A few of our favorite things! – 2020 Edition

In a year that brought so much heartache, I am reminded of some things. Some are pretty, some are spectacular, and some are pretty-spectacular!

Let me begin with my friend Marybeth. You’ve heard about her before in this space. She has a new podcast! I listened to her latest offering this morning, which brought something else to mind. More on that in a moment. First, I’d like to share her podcast so you can listen in, too!

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1470397

In MB’s podcast – I call her MB sometimes 🙂 – she brought up pyramids, which reminded me of the one my friend Eileen presented to me when I moved to Canada, twenty years ago, on November 1, 2000. I talked a little about the “gift exchange” I had with my closest family and friends not that long ago: HERE.

MB was talking about how pyramids have a strong foundation, which of course fits in with my word of 2021: Rebuilding. As I also mentioned not long ago, rebuilding cannot occur without a strong foundation. Otherwise, as the Bible so aptly noted, it is like building a house on sand. (See Matthew 7: 24-27)

MB and her animal friends had lots more to say, and I encourage you to listen. And PS: I’m sharing simply because I love her and the messages she carries from the animals.

When I went to take the photo of the pyramid, I thought I would share some other occupants of my “behind glass” world of treasured gifts.

This year for Christmas, my mother once again chose something incredibly meaningful for me: A healing pendulum. The crystal is Rose Quartz. From Google:

“The stone of universal love Rose Quartz is the stone of universal love. It restores trust and harmony in relationships, encouraging unconditional love. Rose Quartz purifies and opens the heart at all levels to promote love, self-love, friendship, deep inner healing and feelings of peace.
Rose Quartz Healing Properties | Rose Quartz Meaning …“

First, here’s the pendulum:

You’ll also notice the tree on the other end – so apropos for this website! A labyrinth, too! Is it not GORGEOUS? We already asked it a question. The answer is: YES, 2021 is going to be SO MUCH BETTER than 2020.

Also, you may notice the other pieces of rose quartz… one raw, the other a heart. See, it’s a my FAVE stone! And my mother may or may not remember that she also gave me a necklace of Rose Quartz, years ago:

Funny thing, this photo also shows the gift my mother gave me when I came to Canada! The turquoise bear on a leather necklace.

And, there’s also another item my mother included in my Christmas 1999 gift, the eagle on an Apache Tear that helps with letting go of loss and trauma.

I told you… all my special things are here!

It just so happens that today, we’re focusing on crystals, and my mom has been a prolific crystal-giver!

You know, it isn’t just my spectacular mom! Everyone in my family gives thoughtful, treasure-worthy gifts. They’re all here, behind the glass.

I need to get them out more and USE THEM.

Oh yes, treat them with loving care… but also hold them, pray & meditate with them, talk to them and thank them for bringing me such joy.

It will probably not surprise you to know that I have several little collections throughout my house, including a small teacup collection from my mother-in-law, which includes one Christmas teacup that was my grandmother’s.

Pardon the dust… but that’s part of the point. I never use them… not until I’m reminded (like now!)

Do you have treasures? Where do you keep them? Do you use them?

Let’s make a pact to USE the treasures, if only to hold for a moment and cherish. They do nobody any good in storage or behind glass 100% of the time.

I’m reminded of an essay by Erma Bombeck. (Link goes to a post I wrote about one of my favorite books by Bombeck.) She died too young (she was 69 in 1996) and had so much more to teach us about humility and humor. She was a gem among women!

I’m going to end with this writing and ask that you take it to heart. I think we can all agree that 2020 brought lessons we had forgotten about…

• Nothing is promised
• Life is short
• Getting along with others can be difficult
• Bullies exist
• Some things are more important than money
• Kindness wins
• Love wins
• Gratitude wins
• There is still so much good in the world

And so, I present, If I had my life to live over... by the pretty-spectacular Erma Bombeck (<<< Link goes to her website.)

Someone asked me the other day if I had my life to live over would I change anything.

My answer was no, but then I thought about it and changed my mind.

If I had my life to live over again I would have waxed less and listened more.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy and complaining about the shadow over my feet, I’d have cherished every minute of it and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was to be my only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.

I would have eaten popcorn in the “good” living room and worried less about the dirt when you lit the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have burnt the pink candle that was sculptured like a rose before it melted while being stored.

I would have sat cross-legged on the lawn with my children and never worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television … and more while watching real life.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband which I took for granted.

I would have eaten less cottage cheese and more ice cream.

I would have gone to bed when I was sick, instead of pretending the Earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for a day.

I would never have bought ANYTHING just because it was practical/wouldn’t show soil/ guaranteed to last a lifetime.

When my child kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, “Later. Now, go get washed up for dinner.”

There would have been more I love yous … more I’m sorrys … more I’m listenings … but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute of it … look at it and really see it … try it on … live it … exhaust it … and never give that minute back until there was nothing left of it.”

― Erma Bombeck, Eat Less Cottage Cheese and More Ice Cream: Thoughts on Life from Erma Bombeck