Monday, December 28, 2015

Something special lingering in the air


The sun has almost set here in our nestled town. Although the holiday festivities have ended, our colored fairy lights continue to glow from under the beautiful, glistening snow. In a way, it still feels like Christmas at our home. In our living room, you'll find paper chains and bunting dangling up above while our table-top Christmas tree glows next to the sofa. Something special always seems to linger in the air for awhile during this time of year.

Every holiday season, my heart swells up with various emotions. Christmas doesn't reside there just because I thoroughly love it. It also exists because that special feeling gently reminds me of the blessing of where I am today. Coming from a tragic childhood, it sometimes seems all too surreal to be sitting in the comfort of a lovely home with an amazing husband and wonderful children by my side.

This time of year seems fitting to reflect back upon life and take note of every blessing we've been given. Too often, we find ourselves stumbling down a path of wanting more when so many around us have less...and need more. This year, my heart not only ruminated about all the events of 2015 and how blessed I am but it also brought to mind a bit of sadness. Such as really missing my father this particular Christmastime; my younger brother once again on the streets and homeless in San Jose; our sweet neighbor and her daughters going through a challenging time in their lives, my step-daughter hoping to have a precious baby, and so forth.

As the year comes to a close, let us remember, life is too short to take for granted those we love and what we've been given. My hope for the new year is to be a bigger blessing to those around me, near and far, through my art and blogging.

With that lingering feeling in the air, challenging us to look at our lives and how to do better, may I ask each of you one thing? How do you hope to touch the world next year?
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36 comments

  1. And it snowed 5 inches on Xmas day afternoon! Woot. AND the snow on the roads has pretty much all melted off whilst keeping the lovely white stuff. Can't beat that, smoots.

    Lovely post. Good thoughts. DO I need to share mine? Prob not, really. :)

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    1. Yes, you should share yours. :) I think we were all shocked to open the door to another winter wonderland on Christmas night. :) xx

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  2. I truly loved reading your post and your story. You are so amazing and are such an inspiration to so many, me included. Your story of survival and forgiveness touches me deeply. I loved Michael before he met you, and now I love you both. You stimulate my creative juices that sometimes I feel go dry. Hugs and more hugs. Love you to the moon and beyond.

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    1. Thank you, Wanda. I'm humbled by your lovely comment. Here's to a new, blessed year. :)

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  3. Yes, Michael....share yours.

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  4. That's always how I dream Christmas to be with the twinkling lights and snow. I have only once woken on Christmas morning to a white wonderland. Sarah x

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  5. This is a beautiful post filled with love and hope for our planet!

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  6. I too had a terrible childhood and am amazed at how lucky I am now to have such a wonderful family all together at this time of the year. Sending you wishes for a happy new year filled with love! xx

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    1. Jess, I wasn't aware of that. Hugs to you! And cheers to us for overcoming our past. Happy New Year!! xx

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  7. Oh lucky you having snow, we are having a very mild winter so far, not the right sort of weather at all. Your photographs are idyllic.
    We always stretch Christmas right up to midnight on Twelfth Night, when the tree lights are switched off.
    All the best for 2016.

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    1. Our winter last year was mild. This year, however, we've had a lot of it and then some! We'll keep our lights up until the 12th night as well! Wishing you a blessed, new year! :)

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  8. Magical photos. A lovely post too. So sorry to hear about your brother being homeless again though. This Christmas season is a mix of emotions for me too with various happenings. I wish you and your family a happy and blessed 2016. xx

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    1. Serena, thank you for stopping by and I do understand your mixed feelings this holiday season as well. Sending you hugs. And wishing you and yours a wonderful, blessed new year as well. xx

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  9. What magical winter scenes! I am sorry for the hard things going on. You are such a beautiful person and this post is so inspiring dear Alexandra...

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    1. Thank you, Lisa, on all fronts. Blessed to have you in my life as a wonderful bloggie friend. :)

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  10. Your photos are so magical and filled with magic and love of the season ~ How do I hope touch the world this coming year? By beginning at home with myself and my dogging and then to family and friends and then my photography and blog to send out simplicity, elegance and love and peace to all in each day ~


    Wishing you the magic and love of the season all year long,
    artmusedog and carol

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    1. Thanks so much, Carol and for your lovely comment. May you have a blessed new year! :)

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  11. So beautiful. The images and the message within your words. Reflection is vital, and it can reveal to us our deepest gratitudes. Peace.

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  12. AWE, what a beautiful post! Such a true reminder of the season, and what is important. Thank you for that - and the inspiration - next year I hope to do more YouTube and hopefully in that way, inspire people to create more. Fingers crossed anyway :) Thank you and HAPPY NEW YEAR! xoxo

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    1. Thank you very much, Kristin. Awww... I'd love to see your videos once you get going! Happy New Year! xx

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  13. Thank you for your visit to my blog and the lovely comment you made.
    This post is very touching, I wish you and your family a good 2016.
    Yvonne

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  14. such a beautiful inspiring post, best wishes to you and your family!

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  15. Life is so precious and it goes so fast! You have to be grateful! I know so many times, things go wrong! Your post is very touching! Very moving! In 2016, I am going to be me! I lost my soul a few years back and I didn't realize I did! Now, that I am me again, I am going to be the best me I can and hope to bless everything and everyone that is around me! That is how I hope to touch the world next year! Big Hugs!

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    1. So lovey to see you pop in Stacey. Lovely comment and thoughts. The best thing we can be...is us. Happy New Year! xx

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  16. Very nice and great illustrations!

    Here is my blog, hope you like and follow it :D

    http://danicampoy.blogspot.com.es/

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    1. Thank you very much, Dani. I'll check your blog out! :)

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  17. Absolutely beautiful photos! I did miss having snow here on Christmas! But, I'm sure we'll get some soon!:-)

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    1. Thank you, Maria. Hope you get some snow soon! :) Happy New Year!

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  18. A lovely post Alexandra. Your photos are truly magical - particularly to my eyes as we don't get snow here. Wishing you all the very best for 2016!

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    1. Aww...thank you very much, Wendy. Wishing you the very best this year as well. xx

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