POST CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS REFLECTIONS

2018 had its ups and downs. To make it to Christmas with all the family was the greatest blessing. No colds. No flu. No hospitalization. Good eating. Lots of presents. Children noisy and rowdy. Getting together for events prior to the big day. The blessings. To thank the Lord for letting the day be a good one.
Family is important to many people. Even though some complain about having to spend time with family. Having the family stories help to shape a person. Grandchildren can remember the times with the grandparents.
Food is important in every culture. For the Canadian- the turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Desserts can a variety of goodies. Tuxedo cake and yule log. Yes started with delicious appetizers.
Presents and the Santa magic. Blessed to be able to give presents and blessed to be on someone's list.
The Christmas cards and newsletters. Keeping in touch with people is a blessing. Even the once a year connection. It is important.
Those phone calls and a visit to an elderly relative. Blessings to be able to do it.
The hoopla and making the Christmas dinner meal for 12. Blessing to have the strength and stamina to do it.
The Boxing day relaxation. No cooking. Just the leftovers.
So what blessings are in your life?

#blessings#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#family#food#manyeventstosharethegoodtimes#everyonewaswellforchristmas

THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS IS HERE ONCE AGAIN

Someone in the family makes the magic happen. Usually the Mom with some helpers. So here's to all the mothers and her helpers. The magic of gifts and food and hospitality!! The magic of making the December month enjoyable. The magic of remembering the baby Jesus and the message of peace and love. The magic of family. Even the magic of having a pet. Remembering the loved ones not with us anymore. Oh the magic of Christmas.
#chirstmas#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#makingthemagichappen#loveoffamily

MEMORIES OF LOVED ONES THROUGH FLOWERS

My mother-in-law loved carnations especially red ones. She died 20 years ago. At Christmas this year, I bought a dozen red carnations with one red rose. It is a memory to her as well as a gesture to my husband. He always misses his mother.
Flowers are an easy way to keep a memory in front of us. Putting the elephant in the room and talking about it.
As a clinical Social Worker, I would encourage my clients to create a memory for their loved one in their grief. Planting a tree is always a favourite one.
A donation to a charity.
But my favourite continues to be some flowers. For the last anniversary of my mother's death I bought the girls and me some little pink tea roses.
How about you? What do you do to create a memory? What do you include in your celebrations for your loved one?
#flowerstorememberalovedone#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#granpalovestocook#flowersonatable#redcarnations#aredrose

LOVE OF FAMILY MAKES NOT ONLY CHRISTMAS BUT LIFE SPECIAL

Having someone to love and someone who loves you makes life special. Christmas is a time for those we love to share that feeling. During the year we often forget to tell those we love and care about them. So the cards, the presents, the invites, the dinners pave a way for those in our lives to show that love.
Many people do complain about having to spend time with family at Christmas. But what if you did not have any family. No one. Like in the movie It's a Wonderful Life. George is momentarily not born. He has no life. Thus no family.
Yes family members can get on each other's nerves. That is why Board Games were invented to have something to do together that is fun. No talking just playing.
Or Christmas movies to watch together.
Spending the time together is good.
For those of us that actually love our families Christmas together is special. To have a table full of people eating good food prepared by loving hands is a blessing!
Sometimes knowing it could be the last Christmas together makes it even more special. Really special.
Love is the true meaning of Christmas. Jesus would want it that way.
#loveatChristmas#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#granpalovestocook#beingtogetheratChristmas#loveoffamilymeansalot#familymemberstogetheratChristmas

SPREADING SOME CHRISTMAS JOY- VISIT A LOVED ONE WHO IS AT HOME

Each year Adolph and I would visit one of his second cousins. He doesn't get out much so I did the visit alone. Seeing someone unwell and in her late 80s made me happy to make the effort. In all our busy times, we can forget a visit with a small food item can make someone's day. This time it was a Panetone and torrone- Italian treats. So how was the visit. We talked about family and caught up on the grandchildren news. A son was present too so some social time for both of them. The social thing is huge. People need people in their lives. Not just at Christmas but throughout the year. I know how much I appreciate a phone call, a letter and now the Christmas cards that are slowly arriving. A newsy but not bragging conversation. Talking about old times and present times. So is there someone in hospital, a nursing home or just home alone in your life?
#homealone#visitastayathomeperson#makethatphonecall#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#granpalovestocook#visitandsocialize

CHRISTMAS PREPARATIONS ARE ROLLING ALONG

So cashed in some Optimum points at Loblaws and bought lots for Christmas dinner, Christmas Eve seafood and New Years. Had a fun time while babysitting the two littlest grandchildren Sunday and made some sugar cookies. Their decorations were unique to each of them. Presents ready for house deliveries. Took my gift basket to the bank last Friday. Some service people will be getting their bags this week one day at a time. The toy to the toy drive given. The food to the Food Bank given. Already made the charity donations a month ago even though I still get the request for donations in the mail.I have been doing one of my favourite things at Christmas- sitting by my Christmas tree with a knitted or crocheted project. Still trying to use as much of my stash of misc wool on these projects.
Enjoying receiving the odd Christmas card. I think the Postal Strike interfered with my mail. Or maybe some are not sending cards this year.
Last week- a Christmas dinner, a day out with some family and a pot luck dinner with the club gave me some social outings.
Most of all enjoying the Christmas spirit with my husband. Just glad he made it to the Christmas season.
How about you how are your Christmas preparations coming along?
#christmaspreparations#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#funwithfamilyatChristmas#dinneritemsbought#makingsomesugarcookieswithgranchildren#donationstocharitieshelpthematChristmas

WHAT IF THIS IS THE LAST CHRISTMAS WITH A LOVED ONE?

Sometimes we are aware that this could be the last Christmas with a loved ones. Illness, age, circumstances prevail.
So how to make the holiday special without being morbid. How to enjoy the moment and make it real?
I remember knowing it would be the last Christmas for my mother-in-law when she was in her end stages of her cancer. I filmed everything I could about that last Christmas to create a memory for my husband and children. When another family member was sick, took lots of extra pictures at a Christmas Eve celebration. Lots of family group shots! Making memories for that family.
There can be a sadness and anticipatory grief happening too. Knowing this could be the last Christmas together!!
Perhaps talking about your feelings. Telling the person how much he/she is loved. Remembering the good times and try not to dwell on any bad times.
 Bringing out the memories stored inside of us. Sharing old pictures and memorabilia.
Yes taking lots of pictures for memories. Individual and group and family shots help. Pictures with the individual to have your own individual moment with your loved one.
Not just having lots to eat but the special foods the person really loves. Over indulging can be okay.
If you are the one that is the caregiver or the main person, reach out to those around you to help with your emotions. If you love the person then maybe others do as well.
If you have faith, then ask God to help to deal with the realization you are losing the person! How to embrace all that life brings- life and death!
How is your season going? Are you facing the loss of a loved one? Have you recently lost a loved one? The season can be difficult but be part of all the joy it brings and go to functions. Join in even if feeling sad. Others will understand. But be there- included in life.
What are your thoughts?
#losingalovedone#thelastChristmaswithalovedone#beingpartofthefamily#makingmemoriestolast#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#lotsofphotoscreatememories.