Life with Relatives

Its amazing how life gets away from you.  In the last two weeks, my aunt and grandmother came to visit, grandma had fallen the night before arriving here, a week later she is in the hospital having surgery for a broken hip, and now here with hospice trying to help comfort the entire family because not only will she never walk again, but she may die.  Granted my grandma is 92 years old, and some of us have been expecting this to happen, it isn't easy.  To top it off, not only is there now 8 (usually 6) there are also three dogs (usually 2 quiet sedate dogs) that bark all the time at nothing at all... Emotions are high, tempers flare easily amd sometimes, I feel like my opionions, knowledge , or insights are shoved off as my being a 6 year old child that doesn't have a clue in the world... I try to help out, or voice something (anything) and I am the one who gets told to back off.  My Aunt make derogitory comments toward my children about things, and I am expected to hold my tongue.  I was woken up this morning to remove my laundry from the dryer, only to be "talked to" about how things are going to go from now on with my grandmother... (Basically, sit down, shut up, and no one wants to hear anything more from you about anything that is going on.) My frustration with everything going on has turned to complete ANGER! I am so angry that I have to sit back and watch as the people I love and care about make decisions based on Denial.  My Aunt refuses to see that it is inevitable that my grandmother is going to die.  She thinks that she is going to get better so she can take her home.  So she lies to the hospice people about all the things that matter, and she tries to make it out that gma was better before this or that happened.  (Basically before I opened my mouth to say something) My aunt gives my mother huge guilt trips over how to take care of my gma and so then in turn I get told to back off.  I am so ready to cry and scream and blow up... Over the years I have become someone who speaks my mind, but around here right now, that just is not allowed! So out of respect for my family I have to hold my tongue.  Well, I hate it! My children are relagated to their rooms or to my room and can not make a peep.  The rest of the family is basically relagated to one room of the house that they can be in that agrees with what is going on with gma.  I just wish I could share this with my family with out WW3 coming down upon my head. 

My Christmas Wish For You

MY CHRISTMAS WISH FOR YOU

Author: KRISTEN M SACCARDI

My Christmas wish for you, my friend
Is not a simple one
For I wish you hope and joy and peace
Days filled with warmth and sun

I wish you love and friendship too
Throughout the coming year
Lots of laughter and happiness
To fill your world with cheer

May you count your blessings, one by one
And when totaled by the lot
May you find all you've been given
To be more than what you sought

May your journeys be short, your burdens light
May your spirit never grow old
May all your clouds have silver linings
And your rainbows pots of gold

I wish this all and so much more
May all your dreams come true
May you have a Merry Christmas friend
And a happy New Year, too.

First Christmas in Heaven

First Christmas in Heaven

Author: unknown

My First Christmas In Heaven

I am having my first Christmas in Heaven

A glorious, wonderful day!

I am standing with saints of all ages,

Who found Christ, the truth and the way

I am singing with the heavenly choir

I- who so loved to sing!
And, oh what celestial music
We bring to our Savior and King

I am singing the glad song of redemption,

How Jesus to Bethlehem came,
And why they called His name Jesus,
That all may be saved through His Name!

Oh, loved one, I wish you could be here!

No Christmas on earth can compare,
With all of the rapture in glory,
I witness in Heaven so fair!

You know how I always loved Christmas,
It seemed such a wonderful day,
With all of my loved ones around me,

We were so happy in every way.

Yes, now I can see why I loved it,
And, oh what a joy it will be,
When all of my loved ones are with me,
To share all the glories I see!

So, dear ones on earth, I send greetings,
Look up! Til dawning appears,
And, oh what a Christmas awaits us,
Beyond all our partings and tears!

Pay it Forward...

Today was Pay it Forward Day... What did you do to Pay it Forward?

While out running errands today, I did several things that I believe fits into paying it forward.  First I help a lady open her car door because she had her hands full with a screaming child, who did not want to get in the car.  Second, Every year, when the bell ringers come out for the Salvation Army, I dig up all the spare change I have collected throughout the year in a jar and share the amount with the kids to put into the bucket for them to see what it is like to help out someone other than themselves.  My kids have a tendancy to be a little selfish at times, but when they hear that they can help out someone who doesn't have what they have, they love to help... (Makes me a Proud Momma!) What have you done to help someone else?  It doesn't have to be something big, the smallest things help.  And when asked what you want in return, just remind them to Pay it Forward.... Help someone else in what ever way they can.

Dear Santa I can Explain

Dear Santa I can Explain

Dear Santa: I can Explain

Dear Santa, I heard I was on your naughty list,
and I wasn’t getting any presents this year.
You have to give me a second chance,
there’s something you need to hear.
If it’s all about the gum in my brothers hair,
that was something I did on a dare.
If it’s about my sister’s bike and flat tire,
to have her cry was not my desire.
I tried to fix her bicycle spokes and I
guess I slipped and the tire got poked.
And about coloring grandpa’s false teeth in,
I just wanted him to have a special grin.
I was just keeping my ant farm warm in my parents bed,
I had no idea they would turn three shades of red.
And for adding the extra yeast to grandma’s bread dough,
How was I to know it would make it grow, and grow.
So as you see I was not trying to be mean or hateful
I was experimenting being playful.
So I hope you take in everything I have said,
and get the gist.
I need those presents,
take me off the naughty list.

Album of the Heart

Album of the Heart

Author: Lois Duncan

As the year draws to an end
We grow close again,
Turning pages of our lives,
Pausing now and then

To recall a magic time
Or a special place.
Springtime sunlight leaps at us
From a smiling face.

Summer laughter rings anew,
Mixed with autumn tears.
Seasons blend and mesh and blur,
With the flying years.

Guard the album of the heart.
There the memories are--
Gentle as the drifting snow
Holy as the star.

Advent Prayer

Advent Prayer

Author: Anna Lee Edwards McAlpin

Oh, let us turn away from noise,
The clamor of the day,
To rest in solitude with Him;
Our blessings to survey.
Oh, let our inner joy release
Our carol to The King,
To worship Him, to feel the touch
Of Heavenly angel's wing.
May we escape the tinseled trees,
The gifts that soon expire,
To see the glory of God's way
That meets our soul's desire.

Oh, let us pause to contemplate
Each priceless happening;
Children's laughter, tender words...
The daily "little things."
Oh, may we feel our brother's need,
His inner plea for peace,
Promote good will, and sacrifice
God's Kingdom to increase.
Oh, let our celebration be
A tribute to The One
Who is The Father's Gift to us,
His Own Begotten Son.