NOVEMBER- THE MONTH WITH HOPE

 We hoped that COVID would begin to go away. 

But alas it surges.

Our family celebrated 3 birthdays- my granddaughter, my daughter, my younger brother.

So everyone a year older.

House decorated for Christmas. 

Outside lights put up. Solar lights bringing some atmosphere to the outside.

As we leave November 2020, we do hope that isolation, distancing and practicing good public health practices will bring some changes in December.

#novemberandhope#beinghopefulfortheendofCOVID#practicegoodpublichealthpractices#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

FINDING PEACE IN GRIEF

 5 months since my beloved husband Adolph died.

Grief is an isolating and painful journey.

Personal for everyone.

Different for everyone.

It depends how it is entered. What was the circumstances of the death?

Initially I was just very tired.

Handled my grief well enough. But a lot of going through the motions.

Private tears. It is my way. 

No " povera me" for me.

So leading up to Natasha's birthday was hard for our family. The first without her Dad. Painful and lots of tears.

But then it happened after an afternoon nap. 

Peace in my soul. A different feeling.

Knowing Adolph is okay. He is in a good place. 

I will always miss him. But at peace I can live without him. 

Why? Because I was blessed to have had him in life. The memories. The love of our children. The love of our grandchildren. So he lives on through them.

#beingatpeaceingrief#griefisverypainful#findingpeaceingrief#knowinglifecangoon#knowingIcanlivewithouthime#Iwillalwaysmisshim#lovefromchildrenandgrandchildrengetmethroughitall#Iwillbeokay#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#grief#dealingwithgrief#gettingthroughgrief

CHRISTMAS PREPARATIONS 2020

 The whole shop early for these covid days is not a new notion for me.

I always shop early. But I am still waiting for one family's requests. 

I like to get the grandchildren what they want from a Nana.

Of course they always love money or a gift card for their favourite store.

But the two littles ones need lots of presents under the tree. 

Little presents count. Little kids like to count the number of presents they receive. So rather than one bag with several things, all the things are wrapped separately so more to open.

I decorated two trees two weeks ago. I needed something festive in the house. My outdoor lights are indoor. I put them on the front window inside so I could turn them off easier then opening and shutting the front door. 

Since I cut branches on my front bushes the lights can be seen from the road. 

My preparations are in rote mode. My heart is not in it this year. But I keep going because the end result is usually appreciated by me.

I love Christmas lights so having light in the house is good for me.

No more lit fireplace fires. So I use the fireplace to put festive candles. I can light them safely in a safe spot.

My Christmas parcels have been sent. My Christmas cards have been sent. Maybe a day or two earlier than normal. But my Christmas newsletter will bring some hope.

So I will write more on my days.

How about you? How are your preparations going? Are they festive this year to make up for the COVID crap?

#christmaspreparations#2020preparationsaredifferent#goingthroughthemotions#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

SURVIVING COVID ISOLATION FOR SINGLE PEOPLE

 I am talking about older single people. Like the seniors of the world.

Especially retired singles. If one goes to work there is some company there.

COVID rules say stay at home.

Limit social contacts.

Well you get the message.

Is it hard?

Yes- to be away from normal contacts.

No- finding ways to make it work.

8 months into this thing has made us all be a little creative.

I wrote letters in the spring to people. I made phone calls. 

So now what to do.

Well lots of Christmas cards to everyone already sent with a different newsletter. I look forward to receiving some cards too. I love the mail. It is fun to open it.

Even though I am the one who is dealing with grief, I have this need to reach out to others in a supportive way.

It helps my isolation. 

I can have physical distance and masked events with kids and grandchildren for now. 

Family arranging ways to be outside with a firepit and enclosed areas. I even bought insulated pants.

One daughter said to buy snow pants. Well they are called insulated pants for adults. I could not find women's snow pants! LOL

But anxiety and depression is huge for many living alone. So be aware for yourself and others in your life. 

Connect. Reach out. Keep in touch more than usual. 

If lonely, tell others. Listen to music a lot! It stimulates the mind and keeps one out of their head.

What are your strategies for social isolation? If having trouble, call me. Write me. Leave a comment.

#socialisolationduringcovid#findingwaystoovercomesocialisolation#findingwaystobecreativeduringcovidisolation#dealingwithgriefduringchristmas#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

I SHOPPED LOCAL-HOW ABOUT YOU?

 I am trying to support local businesses.

So yarn from Knitters Attic in Richmond Hill.

Gift cards from Polished Beauty Bar in Richmond Heights Plaza.

Flowers from Hillcrest Flowers in Hillcrest Mall.

Later I will be ordering some take out dinner.

How about you?

Are you supporting your local businesses??

#localbusiness#supportinglocalbusinesses#helpingourlocalbusinessesonepurchaseatatime#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

NANA SAYS JOIN THE KIDS IN OUTDOOR FUN DURING COVID

 So I bought some new skates. My son-in-law will have them sharpened. 

Ordered insulated purple pants for outdoors.

And a hockey helmet.

If we must do more outdoors, I want to be warm.

I do have good boots for walking in the snow.

So I think I am ready with lots of hats, scarves, mitts.

How about you? Are you ready for winter outdoor activities?

#winterwear#newskates#insulatedpurplepants#gettingreadyforoutdoorfun#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbardimambro

COVID-19 AND SOCIAL ISOLATION

 Being alone during this crisis does take its toll.

So making sure social connections of any kind are made daily.

 Phone calls. Emails. Writing a card or letter to someone. 

For me walking. Walking to get the mail.

Limiting my outings as York Region is a red zone so must be socially responsible to 

be community minded.

I have music on all day long and of course TV, computer checking and having the cellphone for texting is a good thing.

