Celebrations

For the last two decades or more I have always spent weeks thinking and planning various celebrations. Christ's birth, His death and resurrection, my husband's birth and those of my 4 sons. There has always been gifts and money spent. Every year I vow it will be less extravagant and I keep thinking it will be...I love them so dearly and always make the mistake to shower. I am a person who loves to give and bless others in tangible ways. I love to mark occasions. My husband has always watched with  mixed emotions. He knows that those occasions will come and probably won't be that much better because of my purchases. He has learned that it is my way to show love to others. Service, giving, sharing, blessing etc... I have always tried to heed his caution to not 'love' too much. Yet again this year, I had all kinds of ideas for my first-son and as always since he is not a gift person but a quality time person, the gifts were received but not cherished. The moments together are what really bring meaning for him. It's in the smaller things, the moments that love is truly shared and expressed. It is in the smaller blessings that joy can be found. I have learned from my son though he does not know it or even realise it that loving others with gifts has its time and place but that those who receive them may share love differently and not always see the gift and the giver. Christ's sacrifice was an awesome gift of great price and it is our love for others through our various loves that we reflect His ultimate gift. May our focus be on His gift and may I always remember that gifts and how much more importatn it is above all else...besides my husband really loves what it does for our savings.♥

I put a photo of a pansy since in French they are called 'des pensées' which means 'thoughts'.