I saw a post from a mom who was seeking advice on how she might explain to her kids that the Christmas gifts would be a little light this year. It got me thinking...
There are a few standout moments from years past for me. One Christmas, when I was a child, two relatives took me aside and explained that they didn't have much money that year and could only afford a very small gift. I'm not certain I was expecting anything from them because I remember being excited that I was getting a gift at all. They proceeded to hand me a plastic cup filled with chocolate. I wondered what on earth they had been talking about because I thought that was the best present ever! I couldn't tell you anything else I received that year, or even the surrounding years, but I never forgot that awesome cup of chocolates.
One year, a friend told me about her holiday and I never forgot it. She and her roommate had absolutely no money to purchase gifts. Instead, they went around their apartment finding things and wrapping them. The kicker was that they each received things that they already owned. Imagine unwrapping a gift from your roommate to find your own hairbrush, or pair of socks! They had a blast and laughed their butts off! It also held up a mirror to all the wonderful things they already had to be grateful for.
There are so many beautiful holiday memories, but the most precious are always about the time together, the laughter, the love. This year, several people I normally exchange gifts with expressed their desire for me to make a donation in their name instead. It makes perfect sense. I can't remember a time when there was a greater need, and at this moment one dollar provides "at least 10 meals to families in need..." through Feeding America (link above).
Haven't we complained how we overdo it on gifts and lose sight of the Spirit of the holidays, or the true meaning of Christmas? We can get really creative about how we teach our children this year and make a big difference at the same time.
Another mom at church rushed in with her coffee and asked if I had slept at all (of course not). She assured me that she knew EXACTLY how exhausted I was and that we were in the same boat. (Yep, pretty much - except I didn't have a big cup of iced coffee with me. LOL.) Apparently, this is how the holidays go. Family comes, schedules get all out of whack, there are at least five hundred more tasks to be done in addition to the regular million, AND there's an Easter Bunny involved. I'm about to fall down and conk completely out, so this is going to be a short one.
A MILLION THANK YOUs to all moms everywhere who somehow magically make Easter happen. #outstanding
One memorable moment was at church when all of the candles were lit. There were hundreds of people each holding a small flame - and quiet reflections about how to spread light as it literally spread through a darkened church, as congregants lit each other's candles. It was beautiful when everyone raised their candles up.
Here's to a wonderful week in the light of Spring!
I have a cold. I hate to complain, but it's been a little bit miserable. Today, as the world seemed to have gone crazy on the news, I was exhausted and dehydrated so I turned everything off and lay down for a much needed nap.
I woke to find more depressing news coming from the television with hopelessness, anger and tragedy occurring all over the world. I had no idea what to blog about. I let the dogs out and ate dinner. Earlier in the week, I started to read a Charles Dickens book (a Collection of Christmas Stories) where I found some inspiration in the introduction and thought I might try revisiting that for some uplifting blog material. Then the phone rang.
It was a friend who was on a long road trip home for the holidays. She had been passing the time by trying to harmonize to a Simon & Garfunkel song, Bridge Over Troubled Water, and had gotten stuck near the 3 minute mark. It was driving her crazy and she wanted help figuring out the harmony. Alright.
I pulled up the version she had been listening to and was ready to dissect the harmony when I realized there wasn't any until the end. It turned out that she had been inventing her own harmony. I had to hear what she had been doing. She sang along and I listened. When we got to the end, we came up with a vocal part that was consistent with what she had been creating up to that point. When the harmony on the track came in, she wanted to invent a third note instead of singing along with what was already there. We had so much fun!
She is not a professional singer and it was not work. It was play. It was a nagging problem for her that we solved together. We had a riot trying out different notes, dealing with the cell phone delays and the humor of the situation. Soon after we finished, she reached her destination. So did I.
My focus had changed. I had turned off the news and worked on something creative. My cold didn't seem as miserable and I had a revived spirit. (Smile.) It was just what I needed. It was also in perfect alignment with the song's meaning.
Things can get intense this time of of year. Carving out a little space for reading a book and singing a song proved to be the perfect thing for me. As we all go crazy getting ready for the holiday - cooking, cleaning, traveling, standing in line, spending too much money, getting colds and feeling worn out, here's wishing we can all find our own space for peace.