But it is hard for a mentally and physically healthy person to be isolated so how must it be for others who are not.

So everyone reach out and although physically distancing do a virtual hug, blow a kiss, stay connected with those in your life.

Be nice and friendly with all service people. A friendly hello and thank you go a long way.

COVID-19 really sucks. We have fatigue. But we want to get through it as best we can. 

#socialisolation#covidandsocialisolation#covidreallysucks#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

BARB'S GENEALOGY TIDBITS- NEW INFORMATION ON LANNI AND MATRUNDOLA LINES

 I decided to post some pictures on the Cassino Immigrant Facebook Group from a wedding in 1995.

My mother-in-law with some family members coming from Scotland for the wedding.

What a treasure trove!

People recognized the people in the picture.

And let me know they had information on the Lanni and Matrundola lines.

I have received two very comprehensive family lines on these two branches of my husband's tree.

It will take me some time to digest the information and put the new names on his tree and our charts.

I will personally acknowledge the individuals in another post or two.

It always pays to advertise.

#barb'sgenealogytidbits#lannifamilyhistory#matrundolafamilyhistory#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

LETTERS TO THE TROOPS HAVE BEEN SENT

 Since 1991 I have sent letters to where our Canadian troops are stationed and serving.

So on November 11, 2020 I addressed and sent my letters.

It was harder this year to be as cheery as I am usually.

So mentioning an empty chair at our festive tables without Adolph was needed.

Then knowing that those serving are the empty chair at their family homes is poignant.

Acknowledging how hard it is to be away from family and friends.

So we all can feel a little melancholy this time of year. But being together in it no matter where we are is okay. A good letter or happy note helps everyone.

#writethetroops#sendingsupporttothetroops#writingtootherstokeepthemhappy#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

WRITING LETTERS BACK IN VOGUE SINCE COVID-19

 So reaching out in many ways to stay connected there are some individuals that are writing letters and notes.

Actually in the Spring I reached out in that way to let people know how I was doing.

Emails, texts are okay but the written word helps too.

Of course I will be sending Christmas cards at some point with my newsletter.

Maybe write a little more in each card you send. It will help.

#writingletters#christmascanbeatimetoupdateandconnect#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

REMEMBRANCE DAY 2020

 A child's art says it all.

We will remember all that served.

Wear our poppies.

Salute a veteran.

Honour those that are serving now for our great nation.

Lest we Forget.

#remembranceday#lestweforget#saluteaveteran#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

IT IS A NEW DAY

 Politics are politics.

We like some candidates. We do not like others.

We tolerated others points of view.

But I do feel a sense of relief with the election results in the US. 

Yes there will be policy differences. But it will be done without name calling and put downs. And probably some compromises. No shame. No blame.

America is our friend and neighbour along with Mexico.

Separate nations but many and most values in common. 

Democracy.

Rights of individuals. All individuals. Not just the ones that look like we do.

Listening to others and learning from them. But getting the facts straight. Not believing lies.

When I saw the celebrations in the streets of so many cities across America, I smiled. I was happy for them.

Then I saw Van Jones on CNN, a black journalist. He spoke from it being a good thing. But one comment stuck out. He said the I can't breath from George Floyd has been his reality every day. Every time he would go out wondering if he would be okay. Having a president that allowed the underlying racism to surface was always scary. 

I am a white woman with blue eyes. I have never had to feel that way. To fear. To worry about my children, my grandchildren. I always could breath.

So listening to him and others. No comment, no comeback. But to listen and feel and try to walk in that person's shoes.

So it is a new day. The excitement will pass. Learning from the experience will not.

With this bloody COVID we have to come together even more. Support each other. 

It moves beyond tolerance and acceptance but sticking up everyday for others. With kindness, goodness and mostly love.

Not the talk but the walk.

Yes it is a new day but a good day as well.

#newday#toleranceandlove#americaisourneighbourandfriend#democracyhasspoken#rightsofindividuals#VanJonesCNN#blackjournalistspeaksfromtheheart#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

A VIRTUAL REMEMBRANCE DAY 2020

 COVID-19 changed so many areas of our lives.

One event I have been attending for years was the Remembrance Day Service in Richmond Hill Ontario at the Cenataph.

Well attended. A little parade. Poems especially In Flander Fields. Songs. Laying of the wreaths.

I would put my poppy on one of the wreaths. I like to put it on Dinning"s wreath. His grandparents always came to honour him.

So looking through my photos of Remembrance Days past I thought I would post some memories.

Brownies, guides always came out.

The stature that stands on guard year round.

#remembranceday#parades#wreathslaid#attendingtheservices#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

IN A TRUE DEMOCRACY EVERY VOTE COUNTS

 Some tricky dicky style talk south of the border.

All the votes count. Democracy depend on the people to have their say.

Not just the votes that favour one person or party over another!

So hoping the Constitution and laws of the land prevail in the United States today and going forward.

Whoever comes out on top remember you represent all the people, not just the ones who voted for you.

Be a true leader.

Have some real integrity.

#everyvotecounts#haveintegrity#don'tbeasoreloser#itisnotoveruntilitisover#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

TUESDAY WEAR YOUR PEARLS FOR RUTH

 

She served with her heart and wisdom.

Girls and women can make a statement in our own unique way.

So wear your pearls!!

#wearyourpearlsforRuth#makingourownstatement#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

SNOW ALREADY, REALLY

 I know snow would be coming. But we had a wind warning for last night.

To wake up to an inch of snow and my car covered was a cruel November joke.

I would have parked in my garage. 

Oh well, scraping the snow and ice off the car.

Putting some salt on the front area already.

Lucky it will warm up towards the end of the week so I can rake the leaves some more.

#snowalready#toosoonforsnow#needtofinishfallactivities#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro