It has been twenty-five years since I received the news that my mother was being admitted to the hospital due to a previously undiagnosed rare autoimmune disease that was wreaking havoc in her body. Twenty-five years since I sat by her bedside and held her hand. Twenty-five years since she looked into my husband’s eyes and asked him to please take good care of me. Twenty-five years since I kissed her goodnight and told her that I loved her. Twenty-five years since we were summoned to the hospital in the middle of the night and informed that there was nothing

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas everywhere you go…” But maybe this year you just aren’t feeling it. The decorations, the planning, the shopping…it all seems so overwhelming. You are neither merry nor bright. I totally get it. In fact, I wrote about my struggle with “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” six years ago. You are not alone. There are so many reasons why this time of year is hard. Maybe you’re dealing with financial pressure. Or you have some difficult relationship issues causing you anxiety. Perhaps you are grieving the loss of a loved one. Maybe

Since it’s 12/12/12 I thought I would post a list of my twelve favorite things for this holiday season:   One: My very own “beloved angel” David. This is our 24th Christmas together and I can’t think of anyone else I would rather spend this most wonderful time of the year with than him!   Two: My sweet girls who bring Hope and Joy into my life every single day. Three: Baxter, my constant companion and furry friend.     Four: My very own life-sized gingerbread house that I call home.   Five: Gigantic cups of coffee. This is my newest addition to the collection.