Cheer and Charm ~ A Tiny Story

Cheer and Charm were twins. Two little guys with shiny brown curls and big twinkling brown eyes. When Cheer was caught taking cookies from the cookie jar, Charm would just smooth the way with their mom and they both got more cookies. Both of them had smiles that melted the grumpiest of people. You know, those people who’s hearts are stuffed in their back pockets. Cheer and Charm were quite a team, getting away with all the mischief that five year olds could think of. But when it came to a bird with a broken wing, a cat all scruffed up from living outside too long, anyone in need of a five year old’s hug they turned all their sweetness on them. They could find homes or shelter for any of them, by bringing them home to their mom. “She always knows what to do. You know, the phone numbers for helping.” So inside a smile and a laugh, might be someone with a soft squishy heart that dials down their excitement to help.

“You will discover that you have two hands, One is for 

helping yourself and the other is for helping others.”

~ Audrey Hepburn

Between Two Hearts

Elegance of 

a simple thank you 

wrapped in sincerity 

is a flower 

offered by a child.

A gracious nod 

for a job well done.

An intentioned act 

of kindness.

A gift from 

one heart to another.

greater than two small words.

Treat this elegant gift with care for gratitude strengthens 

the world between two hearts.

“Gratitude bestows reverence…..changing forever

 how we experience life and the world”

~ John Milton

Heart Felt

How resilient can we be 

when we hold hope 

tightly in our fists. 

Hope, that seems 

a bright balloon, 

that could easily float away 

if we don’t hold tightly to the 

thin tether from our hearts. 

Maybe, if we tie the tether 

firmly to our wrist, ankle or 

waist, we can move freely so 

we can do the next right thing.

“Maybe everyone can live beyond what they’re capable of .”

~ Markus Zusak,  I Am the Messenger

Errant Travellers

Opening an imagined window to the future, I see many roads and sunlight. 

No road signs giving directions to errant travellers. Leaves one to 

believe the directions are not in the mind. Where are they? Will a little bird tell us? 

Should we listen to the whispers of our hearts?

“If you don’t know where you want to go,

 then it doesn’t matter which path you take.”

~ Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Canada on Fire

Fires

  Devastation

     Tragedies 

In the moment, it does not matter the cause of the horrendous fires burning through our forests, whether climate change or individual human fault. It only matters that homes and all their contents are destroyed or damaged beyond repair. In all of the devastation there is the bravery and determination of the firefighters in the midst of the fires; the resiliency of those evacuated from their homes and the kindness of friends, families and strangers who took the lost into their homes. Our health care system ~ physicians, nurses, all the workers ~ bending once more to these tragedies outside anyone’s immediate control. The special part of all of this is the hearts of humanity on the front lines beating back this violent threat and those offering welcome to those that have been devastated.

“When she awoke, the world was on fire.”

~ Scott Westerfeld, Uglies

Hand and Heart

one mother births us ~

offered the opportunity 

to care, nurture and protect; 

life’s twists and turns 

gifts each of us with 

with mothers all around

for the heavy days when 

each mother needs mothering

the circle of kindness and care

passes hand to hand, heart to heart.

“Our world needs our mothers.”

~ Liya Kebede

For Goodness Sake

When the world seems to have gone topsy turvy

When we’re not quite through with what has already dizzied our lives

it is too easy 

to want to run away,

to want to hide,

to let go of anything good

Then it is time to 

stand still slowly till

our heads clear, 

our hearts stop pounding

and we stand tall again

on the surety of our own two feet

to feel the goodness within our souls.

“When I despair, I remember that all through history 

the way of truth and love have always won. 

There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, 

they can seem invincible, but in the end, 

they always fall. Think of it - - always.”

~ Mahatma Gandhi

Unless

Integrity...

~ not part of a larger story

Unless within our hearts

Integrity...

~ not part of a larger story

Unless united heart to heart

Integrity...

~ Not part of a larger story

Unless we look within for emptiness.

Integrity...

~ Not part of a larger story

Unless we learn that it is not a commodity.

Integrity...

~ not part of of a larger story

Unless it is to restore integrity.

“Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters

 cannot be trusted with important matters”

~ Albert Einstein

Abundant

Health and wealth 

not always a good pair

except for their rhyme.

Health comes and goes

with the genes we are given

and the lives that we lead.

Wealth seems a golden mirage!

but abundance can be seen

within homes, minds and hearts.

2020 is here in cloud or in sun

So Cheers! to whatever we're given

in this blessed new year.

“Live from abundance; 

Utilize with economy;

Share in advance.

~ Geoffrey M. Gluckman, Deadly Exchange

A Long Overdue Letter to Santa Claus - 2nd Edition

I've received so many gifts this past year, one more beautiful than any material wish ~ my great granddaughter, Rylie Rose'Marie. She's five months old now! Finding this letter, still unmailed from last year, I was quite humbled. (I did take the opportunity to add a bit to my Santa letter for Rylie Rose.) Found this letter this morning! No envelope. No stamp. Maybe I’ll mail it next year? Anyway ~ it still holds true. My belief in Santa Claus, my knowledge that Christmas comes at any time and my Christmas wishes for each of you….Merry Christmas everyone!!

Dear Santa, 

I’m not sure I should be writing you this letter. It’s been over 60 years since the last time I wrote, but I’ve been thinking a lot about you lately. Partly because it’s Christmas and your namesakes are all over the place. But partly because I miss Christmas morning and the brown stockings filled with nuts, candy and an orange in the toe. Did you really eat all the cookies and milk at everyone’s house? 

But that’s not what I wanted to ask about. I have everything I need and most things I want. But there is one thing that I have always wanted. It’s been a secret. I want a kitchen ~ a big kitchen. My own kitchen with all the gadgets I want. If I told you the truth, besides gadgets, I would like it to be a big kitchen. Two refrigerators - or one really big one. Two ovens, one at eye level and one an ordinary one. And a gas range. I want room for a table in the middle of my big kitchen. With big windows facing west on one side and east on the other side.

By the way, I have a great granddaughter now so when she's little bigger we'll be baking cookies and bread and lots of good things, so I'll also need a good sturdy stool for her to stand on, please and her own 'cooking corner'.

Well that’s all I want and really I don’t expect it. Not because I don’t think you couldn’t get it here in time, but I really don’t know what I’d do with all that space. I guess I just wanted to write  one more letter to you.

Your friend, Susan

P.s. Of course, there would need to be a corner for a window seat with book shelves lined with cookbooks and storybooks

P.P.S. And if it’s not too much to ask, I’d need just a little cottage complete with a writing room with a roll top desk and a child's table and chair.

P.P.P.S. Would it be lacking wisdom if I asked for a weekly maid service…..and a garden for vegetables and flowers? (Complete with a set of child's garden tools)

“Only now have you lived long enough 

to know the child that you shall always remain.”

~ Martin I. Green, Santa: My Life and Times

Re-post Are You Ready for Christmas?

This is a re-post from Dec. 23, 2014 when I was still a working girl (not quite so girlish anymore). So this essay brings me fond memories of my time working at Detox here in Victoria. This is my first Christmas of my retirement. I’m absolutely looking forward to being with my sons, grandson and my new great granddaughter. It is her first Christmas too! Both of us learning new things about life and all it has to offer. So:

Are You Ready for Christmas? (I know I am.)

“Are you ready for Christmas yet?” If I heard that question once, I have heard it a thousand times in the last two weeks. We all hear it every year and it always conjures up images of shopping in noisy, busy malls filled with reels and reels of Christmas music and racks and shelves of abundance. Other images of presents to be wrapped and cards to be addressed or e-sent, cluttered living rooms, Christmas trees and grocery shopping fill up the to-do lists. Those days are long gone. Lacking the patter of little feet - whether grandchildren or grand-dogs - shopping has dwindled and cards are practically non-existent. Checking the mail for Christmas cards is no longer a daily event. Admittedly, I have seldom written the traditional, for some, Christmas letter. My traditions, if one can call them that, are limited.

