Entries from November 2008
Gifts of a Different Kind
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol has become one of the most important traditions in our home during the holiday season for all the lessons it imparts involving gratitude, selflessness, joy, and compassion. My mother’s love for the novel was infectious when I was growing up, and so my love for the tale is passed on to my daughter from year to year.
We are partial to the Muppet movie version in our house, and one of my favorite parts of the story is Michael Caine’s portrayal of the redemption of Scrooge. Scrooge awakens on Christmas morning so incredibly thankful for another chance at life, and his zeal for the day is almost comical as he touches the blankets, curtains, and his own robe in disbelief.
I often wake up tired and pay no attention to the gift I’ve been given – the gift of another day to make a difference. My daughter, on the other hand, all but flies off her bed with the great news that, “Mom! Look! The sun is up! The day has started!”
Watching Muppet Christmas Carol with her last night, I noticed my frequent blindness when faced with the gift of another day. Each new morning is truly a chance to live a little better, make a difference, and make the day brighter for someone else. In essence, we wake up to a present each morning – the present of possibility. – Mary Cady Ford
Categories: Holiday
November 25, 2008 · 1 Comment
Write down what you’re thankful for today as a family.
Front porches. Falling leaves. Red brick. Hot chocolate. Giggling children. Loud music. Swing dancing. Frosty mornings. Comfortable jeans. Sunrise yoga. Cheerful emails. Long conversations. Romantic comedies. Pumpkin muffins. Midday sunshine. Fuzzy mittens. Flickering candles. Lazy Sundays. Warm house. Laptop computer. Caring neighbors. Three-mile runs. I-tunes downloads. Black pens. Meaningful work. Diverse neighborhood. Milk-drenched Oreos. Red rocker. Bedtime stories. Loyal friends. Chilly weather. Holiday plans. Couch cuddling. Acrylic paint. Dedicated team. Music City. Truth books. Red hair. Peanut-butter bread. Turtleneck sweaters. Friendly texts. Marshmallowy sweet potatoes. Family gatherings. Empty notebooks. Pearl jewelry. 40’s crooners. Afternoon naps. English novels. Cinnamon pinecones. Hopeful outlook. Belly laughs. Constant prayers.
“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” -Thornton Wilder
- Tamara Batarseh
Categories: Holiday
Who are the people in your neighborhood?
How can your child learn to give thanks? This holiday season, we challenge you to think about who makes your day run smoothly, and to talk about those people with your children. The man who bags your groceries. The staff at your child’s school who guide them safely from the car to their classroom. Your mailman who brings mail directly to your door on rainy days. Make it a game for your children to remember the names of those in the community around them, and start building a better community by engaging those who make our communities run smoothly.
- Mary Cady Ford
Categories: Education · Holiday
Focus on different ways that your family can give thanks and foster giving during the season.
We are dedicated gym-goers, my daughter and I. Each day we pull up the YMCA where she spends an hour in the nursery while I run and get dressed. The wonderful women of the nursery are, of course, paid for their time, but I am evermore thankful for the love that they bestow on our kids. They go the extra mile to make a safe, friendly environment for hundreds of kids. They know their names, remember their birthdays, and play a strong supporting role in our life by enabling us to do something that, without them, wouldn’t be possible.
- Mary Cady Ford
Categories: Attitude of Gratitude · Health & Wellness · Holiday
Remember our military on November 11.
Veterans Day is November 11, and there’s plenty to learn about this American holiday. This year marks the 70th official recognition of Veterans Day as a holiday. It was originally called Armistice Day. And it’s a great opportunity to talk with your child(ren) about the hard and important work of those in military service. So, take some time on Tuesday to thank a vet or make a donation to Veterans Affairs. Then play some cool games to honor our servicemen and women, learn about the American Flag and remember those caring for our country at home and abroad.
- Stephen Moseley
Categories: Attitude of Gratitude · Education · Holiday
Use a power strip to save money and the environment.
Here’s the skinny: most of our household appliances will use more electricity over their lifetime when they’re turned off than when they’re on. TVs, DVD players, coffee makers, stereos and blow dryers all suck energy when plugged in and not in use. But, it’s often tricky to remember to go around unplugging things all the time. So, grab a power strip
and look around your house for the best place to plug it in. Use it near your entertainment center and flip its switch when it’s time for bed to prevent your big screen from costing you big bucks.
- Sam Davidson
Categories: Conservation & the Environment · Home Energy Savings
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