I SIMPLY REMEMBER MY FAVORITE THINGS.... Annual Holiday Blog Reflection!

 Once again, Christmas is in the air, hopefully bringing us warm memories of time well spent with those we love.  Better than the presents we give and receive is the presence we offer with our friends and family--time spent truly savoring each others' company, setting aside all the daily stresses and responsibilities, if only for a little while.  Taking time to stop and look at all of the beauty around us, to engage in deep conversation, to get out and enjoy the beauty of nature here in the desert; now, perhaps more than ever, these are all good ways to refocus, set new goals for the upcoming year, and empower ourselves to pursue our dreams.  Another way is to stop and consider all the things we love, those things that make us smile --things for which we are so grateful...and then, put pen to paper.

Christmas is the best time to do this, for sure, but it is important, as our dear friend Charles Dickens suggests, to "keep Christmas alive and well in our hearts, all the year through."  As we prepare to say goodbye to 2021, I am, once again, renewing the "My Favorite Things" post: an annual activity to make a list of the things that each of us holds most dear--those things we love and cherish in this life.

So, to review for those who have done this before, and to introduce to those who are new to the blog this year, here are the rules for the annual Favorite Things post:  Make a list of your 25 most favorite THINGS. The key word is THINGS.  No people allowed on your list!  That removes the pressure you may feel to name every family member and friend.  People and things should never be categorized together.  People come first.  This list is much more light-hearted!  (I will, however, allow you to include animals/pets on this list in addition to things).

This was REALLY tougher than I thought to narrow it down to 25 for me (initially, I was afraid I would draw a blank!) but here is what came to mind this year first for me.  Try to just take pen to paper and write what comes to your mind first.  These will probably be the most honest.  :)

Let's begin this beautiful Christmas Season, and ring in the New Year with a list of all the things we love...those things for which we are most grateful, shall we?

MRS. CARAWAY'S FAVORITE THINGS...(in no particular order)

1.  Cathedral bells- especially those of my favorite, Notre Dame.
2.  The sound of my son Christian playing the piano.
3.  England's Christmas Market (and the smell of roasting chestnuts and steaming hot cocoa!)
4.  Ice-skating
5.  Ballet
6.  Normandy - and being in the presence of REAL heroes

   

7.  Paris at twilight.  I mean, check out the light!!  WOW!!

8.  Secrets Beach in Kauai
9.  WW2 History
10. Gifts from the heart
11. Word-smithery: writing with such passion, you lose all sense of time and space. 
12.  Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.  
13.  Things that sparkle (candlelight, glitter, jewels, etc)
14.  Standing on the stage at night after the last rehearsal - anticipation everywhere.
15.  My pets, Katya and Maggie, and their unconditional love example.
16.  Really good French wine...and French food...and everything French.

17.  Thunderstorms

18.  The sound of my children laughing out loud together, all in the same room.
19.  A well-told story.
20.  Outrageously unique and beautiful vintage shoes.
21.  Unexpected discoveries around hidden corners in my travels through Europe
22.  My faith and the mystery of GRACE.
23. PERFUME!
24.  Riding on Airplanes to new and exciting places.
25.  HOPE.

Now, it's your turn... 

Make YOUR list....and remember, it cannot include people.  It must be a list of things (which may include sounds and feelings).  

May this mark an attitude of gratitude in your heart, that you may keep the joy and love of Christmas all year through!