Less is more . . .
Category Archives: Gratitude

Merry and Bright

by Holly

 

I gave away the pretty, little emerald ring that my high school/college sweetheart gave to me for Christmas. It was a lovely ring—not tremendously fancy, but full of sentiment. It has been nearly 15 years since we parted ways. And for just as long, that little ring has sat unworn in my jewelry box. An unfortunate fate for something so pretty. 

So, after thinking about it for a few years, I decided it was time to find this ring a new home. Time to pass along the joy I experienced when I received this ring myself. Knowing it could brighten someone else’s holiday meant more to me than holding onto it. An energetic exchange. 

After posting an ad in the Free section on Craigslist, I received an e-mail from a mother whose family had recently lost all of their possessions in a house fire. Everyone escaped without harm; however, all of their creature comforts and sentimental belongings were lost. Perhaps this ring will begin a new collection of sentimental possessions. 

Her daughter, the soon-to-be owner of my ring, is a 12-year-old girl with sparkly eyes, slender fingers, and a wide smile. She came by my house with her father and younger brother to pick up a comfy leather chair and some holiday decorations that I was also giving away. Little did she know, in the pocket of her dad’s Patriots sweatshirt, was a small box containing something sparkly and special, especially for her. Her mother planned to put it under the Christmas tree with a note saying it was sent from an angel. 

I could rattle off a hundred reasons why I’m anything but an angel. I’m just been fortunate over the years to have bought and received a lot of lovely things, for which I am oh so grateful. 

_________________________________________________________________________
© 2010 Good Karma Housekeeping. Because gratitude goes both ways. 


All I Want for Christmas Is . . .

by Holly

All I want for Christmas is a Christmas card. Yes, a card. With a pretty picture on the front and words, penned by you, on the inside.

Heartfelt thoughts. Well wishes. Future plans. A remember-when story. Whatever feels right. Whatever feels true.

Sure, I like things. Cozy sweaters, sparkly jewelry, and decorative knick-knacks. I do. But really, I have plenty. Your words, however, are one of a kind. Something I can treasure forever.

_________________________________________________________________________
© 2010 Good Karma Housekeeping. Because our mailboxes should be fillied with joy, not junk mail. (Photo by Aunt Owwee via Creative Commons.)


Playlist: Just Purr and Sing Along

by Holly

Ah, the Meow Meow Lullaby. Such a silly, simple, sweet song. Makes me smile every time I hear it. Reminds me of my own little fella . . .

Definitely an atypical tune from Nada Surf. Most of the videos out there for the song are of some scrappy concert footage, tots and tweens giving it a go, and slideshows cobbled together from Google images. The link above was the best of the bunch. Be sure to listen close to the end of the song. Melts the ol’ heart.

* * *

I stumbled across this blog post, On Losing a Beloved Pet, from Christine Kane last summer and promptly bookmarked it—after reading it twice and shedding a few tears, of course.

It’s about guilt and second guessing and knowing (or not knowing) when “it’s time.” It’s about life and the gift of time, surrender and experiencing the release of this furry being you treasure.

If you’re a pet parent, bookmark it. If you have friends who are pet parents, bookmark it for them. The wisdom runs deep. In the meantime, just purr and sing along . . .

_________________________________________________________________________
© 2010 Good Karma Housekeeping. Because I wholeheartedly believe that pets are the secret to having a happy home.


They’re Free: Smiles & Compliments

by Holly

Me: It has been great seeing you more often at the studio!

Friend: Thanks! You always have such a nice smile for me.

Made my day.

_________________________________________________________________________
© 2010 Good Karma Housekeeping. Because, like fond memories, smiles and compliments are gifts that we can always find room for in our lives. (Photo by netwalkerz_net via Creative Commons.)


Gifted with Love, with Patience, and with Faith

by Holly

Back in grad school, I was researching motherhood for a story I was thinking about writing. In the process of doing so, I stumbled across scotthousehold.com, where a Texas couple, Jenny and Andrew Scott, shared photos of their cherubic first-born daughter Allie with friends and family.

I discovered the site in the summer of 2004—shortly after their daughter was diagnosed with leukemia at five months of age. On the family website, Jenny provided daily updates on Allie’s health. I read through the archives and kept this little girl and her brave family tucked warmly in my heart.

Every day, I checked in to see how Allie was doing. There were hundreds, if not thousands, of others doing the same. Through Jenny’s updates, I witnessed what it meant to have a strong spirit—and to be gifted with love, patience, and faith.

I remember checking Allie’s website when I woke up in the morning on September 14 and learned of her passing the night before. I remember shedding tears for this mother whom I had never met. I sent out a lot of positive vibes over the few months that I followed Allie’s fight with cancer, and her parent’s struggle to make sense of it all.

On that morning six years ago, when purchasing my morning bagel and iced coffee at Bruegger’s before heading to class, the song “Wonder” by Natalie Merchant came on over the speakers. The same song Jenny had sung to Allie during her final moments of life. Whenever I hear that song—and I seem to hear it more often than you might think—I am reminded that life is indeed an ephemeral gift.

_________________________________________________________________________
© 2010 Good Karma Housekeeping. Because memories are filled with life. (Photo by Frank Peters via Creative Commons.)

Blog Widget by LinkWithin

Scrappy Theme by Caroline Moore | Copyright 2012 Good Karma Housekeeping | Powered by WordPress