More Light

I am so sick and tired of being so sick and tired of the current asshat in chief of this dear ole US of A,  not to mention his spineless enablers, I’ve decided to just let that whole mess go for at least a little while.  I’m not looking at the news .. much… I’m not reading someone’s spin or fretting over ignorance because really what good comes of it… answer  – zilch.    I need to breathe clean air, think clean thoughts, see inspiration and act on that.  I need to believe most of us are made up of more good than bad.

So what is helping me accomplish this necessary avoidance?  Extending kindnesses where a little light needs shining.  (if only it would help me stop the holiday EATING… so far, no luck there. Onward….. )

The local veterinarian put out a plea for blankets and cat beds for the foster dogs/cats in their care, and we have an Ocean State Job Lot not far from here where those things are available pretty cheap.  For $50 I was able to bring them a nice armload of blankets/beds and that simple act just felt good.   Some light.

Recently a local family lost their matriarch, Carol Anne,  a joyful woman who has known more heartache than should ever befall  one person and yet she always found a reason to be happy.  She would say to friends when they asked how she could remain so upbeat -” I have two choices, I can be miserable for the rest of my life, or I can choose Joy.  I’m choosing Joy. ”  Her home was always decorated to the hilt for Christmas, there were lights and pine garland even in the rafters of the family log cabin.   When she passed a month ago, she  left two daughters who are afflicted with a similar illness and are  missing her terribly.  Her favorite color was purple, and as I thought of how difficult this holiday must be for the two girls, an idea arose.  Why not put together a Christmas package for each of the girls containing purple things – a nod to their joyful mother in this, their first Christmas without her.  Purple no-slip socks, a purple cardinal ornament for their trees, (she loved birds) purple nail polish, purple candy coated chocolates, lavender soap.   It didn’t take a lot of effort or a lot of money to do this, and to drop it off at their home, give a hug and reminder that their sorrow is not forgotten, their mother is not forgotten.  And once again, it felt good, my soul lifted.  More light.

As I left their house I stopped in just down the hill  to visit 90 year old Marge .  This lady has always known how to make the best of any situation, ever the optimist.  She has many friends and family who love her, and she is still living on her own, taking care of a rescue dog I found for she and her now- deceased husband about five years ago.   That dog takes such good care of her, and she him.   She still cooks for herself and for company on occasion,  rarely if ever complaining about the many aches and pains that come with reaching that monumental milestone of a birthday. She’s seen a lot of good times, and some really hard times, watched this world turn upside down more than once.   She is concerned for the changes, but she also has faith that things will work themselves  out in the end.   90 years of observation  have proven it.  She is another who is always looking at the bright side.  While I thought I was doing something good for her on this visit, turns out she was the one gifting me.   More light, still.

If you are weary as you read this, for any of the multitude of reasons this life can provide, I’m wishing you peace in your heart and more light in your life – I promise any light you can shine on another in whatever the ways that are possible for you will reflect back onto you tenfold.

Till soon, friends –

 

 

 

26 thoughts on “More Light”

  3. I am indeed “weary”. Such good advice for us to look in a new direction for the rest of the year. And I’m gonna try to be a light—Like you !!! Best of everything to you, your family, and your fur babies this year. Linda in Tn.

  4. the pup looking out the window and that gorgeous jug of red berries in the last photo provided light to me. I love that photo and also your light giving and getting stories. this is the time of year lonely people get lonelier. thanks for reminding me. we all need to spread the light! I saw a bumper sticker in traffic last week and thought of you. it said, Elect a clown, expect a circus! I agree, just give up the angst that is caused by watching and listening and fretting. now if I could get my husband to do that. I keep telling him to stop watching and listening and get on with life.

    1. Well your husband and I need to heed your advice. and that bumper sticker – spot on!!

      Onward!….

  6. I’m with you as far as the deluge of bad news, which never fails to upend my sense of well-being. Head-in-sand at present… until we hit the streets soon here in NYC to demand impeachment AND removal. Meanwhile, here’s to acts of kindness at the local level, which you’ve demonstrated with compassion and commitment. Happy holidays to you and yours.

    1. We might see impeachment – (I mean seriously… what more would one need??) … but removal I just don’t think will happen. It appears he can get away with just about anything and his cohorts excuse just about anything.

