memes
My dear Cali friend nominated me for this "Honest Scrap" award. According to De Ann (or now, may I call you Tootie since you've finally proclaimed it to the world?) I must list 10 random facts about myself. Then another dear blog reader, Maureen, gave me the Fabulous Sugar Doll Blogger Award which coincidentally means I must list 10 random facts about myself. I'm very random, but I'm not very good about making lists like this, so I will let myself cheat and fulfill both obligations with one list. :)
1. My wardrobe has grown increasingly brown and black. It was a recent discovery, and yes, it's random. I still have a complete rainbow in my closet just because of my insane amassment of clothing in there, but I keep going for the brown or the black every time I go shopping, every day when I get dressed. And this is not a new randomosity - I'd say the past year, maybe? And plus, it makes just-the-right earrings and no-one-but-Amanda-would-wear-that necklaces way more fabulous.
2. I'm glued to my pink Coach datebook. I live by that thing. It may or may not be in my iPhone, but it will always be in the datebook. If someone were to take it, I'd feel lost and probably go into a panic attack. Knowing my recent luck, that said panic attack would probably end me in the psych ward. Not even kidding.
3. My dog is my human daughter and if I had more time, I'd have a few more. My goal is eventually to graduate to human procreation, but at the moment, nannying is enough kids for my life.
4. If I find a cute top or pair of jeans that fit just right or adorable, must-have shoes, I will buy it in all the colors I can fit into my wardwrobe. It's pathetic, really. I feel like Doug -remember that Nickelodeon cartoon where the kid wore the same outfit every. single. day. Ha! Case in point: Old Navy fold-over yoga pants (2 pairs black, 1 pair black capri), cute heel boots (black and brown), favorite Coach bag (black and brown), my favorite t-shirts (I'd say about 5 different tops with 2 to 4 colors of each)
5. I love my Pandora bracelet. I didn't even know what they were until a few months ago, and then it was what I wanted most for Christmas. Well, I got one, and have two spacers and the following beads: a heart from Jonathan, a dangle cross from my sister, a pink stone from Grandma, and my Nana's birthstone (and mine - we're both born in August) that I bought with the money Poppop gave me for Christmas (in her memory of course) There's so many more charms I'd love to add, but what's so special if there is no story behind each charm? Going to Jared and stocking my bracelet would be fun, but it would make the bracelet meaningless. Plus, I love how the beads slide all around now. It wouldn't do it if it was full! :)
6. I am, after 5 1/2 years, single again. It's surprising how fast I've reverted back to my ways of not shaving my legs, doing whatever I want to do whenever I want to do it, and drooling over any man-candy I may encounter. I'm unabashedly single and hoping I'll soon love it as much as I used to.... before things got so complicated and I fell head-over-heels in love. I'm a single adult for the first time in my life, and I find it liberating sometimes. There's a few things I want to do before I settle down again, and I think that's awesome.
7. I love giving stuff away or even selling stuff. I find some hidden joy in finding someone on Freecycle or Craigslist or eBay who really want my used whatevers. I give all my old accessories to my friends and cousin, too. I'm doing some massive cleaning out lately, and I have been doing all of the above plus filling a huge box for our church yard sale which is like 6 months away. Purging feels so good. I don't know how people can hoard stuff unless of course, they're simply too busy to clean it out. That would be a problem.
8. I had to hit rock bottom and lose all but my very life before I realized how much God loved me and keeps His hand on my life... despite myself. Despite ourselves, He is watching over us.
9. I love to buy cards and gifts for people. I love wrapping presents and curling the ribbon. I love tying on pretty tags and finding just the right card. :)
10. I always bite off more than I can chew. Any project I seem interested in, I dive right in, give 200%, and usually find out I'm too busy for it after all or just get bored with it. I take "live life with passion" a little too literally. I also think I can do anything until I realize I can't. Now, I can do many things, and I believe anyone can do anything they set their mind to, but that's completely not the point on this one. Case in point? If you'll hem my pants, why do I need to waste all that frustration of trying to do it myself? For less than an hour's work pay, I can get my car washed at the gas station with the extra nice soap and special clean whatever? I will not wash my own car, waste 2 precious hours, get soaking wet, and earn myself an evening on the heating pad with a muscle relaxer. How about food? If my mom is home, she can make whatever I want better and faster, and everyone has curb-side take out now, so learning to cook? Nah, no point. And along the same lines, I really do think I have more hobbies, or attempted hobbies, than any sane person should have... and probably less time for hobbies than most people have.
