Christmas Spirit 2020

 I don't get much time anymore to write this blog, but I felt the need to write about Christmas Spirit, or the acute lack thereof, this year.  It is peculiar times; Covid has cause isolation even in a crowd.  Our masks cover not just our mouth and nose, but our smiles.  Social distancing has caused the absents of hugs and kisses, (Thank you Emmy for not following that and giving me a big, meaningful hug today),

Some people are even spending the time alone at this holiday, maybe for the first time.  A holiday that circles around family.  From the story of a baby, born to a virgin mother and a earthly father who raise Him in love,  Everyone visits that baby,  shepherds, wisemen and if the song is right, a little drummer boy.  That family is why we celebrate with our families and love ones.  That is why we share gifts at the holiday as a symbol of love to each other, sometimes even as a symbol of hope as did the gifts of the Magi, of frankincense, myrrh and  gold, gifts for a future king.

When I have gone shopping this past week the spirit that is usually there every year that you could catch in a strangers smile as they held the door, or talking with people in a long line at the store while you wait to check out, is missing.  You can't talk unless you shout, people can't understand you because the mask muffles your voice.  Handshakes and hugs don't exist and there is a sadness about that.  But what even makes me worry is that this will be an ongoing way of existence.  

All stories from a Peanuts Christmas to Twas the Night before Christmas revolves around people and family.  Will the future Santa wear a Hazmat suit and use hand sanitizer, think of all the cross contamination that man causes.  

How will Hallmark Christmas movies ever find love is a social distance society.  How will Snoopy kiss Lucy through a mask, oh the inhumanity of it all.

Well, I have no answers, only questions and I can only hope and pray that the future will be better.  That the Christmas Spirit will return, that hugs will come back.   

Until then, I wish you peace, love and hope this Christmas, and that's another day in Catasauqua

To Feel The Love

The last two weeks have been crazy to say the least.  Two weeks ago I got a call about a new job with another Title Company.  If you know me, you know that I have worked at the same place for the last 39 years.  And, to get a new job was exciting, scary and sad all at the same time. 

I hadn't want to really look for a new job, I liked mine, but I was only working part time due to the fact we were laid off part time, and unemployment was a joke.  I tried to cut our expenses where I could but sooner or later I knew I wouldn't be able to keep up with the bills. 

I tried working part time at night for Fed Ex but besides finding out why everything is broken when it is delivered it was too hard for me to do and way to dangerous for an old lady.  I applied to a lot of jobs on line and then I got the call for an interview about a month ago for another Title Company doing more or less the same thing I am doing  now.  And when the call came that I got the job, well it was kind of sad at work.  We all teared up because we now knew that the three of us would soon be down to two. 

I spent the next two weeks packing up 39 years of accumulated stuff.  Christmas stuff, stuffed animals, food stuff and how many coffee mugs can a girl have stuff.  All of which ended up in my dining room.  The last day was difficult, but not as bad as I thought it would be.   Presents that I did not expect, a lunch which was delicious and good byes that were heartfelt and heartbreaking. 

Not only had I worked with Annette all those 39 years, Barb came along 19 years ago and became a BFF easily.  How do you leave them?  Well, one thing is that I will visit often.  Thankfully it is close by.  I didn't feel the emptiness until a few minutes ago when I was putting Christmas cookies away.  I didn't pack any for the girls for tomorrow.  It felt like I had a hole in the stomach and I got a lump in my throat.  Instead I will take some to them later this week.

Now just when I thought it couldn't get anymore emotional, yesterday proved to be even more so. 

Saturday we had a Santa's breakfast at our church.  So much fun, so much food.  It was a great time.  At the end when the helpers got a chance to sit down I was eating with another BFF of mine, Cathy.  My mom was sitting next to me and then suddenly there seemed to be a lot of people around.  I just figured they were  talking, but the next thing I knew there was a present.  Gail, a wonderful women from my church had a gift for me.  Now, I don't like to be singled out, so at first I thought what could this be, why am I getting a present? Well, to my surprise it was a painting that Gail did of me.  Me, as Super Stewardship Woman.  Me, with blue wig askew, cape flying and crazy tights.  In that moment I felt like my heart would just pop out of my chest with love.

