Happy Saturday to all! Today I was going to showcase a variety of Holiday Cards for you to help me pick your favorites to inspire me to "get going" on making some for family and friends!
CHANGE OF PLAN…and I HOPE THAT YOU TAKE TIME TO READ…
and WITH THAT SAID…LET THIS POST WARM YOUR HEART!
As I was typing my post I was watching the news….all of a sudden, I felt the need to pass on to you the message and importance of today.
As I was watching my heart was sadden with the pain and sadness that many families are feeling today as it marks the one year anniversary of the unnecessary shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
One message that I heard loud and clear was that the families want US to remember this terrible day by doing an "act of kindness" ….and that is what I am blogging about today! (sorry no card of inspiration, but I hope that the inspiration message will touch you and that you can make someone's day!!!!)
Tomorrow is a new day that I can get your help with my cards, but today I wanted to share the awareness that many of the affected families would like others to do! While I watched the news, my heart was so heavy and I simply could never imagine what these families have had to deal with over this past year!
As I was doing my post of holiday cards, John and I were watching an all time favorite – Toy Story!!! Our children are all grown but it hit me…here we are watching, remembering the fun we had with our children watching the "Toy Story's" Movies….and then I thought…these families that were effected by this terrible shooting will NEVER have the opportunity to share this joy! (I know that this is a minor point, but enjoying this time made me realize….)
I have learned as I have "matured with age" to appreciate and cherish special moments and to embrace what is dealt to you! After losing my Mom 3 years ago, I learned how important it is to cherish everyday!
I posted this on my facebook page, (which was previously posted by 2 people I totally admire…thank you John and Sabina) and I wanted to share it with you today and I hope that it warms your heart! This is a GREAT message and one that I honestly try to live by!
This is a motto that to me is a TOTAL KEEPER!
Today we are encouraged to do a random act of kindness…and my message to you is – do it.…and then not only be thankful that you did this, but think about the families that are effected by this tragic day!
On a totally different note but very similar in many ways….
I want to tell you a quick story about a special person named Harry!
We live in the country and I love to take walks! When we moved into our home/farm 9 years ago I was out for a walk and met a man names "Harry" that lived about 2 miles from us. We moved at Thanksgiving time and I was impressed that he was putting out sooo many Holiday lights!
Over the year I became more and more friendly with him as I walked past his house and I told him how much I admired his lights at the holidays! He always had a kind and warm smile and said "thank you….I enjoy doing it"
Well…after 2 Christmas seasons went by…I noticed he kept adding and adding to his collection of lights and lawn figures! In talking with him – he told me that he had to build a storage shed (more like a garage)…have an electrician add more power etc…..
I asked him – why do you do this?
With his wonderful smile he said, I do it for the children and families that it brings joy to! Well now, and for the past 6 + years, our donkey goes to "Harry's" house every year for about 4 weeks….to bring families joy in a living nativity scene he has! (he is a minature donkey that is adorable!)
Tonight as I was coming home from work…I went past "Harry's" house and saw all of the lights…saw my donkey in with his annual sheep (and actually I think he likes the attention)….but what I saw that totally warmed my heart…brought tears to my eyes was…the cars that were pulled over on this country road taking it all in!
(Here is another picture of him and you can see how small he is….he is actually a babysitter to the horse and best friend on the OTHER side of his fence, "Arnold" who is very old, very needy and has problems with is feet….and I had to separate them and this was just a "play group" session so everyone could see that everyone was fine while Arnold had some R & R in his stall!!!!
NEVER A DULL MOMENT!!!!
I pulled over and put my window down to say hello to me dear little donkey and out of the door came Harry to greet the cars that were stopped to see the glory….then from the side of his house came a Santa and Harry had a BIG chair in his yard! I turned my car lights off to take it all in….it was wonderful!
I apologise that I am not inspiring you with a card today….I just felt that I wanted to share this message with you!
To me, my blog is about sooooo much of me, my Stampin' Up life, my family life, and touching YOU!!!
I encourage you to do a random act of kindness today…if it is a simple smile to someone you do not know, holding a door for someone, picking up the phone to call someone you have not talked to in a while, pay someone a visit….whatever – know that you are making a difference!
Tomorrow is a new day, and I hope that you will pop back and look at my Holiday cards….but I hope that you will forward this post to anyone you know to spread the word to do something good today for someone!
I know that I am blessed in many ways…and taking the time to make a difference to others is minimal to what some have had to go through!
Thanks for listening and letting me into your heart!
Until tomorrow!!!!
p.s. – if you feel like it – please share how you made someones day….we all have gifts….let's inspire one another!
Good Morning Susan, What a great post to wake up to. Nice to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the holiday. I did a little shopping yesterday, local stores, and had such a good time. I tried my best to be extra kind and remembered to say “Merry Christmas” to everyone, including the others in the shoppes. This is a great site to check out. Have a great day! 🙂
http://www.noomii.com/advent-calendar/2013/day-14
Good morning Susan! I read your post everyday. Thank you for the message that was given to you by God to spread His words. Just think if everyone in the towns we live in, or the counties, or the states or the world would just make acts of kindness part of their lives. The world would be a kinder, gentler place. Thank you for your inspiring message.
Ps. Snap a photo of Harry’s work of art for us to see. :-). He would love it to be seen and enjoyed by everyone!
I love everything you do with cards and now I love your donkey! I have always loved eeyore and now I think I want my own! Lol if only my condo association would understand! We volunteered at our local feeding America distribution center yesterday and I paid it forward last week at dunkin donuts. I will try to think of something today to do! Thanks for your beautiful post!
Oh Nancy – That is a FABULOUS SITE! Many thanks for sharing….
PLEASE everyone….go to this sight and take it all in – thanks for making me smile!!!
