Advice

Have you ever given advice that wasn't taken, and it is almost painful to watch the person you gave the advice to make a mistake? I know that it wasn't personal, but it kills me to see someone make mistakes that could have been prevented. I realize that this sounds pretty high and mighty on my part. I have found that advice is a really touchy thing. Most of the time people either misinterpret it or don't want it, or they feel offended if it is offered without asking. I wonder what the best way to offer wanted or usable advice is.

I think that the key is to leave it open-ended. A standing offer of assisstance is probably the best method.

Already?

I am amazed at how quickly we get in to Christmas mode. It seems like someone throws a switch after Halloween and everyone starts operating differently - decorations must be put up, meals must be planned, and presents must be purchased. Growing up, it seemed like I didn't even think of Christmas unil it started to snow, and the Advent Calendar was pulled out of storage. Is it just me, or is it moving further back every year? I have seen Christmas lights on people's houses already! It seems like I just put mine away a few months ago.

I guess the other part of this is that I am not looking forward to the holidays without my mom. Maybe I am just not ready to think about Christmas, and what it will be like without her around. I never could have imagined Christmas without the center of our family, but I have to. I am in a total daze about what to do this year - should I host everything, should I leave it to someone else, will I feel like celebrating with family? I don't want to think about it, but I realize that I will have to. I have such mixed feelings about the whole thing.

Happy Birthday

Today is my birthday and I am really missing my mom. I think that it's because a birthday is really about you and your mother. I know that if she were still alive I would have had lunch with her, or possibly dinner. My friend told me today that the first year after losing someone is the hardest because you have to go through all of the special days without them for the first time. I really am not looking forward to Christmas without her.

I voted, which was exciting, but took a long time. I am very interested to see who won, but I can't bear to turn on the TV or radio and listen to all the speculation. I don't want to hear anything until they know for sure. It is interesting to hear about how the entire global community is interested in our election. It is naive of me to think that it only matters here in America. It really affects so many people in so many places. I hope everyone that can vote, voted today.