So,  that's been my week.  I don't know what tomorrow holds, but whatever it is I know one thing for certain, I am loved.  And I don't go through this world alone.  I have so many dear friends.  So many BFF's that I feel blessed.  More blessed than one human being should be.

It has been a rough couple of months but I am looking forward to new adventures, new friends and new challenges.

And that is Another day in Catasauqua

Spirits of the Past

Yesterday morning I spotted a cardinal in some bushes in the alley behind my house.  I saw it while on my morning walk with Blade, my dog.  I didn't think much of it yesterday, but this morning the cardinal was now squawking at me.  Let me add, it was REALLY squawking, so much it caught my attention right away.   They say cardinals are angels.  They say a cardinal is a representative of a loved one who has passed.  When you see one, it means they are visiting you.   

I immediately thought of a friend of mine - Miriam - she loved cardinals, she passed a few years ago and then of thought of Shirley, another friend who passed a little over a year ago and suddenly I had a hole in heart from the loss of several friends over the years.

It's inevitable, as we get older, we start to loose friends and family.

As I continued walking, I was really sad, but then I thought of all the good things these friends brought to my life and I became filled with love; and suddenly the hole in my heart was filled. 

Death happens, it will happen to me one day.  But this morning I realized that life is full of love.  Loving memories, love of friends and family, the love of my dog and I would say the cat, but cats, I not so sure about.  The world doesn't need love, it has it - you just have to recognize it and share what you have with everyone else.  So that one day, when you depart this life to go on to the next one that you don't leave holes, but instead you leave love.

and with that it is another day in Catasauqua.

Give me that Old Time Religion

What a glorious day.  So glorious I had to write about it.  Today we did something new, that was something old;  that was to have our church service at the Catasauqua Playground.

I remember when I was a child, one Sunday when I was heading to the pool I came across a group singing at the Pavilion - Grace Hilficker was up front.  I wasn't a member of Salem back then but some of my friends were and I asked them what was going on and they told me that they were having their church service in the park.  I remember thinking, wow how cool is that.  Well today I could have that experience.

Thanks to bff, Tammy Lutte for organizing the event. And alot of other bff's for participating, it happened!

I got to the playground this morning at 8:00 AM and OH MY what a beautiful morning.  God surely graced us with a wonderful day.  We unloaded the car and then the other cars came, it was like a beautifully orchestrated event.  Not everyone got there at once, there wasn't any confusion and everything flowed smoothly.  The only boo boo was that we overloaded the electric strip from too much food.  LOL was that really a problem?

During the Service itself I couldn't help but smile. Pastor Mike had a great sermon about attending church.  Behind him some squirrels played.  The air was quiet except for the chirping of birds.  It was like nature cooperated with us for the perfect experience.  Everytime the wind blew through I couldn't help but think of the Holy Spirit, especially since it was Pentecost Sunday.

At one point I remember thinking as Judy, our organist sat up front and Pastor Mike was preaching-- how old fashion and relaxing it felt.  I made everyone hold hands for the benediction song just because I felt so overjoyed.  

After the service we had the BEST PICNIC EVER - I am still full.  And everybody mingled (perhaps because we didn't have our usual pew to sit it)  We played bingo afterwards for prizes.

What a great Sunday it was, great people, at a great park.  I like those Homecoming Arches, Catasauqua, nice job.  And the playground, pool and pavilion look the best they ever have. 

It makes you realize how wonderful it is to live in a small town, to have a wonderful Church to attend and caring friends.  You can feel the Love of God on a day like today.  You feel the love and kindness all around you.  You even share cookies and soda with kids who just happened by at the right time.  And best of all.........you feel blessed.

Amen and that's another day in Catasauqua

Harry Potter Loves Jello

Harry Potter Loves Jello is a quirky way our Pastor came up with to remember the Sundays in Advent.  Hope, Peace, Love and Joy.  And, may I say that it worked because this year everyone remembered,  in order,  the Sundays of Advent.  Advent is the start of the Church's year  - easy to remember - its starts with an A - Also if you ever get confused between Advent and Lent, remember ABC, Advent Before Christmas.

