The Christmas Spirit Is In Action

I adore the Christmas Spirit which comes during the holiday season!  It warms my heart when people are nicer, more thoughtful and loving.  I appreciate the extra kindness that arrives when generosity of spirit reigns.  How I wish we would continue the spirit of Christmas throughout the year!

Being kind doesn’t require anything spectacular.  It is simply being aware of those around us and being thoughtful of how others may be feeling.  There are many lonely souls who are quietly experiencing Christmas alone.  Neighbors, friends and even those who are in old age homes.  It doesn’t take much to reach out in a friendly manner to let them know that they are being thought of at Christmas.

A small card can make a difference, especially to those who have Alzheimer’s.  Even though they may not fully be aware that Christmas is upon us, to receive a card makes all the difference in the world.  I know that from experience.

Yesterday I brought cards to the Alzheimer’s home where my loved one resides.  As I am a frequent visitor, I bought a pack of Christmas cards and made one out for each of them.  It was a simple heartfelt gesture on my part, but the result made my heartlight grow tremendously.

As each lady received her card, she smiled.  While they recognize me, they do not remember my name, but they know I belong to my loved one who is one of their friends.  I had brought extra in case I had inadvertently forgotten someone and I was glad I did.  I ended up making a few extra cards right there when I realized I was to deliver a card to a lady who was seated with two others whom I really didn’t know and I wasn’t sure if they were aware.  But sure enough, they were.

Quickly, I went back and wrote the cards for the other two ladies and then delivered them.  I smiled and as I handed the newly written card to one woman in particular, her chin wobbled.  “I hope you didn’t think I’d forgotten you!  Here’s your Christmas card!  Merry Christmas!” I cheerily said to her.  She smiled at me and I walked back to my loved one’s table.

A few minutes later, this particular lady appeared, having summoned one of the workers to bring her to “that lady who gave her the card.”  As she sat in her wheelchair she was teary and said, “Thank you.  This was the nicest card ever.  It means a lot that you thought of me.”  That moment of a small action on my part touched her and it meant the world to me.  I reached out to hug her and I got teary too.

While some may think that just because those with Alzheimer’s don’t remember a lot, it doesn’t mean that a kind gesture doesn’t touch their hearts.  While I am not naive enough to think that those cards may not make it back to their rooms to sit on their dressers, it’s that moment that counts.  That moment of Christmas spirit, connection and as a result of a small action, ties two hearts in harmony.

So if you’re contemplating sending a small batch of cookies to an elderly neighbor or sending a card to someone, my advice is to do it.  There’s nothing like the magic of Christmas to make this world a better place.

Shine your heartlights my friends.  Together our lights ignite the sparkle that grows the Christmas and Hanukah spirit!

Shine On!

xo

Grateful For Birthday Love

MAY THE BEST

OF YOUR PAST BE THE

WORST OF YOUR

FUTURE

Today’s my birthday and, although the weekend has been busy, it’s been lovely.  I’m so grateful for the love that friends and family have been showing me, especially on my special day!

I’ve always been someone who adores her birthday because to me, each birthday is special!  It means I’ve made it through another year and I look forward with excitement and anticipation for what the coming year will bring.  I blow out the many candles with joy for the life I’ve been given and the life I have made, albeit with hard times, struggles and sadness, but coupled with love, light and gratitude!

I may not know where I’m going or what may come my way in the future, but I do know where I’ve been, what I’ve overcome and how strong I am.  My faith in a life filled with love cradles me as the year ahead opens to possibility.

I don’t shy away from owning the years I’ve spent on this earth for each one has led me to the next, with a plethora of life lessons along the way.  While some I could have sincerely done without, I am grateful for each of them for they changed me in ways that I have come to gratefully see as strengthening me.

I love deeply because of them, although as a Pisces, innately loving from my whole heart is how I’m built.  Often I have felt the pain from love, but I wouldn’t change me.

I am who I am without apology, but instead with gratitude.

I think that’s what growing older is all about in the end.  This aging process isn’t for sissies.  That’s for sure.  But there’s a momentous glee in looking back to see from whence we came and in looking forward to all the future blessings in store for us!  Being in this precious present moment with the kaleidoscope of love surrounding me, my heart is filled to overflowing.  I just feel so blessed!

So today, I’m sharing my virtual birthday cake with you dear blogging family!  You’ve been on this life journey with me for many years and I’m ever grateful for your loving support, kindness and encouragement along the way!

May all of our wishes be fulfilled!  Keep shining your heartlights!

Shine On!

xo

Happy Thanksgiving!

Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” — William Arthur Ward

Cheers to a lovely Thanksgiving to all of you!

Shine On!

xo

Fall Is In The Air

Yesterday’s sudden temperature drop wreaked havoc on me with a monstrous migraine.  Luckily it was a Saturday so I could rest at home.  But the chill in the air, engulfed the old house so I snuggled under blankets for most of the day.

