Decorating a Christmas Tree

One of my most favorite things to do is to decorate our Christmas tree. As I take out the ornaments, I remember people who gave them to us, people with whom I've decorated our tree, and friends and family through the years who are all a part of the beauty of our tree. Some are now in the Communion of Saints, and that adds a dimension to our tree that is so very special. When I hang those ornaments, I remember a lot of love, a lot of happy times, and a smile always comes to my face. Our tree is truly a celebration of all that has been, all that is, and all that will be.

Thanksgiving

So often we have so much to be thankful for that it can be overwhelming. As I look at my family and my friends and all those who share or have shared my life over these many years, I realize that who I am is in a sense a part of all of them. They came into my life at different times and helped shape me and my perspective on life. Thanks, Mom and Dad. Thanks, David and Tom and Mary and Kathy. Thanks, Butch. Thanks Susan, Linda, Lynn, Carolyn, Blake, Tony, Sue, Nan, Dorothea, Ray and Mary Jane. Thanks, Mark and Claire and Maria. Thanks Monterey friends, Lubbock friends, Sweet Briar friends, UT friends, Yale friends, Ropesville friends, Lawrence friends, and Claremont friends. My cup runneth over.

Snopes/Urban Legends - Hooray!

Thank goodness for Snopes/Urban Legends! When all of the emails come around with claims about this, that, or the other, it's great to have a resource for verification. I like the fact that Snopes is upfront about the information - what's true, what's false, and what is still either being verified or has mixed claims about it. In this particularly politically sensitive time in our world, I find myself going to Snopes almost daily. Have I forwarded emails that I didn't check out that proved to be false or off the mark? Yes! Do I chastise myself and then retake the "check it out on Snopes" vow? Yes!

The Charter for Compassion

On November 12, 2009, the Charter for Compassion was released to and for the world. "Not simply a statement of principle, the Charter is above all a summons to creative, practical and sustained action to meet the political, moral, religious, social and cultural problems of our time." Go to the site and read all about it. You, too, can join in this worldwide effort to promote peace and justice for all.

Zac's 6th Birthday Party

Today was Zac's 6th birthday party and it was a "bouncing" good one. He celebrated with his friends at the Pump It Up! party place. Check it out. It is just as much fun as all of the promo video and information on the website claims. The kids and many dads, and a mom or two, did a LOT of jumping on various bouncers in one room, and then they did more bouncing and sliding in another room. The moms got to visit over the music and noise. Claire loved it and Luke slept through most of it. (Hmmm. I think I'll start riding in a stroller.) Finally, we all went to a party room complete with tables, where we had pizza, drinks, fruit salad, and Grandma Oma's super chocolate cake. Zac sat on a "throne" and wore his crown as he opened his presents. It was one busy, happy, delightful time for all of us and the perpetual smile on Zac's face was wonderful to behold. What a HAPPY birthday!

FOOTBALL.....AND BASKETBALL

Yes, I was an avid football fan from day one and I became a basketball fan watching the Kansas Jayhawks play in Allen Fieldhouse. Somehow, I don't think you grow up in Texas without watching football almost from the day you are born. I remember the heady moment when I was in elementary school when the Lubbock High Football Team returned to town after winning the State Championship for 4A teams. The high school auditorium was packed as we all gathered to welcome the triumphant players dressed in their leather letter jackets when they returned from the big game. Now, we watch every weekend and I yell, "coach," cheer, and jump wildly around at the appropriate times for my teams - the Texas Longhorns, the Kansas Jayhawks, and assorted other Big Twelve teams (Yes, Derry, even OU sometimes) when they play "outsiders." Mark played for the KU Jayhawks; Claire was a pom pom girl for KU; and, Maria was a cheerleader at Claremont High. Butch played junior high football and then played in the marching band in high school. What did I do? Well, the same thing I do now - yell, coach, mentally run up and down the field/court, and score every time, etc. My teams have done pretty well through the years. Evidently, my "in the stands and on the couch" coaching has been successful.

People Who Step Up To The Plate

It seems appropriate to use baseball terminology at this World Series time to describe people in Claremont who step up to serve the community in a variety of ways. Some work behind the scenes in areas of their passion. Some are involved in organizations or endeavors where they feel they can lend their particular skills or expertise for the good of the whole. It's always a treat to work with those who give of themselves and continue to do so until a problem is solved or an event takes place or something is put in place for the benefit of others. The bottom line is that these people all care about making our wider community a better place to live for all of us. That's a gift of time and talent and heart. Thank you!

The "Fixer"

I am a born "fixer." As Pearl Jam says in this new song:

"When something's dark let me shed a little light on it
When something's cold let me put a little fire on it
If something's old I wanna put a bit of shine on it
When something's gone I wanna fight to get it back again
Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah
Fight to get it back again
Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah

When something's broke I wanna put a bit of fixin on it
When something's bored I wanna put a little excited on it
If something's low I wanna put a little high on it
When something's lost I wanna fight to get it back again
Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah
Fight to get it back again
Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah

When signals cross I wanna put a little straight on it
If there's no love I want to try to love again
I'll say your prayers I'll take your side
I'll burn as a way to make light
I'll dig your grave
We'll dance and sing
What's saved could be
One last lifetime

Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah
Fight to get it back again
Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah"

Now, I'm proud of me. I didn't "fix" the punctuation of the lyrics. But, my heart instantly responds to a family member or a friend or a situation in a group or organization that I care about when something needs "fixin'." Nothing brings more satisfaction to a fixer than having things turn out well for someone or some group she loves. Yes, it's important to recognize when my "fixer" urge won't really solve the group problem or help an individual. But, it's also vital to know when action can make things better for all concerned. Then, "fixin'" is truly an act of grace.

All Saints' Day

Today many people celebrate All Saints' Day. It is a time to remember all those who have died. Many churches honor those who've died during this past year, but many others honor all of "those who have gone from this earthly life." As it was written by Anglican Bishop William Walsham How with the familiar melody by Ralph Vaughan Williams: "For all the saints, who from their labours rest, Who Thee by faith before the world confessed, Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed. Alleluia, Alleluia!" For many of us, it calls to mind relatives, friends, and others who've had an impact on our lives. They are a part of who we are and we celebrate their lives with us and their lives in the Communion of Saints. Alleuia! Amen!