Saturday, December 28, 2013

The small moments fill me up!

             Thanks to Ruth Ayres at DiscoverPlayBuild,  for this Saturday tradition of sharing our celebrations.  It's time for special reflections, and celebrations, at this end of 2013.

Discover. Play. Build.
It is the small things.  Here are a few favorites:

Family, all together with time to talk, to cook together, to be.

Waking up to a full household.

Walking in the cold to get ice cream with grandson Carter.

Seeing granddaughters happy to be in their princess dresses for Christmas, and Carter happy to 'be' Santa!




Watching a big surprise when Carter opened original music written by my brother (to be published) just for Carter and his trombone.


Being with my son, daughter-in-law and grandson while he chose and found just the right cowboy boots.


Remembering past Christmases with Arvie being our Santa.  This time he was with us in the guise of teddy bears, created from his t-shirts by a hospice volunteer.


It was a special week, a time to feel blessed that we made it through the year, full of goodness in spite of sadness.

From Rainer Maria Rilke: 
                 “And now, we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been.”


Happy New Year Everyone!
photo credit: Lotus Carroll via photopin cc

42 comments:

  1. Your post made me smile. I love that quote too. Thanks and have a wonderful New Year. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy new year to you too, Crystal. It's always exciting to see what's ahead!

      Delete
  2. This post is just a glimpse of how full your heart must be, Linda. I love the fact that you did indeed find goodness in spite of sadness. I know it was a tough year for you, and I hope your new year is full of wonderful things!.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Leigh Anne. I'm looking forward to a special year.

      Delete
  3. Aren't the little things grand?! The older I get the greater my delight, it seems. I do pray for a wonderful year for you. You are a such a special person to so many people!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Donna-you are special too. So happy we keep in touch! I hope your Christmas with family to come is wonderful! Happiest of New Year to you as well!

      Delete
  4. I love the teddy bears! That is so special and something I've never seen before. Such a thoughtful gift. Celebrating with family is what it's all about.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Those bears are special, Margaret! The woman who creates them gives so much when she works her magic. Yes, family celebrating is so good-good times, good memories always! Thank you!

      Delete
  5. Such a lovely post! The small moments really do shine! Sounds like you had a lovely Christmas! Have a wonderful New Year's Linda!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Beverley. I hope you have a special 2014 too!

      Delete
  6. The teddy bears are a great idea. And I love Rilke and I think I should read more of his poetry. That quote's great. Have a great new year filled with wonderful moments- big and small!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Earl. You've had a big year of giving, I know! So glad you like the quote-special to me, too! Happy 2014!

      Delete
  7. I love seeing the bears! Arvie's spirit lives on...He was with you...Have a Happy New Year too! Looking forward to 2014...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The bears were wonderful for sure, Amy. Thank you! Happiest of new year's to you also!

      Delete
  8. The small moments can hold a world in them. The smiles of children - precious. One more slice on Tuesday? and then Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Terje. Hard to believe the year is nearly over! I took the week off & now am back to start the year! Happy New Year to you too!

      Delete
  9. Small moments that fill your heart with joy! The teddy bears made me pause. Happy New Year Linda!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a wonderful week of joy, so right, Jaana. Thank you!

      Delete
  10. I lost my first post - my apologies if this posts twice. I loved reading your small celebrations and seeing the joy that can be found in spite of the sadness. And the teddy bears? What a terrific idea!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The woman volunteer is so creative I am told, Katherine. It is a special thing, at least it was for us, and the grandchildren. Thank you! Happy New Year!

      Delete
  11. I love, love, love the teddy bears. What a thoughtful gift from the hospice volunteer. Your celebrations sound so wonderful and I love the accompanying pictures. The final quote is beautiful. I need to save that one. Happy New Year Linda!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Julie. It was a great week, & glad you like the quote. It's been a favorite a long time. Happy to hear all about your family time too! Happy New Year!

      Delete
  12. You captured it well with your "to be". That seems like such an important aspect of breaks, making sure that we take time to just be and enjoy time and company with others. I enjoyed seeing all of the pictures, knowing that you are with family for the holidays!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Amanda. I like that thought, too, of 'being'. It works well in my life to try to savor those good times. My biggest challenge is to be in the moment instead of worrying about what's next. Glad to hear your holidays are going well too! Happy New Year!

      Delete
  13. Wow - the teddy bears are so special. What a wonderful gift. Love the pictures of your grandchildren. Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Holly. Wishes for a happy new year to you, too!

      Delete
  14. Love the cowboy boots, the princess dresses, and the Rilke quote complete with fireworks to welcome the new year. Happy New Year, Linda!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wonderful small moments to celebrate! ...Will be fun to reread in later years!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, & it is good to capture the memories! Happy New Year!

      Delete
  16. So much beauty here. Like a poem with pictures. I love the way you bring out the beauty even in night snowstorms, though that smile over the original music may be my favorite. Have a wonderful new year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jeannine-it was a wonderful surprise for Carter. My brother writes music for schools, such a grand gift from him! Happy New Year to you too!

      Delete
  17. You have so much to celebrate, Linda. Yes, the little things. The teddy bears are glorious. Where would we be without them? I am touched you read my blog without me linking. I have the urge to write, but not link??? Happy New Year and to "things that have never been."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I follow your blog, Tam, so when you post, I receive notice that you have. I've always loved your posts & miss them, but whatever you're doing, glad to hear you're still writing. Thanks for your comment, and Happy New Year!

      Delete
  18. Happy New Year, Linda. It iIS the small things in life that make great moments. I am so happy you had the time with family.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jone. I am glad you agree about those little things. They really make my days good! We'll 'talk' soon, I know-Cybils time!

      Delete
  19. Just the right moments to include! You're a rich woman :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love your celebrations. I laughed thinking that kids never think it's too cold for ice cream.

    Thanks for your enthusiasm for the new year. I love the idea of new beginnings and adventures to come.

    I'm wishing you a Happy New Year!
    Jen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks very much, Jen. Yes, you're right, and we walked to get the ice cream too! But I'm really not griping; it was fun! Happy new year to you too!

      Delete
  21. Beautiful photos and sentiments, Linda! I would love to hug the hospice volunteer who made those wonderful bears. (Also, great boots!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, that volunteer is special! And wish I could have had 'all' of the boots-had blue swirls at the top! He was in love!

      Delete

Thanks for visiting!