Memorial Day

by Dotti

Happy Memorial Day!

The customs of Memorial Day have largely disappeared since they began during the American Civil War when people began decorating the graves of fallen soldiers. Originally called "Decoration Day", the name was changed to Memorial Day in 1882 but it wasn't until after World War II that the "new" name became more commonly used.

Memorial Day is traditionally observed to remember those servicemen and servicewomen who were killed in action. Veteran's Day is the day we observe in remembrance of and in honor of all who serve or have served in the military.

There are still solemn services held at battlefields, landmarks, Arlington Cemetery and National Cemeteries across the nation. There don't seem to be as many organized parades as there were years ago because sadly today, Memorial Day is thought of more as the official beginning of the summer season in the United States.

I'm not criticizing that in the least especially since when you read this, I'll be at the beach with my family for our annual trip to Kiawah Island. And many of you will be joining family and friends for cookouts, picnics or whatever your traditions may be.

As we do all these worthy and fun things to kick off the start of the summer season. let's take a moment in our hearts to remember those who have fought and died valiantly for our country and for our freedom. We owe them a lot.

Shine Your Light

by Kelly

A smile is the light in the window of your face that tells people you're at home.  ~Unknown

It's that time of year.  Everyone in our neighborhood has their Christmas lights up.  Coming home from work in the evenings is like driving through an enchanted forest of twinkle lights.  And I turn into a six-year old child with my eyes gazing in every direction.

Next door, my neighbors put up their Christmas lights too.  A humble strand of lights draped over the dogwood tree in their front yard.  Even with all the fantastical displays down the street, every year I look forward to these lights more than any other.

The reason is right here at my kitchen window.



A little bit of holiday magic while I stand at the sink doing the dishes after dinner.  And it just makes me so happy.

It also reminds me how important it is to put up our own lights, so to speak.  How important it is to  shine our light with the world...whether it's a smile, a kind word, a hug.  Because we never know whose life we might be making just a little bit brighter.

As always, thank you for letting me share mine with you.

Love, Kelly

A Gift To Myself

by Leigh

From the title of my post you might think I'm being a bit selfish...talking about getting myself a gift for Christmas.  You're probably saying to yourself, now....come on Leigh....everyone knows that Christmas is about giving to others and here you are talking about yourself.    

But hold on....just go with me on this.  Every year beginning with Thanksgiving we become bombarded by stuff....television ads for Black Friday showing the latest deal on the biggest TV you can buy....the bigger the better.....more...More....MORE!  Then there's the IT toy that every kid wants and no parent can find.  The calendar becomes filled up with holiday parties every weekend.

Ugh...it's just all too much!

I've decided that instead of stressing out about the holidays, I would rather give myself the gift of time.  And in giving myself the gift of time I give my loved ones the gift of experience rather than material things. I don't want to stand in line for the latest and greatest craze that all the kids just have to have when instead I could be snuggled up with my kids watching Christmas movies.  The one thing we all have to give is ourselves.  We can give our time and attention...our love and affection.  We can start by having real conversations about real things and the best conversations happen when we get outdoors.  No electronic distractions....just us together with nature.

I am giving myself permission to not feel guilty about avoiding the Christmas Craze this year.  My list is starting to look a little different than most years as a result of this.  Instead of feeling overwhelmed this holiday season I'm looking forward to making more memories with my family and friends.  I can't wait to make my grandfather's homemade fudge with my sister and our kids.  We will tell stories about this annual tradition. And when my dad sits down with my grandfather's copper bottom pot and begins to beat the fudge I will be taken back to my childhood as my dad holds the spoon up to see if it's the right consistency...I will watch my daughter jump at the chance to put her finger through the fudge just to be sure it tastes right like my sister and I did so many years ago. This year at the top of my wish list is the gift of togetherness.  

