I loved this post, Holly - what a wonderful Christmas! I loved hearing all about Aeroplane - so great that you enjoyed sharing each other's company. Brilliant stuff!
I don't make NY resolutions any more because I found them a burden, and the usual outcome would be that I would use my failure at them as a means to crush myself. These days my day-to-day journalling practice takes care of my goals and intentions, and over the last four years I've achieved way more each year by that all-the-time approach than I ever did by setting great store by a load of 'ought tos' slap bang at the start of every January!
We had a wonderful Christmas - our first together as our family of six since 2019, and the first at my parents' family home since 2016. I'm going to be spending more time with family in the year to come, because they're just so flipping BRILLIANT.
A wonderful post, Holly. THANK YOU for your writing. Here's to a very, very happy new year! 😊
“All-the-time approach”--yes! I set my goals each morning (otherwise I fritter my day away) and have gotten on the treadmill and written more just because I put “write” and “walk” on my task list.
(Still love “slap bang” by the way!)
How wonderful that you were all together for Christmas! And there is just something about being at your childhood home with your parents, isn’t it?! Cheers to more time there in 2023--Happy New Year!
Loved this post, especially the part about your friend, Aeroplane. Sometimes, all we need is to be around people who care so I would say you all did give him one of the greatest gifts ever. Glad he finally made it to church with you. Maybe it's a sign of things to come?
I've been on vacation since the 21st and haven't been doing much except relaxing and trying to get back into writing and journaling with a sprinkling of catching up with some movies and a few books I've been meaning to get back into.
I don't do resolutions, but I do set goals. I did a respectable job of attaining last years but want to do better this year. I will let you know if I make it, next year :)
Happy holidays if busy ones for you, glad Areoplane hung out with you, confirmation that your life makes a difference in others. Thoughtful reflection on Ebenezer,
Posted near my work area your comments-
Life I want to live
Person I want to become - this was specific to growth - being and becoming are two separate verbs!
How I want to spend my resources- or stewardship opportunities- time, money, emotions, talent?
And lastly - George- I love his writing craft lessons in “office hours”, but not a fan of his books. My son is tho- he asked me the sane question- “You write and read cozy mysteries-it doesn’t seem like his short stories would appeal to you.” I sent him George’s response to his confused reader, he understood.
So glad to meet another fan with the sane issue!
Long comment but such a great holiday post - I needed to unpack it and thank you for each gift
I worked the 26/27/28th, but had 4-day weekends on either side of those. For the first one, Mother Nature had her own plans, and I mostly stayed home and laid low. Hard to do a lot when there's a blizzard with -40 windchills. Christmas was at my sister in law's, with all of it's attendant chaos- my kind of chaos, I should add. And my mom lives here now, so it was the first time since '03 or '04 that we were together.
For this current stretch, it's been wonderfully warm (by our standards), and filled with "exciting" things like getting new tires for my son's truck, and binge-watching Yellowstone. One of my wife's co-workers is starting a bakery, and brought over a tasting box for us to test. She's quite talented, so "getting in shape" will just have to wait until tomorrow.
Mostly, I've been slowing down to the speed of life, if that makes sense.
How awesome that you finally got to spend Christmas with your mom! Glad it’s been a good week for you. I can’t imagine -40 windchills, though. We got down to 17 here and you would have thought the world was ending. We’re back to 76 today, so all is well again.🤣
I’ve not watched Yellowstone and have been looking for a series to start. We may give it a go!
Yeah, having her was pretty cool! And it was the first time my kids had ever spent it with their other grandma. My niece & her boyfriend made it up from Tampa (by way of Spokane Washington. Long story, but it's it's own Christmas miracle), and the Packers won. Mostly, I'm glad she didn't spend it alone like she did last year.
For Yellowstone, there is a ton of swearing (almost too much, and I use the F word like a comma), but it's some of the tightest writing I've seen since "The Americans" ended. That and the scenery are amazing.
76?! Sounds heavenly. Please send us some heat. lol.
Thanks for mentioning a couple of my posts. I loved reading about Aeroplane (did I spell that right?) and that he went to church with you guys. Aside from whatever spiritual teachings he may have heard, on a very spiritual level to be with friends, to be accepted and loved, is to come closer to God.
