Beautiful

I hope you're having a beautiful holiday season. It has been particularly lovely here in Magdalenaville. We've attended a family wedding, several dinners with friends and co-workers. I start a new job in the "real world" with the new year, which is a huge blessing, even though it is sad to leave the part-time job I love so much.

Yesterday marked two years since my husband's diagnosis. The brain tumor has changed him, but has also changed me, our son, and everyone in our lives. We are stronger, I think, and more grateful for things we used to take for granted. I am surprised, looking back, at all the beautiful things that have happened in the past two years. Truly, in this season and throughout the year, the most meaningful gifts are not wrapped in colorful paper under a Christmas tree.

Have a beautiful Christmas!

Mags

So thankful

For family and friends, a job I enjoy, a place to live and enough money to pay the bills. For energy to do the tasks at hand, and wise counsel when I need it. For the circle of love that surrounds me and keeps me going.

Tomorrow, instead of Black Friday, I'm celebrating White Friday. I already had the dump truck rented before I read Miss Minimalist's post last night, but I love that she has named the day for us. Here in Magdalenaville, today is for celebrating our blessings, tomorrow is set aside for clearing out clutter, and making donation trips to Goodwill.

And then we can celebrate our blessings again. That's the great thing about "thanksgiving"--it's never out of season. Without doubt, it is my favorite holiday.

I hope yours is lovely.


Magdalena

Farewell to a gentle spirit

A friend and fellow author died this week. I have mentioned his work here before, but wanted to do so again.

Harold Dean Dixon published two volumes of poetry, written from his heart to yours.

Ups and downs

So today I received an email from a cousin who was concerned about me. She'd been checking the blog occasionally and noted that my spirit seemed to have returned...and then I'd done a disappearing act. That is only a slight paraphrase.

And she's right. For a week or two, I felt as if I was getting myself back on some type of writing track. I wrote a little bit almost every day, and sometimes what I wrote was good. Then my husband started having more problems, other issues arose, and sure enough, I disappeared from the blog.

Sorry about that, for those of you who check here to see how we're doing. The answer is, not quite as well as before. My husband had a really bad fall last week, and it has me worried. He's recovering pretty well (the stitches look as good as stitches can). But I worry about him falling again. I'm looking into options for getting some caregiving help. I think, maybe, I will not be able to keep going as we have been.

And, once again, writing romance is not anywhere in the mix of our rather mixed-up existence. We're still thankful for the absence of pain, and the presence of people who love us. That part is definitely not mixed-up.

Thank you for caring!


Magdalena