Goodbye 2014, Hello 2015!

Happy New Year!

 If you're feeling anything like I am, you're relishing the sunshine despite the nip in the air and probably relaxing indoors allowing your body to catch up from the flurry of activity over the past couple of weeks.

Since my last post, anyone inquiring gets the same stock answer, "I'm well thank you.  My health is stable.  Bloodwork taken a couple of weeks ago was positive and I don't have to see the oncologist until the middle of January to decide when we do the next cat scan."  Isn't that better than not being able to pick up the pieces of Humpty Dumpty because we couldn't deal with the self imposed panic that set in for a brief time in December?

In leading up to Christmas, I decided to actively manage the monkeys in my head that were scrambling for attention at every opportunity.  The almost daily routine of pool walking at the Y was maintained despite the mental lists the monkeys were creating day in and day out.  For that brief time I seemed to be able to surrender to a calm and tranquil feeling leaving me better able to cope with life. A friend of mine shared with me how her mother would make up lists of things she needed to do in order to deal with her monkeys.

When asked the next day or so, how she was getting on with her list, the response was that she was too tired to do anything from having thought so much about the list and finally writing it down!  Oh my, we all have our ways of coping and hopefully we can come up with solutions that suit our soul.

I don't quite recall what drew me to go to Mark's Work Wearhouse, but I was interested in getting Mike a warm, comfy type top that he could wear to work or at home.  Lo and behold a new potential tradition was born as I entered the inventory laden store with sale signs posted everywhere.  God left me a hint that I couldn't ignore - more on God hints shortly - which was to take advantage of the leisure wear specials for all four of the males I needed to buy gifts for, none of whom make lists of anything they want!

Track pants here, fleece tops there, leisure coordinates, and hey, let's just make this Christmas for the boys a leisure theme which also gives the impression that one has given due consideration to what might be wanted, needed or enjoyed.  Then you just build on the theme with whatever else you want to get.  Imagine opening up a comfy, cozy gift you'll wear to accompany that book you find interesting and a whole case of popcorn to snack away on while reading or watching TV, or both at the same time!

December 21st brought another God hint and theme to my attention, for the local grandkids who we see quite regularly.  For their birthdays, all three fall in July/August and now a fourth who is also in August, received tickets to a live performance of Toopy and Binoo at the Grand Theatre on this cold December day 4 days before Christmas.  Before these little people came along, I didn't know who they were either.  In any case they had 4 months of anticipation to build up to seeing the show.  Ayden and Azlyn had their information with a picture of Toopy and Binoo on the fridge at home.

Ella kept her birthday card in her 'purse' which she regularly pulled out, opened up and carefully unfolded the homemade announcement for the event.  She then dutifully refolded it, put it in the card, card in the envelope and envelope back into the purse.
When the day came, they thoroughly enjoyed the entire performance and were quite excited to hear that Mike the Knight was coming to the Grand in a few short months.  Not having purchased any 'stuff' for them for Christmas, I took God's hint, came home after the show and went online to purchase Mike the Knight tickets for the April date.  I love the saying that buying toys is not the responsibility of grandparents.  We get to do and buy whatever we want.  What a great idea, to provide the kids with a special time with their parents while being exposed to some form of theatrical experience.  May well become a tradition.

A greater God hint came earlier, mid November or so,  as I was leisurely reading the local newspaper which has been a long time daily routine.  A fairly large article about the rock band Foo Fighters outlined their activities to record a new album.  From the many drives to Cornwall with my son Matt to pick up Ella, I learned that Dave Grohl, lead singer of the Foo Fighters was a particular favourite of his.  As well, from past conversations I learned that one of the few things on Matt's bucket list is to see certain baseball parks including Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park and Wrigley Field.

He got to the 5th last game at the old Yankee Stadium as his gift for graduation from university.  Where am I going with this you ask?  Well, at the very end of the newspaper article I read about an upcoming tour that I believe was a God hint.  As I explained to Matt a few days later, my belief is that God does give us hints, but it's up to us to act on them and then let Him direct our steps.

