At the end of her special day, my daughter said "This has been the best birthday of my life". She got the day off school and was allowed to sleep in....but of course it was a fun day so she awoke very early. Her desire for a pet was ...well ....almost met ....with her present being a Red Tamagottchi virtual pet...Since she totally loves computers, and always wanted a tamagotchi these 2 loves joined together in one. She was very excited and felt very grown up.
We had a family day together. We visited the Ginger Factory...took a boat ride following the gingerbread man all around the world and back again....then we took a train ride around the magnificent tropical gardens and saw some very beautiful ginger flowers. A visit to Santa's workshop and a spectacular marionatte display of elves working on all sorts of projects culminated in a free photo (just because it was her birthday) with Santa.
Swimming was on her favorites list too and so off to the beach it was.... what a great time boogie boarding the waves! On the way back from the beach we encountered some fabulous markets where she told every one who would listen that it was her birthday and she was very excited about it. You would be amazed at how many freebies she was given as her excitment caught on with the market vendors....she even received a huge very fragrant mango (of course she loves mangos..
On return everyone busied around the kitchen making a gourmet spaghetti bolognaise (her favorite food) with fresh homecooked bread (a garlic and olive loaf) and italian garden salad.
We all settled to watch a movie with intermission being another of her favorites...Chocolate mud cake, red strawberries and cream..... and of course the ceremonial candle blowing..... what a smile! She had just had the best day of her life.... and I am sure it was not about the things, but about the time spent making her day special with her favorite things and her favorite people...family.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Making Birthdays Special - Out of the mouth of Babes
Well here is the result of the first round of brainstorming. My nine year old daughter says... a birthday with all her favorite things would be a good day. She wrote me a list of all her favourite things. Her favorite color is red, favorite animal is a horse or a dog, her favorite toy is a stuffed toy dog, favorite card game is snap, favorite board game is Risk, favorite outdoor thing is swimming with the whole family, favorite meal is Spaghetti Bolognaise, favorite dessert is creamy icecream and peaches and dont forget the chocolate! So, what a list we have to work with!
Will keep you posted!
Will keep you posted!
Are Birthdays about expensive gifts?
Whether you are 9 or 90 years old, birthdays should be meaningful and fun.
They may be celebrated differently but the idea is the same. To celebrate and to make one person feel special on the anniversary of their birthday. How easy it is to yeild to the "presents mentality" and buy the most expensive present we can afford every year....and very often it is not being used in a month's time.
Our kids can grow up with the expectation of high material gain on their birthday. So what then happens when the family hits rough times? Does the person still feel special when they dont receive a big expensive gift? It is a good thing to cultivate other ways of making our loved ones feel special on every birthday regardless of the money spent. Then their focus is right and they are prepared for a time when you may not be able to lavish them with gifts.
This week we have 2 daughters having birthdays but in two different continents....and well, things are very lean right now with all resources spent on building our new business....so we are brainstorming for ideas on making ther birthdays special.
Will keep you posted!
They may be celebrated differently but the idea is the same. To celebrate and to make one person feel special on the anniversary of their birthday. How easy it is to yeild to the "presents mentality" and buy the most expensive present we can afford every year....and very often it is not being used in a month's time.
Our kids can grow up with the expectation of high material gain on their birthday. So what then happens when the family hits rough times? Does the person still feel special when they dont receive a big expensive gift? It is a good thing to cultivate other ways of making our loved ones feel special on every birthday regardless of the money spent. Then their focus is right and they are prepared for a time when you may not be able to lavish them with gifts.
This week we have 2 daughters having birthdays but in two different continents....and well, things are very lean right now with all resources spent on building our new business....so we are brainstorming for ideas on making ther birthdays special.
Will keep you posted!
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Candles for Bereaving Families
The Compassionate Friends - Worldwide Candle Lighting
Yesterday I heard about another candle lighting event of which I am sure many of you have not heard. At least I had not.
On the Second Sunday in December (Dec 9 this year), thousands of groups of people around the world with a commonality that none would choose to be a part, meet.
Losing a child is one of the most painful emotions and experiences one could ever experience. Those bereaved are often affected for a long time and have difficulty in arriving at closure and the ability to positively move on. The first birthday and first Christmas without the child are very difficult and emotions can override and negatively affect future events for other siblings or family members.