I agree wholeheartedly, John! Aeroplane (you spelled it correctly!) grew up in church and knows Scripture, but has fallen away from most fellowship in larger crowds--which we are prone to do as we age, I think. He certainly felt accepted and loved that day--which is our second duty as Christ followers (the first, of course, to love God). When we let God’s love flow through us--unfiltered, unadulterated by our own prejudices and judgment, that is when His light shines.
I love that Aeroplane joined you for Christmas! And that he was sporting a red suit!! How wonderful! And yes, I wish more folks would give gifts on Epiphany (January 6th/the 12th day of Christmas/celebrating when the wise men showed up with gifts - as I'm sure you know) instead of on December 25. Then on Christmas the focus wouldn't be lost on a preoccupation with material things. Also loved seeing the photo of the grandpups. :) Happy New Year, Holly! (And happy 9th day of Christmas!!)
I know I’ve been off the grid since September. I started a new job so life has been crazy, But this post is just the inspiration and encouragement I needed. I especially love the idea of making intentions rather than resolutions. I also agree that the glitz, and commercialism of the American Christmas over-promises and underdelivers. And as a result, we completely lose sight of what Christmas is really about, our savior coming into the world to rescue us. I hope you and your family have a healthy, happy new year.
Happy 2023, Allison! I hope life has settled out a bit and that you are finding your groove. And yes--Christmas is a time to celebrate Emmanuel. God with us. A perfect babe who came to deliver us!
I'm happy to be one of your paid subscribers. And I'm thankful that your content remains free. 7 may not sound like a lot, but I think of it like this. If there are seven people who value your writing, there can be 15. If there are 15, there can be 100. The possibilities are endless. I loved this post, as always. And I have no resolutions any longer because I don't limit myself to making changes at the New Year. Every day is an important opportunity to make a difference. Oh, and I'd love to receive a surprise letter! I'll send along my address.
I look forward to it, whenever it arrives. No hurry. And I also downloaded your red beans and rice recipe. Looking forward to trying it in the next week. Thanks! 💟
I'm with you on intentions, Holly. Not big on resolutions either. I find it so much more effective! I've been water rowing for about a year now. I didn't make it a resolution for it but an intention to increase physical activity. I've stuck to it since then! Happy New Year to you and your family!!
It was only my Mom and me for Christmas. I emailed you before Christmas but I don't know if you got my message or not, bringing you up to date on things. I was off work on the 24th, 25th, 27th and Jan 1.
You know how you said if you have to cry, cry. I was trying to tell my Mom about Aeroplane in your story and I didn't make it through. It took me forever just to tell her what he had said. I had to stop several times because I was getting teary-eyed. I thought it was so touching what he said to you at the end. And with everything going on with us, it just hit me.
Let's hope for a better 2023 and more opportunities!
Matt, I’m glad the story touched you, and so glad you shared it with your mom--even though it was hard to get through. Holidays can just be so difficult to get through! This one was good for me because of the miraculous aligning for so many of our kids to come home...but it doesn’t always work out that way for sure! In fact, I’ve practiced the art of getting through very tough Christmases ever since my boys’ dad and I divorced. Really, my heart was ripped every Sunday afternoon when I dropped them off to him for three nights.
I’m still catching up my emails, so look for a reply soon! How wonderful you could be off on Christmas Day to spend it with your mom. I know that’s got to be special for her!
I have spent that space in between chilling out with my 16, soon to be 17 year old while she has been on Christmas break. Allowing myself to sit on the couch and watch Prank Encounters and Triviaverse. Just allowing myself to be light and lazy. In the morning, I still try to get a little writing or editing in or I feel like failure. (Ha!) No resolutions but some decisions.
Holly, what a beautiful way to close out the Old Year (reading your Release and Gather words of life, love, wisdom, recommendations, and all things inspiring). Thank you for the "Spaghetti Shout Out"! Your generous spirit and actions are heart-filling. Then, my heart fell a bit as I asked myself, "Where are you behaving generously and filling the hearts of others with hope and joy?" I think I have been so focused on my own Healing Path (and my daughter's) that I have neglected to make my circle of "Care" larger. And so, "More Caring I Say". Thank you and may this year bring continued strength and joy for Jonah. I don't know him and yet I feel sooooo proud of him.
I find that when I expand my “circle of care,” I heal in ways I never expected. Good luck to you in that! And thanks for always sending good thoughts across the miles. I truly love hearing from you!
