I have some pretty big job changes coming in the new year and I am trying to wrap my head around that. After having a 5 minute commute (yea yea, I know I am spoiled), I will be traveling to Providence everyday which will give me a 45 minute commute each way. Oh well. Grateful really to have a job.
It is the Spiritual Season however and for that I am most grateful. I was at a meeting yesterday that always carries a spiritual message, but a woman spoke yesterday who really gave me a kick in the proverbial butt.
She is 50 (around my age, lol) and last year she became ill. She had gone into the hospital with something wrong with her leg and got a staph infection. She battled for quite some time before her system just started shutting down. While on life support and in a coma, her legs had to be amputated at the knee to prevent the infection from traveling. After many many prayers, the family made the decision to disconnect life support and when they did, she started breathing on her own and coming around. She spent many months in the hospital, had many visitors, prayers, meetings and finally was able to be released. She spoke of knowing joy as she sat in her wheelchair with her fingers missing after having been amputated. She spoke of the gifts of the season, not the material, but the spiritual gifts from God in family, in friends, in life and in joy. We all were so moved by her. Her gratitude for just being alive was overwhelming. It gave me an entire new sense of what is important. Thank you. Makayla. So, if you believe that miracles don't happen....I've seen one.
So m good friend Lynn Barbadora from Painting Thyme Needfuls is always posting pictures of her beautifully decorated home. She is an absolute wonder in the home decor field. So I decided I would just put out a few of my house. I do love to decorate and even though we cut way back on the gift giving this year and just spending time with family.....I still want my house to scream Christmas.
So let's get our FA LA LA on and I hope you enjoy.
TOP OF MY KITCHEN HUTCH
GREAT LIGHTED CENTERPIECE BY CINDY MARTIN
ANOTHER VIEW OF HUTCH
SANTA PAINTED BY THE ITINERANT PAINTER
SNOWMEN COLLECTION IN MY FRONT HALLWAY
MY AWESOME SANTA MAKEDO
MY LIVING ROOM TREE
MORE OF THE SANTA COLLECTION
VILLAGES FOR MASON
TREE IN MY OFFICE
Wow Michelle thanks so much!Your house could match mine any day in decor! Everything looks warm and festive.Just love your Santa's and villages.And yes sometimes it takes that one special someone to give us that kick in the butt....I too this year have been blessed to know just such a person as Makayla......34 years old fighting breast cancer, double mastectomy a day ago, 3 small children....yet she has faced this with grace, dignity and determination......steadily moving forward....I guess sometimes God puts certain people in our life's path...so that we can learn something from them and grow ourselves....Its really not about all the decorations, and gifts..its like you said.....its about just being grateful to be alive....experiencing the gifts of friends and family....I pray for your Dad , he's been thru alot. I wish you all the joys of this special season Michelle. You are a gift I will always treasure.
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Lynn
Your home looks wonderful!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Pictures Michelle, and what a touching story thank you for sharing. Still praying for your dad and hoping you are feeling better also
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Brenda
Simply beautiful..I love your tree in your living room..Also hoping your dad is felling better soon..And sometimes it takes someone elses misfortune to make us realize how truly fortunate we really are..Thank you for sharing that story..Merry Christmas..
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