You Light up My Life!

Just recently our land-lady asked me if we wanted to put up the Christmas lights that are stored in the basement. I told her that I thought that it was not necessary, since our very large house consumes so much energy already. I left it at that. This weekend, Jim and I went out and found a Christmas tree. We dug out boxes of ornaments that have traveled with us twice around the globe. After we decorated the tree and plugged in the lights I had an instant feeling of joy and merriment. What was it about those twinkling white lights that brought a smile to my face? I am sure it was also the sentimental value of so many items we placed on the tree, like the handmade ornaments from pre-school, the beautiful angel that I inherited from my mother, who received it from Great Aunt Deb and the interesting ornaments that we carefully labeled with the year and country of purchase. There are so many traditions and customs that are associated with the holiday season. Take Christmas cards as an example. Yesterday I sat in the car "watching" Jamieson at futbol practice. During this time, I sometimes take a run, listen to Bulgarian, read or make my to-do list. On Monday, I decided to use the one and half hours to start writing my Christmas cards. As I was scribbling away, two things came to mind. First, that writing cards would be so much easier and less labour intenstive if I did it digitally. Second, that I was going to have to learn to use the local mailing system here in Bulgaria, which was a bit daunting for me. I also wondered; does the joyful and loving feeling of receiving a personal holiday note from someone out way the massive impact that Christmas cards have on our environment? I guess the various generations would answer this question differently. I decided to be selective in my Christmas card writing this year and only use snail mail to my aunties and uncles that, for them, is a part of Christmas. So, anyone who has a gmail, hotmail, yahoo account will be receiving the digital version of my holiday greeting. This is not to say that I love anyone less, I am just deciding to have one foot in the boat, and one out with regards to Christmas "change". Some of these holiday traditions can and should be passed along from generation to generation, while others can be adapted to suit the 21st Century. So, since I made the conscious effort by selectively sending the cards, I immediately wrote our our landlady and reneged on my choice not to have lights. I figured, it really is only one month of the year... I can handle an elevated electricity bill, if it puts a smile on someones face as they pass by our place.

Week 15

Mother knows best
The people in our lives often inspire us to become more loving, more generous and more graceful. I feel fortunate to have so many people in my life that fit this bill, but today, I will write about one specific person who is my inspiration, my confidant and my biggest fan. This is my MOTHER, Connie. After providing you with just a glimpse of the type of person she is, you will understand why I am honouring her, and I hope that you will take some of her wisdom to heart, as I did.
It amazing just how many life lessons I learned from my mother. To be honest, I didn’t give her enough credit until I was a mother myself. I used to think “how hard could it be?” I did not appreciate the unconditional love, perfect intimacy of mother and child, and utter frustration when things don’t go as planned, followed by relief with resolution. I have vivid memories of being at the local ski hill one Saturday night saying to myself, “Geez, why is she over-reacting to the fact that I am drinking Malibu rum out of a plastic pineapple, after all, I am 15 for crying out loud.” Life lesson number one: Think before you act and learn from your mistakes. Why is it that my mother always knows what is best and relentlessly has my best interest in mind? How exhausting. Some of my earliest recollections of my mom giving me advice surround the topic of food. Up until about 15 years ago, Connie was a yo-yo dieter who would be willing to try any new diet trend that came along. These diets were always effective in the short-term, but she found it very difficult to keep the weight off. She enjoys both the preparation and indulgence in great food. Once she told me that she was half bulimic, she said that she had the binge part down, but couldn’t seem to participate in the purge part. Thus, life lesson number two: never diet, don’t skip breakfast, eat only until you are no longer hungry and enjoy the taste of healthy food. Eat in moderation.
I have always been a bit of a sun worshiper and I can recall lying on the dock like a roast of beef, with a 15 minute timer set indicating the time I was meant to flip. Connie would casually come down to visit, donning a large brimmed hat and long sleeved t-shirt, to say “You might feel healthier tanned, but in reality you are going to have alligator skin by the time you are twenty.” Lesson number three, moisturize.
Life lesson number four: do not be afraid to get older, age is only a number. Connie is a beautiful, vibrant, strong, balanced woman who does not hide the fact that she will turn 66 on June 6, 2010. In fact, she is somewhat proud of this fact and is the first to take offense when she is not offered the senior discount at Safeway. She is honest with herself and knows how much work it takes to be healthy at 66. She does daily Thai Chi, wogs (this is the word she uses to describe how she combines walking with running) for 30-40 minutes every day and also enjoys aqua fit classes four or five times a week. Connie will be participating in the 5km Mother’s day race with my brother Rob as her Mother’s day present to herself. I am so proud of her. I am grateful to have such an amazing role model, as I embark on this unexplored frontier of thought and emotion called motherhood. With her guidance and support, I am confident that I too will have such an impact on my children, and only hope to be as influential on my children as Connie has been on me. You go girl!
Happy Mother’s Day!