handwritten on December 23, 2019
We should do it more often-disconnecting to reconnect. Tonight we played a board game with the cousin clan and respective spouses and gosh was it fun. We had a little dixie cup full of eggnog and in the dim light of the kitchen we played a few rounds, enjoyed stories and quick wit and simple laughter. How rarely do we take a break from the internet and our computers and most importantly our work just to connect with another. Disconnect connect should take place at least once a month, and I think it can as long as we are present...
handwritten on December 22, 2019
You know...there aren't many people who can say this:
The same Christmas tradition of traveling a specific place has always been
The Christmas dinner is just how one remembers at age six
The games played are just like the ones played in the elementary years
Eggnog is always present within the fridge- it's also the only time I ever have eggnog
Music is always playing
Baby Jesus is generally rolled over until Christmas
The little magnetic ice skaters are left in the same place by Grandpa's chair
The snowman that flips up is still filled with Hershey Kisses (I still always steal a few)
Waffles are still made by Nicholas
Green bean casserole tastes as good as it always has
Aunt Linda's cookies...
handwritten on December 21, 2019
I was able to spend the main part of the evening with my husband's sister. And it made me a bit nostalgic to think that the last time I actually practiced or made music with someone else was probably many many years ago (dueting I mean.) We become so caught up and so busy with whatever we are doing that generally there is just no time for music making-unless of course you look at life as an extensive piece that is never quite finished. Duet playing was wonderful. Only focusing on the piano and nothing else was wonderful. Listening to mistakes was wonderful, exercising the part of the brain that lends itself to sight reading was wonderful. Laughing and continuing on with our imperfect piece...
handwritten on December 20, 2019
It has been exactly one year since the anniversary of a pretty awful car accident that occurred before my winter break last year and a pretty remarkable event happened today to mark that one year anniversary. Quite a journey it has been. So many lessons have been learned. Nothing held back. All dreams gone after without hesitation. A renewed sense of urgency but also realization of time's fleeting nature.
I found it only appropriate that today I write a letter to myself.
Dear Self,
It has been a journey to say the least. I’m proud of you for waking up each and every day since December 20th last year with a feeling that little things matter. That every day as long as we are here has the...
handwritten on December 19, 2019
Every year my students are generally given something special from me. I do write them a pretty long note because I find that words of affirmation are incredibly important (especially for a child.) I give them a little hot cocoa mix (which I believe I stole from my mother's large bag of classroom ideas) and I also purchase a desk light for every student.
And the purpose of the light is to be able to do work with the lights off and the colored holiday lights strung above us but the purpose is also to remember that while we are all covered in a whimsical blanket of colored lights, the individual lights that shine in our own hearts are equally as important. "Let your light shine" is the motto...