We have one kid in college and one leaving home after this year, and for the first time ever I felt like we’ve outgrown how we usually do Christmas. I’ve already announced that we’re going to do something different next year, I just don’t know what. I’d love it if we could go to Mexico and let the cabana boys keep my margarita glass filled while I read a book on the beach. 😂 We’ll see what shakes out.
We watched The Whale as well and I feel the same way about it (great acting, unsure about the story).
We watched The Fablemans at home and enjoyed it.
We never spend Christmas with extended family, but did our family-of-choice gathering on a Christmas Eve (so many teenagers!). This opened up Christmas Day to be a Pajama Day and we binged the entire third season of Jack Ryan! 😂
Other movies we’ve watched over the last couple weeks:
* Aftersun (good, but sad)
* Fablemans
* The Whale
* The Royal Tenenbaums (the teens discovered Wes Anderson so we’re catching up on old ones)
I’m all for changing holiday traditions! One of my best friends decided a few years ago she wasn’t buying gifts and spent money on a ski trip with the kids. She hasn’t looked back (and they still don’t get presents but occasionally get a really good trip!🤣).
Thanks for all the recommendations--pure treasure in the comments!
I love the part about why we needlessly complicate things. So much truth to that. And what a wonderful gift you gave to Aeroplane. Love that name BTW. As for my in-between week, I tried to actually take time off but only partially succeeded...
He says that’s his nickname because when he paints houses on his extension ladder (at 70-years-old!) people tell him he sails like an Aeroplane (spelling his own). 🤣 And I understand about only partially succeeding at time off.
I loved this post, Holly - what a wonderful Christmas! I loved hearing all about Aeroplane - so great that you enjoyed sharing each other's company. Brilliant stuff!
I don't make NY resolutions any more because I found them a burden, and the usual outcome would be that I would use my failure at them as a means to crush myself. These days my day-to-day journalling practice takes care of my goals and intentions, and over the last four years I've achieved way more each year by that all-the-time approach than I ever did by setting great store by a load of 'ought tos' slap bang at the start of every January!
We had a wonderful Christmas - our first together as our family of six since 2019, and the first at my parents' family home since 2016. I'm going to be spending more time with family in the year to come, because they're just so flipping BRILLIANT.
A wonderful post, Holly. THANK YOU for your writing. Here's to a very, very happy new year! 😊
“All-the-time approach”--yes! I set my goals each morning (otherwise I fritter my day away) and have gotten on the treadmill and written more just because I put “write” and “walk” on my task list.
(Still love “slap bang” by the way!)
How wonderful that you were all together for Christmas! And there is just something about being at your childhood home with your parents, isn’t it?! Cheers to more time there in 2023--Happy New Year!
Loved this post, especially the part about your friend, Aeroplane. Sometimes, all we need is to be around people who care so I would say you all did give him one of the greatest gifts ever. Glad he finally made it to church with you. Maybe it's a sign of things to come?
I've been on vacation since the 21st and haven't been doing much except relaxing and trying to get back into writing and journaling with a sprinkling of catching up with some movies and a few books I've been meaning to get back into.
I don't do resolutions, but I do set goals. I did a respectable job of attaining last years but want to do better this year. I will let you know if I make it, next year :)
I hope you and your family have a great New Year!
Happy New Year, Mark, and wow! What a nice long vacation! Enjoy it.
Happy holidays if busy ones for you, glad Areoplane hung out with you, confirmation that your life makes a difference in others. Thoughtful reflection on Ebenezer,
Posted near my work area your comments-
Life I want to live
Person I want to become - this was specific to growth - being and becoming are two separate verbs!
How I want to spend my resources- or stewardship opportunities- time, money, emotions, talent?
And lastly - George- I love his writing craft lessons in “office hours”, but not a fan of his books. My son is tho- he asked me the sane question- “You write and read cozy mysteries-it doesn’t seem like his short stories would appeal to you.” I sent him George’s response to his confused reader, he understood.
So glad to meet another fan with the sane issue!
Long comment but such a great holiday post - I needed to unpack it and thank you for each gift
Thanks for such a thoughtful comment, Kathy! I really like that--“being and becoming are two separate verbs.” I may have to post THAT to MY work area!
I worked the 26/27/28th, but had 4-day weekends on either side of those. For the first one, Mother Nature had her own plans, and I mostly stayed home and laid low. Hard to do a lot when there's a blizzard with -40 windchills. Christmas was at my sister in law's, with all of it's attendant chaos- my kind of chaos, I should add. And my mom lives here now, so it was the first time since '03 or '04 that we were together.
