I am so grateful I didn't visit my birth family this year. I do give my best effort to be F-U-N when I'm there. Because who wants to be around someone who can't be cheered up unless a certain someone comes back to life? But here, with absolutely no pressure to BE happy, I've found real joy bubbling up within me. And gratitude.
The sights and sounds of Boston.
Ha! Notice the selfie? I'm feeling quite at home in Boston. Not surprising since it was my home for two years, my sophomore year at Boston University and my year off working in a needlepoint design studio overlooking the Public Gardens. I DO feel as young as I did then, except when I look in the mirror...
Yesterday I walked over to the Pop-up Holiday Village at Boston's Government Center to find Christmas gifts for the hotel staff. I found six miniature tangine pots at a Moroccan shop, all different colors. The shop keeper invited me to haggle, so $8 a piece went down to $6. Then I wandered through Quincy Market behind Faneuil Hall, and around behind to the outdoor Public Farmer's Market, where I bought two boxes of blueberries for $3. On my way back 'home' along the waterfront, I picked up a large lobster roll for dinner. I couldn't even get my mouth around it, so some big chunks of lobster are Christmas dinner tonight.
I hadn't a clue what gift to put IN the Tangine pots for the staff, so late yesterday afternoon out I went again. Peppermint Meringue Kisses at the bakery just beyond the Tea Party Museum were perfect. So, together with Starbuck $5 gift cards and candy canes, I packed six little bags with tissue and played Santa Claus this morning.
Afterwards I listened to this video. The child born 2,016 years ago sparked my spiritual life 35 years ago, but Matt Kahn is my spiritual mentor this week. Also Eben Alexander, M.D., who wrote 'Proof of Heaven'. This is a link is to one of Matt Kahn's YouTube videos.
Merry Christmas !
Merry Christmas! Hooray for YOU. Life really is what you make ... one step at a time. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you, and all of your family, AW. Much love and many steps in the upcoming year!
DeleteI love Boston and the idea of you working in a needlepoint design studio was intriguing. Do you needlepoint now? Was it a job back then, or a passion?
ReplyDeleteI can see how breaking the ranges to spend Christmas your way was probably a continuation of the personal growth you've been doing all year long. I glad it turned out to be a good experience.
Merry Christmas and my very best wishes for 2017.
I really enjoyed working at the needlepoint design studio, not because it was a passion of mine (I tried it and didn't have the patience), but because the work setting was so beautiful and the women so caring. Like being around a lot of kind mothers who loved to dote, be it on their needlepoint or on me! All except for Ilsa, the boss. She was rescued from Germany during WW1 II, losing much I'm sure. She wouldn't talk about it.
DeleteUnfortunately the grand old brownstone home converted into the Women's Educational and Industrial Union was torn down for a fancy hotel. But I loved wandering through its rooms and imagining the families who once lived there. It had a grand ballroom with a grand piano. I was drawn to play it, whenever I had a break. They didn't mind!
Your photos capture Boston perfectly. I didn't much like all the people and traffic, the times I visited while Jennifer lived there, but did enjoy the Public Gardens, Quincy Market, Old North Church and the Freedom Walk AND--especially the lobster suppers at Tia's on the Harbor. Now--into a whole new year for you!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHello Judy! Oh, the lobsters! I couldn't resist. Another lobster roll and clam chowder :-)
DeleteI'm with you regarding people and traffic. This time of year is SO quiet and peaceful I can feel my 💓. In this New Year I will follow my heart. I have a sweet tooth for love.
Lovely; all of it. Christmas is still difficult for me. Difficult to accept for a person who loves Christmas. I understand what you said about removing the negativity. My longings for my husband are intricately woven into my every day, which does not mean that I am not okay; just that everything would be better with him still here. UGH. I love the gifts you chose.
ReplyDeleteHello Deborah! Thanks for stopping by and leaving me this message. Yes... UGH! sometimes. It appears you and I are coming round to saying "Yes, and" instead of "Yes, but".
ReplyDeleteI adore the tiny tangine pots. I went back to the holiday village and picked out another...for me! I also chatted more with the staff I met yesterday. One young man is from Nepal, over here on a student visa. Another from Bangladesh. Small world we live in.
I haven't been to Quincy Market in ages, it brings back memories. Great finds for your friends' presents. How do I get on you gift list? :) I bet everyone loved what you gave them.
ReplyDeleteLol. I've not heard directly whether they liked the gifts, but I can tell they loved receiving them!
DeleteSo happy Quincy Market brought back wonderful memories. Boston has a special place in my heart.