Saturday, December 27, 2014

Where Joy is Found


Funny how time slips away.  Days that once lasted every bit of twenty-four hours now seem to come to an end much quicker and weeks, months, and even years have become a fast moving train.  

My last post told about Christmas past and the time shared with family, especially my brother Jimmy and sister Rita.


That past carefree day of two children playing on Christmas night met with what would be the future when Rita went to PA last week to be with our sick brother who is suffering with lung cancer.  


Last week I made a big pot of vegetable soup for Jimmy, who has been having problems eating, and some fudge for Rita. Gary and I went to Hanover Pa. to visit on Wednesday and Thursday of last week.   It was a time of sadness, but a time of joy.  We helped as best we could.  We talked of old times and laughed at our crazy, wonderful childhood memories.


But then we came home.  Jimmy ended up in the hospital for a couple of days.  Our Christmas came and went.  And I am starting to take down some decorations now.

This Christmas was bittersweet.  Losing my niece unexpectedly last month, and now Jimmy being ill.  I just wanted to get through the happy-Christmas time and move on.

You know...  sometimes you just have to bury the sadness for a time and deal with it later...  when the Christmas chaos ceases.  After all, it's expected of us to be HAPPY and JOYFUL and EXCITED at Christmas.

I feel so sad for those who suffer depression during the holidays.  Watching others be so dog-gone happy can really get annoying!!  (LOL- but - seriously)

I am not so much depressed as I am sad this year.  Sad for family loss.  Sad for family illness.  Sad for what Christmas has become with the commercialism of it all.  

The highlight of my Christmas:  Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.  It was beautiful.  It was exactly what I needed!  It brought me back to the TRUE REASON - why we celebrate.  And then I felt JOY.


On Christmas day the kids and grandkids came.  We had lasagna and home-made bread.  We exchanged presents and laughed.

And before you know it....  next Christmas will be here.  And I can't help but wonder what the new year will bring.  Who will be with us.  Who will not.

Love to all my friends in Blogland....  Hope your Christmas was Joy-filled.  God be with you all!

Someone/Something/Some  by Gracie Phillip

Someone.  
Like Me.  Same color.
Same fur.
Someone.  
Looks familiar.  Can't be.
Someone.  Some dog.  
Doesn't breath.  Doesn't scratch.
Some dog.
Staring.  Taunting.  Curious.
Some strange dog.
Imitating.  Pretending.  
Some stupid dog.
Faux. But...  will he squeal if i sink my teeth into him...
Some Nag Mom.  
Scolding.  Taking away my new friend.  Not giving me a chance to show my playful love for him by sinking my teeth into him to see if he squeaks.  
Some Christmas.
Buh Humbug.