A Happy and New, New Year
Yes, it is.
We’ve done a lot of work on our project the past few weeks. Invisible things. Thinking and planning and praying and dreaming kinds of things. With the help of our publicist, we’ve mapped out our marketing plans for publication. This will mean a bit of patience as we continue on our new path.
We will be taking a short break from our blog, but will be back as soon as we can. Because as you know, we so believe we are meant to share what we’ve learned from Cate and each other. And we’d like to open up our conversation with all of you, to hear from you, to allow you to talk with each other. We plan to revamp our website and blog to simplify your ability to comment, talk with us and with the rest of our audience.
We all have much to share—and we couldn’t be more excited about what’s to come!
xo,
Angela and Noelle
A Forever Friendship
I followed behind my family into the church pew Tuesday night to hear the Christmas concert our choir performs every year. It’s really quite something, as the music director at our parish is also the producer of a Broadway show during the week. He always brings someone from the city to perform solos and duets with our cantor, who is also incredibly talented.
We arrived early to get a seat, as did most people. In front of us were an older woman and her husband in their early 70s I’d say. She was lovely, stylish and tall, and stood turned toward the back of church, waiting for someone to arrive. All at once, her arms started waving in the air and in an instant a couple their age approached, the two women throwing their arms around each other, the men shaking hands. The women friends smiled, and laughed and talked, as they took their seats, and continued this way until the concert began.
I couldn’t help but project this scene on my own life, thinking of Noelle and me in another 30 years. “You are going to dye those curls, you know,” I heard Noelle say in my imaginings as the lights dimmed. And as our music director launched into a solo performance on the organ, I was warmed with thoughts of forever friendship.
xo,
Angela
A Happy All Day Birthday
Cate loves birthdays, even when we’re not celebrating hers. She starts planning the events at least a couple of weeks before the actual day—and the events, almost always, revolve around what she loves to do.
It was my birthday this past weekend and she was on fire with scheduling the day. Here was her to-do list: wake up and show me her tattoo, “Cate loves Mom;” then go to her basketball game; then get a bacon, egg and cheese on an everything bagel at her favorite bagel place; then take Mabel to the dog park; then go out to lunch; then go to the movies to see Tangled because “S’Mom, you love that show;” then go out to dinner; then go home for cake; then watch a show together.
While we didn’t quite get to everything on Cate’s list, wherever we went, she told every single stranger, as well as those she knew, that it was my birthday, resulting in many “happy birthdays” from people. I found myself in such a good mood on Saturday. Her excitement was contagious. And that’s the gift of Cate. What’s your child’s gift to you?
xo,
Noelle
True Riches
Ordinary riches can be stolen,
real riches cannot.
In your soul
are infinitely precious things
that cannot be taken from you.
Oscar Wilde
Live Without Regrets
I talked on the phone Monday night with my next-door neighbor, Cathleen, to hear that her Dad’s heart procedure went well, that he didn’t need an angioplasty, and who at 80-years old and in his words is, “good for another 100,000 miles.” In hanging up the phone, I was again reminded to stop and embrace my blessings at this time of year when we’re burdened with checking off many gift lists. When so many are struggling with worries greater than we could possibly imagine.
And maybe this is true of you and your family right now.
To you, Noelle and I send our prayers, and to the rest we offer this kernel of wisdom: “Live without regrets.” A mantra Noelle’s father was famous for saying and one we repeat often. It grounds us and cuts right to the heart of how we should spend our time, especially during the holidays. Not in seeking the perfect wrap-able present, which doesn’t exist. But giving one from the heart: the gift of time together, of saying I love you, even when it’s hard. Of holding close the ones who matter most.
xo,
Angela
Getting Away For A Day
I often get overwhelmed by my to do list at this time of year, a list that grows ten fold each day. Every day life is too busy, and then you add all the extras and, well, it’s just over the top. So, instead of tackling the to do list this past Friday, I decided to bag it altogether and pull Cate and Claire out of school and do a New York City day. I wish I could have taken Caroline, too, but because of her high school classes and sports, she can no longer play hookie with us.
We met my mom and took the train down to the city to see the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, the window displays and decorations along Fifth Avenue, and pay way too much money at a hotel bar for two glasses of wine, two orange juices and an order of fries. Okay, guess how much. Can you believe $70? I know, completely insane! What can I say except the orange juice was definitely fresh squeezed and Cate and Claire say the chardonnay was nice and crisp—kidding!
Very honestly, these are the memories I want my kids to have, not memories of their mom being a complete crab cake at Christmas, but memories of laughter, fun and happy times. What are your plans for a little unexpected family fun this year?
xo,
Noelle
What You Seek Is Within
Your vision will become clear
only when you look into your heart.
Who looks outside, dreams.
Who looks inside, awakens.
Carl Jung
Redefining The Holidays
“Because that’s what Christmas is all about,” he said.
And how right he is. Christmas isn’t simply about this tremendous gift that only money could buy, but the intangible ones Noelle and I often talk about: the gift of peace of mind, of genuine kindness, of giving because you want to.
How are you going to recapture the essence of the holidays this year?
xo
Angela
Make A Difference
Life is brief, even at its longest.
Whatever you are going to do
with your life, get at it.
All good will be attacked
all values must be defended
in all areas of the human existence.
What we put into this world,
we get back from it.
Jim Rohn
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