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~

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“Twas The Morning Of Christmas”

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I post this every year on Christmas Eve. The pups are no longer with me and the children are grown and living all over the country, yet it is a beautiful reminder to me of all the precious memories I hold dear in my heart. I’m missing them this year but we’re living in some precarious times right now. I know that I’m not the only one missing someone.

Today I sit in gratitude for all of those beautiful “Christmas pasts,” for the gift of being here for another “Christmas present,” and for all of my loved ones that aren’t here that left me with their love, laughter and memories.

Merry Christmas Eve, my loves.

Let yourself feel the joy of this holiday season.

Enjoy my poem.

Love you all!

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“It Really Is A Wonderful Life”

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You’re here for a reason. You woke up today for a reason. You’re alive for a reason.

Have you ever seen the movie, “It’s A Wonderful Life?” If you haven’t, you should. And if you have then you should watch it again.

“Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?” said Clarence the Angel.

You’re here and if you weren’t, life would be completely different. It would be different for everyone. Your existence matters and you’re here for a reason.

Your life touches each and every single life that you’ve met along the way and if you weren’t here, the journey of those people would have been different.

Think about that.Your life has made an impact on each and every life you have met along the way.

You’re here for a reason.

You woke up today for a reason.

You’re alive for a reason.

Think about that.

Be grateful.

And take that “wonderful life” of yours and make a positive impact in the world and in the lives of each and every life you touch.

And you’ve touched the lives of many.

Including mine.

Wishing you love, light and a wonderful life,

~Anne Dennish~

“It Really Is A Wonderful Life”

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(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”

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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”

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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!”

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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?”

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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~

“Christmas Miracles”

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I’m still feeling that Christmas spirit and it has a lot to do with a few “Christmas Miracles” that I was blessed to have. 

One of my very close friends gave me one of her crystals, one that meant a lot to her. She passed away a few years ago yet I kept this closer than ever…until I couldn’t find it for the last four years. I looked everywhere and no luck. As I was finishing up decorating my living room on Christmas Eve, I noticed that one of my glass bowls had broken. I decided to empty it out and throw it in the trash. As I was taking out the contents of the bowl, there at the bottom was the pendulum. Imagine my surprise that it had been inside of my house, right near my desk, all along!

Christmas Day brought even more miracles! My sister and my nephew drove up from Virginia to surprise my family! My brother had traveled from New York with his family and it was the first time in over 25 years that my parents had all three of their children together for Christmas, not to mention 8 of their 12 grandchildren! As for me, I was blessed to have 3 of my five children with me.

I woke up the day after Christmas with the same feelings as the day before. I was filled with excitement and joy, love and light, and more importantly, I was filled with gratitude for all that I was blessed to receive.

I’m so excited about these last few days of 2019 and I intend to make the most of each and every minute of them. It’s the end of the decade with a new one right around the corner. Make it the best ever!

I believe in miracles. I believe that dreams do come true. I believe that anything and everything is possible.

I believe in making each day count.

It’s a good thing.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

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“Twas The Morning Of Christmas”

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(Just a little something I wrote a few years ago, which you can find in my new book, “Each Breath Along The Journey.”)

“Twas The Morning Of Christmas”

‘Twas the morning of Christmas and all through our home

Everyone was sleeping and I was alone

With a hot cup of coffee and my pup at my feet,

I turned on my laptop and sat in my seat.

The kids were still snuggled and sleeping in bed

But visions of past Christmases danced in my head.

I remembered when they were younger and so very small

And waited for Santa and his reindeer to call.

Then all of a sudden I knew what was the matter

I was afraid the magic of Christmas had become shattered

‘Fore as we grow older we tend to forget

That Christmas is much more than the presents we get

It’s remembering the magic and beauty of the season

After all, Christmastime was born with a reason.

So I say to you all, take a moment to remember

To believe in the magic in this month of December

It’s time to stop writing, I see children in sight,

Merry Christmas to all and to all love and light.”

Wishing you love, light, and a very Merry Christmas!

~Anne Dennish~

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