A world wide candle lighting Ceremony orchestrated by Compassionate Friends Worldwide brings families and friends together to commemorate and honor children they have lost (especially in the last year) so they will not be forgotten and so that those left behind will not be left in deep depression and gloom. The mission of The Compassionate Friends is to assist families toward the positive resolution of grief following the death of a child of any age and to provide information to help others be supportive. (You can find them on the web.)
A candle signifies life and light and so the burning of a candle brings light and life to the memory and to the hearts of the bereaved. It is not that a candle has any magical or mystical powers as it is not the candle itself that heals. The lighting of a small candle in the darkness somehow helps you to draw aside from the blaring distractions. It brings an err of calm and helps you focus on what is important at that time. Something very special happens when a large group lights candles. A feeling of unity and oneness occurs.
A large group in one accord with a positive outlook, give enormous support and a sense of community and togetherness where otherwise there may be a huge sense of being alone and isolated. We human beings need each other especially in our darkest hours. When you cannot hold yourself up, a caring friend can make all the difference.
But for me, times of grief and sadness can only really be healed in the presence my Heavenly Father. I pray that those who have lost a child this year will come to know Him and His comfort and peace.
I am also urged to become more connected with my children and to make every day count for they are precious gifts from the Lord, loaned to us for but a season….and we never know how long that will be.
Yesterday I heard about another candle lighting event of which I am sure many of you have not heard. At least I had not.
On the Second Sunday in December (Dec 9 this year), thousands of groups of people around the world with a commonality that none would choose to be a part, meet.
Losing a child is one of the most painful emotions and experiences one could ever experience. Those bereaved are often affected for a long time and have difficulty in arriving at closure and the ability to positively move on. The first birthday and first Christmas without the child are very difficult and emotions can override and negatively affect future events for other siblings or family members.
A world wide candle lighting Ceremony orchestrated by Compassionate Friends Worldwide brings families and friends together to commemorate and honor children they have lost (especially in the last year) so they will not be forgotten and so that those left behind will not be left in deep depression and gloom. The mission of The Compassionate Friends is to assist families toward the positive resolution of grief following the death of a child of any age and to provide information to help others be supportive. (You can find them on the web.)
A candle signifies life and light and so the burning of a candle brings light and life to the memory and to the hearts of the bereaved. It is not that a candle has any magical or mystical powers as it is not the candle itself that heals. The lighting of a small candle in the darkness somehow helps you to draw aside from the blaring distractions. It brings an err of calm and helps you focus on what is important at that time. Something very special happens when a large group lights candles. A feeling of unity and oneness occurs.
A large group in one accord with a positive outlook, give enormous support and a sense of community and togetherness where otherwise there may be a huge sense of being alone and isolated. We human beings need each other especially in our darkest hours. When you cannot hold yourself up, a caring friend can make all the difference.
But for me, times of grief and sadness can only really be healed in the presence my Heavenly Father. I pray that those who have lost a child this year will come to know Him and His comfort and peace.
I am also urged to become more connected with my children and to make every day count for they are precious gifts from the Lord, loaned to us for but a season….and we never know how long that will be.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Happy Hannukah!
Being into candles is a lot of fun and is a very meaningful learning experience. All across the world, people from varied and different walks in life use the seemingly insigificant flame of a candle to assist in the expression of spiritual moments..... A candle is used
to ponder the past, to look forward,
to remember, to forget,
to honor life, to honor those who have died,
to celebrate, to mourn,
to reflect on past triumphs or failures, to dedicate their future,
to draw close to others and to G_d,
Today is the commencement of another candle ceremony Hannukah. Hannukah is a Jewish celebration. It is the Jewish festival of rededication, also known as the festival of lights. Hannukah is an eight day festival beginning on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev which is today!! The Hannukah Candle ceremony is carried out over 8 days.
The first candle is lit today with another candle being lit each successive day until all eight are lit on the last day. This ceremony is a reminder to those who celebrate it of the miracles and protection of G_d's people throughout the thousands of years. It is also a time for drawing close to their family, to God and to dedicate themselves to His purposes.
