Wishing You a Messy New Year – Again | by Linda Brendle
When you’re visiting family around the holidays, it’s sometimes hard to find time to blog regularly. But the good thing about having been a blogger for over a year is that you can recycle. Here’s a post I wrote last year, and as I re-read it, and in spite of my earlier decision not to make any resolutions this year, I may renew this one. Happy New Year!
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The Christmas Eve service was beautiful last night. Lights were twinkling, carols were playing, candles were burning, people were singing and smiling and laughing and hugging and wishing each other a Merry Christmas. Excited children crowded to the front when the pastor told the children’s story. The service ended with Communion and the traditional singing of “Silent Night” as candlelight passed from person to person until the whole sanctuary was alight with it. But something was missing. (more…)
I got several recycled gifts this year – not the “re-gifted” kind that someone didn’t want and decided to pass on, but some very special gifts from some very special people. First, there was the phone I told you about last week. David has been looking for ways to expand our limited connections to satisfy my ever-expanding demands. When a good friend upgraded to the latest and greatest, he made David an offer he couldn’t refuse on his existing phone. The friend works for one of the major telecom giants, so rather than being a shop worn hand-me-down, the phone is like new in the original box and has all the accessories and the latest software updates. That’s recycling at its best. But I also got two other very special recycled gifts, items that were something else in a different life and were reincarnated into something different. 
My smart phone is still smarter than I am
Some days the words just aren’t there. Since my writing muse passed me by today, I decided to air out an old post from last November.
Several years ago I co-facilitated a caregiver support group with David and another couple who cared for her mother in their home. When we started the group, we planned programs and invited speakers, but we soon learned that what the caregivers needed most was a safe place to talk. Even so, each week I began with a short devotional or reading to focus the discussion and avoid the chaos that can result when all the hurts and resentments bubble up at once. One of our more successful evenings was when we talked about tributes. 
As you read today’s blog, you will notice a recurrent theme – but I forget what it is.