The outcome led to a gift that will eliminate one of my mind monkeys for a long time as it will cover a couple of birthdays and Christmases in terms of gifts.
Matt and I sat down together to allow me to share 'an idea' that I had come up with.  I said, "What if I were to tell you that you will be flying to Chicago at the end of August to see the Foo Fighters at Wrigley Field and two days later you are going back to see a Cubs ball game?"  I would love to have taken a picture of the reaction!  You see, when I read about the Foo Fighters tour and them playing in Chicago, I could have left it as a minor bit of trivia but something told me to explore it further online and the rest is history!

On Christmas Day, we were able to surprise Gabriel and Nathalie with gifts of special consideration that would  keep our little world on an equitable and even basis.  Needless to say they were thrilled.

In conversations with people during the days leading up to Christmas I learned a few things that I consider well worth sharing.  One is the practice that a former colleague has developed to celebrate Advent.  Now that her children are grown and all the excitement and anticipation has left like an old friend leaving an empty space to fill as they might, they started 'Advent dating'.  Pardon?  Well, she and her husband have started to deliberately do things together to share the time of waiting and expectation of the birthday of Jesus.

I don't think the examples of what they actually do are as important as the concept of choosing to be together, spending time in a mutually agreeable activity.  It might be a movie, a walk, driving around to see the Christmas lights, doesn't really matter.


A close friend of mine has started a tradition of allowing her grandchildren and close friends (me included) to choose an ornament from her tree as a take home to add to their own tree.  If there are any that are 'too new' and not considered 'Nanified' yet (she is known as her grandkids beloved Nana or Nan), they are to remain for another year to become 'seasoned' with her love and essence.

 I didn't ask and can't help but wonder if there are any very, very special ornaments that she couldn't possibly part with.  I don't know why it strikes such a deep cord in me to consider this concept when I know our tree does not have the nostalgic benefit of decades old bulbs or decorations that invoke those childlike feelings of Christmas.  Maybe it's the selfless offer and sincere demonstration of wanting to share with others in such a meaningful way that peaks my emotions.

We were to spend Christmas dinner at Pat and Debbie's (Mike's brother and his wife) which we often do on various holidays.  It works out so well because they enjoy cooking and the preparation and we enjoy the enjoyment of their preparation!!!  This year, they called Christmas morning to say the turkey was all ready to go in the oven but they had no power.  Oh oh, well, just bring it over and pop it  in our oven which they did and we ended up simply shifting over to our house as the majority of our kids were at their 'other family' for Christmas dinner.

While we don't visit on any regular basis, we talked of how we seem to be able to pick up the phone and very comfortably share ideas, ask for help or borrow one thing or another.  We are fortunate to have such a relationship right here in Kingston.  I know the relationship with my brother Andrew would be the same, if not for the 5 hour drive between here and North Bay!

Since Christmas, I'm learning, a block of much needed physical rest needs to be built in to effectively allow my body to catch up with all the demands being placed on it.  There is no longer any ability to take the attitude that I will 'just push through it'.  No, the reality is that my body is now constantly working overtime in its efforts to heal itself and requires more rest than ever to make up for my diminished metabolism.  I was quite happy to spend New Year's as we do so often, staying home, watching the ball drop in Times Square and heading off for a relatively good night's sleep.  This year after an email invite and a follow up phone call, we ended up driving north on New Year's Eve to 'Chateau Dobbs', the home of my brother in law and his wife Kirk and Lynda.

 We had a lovely time with them and members of their extended family despite a fairly short night's sleep, not because I wasn't in bed but rather because others were downstairs, 'playing pool' into the wee hours!  Hence here I sit today catching up on much needed rest and sharing my thoughts with you.

As I wrap up the last of the Christmas comments, I can't close without letting you know what my New Year's Resolution is this year.  It's the same as many other years.

Rather than specifically setting myself up for failure or a relatively benign resolution, I find this one I can reflect on through the year, anytime day or night and progressively improve my own behaviour without too much self criticism and it's this, "To be able to say that I'm glad I did rather than I wish I had......" whatever I might tag onto the end of that phrase.  In some small way it helps me live every day with one fewer small regret and stay open to God's hints when and as He chooses to send them my way!

Have a wonderful start to 2015.  I wish you health, peace and contentment with your life.  May you accept God's will for your life with a wise and understanding heart!.

Take care, hugs and God Bless, until next time.....
Liz
"The greatest gifts we can receive are prayers wrapped in faith and sent with love".