As another year draws to an end

I get emotional and nostalgic at the end of each year.  I reflect on the old and start anticipating the new.

Each year has things that stand out.  Like the birth of my second grandson on March 15th, Benjamin Scott, 8 lbs., 8 ozs. born to Becky and Scott.  Babies truly are gifts from God for families to love and share.

There were surgeries, trips, lost jobs, new jobs, family gatherings, celebrations.....the usual.  So many memories captured in pictures....or imprinted in our minds. 

For me, my boss of 21 years retired and a new boss has taken his place.  Change is good for the soul and I look forward to a new chapter. 

Loving family, friends and pets is very special to me which I do not take for granted.  Feeling their warmth makes me so thankful for all my blessings.

In March I had probably one of the most scarey moments of my life.  A (dryer)fire in my home.  I can't say I freaked, because I was too numb and no doubt in shock.  Divine Intervention is all that needs to be said.  I recall that night often and thank Jesus for being with me.  I am so appreciative of the quick responders. 

So as 2011 ends and 2012 is hours away, I will reflect on the old and look forward to the new.  Something I don't normally do is make new year's resolutions.  But this year I am.  I have a list of several and am going to do my best to succeed.  We have the chance to reinvent ourselves - no matter what our age.  Better late than never, right?

May 2012 be full of blessings for you
Happy New Year from My Little Part of Heaven to yours

Growing up, everything was Polish, including Christmas music.

Memories of my my Mom & Dad, Busia and my mother's sisters, come back almost like it was yesterday.  I remember my Mom, Busia, and my aunts singing Polish Christmas songs as they gathered in Busia's kitchen on Coplin in Detroit.  They would all be melancholy.

And remembering my Dad in our home on Kilbourne in Detroit also takes me back to Christmases of long ago.  He would play records on the stereo in our finished basement, while he drank some 'Christmas cheer' and he would sing along in Polish.  My Dad was this huge icon to me who kept his pain on the inside, but I saw the emotional side of him as he sang these songs.  I know a big part of the emotion was for his Mom who died young.....when my Dad was in his teens.  I know how much he loved her and that he never stopped hurting from her death.  He and I spoke often of her in later years.  When he told me that I reminded him of her I was happy inside - for the Busia

I never met.  Unfortunately, I never asked him to elaborate on that statement and I am sad I

never found out what he meant.  But it makes me happy knowing that there was something

about me that reminded him of her.

As I write this post it is early morning.  I woke up here in Michigan to snow that the weathermen said we would not have for Christmas, but I am so glad they were wrong.  My Christmas trees are lit, the lights in the windows are on, and as I sit here drinking my raspberry/macadamia coffee I am melancholy.  I can't help not be on a Christmas Eve morning with all these thoughts.  Thinking of the Polish music and my Dad who was born in Mount Pleasant, PA 96 years ago.  His birthday was December 21st, normally the shortest day of the year (he mentioned that often). 

He was born to Joseph and Mary, and he was one of many children.

As for this CD, it arrived the other day from my sister who lives in Illinois.  She had me open it right away.  She found it last week and bought one for each of us.  We have been playing it since then.  This is the exact same music - from the record, Koledy by Mazowske, 

my Dad played so many years ago. 

Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia

♥♥♥

Keeley Shay

Christmas Trees, Christmas Lights

There is so much to love about this special time of year.

I absolutely love my Christmas tree and the decorations which adorn it.
There are so many memories that hang on its branches. 
As I put each ornament on, I get caught up in so many thoughts.....of the gift from someone from long ago - from my sister - reminders of my little daughters, and all the other specialties that make my tree beautiful....to me.  There is so much about that tree that stands in the corner of my living room again this year.  The tree might not always be the same, but the ornaments are.  And as packed as that tree is, there is always room for one more.

While I only have single candles in each of the four windows in my living room, it is my simple way of lighting up my house amidst the houses on my street that have lots of lights and decorations.  But those four single candles are still special to me.  There was a time when there were more lights out front, but times are a bit more simple these days and that is fine with me.  One of these days I might go beyond those four single candles.......maybe.

May you find specialness in these days before Christmas and warmth from all the memories of Christmases gone by.  It is a very romantic time of the year.....even if it is romance for one.
♥

Benjamin

I got to spend some time with my youngest grandson this weekend and last.
He is such a wonderful baby.
The red/white hat was his mommy's, many moons ago.  I'm glad I kept it.

If only I would just remember this

"Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."