Wednesday night

Faith Hill is singing Joy To The World at Rockefeller Ctr.in NYC for the lighting of the Christmas Tree. A lovely touch at a time when many are depressed. I love much of this time of year but the pressure of gifts for everyone on my list is daunting and nerve wracking. Once again, I just don't have the money. This year many have joined me on this weary path. I will bake and make kissing balls but I will not put Christmas gifts for the 26 people on my list on my credit card. I enjoy giving gifts to those I love and cherish memories of years past when money was freely there
to buy or sew a gift for everyone in my family. It seems people have given up on the special gifts of Christmas such as sending greeting cards, baking cookies and making candies to purchase large expensive gifts for a few people in their family and for themselves. Christmas has become an excuse to purchase that expensive item. The real reason for the season is no longer clear. I have a hand full of rustic hand painted wooden ornaments for the tree that I was able to salvage from the floods of my home in NC in '98. They remind me of a time many years ago, 1972 actually, when my children and I were alone for our first Christmas. We didn't have any extra money then for decorations. The kids painted the wooden cutout ornaments, strung popcorn, cranberries and made paper chains for our tree that year. I hang these few old ornaments each year to remind me of where we have come from.

I have been working all week long in the Glens Falls schools. The work is steady but not terribly creative or challenging. It just is and I remain grateful to have it. Many of the little children have much pain in their lives. Their bravery and stoicism is impressive. I want to gather them all around me to love and protect them like a mother hen and her chicks. But touching is frowned upon in these times. I am sad for them and frustrated by the society of fear we have created.

Now I listen to David Cook singing Happy Christmas. Beautiful words. Double click on the photos to enlarge.

May you be blessed where you are....