Family

It's a theme this week. Someone very dear to my heart wished me and my family well. I clearly don't speak to her often enough, because I have long considered her family.

There are so many people whom I consider family, some because they mean so much to me, some related by blood, some I feel a strong connection to (whether I've met them or not) and some just because I believe we are all part of a human family.

"Moments come and moments pass us by

We can make them make a difference if we try."

- Lyrics, "Family Reunion"

(Tanya Diona, Lawrence J. Diggs, Russell Graham)

A close blood relative and I used to have a saying... "(I) Love you like you're not related." At the time, we meant it as a compliment. If we loved you like you were not related, it also meant that we would be polite to you. We would take care to treat you especially well. As time went on though, the saying changed. It became, "Love you like you're related." It turned out that THAT was an even bigger compliment. It means that we'll be honest with you, even if what we have to say is not what you want to hear. It means that we feel comfortable enough to be emotional in front of you, knowing that you won't pass judgment. It means we are free to be ourselves around you. It means... everything.

"You don't think you know me

think that I'm a stranger here

Missing the connection

Running in your own direction

Overlook the similarity

in  you and me"

- Lyrics, Family Reunion

(Tanya Diona, Lawrence J. Diggs, Russell Graham)

As we wrap up this intense year, I'll take some time to reflect. I'll prioritize. I'll make sure that people whom I consider to be family know it.

Click here for "Family Reunion" on Spotify (Tanya Diona)

With Love,

T

P.S.

I hope you all know... I consider you family. Thank you for joining me here. xo

Merry Christmas

Through the years we all will be together,

if the fates allow.

Hang a shining star upon the highest bough,

and have yourself

a merry little Christmas now.

Here's wishing you a magical Christmas...

Love,

T

P.S. 

Just discovered original lyrics by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane (Ref: Wikipedia, Meet Me in St. Louis/Youtube):

"Someday soon we all will be together,

if the fates allow.

Until then we'll have to muddle through somehow.

So have yourself a merry little Christmas now."

xo,

T

All You Need

 

It was an actual conversation. 

Love,

T

Charity Navigator

Do you have a favorite charity? Why is it your favorite? What do they do?

I've been learning more about some on here:

Click here for CharityNavigator.org

Watching the news, I've been drawn to Feeding America this holiday season. There are so many amazing people and organizations doing extraordinary things. 

It feels like magic. The light and Love created through countless programs and charities, can warm the coldest night and illuminate the darkest hours. It reminds me of the suncatchers Zachary and I made. 

Let me know your favorites. Let's talk about them. 

Love,

T

Feeding America

This holiday season offers a magical opportunity. 

Click here for FeedingAmerica.org

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.

Here's wishing you all a Blessed holiday...

Love, 

T

The Magic Well

Do you think it still works? Walk to it. Let's see...

You push on the old wobbly wooden gate and find that it's lighter in weight than you expected. It swings silently, effortlessly. You breathe in the crisp, cool air and feel the crunch of leaves beneath your feet as you approach. Sun illuminates what's left of the few green leaves on the trees and you glimpse golden shards of shimmering light before peering into the vast empty darkness of the depths of the well.

The top rail boards are dry as a bone. You can feel granules of dust finer than sand as your hand brushes across its smooth surface. The leaves dance in the soft breeze. As your eyes close, you feel the warmth of the bright rays against them and you are one with your breath, slow and deep. It's safe here. 

You dare to see the vision, that one secret hope. It freely unfolds in your mind's eye - your deepest wish. The picture becomes more vibrant, stronger, clearer as you allow it. You must say the words now and make it official.

I wish... 

and it is done.

Happy Thanksgiving! Hope it's positively magical!

Love,

T

P.S.

The moment after I created this post, my phone blinged. I looked down at it to see the words, "Jesus... liked your photo." #YouCantMakeThisStuffUp

Changing Leaves

It all started with "suppression." I was thinking of how we suppress ourselves. 

We do it. Yes we do (arguing with myself). We are all capable of infinite improvement, yet we hang on to our old ideas like our life depends on them. Why don't we just let go?

Leaves fall away and brand new growth emerges. That could be us. We don't need to keep doing things the same old way. We don't need to keep the same habits. We are fully capable of change for the good of our own selves. 

"Progress is impossible without change, 

and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything."

- George Bernard Shaw

Uncertainty forces us to either fear, or trust. Let's trust. Let's believe.

Here's wishing you all a safe and healthy holiday season, regardless of how different it is this year.

Love,

T