Christmas

“My Mom and Me”

/ Anne Dennish / Leave a comment

It’s the day after Christmas and I’ve taken the day off from cooking, baking and all other holiday tasks and relaxed. I missed having my children home but I did make a beautiful Christmas dinner for my parents and spent time with them, yet it’s my mom that is in my mind today.

My mom and I have had a strained relationship most of my life yet as she gets older and I get older, I believe that we have a newfound respect for one another. I love my mom and always felt that I never measured up, never pleased her, and never made her proud. Yet I’ve learned to understand her and take into account the life she lived as a child and as she became a mom.

That’s the thing as our parents get older, we see things differently and begin to understand them in a whole new way. I needed to find forgiveness for the mistakes that my mom made because I’ve made mistakes of my own. I needed to understand that my mom was young once with her own heartache from losing her dad at the age of 7 and being raised by a single mom. And I needed to know and accept that she did the best that she could, because she really did try to do her best and she still does.

And I understand all of that now because I’m a mom who has tried to do the best she could, mistakes and all. I understand my mom now because I’m a mom and because I realized that she was also a person who was trying to live her life the best that she could.

This Christmas I may have been missing my children yet I also realized that in time I’ll be missing my mom, and I don’t want to miss any chance of that time we have together.

I love these pictures that were taken of my mom and I on Christmas night. We laughed a lot and I am so grateful for the time we spent together last night. Apologies to my dad for no pictures but this was all about my mom and me.

Moments we spend with those we love are meant to be treasured and I am holding the memories of last night tight in my heart.

I am grateful to have spent Christmas night with my parents, especially with my mom.

Life is precious. Embrace it. Love one another. And please, be kind.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

Advertisement

“Christmas Plans Have Changed”

/ Anne Dennish / Leave a comment

And just like that, my Christmas plans have changed. None of my children will be home as we had all planned, thanks to a tricky virus that seems to be running rampant lately. I’m disappointed but have to be honest in telling you that I was beginning to worry about two of them flying right now and one is getting over having this little bug.

I’m sad that they won’t be home. It’s the first Christmas I’ve ever spent without even two of them home. 

This was supposed to be my “Christmas Miracle,” having them all together with me again but the Universe had other plans and I understand that. Still, it would have been the greatest gift for me to be together with all of them.

And I truly believe that Christmas lives within our hearts, remembering the memories of Christmas past and making memories of Christmas “present.” Whether we’re together or apart, my children will always be the Christmas that lives in my heart. 

This “staycation” has certainly been good for me because if I hadn’t had this time to myself I probably would have been more upset and sad about it all week. And I haven’t been. I’m glad they made decisions in their best interest and in my parents and in mine.

Christmas will be quiet, as was Thanksgiving, but I’m grateful to have another one. I’m grateful that I had this “staycation.” I’m grateful for the peace I’ve found this week.

And I’m grateful for all of you. 

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“December…A Time Of Reflection”

/ Anne Dennish / Leave a comment

December is always a time for me to reflect on the year that’s about to end. I think about what worked and what didn’t, what was worth the effort and what wasn’t, and most importantly, I think about what I’ve learned about myself.

I take all these thoughts and put them into my “New Year Revelations,” because I don’t believe in “resolutions.” “Revelations” invoke change in us because we’ve learned lessons that we don’t want to forget.“

Resolutions” are promises we make to ourselves that most often get lost midway through January.So I’m gathering up my thoughts and writing them on paper. They will become my “New Year Revelations.”

And I’m looking forward to taking them all into 2022 with me.

How about you?

Forget making resolutions, think about your revelations of this year.

This chapter is almost done.What do you want the next one to look like?

Whatever it is, make it amazing!

I know that you can!

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“It Really Is A Wonderful Life”

/ Anne Dennish / Leave a comment

(I wrote this post last year at a time when none of us could imagine what was coming a short time later. Yet as I read this again I still believe that we are blessed to be alive, blessed to be loved and blessed to have made a difference in the lives of others. It’s truly a “wonderful life.”)

Tonight I’ll be heading out with friends to the Paramount Theater in Asbury Park, New Jersey, to see the movie, “It’s A Wonderful Life.” I watch it every year on TV, as so many of us do, yet tonight will be a real treat to see it on the big screen.

It’s the perfect holiday movie and a reminder for all of us that our life affects the lives of others. Think about that…who would you be without the people you’ve met along this journey and who would they be without you? 

