The Spoonjar Chronicles

My son's Birthday

Today is my son's birthday.  We are celebrating with a party, grilling out and of course his fav, carrot cake.  It doesn't take much to make him happy!  Here is a quick walk down memory lane... 

Looking back over his life I am overwhelmed by one thought;  how very grateful I am to be his mother.  The journey has been incredible.  He has been such a joy and a blessing to me.  I saw a quote this week and pinned it to my Pinterest Faith Board

I could not stop thinking about this quote all week.  I have always been a grateful person, but this quote reminded me of how very much I have to be thankful for...and today is especially a day to be grateful! 

Christmas Card Faux Pas

    It truly is a wonder that anyone sends a holiday letter these days, what - with all the mocking and ridicule they have come under.  As much as the Christmas letter ITSELF was a tradition, now the intense scrutiny of said letters is the NEW tradition.  I have heard a mere half dozen or so radio shows spotlighting crazy Christmas letters.  Truly,  I roll on the floor laughing at what people find worthy to share in a Christmas letter.  I have received a few of these letters myself.  I save them for when the whole family is together to read them out loud.  I love them.  I love catching up on the lives of those dear to me.  However, occasionally I too, love to laugh at some of them.  Especially the medical ones and the oozing braggy ones.  Only once did I succumb to the writing of a Christmas letter.  Oh, let's just say it was a moment of total insanity.  I had a new Mac.  I had some new, cool software program that did all kinds of graphics.  I had a new digital camera.  I had the time.  So, off I went into Christmas letter writing mode. (in hind sight, I believe I was avoiding something, but can't recall now what it was; that is always what I do when I am avoiding...start some OTHER project)   All I can say now, 3 years later, is: WHAT WAS I THINKING?  At the time I was very aware of the no, no, nos:

• No bragging:  check
• No stories of illness:   check
• No writing in the 3rd person:   check
• No political talk, no religious talk:  check, check
• No long dialog of vacations:  check
• No Pet News:  uh, uh, uh,  yea, forgot that one
• No longer than 1 page:  urrrr, forgot that one too

      Wellllllllllllll, I had a new camera and LOTS of photos to share.  I wrote the epic of all Christmas Letters.  The good news is, I must have made many recipients bust a gut laughing.  And if I was able to spread some holiday cheer, even at my expense, so be it!  I learned my lesson and am sharing that lesson with you now. 

PS.  Even this many years later, I think warm thoughts of that letter.  I believe if we all feel fondly of our lives, we are so graced and of course we want to share.  Isn't blogging just one big Christmas letter...?  (exhibit one below...page one of 5.  Uhmm, 5 is NOT a typo)