My duty, again according to Tootie, in accepting this honest scrap award is that I must award it to seven other blogs. Maureen passed it onto three. So I have no idea. I'm going to now cheat a second time in one post and say this: If you want, just post it on your blog and link back. How's that? Twitter friends, blog reader friends, whoever you are... I think you all rock. And if you're extra busy like me, just go on with your life. But I have fulfilled my honors and obligations and will now go do my Nursing Research homework and think about who I can bribe to paint my bathroom brown. All before a 2 year old and 5 month old wake up from their naps.
Love to you all!
Reflecting...
Just continuing the tradition...
1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Got dumped.
2. What are your New Years Resolutions?
To try harder when it matters, to forget about it when it doesn't
3. Did anyone close to you give birth in 2009?
Mom of my nanny girl, now my nanny GIRLS :)
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My Nana - just a few months after I told her she needed to live long enough to see her great-grandbabies
5. What countries did you visit?
Stayed here. Too busy with school to go anywhere but Disney in May and Florida earlier in the spring to go through Nana's things
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
My fiance to be my husband
7. What date(s) in 2009 will remain etched in your memory and why?
The day my Nana died. Also the night I had the nervous breakdown where my mom cried on my bed with me until my fiance left his prescheduled event to come hold me. Taking my baby sister to see Taylor Swift - floor seats!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Completing an entire semester of clinicals (fall) and standing up to a ridiculous professor, being a nanny
9. What was your biggest failure of 2009?
Not pushing myself to take clinicals in the spring
10. Did you suffer any illness or injury?
The exact same illnesses, thank God no new injuries. Definitely a few more panic attacks and nervous breakdowns than last year though.
11. What was the best thing someone bought you?
A Pandora bracelet with charms & a book of my blog
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Every/Anyone who gets out of the bed in the morning and gives the day their best effort
13. Whose behavior appalled and depressed you?
Someone I definitely didn't expect and ironically, one of his/her relatives
14. Where did most of your money go?
Expensive indulgences like my new TV/blu-ray, new Pottery Barn bedding, tons of pedicures, sponsoring Julenia in Nicaragua
15. What did you get really, really excited about?
Going to Disney World! (We'd been there 20-30 times before, but my sister (19) and I (21) year old run around the parks like we had never in a million years imagined it would ever be so magical! Ahh, Disney.
16. What song(s) reminds you of 2009?
I hate to say it, but I didn't lisent to too much music this year, I still had my "Song kicks" where I'd listen to a song over and over until I got sick of it, but nothing that stands out in my mind.
17. Compared to last year are you...
a.) Happier or Sadder? Sadder
b.) Thinner or Fatter? Fatter (but last year I lost an insane amount of weight from a medication, so it's a "good" fatter!)
c.) Richer or Poorer? Richer (but money doesn't provide happiness)
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Breathe
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Mental and emotional fighting
20. How did you spend Christmas?
With my fiance and I's million sides of family
21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
More and more every day
22. How many one night stands did you have?
I belong to someone else, so that's not an option.
23. What was your favorite TV program?
Grey's Anatomy, Friday Night Lights, One Tree Hill, The Office, Private Practice...
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't this time last year?
No
25. What was the best book you read?
The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan, a memoir that will change any woman's perspective on life
26. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
I turned 22. And no idea. Babysat? Went out to dinner? I really don't remember.
27. What was your best musical discovery?
Nothing in particular. Definitely listened to too much Baby Songs, Disney and Hannah Montana!!