“The only people who truly know your story, 

are the ones who help you write it.” – Unknown

Peace in the Middle of the Mess

by Kelly

The pie has been eaten, the cranberry sauce has been thrown out, and we are completely sick of turkey sandwiches.  Yep…Thanksgiving is over and we are now ‘officially’ into the holiday season.  Except that in my neck of the woods, autumn has been late to arrive and we are just now into the peak season of color.  Sunday’s walk around the neighborhood was an eclectic mix of fallen leaves and pumpkins and Christmas lights and inflatable snowman globes. 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I had every intention of getting all of my Christmas decorations put up inside over the break.  However, those plans did not take into consideration the swift, unexpected chest cold that I was hit with.  Nor did they take into account an afternoon Gilmore Girls revival marathon.

Just like with the seasons, everything about my life right now feels like an overlapping, mixed up, mess of things.

But surprisingly, I’m not stressed out.

I should be stressed…I keep asking myself “Why aren’t you more stressed about this?”  But really, I’m just not that concerned about it.

The thing is, I don’t want to live like a stressed out maniac anymore.  I don’t want to suck the joy out of my life and everyone else’s by trying to make sure things are perfect.  It’s just that simple. I don’t want a life that depends on things being neat and tidy.  Because newsflash! – that’s never going to happen.  If I am waiting to be happy until all of the loose end of my life are tied up…if I need all the messy bits of life to cleaned up before I can experience joy and peace…well, I’m going to sorely disappointed.

Because that’s just not what my life looks like.

My life is messy and and complicated and uncertain and beautiful.  And I am totally OK with it.

I think if anything, that is the greatest gift of the practice of gratitude…to accept and embrace this life with all of its imperfections.  And I can’t think of a better, more open-hearted way to enter into the holiday season. 

So I’m not going stress about my dining room table.  I know that here in the next few days I’ll get the dishes put away and the storage boxes back down into the basement.  The Christmas decorations will go up and all will be well.  But I am going to happy – I am choosing to be happy – in the middle of the mess.

Until next time.

Kelly

A December List

by Terri

Several years ago, I wrote this post about focusing on joy during the holiday season. Writing that post really changed how I approach the holidays. I just went back and reread that post to remind myself what I want to focus on again this year -- the joy and beauty of it all.

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, we go forward into the Christmas season full speed ahead and it’s hard not to get lost in all the hustle and bustle around us. When we lose focus then the Christmas season has the potential to become this crazy hectic want-to-pull-our-hair-out month where we breathe the sigh of relief that it is January. That isn’t what I want this month to be and I don’t think it is what you want either. 

What has helped me the most in the past few years is to focus on that “joy list” that I talked about in my post. This means making a list of the things that bring me the most joy and making sure I focus on those, letting other things take a back seat. I may get everything done, I may not, but at least those things that bring me the most joy are front and center and I make sure to give them priority.

So here’s my list of things that take priority over everything else – because they bring so much joy. Our “Porter girls’ shopping day” with my daughter-in-law and granddaughters is something on the top of my list.

Baking day with a friend is something we always make sure to schedule. We each make 3-4 different kinds of cookies and trade them. It’s always so much fun to get my baking done and spend time with her at the same time.

One of the things I do to make time for myself away from all the hustle and bustle is to work on my December Daily album a little each day. It seems crazy to take on this project right in the middle of the most hectic time of year but it calms me down and gives me the creative time I need and I love having all our Christmas memories from each year in a basket for us to go through during the holidays.

Another thing I make sure to take time for is playing with my camera. There is so much beauty this time of year that just HAS to be captured!

Here's a list I've made for myself this year. Maybe it will help you focus on what's important to you and what brings you joy:

1. Take time to slow down and appreciate the little things. Keep your eyes open for moments of magic.  
2. Baking makes a mess. It also makes memories.
3. Take some time out for yourself, even if it’s just a few moments a day. Have a cup of tea by the Christmas tree.
4. Even if life isn’t perfect, there can still be beautiful and joyful moments.
5. Know that there are going to be crowds and lines. Don’t be in a hurry. Just slow down and enjoy the holiday decorations and maybe even get to know that person in line with you. It will make the time go faster.
6. Spending time is so much more important than spending money.

  

So what are your “must dos” this holiday season? Whatever you choose to do, make sure it brings you joy. Wishing you a merry and joy-filled December!