“So this is Christmas…” the words of Sarah McLachlan’s seasonal favorite played in my head as we sat in acute care at Surrey Memorial Hospital on Christmas Day. My dad, visiting from Manitoba along with my mom, had a mild stroke on the 23rd and we kept bedside vigil as he regained strength and endured many tests. Thanks to those who have and continue to pray for him and my mom. “…and what have you done…” This line brought a smile regarding different things. I recall the sting of such sentiments in recent years as I anticipated and then recovered from surgery. While I now acknowledge ‘waiting well’ as a significant accomplishment, it makes for a short check list in an annual review. Perhaps this year should be interpreted as making up for lost time. I built a website to launch myself back into the work world and ended up not just with lovely coaching clients but a half-time dream position at Food for the Hungry. I traveled with my husband to Manitoba and Cambodia; our youngest son got married, and we became grandparents by another son. Those are just the highlights. “Another year over…” I’m sure I wouldn’t have believed anyone had they foretold this past year for me back in December 2015. Isn’t that the way things go? Some of life proceeds as planned, some of the expected never materializes and surprises arrive in all shapes and packages. How grateful I am that I do not know the future, but I know the One who does. “…a new one just begun.” And so I pause to reflect back on God’s goodness and faithfulness in 2016, before all 2017 may hold. Yes, uncertainties abound and difficulties and challenges are sure to arise. There will be delightful opportunities to rejoice and laugh and celebrate. And, there will be everything in between. As I enter this new year, I want to do so with a heart receptive to God’s unfailing love; eyes alert to see His handiwork; ears attentive to gentle whispers; and hands opened wide in surrender to His will. I pray this for each of you as well. Happy New Year. With love and gratitude, Shelaine © 2017
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As you know, we became grandparents for the first time this year.
In February, after our son shared news of this upcoming arrival, I spent weeks with the song, “A Baby Changes Everything,” running through my head. Grayson certainly has, in the most delightful way, changed our world. But that song isn’t about the joy of grand-parenting. As one stanza says: Choir of angels sing Glory to the newborn King A baby changes everything And then later: My whole life has turned around I was lost but now I’m found A baby changes everything That baby who changed the course of history, born the Savior of the world and yet for you and me, is Jesus Christ. He is the Christ of Christ-mas. He is the baby who changes everything. Will you let Him? Here’s the link if you are interested in listening to the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y0_wNPSOaw Merry Christmas from me and my family to yours. With love and gratitude, Shelaine Have you ever really paid attention to the lyrics of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?
For whatever reason, I did while looking for unsweetened coconut in the bulk section of Save On Foods this week. As I scoured the bins for the correct product the background music interrupted my concentration. All of the other reindeer, used to laugh and call him names. They never let poor Rudolph, join in any reindeer games. “Nasty reindeer,” I thought. Then one foggy Christmas Eve, Santa came to say, "Rudolph, with your nose so bright, won't you guide my sleigh tonight?" Then how the reindeer loved him, as they shouted out with glee, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, you'll go down in history." “Oh sure, now they love him. He’s famous,” I mused as I scooped the white flakes. The song, which seemed to be on auto repeat, began again. Second time through it struck me differently. All it took to change the course of one misunderstood little reindeer was belief in him by an influential other. Someone important to the little fellow saw his unique trait as a gift and put it to constructive use. Before you get too worried, I do know that Rudolf isn’t real. But the incident reminded me of a couple of important life lessons. Firstly, there is always more than one way to look at a situation. Within minutes my perspective on the song changed as I switched from a critical, “judgmental reindeer buddies” attitude to a “power of believing in another” view. In fact, Rudolf became a leader among his peers, a beacon at the front of the sleigh, a source of light across the dark sky. In the right context, his unusual ability went from being a point of derision to a coveted trait, reminding me of the value of matching skills to jobs, gifts to needs. This silly little encounter also calls me not to be a Dasher or Dancer or Comet or Blitzen – one of those with a critical spirit. Rather, I want to be one who looks for the good in each person I meet, calling forth the God-given gifts every one of us possesses. Who can you encourage to step out in faith and try using a hidden talent? Are you willing to ask God to show you how He can use every part of your life to be a light in the darkness? With love and gratitude, Shelaine Traditions.
This time of year overflows with Strom family traditions. We construct a gingerbread project that symbolizes a meaningful family event from the year. Our mouths water as we anticipate Christmas morning brunch casserole and sticky buns. And, we have ornaments. Every December my husband and I endeavor to find a new tree adornment for each son that captures a highlight of their previous twelve months. We’ve marked graduations with ribbon-tied scrolls, driver’s licenses with mini cars, and soccer seasons with a ball on a string. Many of the early ornaments were homemade and humble. Some are simply tacky. Funny how those ones came to be the favorites. Each year, on the evening when we decorate the tree and enjoy appetizers, our sons pull out the ornaments one by one and recount memories and stories. The contest for “who can get their ornament lowest to the ground without touching” kicks in without prompting. Invariably we end up crying with laughter. Our tree is full. And I don’t mean that metaphorically. The basketball player on a string bumps into the drum set which overlaps with “baby’s first Christmas”, times three. A bigger tree is not the answer. So this year we’re beginning a new tradition, for a few different reasons. We will donate the money we would have spent on ornaments to a worthy cause, and buy just one additional ornament for the collection – something that captures our family’s year. Every year a different son and family will get to choose the donation recipient, and find or make the ornament. We’ve all bought into the new direction and, there is a gentle sadness attached to the change. We have left a stage of life behind and are forging new territory. My heart embraces the joy of new family members, the fun of adding Christmas memories, and the knowledge that we need to own our traditions and not let them own us. And, on these quiet, alone mornings, there are tears for the stage now complete. My liquid eyes tell me something good – something really good – has ended and for that I can be sad. But I refuse to stay here. I’ve always said I won’t be “that mother” who demands that a special occasion looks a certain way because it always has. I would rather feel the discomfort of change than subject my family to the tyranny of tradition. It’s time to put those claims into practice. You see, I suggested the change. My spirit knew it was time to move on and the complex emotion attached doesn’t mean the decision is wrong. Even change I initiate will necessarily involve joy and sadness, gain and loss, excitement and fear. It’s just the nature of change. I choose to thank God for the abundance of memories and look forward to accumulating many more – memories, not ornaments. With love and gratitude, Shelaine |
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