It is a marvelous night!

It's a marvelous night for a moondance...

it is the last night of the year!

So put a smile on your face and a skip in your step.

This past year, if you are like me, has brought challenges, smiles,

losses, lessons learned..and a fear tears along the way.

Do you make New Year's resolutions?

I don't.

When I used to make them, they were simply and quickly forgotten.

I more or less make daily resolutions! Thinking each day about my goals works better for me. I keep them in the forefront of my mind.

Perhaps it is the ADD in me..or as I read last night, the adult version of ADD..being a multi-tasker!

So I will share some of my daily resolutions:

1. Hold my family closer.

2. Be kind to most everyone (you don't know what battles they are quietly facing)

3. Forgive and look beyond that (I have never gotten ANYWHERE in life by holding a grudge)

4. Try to find what brings me peace. (sort have that figured out, but it is a struggle)

5. Keep my mind healthy ( It is up to me to find ways to cope with bad or sad feelings..sometimes simply walking my dogs helps.)

6. Understand that people are fallible..as am I.

7. Smile at a stranger

8. Think about God and the blessings he has given me.

9. Make use of my time (have a hard time being idle!)

10. Make time to NOT make use of my time! (like I said, have a hard time being idle!)

No matter how you "resolve" to meet your goals this year, and each and every day, may you have peace and happiness.

and perhaps...dance in the moonlight at least once!!!

Introspect

It was one of those introspective mornings.

The kind where you curl up beside your thoughts and choose which ones

to ponder.

There is always one that leaps to the forefront.

The one that has been itching to get out,

and has felt attention deprived.

I told my other thoughts to stand back,

and gave this one

center stage.

It screamed at me,

though no louder than a whisper,

as it stood boldy, yet self consciously,

in the center of the room.

"What exactly are you planning to do

about me?"

and

"Why do you leave me on the bottom of the pile, underneath all the others?"

I hung my head down,

and my heart, both at the same time.

For I had not forgetten about this little one,

it is with me every day,

whether during an introspective moment

or a fleeting thought of fancy.

My soul decided to speak just then,

"I know you need me, but I know not what to do with you."

At that moment,

he

came walking up

and brushed aside my ear

telling me that when I think

the wind has whispered,

to listen...

when I think all is lost...and my painful, scattered thoughts

need to be heard,

just speak to him

and he will show me

how

to take them back home.

Hold them Dear

Wishing my readers a very happy holiday season! I know mine has been wonderful so far.

I had both of my sons home and a few close family members to celebrate Christmas with. I felt truly blessed. My sons are 19 and 21, the eldest lives in Albany, the youngest lives home.

Christmas has changed so much through the years! Gone are the legos we used to step on late Christmas morning..or the anticipation of a child listening for hooves on the roof. Those days are in the past, but always make me smile when I think of them. They are tucked safely in my memories..I pull them out from time to time! New, different days are here, and I enjoy them just as much.

It was quiet, happy and peaceful Christmas day this year. We had a strange view when we took the dogs out Chrismas morning. It actually lasted all day. There was frost or snow or something!!!...coating the ground and the trees. It actually looked dry and flaky, and somewhat prickly. The effect was gorgeous..but different than actual snow..

I have much to be thankful for, my sweet caring sons and a wonderful husband.

Some of my thoughts though, were also with those that live far from me, or have chosen to distance themselves, though they live just miles away, I love them and miss them dearly.

So my words today are to hug the ones close to you, and be thankful for them.

I know those hugs this year, meant more than any 'gift' I received!

God bless, and have a very happy and safe holiday season!

Goodbye

I lost a friend last evening.

She showed me what it meant to live,

despite the fact that she all along, knew her tomorrows

would soon come to an end.

While the world lost a wonderful person,

I gained so much by just watching how she unabashedly and bravely faced a

deadly disease.

I can only hope that I can show as much dignity and strength in my every day life,

as she did, as she living every moment until the end of her life.

God bless you my friend, may be you suffer no more,

and rest in peace.

Vanishing Acts

Without a sound,

without a word,

soft and silent,

with

a furtive glance

over her shoulder,

a gentle toss of her head,

and

a faint spark in her eyes,

she turned and walked

towards the sun.

If only it were so easy. To just vanish, if only for a short time, and then come back when you are ready to face a new day! I know sometimes I want to do this, I think all of us, at one point or another, would love to. The thing is I would need to bring my laptop, camera and dogs with with. The dogs wouldn't tell anyone where we were, I am sure!

Back When We Could Fly

The earth is smaller

the sky inches closer,

it is oh so, so blue.

her barefeet touch the sun,

its warm rays kissing tiny, wiggly toes.

A whispering wind

and a simple child's soul

cross paths

along an airy road,

in a forever after land.

Around her,

she feels

the pleasant weight

of

a magic moment.

With both eyes shut,

walls fall

into the dew kissed grass.

Fairytales surround,

as they step from behind

a cottony wisp of clouds.

They touch her hands,

A dreamy,

soft dance begins

merely feet above the ground.

Jennifer DesJardins

everlasting

"Everlasting, your light will shine when all else fades,

Your glory goes beyond all fame"...Seventh Day Slumber