Saturday, December 3, 2011

Christmas preparations

I love Christmas... but for some reason I always get depressed during the holidays. At least I did in the last few years. I know having a sick husband did not help. I just had so many trials in my life that singing 'Jingle Bells' didn't lift my spirits one iota. Decorating the house seemed to have less and less energy and thought given to the task. There were just too many other things to have to care about and I got to where I did not care... period.... about all the hoopla over Christmas.

My life is different now, an empty hole in my heart for sure, but I have resolved to have a fresh start, to recapture some of the excitement that I have enjoyed in years past. So far I am managing very well. I started dragging out boxes and boxes of decorations and found myself feeling the excitement and the contentment putting each little piece in place. Music going in the background.... My Dickens village taking center stage in the dining room...


 I downsized my artifical tree to one I could carry from storage to house and then place on a table in the sunroom...


I found a pin on Pinterest that I liked. Here's what gave me that inspiration..


 I have a tiered silver dish ... I can do that!!  Hey, why doesn't mine look like that one above???


Something new so that I am not reminded of the 60 Christmases Elbert and I shared. Keep my mind focused on the here and now... don't think back and you will make it through the holidays, I tell myself.

I take every moment and try to enjoy it. I start my morning with a prayer... Thank you, Lord, for having him 60 years, thank you for a beautiful day and thank you for loving me when I didn't deserve to be loved. Help me live this day as You would have me. Amen

And, I'm doing alright..... so far...... stay tuned for further developments!!

7 comments:

Peggy said...

Hi Latane,I am so glad your Thanksgiving was enjoyed by all, especially you!
Christmas will also work out even though it is weighing heavily on you just now.Like Thanskgiving it will the same but different, making new memories while cherishing the old.

Dolores said...

I look around me and think everyone is having a joyous and wonderful time.....I know in my mind, this isn't true, but i still feel a sadness. I know this will be David's last Christmas at home....
You've been where I am.....and now you're experiencing your loss in a different way.....
I think of you so often....you're such a blessing to me!
Hugs,

P.s.
Your decorations are lovely...my suggestion would be....add some greenery or berries...

rkbsnana said...

I can only imagine your sadness but am quite impressed with your decorations. The only difference I see in your three tiered tray decoration and the one on Pinterest is that yours is not green. Have a blessed day/

Jenn Jilks said...

Latane, to quote my dear friend, in long-term care, this is only one stage in your life.
It is not the end of your life, but part of the journey, and I created a Celebration of Life for her.
She said she has learned so much about herself in these years. She is 94, and shares a room with her hubby who has Alzheimer's Disease.
When I was divorced, I had to change our family traditions. Single mom, no money left, ex-husband held back child support, at the prodding of his lawyer, we couldn't even afford a tree. We lived in the present, and knew life just IS.
cheers, many hugs!

Stacey said...

Latane, holidays can definitely be hard. Thinking of you and praying for you during this time! Your decorations look wonderful! Love them!!

A Colorful World said...

You sound great, Mom! I am so glad. I love the decorations. I love your morning prayer, too. God bless you, sweet Mom...

A Colorful World said...

By the way, I LOVE the new header!