Christmas Through a Child's Eyes

Although people talk about children forgetting the true meaning of Christmas, I think children help us remember what's really important about this season.

This year Schmillian helped me display the nativity sets I've collected over the years. As we set one up, I told the story of Jesus' birth.

A little later Schmillian took my hand and brought me back to a scene we had set up...with a few changes as all the figures crowded into the stable area, because "They all want to see Jesus, Mumsy!"

She is right. Those wise men of long ago showed us the importance of seeking and finding the Savior. May we all do so with the zeal of a child!

Traditions

I'll start this post with a little side note...Holidays involving so much food are hard for people with an eating disorder!

Now that I got that out of the way, I'll say this...There is SO MUCH to smile about during the holidays! Life is full of contradictions.

My son, Future DDS and his family spent Thanksgiving with us. I had a great time with all of them here...especially Schmillian and her brother, who thinks life is a party most of the time! We sang so many old favorite songs (which is my favorite thing to do) and did some fun things.

But the main reason for this post is to celebrate the traditions of family and the way it binds us together. On Thanksgiving morning, Schmillian joined me in the kitchen to make cornbread dressing, just like I did growing up with Mama.

It was great to be able to tell Schmillian about Ganmama while we crumbled the cornbread together. We added the chopped celery, onions, and parsley...yes, we need to put all of it in to make it good. We mixed in eggs, soup, and broth...that's a lot of broth! Last, we added lots of black pepper, because Ganmama says you can never have too much black pepper in your dressing.

After we put it in the oven, Schmillian went to tell her Daddy she made dressing just like Ganmama. "Ganmama is Mumsy's mother. She says, Never too much pepper." And so the tradition continues.

The keeping of other traditions...matching PJs for all the family (where I discovered just how big my family has become as I sewed and sewed...and ripped a little), baking gingerbread boys to mail to my son that likes them (unbeknownst to me until his wife told me a couple of years ago) help me feel connected to the ones I love.

My heart is full of gratitude for those I love and am tied to forever...those that are still here and those that have gone on. All are with me in my heart...neither miles nor death can separate us!

A Red-Letter Day

Last week I celebrated another year of life, and it was so fun waking up to this..

Thanks to all that made my day so special. I love you outside of numbers!

The Blessing of Family

July, 2010

I am amazed every day that I am blessed to call such wonderful people my family. Each one of them, whether related by blood or marriage, have taught me so much.

I appreciate the opportunity to get together with everyone, which gets harder all the time as families grow and live far apart. I'm grateful for their continued influence on me. Laughing together, supporting each other through trying times, loving each other through thick and thin...I love you all outside of numbers!

Love is Most Important

I am involved in a little family project right now that has made me realize that my "four children" have now morphed into twelve! (I know my place as mother-in-law and grandmother, but they are all mine.)

This is truly something to smile about! My three oldest boys have chosen wives that are perfect for them. And women that are the best mothers...bar none.

I have been transferring some old videos to DVD, and it's bringing back some great memories. Through it all, I realize that truly, what matters most in life is love...feeling it and demonstrating it.

About twenty-four years ago, our family had a little argument that went like this...

Mom - "I love you."

Son - "I love you, too."

Mom - "Well, I love you one million!"

Son - "Well, I love you outside of numbers!"

Who won the argument? All of us! It has become my favorite saying because it is so true. I treasure a Christmas present I received several years ago...a key chain with the inscription "We love you outside of numbers!" I keep it with me all the time to remind me of those fabulous twelve people and the other wonderful people to come!

Who do you love outside of numbers...Have you told them lately?

I Believe

For about 30 years I've hoped to visit Palmyra, New York. Finally, this past weekend, that dream was fulfilled. Being in the grove where I believe God and Jesus appeared to Joseph Smith as he prayed strengthened that belief.

I loved the climb up the steep Hill Cumorah...the feeling of peace while I thought about all the things that have taken place there.

The Book of Mormon is God's word to us at a time we need it desperately. That book coupled with the Bible outlines God's plan of happiness for us.

All the world has to offer...wealth, power, etc. will never provide the peace we each seek. That peace comes only from living God's plan for us.

We can all know for ourselves. In fact, that's what our prophet, Thomas S. Monson asks us to do. Ask God. He answers quietly, with that peaceful feeling beyond description. He answered me, and I am forever grateful.

Five Good Things...

This post has been in the making since June 28th, the day I always celebrate Carmen Dino's birth. I knew Aunt Carmen my whole life...she lived across the street from Mama and Daddy when I was a baby. She was an amazing woman...words can never do her justice.

James E. Faust once said, "You can do something for another person that no one else ever born can do…” Her influence on me continues today. Maybe you'll read something here that will help you think about something differently.

Aunt Carmen had polio when she was a little girl. It left her with one leg that was useless and never grew. A Shriner saw her playing in the park, dragging her little leg behind her. She endured many surgeries at the Shriner's hospital, finally having her joints fused so she could walk.

In the days she lived, choices for women were more limited. She made the unlikely decision to be a hairdresser, standing for hours every day. Aunt Carmen spent time helping me learn to "fix" my dolls' hair...washing, cutting, rolling...For many years I thought I'd become a hair stylist, just like Aunt Carmen.

She could be blunt, but she never meant it in a hurtful way. She’d be the first to tell you if your hair looked good...or bad. She’d tell you if she liked what you cooked...or that it wasn’t too good. She’d just laugh with you if the news was bad.

She loved shopping, eating out, and she loved my mother. She was a strong woman that faced adversity with grace and laughter. She was also one of the most positive thinkers I ever met. Aunt Carmen got through the most difficult things in life by saying, "There are five good things about this situation..."

When Mama received the news that she had cancer and wouldn't live more than about six months, she immediately began to tell me the five good things about having cancer. I tried to laugh with her. It was hard...But we had both seen how you can find the good in every situation if you look for it.

When faced with disappointment or difficult situations, the first thing that comes to mind is..."There are five good things about this..." I'm grateful to realize that happiness comes not from circumstance but from the way you think about things.

I hope this picture makes you smile. These two women continue to influence me every step of my life, and this picture captures their fun-loving, optimistic spirits...

I love you both outside of numbers, Mama and Aunt Carmen!