All Things Nice . . .

 

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If I could know the reason why,

That small new babies have to die,

Or understand the mighty power

Behind one small unfolding flower,

I too would know the meaning then

Of all this mystery of men.

If I could measure with a bar

The height and wonder of a star,

Could sound the depths of summer seas,

The warm sap rising in the trees,

Explain in little faltering words

The daily miracle of birds.

If all my reasoning could explain

The needless agony of pain

The why of suffering . . the despair,

The burning of unanswered prayer,

If only I could know and see

These questions that arise in me.

And yet my faith is strong and deep,

That He who would these secrets keep

Knows all our frailties, all our fears,

The little happiness . . the tears,

And some day we shall come to know,

The clean divinity of woe.

~Edna Jacques, If I could know

Beside Still Waters, 1952

That age old mystery of why good things happen to bad people, why evil exists, etc. I don't think we will ever know the answers to these questions here on earth.  But I do know one thing. Opposition is essential in all things otherwise we would never be able to experience the sweet.  You cannot know sweet without knowing what bitter is, joy without having experienced sorrow, etc. These sad things in life give us experience so that we recognize the opposite when we see it.  Suffering gives us the opportunity to serve, and as Garth Brooks once sang, one of God's greatest gifts is unanswered prayers.  Still, there are some things I do not think I can ever begin to comprehend in a million years, and that is where faith really comes into play, that someday I will know the why's and wherefores.

For now we see through a glass darkly. 1 Cor. 13:12

 

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What a miracle it was to be able to experience a white Christmas this year. I have not experienced one of those in over 25 years.   It was as if the cosmos knew that I would have some sadness to navigate this year and so it iced my life with a bit of frosting to make the blow a bit easier to take.  It is hard to be totally sad when the world around you is dipped in white frosting. I am reminded of all the Christmas's of my childhood with frosty windowpanes and candles aglow. 

We wore our Sunday best for Christmas morning so we would look good in the ensuing photographs. Everyone dressed for Christmas back then. Society was much more formal.  You used to dress up to go on an airplane. There was a dress code.

I went to drop off something at my next-door neighbor one day this past week, and a lady was there visiting that had known our mother for many, many years.  She remarked to me about how lovely mom always looked. Every hair in place, well dressed and turned out, and about how tiny she was.

Yes, mom was all those things.  But she was also much more than those things.  She was a good and loving mother and wife, a loyal friend to those who were lucky enough to call her friend.  She was a hard worker, always giving her best. She had a wonderful sense of humor and was bright and intelligent . . .  and much, much more.

I miss her every day. There have been many times over these past few years that I would have loved to have been a small child again, able to crawl into her lap just to feel safe once more. One day, I will see her again. I am grateful for my faith which allows me to believe such things.  And believe them I do.

 

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Cindy and I were remembering the other day about how mom always used to like to burn Bayberry scented candles at Christmas. I had forgotten them until Cindy reminded me.  I like to burn the scents of Christmas through the holidays also.  I have been burning one which smells of balsam and wood, and another of apples, peppermint and spice.  Those are the smells of the holidays for me.

I have also kept the fireplace app flickering on the televisions, sometimes playing carols along with it.  It is funny how the sight of the flickering flames somehow makes you feel warmer.  The power of suggestion.  And how the scent of balsam and wood next to an artificial tree somehow makes it seem much more natural.

No man is an Island. Human beings need something other than themselves to believe in, something to draw upon. We do much better in our lives when we have something to feel passionate about and a reason to get out of bed in the morning.  Having a believe in something, anything at all, helps us to be the very best (most of the time) version of ourselves. Belief helps to prevent our minds and bodies from atrophying.  Belief makes it impossible for our hearts, minds and lives to stand still. Once activated, belief itself takes on motion, and as we hold on to belief, we, too are set in motion.

That is why it is very important to carefully choose what or who it is we will believe in. One of the ways we can tell if a teaching or a belief is good or right is by how it makes us feel. It should not make us feel drained, or confused, or powerless. It may challenge us, but that is often a very good thing, something we can rise up to meet with joy and enthusiasm. Good belief should empower you and inspire you to become the best that you can be.  Good belief sets you free and inspires you to soar. Good belief strengthens us.

When we feel better, we act better. When we act better, our lives become better. Fully satisfied, nourished and vibrant. At peace with life.

 

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Kindness is a choice and the more often we choose to be kind, the more natural to us being kind becomes. Life is just better when we make kindness the prevailing choice.  We live in a world that is often very unkind. Being gracious no longer prevails. There is far too much name-calling, insult and derision around us . . .  at times too much dishonesty.  It can be so tempting to fall into the same trap and to behave in the same way. 

Doing so does not bring joy or peace into life. Doing so can destroy life at its very core . . . this being unkind . . .  seeping into our health, our relationships our happiness and even our success. 

Choosing to be kind, to take the higher road and higher values, no matter what . . .  is a strength.  It can be a superpower. Being kind gives us the power to transform not only our own life, but the lives of those around us. It is within our power to create a much kinder and caring world.  We don't need to be rich, or articulate.  We don't need to be famous or even outgoing.  We just need to be . . .  kind.  Just to pay attention and when the choice is ours to make, make the kind choice.

Kindness begins right where we stand.  We cannot force others to be kind, but we can set a example of kindness which in time will begin to rub off on those around us.  When we choose to be kind our lives are truly transformed. I believe this to be true. Bringing more kindness into your life changes it for the better.

Make the kind choice, give the benefit of the doubt, turn the other cheek. Ignore that which is disruptive and defacing. Be kind in the face of negativity. That way kindness prevails.

Eileen and Tim gave me this lovely photograph of themselves for Christmas. I love it.  These are two of the happiest people I know.  No, their lives are not perfect, and they do not get along with each other 100% of the time.  Nobody does. That would be unachievable.  They are amazingly happy, however.  They live simple lives. They don't have a lot of money or things. They are challenged with their learning and mental disabilities, but they take what they do have, and they make the most of it.  

I love them both very much. It was so nice to be able to spend Christmas and Boxing Day with them. We all enjoyed each other's company very much. It was a simple time for the most part. We laughed a lot. The time did not drag but flew by. I need to do this more often.  It's hard-to-find time to spend together most of the time, as they are also very busy people. But we do need to make some time to spend together more often as and when we can.  That is one of my goals for the coming year. To spend more time with the people I love when and as I can, and as they are able to as well, 

This is his begging face.  His face that is "willing" me to do something that he wants me to do.  Either play, or feed him, usually. It is a face that is hard to ignore. Animals may not have a lot of words to use to communicate with us, but they manage to get their wants, needs, and viewpoints across in any case!

What would we do without them!

I best get a move on. I am supposed to go shopping with Cindy this morning. I just have a few bits to pick up. It is cold out, but dry and clear.  It will be good to get out of the house!

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★

 *.˛.I may not have gone

where I intended to go,

but I have ended up

where I needed to be.

~Douglas Adams° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •° * 。 • ˚  

In The English Kitchen today . . .  Mincemeat Muffins.  These are fabulous muffins and a great way to use up the rest of that jar of mincemeat that is languishing in the back of the refrigerator!

I hope that you have a lovely weekend filled with lovely things. This is the last weekend of 2024.  Let's make it our best!  Whatever you get up to, don't forget!

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And I do too!