I love fall when it creeps in during the month of October.  What I’m not a fan of is really warm days changing overnight to a barometer change with a body stunning chill.  I like when the seasons change gradually, but that was no to be this year.

It was chilly this morning, 44 degrees, when I woke up and a chilly 60 degrees in the house.  After getting my coffee, I was off to turn on the heat this morning.  As the heating system rumbled in response from its sleepy summer slumber, the smell of newly turned on heat permeated the house.  Ahhh…heat!  I’m so grateful!!

I love fall and all of its bejeweled colors!  While I still haven’t bought our yearly mums and pumpkin, I’ve decorated the hearth, enjoying the warm candlelight and orange colors that seem to make the house cozier.  Of course, nothing can make the house seem cozier than Christmas, but fall is a great beginning!

May your October day be lovely with rest, relaxation and blessings abounding!  Have you decorated for fall and perhaps even for Halloween? What do you do for decorating?

Keep shining your heartlights!

Shine On!

xo

 

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

As a woman who endured breast cancer many moons ago, October or Pinktober becomes one of those pink, swashed in your face reminders of all that happened to us.  Maybe for you it doesn’t, but for those of us with a long history, it’s a stark reminder for an entire month.

I don’t often share that I endured breast cancer because my medical past isn’t obvious.  Well, maybe it’s obvious in certain situations, but for the most part, you’d never know if you met me on the street or in the grocery store unless I shared that bit of information with you.  I’m grateful for that now.  The bald tell-tale sign or the hairless eyebrows and lack of eyelashes aren’t there anymore.

It’s been a long time since I was diagnosed and I’m grateful to still be here to help others who walk this path.  If you want to read more, just type breast cancer in the search button on my blog and you will see that I’ve written about it over the years.  I learned much from my experience with breast cancer that I probably wouldn’t have if I hadn’t had the disease.  Endurance, strength, compassion, kindness, faith and connections have helped to enrich my life and my will to survive other obstacles that have arrived at my doorstep.  While I would have never chosen to endure this disease, I am grateful for surviving it and for the ample opportunities for insight and growth that came from it.

While it hasn’t come back with a vengeance, the threat continues as I live out the rest of my life.  However, most of the time it is pushed to the back of my mind where it belongs.  I am vigilant in my checkups and as any cancer survivor knows, I spend a few nervous days after they test my blood, waiting to see if my tumor markers have decided to go wacky and scare me.  In the past they have, which brought fear to the forefront again in my life, but luckily for me, they were false positives.

I can’t say that same experience happened for many friends and acquaintances of mine.  Sadly, many of them lost their battle to the disease as it metastasized to different areas in the body.  Survivors guilt after bonding with others saddens me.  The question of why I am spared and they are not, continues to be a mystery.  In honoring their sweet memories, I try to live the best life I can, for I know how quickly life can change.

I am an alumni of a club to which I never wished to belong.  But in this club, I have found warm, loving people who are united in ways that others may never fully understand.  To this day, I still help other women who are enduring breast cancer.  I know that for me, it helped when someone else understood the night time terror thoughts or the twinges of pain that we knew weren’t normal.  It helped to receive a sisterly embrace from someone who ‘got it’ and who willingly connected with me.  So I give back when I can.  I pass along the compassionate connections which were offered to me and greatly appreciated.

In honor of those who lost their battle to breast cancer, to those who are currently in the throes of cancer’s siege on their body and to those who, like me, are labeled survivors, I send up my prayers today.  My prayer is that we live on in the hearts of our loved ones and that someday, sooner rather than later, the cure will be given to all who need it.

God Bless.

Shine On!

xo

 

 

 

Sept 11

Do you remember where you were seventeen years ago today?  I remember my Mom telling me that everyone knew where they were when JFK was shot.  Now I believe our generational history continues with “Where were you on 9/11?”

Because it seems to me, most of the people of a certain age know full well where they were when they heard about the tragedy that occurred on September 11, 2001.  In our area especially, we know of families who lost loved ones, who endured unspeakable tragedy and who witnessed the atrocities associated with that day.  They are ever emblazoned on many hearts, minds and souls.

There is also another side to the tragedy when we try to look at the light of compassion, of helpfulness, of unity that occurred through that experience.  Strangers helping strangers.  People going beyond their limits to save someone else.  All of the unmistakable soulful connections that came from the irrevocable losses that occurred from the tragedy.

Remembering those whom we lost as the bells toll in NYC today, the names read of those souls who were unable to return home to their loved ones that day.  The unfurling of our flag at the Pentagon Memorial in Arlington, VA.  The tears that many of us still shed on this day, even so many years later.

There’s a heaviness in the air today as the skies weep rain.  Those whom we lost are never forgotten.  Those heroes who gave their lives to help others.  Their angelic light continues to remain in the memories of our hearts.

