Double Portion Inspiration

Renee and I want to wish you a Merry Christmas!   Today we celebrate Jesus' birthday - that precious baby born in Bethlehem.   May the richest blessings and peace be upon you this day and as we head into 2015.   From our family to yours... Renee & Roslyn - Christmas 2013 Roslyn enjoys holiday decorations

  Christmas is days away and there are many of us excited about spending time with family and friends.  The anticipation of receiving gifts, eating holiday favorites and laughing over old stories make this time of year my favorite. Today however, I was reminded of those that might not be happy this holiday season.  Over the course of a year, my husband has suffered the loss of his mother and one of his best friends.  In the midst of a joyous season, I know he will miss their smiles and conversations.  He's not alone . There are so many experiencing their "firsts" without loved ones.  First time holiday shopping without them.  First Christmas.  First dawn of a new year without their warmth and love. They are members of a club that no one wants to join .  What about those sitting in a hospital this year while they watch their family member cling to life?  What about the parents waiting for their children to return home after they've gone down a path

I am sure some may think this a political statement but it isn't.  For the past three days I physically didn't have a voice. A wicked virus affected our entire family.  A sore throat soon catupluled into a bad case of laryngitis.  I knew the only remedy was vocal rest and lots of fluids. The only problem with that plan, I work in the retail industry and the month of December means me being in stores selling products to consumers as they complete their holiday shopping list.  I had out of town visitors and I greeted them with no voice.  As I met people who were speaking at a normal tone, I just had to smile and point to my vocal chords using sign language to inform them I had no voice. I had SO much to say during their visit but I physically couldn't.  No one heard me.  I could just sit and observe the conversations happening around me.  Honestly, a very humbling experience. We ate lunch and there was normal chatter, dialogue, solutions given to