Freezing rain has forced me to slow down and stay in this weekend.  It’s the weekend before Christmas, and I thought I had a lot to do, but the weather has proved me wrong.  This is the kind of blanket that brings a poetic hush over the urban landscape.  Instead of dashing around doing endless errands, I’ve been able to stay home and relax.  Peace on earth.  What a novel concept.

Years ago, I ran across advice for handling the holidays.  The writer said to create timeless moments throughout the day.  Stop what you are doing, step outside and watch the wind in the trees, or as in today’s weather study the ice encasing the twigs.  If you can, take a ten minute walk in a nearby park.  Since today is way too slick to walk outside, I’m trying a happy dance I saw a 10 year old girl do in the store when she was too excited to stand still.  Turns out, doing that dance makes you happy even if you weren’t too enthused about the idea when you started.  Have lunch with someone you love – like my husband who is also stuck inside.  Turn the cell phone off and concentrate on your conversation.

The idea is to make a practice of reminding ourselves in small ways every day that life is a wonderful thing.  It’s a glorious gift from God.  Your life is worth celebrating, even in the busiest of times, even in times of grief.  I just wanted to take a moment and remind you of that.

Merry Christmas.  God bless us, everyone.

Today, I have uploaded photos from a couple murals I've done.  I hope you enjoy them.

The next couple weeks will be busy, as I'm sure it will be for you as well.  I pray that you have a blessed and joyful holiday season.

See you next year!

I've been working on a mural this week.  I'll post more photos after the reveal this week.

Thanks for stopping by!

     A few weeks ago, while Dad was home recovering from surgery, Mike’s sister and her husband drove from Texas for a visit.  This had been planned quite some time in advance, so the timing was fortuitous.  Their trip was a three week sweep to see all the family.  As it happened, they came into Chicago right when an aunt died.  While they had missed one last visit, they were able to attend the funeral.  It also worked out that they arrived in Grand Rapids when Dad was home from the hospital. 

     When they arrived, we all had a lovely visit together at the parents’ home and then Mike and I whisked them off to the ballet.  We had great seats and the performance was wonderful.  To prolong the evening, we suggested a stop at one of our favorite downtown restaurants – Leo’s.

     We had a light repast with excellent service, and as our conversation was winding down, Charles (not his real name) said, “I have something to tell you.”  He proceeded to reveal that he has a medical condition that, left untreated, would cut his life off in five to six years.  With treatment, he has about ten or twelve.  He was told it’s incurable.

     This was the reason for the trip.  They were telling each family member, face to face, over and over, and in each city.  I can’t imagine how hard it was for my sister-in-law to go through so many conversations about her husband’s condition.

     They were visiting for a few days and we were able to spend time with them, absorbing the news, asking questions, and offering help.  But mostly, I went through the motions of entertaining.  I felt numb.  We’ve had so many losses over the past few years, both family and friends.  The thought of Chas gone was devastating.

     While my brother-in-law doesn’t share my faith, he is respectful and not mocking.  He feels you can’t know that there’s a God.  Ever the engineer, he wants hard data.  So I hit my knees (figuratively, since I have a plate in one leg) and start praying.  I’ve had all the data I need to know that God is very real, very caring and very personal.  I’m praying that Charles will have an encounter with God that will remove all doubts, and I’m praying for his healing.

 Please join me.