I am not looking for sympathy - I just want you all to know that whatever you do or don't do - IT IS OK! You have to decide for yourself.
We do what we can and want - and go forward baby steps at a time.
Little Santa and my sweetie amongst the flowers and angels
Snowman and angels and candles galore. I love the seasonal scents
My sweet snowman I received as a homemade gift
Merry Christmas snowman
Can't forget my little leg lamp (from The Christmas Story movie) Fra-gi-le'!!!!!
Yep, this is the tree this year
Decorating and making the house festive is nice, but that is truly not what the season is about. We should be keeping the reason for the holidays in our hearts every day. We should live it every day.
We should spread the joy and love and giving every day.Things in life change - that is a given. The ONE thing that never changes is the love our Savior has for us.
Keep the joy of the season in your hearts and lives every day. Trust me, you will get as much or more out of life by doing that, than by doing anything else.
HONOR those not with us this year by living your best life.
KEEP CHRISTMAS ALIVE 3.6.5.
Blessings my friends
I am having issues with my computer, arr. It erased my post. I only have decorated with a few poinsettias so far.
ReplyDeleteThat is ok. It is what is in your heart. We don't need all the glitz and shiny stuff.
DeleteTake care!
Cheryl, I think how you are choosing to celebrate is perfect! Let the season unfold and lean into the fact that Jesus is the reason for the season. He knows you are feeling sad. Let yourself feel what you must and not deny it....grieving is a process. I wish you the very best as you are sure one admirable lady who adds so much to my life and the life of others with your posts and friendship. Plus, I think the decorations you did put up are very nice! And the gifts you are making contain much thought and love! Hugs from me to you!
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda. I am doing what is best for me. GOD is what gets me through each day ALWAYS!
DeleteI just want everyone to know that it is OK to not have all the shiny baubles. Remembering the real reason of the season IS what is most important.
I appreciate all the support and comfort I get from you all. That has helped so much.
Blessings
I am going whole hog this year as I have not decorated at all the last three years and the kids will all be home for one last Christmas before we sell the house. But everything is such a mess right now. I am wondering why..... on many fronts.
ReplyDeleteJust go with your gut! That is why. You really need to do this since it will be the last Christmas in that home. I bet it will look fantastic and you and the kids will thoroughly enjoy it.
DeleteHave a ball!
Awww I love your decorations, and I think they are perfect! What a sweet kitty posing with the tree! I have my mom and dad's ceramic tree on my piano along with the leg lamp on a table in front of a window. :D
ReplyDeleteI love the picture of your sweetie. Sending lots of hugs and prayers.
Thanks. I wish I had a bigger leg lamp - but then I would have to store it away! I guess I will be content with my little one.
DeleteI made that tree in my early 30's.
My sweetie is every where I look! Lots of pictures around.
True words Cheryl. So hard right now. Just want to go home and cover my head at times.
ReplyDeleteIf that is what you want to do - do it!!!!! I have done that at times myself.
DeleteTake care my dear - my heart is with you. God bless.
You are so right Cheryl. The kids helped us decorate and I do less than I use too but that doesn't make the season any less important as God is our refuge and strength. Nancy
ReplyDeleteGlad you had the kids to help. Yes, we keep the season in our hearts all the year long.
DeleteGod is definitely my strength and hope.
God bless
I hadn't decorated for the past couple of years for a whole range of family reasons.
ReplyDeleteThis year in March my dear husband had a completely unexpected heart attack & 'died' 3 times whilst in emergency care. He has recovered due to amazing medical care over several months & positive attitude.He was a fit and healthy person so the heart attack came as a shock to his regular doctor and his family.
Since then, I have been reminded by your journey that this time together is a gift, not that we necessarily do extra together. I just find deep joy in his being able to do the things that make his life meaningful.
Last week my weekly calendar had a superb quote that prompted me to invite my 3 year old granddaughter to come and help decorate a tree this year:
"Beginning with the early dawn each day, I will radiate my cheer to everyone I meet today. I will be the mental sunshine for all who cross my path." Paramahansa Yogananda
I hope that the tree will be an unspoken uplifting moment to all who visit. I came to realise that the decorations are more than marking a 'holiday', they are about sunshine in winter, they are about sparking joy and wonder for children, they are about reminding ourselves to radiate cheer when and where we can for others who may not be able to find it due to circumstances in their lives.
Cheryl, you have many times this year been my mental sunshine. I felt so touched by your journey through this past year. Your model of resilience is a blessing that spreads wide and far across the globe.Even in your struggles you have been a light that shines; a precious jewel for many!
