'Tis The Week After Christmas...

'Tis the week after Christmas, and all through the house are the memories of friends and family through cards, letters and gifts. We had a wonderful Christmas ~ and we spent it with all of our loved ones. Oh, not that they were physically here, but their spirits and love and good wishes were in abundance.

It was a beautiful day in Lincoln City. The sun was shining and we were able to walk just the 3 blocks to the "Myst" Restaurant for a delicious brunch while seated at our favorite table looking out over the beautiful, blue Pacific. The waves are high this time of the year. They tell me that it is "Surfing Season" on the Oregon Coast, because in December and January we get the best surf. I can believe it! But, I don't think you are going to catch me out in that c-o-l-d water! It must be freezing! On January 1st, there is a tradition up here that those who are brave run and jump in the freezing cold water of the Pacific and come out with arms raised high, shouting "Happy New Year!" Nope! Another "not me!"

The year is winding down now with only these two more days left and I am beginning to think about the blessings of the past year and my goals for the upcoming one. This is the time of the year when I reflect on these things and plan for the year to come with hopes and dreams and wonder.

Christmas week brought 2 deaths to my family, and that made me stop and reflect on memories with those two wonderful individuals. Gerry's sister Ruth's husband, Loyd passed away on December 22, leaving a huge hole in their 65 year marriage. He will we missed. On December 27th, my sweet cousin, Shannon Davenport passed away after a long struggle with Alzheimers and Pneumonia. I have so many wonderful memories of that little guy and am consoled to know that he is with his family on the other side and the best part is that he is "whole!" He no longer has to deal with an imperfect body and mind. He fulfilled his mission here on earth and will go to his glory as a perfect soul. I will miss visiting with him and getting him to talk about his little family.

God bless you all as we wind down 2009 and look toward (hopefully) to a better New Year.

Christmas! The Most Wonderful Day of the Year!

Yes, it's Christmas! The day we longed for for weeks and planned for for months! We've decorated the house; we've sent out all our cards; we've sent our packages; and we've decorated the tree. We've been to a miriad of parties and concerts and thoroughly enjoyed the season. But, now it is time to spend a few quiet moments of reflection as we read the Christmas story from Luke and marvel at the thing that happened there that changed the world forever.

One small infant would make more of an impact on the entire world than all of the world leaders or celebrities or explorers or pioneers or any number of things that make the headlines on a daily basis combined. I love that little infant, lying in a manger. I love that Heavenly Father had a plan for us and that His Son willingly took upon Himself that mission, knowing what He would have to go through. I wonder, could I do such a selfless act? Could you?




I am so thankful this day for my Savior. I am thankful for Christmas and will forever say to the world "MERRY CHRISTMAS," whether they want to hear it or not. And so, I say to you and yours, MERRY CHRISTMAS! And in a few short days, as we bid farewell to the year 2009 and usher in the New Year, 2010 (boy that just doesn't feel right), I will wish for you and yours a blessed New Year.

God bless!

Oh, P.S. I did get the ornaments on the tree on Christmas Eve, just like I was sure I would. Crazy, huh! More like my mother every day!

The Third and Last Week of Christmas...

With the cards mailed and the packages on their way to loved ones far and near; the musical performances only a golden memory and the temperatures outside dipping way, way down; it is time to focus on beautifying the lonely tree that stands in the front window waiting to be adorned. Most years, I would have gotten that job done the day after Thanksgiving, but this year, for some strange reason, it just got ignored. Now, that tree is calling me and telling me to get out the ornaments that are so cherished. In years past, I have had a white tree adorned with garlands of red ribbons and nothing but red balls; or a whimisical "Teddy Bear" tree crammed full of teddy bears with bigger bears resting beneath its branches; or a magical angel tree with nothing but angel ornaments and a white and gold angel atop the tree; or a traditional tree with all the ornaments from every year past, including some of the above mentioned ornaments. This year, I have just not been inspired as to what to do with the tree, so there it sits waiting for my decision.