28. What did you want and get?
See #11
29. What was your favorite film of the year?
My Sister's Keeper, the Time Traveler's Wife
30. What did you want and not get?
Married
31. What one thing would've made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Being married to Jonathan
32. How would you describe your fashion concept for 2009?
Black or brown lounge pants/capris. Loves it!
33. What kept you sane?
My mom and fiance. My best friend. Loads of Ativan. God.
34. Which celebrity or public figure did you admire most?
Sarah Palin
35. What political issue stirred you most?
Healthcare reform
36. Who/what do you miss?
My Nana and my naivety
37. Who was the best new person you met?
My OB clinical instructor
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned.
No matter how hard you try for anything, it's never enough. And at this point on my journey, I can't quite figure out why.
Another lesson is by nannying, I am reminded every single day of the precious innocence of children and the huge miracles they are.
Nursing, although I'm fighting every part of my being to get there, is an honorable lifestyle, not a simple career. At the end of the day, there's nothing like seeing you helped make a human being better or they say you gave them a good day just by your smile. Nothing like that in the world.
39. Quote a song line that defines your year.
I guess I'd rather hurt than feel nothing at all.
(It's a quarter past one and I'm all alone and
I need you now.
I said I wouldn't call
but I've lost all control
and I need you now) - Lady Antebellum
So that's that.
After I filled it all out, over at (InCourage), I found these 20 questions that I think I like better.
These may just be my new tradition. They're much more introspective, don't you think?.
1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
I'm 2 clinicals closer to graduating!
2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
Losing my precious Nana, ignoring my illnesses and disabilities to go back to school after my year-long hiatus, losing someone at church who always inspired me to hope and try, almost losing the person who I thought - of everyone in the entire world -would always be here forever.
3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
Finally finding a nanny family who treats me like I'm part of the family; I adore spending days with those precious girls
4. What was an unexpected obstacle?
Wrecking my car driving an hour up to clinicals - I was half asleep and some guy side-swiped me. Or something. I don't exactly remember. I ran over our brick mailbox that morning, too. It really was a bad day. But that's what you get when you force a narcoleptic to live outside her means.
5. Pick three words to describe 2009.
Hard. Surprises. Changes.
6. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe your 2009 (don’t ask them; guess based on how you think your spouse sees you).
Hard. School. Nervous.
7. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe their 2009 (again, without asking).
Same. Growing. Trying.
8. What were the best books you read this year?
The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan, and My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult was pretty good too
9. With whom were your most valuable relationships?
My mom, sister, fiance, best friend & nanny girls
10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?
Deciding to finish school ASAP so we can get married. I don't care if it almost kills me. I now know I'm going to have to take charge of the situation and physically endanger myself to get the dream of me and the one I love. I took spring '09 off from school, so this idea has been evolving for months. I, of all people, a nurse, should know my health comes first, but I refuse to believe it when there's something so huge out there.
11. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?
I can handle stressful situations a little bit better using my "toolbox," but on the other hand I'm also more prone to nervous breakdowns and panic attacks for some reason. I learned to survive someone's death I previously thought would kill me, so my emotions definitely grow as I still learn to live without her.
12. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?
Trusting God more, talking to Him more.
13. In what way(s) did you grow physically?
I learned short hair is the only way to get through nursing school and nannying and the insane life that surrounds each. But it's cute, so I'm happy. :)
14. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?
I'm closer with my mom, sister, fiance, and fiance's sister.
15. What was the most enjoyable area of managing your home?
Decorating!
16. What was your most challenging area of home management?
Sometimes the dogs, lol Or if I was my mom, I'd have cut off my dad's feet by now for all the times he tracks his nasty, muddy shoes ALL over the house. The hardwood gets soaked and then after he's on the carpet long enough, I guess they dry on their own. Disgusting.
17. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?
Worrying
18. What was the best way you used your time this past year?
Working on my nursing degree, loving God, loving my fiance, loving my friends and family
19. What was the biggest thing you learned this past year?
Nothing is ever enough. Children are precious. Days are short. Fight for what matters.
20. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2009 for you.
