Skip the Year End Review

Photo by Olya Kobruseva from Pexels

 

It's that time when we review the past year. For most of us, the few bright spots were dim in 2020. I don't know anyone who wants a repeat of this year. Everyone is hoping for health, financial recovery/success and a return to the life most of us took for granted. 

I'm not reviewing the year- I just want to forget it and move on. Like Patriot's coach Bill Belichick says after a loss: "We're onto (next game)." That means no dwelling on the loss- learn the lessons and move on. The only reviewing I'm doing is to the several manuscripts I've written and/or subbed. One of my few happy moments is a publisher expressing interest in one manuscript, pending some revisions and a resubmit. 

So I leave you with wishes, hopes, prayers, and pleas for the universe and each other to treat us better.

Peace-

Char

A Small Silver Lining...

 Everyone knows 2020 SUCKS. I don't have to remind anyone of all that went wrong: death and suffering from the virus, being practically locked up in our homes, kids spending their first and last years of college stuck in their dorms, weddings and other family celebrations cancelled, restaurants and other businesses closed- some for good, and increases in depression, domestic and drug abuse... The list goes on. 

In the Christian tradition, the 4 Sundays before Christmas are celebrated as Advent- a time to prepare for Christmas. Each week has a theme and marked with lighting a candle. It's similar to the Hanukkah menorah and the Kwanza kinara. The four candles represent hope, love, joy, and peace. For the third Sunday, the theme is Joy.

Photo by Bastian Riccardi from Pexels

JOY?? 

Yes. We are instructed to find Joy amidst all the trouble in the world and our lives. There are moments that we must cherish to find a relief from all that has gone wrong this year. Here's where I find joy:

My nephew graduated high school and started college.

My niece had a beautiful baby girl.

We found inventive ways to stay connected through Zoom and other social media, even getting together in backyards at a safe distance. 

Families are spending more time together.

The elections are over.

Animal shelters have been emptied because of pet adoptions.

Pharmacuetical companies rolled out vaccines in unheard of speeds.

Although they may be hard to find, I know there are other joys. And that's what I want and need to focus on. With a new year coming soon, I feel hopeful. 

Wishing you all a holiday of peace, love, hope- and joy.

Char 

A Few of My Favorite Things...

 My favorites are:

Favorite Christmas romance movie: The Christmas Card (shown on the Hallmark channel). It has romance,  Christmas elements like people actually going to church on Christmas Eve, volunteering, a salute to military personnel, and humor. The characters feel like real people.

Favorite Christmas fantasy movie: The Santa Clause. This is so creative and the special effects are just amazing. I really want to believe in Santa as I watch this movie.

Favorite Christmas animated movie: So many to choose from, but I'd have to say the classic A Charley Brown Christmas because it shows how the real meaning of Christmas can get lost in commercialism if we let it. 

Favorite Christmas book: A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens. Every year it makes me reaffirm my vow to keep Christmas in my heart all year long. This book is also responsible for the way many of us celebrate Christmas today, with the traditions of attending church, giving to the poor, gathering with friends and family. 

Favorite Christmas song: argggh, this is a hard one- but if I separate music into 2 categories, songs and hymns, it becomes easier. Favorite song is Mary Did You Know, and favorite hymn is O Holy Night.

Favorite Christmas cookie: the buttery, low-sugar and pretty spritz cookies I make. Perfect with tea, coffee, and hot chocolate! (And yes, I made the cookies pictured below.)

Favorite Christmas dinner: roast duck a la orange. Haven't had it in years because with a big family get together, it's expensive and not everyone likes it, so it's reserved for when it's just my husband and self. 

Photo by Carolina Grabowska, Pexels

Favorite Christmas dessert: egg nog pudding. 

Favorite Christmas tradition: playing the bells at the Christmas Eve service, with a close second of piling everyone into the car with a thermos of hot cocoa, a tin of Christmas cookies, songs on the radio or CD, and driving around to see the Christmas lights in our neighborhood.

 You can listen to one of the best groups ringing here:  http://www.wesleybells.org/

Favorite Christmas decoration: the tree! Although we prefer a real tree, as long as I have a tree up (usually two days after Thanksgiving), it feels like Christmas. Every year I rotate ornaments and have either white or colored lights, and different themes, so it's always fresh. 

Photo courtesy of Pexels Pixaby

Now I'll have that song in my head all day- A Few of My Favorite Things... and now, so will you. Go listen to the bell choir on the above link to cure that. 

Char