There are some of you who have lost loved ones and are missing them, especially during the holidays. It’s good to remember them and the memories they left you with, but think about how their lives impacted yours. Who would you be or where would you be in your life if you never knew them?

And then look around at the people that are still here on this Earth. Think about them as well and ask yourself the same question: “Who would you be or where would you be in your life without them?”

You see, we have a chance to learn the same lesson that George Bailey did: “each man’s life touches so many other lives.” Make your life a “wonderful life,” because it is.

Remember that today and always.

It’s a good thing.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“Twas The Morning Of Christmas”

/ Anne Dennish / Leave a comment

I wrote this several years ago but share it with you every year at this holiday season. It’s a different kind of Christmas this year but let’s not forget the “reason for the season.” There’s a magical feeling this time of year. Keep Christmas in your heart.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“Maybe We All Need A Little Love”

/ Anne Dennish / 2 Comments

Sometimes we need to look at each other the way Linus looked at the tree. I believe there’s good in everyone even if you can’t always see it.

It could be that they’re afraid to get hurt.

Maybe they’re afraid that if they show who they are they will be judged or disliked.

Or it could be that they have trouble trusting other people because of someone that broke their trust. 

And the list can go on.

We don’t always understand why people are the way they are, but I’m going to continue to believe that there’s good in everyone just waiting to shine through

“Maybe they just need a little love.”

Maybe we all do.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“Here Comes That Holiday Anxiety!”

/ Anne Dennish / Leave a comment

The holidays are fast approaching and that “good ‘ol anxiety” we sometimes feel is taking advantage of us and rearing its ugly head! So many people have anxiety at this time of year and this year it seems to be worse. We feel cut off from friends and family and isolated from having a social life that we’ve grown accustomed to.

But this too shall pass.

Be kind to yourself and others.

Be gentle and forgiving with yourself and others.

And remember that this holiday season will soon become a memory to be shared next year when you’re surrounded by family, friends and loved ones.

We’re all in this together even though we have to do it apart.

Hang in there, my loves.

You got this!

And you’re doing just fine.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“What If Christmas, Perhaps, Means A Little Bit More?”

/ Anne Dennish / Leave a comment

The holidays are different this year with no large gatherings of family and friends, but that doesn’t mean the “different” can’t be good. It may not be the same but we certainly have a choice to make it special. 

After all, doesn’t Christmas mean a little bit more?

Life is what you make it and your holidays are what you make it as well. You may not be cooking a large traditional dinner or having to set a table for 12, yet you can choose to make it special. Cook a smaller “non-traditional” dinner and eat it off your best china. Settle in on the couch for  a day of binge watching all your favorite Christmas shows. Pour a cup of hot chocolate and FaceTime or Zoom your loved ones that can’t be with you. 

It’s different but let’s call it a “different kind of special!” It’s a different kind of holiday and one I’m sure we’ll have some stories to share next year when we’re cooking the big, traditional dinner and setting a table for 12 or more.

“Maybe Christmas,” the Grinch thought, “doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?” Dr. Seuss

Surely if the Grinch can change his perspective so can you!

It may be different this year, but you can still make it special.

You got this.

And you’re doing just fine!

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“You Got This”

/ Anne Dennish / 2 Comments

Yesterday I was blessed to see both the sunrise and sunset. Both were absolutely breathtaking. 

And it made me think to myself, “This truly is a wonderful life.”

Each day I wake up I say “thank you” because I have been gifted another day, another chance to live it better than the day before, and another opportunity to stop and smell the roses.

And I realized this: “I got this.”

And so do you.

You’re amazing and I’m grateful for all of you.

Live each day to its’ fullest and know that “you got this!”

And you’re doing just fine.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“Let’s Do December Together”

/ Anne Dennish / Leave a comment

I know that December can be a difficult month for some, whether it’s personal reasons or simply the pandemic itself coupled with the holidays that just aren’t as they have been, so I’ve decided to try and help as best I can!

Each day throughout December I will be posting an uplifting, positive quote or story. I’m hoping to help anyone who needs to feel better or less alone during these times. 

And I’m doing it for all of you who follow me. Your support means the world to me and when I write, I write for all of you!

You’re not alone and you’re not the only one feeling the way that you do. 

I’m here for you in whatever way that I can help and I know there are other people who are here for you as well.

After all, “we’re all in this together even though we have to do it apart.”

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~