A Christmas Miracle

We've had snow for most of two weeks.

Maybe longer.

I honestly don't remember when our first snow fell.

The temperatures have been in the low 20 degrees Fahrenheit most days.

A few times it has been in the single digits and below zero.

We will probably have a white Christmas.

A large foot print marred the snow by our brick sidewalk.

A few days ago when I heard our daughter exclaim,

"Oh oh oh no ~ Mom look!", 

 imagine my surprise to see nestled into the deepest gouge of the foot print...this:

A BUTTERFLY!!
 

What?

It was 9 degrees and had been "cold and snowy" for days.

Where did it come from?
It was "cold and snowy" for miles around.
 

We scooped it up and brought it inside.

Sadly, in spite of our efforts, it didn't live.

But we have kept it in a cup.

It is a reminder to me.

In unexpected ways and unimaginable places, the most unusual things can happen.

Miracles...
even Christmas miracles!

A Final Goodbye

 Today dawns, dreary and bleak. 

Fresh snow has fallen overnight.

The sky is heavy as though there may be more snow to come.

In a few hours, our little historical town will say a final goodbye

to our mayor.
Our town has never said goodbye to a currently serving mayor.
Today is a first.

The procession will pause in front of his house before continuing to City Hall and then the cemetery.

He has been our neighbor for many years.

How do you say goodbye?

Swinging From The Rafters...or is it "RINGING" from the rafters?

 While everyone has been all like...

decked out in their tutus...

dancing to the strains of...

"The Sugar Plum Fairy"...

 and twirling and swaying to...

 "raindrops on roses"

 I've been ever so preoccupied with...

swinging from the rafters...

and rappelling off two story stair railings...

or things that FEEL like I'm doing that...

as I rush from house to house decorating for a plethora of

seasonal Christmas customers.

On a quick pass through of our foyer yesterday,

I couldn't help myself,

I stopped and twirled

and pirouetted

and I wanted to sing liltingly to the top of my lungs...

about "whiskers on kittens"

and "dust bunnies under french provincial chairs"

sort of...

as I climbed on the furniture

to capture in some small way

the essence of these beautiful rainbows

that were scattered across the room

as the sun beamed through the beveled window.

In a few moments they were gone.

 

And SO was I...

little red tutu and all...

well not quite.

 

 

 

I Can't Count That High

When I look out the upstairs windows,

 I see a perspective that is different from the first floor.

  It was early morning and the clouds were glowing.

 

At initial glance,

the clouds were densely scattered and foreboding. 

 However, after further observation, it was obvious that the sun was brilliantly shining behind them.

 

Obviously, time has not allowed me to post for several days,

 and especially during the Thanksgiving season,

 I have reflected on more blessings than I can count.

Unfortunately as I have reflected on blessings,

I have been reminded of so many failures.

 

When I begin to feel that twisting pain in my heart,
 over my failures and faults and shortcomings,
 and my ears burn as I remember all the things I do wrong
and I sigh and utter a whispered, "I'm so sorry,"
to the things I've said that I wish I would have left unsaid,

 I'm reminded there is a glowing LIGHT of blessing behind all the foreboding,
 all the faults,
 failures,
and words spoken in haste,
tiredness,
busyness,
and frustration.

I just need to change my perspective and look for the LIGHT
 and embrace it.

I seek the LIGHT with all my heart.
 

 

Yes, truly I have more blessings than I can count,

 but there are two that I will share here.

 

#1

 YOU:

 I am so thankful for you. 

You read my blog,
 leave me comments,
 send me emails
 or texts
 or facebook messages
 or phone calls
 or personal words. 

 That means more than I can express,
 after sharing a tiny part of what goes on
 here on our "Romantic Porch".

  I am truly thankful for you!

 

#2 

 My HUSBAND:

  Ah yes, I met him on Thanksgiving Day
many years ago now. 

 Four years later he was my husband
 and I've never looked back! 

 I am blessed beyond measure by him,
to be with him.

 

I won't try to count any other blessings...

I simply can't count that high.

 

 

I know that people have moved on past November and the daily thankfulness and have turned their attention to all things Christmas, but if you want to share a thankful thought with me,

I would love to hear it!