And so it begins, ADVENT IS HERE. Today! The 1st Sunday of Advent, the countdown to Christmas (22 days to go!?!) Virginia had plans to post something grand, but today is the Grand Illumination in Colonial Williamsburg, so a post haste departure looms ever near (to get a parking spot? the all too difficult task betwixt holiday goings-on.)
Dashing, but not through the snow. Why all this haste? In years past, Virginia engaged in an Advent post-a-day gig here @ Roses in the Rubble. Hoping to do the same this year, but here’s the first day and scribbled notes a blog does not make.
The last two years I took a complete holiday from Advent posts. Nary a one (okay, so a measly 3 last year, and just ONE the previous year.) And this matters, because?
The last time I did the post-a-day Advent gig, my Mama served as the blog-posting elf’s helper extraordinaire. Each day she cheered me on. Perched here in the study she’d take her recovery period (PC for nap) checking every now & then on progress (which helped the get-it-done factor tremendously!)
She also served as a Christmas model, helped stage pictures, was a huge encourager & provided lots of inspiration as a co-conspirator (especially engendering motivation, like with chocolate!)
Oh, how I miss her!!! Lots & lots & lots & lots & lots & lots & lots!!!
Sometimes the holidays can be difficult missing our loved ones. Not just difficult, but full on hard to bear.
But, every now & then there’s something special when it somehow seems that the veil is thin between here & the Heavenlies.
This Thanksgiving as we loaded up piles of food to take to my sister’s home, my brother said, “Look, look, BLUEBIRDS!!” Out the kitchen windows we scurried to look – a whole family of bluebirds descended upon our birdbath & the ground all around. Like, 7 of them.
A BLUEBIRD SIGHTING — and not just one, but a whole family!! Never before have we ever seen such bountiful bluebirds, most times we’re blessed to see just ONE.
Or maybe a couple, but SEVEN? Nada.
Two minutes later they all flew away. Since then? No bluebirds. But what a special gift that lifted our spirits and reminded us of Mama: bluebirds were her favorites, a sighting always cause for celebration.
We miss Papa, too! Putting up Christmas ornaments yesterday, I missed his presence and all the special times we had putting up the tree each year when he cheered us on from his bedfast-quadriplegia hospital bed.
But, he & Mama have passed & are now together, forever.
Although the legacy of Mama & Papa’s love surrounds me, there’s still a big hole in my heart and life. As treasured memories flood that hole, my joy is not diminished because grief takes it deeper to a place where it can not be taken away.
“We cannot wait til the world is sane
to raise our songs with joyful voice,
for to share our grief, to touch our pain,
He came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!”
Madeleine L’Engle
grace, peace & Advent gigs
Virginia : )
Roses in the Rubble 
Beautiful reflections Virginia 🙂
Thank you, Arlene. I know you started getting ready for Christmas months ago (I must confess that I play Christmas Carols the whole year but stepped it up at the beginning of November!) Advent blessings!! 💜🎄💜🌟💜🎄💜
Blessings to you this season, Virginia. What a beautiful gift of writing you have. Also, what a beautiful tribute to your parents.
Thanks for your encouragement Brigette – & all you did for the amazing Heart For Orphans event Saturday nite. That’s what Advent, Christmas, our faith is all about!! (& what a fun time it was! I always thought God wanted us to have fun, abundantly!) Much love! 💜🎄❤️🌟💜🎧❤️🎄💜
Thank you, Virginia. I loved the pictures of your Mom..praying for you and Dwight.
Carol-Jo, my heart & prayers are with YOU as you face this holiday without your precious father & mother, but the legacy of their love lives on in you & your sis. 💜🌟💜Thank you for being a conduit of joy & co-hosting the amazing Heart for Orphan event Saturday nite (my knees are still recovering from all the fun dancing to that amazing band!!) Much love!! 💜✨✨❤️🌟🌟💜✨✨❤️🌟🌟💜
beautiful – thank you
Thank you, Sue – a blessed Advent to you filled with extra doses of God’s grace, peace, love & joy – the kind that doesn’t diminish. 💜🌟💜🎄💜🌟💜
This was so beautifully captured. It’s beautiful to know that their memories still lives on & you have allowed it fill that empty hole.
Treasure the time you have with your loved ones, because those times become treasures in our hearts when they are gone. Advent blessings – filled with extra doses of grace, peace, love & joy for you (& wisdom!!) Blogging hugs! 💜🌟💜🤗💜🌟💜
Ginny,
You honor Mom & Dad so well and help us hold their memory fresh in our hearts 💕
Cin -thankful for the legacy of Mama & Papa’s love that lives on in our hearts, but still sometimes we just miss them!! Glad we have each other!!! Big hugs!! 💜🤗💜
p.s.You were there to see the bluebirds @ Thanksgiving. Still can’t believe it (& we haven’t seen a one since!) 💙✨💙🌟💙✨💙
I can not imagine. This was a beautiful tribute.
Thank you, Michele. Methinks you & my Mama would have been kindred spirits. She played the violin & loved children, especially her great-grand children (like you & Lyla.) Plus, she was a southern steel magnolia. Much love! ✨💜✨🤗✨💜✨
Love this one, Virginia. Thank you for putting things into perspective for me. I’ve been taking care of my mom for years now, and it’s really HARD. But reading about how hard it will be once she’s gone makes me grateful for every minute she’s here!
Debbie, after doing an intensive caregiving gig for my parents, I know how hard it can be(!) But, store up those precious moments in your memory banks, because they will be treasure later. Blessings & hugs!!! ✨💜✨🌟✨🤗✨🌟✨💜✨