Daily Archive: December 1, 2008

 Flaherty Christmas tree 2008 – Putting a virtual tree out there in honor of recruit Kate. Even though Kate will be spending Christmas on Parris Island,  she helped decorate this tree before she left.  I took this picture, printed it, and mailed it to Kate today, hoping to send her a little Christmas cheer.   Every ornament on our tree is special in one way or another, and no two are alike.  This year we added a Half Dome ornament!   Next year it will be the Eagle and Globe of the United States Marine Corp. 

Let your heart be light!

We have a lot to be thankful for.  As I was getting ready for a bike ride on Thanksgiving morning,  I went to kiss Barb goodbye and wish her a happy day.  She was already happy!  “Both my girls are home” she said with a sleepy smile on her face.

Yes, a rarity these days. Kelly, who had been “moved out” for the last two years,  has moved back in.  Kate is only with us for another 5 days then she is off to Marine Corp recruit training.  So, for a few precious weeks,  all the Flahertys are together again.  As I sat there on the bed  Thanksgiving morning, we both realized that this may be the last time that we are all together in this way,  everyone waking up in their own beds. Who knows where the next three years will lead Kate. The world is her oyster.  Kelly, who has already had a taste of “adult life” will surely try to get back out of the house ( and into the world)  as quickly as possible.   But for these few days, we are a family, just like the old days.

I’ve been playing some of my favorite Christmas music lately, and really getting into the Christmas spirit. We have a good collection of Christmas music. From the Vienna Boys Choir to Jimmy Buffett, and everything in between.  A few years ago we got a promotional Diana Krall Christmas CD, with just three songs on it.  Slow jazz versions of “Jingle Bells”,  “Christmas Time is here”, and “Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas”.  I love it!

Have yourself a merry little Christmas has become my Christmas favorite!  I play it a lot.   The second line of the song is “let your heart be light”.  I like that.  I’ve been thinking about it.  Let your heart be light.  What does that mean exactly?  I think it means that if everything is good in your life, your heart is light.   If you have worry, fear, anger, or negative things going on, then your heart gets heavy.  So  “let your heart be light”  is a good wish for people,  that their “heart be light.”  I liked it so much that I thought I’d write a jimsjoint posting about it!  I was feeling the Christmas spirit and wanted to share it!

Ok, but before I start the posting,  let me go check on Barb and the pups.  Quietly I go into the house,  Barb is sleeping soundly, pups under the covers.  Not wanting to wake her up, I go use the hall bathroom, then back to my office to begin my “let your heart be light”  post.

I sit down, bring the screen up on the computer. Humming the Christmas tune while waiting for the screen to load. I type the post heading:  “Let your heart be light.”  As I begin the rest of the posting, something catches my eye on the floor.  What is that on the carpet?  Mud?  Closer look.  Smeared dog poop!   YUCK!   I check my shoe –  CRAP!!!!!  BOTH SHOES!!!  DAMMIT!!!

Kick the shoes off  and go  back into the house to see where I stepped on it. Sure enough, one of the little monsters had pooped on the rug  in the hallway.  I stepped in it then proceeded to drag it down to the bathroom, then back down the hall, and out to my office. FRIGGIN DOGS!!!! Bottle of 409 and roll of paper towels, I begin to clean. First the two spots in the bathroom *gag* , pick up the other “dog log”  out in the hallway *ble* , then scrub the smear in my office *gag* *ble* ,  hose the crap off my slippers and throw my office throw rug outside.  Oh yeah, I also had to light incense in my office because  the smell was terrible! *gag* *ble*.  To make matters worse, I had put the poop filled bottom of my shoe on the legs and rollers of my office chair, so, poop there too!!!!!! GRRRRRRRR!!!  Here it is, 7:30 in the morning and I’m scrubbing dog shit while everyone else is snuggled warm in their bed!  My bed!  INCLUDING THE LITTLE SHITTER!!!!!  Something is not right here!!!

As I’m on my knees, gagging and cursing and wiping the last piece of dog shit off my chair, I look up at my computer and see what I had just typed………. let your heart be light…..

*sigh*

I took a deep breath, and smiled. Is God testing me??  Just 15 minutes ago I was full of the Christmas spirit and all things good. My heart was light!  Then, suddenly,  it wasn’t.  BUT NOW IT IS AGAIN!!!  I saw those words on the computer screen and, remembered.  I can’t let the negativity of the moment ruin the beginning of a wonderful day and wonderful feeling!!!   I can change the way I feel. I can let my  own  heart be light!!    Into the house I went with a renewed outlook. Like the Grinch who stole Christmas, my heart grew 5 times bigger!   I  made Barb her morning cup of coffee and then kicked  the dogs.  Hey, it made my heart feel light!  (jk)

Christmas (and life in general) can become overwhelming, or stressful, or negative.  Not what Christmas is about.  This holiday season I hope we can all focus on what is good, what is healthful in our lives.  Physically, mentally and spiritually, and not necessarily in that order.

 Let your heart be light!