A very meaningful candle ceremony and well worth learning some more about!
to ponder the past, to look forward,
to remember, to forget,
to honor life, to honor those who have died,
to celebrate, to mourn,
to reflect on past triumphs or failures, to dedicate their future,
to draw close to others and to G_d,
Today is the commencement of another candle ceremony Hannukah. Hannukah is a Jewish celebration. It is the Jewish festival of rededication, also known as the festival of lights. Hannukah is an eight day festival beginning on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev which is today!! The Hannukah Candle ceremony is carried out over 8 days.
The first candle is lit today with another candle being lit each successive day until all eight are lit on the last day. This ceremony is a reminder to those who celebrate it of the miracles and protection of G_d's people throughout the thousands of years. It is also a time for drawing close to their family, to God and to dedicate themselves to His purposes.
A very meaningful candle ceremony and well worth learning some more about!
Monday, December 3, 2007
Advent - Reminder of Hope
Today marked the beginning of Advent. As we draw near to the celebration of the Birth of Jesus it is a constant battle to draw aside from the demands of the season and family and pay tribute to the One it is all about. This first week of Advent is a time to reflect on the hope that we have because of the birth, life, death and resurection of Jesus. I really dont know how people move throught this life with out this hope...a hope that is really an assurance of our daily needs today being met, that our future is secure and our hope in His second coming. I just love the advent candle ceremony that helps us keep focus on what the season is all about. We have a little article on www.candlelightsolutions.com about Advent and the candle ceremony if you havent heard of it. It is a great family experience....one that helps us draw near to each and to God. Have a great week of reflection and family togetherness! Go light your first purple candle!
Friday, November 30, 2007
Creating Enriching Family Memories!
Well the thanksgiving week is over and hopefully you took some time out to be thankful for the thoughtfulness, diligence and determination that our forefathers displayed settling this country.
Also of value, time with family. Time to be thankful for each other and for the many ways they were a blessing to us this year.
But most importantly, having a heart of Thanksgiving toward our Heavenly Father who gives us every good gift and blesses us in so many ways.
Sunday begins the first week of Advent and whatever form of worship you prefer and however frequent that may be, this next few weeks can be a special time of spiritual and family enrichment........a time for observing old traditions and creating new ones....for creating and growing memories.
Creating a memory or new tradition does not have to be an elaborate affair..in fact the more simple the better as we human beings tend to get lazy and easily forget when things get to hard or complicated. It is far better to have something simple that you or you and the kids can do and keep doing every year than it is to never do anything.
Candles are central to many celebrations and meaningful events in our lives. I am sure that millions of people around the world spent Thanksgiving by candlelight in some way (if the sales of candles are anything to go by!). As we prepare for Christmas, take some time to think about howe a simple candle can make an enormous difference to your family fun and fellowship when you apply some meaning that will never be forgotten. Advent is a beautiful symbolic candle lighting tradition that takes ideas and turns them into meaningful enriching moments.
We are going to try very hard this year to not get caught up with the work, school and community group parties, decorating, the buying of gifts and preparation of food and home for guests. It is so easy to have it rush on by and never actually take a minute to ponder and reflect on what Christmas is really all about. Hope you join us!
Also of value, time with family. Time to be thankful for each other and for the many ways they were a blessing to us this year.
But most importantly, having a heart of Thanksgiving toward our Heavenly Father who gives us every good gift and blesses us in so many ways.
Sunday begins the first week of Advent and whatever form of worship you prefer and however frequent that may be, this next few weeks can be a special time of spiritual and family enrichment........a time for observing old traditions and creating new ones....for creating and growing memories.
Creating a memory or new tradition does not have to be an elaborate affair..in fact the more simple the better as we human beings tend to get lazy and easily forget when things get to hard or complicated. It is far better to have something simple that you or you and the kids can do and keep doing every year than it is to never do anything.
Candles are central to many celebrations and meaningful events in our lives. I am sure that millions of people around the world spent Thanksgiving by candlelight in some way (if the sales of candles are anything to go by!). As we prepare for Christmas, take some time to think about howe a simple candle can make an enormous difference to your family fun and fellowship when you apply some meaning that will never be forgotten. Advent is a beautiful symbolic candle lighting tradition that takes ideas and turns them into meaningful enriching moments.
We are going to try very hard this year to not get caught up with the work, school and community group parties, decorating, the buying of gifts and preparation of food and home for guests. It is so easy to have it rush on by and never actually take a minute to ponder and reflect on what Christmas is really all about. Hope you join us!
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