tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post4105315710530416486..comments2024-02-23T20:11:10.823-08:00Comments on The Reed Life: i'm laying my burdens down...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10497663893256700064noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-9222571452435632782011-01-08T14:56:14.049-08:002011-01-08T14:56:14.049-08:00Such perfect insight into what our mamma had to of...Such perfect insight into what our mamma had to offer...Isnt it great to be an adult with a clear enough head to actually learn and grow from the the things that life and our past has taught us. Im so greatful. God has blessed us so much. PS I remember the year that we got the heart family barbie set under the stairs. Magical! But I remember most about 4 years in a row mom getting me a new walkman or disc man to try to find one that wouldnt skip when I went running! None of them worked...But She knew me so well and so badly wanted to bring me joy. I still have the last one she got me...I remember that the ipod (that never skips) came out like the year that she died and I was so heartbroken. I would never trade those moments or that old disc man... not for a million ipods. Cant even keep from crying right now...I love her so much.I love you too Shauna-na!Live a Unique Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06933023668269895670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-90835441143822520942010-12-31T15:43:38.995-08:002010-12-31T15:43:38.995-08:00Ah sister friend. I WaS going to make stockings, ...Ah sister friend. I WaS going to make stockings, didn't happen. I WAS going to do an advent calendar because I saw so many cute ones out there in blog land and I wanted to try it. Didn't happen. I WAS going to make homemade cinnamon rolls Christmas morning even though we weren't home but at someone else's house. Didn't happen. I have craft supplies for a fun craft to do with my kids waiting for me. Didn't happen. <br /><br />I SO feel your words in my own way. I still have my mom. And that woman ROCKS. I am always amazed at how much she gets done. I wonder sometimes what is WRONG with me, why don't I do as much. <br /><br />I feel conflicted between the traditions, the food, the extra effort not equaling Christmas. If it wasn't for those things, then wouldn't it be just any other day? After this Christmas I have been doing some serious thinking about my standards. I think that trying to live up to my mom's Christmas traditions and ways is actually hurting me. Yes, I will incorporate MUCH of what I grew up with, but I will also have to figure out how to do this my way. I will soon have three kids, my mom had two. There are many more differences between us, our personalities. I gotta be at peace with that and make our "zanes life" be just that. A zanes life, not a repeated gordon life. Okay, thank you. That was very therapeutic! Wow. I feel much better now. Thanks for expressing your feelings here and indulging me to do the same. <br /><br />A happy, festive, blessed new year to you and yours. -VickiValley Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16679965616027279333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-57750047074291232892010-12-30T18:00:22.960-08:002010-12-30T18:00:22.960-08:00oh so eloquent, Shauna! I love how I was just abl...oh so eloquent, Shauna! I love how I was just able to read your heart - thank you for sharing that.<br /><br />Such amazing reminders that the reason for the season is LOVE - The Lord sent His only Son because He loved us - and we are to love our families through our traditions, crafts and even the VHS tapes. ;)<br /><br />Precious memories, words and thoughts - thank you for sharing! <br /><br />Happy 2011!Tracy ~Seeking Refinement~https://www.blogger.com/profile/02603117407323522599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-54210337488288529682010-12-30T17:12:18.522-08:002010-12-30T17:12:18.522-08:00i love this. thanks for sharing your heart and poi...i love this. thanks for sharing your heart and pointing us in the right direction. the joy of the Lord, for he is worthy. <br /><br />your mom sounds simply wonderful. <br /><br />:)danielle @ take hearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09069108111008901234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-10721524649601696462010-12-30T16:31:46.186-08:002010-12-30T16:31:46.186-08:00Perfectly put: "she had the JOY of the LORD a...Perfectly put: "she had the JOY of the LORD and everyone knew it!"Lena K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06728594450465464325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-75028261616385907942010-12-30T14:12:51.410-08:002010-12-30T14:12:51.410-08:00it's true.
