Christmas month - Day 29

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And we're back in Singapore!  As this is posted at midnight, we would have just arrived into Changi Airport and probably lugging our heavy bags with all the goodies from our trip to Manila.

The year is almost ending and it's time to take stock of life and love and be thankful that we made it safely through the year.  

Today will be a day of rest and catching up with news of what's happened in our absence.

Christmas month - Day 27

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I hope that by the time this is published, I have done all that I hoped to do, visited all the places I hoped to see, shopped for all the things I hoped to buy, eaten all the food that I hoped to taste, and seen all the people I hoped to meet.

As this is a scheduled post, I sit here and write about the future. 

It will be our fifth morning in Manila, and I imagine that the time here has filled our hearts with joy, love and peace.  I will check my blog, remember the sweet and little pleasures of life while I sip my coffee at breakfast, enjoying the beautiful view at our hotel club lounge.  

Christmas Month - Day 19

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I loved my grandfather as much as he loved me.  He was probably the one who taught me about unconditional love.

I remember so much about him.  Often I see something and memories of what he said makes me smile.  

This was his birthdate.  I always liked that he never made a big deal about being a December baby.  But it was!

Christmas Month - Day 18

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Every year Stephen and I have chosen to do something extra for someone.  Often it is a surprise that we hope would refresh faith in humanity. 

What do we hope to achieve from this?  Nothing.

What is the side effect? Feeling good.

It's exciting that we haven't decided yet.  So many possibilities to consider and we will know when we feel that peace in our hearts.

Christmas Month - Day 15

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I cannot say it enough.  There's magic whenever Christmas comes around.  I feel it in my bones.  It's amazing.

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And I hope my blog helps me to remember each day of December 2018.   

Christmas Month - Day 13

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I fully agree that it is what we make of it.  There were some Christmases in times gone by when I was too sad to be merry or cheery.  What a waste it was to not have known that it was up to me to make the best of it.

And now that I know better, I realise the decision to be happy is in our hands.

Christmas Month - Day 12 Part 2

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In memory of our Allie Girl.  

She was a huge part in the life of her Mama and then became a big part in the life of her Papa.  She will be missed so very much especially today.

Day 24 Christmas Eve

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Everything is set for today and tomorrow.  We have church to attend and then prep for dinner.  

Whatever it is, we're celebrating not only because Christmas is tomorrow but also because today is our wedding anniversary.  

When we decided on this date, we knew that it would always be doubly special because it's in the most wonderful month of the year plus everywhere is filled with joyful, happy people.  It's contagious.

Anyway, despite and in spite of the odds being against us to last, here we are, still together.  

Happy anniversary, darling!

Day 23 Christmas Baby

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Oh yes, indeed!  A baby changes everything.  Even when our children are all grown up, they're always our babies, no matter how old they get.

Just like Baby Jesus and how his birth changed everything, our babies change everything for us.  

Even when we don't think about it, our lives revolve around them.  We think about them.  We worry about them  We pray for them.  We talk about them.  We connect daily with them.  What would life be without them?

To have them here and to be able to shower them with our love, care and concern means so much to us.  I always like to think we're making memories: Christmas memories, to boot!

Day 22 Christmas Hearts

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Oh yes, they do!  Two hearts are coming home for Christmas. We're always happy when they do plan to be with us.  It's exciting and fun to have our children with us, especially, at Christmas.

We do understand that they won't always be able to spend it here in Singapore but we love it when they do.  There's so much happening that we can happily fill each day with loads to do or buy.  Sales are on everywhere and we already started our shopping ten days ago.  Sorry, kids, we didn't wait. 

It'll be a full house!  Full of fun, love, and laughter when we get together.  And eating, that's a foregone conclusion, since we all love to eat. 

Blessed Christmas Wishes

Day 19 Christmas Memories

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Without fail, I always think of my grandpa on this day.  He would have been 108 years old today.

We all called him Papa.  In fact, everyone called him Papa.  His children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren all called him Papa.  No one bothers about it.  I like that.  No protocol and just a term of endearment.  

I still think of him every now and then and today especially, I feel sad that he's no longer with us. All of a sudden, I miss him more.

Day 15 Christmas Time

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It's really been a good two weeks of December for me.  I haven't felt rushed or stressed about getting organised for Christmas.  

Plus I can check off every thing on this list, despite binging on Christmas movies and my TV series, I should add.  

When I was working, I used to feel a bit of tension the moment we hit the first of December.  I wondered when I would start to "Christmastise" the home.  I wondered how I would do it all.  More often than not, I would work a full day and then after dinner I'd start on the decorations.  It wasn't easy but I did do my best and always felt satisfied with everything.

These last years, it's been easier.  I've either become better at it or I've become more easy-going.  It's not about overdoing but just about doing.  And I'm done!  

Yay!  Celebrate!  

Okay, maybe not yet.  I'm still tweaking some things every now and then!  

Day 8 Christmas Feelings

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Almost every mall is decked with Christmas decorations. It's lovely to see the different themes of each one and as always the famous Singapore Orchard Road is brimming with people who go to take in the sights and sounds of everything.

It's impossible not to feel Christmas in the air if you walk through Orchard Road when the lights are all up.  

We haven't gone yet but we've seen some images and videos already. Maybe we'll wait for the children to go with them.  Or maybe not! 

Day 3 Christmas Santa

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Stephen just told mom that he still believes in Santa Claus.  Mom smiled at this.  He said that when he was a small boy, he truly believed that Santa would come at night and he tried to look out for him.  Now that he's older and wiser, he still believes in Santa.  I think we all want to and in some way, it's a nice memory from our childhood that we can safely carry into our adulthood.  

These words in the image resonates with the spirt of Santa Claus.  So let's give freely without expectation and spread joy, love and light.

Day 2 Christmas Cards

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I used to be very "rajin" to send cards before and took pride in choosing lovely ones for each person.  Now it's almost an obsolete choice, with all the technology available, but I am amazed that there are still people who buy, write a note, put a stamp on the envelope and post a card off.

Anyway, I did send something out to surprise a handful of people.  I'm hoping it will brighten their day.  

Stephen was equally happy that we found something practical and special.  He was pretty excited that we are doing something clandestine.  Hahahahaha.  He wants them all to receive it on the same day but with the postal system and heavy delivery schedule, I doubt very much that this will happen.

Christmas is forever

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This is true in so many ways.  Many, many years ago, we had a Christmas in April (if I remember correctly).  I was living in Section 14, Petaling Jaya then and we had several family members at home that day so we celebrated Christmas then. 

Why? 

Well, Why not?

It's always Christmas if we feel love in our hearts.  

It's always Christmas if we hold on to love in our hearts.

It's always Christmas if we remember the love in our hearts.

It just can't get any better than knowing that Christmas is not just one day or one season.  Christmas is forever.