Hello my dearest friends ... WELCOME.
At this time of year I can't help but think about my childhood Christmas' in New York with my family. I was the youngest of three boys and believe me my parents had a hand full. Christmas Eve and Christmas day were spent in our cozy home with my grand parents close at hand. Precious days. And beautiful memories.
My present Christmas eve and Christmas day will now be spent with a close friend. My parents' spirits moved on and my two brothers live in different states and have their own lives. I am sure I am not alone in this kind of situation. Many of us spend the holidays with extended family. Friends play an extremely important role. My family memories can never be replaced, but a dark void of loneliness and sadness for my loss is definitely filled with these kind, caring, wonderful people.
Three years ago I was accepted by another family. One that doesn't judge. One that always listens. One that helps without asking for anything in return. One that has enriched my life more than I could ever express in words.
At this special time, I wish with all my heart that all of you have a special, magical, and wonderful Christmas. Jesus Christ was born to teach us love, compassion, understanding, and forgiveness. Traits many of us have in abundance. SO whenever you feel lonely, sad, confused, depressed, anxious, angry, or lost, REMEMBER a family member is just a click away.
May we all have health, patience, prosperity, and clear minds for the coming year. And don't forget to keep you hearts open for only with an open heart can you truly live the life you are meant to live.
Today is the most special day of the year. Hug your children. Smile at a stranger. Release your tension for it is now time to celebrate.
Today many of us are posting for Mark Koopmans' Fifty States of Pray ... if you have a free moment, please drop by his blog and others in this hop and share the Christmas spirit!
MERRY CHRISTMAS MY DEAR FRIENDS ... MAKE TODAY SPECIAL...
My present Christmas eve and Christmas day will now be spent with a close friend. My parents' spirits moved on and my two brothers live in different states and have their own lives. I am sure I am not alone in this kind of situation. Many of us spend the holidays with extended family. Friends play an extremely important role. My family memories can never be replaced, but a dark void of loneliness and sadness for my loss is definitely filled with these kind, caring, wonderful people.
Three years ago I was accepted by another family. One that doesn't judge. One that always listens. One that helps without asking for anything in return. One that has enriched my life more than I could ever express in words.
At this special time, I wish with all my heart that all of you have a special, magical, and wonderful Christmas. Jesus Christ was born to teach us love, compassion, understanding, and forgiveness. Traits many of us have in abundance. SO whenever you feel lonely, sad, confused, depressed, anxious, angry, or lost, REMEMBER a family member is just a click away.
May we all have health, patience, prosperity, and clear minds for the coming year. And don't forget to keep you hearts open for only with an open heart can you truly live the life you are meant to live.
Today is the most special day of the year. Hug your children. Smile at a stranger. Release your tension for it is now time to celebrate.
Today many of us are posting for Mark Koopmans' Fifty States of Pray ... if you have a free moment, please drop by his blog and others in this hop and share the Christmas spirit!
MERRY CHRISTMAS MY DEAR FRIENDS ... MAKE TODAY SPECIAL...
35 comments:
Wonderful post Michael, have a great Christmas and a most successful new year.
Yvonne.
We can all be that special family for each other. We can carry on the love.
Have a blessed Christmas, Michael!
Have a peaceful and blessed Christmas, Michael.
Writer In Transit
My parents are both gone too, but my husband always makes Christmas special. Happy you have friends that have invited you into their family. Merry Christmas!
Glad you made it back safely Michael! Sending you warm holiday hugs! Glad I got to see you while you were here. And believe it or not, it got even hotter!! Mid 80s for the last week. Yuck! :)
Hope you have a blessed Christmas! :)
Hi, Michael. Wonderful post. Merry Christmas!
Many of us are in your situation, with either no immediate family or family spread across the country and needing to create new holiday traditions. Happy Holidays!
Christmas is all about what's in your heart and passing it on to whomever you are with. Have a blessed holiday!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May you, your family and friends have a blessed one!
