Christmas 2015
My Christmas Wish Letter To You,
I’m sharing my Christmas letter that I have sent out to family and friends, because after all if you take the time to read my blog, then I consider you virtual family. (best part of being virtual family that is that you most likely will escape my warped humor and being asked to take join me in some of my goofy adventures)
Christmas greetings to you! With the onset of the holidays, my focus naturally shifts to the people that are in my life and the role they play. Perhaps it is because I find myself spending more time together sharing holiday meals and gathering in one another’s home. For me, it’s a time when memories are made over good food and conversation. I like to think of it in terms of another layer of love that gets frosted on in the sweet memory category (guess you can tell I’ve had my share of frosting things this season!J) But seriously, for me these last three years on my own I have been the lucky recipient of so much kindness, love and caring from those around me. I can’t even begin to tell you how simple gestures can warm up a heart and soul. And if you add in a bit humor to the mix, well all the better. The way I see it, a happy life is a lot like baking, as it takes all sorts of different kinds of ingredients in the right doses to get the desired end result. For my personal recipe of happiness, it goes like this - sift in a truly wonderful man (Randy), with time spent with family & friends, add a big dollop of laughter, sprinkle in a bit of solo time and then frost it with things that inspire passion, and as Martha Stewart would say, “it’s a good thing”.
On a quick personal note, this past year I added chickens and a new rescue farm dog into my life. Randy and I enjoyed a few days in the Arizona sun last Spring – so it was good to know we travel well together too. He’s a good sport and doesn’t flinch (too much) when he’s accompanied me on a few adventures to find that perfect yard art (an old truck) that now graces the entrance to the driveway of my home. I get the privilege of writing for a wonderful publication call Home and Harvest Magazine as well as my blog and also continue to get paid to lovingly harass the constituents that I work for at WSU.
So in the crazy and sometimes scary world, the message that I would like to share is that kindness begets kindness. If you are like me, there are so many things that I regret not doing, having good intentions and never getting around to do them or to show someone just how much I care about them. And so another goal for the New Year is to not be so task oriented, try to be present in the here and now, be more spontaneous, and take the time to do more kind acts. I pledge to enjoy those sunrises and sunsets more, spend more quality time with the people in my life and as always smile & laugh every day. I invite you to join me in standing united for the goal of “you must be the change you wish to see in the world” ~ Gandhi
I wish for you a very joyous Christmas and Happy New Year.
Hugs and kisses,
Gayle
