Saying Goodbye to 2009

   If truth were to be told I am not a fan of New Year's Eve, never have been. I'm not sure when this began, I honestly can't remember ever really getting excited about the whole thing. Even as a child my Mom would try to be all festive with bite size snacks and fizzy drinks for us (myself and my two nephews) and put on Dick Clark so we could watch the 'Ball' drop. My sister and brother were much older than I and out doing their own celebrating while my nephews were closer to my age and Mom was the babysitter while everyone else went out. Somehow even at that young age I sensed the whole thing was not for me.

                                                    
   The week between Christmas and the New Year have always been rather melancholy for me. All the festivities and joyful times of Christmas are packed away for another year and we look forward to a blank page. I think that perhaps as an artist I feel intimidated by that blank white canvas. Where do I begin, what do I want the final piece to look like, what will other's think of my work? A lot of time is spent soul searching this week, did I do all I wanted to? Did anything amount to something? Did I touch anyone's life and make a difference? It's always difficult to look back and see how much time I wasted, what I didn't accomplish. Here I am on the threshold of a new year, will I do any better? Will the old ways and fear of failure prevent me from trying?

  
    I've attended my fair share of New Year's Eve parties over the last 53 years , sometimes because it's what I thought I should be doing, sometimes it was because I was cajoled into going and it was easier than resisting. This year I have decided you will find me in the comfort of my home, in my warmest jammies, snuggled up with some old classic movies and saying goodnight to 2009 when I'm tired.

   So while most of the world is up drinking, dancing and blowing into noisemakers I'll be catching a few zzzz's. After all I have a new canvas facing me tomorrow and as any artist knows the best way to get over the stark white staring at me is to jump in and splash a little color on it!

   Wishing you all a joyous New Year, one filled with an abundance of love, good health, happy moments and dreams fulfilled.

                                                    

Merry Christmas to All !!!

 Merry Christmas to all my dear Blog friends!!! I pray that you are all well and enjoying time with friends and family. God bless each and everyone of you!

Spiritual Sundays

    On this final Sunday of Advent I am reminded again about God's gift to us, a newborn babe sent to offer us redemption. This beautiful and amazing gift was mirrored for me in the snow storm that blanketed the northeast this weekend.

    For some areas hit by this snow it was an anomaly, places that rarely see snow were being hit the hardest. I wonder if people were able to see beyond the inconvenience and appreciate the beauty that was enfolding before us?

   The landscape was being transformed into something pure and clean. Where once there was dirt, trash and even urban blight the scenery was covered to showcase the beauty we often don't see.

When all was covered with a blanket of snow our eyes could rest on the beauty of God's creation, we were allowed to view what was most precious.

                        

                                              

     God has blessed us all with natural beauty that often goes unnoticed because all we can see are cars, buildings, strip malls & highways. During Advent, instead of scurrying around to malls & stores shopping for the 'perfect gift' we are called to rememeber that God has already given us the 'PERFECT GIFT' in His Son Jesus. Through Him we are washed clean, much like the landscape has been during this storm. While we may be dealing with internal storms he is there to 'carry us' and to bring us hope and love.

                                                            
     Before the street plows come through and erase the beauty of what surrounds us spend some time reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas and the 'Perfect Gift' you have been offered.

                         Let the Love of God fill your Heart.

Wishing you all the quiet peaceful moments to enjoy the beauty of the season. Merry Christmas to all!

If you would like to enjoy other reflections on this beautiful season visit 'Spiritual Sundays' at http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/

Can It Really Only Be Ten Days Away ???

    Ten Days and counting everyone...I should be in a panic as I am not yet done with all the preparations but as I get older I find myself staying calmer. Perhaps it can be due to years of experience, lowered expectations or possibly because as I have gotten older my views on what's important has changed. Don't get me wrong, while I have pared down some of my decorating from years past (I now put up one tree instead of three, four or five) it still looks like Macy's around here with lots of lights, greens and favorite decorations. I still continue to send out Christmas cards to friends and family, bake the traditonal Christmas cookies (though not as many) and have Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners at my home (my sons are still single and I foresee no signs of going to their homes for the holidays anytime soon).
   So why so calm you ask? I guess because I have found that over the years the part I enjoy most about the holidays is spending time with my husband, sons, family and friends. I still enjoy making the magic of Christmas come alive for all who enter through our doors but I suspect that even without all the decorations and gifts we would still enjoy eachother's company. Our time together is our greatest gift.
   We may or may not have monetary resources, our homes may be large or small, we may be at the peak of physical health or suffering through an illness but we still have eachother and time is the most valuable gift we can give. We all have a finite amount of time so giving it and sharing it are what means the most. We may not know exactly when our time will come or who may not be with us to celebrate the next Christmas so now is the time, not later. Embrace those around you, share yourself, your time and even your resources if you have them for each day is a gift, once gone never to be regained.

I'm Supporting The Economy!

    I'm just about done with my Christmas shopping, just a few last minute items and some gift cards to get...I can proudly say that I have done what I can to get our economy going again! I don't shop as much as I used to, my sons are all older now and my Toys r Us days are a thing of the past. I must admit that the first year I didn't have to make the late night toy store run was quite sad!  I may have even shed a tear ot two, silly I know. If you're a young Mom, exhausted from the shopping and preparations take a few moments to enjoy the magic young children bring to the holiday, you'll miss it someday!
   I spent last friday with my sister putting up her tree and decorating her home. She was too tired from her chemotherapy and radiation to do much more than unwrap a few ornaments but she enjoyed it all the same. I wish I could have captured the joy on her face when we were all done, I know she sits and enjoys her tree and decor everyday! She is keeping her shopping to a minimum, mostly giving gift cards...running around to the stores is out of the question at this time. I'll be getting a list of the cards she needs and picking them up for her when I get mine.
   It's funny how even though the passage of time, an illness or death in the family can change how we celebrate Christmas, the fundamental love and joy we have for each other still stands strong. Whether miles separate you from family or you have yours close by, always hold the love for them in your hearts and carry you Christmas there too.
  May you all have a blessed Christmas and may the Miracle of our Lord's birth sustain you through the coming year. Wishing you all a year filled with endless love, good health and prosperity!
                                                                     Love,
                                    Diva

Busy, Busy, Busy!

   Just wanted to say a quick hello to all of you and to assure you I have not fallen off the face of the earth! I have been busy decorating our home for the holidays and preparing to head over to my sister's tomorrow to help get her place all spruced up too! Chemo & radiation have left her weak but I know she still wants to enjoy her tree and holiday decor while she rests so I'm donning my elf's hat and red booties to do some Christmas magic at her place. (Can you hear the bells on the toes ringing?) While I have been a bit busy and not posting please know I am still visiting all your blogs and enjoying them so much, when time permits I even try to leave a comment or two! Your inspiring posts and creative ideas have definitely put me in the holiday mood...thanks!!!