For this current stretch, it's been wonderfully warm (by our standards), and filled with "exciting" things like getting new tires for my son's truck, and binge-watching Yellowstone. One of my wife's co-workers is starting a bakery, and brought over a tasting box for us to test. She's quite talented, so "getting in shape" will just have to wait until tomorrow.
Mostly, I've been slowing down to the speed of life, if that makes sense.
How awesome that you finally got to spend Christmas with your mom! Glad it’s been a good week for you. I can’t imagine -40 windchills, though. We got down to 17 here and you would have thought the world was ending. We’re back to 76 today, so all is well again.🤣
I’ve not watched Yellowstone and have been looking for a series to start. We may give it a go!
Yeah, having her was pretty cool! And it was the first time my kids had ever spent it with their other grandma. My niece & her boyfriend made it up from Tampa (by way of Spokane Washington. Long story, but it's it's own Christmas miracle), and the Packers won. Mostly, I'm glad she didn't spend it alone like she did last year.
For Yellowstone, there is a ton of swearing (almost too much, and I use the F word like a comma), but it's some of the tightest writing I've seen since "The Americans" ended. That and the scenery are amazing.
76?! Sounds heavenly. Please send us some heat. lol.
76 + humidity + middle-aged...let’s just say Mike was treading lightly around me yesterday.🤣
(We’re also watching a yellowstone and loved The Americans.)
Thanks for your inspirational writing with messages of hope and resiliency in the face of our daily struggles.
Thanks for mentioning a couple of my posts. I loved reading about Aeroplane (did I spell that right?) and that he went to church with you guys. Aside from whatever spiritual teachings he may have heard, on a very spiritual level to be with friends, to be accepted and loved, is to come closer to God.
I agree wholeheartedly, John! Aeroplane (you spelled it correctly!) grew up in church and knows Scripture, but has fallen away from most fellowship in larger crowds--which we are prone to do as we age, I think. He certainly felt accepted and loved that day--which is our second duty as Christ followers (the first, of course, to love God). When we let God’s love flow through us--unfiltered, unadulterated by our own prejudices and judgment, that is when His light shines.
Let your light so shine among men! 💕🙏🏻
I love that Aeroplane joined you for Christmas! And that he was sporting a red suit!! How wonderful! And yes, I wish more folks would give gifts on Epiphany (January 6th/the 12th day of Christmas/celebrating when the wise men showed up with gifts - as I'm sure you know) instead of on December 25. Then on Christmas the focus wouldn't be lost on a preoccupation with material things. Also loved seeing the photo of the grandpups. :) Happy New Year, Holly! (And happy 9th day of Christmas!!)
I agree, Jan! I wish we really celebrated the 12 days of Christmas. Happy 9th day!
I know I’ve been off the grid since September. I started a new job so life has been crazy, But this post is just the inspiration and encouragement I needed. I especially love the idea of making intentions rather than resolutions. I also agree that the glitz, and commercialism of the American Christmas over-promises and underdelivers. And as a result, we completely lose sight of what Christmas is really about, our savior coming into the world to rescue us. I hope you and your family have a healthy, happy new year.
Happy 2023, Allison! I hope life has settled out a bit and that you are finding your groove. And yes--Christmas is a time to celebrate Emmanuel. God with us. A perfect babe who came to deliver us!
Holly,
I'm happy to be one of your paid subscribers. And I'm thankful that your content remains free. 7 may not sound like a lot, but I think of it like this. If there are seven people who value your writing, there can be 15. If there are 15, there can be 100. The possibilities are endless. I loved this post, as always. And I have no resolutions any longer because I don't limit myself to making changes at the New Year. Every day is an important opportunity to make a difference. Oh, and I'd love to receive a surprise letter! I'll send along my address.
Keep writing! 💟
Thanks for your vote of confidence and for being a paid subscriber! Got your address and can’t wait to put a happy in the mail to you!
I look forward to it, whenever it arrives. No hurry. And I also downloaded your red beans and rice recipe. Looking forward to trying it in the next week. Thanks! 💟
Oooo! I hope you like it! Some people don’t like andouille sausage, but I think it makes it so authentically Cajun!
Oh, I'll like it. We like spice and heat! Rick picked up the sausage yesterday and I plan to soak the beans tonight!
Intentions seem so much better than goals...so much kinder...much more realistic…a bit more optimistic 😁
All adjectives I’m shooting for these days!