Glad it's over. And regarding 2010? I sure am praying for a better year - one with clearer paths, more evidence of an impending marriage, nearly completing my education... and maybe, just maybe, a few more good things. :)
Lord, as this New Year begins, We come to you and ask for your blessing. We pray that you would give us joy to fill our days and peace to fill our hearts and love to fill our lives. Thank you for the plans you have for us in the New Year. Thank you for promising to be with us every step of the way.
In honor of annual National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, or Invisible Illness Awareness Week, I figured I'd participate in a little meme they had up on their blog. I think it's kind of fun, and as you know I'm really trying to promote being "open" about everything, so here goes!
30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know
1. The illness I live with is:
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (end-stage) and fibromyalgia
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year:
February 14, 1992 and January, 2009, respectively
3. But I had symptoms since:
My memory ever began. Barely-5 is too young to remember an entire life before.
4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is:
I don't remember "not being sick," so I'm not sure how to answer this. I am bitter, however, that my desire to change the world has been a little dampened.
5. Most people assume:
I'm lazy, full of excuses, or even that I'm so healthy and vivacious. If only they knew.
6. The hardest part about mornings are:
Getting up - not just waking up - but getting up, out of bed, and finding enough energy to do something productive
7. My favorite medical TV show is:
Grey's Anatomy - and definitely not because it's accurate!!
8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is:
My iPhone and 3 Macs.
9. The hardest part about nights are:
The endless loneliness. I cannot marry my fiance of 2 years because we don't have health insurance.
10. Each day I take __ pills & vitamins.
3 + 3 + 1 + 1 +1 + 1 +5 + 2 + 3 + (3, 4 + 1 + 2) = 20 bare minimal, or, on a semi-bad or bad day, over 30. Oh, and 2 liquids.
11. Regarding alternative treatments I:
Go to cognitive behavioral therapy, massotherapy, listen to progressive relaxation CDs, practice box breathing/deep breathing, and will start acupuncture in October
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose:
Neither. Life is not supposed to be about illness. If my illness were visible, more people would understand, yes, but on the other hand, I wouldn't be able to hide it when I wanted to. Sometimes - just sometimes - it's nice to forget you're sick.
13. Regarding working and career:
Going by how I am now, I will not be able to work full-time. I sometimes wonder why I'm so feverishly pursuing my education if I may one day live in the terrible place of knowing that I want to do something and am equipped and ready to do it, but afterall, cannot because of my health problems
14. People would be surprised to know:
I need a new liver. Sometimes I scream and cry like a toddler. I do not have a single answer. All I want to do is be held and told "Everything will be okay."
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been:
How unfair life is to those with illnesses. Not just things like "it shouldn't have happened to me!" but things like laws, policies, support, lifestyle, even the inherent loneliness.
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was:
Travel through Europe (2005), Walk through Disney World (May, 2009)
17. The commercials about my illness:
Do not exist. And thank God for that. No one's symptoms are ever like the drug commercials.
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is:
Having anything even of a slight resemblance to a childhood.
19. It was really hard to have to give up:
My life, my dreams
20. A hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is:
Scrapbooking because it is life-affirming and keeps me grounded. This moment is here for only a single instant. You'll never have it back.
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would:
Cry and thank God and make my fiance take off of work and well, I'd be so excited I wouldn't know where to start!
22. My illness has taught me:
Life is short. Life is a gift. Each moment flies away. Each feeling or emotion or idea is only a sheer element comprising a bigger picture. Focus on tiny things like love, laughter, hope, sharing. Together, they'll make up a beautiful life.
23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is:
Anything that comes with a tone of voice indicating that they think I should be done with being sick because it's an inconvenience to them or indicating whatever I just said is just an excuse on my part.
24. But I love it when people:
Ask me how I'm doing, take a second to check how my test went or how my office visit went. I like when close friends want to talk about it. To me, that means acceptance. Also, I'm humbled on the rare occasion that someone wants to offer their time and just come help me "get things done."