May God Bless Us All.

Shine On!

xo

Hero – Word of the Day

 

 

 

We Honor You

It’s Memorial Day.  Everywhere I look it seems I see flags flying high and parades of proud Americans marching in honor of Memorial Day.  Today we are reminded of the sadness in memory of our fallen who served our country.  We remember.

I remember.  I take a few minutes this morning with my coffee to remember those who have gone before me and even those who are still here who have served our country.  I have a lot of family who served our country.  Some are still here, others have passed away.  But each one of them proudly served and were changed by their experiences.  To have a day set aside in ceremony to honor them warms my heart.

When I try to think about the sacrifices that those in the military have given up for us, it feels unimaginable.  The changes that seem to occur through their unique experiences holds such a tender spot in my heart for I know I cannot even begin to fathom what they’ve endured, when they have seen battles and even when they haven’t.

I imagine the changes in psyche that occur for those in military service.  It cannot be otherwise the civilian in me thinks.  Just the training and mindset to be willing to serve our country and the courage to potentially lay down your life for what you believe in and for countless strangers and citizens.   I’m in awe.  I’m honored.

So please accept my humble thank you to all on this day.  I remember you.

Shine On!

xo

 

Happy Mother’s Day!

Happy Mother’s Day to All!

God Bless All the Moms today and always! 

Shine On!

xo

 

Where Words Fail

Where words fail, music speaks.

~ Hans Christian Anderson

What’s your favorite music to listen to or are you like me and enjoy all different types of music?  I have varied tastes in music from today’s music, to that of my youth, to the music that our parents listened to, to classical piano music, to country, to gospel, to traditional church hymns, all the way to Broadway show-tunes.  The two types of music I haven’t ever really enjoyed are rap and opera, but perhaps they will reveal themselves to me one day.

I find that music soothes me in many different situations as I believe music has a vibration of its own to aid our heartlight through healing, lifting, inspiring, energizing and stilling us in contemplative melancholy to flow throughout our lifetimes.  While I enjoy the sound of silence and of snow falling, I often use music during the day to help me.

I am grateful that I can hear and feel the vibrations in my soul.  I love to explore the feelings I get when I hear different types of music.  Don’t you?  While I am not a good singer, I do enjoy belting out a good song every once in awhile, especially in the car on a long highway when I’m alone.  It just feels good.  Do you know what I mean?

Certain songs can bring me back to special memories and I do feel that when I put my songs on shuffle, I’m given messages through God and the Universe.  For example, when Unforgettable, sung by Natalie Cole and her dad, Nat King Cole comes on, I know that is a message from my Dad to me, as that was the song we danced to at my wedding.  Perhaps it’s simply coincidence or a random synchronicity, but I prefer to believe otherwise.

Do you feel something similar?

Do you have any favorites that you hold dear to heart?  Please share!

Shine On!

xo

This one’s for you Dad….I can never forget you. ♥

Gratitude For Eight Years On WordPress

I got a note from WordPress today telling me that eight years ago today, I began my blog.  It doesn’t seem that I have been writing for eight years to you all, but I’m assuming WordPress knows what it’s talking about, don’t you think?  Ah, the benefits of blogging!

In eight years, much has changed in my life.  My initial focus was to help other women battling cancer, specifically breast cancer as I endured it myself and I am still here.  But as life developed, I have written about other subjects too including:  poetry, pets, children, parents, relationships, Mother Nature, horseback riding, Alzheimer’s and Dementia, holidays, angels, spirituality, religion, Rabbit, Rabbit, photography, SendOutCards, amazing books and movies, inspirational quotes, life in general and even death because I had first hand experience with all of those topics.  While I was enduring hardships, you were all there for me with your loving support and I am ever grateful.  I wrote to share my experiences in hopes that I would be able to help someone else along that path.

I am ever grateful for the loving connections that have evolved through our blogging community which we have grown through our writings and by reaching out in kindness, generosity and always with a loving heart.  Friendships have blossomed through our writings that have cemented many of us soul to soul in miraculous ways.  From WordPress comments to emails to actual phone calls, I can count many deep friendships which span the world now for which I am honored to be a part of in this lifetime – and yet, we have never met face to face.  But the love is there, without ever being in each other’s physical presence.

It’s so interesting to me that I have yet to meet anyone face to face that I met through blogging and yet I count many of you as true friends.  What a gift this Presents of Presence has been for me!  I pray that you feel the same way – that my writings, my comments and my love for all of you shines its heartlight and helps to raise the energetic vibrations of this world’s energy to encourage peace, love, compassion and understanding along with connections to all.

May your heart be lifted today and may your heartlight shine for all to see, for I see you out there dearest friends and I am ever grateful, as always, for our connections.

Shine On!

xo