My Cup Runneth Over

Today is Christmas. My first one without my Mom. She left this life just 46 days ago and began her eternal life on the other side.

Since she's been gone (I still can't get myself to say the "D"-word), I've made it through Thanksgiving and her birthday (12/12). And now...Christmas.

How am I doing?

Pretty darn good.

I had a moment of sadness yesterday, but that quickly passed once I realized that she is now WITH the One who Christmas is all about. She now LIVES in the presence of the Lord! WOW!!! As I began to think about that, all I could do was rejoice.

With all of the uncertainty about the ACTUAL day of Jesus' birth, I was telling my daughter Lauren this morning, "Wouldn't it be funny if on Christmas morning, Jesus gathers all the "newcomers" around and says, 'Look y'all...let me clear this up. No, I was NOT born on December 25th. The real date of my birth was {fill in the blank}."

Like seriously...HOW COOL WOULD THAT BE?!?

I can hear the deep sighs now as everyone FINALLY learns the REAL date. I've always said that it doesn't matter to me WHAT day Jesus was born, all that matters is that He WAS born (and I believe 1000% that He was), and that He died, and on the 3rd day He rose again. Oh, but it doesn't end there...ONE DAY He is coming BACK to get ME, and ALL who believe. Ooh Wee!!!

So yeah...things like that keep me from becoming (and/or staying) sad for too long.

And then there are friends. Special friends.

One sent me a message yesterday, just to see how I'm doing. And get this...he and I have NEVER met...NEVER spoken on the phone. We just happen to be in this AMAZING group together on Facebook where EVERYBODY is like family. The connection in this group is SO genuine. Before joining the group I knew ONE person in it, and was acquainted with two others. The one I know well is the one who added me. BEST group on Facebook...HANDS DOWN! Since being in it I've met many more of the members, and just as we do virtually, we connect in person as though we've all known each other forever. So...one day I will meet my friend who's been checking up on me. In the meantime, I am simply thankful for folks like him who just randomly check in.

Then there was an old school friend. She also sent a note, simply to say that she was thinking about me today. Such a small gesture...yet it means the world to me. Others sent text messages, and one actually sang a song.

Last, but certainly not least, is "Joe" who made sure that I was not alone on this day. Even though he worked last night and was tired this morning, he STILL came by just to hang with me and keep a smile on my face. And in the brief moment when the smile almost turned into tears, he turned it around and had me smiling again. Not that I'm not expected to cry (because I am), but it hurts him to see me hurt, so he turns it around whenever he can. And I appreciate that.

It's amazing how life works sometimes. In the areas where today could have felt EMPTY...LOVE filled them up. For that...I am so very grateful.

So for those who celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus...to YOU, I say: Merry CHRISTmas!

And for those who simply see today as a day to spend with friends & family...to YOU too, I say: Merry CHRISTmas!

Let the DIALOGUE begin: What was the BEST thing that happened to YOU on this Christmas day?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

N-Oh Christmas Tree

So it's December 6th and folks are getting into the Christmas spirit. I imagine that I am too, I just show it differently.

Yesterday at work two of my co-workers went out and got the office Christmas tree. I gotta admit, it was beautiful and smelled amazing. Wouldn't you know it...I ended up helping to decorate. I didn't mind though. I just found it odd that I was decorating the office tree and couldn't remember the last time we had a tree at home. I think I've lived at my current residence for 7 years and we had a tree that 1st year. Nothing since then. And yes, my kids were with me so I'm sure that I did them a disservice by not having a tree.

Bottom line...my funds have always been (and still are) extrememly low. The price of a tree could buy groceries. I opt for groceries.
Additionally, we don't have any ornaments and there's no way that I'm gonna buy any BEFORE Christmas when I know that they'll go on sale the day AFTER. Then the day AFTER comes and I don't wanna deal with the "After Christmas" crowd. So...looks like we'll be having another Tree-less Christmas.

Again though, I do LOVE Christmas and all that it stands for...the birth of our Lord Jesus. Yeah, I get that no one REALLY knows the date of His birth, and not of that matters. Heck, for all I know He may have been born on July 14th like me. All that matters is that He WAS born, was crucified, died, and on the 3rd day, He rose again. That's ALL that matters to me.

So...Let the DIALOGUE begin: Do you get (or put up) a tree every year?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree

Today is a week before Christmas. We don't have tree.

I can't remember the last time we had a tree for Christmas. It's been a few years.

I feel bad sometimes because I know that my kids would like a tree, but I figure, what's the point. Their gifts won't be under any tree here. Their gifts will be at their Dad's house. And that's where their tree is.

I play Christmas music to help usher in the season (mostly Gospel, but every now & then I play some of the "traditional" stuff as well), but when the music's not playing it looks like just another day in my home.

I know that Christmas isn't about a TREE, it's about the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Still...a tree would be nice. Just makes the home look like something special is going on. Like we're celebrating.

Tree or no tree, I pray that my babies understand. One day...things will be different, things will be better.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: Has it been a while since you last had a Christmas tree in your home for Christmas?

Talk to me!

Til next time...