its cover or even past history.

I know nothing of the particulars of this man, whether the rumor was true or not. But one thing's for sure, if that had happened, he was one of the most un, kind and helpful people I knew.

Either that's the way he always was, or he was a changed man. He deserved the respect of anyone, and maybe more so if he had overcome something so huge as to what the rumor implied.

A prayer for peace...

Dear Heavenly father, help us as your children love on each other regardless of the color of our skin, and even the content of our character. May we help the characters of others and ourselves rise to greater levels each day. Your son taught us how to do that, and we're relying on your spirit to help us rise higher. Thank you that he taught us to love and took on every evil on the cross so that we could be free to love each other. In the name of Jesus, Amen years ago there was a client who came into one of my work places. He was a nice man, understated and always polite with a bit of a serious flair.

One day out of the blue one of my co-workers said, "It's said that he killed somebody years ago and spent some time in jail."

I was young at the time, and didn't know how to take this. On one hand the man was always polite, cordial and never caused any trouble. On the other hand I had this new picture in my mind, driven a bit by fear.

How should I think about this person? Should I h eyes in the back of my head?

I don't know if you've ever had someone say something like that to you about somebody, or if you said something random about somebody else, even innocently, that may have changed another's perspective for the negative. I never wanted to be that person, but sadly I've lived long enough to see where I have made that mistake a few times unknowingly.

Every book has the right to be judged by its contents, and not its cover or even past history.

I know nothing of the particulars of this man, whether the rumor was true or not. But one thing's for sure, if that had happened, he was one of the most un, kind and helpful people I knew.

Either that's the way he always was, or he was a changed man. He deserved the respect of anyone, and maybe more so if he had overcome something so huge as to what the rumor implied.

A prayer for peace...

Dear Heavenly father, help us as your children love on each other regardless of the color of our skin, and even the content of our character. May we help the characters of others and ourselves rise to greater levels each day. Your son taught us how to do that, and we're relying on your spirit to help us rise higher. Thank you that he taught us to love and took on every evil on the cross so that we could be free to love each other. In the name of Jesus, Amen

Denise's Creations

Enlarge the picture to

see the order number

1 - $8/each

2 - $8/each

3 - $5/each

4 - $10/each

5 - $10/each

6 - $10/each

7 - $10/each

8 - $10/each

9 - $10/each

10 - $10/each

11 - $10/each

12 - $10/each

13 - $15/each

14 - $15/each

15 - $5/each

16 - $20/each

17 - $20(12"x 18")   $15(12"x 12")

18 - $15(8"x 11")

19 - $15(11"x 8")

20 - $15(11"x 8")    $15(12"x 12")

21 - $15(12"x 12")

Some Thoughts on this Brave New World

 

It's hard to stay inside all of the time, but I have to ask myself, am I making the most of this time? I have taken to catching up with all kinds of friends among other projects. I have also taken advantage to rest. In our fast paced society, it's easy to get going so fast that there may be years of activity without required rest that can bring renewal. When life runs on high octane, there are drive-by conversations, sometimes misunderstandings happen and then there's the pressure to take on more than one is capable of handling.

On my walk this morning I ran into a neighbor who asked how we were. I have only seen this neighbor out one time, but it was good to check in on each other.

This pandemic has turned our world upside down, and as far as I can see, people are being more caring than ever. I hear about the negative at times, but what good does it do me to let it get under my skin? Isn't it better to be built up and build up? Isn't it better to go through the proper channels to communicate concern than mull with each over what is not going well? Do I always do this well? No, but when I connect with those who are empowered to help the problem, such as -and this is not a comprehensive list - a representative or healthcare specialist, I have done my part. Hopefully there are other Whos in Whosville doing the same thing. And at some point a Cindy-loo Who comes along that pushes the whole community in the right direction.

As a person of faith, I attribute that spirit to the person of God at work in others. This isn't a conversion piece, but if it encourages something good and transformative in anyone, then God has done His job. I am not God, nor do I pretend to be, but I pray that my words encourage you during this difficult time to hang in and look to the One who can handle all of our care. I hope you also know that you are cared about, to not fear, to cast all worry on God as he cares for us all, and so much more. But in the end, can we pray that we keep up this spirit of goodness around us in public and private? Can we reconnect with those with whom we need to? Can we make new connections with new wisdom?

 

I pray we do. I pray I do. I thank God for bringing out the best in people through the healthcare workers, food service industry, entertainment industry, transportation workers, local and global leaders and so many more.

Please stay safe and take care in this brave new world.

Thank you for stopping by Coffee At My Table

Remembering a Life

  

Life's short. Make good memories. My mother-in-law passed from this life two nights ago. It was Palm Sunday, her favorite time of the season. She loved Easter.

When John and I first met, one of the first things I learned to do was making kulich, a rich creamy spread made of all things given up during lent, butter, cream, sugar, raisins and more. It is served on a bread called pasca. Mom loved the ceremony of it all and did certain readings and recalled her own family traditions during this time.

Her father was Russian Orthodox and her mother Roman Catholic. They settled on the Roman Catholic tradition and had six children. My mother-in-law was the baby. She loved her father and lost him tragically at the age of 13. He was a fine artist being commissioned for work all around New England and beyond.

She and my father-in-law met at a dance at Emmanuel College in Boston and married, having their first four children within the first four years of marriage. My father-in-law was studying mechanical engineering at Northeastern University in Boston. He worked on many things, some of those being the gyroscopes for the Apollo missions and Patriot missiles. He also loved hiking and sailing. My husband,the baby was born four years later.

She was proud of her children. The oldest, ML went into psyche nursing, later running the three government run psyche hospitals in the state of Maine. Her second, Jimmy was an artist and singer. The third, Cathy was a ballet dancer and pianist. The fourth, Pete, was Ph.D in electrical engineering and designed signal processing chips that went into the generation of computer storage that came out sometime in the mid-2000s. My husband has always loved building and can make and fix almost anything and is a construction manager. When my husband, Pete and Dad got together, there is nothing they couldn't solve.

Mom was a teacher of piano and voice. She loved singing around the piano, teaching at Boston College, taking courses at Boston college, directing her Acapella Choir, vacationing in Vermont, hiking in Vermont, sailing in Vermont, walks, and when they lived in New England, they lived close enough to town that she walked everywhere.

She was energetic, loved Jesus and loved to put out good music. She is now singing in the angel band and like my sister-in-law said, giving them a tip or two. I am glad we made all of those memories around the piano, at Easter, Christmas, in Vermont, when she and my father-in-law moved here and got to be with my family, then getting to meet her only granddaughter.

As FFH sang in their song, I picture her saying these words:

"So here's goodbye here's so long 
I must go and follow love 
I feel my heart moving on 
I must go and follow love 
Carry on while I'm gone 
This is what I've been dreaming of 
I miss you so

But I must go, go and follow love"

 

Thank you for stopping by Coffee At My Table. This post is dedicated to Mary Arapoff McEwen, so long for now.