"Happy Memorial Day!" We say this phrase, go to the beach, and buy merchandise on sale. Often, we do not even think about the day itself. But when we force ourselves to put down the distractions and honestly consider why we have a Memorial Day, we find it incredibly somber and overwhelming. Not exactly… happy. This is the day we pay homage to all those who didn’t come home. … it’s not a celebration, it is a day of solemn contemplation over the cost of freedom. – Tamra Bolton What is happy about it? The only happiness associated with Memorial Day is the byproduct of freedom for which these … [Read more...]
Finding Freedom from Religion
Yesterday we celebrated Palm Sunday and now Resurrection Sunday is on its way! Though I have never been in doubt about why we celebrate Resurrection Sunday (i.e., Easter), I confess that I get drawn into the bunnies, pastels, and eggs as they are all so beautiful. We celebrate each year with eating lamb (a tradition Eric brought into our family from his family of origin) and my brother-in-law and sister-in-law come over and we eat our Easter meal together. In the early years of this tradition, I would get so stressed over making the meal that I almost completely ignored the reason for the … [Read more...]
Break Free from Valentine’s Day Pressure
Happy half-priced Valentine candy day! In years past, today is the day I would flock to my local Walmart to grab cheap candy and maybe a few red or pink stuffed animals (because all grown women with limited storage space need more stuffed animals). As a child, I woke up on February 14th eagerly awaiting my Valentine from Daddy. Each year, without fail, I would find a card on the kitchen table labeled “Heather” along with some version of my favorite candy (Skittles or Starbursts). Next to my card was a bigger, better card (as it should be) and chocolate for my mom. It was simple, it showed … [Read more...]
Christmas Memories through the Years
I spent the day looking at the clock. Is five o’clock ever coming?! Mom spent the day cooking. Dad was somewhere around the house doing something. Christmas Eve was the longest day of the year because I could not wait to get to Granny and Granddaddy’s house. I bothered Mom all day, “When can we leave?” and she put up with me. ~smile~ Finally, we packed the car with food, presents, and ourselves, and headed over the river bridge singing, “Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house we go!” When we arrived, my cousins would be in the empty street throwing the football. (Don’t … [Read more...]
Twenty Ways to Live a Life of Thanksgiving
It is here again! Beautiful Thanksgiving time. My holiday season does not officially start until I watch the Garfield Thanksgiving Special DVD Eric bought me years ago. He truly knows the path to my heart. Do you ever get worn out with all the Thanksgiving hype on social media and with the people around you? Not that Thanksgiving is unimportant, but do you want to ask, “Why are you suddenly so thankful for everything? Because a holiday dictates you be thankful?” Most of us are guilty of speeding through life without thinking too much about all our blessings, until something like … [Read more...]
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