I have been an employee of some health care system for most of my adult life and many Christmas Eve and Day was spent at my place of employment. I am not alone in that part of life. Many employees, not just health care workers, but police, firemen and restauranteurs are some that are away from their families and at their places of employment. Finding spaces to have a bit of the flavour of Christmas, without feeling burned out from working, and shopping, and wrapping and…….well, you get the picture.

So, am I ready for Christmas? Yes, I do believe I am. Sunday I spent the day cooking my turkey, gravy and an array of vegetables. (I didn’t make dessert as desserts and chocolates are in abundance at work). Staff will be having a pot-luck supper at work on Christmas Eve. My contribution? An apple crisp with cranberries, caramels and chocolate chips. (So I guess I did make a dessert!) On Christmas Day, after work I am taking roasted potatoes and carrots with rosemary out to supper at a friend’s house. And the usual consequence of Christmas dinner? Leftovers for so many dishes that I love, including my little ‘frozen dinners’.

There are so many folks out there unable, for a host of reasons, that will not have an enjoyable Christmas. Getting ready for Christmas is the farthest thing from their minds, but a fragment of Christmas spirit may have a tiny corner of their hearts. Those of us that are scheduled to work at Christmas can maybe create a bit of Christmas inside the environment of our work places. And if there is great sadness or tragedy, some support and kindness where there may be none available.

“A lovely thing about Christmas is that it’s compulsory, 

like a thunderstorm, and we all go through it together.”

~ Garrison Keillow

Homemade

From the annual Gingerbread Showcase 2019 themed
'Building a Diverse Community'
presented by Habitat for Humanity

Arts and crafts abound at Christmas time. Although they seem hidden throughout the year, they spill out from homes in droves in summer and fall at Farmer’s Markets and festivals. But at Christmas time they really strut their stuff. Churches, community groups and schools. Anywhere that requires not only an injection of funds, but a celebration of Christmas past and present on display. All for admiring and of course for sale. I’ve not attended one this year, but will be looking for homemade soaps and hand made wooden toys. What else? Paintings ~ acrylic, watercolour or oil. Crocheted or knitted sweaters. Pottery and wall hangings that hold plants or are just beautiful. From macrame to quilting. From soaps to candles to vinegars and oh my……the baking! Delicious homemade breads and pies, muffins and candies. Sadly, I’ve missed most of the fairs here in Victoria, but there are one or two left. If I’m quick I may be able to get to one. If I was to go farther outside of Victoria or up island, there are more. 

Arts and crafts are much more than hobbies to fill time and draw dollars away from bank accounts. They involve loving works of creativity and dedication from many hands, hearts and minds filled with creative spirit. Crafting is not to be taken lightly, even though it is fun. It requires patience and precision. Arts are the way our souls sing ~ expressions of what only the mind of the artist can see. Arts and crafts, with even the smallest connection to home and amid the soft chatter of a market, are blessings we all can enjoy. Arts and crafts bring home and community together.

“Handmade and heartfelt; Harriet wanted everything she did to be like this.”

~ Helen Oyeyemi, Gingerbread

Heart's Ease #2

In the midst of any change

when balance is threatened,

gratitude steadies our feet,

strengthens our hearts, and

slows sudden runaway urges.

In the midst of any loss

when balance is threatened

gratitude reaches back to find

joyful memories and sunshine

easing heart pangs and twinges.

In the midst of the sunshine of joy

when balance seems absolute

gratitude is a reminder that

humility steadies and slows

our fascination with flying.

"That’s what I learned. I learned I couldn’t shed light 

on love other than to feel its comings and goings and be grateful.”

~ Diane Keaton, Then Again

Time to Make Change

Each item has special meaning.

Naive beginnings 

begin the churning of our hearts when

we grow up and step outside the comfort and discomfort of adolescence that trails through the next years from our youthful fanfares and fun, astonishing growth and sometimes sad brokenness.

Naive beginnings, new emotional layers, never really lost,

keep our hearts astir when

we grow well past adolescence ~ 

discomforts and comforts of the several years of adult busy-ness set aside until time to make change 

for a new/old comfort zone.

“The important part of growing older was the growing part. Resisting 

change meant forever standing still, which was a sad way to live.”

~ Barbara Delinsky, Blueprints