NANA SAYS STAYING CONNECTED WITH FAMILY AND GRANDCHILDREN HELPS US ALL

 At my January birthday lunch/brunch with family I blurted out that I loved my family.

Saying you are my people.

Being positive with grandchildren. Letting them know I enjoy their company.

During one visit played Go Fish several times. Opportunity to engage in a fun way.

Yes I tried to beat my grandchild. No easy wins.

Losing loved ones in our lives can not be replaced.

But staying connected brings peace and well love.

For me missing my spouse-Adolph has been hard. But telling little stories about us to my grandchildren helps me keep him connected to them.

Spending time with grandchildren means more to me than them. 

There have been studies that being connected to grandchildren helps with mental health of grandparents.

Did we really need a study to tell us? 

I think not.

#nanasaysstayingconnectedwithfamilyandgrandhchildrenhelpsusall#grandchildrenareneededforgrandparents'mentalhealth#keepinggrandpaalivebytellinglittlestoriesabouthime#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

WHAT TO DO ON A SNOW DAY? WELL COOK AND STAY HOME!

 As the snowstorm that was predicted is happening, I look out the window to the sea of white.

Trees covered. Roads covered in it.

So the best thing to do is to lie low. Stay home if able.

Make an oven or slow cooker meal that brings aroma to the home.

Check to make sure all family is good.

Hopefully the plows will be out and clear the streets.

Stay safe everyone!!

#snowstorms#stayingsafeinthesnowstorm#beincomforatableathome#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

BEING PATIENT PAYS OFF- AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE JOB

 Sometimes those early morning thoughts can be productive.

I was remembering a time in my life where getting that full time job took time. I had to settle for a part-time position with some shifts in another department to make up for full time hours.

Then being patient I eventually obtained a full time position. 

So why write about it. 

Worrying can bring such negative energy. Going through a tough time and wanting to find a solution can be stressful.

Reconnecting with other times in my life where things eventually worked out. 

Keep going. Put two feet on the floor. Do what is doable. 

Just do it.

Just stay positive. It allows positive energy and people to enter your life.

And be patient!

Patience is not necessarily a virtue but it is a good quality to have.

#patience#beingpatient#worryingdoesnotsolveanything#findingpracticalanswerstoconcerns#itistoostressfultoworryallthetime#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

WINTER A TIME FOR QUIET REFLECTION ACCORDING TO SOME LITERARY MINDS

 I will discuss more after I peruse some books I ordered from the library.

One blogger I read weekly had a wonderful reflection on how winter let's us quiet our energy.

The Marginalian ( Brain Pickings) by Maria Popova. She quotes one wrier- Rilke- winter- the season for tending of the inner garden of the soul.

House of Kerrs wrote about there are no blooms in winter.

Read the post.

House of Kerrs

An interesting thought.

Also the whole metaphor about winter and its meaning.

The winter of our life.

Winter can be sadness, grief.

Embracing winter and all the emotions it brings.

So to read some soul reflecting books will help with the winter retreat for self.

#winter#winterreflections#soulsearching#beingfinewithselfreflections#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

SOMETIMES WE ALL NEED A LIFT

 January with the throngs of winter often keeps us down.

Everyone needs a little lift to get us from one place to another.

Old fashioned cable car in Cassino Italy could do the trick.

Or the EX.

Getting the ride on the skyway to get a good view of the area.

Do you need a lift?

#gettingalift#knowingwhenyouneedalift#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

BARB'S GENEALOGY TIDBITS-REMEMBERING A VISIT TO COURTICE EBENEZER CHURCH CEMETERY

 Genealogy has changed greatly.

So many databases online.

With Canadian Headstones and Find a Grave, a cemetery visit is not always needed.

In my 38 years of research, I have made many cemetery visits.

While persuing my photo files, I found these pics from the cemetery of the Ebenzer United Church 1669 Courtice Road, Courtice Ontario.

This is the older section of the cemetery. The older Witheridge family members are buried there.

A view of the newer section with the older one in the background.

Osborne is a family name too.

I was lucky to attend a family reunion for the Witheridge family many years ago.

On one of our excursions to the area visiting the Courtice flea market then coming to this church property to have a picnic lunch Adolph had prepared for us. 

Then to take some pictures, it was a good outing in 2012. 

It is one location I would take any family members wanting to do a family history tour.

Find a Grave has the headstones too. So for Witheridge I have visited the site and copied some photos. But remember to give photo credit and acknowledgement due to copyright issues.

#courticeontario#ebenezerunitedchurch#witheridgefamily#osbornefamily#apicniclunchinthechurchgarden#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

ENJOY ALL THAT LIFE BRINGS-LIKE A GRANDSON HOCKEY GAME OR TRIP TO THE DENTIST

 Small events in our lives may not seem like much.

But embracing what life brings can take us on journeys.

So being a good Nana, I try to be involved in grandchildren's lives as much as I can.

Lately seeing some hockey games of two grandsons.

Taking another to a dentist appointment where we chat in the care.

Sleepovers with the littles helps too.

The social aspect is so important.

So being out and about helps to diminish the social isolation.

Not just enjoying those small occurrences but embracing them is what life is all about.

The small things become the big things.

#embracinglife#takingadvantageofthesmalloccurrences#grandchildrenhelpreducethesocialisolation#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro