My Christmas Letter

There was a time when Christmas letters would fill the mailboxes, thus I decided that I would write my very own this year…

Dear Friends,

Time sure has a way to aid us in our struggles and bring with it healing and new adventures. As a kid growing up in a chaotic home, I would tell myself, “in one year this problem won’t be an issue anymore.”  It was my way of finding hope and encouragement to get through the hard days.  As an adult, this past year I relied on that coping mechanism to get through some difficult times.  At the beginning of the year I lost my job and weeks later I had to let my old dog pass on to Assisi Heaven.  While losing my job was difficult, it gave me the opportunity to try my hand at running a small online store.  I always had a dream of owning a vintage store and thanks to my luck in scoring great finds at thrift stores, I was able to make twenty-thousand from what I consider a hobby.  Thus, I made the best of a situation that was out of my control. 

Thanks to the money that I made I was able to take sometime off and not worry about how I would pay my bills.  I was able to spend a couple weeks with my grandma in Mexico and it was one of the best blessings of my year.  After returning from my trip, I began looking for work.  Though at first, I felt like my resume was hitting deaf ears soon I began getting calls for interviews and eventually landed a job.  I don’t remember applying at the school that I was hired at- the whole hiring process felt surreal and I knew that God was behind the entire process.  The fact that I landed a job at a continuation school that works with students who are failing out of high school really has been the greatest gift.  I get to work with small groups of students at a time, sometimes one-on-one and my classes are tiny compared to the traditional classroom size.  This more individualized approach to learning has made it successful for a person with bipolar to have a career in teaching.  I really marvel all the time as to how God found the perfect place for me to succeed in doing something that I love.

In early February I lost my fifteen-year-old companion who made many appearances here on the blog.  I remember waking up crying the days that followed his passing and finding no rest until I received his remains and was able to plant him in our garden.  Dollar was such a great dog who shared so much of my life and it was one of the hardest things to let him go.  After a few months of mourning his loss, I realized that I needed to rescue another dog.  I was in pain and this pain could be transferred into love for another little dog who needed a home.  After stalking animal shelter pages, a friend posted that she needed to get rid of a litter of puppies.  The rest is Francis history!  Though, Francis in no way has usurped Dollar’s place in my heart – loving him has been quite easy.  Everyday, my affection for him grows and though it’s been a challenge starting again with a puppy – I am optimistic about our future together.

Sometimes, at the end of the year people say things like: “this has been the worst year of my life!”  And though my twenty-nineteen has been full ends – through my faith and reading the lives of the saints – I am learning that no matter the hardships there’s always so much to be thankful for.  I am still adjusting to all the change, but looking forward to starting a new year full of expectation for things to come.  Thanks for reading, have a Happy New Year. 

XOXO

On Christmas Decorating

I put up the outside lights last Sunday, just the icicles that go around the edge of the roof.  I did so thinking of dad and how happy he would be if he returns before Christmas.  This December I realized that dad has taken over the Christmas-decorating-partner-in-crime-spot that my brother left open with his heavenly parting.  Dad’s enthusiasm normally pumps me up to decorate, he’s quite the holiday motivational speaker.  It’s not just the fact that I get help with the big project of putting up decorations, but the bonding that goes with the job that musters the energy to deck the halls with boughs of holly. 

I spoke with dad yesterday and he was telling me that the doctor said that grandma can last days, months, even years in her weak state – so my parents have decided to return home for Christmas.  Two of my uncles will stay with grandma, now the siblings will alternate time with her. Many times, in life we are torn between being into places at once and since bilocation is impossible – we have to place our trust in God that He will take care of all of us. 

These past few months have been filled with a lot of change and unexpected events. Yet, there’s always so much to be thankful for- so much light that makes it through the tunnel.  Though, this year I still have to put up the tree, the nativity and all the decorations that normally warm my home- in my heart I am still trying to prepare for the birth of my Savior.  While the outside might not look as festive as it did years past, inside me the desire for Jesus is even greater.  I desire the peace and joy of Christmas and most of all the acceptance of Mary when the Angel told her of God’s plan for her, “May it be done to me according to your word.”

Made in the Eighties

I found this blingy sequin top straight from the eighties, literally some fashionista wore in the over the top era and donated it for someone else to have a little fun!  Though, this year with all the changes that I have had as of late, I didn’t make the time to plan my annual, thematically, fun celebration – I decided that at least my birthday outfit would have a little meaning.  Thus, though the temperatures have dropped in California, to an utterly non-sunny feel I decided to wear my silk, beaded, gold, sequin, vintage blouse and take some pictures before the cardigan went on (smile).  Even when one is sick (just a note away from bronchitis) dressing up can really elevate the mood.  Not sure if the made in the eighties look or just the spoiled merriment that I received from friends and loved ones – or a combination of the two- but not even the flu stole the happy from my birthday this year. 

A couple months leading to my birthday I had the BFF’s asking when I was sending my invite to this year’s celebration and I kept surprising them saying that this year I didn’t think there would be a party.  Am not sure if it’s the bipolar or my introversion, but I have difficulty with transitions.  It takes me a few months to get into the grove of change until eventually finding my routine.  I was just getting used to having a puppy when I got hired working a shift that I have never worked before (quite a distance from home too).  At work I still don’t feel like I have found my rhythm, there’s so much learning taking place – I feel like a sponge that is just absorbing and not yet discovered my place.  I feel like the staff (though extremely supportive) are so different from me.  BUT- I love what I am doing!  I love working with kids guiding them in their path while sharing my passion for literature.  The work I do, makes the daily two hours stuck in traffic, the obstacles with the credentialing office, the school politics and just personal challenges worth it.  With change comes a lot of growth and I think that what I am feeling is just the signs of me growing.

Working a ten to six shift with an hour drive each way has perhaps been the biggest hurdle.  I am still trying to assimilate, which only became more difficult when my grandma got sick and my parents had to go to her, leaving me with a six-month puppy that can’t be left alone for ten hours.  While having a dog walker come in to give Francis a midday break has been successful, I find that once I come home, I can no longer go to my bible study nights because I feel so guilty leaving him crated for a few more hours.  Thus, my days are spent at work or trying to care for my pup.  I know that as I get into the grove of things, I will slowly figure out how to better arrange my day and add my much needed fellowship time; but for now I am just trying to get by.  My weekends also get lost in activity prepping for the upcoming week, thus I feel like I don’t have the time for anything else.  Yet, I know that I usually deal with change, by doing only what is necessary and once I get a handle on that then I begin to get creative again.  So, am ending this year without much thought to birthdays or holidays because I am still just trying to find my rhythm in all the good change happening in my life.  While some people are great with change for me transitions are difficult and I am slow in adapting.  Yet, once I adapt and establish my routine I will add color to my life again taking back those activities that nurture my soul and sharing it with you (smile). So be patient with me.