2000-What?

 Dear Bloggers,

I write this post with a joyful heart, and with a little guilt too!  It's been since OCTOBER since I last posted, and honestly...I miss you!  I must admit, though, that this post is mostly selfish, so I'll get right to the point.

I titled this post 2000-what?  because 2010 is a year I am not proud of (mostly...).  I started this blog so that I could vent.  I'd lost my whole support system and was (and still am) living in a place I don't consider home.  Well, even though I haven't posted in months, I still consider my blog to be vital to my life, and in many ways, a "home."  I realize that my blog isn't important to you in the same ways it's important to me, BUT, as a fellow blogger and woman (I know there are men in blogland...just most of you are of the female nature...), I know you understand WHY I need this "home."  So....  I was inspired to write this post after meeting new friends for New Years and old friends for a nice long chat.  I am reminded of what my life is to become and what it has been, and I refuse to remind myself of the things I'm leaving behind by choice, or residual icky 2010 baggage.  I'm saying goodbye to 2010, and am thanking it for it's opinion, but...no thanks.

I said goodbye to a bad job.  I said goodbye to friends (some by choice, some not so much...).  I said goodbye to some bad familial relationships.  I said goodbye to the me that let people make me feel bad.  I said goodbye to lots of pride.  I said goodbye to cable tv (BEST choice ever...just sayin').  I also said goodbye to some of my faith (not necessarily by choice...).

PEACE OUT 2010.

This year, I am resolving not to resolve.  I am being honest with myself.  Why make promises to myself that I'm honestly not going to keep?  I am living my life with high goals and NO expectations.  I am loving my family, even if they can't love me back.  I am being a true spouse to my husband (because we all know he WAY deserves it).  And I am not going to be afraid of what I don't know.  God hasn't left me -I just need to remember keep my eyes open for him.


My friends and family lovingly reminded me that it's alright to not know; that it's alright for there to be a question mark in my life.  They reminded me that a past is the past and that a journey requires one step at a time (take a small bite of the elephant; it's not much, but you're still a bite closer...).  My family reminded me of unconditional love and compassion.  My husband shows me what I cannot show myself, and allows me to be what I am -good, the bad, and the ugly (although, according to him...there is no ugly!  HA!!  We'll see how he feels in 20 years....).  The family I work for shows me that life comes in all forms and it doesn't matter if you're not perfect.

Welcome, 2011.  I am embracing you with open arms and a free mind.  Give me your best shot, I dare you.



 Keep on keepin' on~

Priester's Easters :)

I LOVE history.  It's true.  I love the mystery, the facts, the stories, and the speculation that comes along with things that happened before my time.  I try very hard not to gossip, but for me, history is like gossip.  You hear something and you can't help but wonder what it was all about!  So this is me -I'm Google-ing Easter.  Yes, I understand the Christian story and reason, seeing as I'm Episcopal, but I was SHOCKED to read that Easter was started after a pagan holiday.  Yes.  Pagan.  The second most important Christian "holiday" is based off of a pagan ritual.  Hmm -I'm not biting, but you can find out for yourself.

Michael and I will be away from all family for this holiday.  It's one of the first we'll be spending "alone" and I really wanted to start a new family tradition.  We need those, seeing as we're a new family, and it is important to create our own traditions.  So I decided (on my own, and told Michael about it later...hehehe, poor guy!) that we would have a brunch.  Invited to this brunch would be our friends, most of whom are also away from their families.  Who better to celebrate with than those whom want to be together!  :)  I'm looking forward to celebrating the Christian Easter with those who believe in the importance of it's history.

Here's to hoping that all of you have a great Good Friday, and a joyous Easter!

'Tis a Grrreat Day to be Irish

Today is such a great day to be Irish, and even a better one to be Catholic (in my opinion....)!  There is so much national pride for the Irish, and there is so much important historical context for the Catholic faith.  If you are under the impression that this holiday is one for you to wear beads, paint your face, wear barely any clothing, and drink WAY too much, you are VERY mistaken!  I did a little research, and discovered quite a lot about St. Patrick.  I have to admit -I'm a little shocked.  Just like with all "great saints," his past is littered with misfortune.  I'll sum it up for you because you could Google it if you REALLY wanted to know!  :)

St. Patrick's date of birth is questionable, being between 380-something to 420-something in Roman England (again, supposedly...).  I'd prefer not to put a solid date in the fears of being wrong -you all know how I feel about that!  He was stolen/sold into slavery (yet another questionable turn in the story) for a significant number of years, during which time was called upon by God to return to Ireland  to serve the new Christian converts and to spread the Good word.  He was accepted and hated (you know how Saints roll -hot AND cold all at the same time!), and within 200 years (which, of course, he didn't experience ALL 200 years) Ireland was converted to Christianity, a good bit due to Patrick's work.  He wasn't however, the first to bring Christianity to Ireland, as some suspect. 

My biggest interest was the HOW?  I mean -you come to a country and  start talking to people about a god they are somewhat unfamiliar with, with brand new traditions contradicting their pagan, druid pasts!  So how St. Patrick, how did you do it?  Well -I did some additional digging and found SOME answers.  Apparently the ancient Celts/Irishmen (and women...) worshiped their holidays with fire and their gods with the sun.  Knowing this, Patrick incorporated those into important Christian symbols.  The cross that is now associated with the Presbyterian church is called the Celtic Cross.  The circle around the center of the cross signifies the sun working hand-in-hand with the new concept of Christ.  So -they don't have to sacrifice everything, the sun remains an important symbol.  Secondly, Patrick incorporated large fires for Christian holidays.  This was also appealing because fires = feasting, and who can turn that down?  Patrick won over the nobles and the commoners and upset the druid priests with his merging of concepts.  Right or wrong, it was effective in his purpose. 

Because St. Patrick's day is during Holy Week, the suspension of meat-fasting has been historically suspended for this day of feasting and celebration.  Probably as it should for such a significant Saint, right?  He spread the word, why not celebrate in his honor?

I am not Catholic, and am MOST definitely NOT Irish, but I understand how COOL this holiday really is!  I hope you take a moment to thank St. Patrick before you have a beer in his honor!

Keep on!
B.

PS -the leprechauns....  Yeah, Walt Disney introduced that concept in the 1950's.  They're not even Irish....  SORRY!!!! :)