There are always those precious moments. There are those times when we see old friends, when we give or receive the perfect gift, when we smile at the joy of a child on Santa's lap, or that moment of gratitude when the tree seems perfectly magical. There's the humor in typical family squabbles and the warmth of laughter - plenty of good spirit to be found if we look for it. In addition to all of those things, there are those quiet moments in our own heart when it's just us with ourselves. Here's hoping we smile when we are there.
Wishing you all the peace and joy of a beautiful holiday... Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah.
Namaste,
T
I had the pleasure of singing background vocals for this version - behind Jacob on American Idol
The standout moment I keep coming back to is when I found out someone I know is terminally ill. I had no idea. She spoke of it candidly. I must have seemed at a loss for words. I was.
The human spirit is amazing. Most of us try not to think of our own ending. Those who are forced to and do it with grace and bravery beyond measure, leave an unforgettable, inspirational mark on our hearts.
I am reminded to always be kind. We never know what challenges our brothers and sisters are facing. I am reminded to be grateful. The silly things we complain about are mostly petty. I am reminded that we are all the same. We all come into this world and we will all leave it one day. I am reminded that we should live in a way of which we can be proud. How we journey through our short time on this earth is everything.
Then there was this story of an extraordinary Santa visit... (Warning: You may cry.)
On Saturday's gig, Joe had the audience members take each other's hands and hold them in the air as he spoke of unity and the power we all hold to make a difference in the world. I just love the people I work with.
Joe, Me, Russ at the gig
So as the trees go up and the Christmas lights come out, I'll remember that we can all make a difference to someone by our actions and kind words. We never know what they might mean to someone.
God Bless Us - Every One. (A Christmas Carol reference)
Remember when we had to call everyone on Thanksgiving and the list would be so long and everyone would be getting hungry and there would always be someone who you wanted to call but didn't because there just wasn't enough time? Well, maybe I'm exaggerating a little (not really) but there were only so many people we could get in touch with. I usually only got to the closest family members. We wouldn't get to see everyone else's Thanksgiving table right away unless we went around visiting. Pictures would come later - if at all.
How times have changed.
Fun with Snapchat
Russell and Me on the Thanksgiving Day Drive
I'm feeling grateful to be able to stay in touch with so many people! Along with having a great time posting, I got a firsthand view into the homes of so many friends over the holiday. Texts, pictures, videos, funny stories, laughter... all made Thanksgiving even bigger.
All of the special people in my extended family and all of the people I've met and worked with over the years don't always know how much they mean to me. Projects change, people get busy, time slips by and sometimes I think of people that I haven't seen in years and wonder how they're doing. Now they're just a click away. That's great!
Sadie came home from the kennel wearing ribbons. She promptly took one out.
#ThatDogsGotTheRightIdea
:)
This week I'm celebrating the gift of staying connected with family, old friends and new friends from all over the world thanks to social media. Here's to a week filled with Blessings...
For those who don't believe, no proof is possible."
- Stuart Chase
As for me? I believe.
This week, I am reminded of the Truth - that all things are possible, that magic exists, and that we can. "We can" what? We can - anything.
The following is from The New York Sun, 1897. I've always loved this Christmas editorial:
"WE TAKE PLEASURE IN ANSWERING THUS PROMINENTLY THE
communication below, expressing at the same time our great
gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the
friends of The Sun:
Dear Editor -
I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there
is no Santa Claus. Papa says, "If you see it in The
Sun, it's so." Please tell me the truth, is there a
Santa Claus?
Virginia O'Hanlon
115 West Ninety Fifth Street
Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected
by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except
they see. They think that nothing can be which is not
comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia,
whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great
universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect as
compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by
the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and
knowledge.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as
love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they
abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas!
how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It
would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be
no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable
this existence.
We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The
external light with which childhood fills the world would be
extinguished.
Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in
fairies. You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the
chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you
did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove?
Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no
Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that
neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies
dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they
are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders
there are unseen and unseeable in the world.
You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise
inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not
the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the
strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith,
poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and
picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it real? Ah,
Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.
