Jeanette's Place

Merry Christmas!

I truly hope that this Christmastime brings you all that you are wishing for yourself.

Me?  I'm still reeling from the fact that it's been 7 - yes, seven!! - months since I last wrote.  You must have been bored out of your brain, waiting for me to get to it! 

Well, Christmas is always the time of year that I reflect on time past.  I know, most people tend to do that at New Year, but of course with my being different from most people it only seems right that I do it backwards way on! 

This year has been one of change for me.  2009 will forever be a pivotal year - much like 2001, 1999, 1992 - major events that have altered the course of my path, pushed me down a different fork in the road than perhaps I had intended.

The goodbyes have been difficult, but then parting from those we care about always is.   But the hellos have been warm, and the friends I have made are all the more welcome for being unexpected.

January and February will forever remain tinged with dark colours; I am not yet at the point where I am able to say that I have conquered the fears I faced, but I can say that at least they no longer have the same hold. 

March and April were particularly dark months, and the changes I wrought on my life and the lives of those closest to me were some of the hardest steps I have ever taken. 

The excitement of visiting Portugal - you'll have to take a look at the photographs on my FaceBook page - wiped most everything from my mind in June, before the major changes erupted less than 2 months later.

Though the view from my window has changed, my heart is light, and I feel peaceful. 

If we go with the homily  "life is a journey",  then the view should always change a little - it's just that this year it changed quickly and radically.  I'm excited by those changes, and happy.  What more could a person want for Christmas, but the happiness within that comes from knowing you're doing what's right for you?

I wish that for you, too.  I haven't sent cards this year, and couldn't afford to send gifts, so this is my gift to you:  I wish you happiness and courage - courage to make the changes that need to be made to attain the happiness you deserve.  Take heart, gird yourself, and do what is right for you.  How can you make anyone else happy, if your heart is heavy and your soul is weeping? 

Happy Christmas, my friend.  I wish you love, joy and peace at this time and always. 

xx