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is:
Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them:
Hold onto hope. Pray. Forget about the trivialities of life. Live like you're dying tomorrow, because in all honesty, it doesn't take a chronic illness to cut your life short. You may die in an accident before you even hear if your test indicated cancer. Live, live, live.
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is:
Once you're this far, there are no surprises.
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was:
Stayed with me
29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because:
I know what it's like to suffer in silence, so I hope to help break that silence.
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel:
Honored ... because you gave me a gift you can never get back - a few moments of your time just to hear my story. Thank you
This year, IIA Week is September 14-20. Check out the main site for all of the articles, conferences, and chats that will be coming up!
I love SwapBot. It's so fun to join various "swaps" with people all over the world. Click over for more info, but here is a swap I just participated in. A 30 question survey, email swapped with 10 people. Lots of new friends! :) Here are my answers, albeit a little late. Gotta love life, right?
The swap is over now, but feel free to jump in and post your answers on your blog! :)
1. What's your full name?
Amanda :)
2. Who are you named after?
A great-grandmother on my dad's side.
3. What characteristics should your man/husband have?
He is everything I never realized I desperately needed. 4 years ago, my answer would be completely different, but today, I know better. My fiance is dedicated, fun, compassionate, honest, wise, gentle, and easy-going.
4. Do you believe in love of the first sight?
Yes and no. Yes in the respect that it does exist, but most of the time we are too set in our own ways to see it. And no because we usually have to overcome ourselves to let it in, to crush the walls that keep it out. I DO believe, however, that when you've found true love, you'll know it. It will go deeper than anything you've ever felt before. It will change you, rock your world and cause you to never ever see anything the same again.
5. Could you imagine a life without children?
I can, but it breaks my heart
6. Who's the baby in the family when it comes to getting sick?
Any male
7. What did you want to grow up to be when you were a child?
A doctor, an attorney, a personal trainer, a CEO, an artist, a writer.... I was very open-minded. ;-) Now I'm in nursing, but the goal is just to be in healthcare and change lives.
8. What would be the worst thing that could happen to you?
Not being with the one I love
9. What is your profession?
A student trying to find the best path for me to use my experiences to change the world
10. Are you an organized person?
Unbelievably so. But sometimes life has a way of preventing you from being who you really are deep inside...
11. If you could go anywhere for vacation where would it be?
Back to Paris. I want to show my favorite city on the earth to the one I love. :)
12. If you could live anywhere, where would you live?
Near my family in a moderate-climate area. Definitely not a place with weather as finicky as Ohio!
13. What is your new years resolution for 2009?
To try harder, to be stronger, to make 2008 the last year I barely survive and make 2009 the first year I truly fly
14. When are you most likely to lie?
Lying is never appropriate, and it always ends up hurting someone, so I just don't do it.
15. Whats your biggest fear?
#8
16. Which characteristic do you despise in other people?
Superficiality, dishonesty, apathy, intolerance
17. What's your worst feature?
I don't think anyone has a "worst" feature. We're all works in progress
18. If you could change something about yourself, what would it be?
I'd be less afraid, a little stronger, and content in everything. I'd be inspirational and encouraging as a fighter who never gave up.
19. What do you think about Barack Obama?
I stay away from political discussions, but I will say that I am so happy that the 2008 election showed that a good part of our country is growing out of racial and gender prejudice. Not even close to where we should be, but we're on the path. I wish President Obama guidance as he takes on this enormous position.
20. How do you want to die?
Happy and content
21. Which talent do you wish to have?
Can't really think of anything...
22. What is your most precious possession?
What's in my heart. Every piece of this journey, every love, every thought, every encounter... it is all worth more than anything in the world
23. Who are your favorite writers?
Anyone who knows what they're talking about. People who aren't ashamed to tell their story. And I'm not a major fiction person, but in that genre, I prefer things like Jodi Picoult and the occasional Nicolas Sparks indulgence. ;-)
24. What is your favorite book?
This can change daily. But off the top of my head, the Bible, CS Lewis "A Grief Observed" and Jon & Stasi Eldredge "Captivating"
25. For what do you feel sadness?
The state of the world today, all of the broken hearts, the questions without answers
26. Which living person do you admire?
My mom
27. Which living person do you mostly detest?
I do not detest. I choose to forgive and accept the fact that we are all trying the best that we can.
