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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
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42 comments:

  1. CrystalDecember 28, 2013 at 8:38 AM

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

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    1. Linda BDecember 28, 2013 at 8:51 AM

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

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  2. Leigh Anne EckDecember 28, 2013 at 8:38 AM

    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!.

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    1. Linda BDecember 28, 2013 at 8:51 AM

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

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  3. Donna SmithDecember 28, 2013 at 8:54 AM

    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!

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    1. Linda BDecember 28, 2013 at 9:03 AM

      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!

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  4. Margaret SimonDecember 28, 2013 at 9:05 AM

    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.

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    1. Linda BDecember 28, 2013 at 9:22 AM

      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!

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  5. Beverley BairdDecember 28, 2013 at 9:08 AM

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

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    1. Linda BDecember 28, 2013 at 9:23 AM

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

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  6. AnonymousDecember 28, 2013 at 10:30 AM

    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!

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    1. Linda BDecember 28, 2013 at 11:37 AM

      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!

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  7. Amy RuddDecember 28, 2013 at 12:25 PM

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

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    1. Linda BDecember 28, 2013 at 1:06 PM

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

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  8. Terje December 28, 2013 at 12:55 PM

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

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    1. Linda BDecember 28, 2013 at 1:07 PM

      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!

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  9. JaanaDecember 28, 2013 at 3:25 PM

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

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    1. Linda BDecember 28, 2013 at 3:50 PM

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

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  10. Katherine SokolowskiDecember 28, 2013 at 3:40 PM

    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!

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    1. Linda BDecember 28, 2013 at 3:51 PM

      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!

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  11. Julie JohnsonDecember 28, 2013 at 6:42 PM

    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!

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    1. Linda BDecember 28, 2013 at 8:48 PM

      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!

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  12. Amanda VillagómezDecember 28, 2013 at 8:59 PM

    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!

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    1. Linda BDecember 28, 2013 at 9:11 PM

      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!

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  13. Holly MuellerDecember 28, 2013 at 9:17 PM

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

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    1. Linda BDecember 29, 2013 at 5:27 AM

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

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  14. RamonaDecember 28, 2013 at 11:00 PM

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

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  15. LoraleeDecember 29, 2013 at 2:24 AM

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

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    1. Linda BDecember 29, 2013 at 5:28 AM

      Thank you, & it is good to capture the memories! Happy New Year!

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  16. Jeannine AtkinsDecember 29, 2013 at 6:40 AM

    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!

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    1. Linda BDecember 29, 2013 at 7:28 AM

      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!

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  17. TamDecember 29, 2013 at 3:01 PM

    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."

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    1. Linda BDecember 29, 2013 at 8:51 PM

      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!

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  18. JoneDecember 29, 2013 at 8:10 PM

    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.

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    1. Linda BDecember 29, 2013 at 8:52 PM

      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!

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  19. BKDecember 29, 2013 at 8:20 PM

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

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  20. AnonymousDecember 29, 2013 at 9:38 PM

    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

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    1. Linda BDecember 29, 2013 at 10:12 PM

      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!

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  21. TabathaDecember 30, 2013 at 6:32 AM

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

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    1. Linda BDecember 30, 2013 at 2:53 PM

      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!

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