I have a cousin in Bend, Oregon, who (for want of space in their living room) always hangs their Christmas tree upside down from the ceiling! And I actually found a picture of such a tree -- not theirs, mind you, but an upside down tree, none the less! It was always the center of attention whenever we went to visit them. I loved that tree! Perhaps I should do a tree such as this!



A few years back, we were in Williamsburg, Virginia for Thanksgiving, and Washington, D.C. on the day they were decorating the huge Christmas Tree in front of the White House. I mean to tell you, that tree is huge! A bit much for my living room, so I've opted not to copy that one.

Perhaps I will do as my mother did many years ago, and on Christmas Eve, when everyone is sound asleep, I will sneak into the Family Room and decorate the tree and it will be a surprise for Dean and Billy on Christmas morning. We shall see!

At any rate, there will be a decorated tree, and there will be gifts from near and far because the people in this house are loved. And beneath the tree will be our traditional Creche, with the Nativity figures representing the first Christmas. There was no tree then. There were only lowly creatures in the beginning to stand in awe at the birth of their creator. There was a humble father and a blessed mother and a babe that was "wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." It was a quiet night. It was a Holy Night. And for a short time Mary and Joseph were allowed solitude to wrap their hearts around the miracle of this birth and the mission that their son was created for. I would have loved to have been there in those quiet moments.

Perhaps that is why my mother waited until Christmas Eve to decorate the tree. She waited for quiet moments to reflect on the real reason for the Christmas Holy-Day. I can picture her thinking about the birth of our Savior with each and every carefully straightened strand of tinsel that she hung so lovingly on every branch of the tree -- one at a time! I can imagine that her heart was full of gratitude for our Savior and for her family and the home that she so lovingly cared for.



Merry Christmas everyone! May your Christmas be everything that you hoped it would be and more. As you open each gift, pause and remember the greatest gift of all -- the gift of love and eternal life brought to each of us through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Second Week of Christmas...Cards

"These are a few of my favorite things..." I love sending and receiving cards for Christmas! There is something about connecting with friends and family during the Christmas season that just doesn't happen the rest of the year. I look forward every year to receiving these little reminders of love and best wishes. Every one is unique and every one is filled with deep, heartfelt sentiments that linger throughout the New Year.

I love writing my annual Christmas letter and I love receiving those letters from my friends and family. Somehow it helps to keep us closer than the hundreds of miles that separate us and I can "catch up" with events in their lives.

I love sending and receiving Christmas pictures. Oh, the beautiful smiles of loved ones help to keep them close and bring back memories. And it is wonderful to see how the little ones have grown! My, my, how they grow!

I love remembering that it was the Christ child's birth that we celebrate and the beautiful cards that I receive remind me of that. I love to read the Christmas story again and again in beautifully prepared cards.

May we forever keep that tradition alive. May we never forget the gift of the Christ child whose birth we celebrate and His gift of eternal life for all of mankind. Oh, how I love Christmas cards!

The First Week of Christmas ~ Lights

Ah! The beauty that is Christmas! Dean and I love to drive around and look at all of the beautiful lights as people begin to brighten up their neighborhoods with bright red, green, white and gold glittering lights. I like to think of it as bringing back the "wonder" of Christmas. All things are in anticipation of a wonderful event that soon will make each and every one of us pause and wonder at the miracle of the birth that took place over 2,000 years ago in an obscure little stable in the Holy City of David, which was Bethlehem.


As we look upon the lights that brighten the night, we are reminded of the star that shown a billion times more bright than any other star before it or any star since and pointed the way to the place where He lay, "wrapped in swaddliing clothes and lying in a manger." Oh, how I love the lights of Christmas!

Our own lights are beautiful, but simple and I love the greeting we get when we turn the corner to our street and then in the driveway. To me, they are beautiful. I haven't snapped a picture of them yet, but perhaps I will include them in another writing as we get closer to Christmas. May we all keep the lights of Christmas in our hearts and may they remind us of the event that is soon arriving.