Sunday Wonder

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea 

in the days of Herod the king, 

behold, there came wise men 
from the east to Jerusalem, 

Saying, 

Where is he that is born King of the Jews? 

for we have seen his star in the east, 

and are come to worship him. 

 

and, lo,

the star, 
which they saw in the east, 

went before them, 

till it came and stood over 
where the young child was.

When they saw the star, 
they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11

Respite Wednesday . . . uh . . . Thursday

The days flow rapidly one into another around here due to the many parties, performances, more parties, more performances, more . . . well, you get the idea.

A whirlwind day-trip to LA for a tree-trimming party provided loads of fun and pure exhaustion.  I came home determined to R-E-S-T in the brief window until more birthdays and other holiday fun pop up on the calendar. The phrase Too Much Fun comes to mind but I quickly whisk it aside as I do the kermit-cupcake-crumbs and the popcorn kernels evidencing the steady merry-making around here.


Here in the quiet of the morning, a little thought keeps swirling around in my head as I plan, prepare, and promise more things for the holidays:

Be the gift

I sit back quietly with teacup in hand, 

I close my eyes so as not to see 

the overly-scribbled calendar notations,

"Be the gift," sighs the morning fire.

  

I sweetly think of the best gifts I've ever gotten for Christmas.  

True to proverbial wisdom, the best gifts were not things at all.

"Be the gift," my still heart croons.

Hearkening back to last Sunday's evening cantata 

wherein Lydia performed O Holy Night,

(Now THAT was a gift, indeed!)

I flashed a smile to the organist
as the lights flickered the audience to be seated.

Later, the organist asked my daughter to convey
thanks to me for the smile -- 

"Most people don't even notice me,
let alone smile at me," she offered.

 "Be the gift," my journal notes.

The gift of :

a smile

 a hug

a wave

a cheerful greeting

free

readily-available

much-appreciated

Be the Gift

Celebrate in a truly old-fashioned way,

Remembering why we say

"Merry Christmas"

Remembering why we gather together, gifts in hand.

For God so loved the world that he GAVE his only begotten son

John 3:16

*Be the Gift*

Tea with a Friend

The other day, whilst pruning back my garden, I dithered with myself in God's range as to whether I should return to the bloggy world.  I missed that funny sort of virtual thingy that has brought so many new friends into my life.  I questioned myself about time and presence and came to no solid conclusion save the one I always found at the end of this conversation; namely:  "You'll know if and when the time is right."

So, I finished the pruning, went in for a cuppa tea, and stopped thinking about blogging.  When next I checked my email  I found a lone new comment left upon a distant post.  It read:

I miss you Debbie..

I wish I could come visit, 

we could chat over some hot tea and a cookie or two..

I hope you are well! 

Dear sweet Elizabeth, busy mom of five from the other side of the US, had written to me . . . missing me.  A tear sparkled in that knowing little way as my heart whispered, "It is time."  Thank you, Elizabeth, for letting me know.

And so once again the kettle has begun to sing here at Wisteria Cottage amidst the familiar clatter of blue willow teacups placed onto a tray as I ready for the first of many chats together with my sweet friend(s).

But, Elizabeth, before the chatting can commence I simply must know . . .

 Gingerbread

or

Sugar

Cookies?

: D

Guess Who . . .

Turned 22

on

12/02?

My Darling (Kermit-loving) Daughter,

Elizabeth.

(Check out her blog for some fun pics through the ages.)

Oh So Sweet!

Happy 16th Birthday,

Sweet Lydia!