New Traditions: Christmastide!

As this is the first year without my mother, and with Rob and I getting farther and farther away from kin due to our journeys, we decided it was time to start making new traditions for the holidays.  The First:  We bought a Tropical Themed Nutcracker for our table.  He adds some style and will remain decor all year.   The Second: As we dont have a fireplace, nor need alot of heat just a little, we bought a faux fireplace (mini) with the option to have heat or just flames.  Along the same wall we have hung brand new stockings: Holiday sweater for Rob; cute Christmas owl for me.  The Third:  As to Christmas Dinner, right now we are torn between Christmas Fajitas and Hawaiian Ham...  Christmas Eve we will have Tortilla Soup as has been our tradition since Chicago.  Also we will have homemade cookies, gingerbread (KY mountain style), and egg nog.

For those who are struggling with the lose of a loved one, be it this year or many years ago, let me offer some things that have helped me in hopes they might you as well.  First of all, make sure you keep doing stuff with and around other people, isolation make the sorrow worse.  Secondly, find some things that make you happy, be they going to a movie, throwing a holiday party, or creating new traditions... or maybe a mix of all of them.  Take time to honor the memory of the loved one, be it placing a picture of them in a special spot, or hanging a memory ornament on the tree in their honor, give the lost loved one a new place in the holiday tradition can really help with the transition.  Most of all, remember you're not the only one struggling with loss this year, and if you need to there are others to reach out to.

~ Morria

A Goal: Holiday Work

Snow hath come this Christmastide as of yesterday.  At last, we have good white snow.  The city looks so white and pure, thought that most likely will not last long.  Even my bike, "Meg", loves this... though I dont dare taker her out on the streets in this weather.  It looks as if tis finally time to rest her for the winter.  Until we meet again in the spring, dear "Meg".  I am sure the bike shop will care for you well.

As everyone left for Thanksgiving, and is now preparing to leave for Christmas, Robby and I are being able to pick up a bunch of extra paid work.   And that is a good thing, as in January we are journeying to Dine Bikeyah for about a week.  Other than Aaron, Skot and Rachel, and a few other families, we are not close to many anywhere...  And our Christmas was spent with Rob's family over Thanksgiving...

I love how they have made the L and other lines all festive.  In this busy bustling city, it is nice to have some good will and spirit of cheer.  I just pray that everyone, whether traveling home, journeying through the city, or snug as a bug with their computer and a cup of Zhena's Fireside Chai Tea, never forgets the Babe born on Christmas morn.  We ought not celebrate Him one morn, but all 365 days of the year.  Let us not blot out the lesson we have learned on the journeys way, and share His love all the more with those about us.

~ Morria

Christmas in Kansas!

Made it!  Weather was a fright, and it seemed I would never make it to Kansas.  Snowed in both Lansing, and Chicago... and was 3 hours late getting out of airport, but made it home in time for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Blest Christmastide to everyone!

~ Morria