Christmas

Fill Your Hope Chest

Jeanna G2 Comments

Mom loved to redecorate, and rehab and rearrange the furniture, but her hope chest was one of the few pieces of furniture that was a fixture. It held our baby books, handmade family quilts and afghans, and her good silver. It wasn’t until I read a novel that described a woman’s hope chest that I actually put a meaning to the name. I just thought of it as a pretty storage trunk, but hope chests were essentially the beginning of a collection of things a woman would want to have once she became a wife, like a gown, dishes, table and bed linens, or family heirlooms. Women were manifesting their futures with a tangible vision board. If I build it, he will come. 

As for myself, my hope chest wouldn’t be filled with plates and silverware. It would have my passport and a carry-on,  packed and ready to go anywhere, at any time of year. There’d also be some of my daughter’s onsies that I saved, in hopes of seeing them on my granddaughter one day.

Hope and wait, hope and wait. 

The season of advent shares this theme, as Christians wait for the hope-filled arrival of Jesus. Many also hope for the arrival of Santa and whatever he’s got in his bag. Some of us are hoping and waiting for a fresh start in the new year. We hope and wait for a proposal, a job offer, an invitation, or an approval. We hope and wait for a letter or a phone call, or for someone to come back home. Some of us hope things stay the same, and some hope for change.

What I hope is that you hope for something; that you are filling your hope chest with beautiful designs for the future, and that peace, love, and joy surround you while you wait. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Your Carol

Jeanna G5 Comments

My daughter and I just finished watching Mickey’s Christmas Carol, and I couldn’t help but think of my blog’s theme. I spend a lot of time thinking about my past, and my conscience often joins me on those trips, but it might be cool if it were in the form of Jiminy Cricket one time. The giant ghost of Christmas present would be fun, too, but I’ll pass on the scary guy of the future.

Actually, I wonder where Jiminy would take me. What scene would play out that would explain why I am where and who I am today? And what is it about who I am today that will determine where I meet the ghost of a time yet to come.

Looking back, Scrooge plead, “Please Spirit! I can no longer bear these memories.” To which the ghost of Christmas past responded, “Remember Scrooge, you fashioned these memories yourself.” I have to give Scrooge credit for being honest with himself by remembering the mistakes he made. In the morning he was surprised that the spirits had given him another chance, but he knew just what he’d do with it.

In this time of reflection and resolutions, what will you remember about your past and how it relates to who you are today? If the spirits take you on a ride this Christmas Eve, will they give you another chance tomorrow? What will you do with it?

The 6th Love Language

Jeanna GLeave a comment

When a three-year relationship came to an end, I found myself reading The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. I realized that what I needed most at the time were Acts of Service and Words of Affirmation. I know the relationship would have ended anyway, but at least I know what to be aware of the next time around.

My friends and I joke that food and wine should be a love language. Maybe they are and they just fall under the umbrella of Receiving Gifts. But that notion got me wondering if there really are more than five love languages.

When I was in elementary school, our family participated in an Angel Tree program through our church. Essentially, we adopted a family for Christmas, purchased and wrapped the gifts on their wish list, and then delivered them to the mom just before Christmas. Yes, the family received gifts, but it was in the giving that I also received. I don’t think that was necessarily a tipping point, but I do believe that it was one of many experiences that lead me to a life of service.

I’ve spent the past 20 years of my career serving others. It can be emotionally and physically draining, but I keep doing it because the spiritual rewards refill my cup. This gets me to thinking that I experience love by giving.

A fellow member of my church came to my house a few years back to help install a light over my sink. When he was done, he thanked me for allowing him to serve. Through the act of giving, he was speaking his love language.

I understand the concept of loving someone the way they want to be loved, not the way you think they need to be loved. And I also understand these are fluid; our needs change over time. However, in my discussions with friends, it seems as though these five languages are more often interpreted in an egocentric manner; how others can love us better, not how we can love others. Words of Appreciation mean a lot to me, but I’m going to continue to give, regardless of whether or not I receive them. Giving makes me happy, so to love me, let me give. I want to help. I want to support and cheer you on. I want to do the things that make your life easier, better, and more joyful.

The love of giving. May we all become fluent in this language.