Celebrate Responsibly--my Yearly reminder

... do yourself a favor. Tonight is a night when so many will be out celebrating the end of  2019 and the beginning of 2020. Please, make a plan. If you drink, don't drive! If you drive, don't drink! Not complicated. But it does require some thinking ahead. It requires you to think about using an alternate form of transportation such as a taxi,or Uber or Lyft, or using a designated driver, or being a designated driver. It might mean that you provide a place for your guests to stay, or that you provide a driver. There are many ways to be responsible.

Now I have nothing against enjoying yourself. I have nothing against those who choose to enjoy alcohol. Personally, I will be celebrating 39 years of sobriety in a few weeks, but that is because I am an alcoholic. I do not begrudge you one sip. But I do want you to think ahead and plan accordingly. 

If you drink, please do not drive. I don't care how much you drink, one drink or several. Drinking and driving do not mix.

Lives are changed, destroyed in the blink of an eye. When my husband was killed by a drunk driver not only was my family destroyed but the family of the young woman who killed him was changed forever. 

I know, most people think this can't happen to me. The young woman who killed my husband did not think she was impaired when she got on the freeway going the wrong direction and hit him head on at 60 miles per hour.

So, celebrate.Enjoy the party! Have a great time, but have a plan in place. Please.

If you drink do not drive!!

Peace and Blessings,

EB


P.S. I dislike doing this but there is a paypal button over there,just in case. The William and I are struggling,and  embarassed I am pointing out the button.We are continually blessed.

Happy Christmas

(I wrote this a few years ago,it still fits)


The quote for the day is...
There's nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child.~~Erma Bombeck~~

Now, when you read that do not think, oh dear, that is so right. Think, I am a child. A child of the Most High God, and I deserve to believe that I am a beautiful, wonderful, worthwhile individual with so much to offer myself and those I love. The most important things I have to offer have nothing to do with the house being spotless, or the decorations being Martha Stewart worthy, or the Christmas dinner being course after course of delicious. What I have to offer is the heart of a worthwhile person. A heart that knows that I am intelligent, and caring, and worthy of treating myself well. A heart that is able to be a better mother, wife, sister, daughter, friend because I know my value.

Take time today to rest, even though you have things to do. Take some time to get at least a few moments with yourself, and remind yourself that a confident, loving smile is worth more than anything you can possibly accomplish today. Remind yourself that when we wake up on Christmas morning we are all someone's child, and relax and enjoy the day, no matter the circumstances. CHOOSE to believe in yourself, CHOOSE to hear only the truth about yourself from yourself and others, CHOOSE to remember who you are and nothing else can take that wonder away from the day. Relax, refresh your spirit, and wake up Christmas morning with the eyes and heart of a child!

Peace and Blessings,
EstherBelle 

The Best Kind of Gift

I am blessed that I have lived long enough to have my community-my tribe-include avery strong online community. Without them I would feel totally useless and abandoned most days,and they are indeed a gift to me.

But today I want to talk about in person contact,which many people have  a great lack of in their lives and what an enormous gift you are giving when you make an hour or two of your life available to someone else.

This was reinforced for me a few of days ago.I needed help navigating some errands,and the daughter-in-law of my favorite cousin was there for me--not for the first time.

Now the errand turned out to need a visit to more than one bank branch, so we had some extra time together,and for that I am truly thankful. Not only is this young woman a family member--I truly LIKE her and like spending time with her. One of the reasons is we are getting to know each other,and the way you do that is tell your stories.

Now,I live with a non-conversationalist. Oh,the eternal teenager and I have conversations,but they revolve around his interests--he is after all a person with autism.Having a conversation is not easy for him. His world is defined by his parameters, and frankly,how many kids are actually all that interested in their parent's stories?

So,the gift of having actual conversation with a live, breathing person is indeed an amazing gift,and I am forever grateful for the gift of time this young woman affords me.It means more than I can express.

This time of year is a natural time for remembering and telling our stories, the winter season is a time for reflection and renewal. Today, with the solstice upon us, we are reminded that there is a reason why most cultures, from our prehistoric ancestors until the present time have holy days and ceremonies at this time of year. The nights are long, and life has slowed down as the earth sleeps and rests for the growing that will come. We are supposed to have time to reflect, and time to share the stories of our lives and the lives of those who have come before us.We are supposed to have time to be social, and so we honor this season with ritual, tradition, and ceremony.We are meant to have time to tell our stories.

As you go through this season, no matter your traditions, I hope that you will find time to share someone's stories. Take a few minutes to connect with a friend who is grieving, or an older relative, and just give them to opportunity to remember.If they cry, all that is needed is your hand on theirs. If they laugh, your laughter will naturally come to mingle.It may be the greatest gift they receive this year.

Peace and Blessings,

EB



P.S. I dislike doing this but there is a paypal button over there,just in case. I told a friend once who was embarrassed about asking for help that if we don't make our needs known how does anyone ever know we have needs.The William and I are struggling,and just as embarrassed I am pointing out the button.We are continually blessed.