As I sit here aching from back to toe after toting 12 Christmas totes down 2 flights of steps I must remember that it is not just the decorations that get us ready for  Christmas, it is our hearts that we really need to get ready. 

Since Thanksgiving I have been busy taking Autumn stuff down and putting Christmas stuff up.  I went shopping at Target Thanksgiving night for some great doorbuster deals for my Grandchildren.  I even shopped a little on Black Friday.  I must say that after working 35 years on Black Friday it felt good to be off.  (I did have off a couple of years ago, but I was laid off at the time so it did not feel so joyous) 

I have decorated at home and I have decorated at Church and am almost  ready  for Advent to begin.  My Advent Candle Ring is still in the attic and I will get it down tomorrow, as soon as I get the rest of the junk off the dining room table and the Christmas table cloth on.

Parke and I had the annual Christmas decoration fight.  He says I have too many, and I agree, but some decorations bring with them memories.  Some of the memories I want to keep, like all the decorations my son made for me when he was in school.  Or the manger from my Grandmother's house.

I like good memories, I like Christmas and I love the Baby Jesus.  So here's wishing you Harry Potter Loves Jello, oops I mean Hope, Peace, Love and Joy this Christmas season.  May this year bring you some fond memories and may your heart be ready to accept the love that comes from God this season in the form of a baby.

and that's another day in Catasauqua.

To everything there is a season

I use to say that God talked to me in the shower.  Maybe it's because it is the only place quiet enough for me to hear Him.  So, I just got out of the shower and wanted to share my ponderings.

I was pondering thoughts of life and eternal life.  On Friday I attended the funeral of a dear friend, Miriam.  I won't lie, it was hard one, and I cried and my heart ached.  Even though I knew that Miriam was now singing in the heavenly choir.  I knew she was now with her husband and her friends, that had gone on before,  but it was hard because I miss her so.  Today I received a call from my friend and co-worker, Barbara, and her mother is now very sick.  I am wondered what I would say to someone who ever asked me why?  Why does this have to happen.   Why suffering ? why death?

Well this morning was the first Sunday with our new Pastor, Pastor Michael Smith.  And he gave us homework of sorts, and that was to think what God meant to us and share it with someone.  What better place for me to share my faith but here with you, my readers.  All four of you.  Maybe five on good days.

Everything has a season.  Football has a season, and it will end soon with the Super Bowl.  Every sport has a season.  Our universe has a season, it had a beginning, and someday it will have end, although I think that is a long way off.  And sadly, our life has a season.  A beginning, as babies, helpless, but loved, taught along the way by many teachers that form our beliefs, our thinking, our very being.  I was lucky, I had a great Sunday School Teacher, Mrs. Horner, and I learned all about God and Jesus and how much He loved me and I formed a strong faith at a very young age.  So I know that like all good things, our life comes to an end.  That's why I am writing today.  To tell you that every day is a miracle, a gift.  Find the positive in at least one thing today and ever day.  See God in the sunshine or in a child's smile.  Feel God in the wind or a loved one's touch.  Life is precious and we should never waste a day of it.

Celebrate every day, not just the holidays or birthdays, but everyday, heck each day only comes once a year.  Talk to God, He listens and if you are really quiet He answers.  Maybe not in literal words, but in feelings, in your thoughts and in your heart. 

Share a smile with someone today.  Sit and listen to someone.  Help where you can. There are so many ways you can share the love inside you, you only have to open your eyes, ears and your heart to it. 

Love your family and tell them every chance you get, and say I love you to your friends, cause HEY you do, love them dontcha?   Kiss the dog and pet the cat. 

What I am trying to say is, we never know when our season is over, we usually don't get overtime or maybe we do, that's called a miracle. 

From Ecclesiastes 3 -

 For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:
 ² a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
 ³ a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
 ⁴ a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
 ⁵ a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
 ⁶ a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
 ⁷ a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
 ⁸ a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

Well, it's now time for this blogger to go to bed, and with that....it's another day in Catasauqua.
PS  I love you