When we place our butterfly ornaments on the tree I will send to you through the universe our warmest and heartfelt blessings. The gold butterflies will be for you and your family and for all families who have suffered grief and painful sorrow. Butterflies signify transformation from the chrysalis of despair to hope and even delight.
Kathy I had no idea that your husband had been through so much and so recently. I am so happy that he is with you still and praying you get to spend many more years together.
DeleteOK, you made me cry! That is fine, I do it every day for some reason. This was a good one. You are so kind with your words. I am just doing what thousands do every day. You have to move forward, however slowly, because all else that is left is giving up. That is not me.
Thank you for your words and thoughts and love. Love the sentiment of the butterflies!
You are right the decorations do bring light into life. I wish I had littles around the house, that would be lovely. Nothing like the smile and giggle of a little one.
Blessings
We haven't decorated yet. YD is coming home this weekend and then we will. Her and I love to do it together. You do what is right for you.
ReplyDeleteThat is neat that you have that mom and daughter time. Love it.
Delete**hug** You just take care of YOU this year. Whatever gives you joy or soothes your heart.
ReplyDeleteWe are having simple decorations this year because 1. I'm too busy to do much. The tree is up and the stockings out and Farmer put out the porch/lawn decorations. I like the dancing snowflakes (snowflake lights projected on the house) the best. And 2. We have 3 grands 3 yo & under. Sissy (18 months) is especially curious. Sturdy or nonbreakable ornaments this year and the Fisher Price Little People Nativity.
The rest of this week in the evenings I'll be finishing up cards and then we'll be babysitting this weekend. Next week I'll wrap and bake and watch holiday shows/movies. And then it'll be Christmas!
Little ones sure can be curious and play havoc on trees! Kids and pets love to play with all the shiny things.
DeleteIt sounds like your home is lovely.
It is really hard to believe that we only have 2 weeks. Crazy.
Enjoy your time.
Cheryl, I love your decorations. I think they are so pretty. I love your glaring photo bomb cat the mostest, lol.
ReplyDeleteI just did a small fantasy theme purple tree this year. That is all I have up. I love it. It is so simple and elegant.
My Coogy is a character. He is very expressive and he is my love bug!
DeleteYour tree sounds neat. I love that people do different things. Simple and elegant sounds just right!
Love the look on your cat's face. Your home looks so pretty.
ReplyDeleteBarb in PA
He's a sweetheart!
DeleteThank you so much. A little place full of things I love!
I didn't put up a Christmas tree the first year after my husband left in October 1998. My daughter was just a baby and I didn't want to make the effort for myself and I was OK with that. Sometimes we just need to do what is right for us at the time. We didn't put up a tree the year my Mother was so sick and in the hospital for weeks, and that was OK too. It's OK to scale it back as much as we need to for a time. Sending good thoughts your way, Cheryl. :)
ReplyDeleteThere are so many reasons for people not to decorate. Sadness seems to have much to do with it.
DeleteWe all know what we need, and we get through it!
Truth. Bless you!
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you sweet lady
DeleteDear Cheryl, You have done very well with your most difficult year. We are keeping Christmas very simple too. I have a little toe and family lights and decorations from nature. It is well and truly enough. I am cooking a few things on top of my Christmas cakes made in October. Again enough. The real season is in our hearts and spelling love and joy to others. Have a beautiful Christmas Cheryl, with love Annabel.xxx
ReplyDeleteGlad others are keeping the season simpler as well. You are so right, it is in our hearts and that is where it should be.
DeleteThank you so much and may you and yours have a lovely Christmas as well.
I seem to decorate less and less...I think what you have done looks about perfect. I have not done Christmas cards and not sure o am doing any. And that is one thing I generally love to do.
ReplyDeleteIt has been hard for me this year to get to the cards. Seem to have a block about it. I will do some, just not as many.
DeleteIt doesn't matter - those you care about know you are there and care. Luv ya!
Cheryl I love Christmas time but lots of decorations is not for me. My tree is a little two piece wooden one that slots together and already has little bells on it. I have a boot box that holds the decorations that I like to put out. I have a plastic tree and all the decorations but this only goes up when the little people are here. Not this year so it has stayed in the shed. Like you said we all have different styles wants and needs. My heart goes out to you and sending you big hot sweaty hugs from my side of the world.
ReplyDeleteGirl your decorations sound perfect and natural. I love that. I will definitely look at things differently next year.
DeleteWe all evolve and so do our styles and ways. I think that is how it is supposed to be.
I will accept those hugs and thank you!