I'm with you on intentions, Holly. Not big on resolutions either. I find it so much more effective! I've been water rowing for about a year now. I didn't make it a resolution for it but an intention to increase physical activity. I've stuck to it since then! Happy New Year to you and your family!!
Water rowing sounds...exhausting! 😂
It was only my Mom and me for Christmas. I emailed you before Christmas but I don't know if you got my message or not, bringing you up to date on things. I was off work on the 24th, 25th, 27th and Jan 1.
You know how you said if you have to cry, cry. I was trying to tell my Mom about Aeroplane in your story and I didn't make it through. It took me forever just to tell her what he had said. I had to stop several times because I was getting teary-eyed. I thought it was so touching what he said to you at the end. And with everything going on with us, it just hit me.
Let's hope for a better 2023 and more opportunities!
Matt, I’m glad the story touched you, and so glad you shared it with your mom--even though it was hard to get through. Holidays can just be so difficult to get through! This one was good for me because of the miraculous aligning for so many of our kids to come home...but it doesn’t always work out that way for sure! In fact, I’ve practiced the art of getting through very tough Christmases ever since my boys’ dad and I divorced. Really, my heart was ripped every Sunday afternoon when I dropped them off to him for three nights.
I’m still catching up my emails, so look for a reply soon! How wonderful you could be off on Christmas Day to spend it with your mom. I know that’s got to be special for her!
I have spent that space in between chilling out with my 16, soon to be 17 year old while she has been on Christmas break. Allowing myself to sit on the couch and watch Prank Encounters and Triviaverse. Just allowing myself to be light and lazy. In the morning, I still try to get a little writing or editing in or I feel like failure. (Ha!) No resolutions but some decisions.
Light and lazy with an older teen sounds like exactly the way you needed to spend the in between!
Holly, what a beautiful way to close out the Old Year (reading your Release and Gather words of life, love, wisdom, recommendations, and all things inspiring). Thank you for the "Spaghetti Shout Out"! Your generous spirit and actions are heart-filling. Then, my heart fell a bit as I asked myself, "Where are you behaving generously and filling the hearts of others with hope and joy?" I think I have been so focused on my own Healing Path (and my daughter's) that I have neglected to make my circle of "Care" larger. And so, "More Caring I Say". Thank you and may this year bring continued strength and joy for Jonah. I don't know him and yet I feel sooooo proud of him.
I find that when I expand my “circle of care,” I heal in ways I never expected. Good luck to you in that! And thanks for always sending good thoughts across the miles. I truly love hearing from you!
Thanks for the shoutout, Holly!
We have one kid in college and one leaving home after this year, and for the first time ever I felt like we’ve outgrown how we usually do Christmas. I’ve already announced that we’re going to do something different next year, I just don’t know what. I’d love it if we could go to Mexico and let the cabana boys keep my margarita glass filled while I read a book on the beach. 😂 We’ll see what shakes out.
We watched The Whale as well and I feel the same way about it (great acting, unsure about the story).
We watched The Fablemans at home and enjoyed it.
We never spend Christmas with extended family, but did our family-of-choice gathering on a Christmas Eve (so many teenagers!). This opened up Christmas Day to be a Pajama Day and we binged the entire third season of Jack Ryan! 😂
Other movies we’ve watched over the last couple weeks:
* Aftersun (good, but sad)
* Fablemans
* The Whale
* The Royal Tenenbaums (the teens discovered Wes Anderson so we’re catching up on old ones)
* Portrait of a Lady on Fire (French)
* She Said (so good, watched at home)
* Glass Onion, a Knives Out Mystery (so fun)
Series we’re watching:
*Dead to Me
*The Mosquito Coast
*The Daily Alaska
*Jack Ryan
I’m all for changing holiday traditions! One of my best friends decided a few years ago she wasn’t buying gifts and spent money on a ski trip with the kids. She hasn’t looked back (and they still don’t get presents but occasionally get a really good trip!🤣).
Thanks for all the recommendations--pure treasure in the comments!
I love the part about why we needlessly complicate things. So much truth to that. And what a wonderful gift you gave to Aeroplane. Love that name BTW. As for my in-between week, I tried to actually take time off but only partially succeeded...
He says that’s his nickname because when he paints houses on his extension ladder (at 70-years-old!) people tell him he sails like an Aeroplane (spelling his own). 🤣 And I understand about only partially succeeding at time off.