28. What is your favorite quote?
I have so many. I'm ridiculously addicted to beautiful words. But here's a couple off the top of my head:
{And now let us welcome the new year - full of things that have never been - Rainer Maria Rilke}
{To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless. - GK Chesterton}
{Love yourself - accept yourself - forgive yourself - and be good to yourself, because without you the rest of us are without a source of many wonderful things. - Dr. Leonardo Buscaglia}
{Nunc scio quit sit amor - Virgil}
29. What do you do to help the environment?
I love Freecycle, and I give things away to friends/charities/etc. instead of throwing them away. I try not to leave lights on and don't drive much. I'm not super "green" but I do try!!
30. Why do you swap?
Because it's fun to meet new people and see glimpses of their lives. We are all in this together, we are all just humans at the core trying to make it on this crazy miraculous ride we call life. :)
In the style of Indie Fixx's An Indie Holiday Story, here's my take on the 8 Christmas questions. Feel free to join in and post a link back to your blog! :)
1. Your favorite holiday tradition.Hmmm... this is a tough one. Cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning, our annual Christmas picture (I think the "outtakes" are sometimes than the "keeper"!), Grandma's house, Mom's cookies (and the dough!!), waiting for Santa..... There are so many!
2. Your favorite cookie recipe.Ahh, I do not reveal my recipes. I add a sprinkle of Amanda special-ness and that's why mine are the BEST. Sorry. ;-)
3. Share a story behind a special ornament on your tree.Nikki and I have tons of ornaments because every year of our lives, we'd choose a new ornament. An "A" or "N" would go on the bottom along with the year. Mom and Dad's plan was to make sure we'd have lots of special ornaments to take with us when we grew up and had families of our own. Of course, we also have the ornaments we'd make at school or church and those are so special to me, too. A few favorites are my Disney Princess ornaments, my handmade Haylie pawprint ornament, and the one I made at church when I was 2 - it has a picture of me in the middle back when I had little blonde curls and had yet to experience life at its hardest
4. All you want from Santa is….?Nothing Santa could bring makes much difference. Christmas is not about gifts, and everything I want the most cannot come from Santa or money anyways. I did get lots of fun stuff this year though... Just not my heart's deepest wishes. But I think that's how it always goes, right?
5. Your favorite Christmas movie and why?Hmm..... I like the Family Stone because it's more serious. Christmas movies are usually so superficial and cheesy. I do like the Muppets Christmas Carol though! But the little Tiny Tim family makes me sad. :( Absolutely no Christmas Story!!!!! (Okay, okay, it was fun while it lasted but it's really overrated!) I'm not a huge holiday-movie person.... I'd rather just put my iPod on the Christmas playlist or something.
6. Are you dong anything special for the holidays this year?Same as always. But that's a good thing. :)
7. What’s the best toy you ever got when you were a kid.Toy? I'm going to go with the Barbie house. Santa brought a handmade wood Barbie house that my crafty mom wallpapered and carpeted. (I am not even kidding!!!) It had a porch and a swimming pool too. Annnd of course it's in the basement safe and sound because deep inside I still want to play with it and maybe one day I'll have a little girl who will love it as much as I did (do)!!
But there was also Scooter and Kimmy and the Bitty Baby and Baby Alive and my Dreamland babies, and well, you get the idea. ;-)
8. Why is Christmas special to you?Because it's a time to remember when the Savior of the world chose to come to this earth and live a life full of hardships out of nothing more than love. It's pretty heavy if you think about it. And on the other hand, I love Christmas because it's a time for most people to remember how much they love the family and friends they always seem to be too busy for during the year. It's a time of remembering relationships, blessings, and love. It's a time to ponder change and how fragile our days really are. It's a time to create memories that will last forever as we try to accept the fact that we have no idea what this coming year may bring. Christmas gently reminds us that life is short and we must enjoy its sweet moments.
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