Tag Archives: Paper

Dance In The Snow

English: 4 paper snowflakes cut out as an example

“We are always getting ready to live, but never living” – Ralph Waldo Emerson  (and evidently, Churchill quoted this also)

I spent some of my afternoon cutting out paper snowflakes. It is snowing (for real) outside. I’ve been listening to favorite Christmas music on Pandora. It’s been a quiet day and I have enjoyed it entirely. It’s been good.

Tonight the family will be going to a local “Country Christmas” where we will be witness to a live nativity. Hearing the Christmas story of the birth of the Messiah. The story that never grows old.

Memories.

Living.

Isn’t that what each of us is called to do?

To live each day and enjoy the moments. Right where we are at.

The moments are gone all too soon. How many times do I say, ” I’ll do that later” or make some other excuse?

Stop. Laugh. Enjoy.

Catch snowflakes on my tongue. Laugh until I cry. Take pictures of the kids at this very moment…because it won’t be back again. Capture the dog wearing antlers.

Dance in paper snowflakes. Lick the brownie batter. Sing at the top of my lungs. Wear the favorite sweater on a Thursday, what am I saving it for? Watch classic movies…and cartoons.

Tell family I love them. Send the card. Write the email.

Thank God.

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Written In My Own Hand

Pen & Journal

Image by Bob AuBuchon via Flickr

Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart. ~ William Wordsworth

The leather bound book feels smooth in my hands. I open it to the page, after my last entry. The white emptiness awaits my pen.

I’ve kept journals my entire life. For me, there is something therapeutic  about putting feelings, thoughts, experiences down on paper. I like to express myself with words on the page. I’ve had people say to me that they could never keep a journal….because they would be afraid that someone would read their journals, or family would read them after he/she is gone.  My thought is, read them! READ THEM. I hope my family reads all my boxes of  journals. I think they will see that I was a real person, with real issues, joys and sorrows. I had dreams and I tasted grief. I was sometimes goofy and yet a deep thinker.

*In eighth grade I wrote poetry and doodled hearts in the margins of my journal. I practiced different styles of handwriting to see which one was the most beautiful. I wrote of the seasons and time.

*In college I wrote letters to my boyfriend. I’m reminded of some of the deep issues we discussed on paper. (yes, the 80’s were still pre-personal PC days)  I could hold my own in a debate.

*As a college graduate I wrote about my search for a job and my desire to teach. Once I landed my first job, I wrote about my days as a teacher, and my students that made it all worth while.

*I wrote as a newlywed, learning how to share my life with another.

*I began to write a journal to my son when I was only five months pregnant with him. I wanted him to know that he was loved from before he was even born.

*I wrote a journal of grief, for the whole year after my first husband died.

*I wrote when I was a single parent. The joys and the heartaches.

*I wrote when I started dating again. Dating in one’s mid 30’s is a lot different than dating in one’s early 20’s. Just sayin’.

*I wrote to my new husband. Of course, my witty banter won him over….along with my amazing email skills and my otherwise complete lack of knowledge of computers. (Giggle)

*I continue to write in my prayer journal. I pour out my heart to the One who knows and understands…my soul bleeding out on each page.

Each day I etch words into time. I write how I am feeling at that moment. The ups and downs of my life. The bubbled up laughter spilling out in joy. The anguish of dreams not met.

I love writing.  I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with human emotions.  ~James Michener

 

 

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Gift Wrapping Envy

Christmas gifts.

Image via Wikipedia

I have to wrap gifts today. At least START to wrap gifts today. At least TRY to wrap gifts today.

I love to buy gifts for people. I love to have “a theme” to my gift buying. Most of the time my family and friends enjoy my gifts. Really.That is because I put thought into what I’m giving people….and they know it.

It’s the wrapping that I’m not the best at….I don’t make perfect corners. The corners are almost always uneven. I probably use way too much tape. My seams are crooked. And I have been known to cut the gift wrap too short and have to “patch” the area that the gift wrap didn’t cover. Don’t judge me.

Hey, it’s the thought that counts, people! Not my (lack of) gift wrapping skill!

The weather is  yucky and cold. I may as well make good use of my time, being stuck inside. I think I will barricade myself in my bedroom with wrap, scissors, tape, bows, and tags. I won’t come out until the deed is done. AND if one person makes a crack about my wrapping resembling something a kindergartner would do, well let’s just say “Santa” might not be visiting them this year. To be honest, my kids wouldn’t say a word–they care nothing about the wrapping. Once given a gift, the wrap is only on the gift for .0002 seconds. In a flash it is a crumpled mass on the floor. In light of that, why should I worry about making neat corners?

 

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