i don't remember any real tradi...it's true.<br />i don't remember any real traditions in my family.<br />traveling.<br />we drove to the grandparents.<br />and it was boooring.<br />so i am doing the opposite. making traditions to keep it meaningful and fun. not boring and daunting.<br />but you are right that the most important part of all of it is love.meg duerksenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14086811740577311427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-5996049869140007522010-12-30T12:11:52.240-08:002010-12-30T12:11:52.240-08:00Totally agree - you've said everything I'v...Totally agree - you've said everything I've been thinking. Simplifying life and getting back to what really matters... Have a wonderful new year!!!PaisleyJadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05497053121360068116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-23588077587460748782010-12-30T08:24:10.384-08:002010-12-30T08:24:10.384-08:00perfectly said....and a great reminder that I need...perfectly said....and a great reminder that I needed to hear! Thank you...<3Aprilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05049600973630075197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-17207929682013847332010-12-30T08:02:47.577-08:002010-12-30T08:02:47.577-08:00just AMEN...just AMEN...Elissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07080322252869480034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-84474095226685307592010-12-30T07:55:03.272-08:002010-12-30T07:55:03.272-08:00beautiful...just beautiful!- the heart behind this...beautiful...just beautiful!- the heart behind this post as well as the words... a joy to read!<br />Thanks for sharing!<br />Many Blessings!<br />JillJillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10605202814166541709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-37400490632273355982010-12-30T07:24:18.230-08:002010-12-30T07:24:18.230-08:00I've never commented here before (I don't ...I've never commented here before (I don't think) but this post was more than enough to yank me right out of my silent lurking. Your words were beautiful and the sentiment behind them even more so. <br />I was able to get rid of some of the stuff this year. I didn't send out Christmas cards, I didn't make many gifts, my baking list was shorter, we turned down party invites...and it was wonderful! Being with my family - laughing, crafting, playing with my family - was way better than any of that other stuff. It was worth it. I got some Bah-humbugs and other backhanded comments from people but that's okay. Those were people who were still stressed on Christmas Day that they didn't give their kids enough. And I know my kids have a whole month of new memories tucked away which is better than any new toy any day.Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00192972998727462569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-57712124101472068742010-12-30T07:15:26.305-08:002010-12-30T07:15:26.305-08:00Well, this is just my favorite. I can't get ov...Well, this is just my favorite. I can't get over the VHS tape. That smacks of my mom and our lean years. If my kids can look back on life and see that kind of love in me, then who cares that some of our "traditions" fell by the wayside this year. This is beautiful, Shauna. You are spot on. And your Mom sounds entirely amazing.Shannan Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06240696987027358314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-27709140815680016072010-12-30T05:49:50.918-08:002010-12-30T05:49:50.918-08:00It is so right, all leading up to Christmas was &#...It is so right, all leading up to Christmas was 'other' stuff. Things that took me away from what I wanted to do and I have been thinking since Christmas day that it wont happen again. I took too much on last year and my family suffered. I love being a huge part of my community but not at the expense of my children, my husband. Your blog is wonderful and the way you capture your children is beautiful. I think we need to relax on life and realise that by giving our children everything we are giving them nothing. I am realising that by overwhelming my children with toys I am stealing their imagination, and remembering that I loved my Christmases despite there being so very little under our tree. I have to stop worrying what society will think of me if my children have the smallest pile of gifts ever, or if they have holes in their already second hand clothes because I am tired of buying, buying, buying to replace the holes! <br />So I am waffling now so I will stop but I am just trying to say I get ya! I will try even harder to live to the great Beatles...All you need is love!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-50428365741958305312010-12-30T05:32:06.596-08:002010-12-30T05:32:06.596-08:00Thank you so much for sharing. This Christmas has...Thank you so much for sharing. This Christmas has been the worst to date- my mom spent half of December in the hospital following surgery for brain cancer. She was home for Christmas Eve, where we were able to celebrate many of our traditions, then went back in on Christmas Day with some complications. I know that I have very limited time left with my mom, and have been thinking so much about the things I truly love and will miss about her. She, too, isn't perfect (and who is!?!) but I'm finding that it's not the frustrating or disappointing things that I want to remember and fixate on- it's the amazing ways she has loved me and my children. <br />I'm finding myself in so much of what you're writing these days, more than I ever thought I would- as I begin this new road. So, thank you.keely https://www.blogger.com/profile/12687329193962275128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-86996012908101335492010-12-29T23:22:24.485-08:002010-12-29T23:22:24.485-08:00Shauna, you broke my heart and rebuilt it all in o...Shauna, you broke my heart and rebuilt it all in one post. This is beautiful. I only met your mom a few times over the years but love was always there for you all. Larger than life. Your post makes me reflect on my own mom and how my sisters and I do the same thing - try to honor her with her own traditions. Since we are so very fortunate to still have her, it's more important than ever to focus on the root of them and why they are there in the first place. Our purpose to be grateful for that love now; yours for continuing to heal. Thank you for exposing your heart so openly. And feel better, poor girl.BrandiBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00821014976839989602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-848473527857999392010-12-29T22:01:30.955-08:002010-12-29T22:01:30.955-08:00I think that was beautiful, and just what I needed...I think that was beautiful, and just what I needed to hear. Thanks for sharing your heart...your mom sounds beautiful...it is hard to miss people so dear. She would be proud of you for sure.Cherish Stockdalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05893542558488616240noreply@blogger.com