Finding Peace

The soul always knows what to do to heal itself.   

The challenge is to silence the mind.

sunrise...out the bedroom window.

Silencing the mind has been somewhat of a challenge lately.  I imagine that just the typical preparations of this time of year make it difficult for most to achieve this sought after silence.  Prior to last Friday, I was already feeling a bit dismayed with what was going on nationally, internationally, and even locally.   This, combined with thoughts of my Mom and her absence, and the thoughts of those who were going through the holidays for the first time without loved ones, was enough to push me into a melancholy that I didn’t invite, particularly during this joyful time of the year.  And then… the school tragedy in Connecticut.   Not since 911 do I think that our nation as a whole has mourned to the extent it has over the Sandy Hook occurrence.  My heart has been aching for those families who lost their children and loved ones.  And I am sure that like many, I try to stop myself from envisioning the “what if’s” with my own child…

So, in an attempt to calm my mind, prayer has been helpful, particularly for all those suffering so horribly.  Focusing on the purpose of the season has been helpful.  And thinking in the micro (all the blessings of my own life), instead of the macro (all the evil and problems in the world) has helped. There is so much I have to be grateful for.   I am reminded that wherever gratitude is present, so is God; and wherever God is present, so is peace.  

Lately, I have been that much more grateful for all the blessings in my own life. 

God is always there, as long as I keep looking for Him...

like here... in our backyard again.

and here...Lucy  insisting we go outside to"catch snowflakes."

and here...Lucy saying "Grammy!" when I first got this out for Christmas.
(something must have reminded her of my Mom...the glasses?)

and here... African Violets--from my Mom's funeral-- that just bloomed for the first time since her death.
(Notice how the flowers are advent colors.)

and here... making my Mom's cut out Christmas cookies.

and here... Christmas pottery for Forever Family Day.

 And here... The Nutcracker.  Twice!

The first time to the theater: my friend Julia insisted on taking Lucy.

We had a great time afterwards...downtown with our new friends.

The second time was last minute, when my friend Molly came upon some extra tickets.

I think Lucy liked it even better the second time!

 Irons Fruit Farm (again!) for our own little ginger-bread-house class!

Mr. Irons, the owner of the farm.

Marie, our loving and patient 'teacher'.

And finally, Lucy's first school program.  Words really don't capture how filled with happiness and gratitude I was while watching her.   Who knew a parent's heart could swell with such joy?   Priceless.

Thank you God, for all of our blessings.

Merry Christmas!