  7. A Christmas post for sure Karen. Let there be light. That is why I am on a mission to find a lit up angel for my front yard. We need both this year.
    None other than Will Shakespeare said “How far that little candle throws his beam. So shines a good deed in a weary world.”
    And one of my favorite singer/song writers wrote “There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.” (Leonard Cohen)
    And a quote that brings it home to our very own doorsteps: “What if I am in charge of my own light switch?” J. Nelson
    Love you, Mom

      1. Found the angel. Amazon of course. She is on her way, and at 5 feet she should light up the street. M

  8. I’m with you on so many fronts here, Karen. I have a love/hate relationship with the news, on the TV and in my car. I used to just enjoy driving to music and looking at the scenery. I, too, have decided to take a break. And I’m limiting time perusing social media drastically. I’ve always admired your work with rescue animals and I’m helping every chance I get with the shelter where I found Poppy…whatever they are short on or a monetary donation.

    So much of the time I feel like–wake me up in two years and tell me what happened in our country. I’m exhausted being weighed down with anger, frustration, bewilderment, the ups and downs…none of this does anything good for our minds. Let’s feel the joy, as you say.

    Had a peek at your Thanksgiving post. You have a lovely family! Our blogs are perfect for preserving each and every holiday, and as always, your photography is beautiful.

    Jane

    1. Oh, Jane – ditto, ditto, ditto! And thank you for the kind words – your blog is inspiration, I am always happy to find a new post writing by you 🙂 And, I just love Poppy, and that you chose to adopt – kindred soul.

  9. Reading this post made me wish you and I were neighbors. I lost my Liberal nextdoor neighbor recently and am worried about who will move into her vacant house…what if it’s a ‘Trumpster’? So I’m praying hard for a “No Party Affiliation / non-political type.”

    I volunteer in 2 social service organizations to cancel out all the negativity on the news. But on particularly upsetting days, it doesn’t help — like when I read about the 16 year-old immigrant detainee who recently died on a cold, cement cell floor from flu. But wasn’t Nancy Pelosi a wonderful example of Christian love speaking of praying for Trump? I just love her!

    1. I loved Nancy’s response!!… as her daughter said… Don’t Mess With Nancy!. And of course Tr*mp’s idiot response to her riled me more. Such an ugly human being, it’s dumbfounding how anyone can admit they like him, and worse… vote for him!!. It says something about their soul as well, and I’ve lost interest in caring if that offends anyone.

  10. Your Mom likes Cohen!- She is a gem and a light in this weary world. I’m trying so hard but failing miserably. Keep reminding me/ all of us I’ll get there. 😀

    I wish I lived closer to you. I know you could find me my new best friend.

    1. Susan… I happen to have friends in high places when it comes to rescue dogs. Tell me what you’re looking for and I bet I can find him/her for you. There is transport available but only when we know it’s the absolute right fit. Do you follow Hilary/Crazy as a Loom? Her dear dog Naya is one of those 🙂 Any rescue I work with also takes the dog back into rescue should you find it’s not a good fit, but that rarely happens. And… normally a few meetings first is the best answer, but sometimes the right dog and the right fit happen without that initial meet because we know the dog and person well. Hence, Hilary and the perfect fit.

  11. I love your post today. I was watching more of the Impeachment proceedings today and actually felt it sucking the life out of me so I switched it off. I don’t know if I will remain strong but it is doing me no good watching it and feeling the rage build every time one of Trumps mouthpieces speaks with indignation. So thank you for spreading the light to my corner of the world. I wish you light and peace too. Thank you for all you do for your neighbours and rescue animals.
    Jo in Wisconsin.

    1. Oh, Jo… I’m right there with you.. would never have believed it would all go to shit so fast. Here’s hoping for a brighter future, and soon.

      Thanks for stopping by!

  12. This is absolutely beautiful, Karen. Beautiful in thought, word and deed. I appreciate your kindness and your care for others — and I suspect not just at this season, which can be so hard for many — but all the time. I don’t know if my recent post on grieving during the holidays would be helpful to Carol Anne’s daughters, but if you think it might be, pass it along. It can be a tough time for so many.

    To you, I wish light, love and a new year filled with hope.

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