I will get a picture and post it! Harry would LOVE it and he is in his glory this time of year! It is snowing again, and trust me….if it stops he will make sure that there are areas cleaned off to bring joy to families tonight!
Thank you,Susan, for sharing so much of yourself with us. Memories play a huge part in the holiday season. So many things can trigger them. My Mom passed 2 years ago and so many smells and foods of the holidays remind me of her. I think of my Dad every time I see a squirrel as he loved feeding and watching them. Every thing seems to remind me of my son who was killed in a car accident at age 20. The memories are bittersweet, but that is what keeps our loved ones with us till we can be reunited. I wish you and your family a blessed holiday season and pray we all take the time to make beautiful memories for those we will leave behind. Thank you for all you do, for so many. Merry CHRISTmas!
Pam…I can just see a mini in your condo area….he could me the mascot!!! I always say, if I am having a bad day – walk down to the barn and watch him….an instant smile comes to your face!!! He is a cutie-pie!
thank you for such a wonderful post. Wishing you a Merry love filled Christmas and a Happy New year filled with all you need.
Wonderful post Susan! I loved hearing about Harry’s lights and I loved seeing some of your animals. My daughter is the barn manager at an equestrian therapy farm – she will love seeing the photo of your mini donkey:-). Take care- thank you for the heart warming post!
I enjoyed your story. How fitting to share this and especially to share the picture of the horses. This picture speaks love, caring and peace which is what our Christmas season is all about.
When you said about “smells” of food it brought a huge smile to my face! Last night when I came home from work…I opened the door to the most wonderful smell of my Mom’s recipe that John made for me…my heart was instantly touched!!! Big hugs to you…there are so many things that happen that are unfair but good for you to keep going forward!!!
YEAH for her working at a therapy farm – my son did his Eagle Scout project for a therapy equestrian center!!!
So well said! Thank you for sharing…..I’m sending you giant Hugs and Luvs!
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful story of a man that is making the world a better place. All the families will have special memories of visiting his wonderland. I discovered your blog a few months ago and it has become probably one of my top 5 blogs. Love your style of simple but special. Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Susan. I try very hard to remember how very blessed I am and to not take my many blessings for granted. This has been a very difficult year for our family, but even so, we know we are blessed beyond words and still able to share with others. Thank you for sharing your special talents and thoughts with us daily as you blog from your heart.
Beautiful blog! Thank you for sharing the happy and the sad. Holidays seem to bring out memories of both. This will be the first Christmas without my dad.
Several years ago my daughter and I started doing a random act of kindess each day during Lent and we just kept it going afterwards as it has brought so much joy in our lives. Many times we try to secretly surprise someone (which reminds me….Did you wonder who dropped off the equestrian wine charms at Johns’s office for you many years ago??) Hope they brought a smile to your face(and drove you nuts that you didn’t know who. LOL!!!)
Never apologize for not having cards or projects to share, your post today is what Christmas is all about, sharing, enjoying the simple things in life, remembering the reason for this lovely season, and bringing joy to others. Sometimes I wish Christmas was all year as people seem to enjoying all the above more. Merry Christmas, John and Susan and a blessed New Year.
And a picture of Harry and his lights and live nativity would be a fantastic post:)
Beautiful post! As we are snowed in today I’m not moving far but tomorrow we have our annual Christmas dinner with some friends at a steakhouse in the city (yup – country girl too 😉 ) And while this isn’t by any means a huge act of kindness …this is what I dc. I make up a big bunch of treat holders filled with chocolate. This year I made the mini Christmas crackers that are so popular. I have almost 30 of them. While at the restaurant, I hand them out to our servers, bar tenders, the hostess, and then one of my friends and I travel through the restaurant looking for people that make us smile, or look like they should have a random treat. The smiles and looks of surprise on people’s faces – and the people we meet and chat to – the rest of our group knows exactly where we are in the restaurant because they can hear the laughter. It’s awesome and we love doing it. A bit of “ho ho” for the Christmas season! Would love to see your neighbour’s display sometime!! Merry Christmas!
I’m with Norma, never apologize for not having cards to share. I finally decided to catch up on your blog (along with some other blogs). I normally come here each and every day but since I had surgery back on Nov 12th, I’m behind! I have another surgery this coming Thursday so I thought I had better get caught up before getting behind again! LOL!
With that being said . . . what a very nice way to encourage others to show acts of kindness through your own acts of kindness! I loved reading though it all and before I was even through, I had tears in my eyes . . . for many reasons. And I love your little donkey!!!
Thank you for your gift of sharing, whatever it may be! God Bless and Merry Christmas to you and your family! 🙂
Susan,
Thank you so much for sharing! I enjoy checking out your blog each and every day….and there is never a need to apologize for sharing your Stampin’Up! talents, your family life stories and touching the lives of others as you did mine today!
Enjoy your weekend! 🙂
Good morning Ms Susan , it’s Sunday today, as you heard I was at my crafts fair , I’d sold most of my stuff , thank god , we I had a lady that came by , you could tell she didn’t have to mush to spend on gifts , and her 3 children fell in love one of my crafts , they kept asking her please can I have it , she belt down and I heard her say , I told you we couldn’t buy anything , we were just going to look , it brought back menoryies when I was a single mom ,
So grab 3 little bags and in each bag I put what they were wanting and gave it to them and said merry Christmas
And the mom was so thankful , she thank me like 10 times , I felt good but sad at the same time ‘
I thaugh I’d share this ,
And your little story made me happy and smile as your cards do ! Thank you ms Susan ,
Hugs and a happy and a merry Christmas to you and yours ,
Frenchie
Blessed by you tonight, Susan…blessings to you and your family this holiday;)