Happy People Dancing

As we are ending the year 2008, I thought I would pay tribute to one of my favorite links of all time. They are 3 semi-short videos from Stride Gum. It is of Matt’s Place. The entire website is dedicated to ‘happy people’ dancing. Despite political boundaries, cultures and customs, we are essentially the same. We want peace and enjoyment out of life.

http://www.stridegum.com/#/mattsplace/. [Once on the website, click on the 2008 picture, you will then be able to move through the three videos by way of the right and left arrows.] No one can stay angry or mad if they are dancing with all their heart. One of the ways we display happiness is by dancing. Look at the joy in each person’s face as they exhibit their enthusiasm and vigor.

Lynn and I hope 2009 will bring all of us, despite our vast differences, plenty of tolerance and oodles of love.
-Shelly

A Strange Turn of Events

Merry Christmas from Lynn & Shelly!

For our other special friends, Happy Hanukkah!

And for all of our other brothers and sisters who live on this planet who share their deity holidays on days other than December ... It is our wish that we all can find peace and happiness in 2009 and beyond.

Decked up!

We have 'decked up our halls' with the festivities and lights of the season. Lynn and I started decorating the day after Thanksgiving. We were surprised when we received an outdoor angel from my mom and dad, which we placed on our balcony. I'm sure the planes landing at O'hara and taking off from Midway airports can spot our beacon of light. Our little place in the world brightens up the area. Actually, most of our neighbors homes are decorated ... it's a nice warm feeling driving up to our house and seeing all the pretty colored lights and feeling the spirit of the season.

-Shelly

From The Heart

A marvelous thing happened to me today while sitting in church. We were just finishing with the opening song in our Sacrament meeting and listening to the announcements when a young girl, probably 3 years or younger decided to use the bench space next to me as her working table. She was very busy drawing some remarkable pictures. She noticed me looking at her drawings. I leaned over and whispered to her that the picture she was working on was very pretty. She took the writing tablet, went over to her dad and had him help her tear the page out of the book. Then she handed the picture to me. I gave her a hug and told her thank you for the picture. I asked her if she could write her name on the paper. She was too young for that, so her dad wrote her name on the top.

Her small gesture touched me so much. At this time of year it seems we are so connected to the hustle and bustle of the Christmas and holiday season that we forget that it was a child, a baby boy, whose birth many of us celebrate this time of year that changed the world. It is children that continue to grow up and change our society.

Here is Colette’s picture. Colette has never met me or Lynn, so this is the first time she has laid eyes on us; yet, she was so willing to share her talents and love with a perfect stranger. “And, a little child shall lead them …” and so has a child touch my heart today.

-Shelly