tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35612423.post3606607188138079926..comments2024-03-08T22:46:34.460-05:00Comments on What I Wore 2Day: 40 B4 40: Holiday CardsKasmirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01866928448186848884noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35612423.post-71670117879987862022015-11-06T15:10:48.084-05:002015-11-06T15:10:48.084-05:00I was raised Jewish and grew up to be atheist. In ...I was raised Jewish and grew up to be atheist. In the early years of our marriage I celebrated Christmas with my husband's family; he was raised Unitarian and grew up to be atheist.<br /><br />We have created our own Christmas and Chanukah tradition - a festival of lights to counter the darker days of winter. We fill our home inside with lights and outside with light strands my husband creates. We invite family over for dinner to share food and friendship. But mostly it is about basking in the glow of the lights and raising our spirits and the spirits of those around us.<br /><br />Whatever you choose to do or not to do, enjoy that it is of your own making. And that you do it with your family of Beefy and the puppies.<br /><br />By the way, I enjoy reading your blog. I feel like I'm seeing an old friend each time I pop over. :)Lauriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10896939296742508794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35612423.post-81912380170880657532014-12-11T14:02:56.080-05:002014-12-11T14:02:56.080-05:00My most beautiful Christmases memoirs are from whe...My most beautiful Christmases memoirs are from when I was a child.<br />Unfortunately as i grew older I longed for those, but sadly the magic died.<br />Maybe its the fact that I have a sucky family that its better not to see as all you will get is criticism.<br />Maybe its because even though I grew up in a Catholic environment I have drifted a bit..<br />Could be because of the pressure, the traffic and the idea that you HAVE to do something you don't want to.<br />I limit my gifts to children and a few unmarried friends. I put up a tree, mostly for my husband and I have to admit the smell of pine is something I enjoy.<br />I hope to someday start a tradition, I am right behind you, so I think we still have time.<br />My family is too made up of pets :) and this year I just hope they don't pee on the presents under the tree. Hugs.<br />Lorenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16720997862417551402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35612423.post-37238600712381914232014-12-02T01:56:49.547-05:002014-12-02T01:56:49.547-05:00Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state ...Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of <a href="http://www.ufgop.org/pdf/christmas" rel="nofollow">christmas</a>. See the link below for more info. <br /><br /><br />#Christmas<br />www.ufgop.orgAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07720547920308398294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35612423.post-16340413857203309132014-12-01T23:19:47.989-05:002014-12-01T23:19:47.989-05:00Maybe the feelings or magic will come to the child...Maybe the feelings or magic will come to the child in you. If you lay on the floor looking up at the tree lights while listening to Silent Night and eating a cookie someone else baked, imagining santa is coming but not trying to make it happen it could just be a beginning of finding that deeply held child memory of what is Christmas. Muster up your own longings and memories and own them!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10117607526625387059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35612423.post-75309406304588286872014-12-01T16:31:06.807-05:002014-12-01T16:31:06.807-05:00Like all others have said it's worth celebrati...Like all others have said it's worth celebrating hope and the good in us. You need to built a few traditions together with Dan and before you know it you will celebrate your own Christmas.Angiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00983379246655422263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35612423.post-21420311263934878352014-12-01T14:05:48.276-05:002014-12-01T14:05:48.276-05:00I am a Christian and I don't particularly feel...I am a Christian and I don't particularly feel like Christmas is really a "reglious" holiday anymore. MY family goes to church on Christmas eve and in our home we interweave the themes of Christ's birth........but Christmas is just an American holiday, IMHO. There is so little religious about it! That said........I think it IS a little bit about faith and magic and little miracles and I don't think you need to believe in God to believe in those things. The good part about it not really being a religious holiday anymore is that it can be about the collective good in all of us. It can be about the unseen things we do for one another to make life better. I think the enjoyment of the holiday has to do with believing in *good*, wherever that comes from. And I think enjoying the holiday also has to do with ignoring other folks who tell you "youre doing it wrong!". <br /><br />FWIW..............C Lohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15004806614142927150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35612423.post-42363613136311536282014-12-01T12:35:58.028-05:002014-12-01T12:35:58.028-05:00It's never too late to start traditions. Whil...It's never too late to start traditions. While I grew up with all the trappings of Christmas, I haven't kept many of them, and I've started new ones with my husband and kids. Some of those are now my favorite part of Christmas. I think engaging with people in meaningful ways is much more what Christmas is about that than all the trappings anyway.<br /><br />Love the photo too!<br /><br />~JAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35612423.post-74190337388716628832014-11-29T01:31:33.415-05:002014-11-29T01:31:33.415-05:00I grew up in a JW household as well, and have had ...I grew up in a JW household as well, and have had the same struggles finding my own identity at holiday seasons. <br /><br />I get a lot of pleasure from giving presents that I think people will like. But gifts isn't THE reason for the season, although it's a big one. <br /><br />We keep an open house at Christmas for those of our friends who, for reasons of distance or what have you, don't have family to share the day with. (Or those who've done the family thing then want to escape!) It's helped having the house full of cheerful people, good food; building a tradition of community, rather than family. <br /><br />I still feel displaced at times, but it helps. Mahalnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35612423.post-48557100752481988652014-11-28T19:15:20.513-05:002014-11-28T19:15:20.513-05:00I love your card! Your family is like mine, 2 huma...I love your card! Your family is like mine, 2 humans, 2 dogs, 1 cat. Youngest dog is half border and very joyful!blackdogramonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04375881558561597663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35612423.post-73737670518210444272014-11-28T18:32:47.861-05:002014-11-28T18:32:47.861-05:00Although I grew up with all the trappings which at...Although I grew up with all the trappings which at times leave me feeling trapped, metaphorically, into Obligations, I find as I get older that I want to participate less and less in what feels like going through the motions. I would rather go to a friend's for dinner than go through the horrifying rituals with my family (you can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family). I don't put up a tree any more, I would rather buy presents for people when genuinely moved to do so, not because it's expected. *sigh*<br /><br />I miss your kitties in the pictures, but it's great to see your family looking so happy, Kasmira. Thanks for the glimpse into your life.Sheilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07735339885677950350noreply@blogger.com