My family used to see the Rockettes every year for Christmas. I have such wonderful memories from my childhood. Have a Merry Christmas!
Very well done. I love that "a family member is just a click away"... or a call, or a visit. Merry Christmas to You!
Happy Christmas to you and all your loved ones!
As Alex says: we can all be that special family for someone. I hope your Christmas is even better than you hope it to be!
All I have loved have died during the Christmas season, so I am alone but not alone -- I have loving memories. Some do not have even that.
May the New Year treat you with special miracles each month, Roland
Yes, Christmas memories fill an empty house with love and the promise of better times!
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
Michael this is beautiful! Thank you for sharing~ Your thoughts are profound-we must remember to embrace each other-I think it is too easy to remain closed off~ I wish you and your extended family a wonderful Christmas!
Nice post for the day.
Have a blessed day.
Happy Holidays Ahead
Keep Informed
Best regards
Phil
Merry Christmas, my dear! A lovely festive post!
Hey, Michael. I remember those alone days. And since this was my mom's favorite time of year, the loneliness was harder. Friends kept me from wallowing in it and I'm forever grateful. A lot of my family is far away, too, so I'm even more grateful for the friends that have become family. I'm glad you've been 'adopted' by wonderful people. I hope your Christmas is so filled with love and joy that it melts away the chill of sadness. May you be blessed and filled with peace. Merry Christmas!
Yesterday and today are special. My sons are home, mom is cooking and the rest of the family have all called. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Michael!
welcome home and it sounds like you too had a great Christmas - at least the coffee must have been amazing :-)
thanks for the beautiful post andI'm looking forward to your blog hop - no, I am ... need more caffeine :-)
Happy New Year, Michael :-)
Hi Michael .. It has been a challenging year for you - but I'm pleased you're healing and taking on board all the things that help you along the way. May we all have peace, prosperity, health and happiness in the year ahead, which we can then spread to others and continue to do so ..
Have a blessed time with your special family and friends ... Hilary
Beautiful post Michael. I love the quote: Friends are the family we choose for ourselves. When we don't have family or are separated from them for whatever reason, friends are wonderful to have. On our travels we meet such lovely people. Had an amazing long lunch at the resort and met lots of nice folk, all missing family.
My 2 sisters and spending Christmas in New York. Having a ball.
Merry Christmas Michael. I wish your 2014 will be AMAZING!
Denise
It's always great to hear that our friends are overcoming and striving for better! May you have a blessed, peaceful and prosperous new year Michael! Writer’s Mark
You're spirit is strong and your attitude perfect, Michael. I know you've had a trying year, but I'm sending you all my best for a healthy and love-filled 2014.
Michael, you are pure heart - a blessing to us all.
Love for a wonderful new year.
xoRobyn
Hi Michael, working my way through the blog hop :) I can feel your words are truly from the heart,I found them quite moving.
Suzanne @ Suzannes Tribe
x
I love this message. Open hearts, Open minds. Hug our children while we can. Beautiful. Glad you have visited New Hampshire and have good memories of my homes state. Thanks for stopping by my blog and I wish you the happiest of new years.
I'm sorry that you've suffered so much loss. Fortunately, you have such devoted, and supportive friends in your life. Wishing you all the happiness you deserve in the New Year, Michael!
Julie
Beautiful post, Michael. I've always wanted to see New York (and at Christmas time would be an added bonus). My best well wishes to you in the coming year, my friend. :)
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas with your friends.
God bless you in 2014. :-)
Merry Christmas, Michael! I'm so glad you have special memories and a welcoming family to share it with. May the New Year be just as you describe. I agree, we definitely have a family here in Blog Land, and it sure can make one smile :) Happy New Year too!
Michael, this is a lovely post. I am slow in making my way around all the states in 50 States of Pray but the journey is wonderful. I can completely relate to the memories and also the openness to what exists right now. Merry Christmas and a very happy new year.
Such a lovely wish, Michael. {{{hugs}}} to all extended family, including the blogging family!
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