No Santa Claus! Thank God! He lives and lives forever. A
thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10,000 years
from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood."
- "Is There a Santa Claus?" reprinted from the September 21,
1897, number of The New York Sun.
This year, I was moved by the writing of a nine year old little girl, Basya Fogelman, who read her winning essay aloud at the National Menorah Lighting in Washington, DC. I was also inspired and encouraged by Rabbi Levi Shemtov's comments, which immediately followed:
“Chanukah means different things to different people. To little kids, Chanukah means
presents. To adults, Chanukah means
spending time with family. To me,
Chanukah means going up. You might ask, ‘What does that mean?’ The second night
of Chanukah is symbolic of elevation or ‘going up’because every night you add
more light by lighting another candle. So
too does a Jew by doing this important mitzvah.
This mitzvah will lead to more. As
our sages say, ‘One good deed leads to another.’ We should try to do more good deeds every
day. It’s important to me to add more
light in honor of my grandmother who passed away on the second night of
Chanukah many years ago. My favorite
way to add light is to visit old and sick people and light the menorah and
sing Chanukah songs with them. When I
do this, I know I am not only elevating myself but my grandmother’s soul too.” - Basya Fogelman
“In your homes or via the live broadcast, know that you can
light a candle too.Even if you’re not
celebrating Chanukah, go warm up somebody’s life.Go do another good deed.Go make the world brighter than it would be
without you and in that way, you’re celebrating Chanukah too.Obviously, in the Jewish community we light
menorahs, but spreading light, good, and warmth in the world is a universal
opportunity and message.”- Rabbi Levi Shemtov
While the children are teaching us, here is another good find from Sesame Street, about Kwanzaa. I fondly remember learning all about Kwanzaa when my (then five year old) little sister came home from school and excitedly shared her entire lesson on the holiday with the whole family.
“Just as millions celebrate Irish culture on St. Patty's Day and Mexican culture on Cinco de Mayo, Kwanzaa has grown to fulfill Dr. Karenga's vision. The vision that people of all stripes celebrate the African culture and spirit.” - History.com
This holiday season, I'll keep in mind what the children have taught me. I will be warmed by the purity of love in their hearts and by the magic and spirit of family that fills the air. I will be reminded:
Life is simple. Choose Love. Choose Joy. Follow the Magic. Follow the Light.
Be Love. Be Joy. Be Magic. Be Light.
May we all have a joyous holiday season. May we love and appreciate each other for our uniqueness, for the variations and different traditions within our brotherhood and for the common bond which connects and unites all of us.
I am very grateful for all the gifts… and for all the people
who give them… but…
Could you please spread the word that I DO NOT WANT anything
with an abundance of calories this year?
The cookies, brownies, ice cream, pies, chocolates and the like… the
problem is that I LOVE them. I eat
them. I eat them all. I absolutely cannot have them in the
house without gobbling them up. I
have accepted that. That is why I
do not buy them anymore. Somehow
they find their way into the house anyway.
Why? Why do
people insist on trying to make me jiggle? Is it a plot against me? Are their joyous smiles when they give me the offending sweets, disguised glee at my impending untimely demise? Do they KNOW how eating these things could RUIN my LIFE? Follow me here for a minute…
First, my jeans get a little tight, but it’s nothing I can’t
blame on the dryer. I just
rearrange my jeans drawer so that the tight ones are in the back. Slowly however, I find that I must buy
new ones when NONE of them seem to fit.
I think, “Is the clothes dryer really getting that hot?” as I mope off
to the mall wondering how I’ll pay for a new dryer on top of all the new pants
I will have to buy and curse the maker of dryers thinking that it is a very
cruel trick getting the dryer to run so hot after only a few years (and just
after the warranty runs out) that it shrinks your pants so that you will have
to purchase a new appliance.
THEN once I get to the mall, I discover that there is
ANOTHER conspiracy going on with the clothing designers! They have changed the sizes of
things. Entire STORES are involved
too. The shops that used to be my
favorites are the biggest offenders.
They only carry pencil thin jeans that supposedly are my size AND they
are also making tops that have absolutely no allowance for any kind of a
chest! I have to hunt for a new
favorite store. What is happening
in the world!? Now I have to scour
through racks trying to find something that fits and maybe isn’t too “old lady” looking. It takes longer and longer to find
something cool and even if I do, I can’t really be sure.
I have to check a magazine or something… The only ones with cool things with ANY
degree of sophistication WHATSOEVER have garments that I love, but they cost
THOUSANDS of dollars! Fine. I give up. I go home and catch an episode of “What Not to Wear” and
learn that I need five thousand dollars to buy a new wardrobe and that I can
NEVER be on that show lest they throw away my entire closet and inform me
brutally that I am “frumpy.”
Sadly, I open up the box of Girl Scout cookies in the freezer and eat a
few, vowing to wake up early the next day and do a workout.
I don’t know HOW it is possible to waste an ENTIRE day
procrastinating because I do NOT want to do a workout. I mean, what is my problem anyway? Are twitter trends and what my Facebook
friends are finding on YouTube really that important? (Hang on a sec, I have to go pour the hot water over the
delicious gourmet hot chocolate which is the ONLY thing making me feel better
about this.) OK I’m back.
I haven’t showered yet because it is a waste of time to
shower right before a workout – and I’m still going to do one today. Wait a minute… is that clock
right!? I’d better shower because
I have to get to the grocery store before it closes. I guess I’ll do a workout out tomorrow. I’ll buy fat free hot chocolate.
After trying a variety of low fat and sugar-free items, I
decide that they taste terrible and that THAT was a complete waste of
money. Haven’t I spent enough on
new pants and household appliances?
I vow to never do that again as I sit at home hungry because the only
thing in the fridge tastes like cardboard. I call the diner for some decent food. The onion rings are delicious.
This cycle goes on and on until the doctor says that I had
better start watching what I eat and I read online someone’s post about how
they can eat all the cookies they want because it is not their JOB to be in
shape. It is only the job of
public figures in the entertainment and music industry to be physically
outstanding. Oh crap. I have to either fight this machine or
just call it quits forever.
After giving it some thought, I realize that THIS is the
reason why I am not a millionaire yet! – too many cookies and this dang
conspiracy on the part of clothing designers, clothing stores and the makers of
dryers. Wait… a…minute…
Aren’t more and more entertainers and music industry icons
becoming clothing designers??? (I
think I am on to something) They
are trying to eliminate the competition!!! This is probably the reason they are changing the
sizes! They are purposely trying
to depress us independent artists!
They are probably in cahoots with the other companies too – and what
about the glass ceiling? Aren’t
most of these companies run by men?
Are their sizes changing too?
I haven’t heard any similar complaints from Russ. OMG! It’s a front, perpetrated by “tha man,” to keep a sista
ROUND! I will start a movement – an uprising. We will occupy… occupy what? – our plus-sized
old lady pants with the elastic waistband? No.
No. I will NOT
succumb to this madness. It will
start with the elimination of calorie-filled gifts and assurances that I “can
afford” to eat that delectable cake with the melt-in-your-mouth caramel
frosting. I will resist. I will throw away those boxes of
cookies and tins of tasty treats with perfectly wrapped bows on top. I will stop calling them “treats.” They are now… um… “doo doos.” I will say “thank doo” as I look into
the smiling face of those who maybe aren’t out to get me so much as victims
themselves of the biggest conspiracy in the history of the entertainment
industry. I know better now. I will NOT feel guilty for wasting
perfectly good calories as I pitch those pretty boxes and sprinkles into the
dumpster.
Thanks for the talk Santa.
------------------------------
P.S.
My mom has informed me that the preceding blog may be offensive
to little old ladies. Please allow
me to assure you all that I do not intend these comments to offend anyone. I love little old ladies. I plan on being one someday. I may be one right now – and that would
be fine. “Sophia” on “The Golden
Girls” was always my favorite and I oftentimes strive to be just like her. What would she say? Probably that I’m not one yet and so,
“eh, don’t worry about it… I’d be more worried about that outfit you have on if
I were you.”
“It's too
tight, it's too short and shows too much cleavage for a woman your age.” – from
“Memorable Quotes for The Golden Girls” http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088526/quotes
