tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post269916142349918346..comments2024-02-11T02:09:23.512-08:00Comments on An Inch of Gray: Not So BusyAnna Whiston-Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921348961654008115noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-2680874198939250132014-12-28T10:26:14.499-08:002014-12-28T10:26:14.499-08:00Another wonderful post from you. I will never get ...Another wonderful post from you. I will never get enough of your writing and I liked your Woman's Day article too! I hope your Christmas was nice and I wish you blessings in 2015.....Debby@Just Breathehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11685398064340027809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-81404761064948425392014-12-26T15:11:42.971-08:002014-12-26T15:11:42.971-08:00My mum died last Saturday. I'm putting the hap...My mum died last Saturday. I'm putting the happy face on for my kids, one is still just wee. They need to still enjoy Christmas. So we listen to the Christmas songs and share happy memories of their gran. And I smile the fake smile and wait till Christmas is done and I can properly lose my s**t. Thanks for showing me grief is endurable. Thank you. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-65036707238710838492014-12-22T07:53:43.666-08:002014-12-22T07:53:43.666-08:00To be really honest, moms who work full time like ...To be really honest, moms who work full time like me can't relate to this. I agree we should make quiet time though to enjoy the season.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-34290113142580680942014-12-19T23:13:51.855-08:002014-12-19T23:13:51.855-08:00Ah,yes, yes. The time for connection. The time we ...Ah,yes, yes. The time for connection. The time we never can find. We have to make it, don't we? xoxoxo Happy holidays to you, dear friend. xo Alexandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00609629888008025050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-80376029162642116702014-12-18T14:28:16.340-08:002014-12-18T14:28:16.340-08:00Sometimes I feel like the only one in the world wh...Sometimes I feel like the only one in the world who is not overscheduled.<br /><br />This is one part laziness, one part knowing my limits, and one part growing older/wiser; but I don't take on too much over the holidays. Or ever, really.<br /><br />I've spent several recent mornings sitting in the quiet, sipping coffee and trying to be grateful. <br /><br />That is busy enough.<br />For now.julie gardnerhttp://juliecgardner.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-6128234727477952502014-12-18T11:42:16.621-08:002014-12-18T11:42:16.621-08:00yeah, feeling similarly. I lost my mother this ye...yeah, feeling similarly. I lost my mother this year but not to death (I hope that isn't insulting) -- i just finally realized (in my early 40s! good grief) that she doesn't care about me -- not because she's a bad person, but just because she can't, she doesn't know how -- I love her, but I can't allow her to keep abusing me if I want to move on with my life. and so I worked up the courage to just asked her for an apology for her hitting me (I was a fully grown adult mind you) and she refused. and then i saw no other choice but to fade away from her life. i still send her presents (she loves presents) and i still will be there for her when she's infirm -- but in 2014, I, in some real sense, lost my mother. and man does it hurt, even though it's just and internal loss. and so this Christmas is quiet. <br /><br />you might be interested in this: http://www.npr.org/programs/ted-radio-hour/357846020/quietAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-6917434058827996162014-12-18T07:27:17.321-08:002014-12-18T07:27:17.321-08:00Anna- My older sister is feeling this for the firs...Anna- My older sister is feeling this for the first time. All 3 of her boys are in college now and she's alone in a big house. She was the 'Queen of Busy'. A virtual Martha Stewart on top of her day job. I get the feeling that it's hard to know what to do now. We all are so consumed when the kids are small that we easily forget there will be a time of quiet. This is probably my busiest year yet with boys 6 and 9--work, sports, room mom stuff, neighborhood stuff (and remembering to move that Damn Elf each night:))!...I need to take a deep breath daily and to remind myself what is truly important this time of year. The Holidays are especially tough on those that are missing somebody special. It's important for us all to reach out to them this time of year. I wish a peaceful season and a great new year! XO, JenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-43070501744622491062014-12-18T06:47:36.533-08:002014-12-18T06:47:36.533-08:00Interesting...it is what my brother said he missed...Interesting...it is what my brother said he missed most when his daughter died..."I miss the chaos...embrace the chaos"<br />Peace and love to your family.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-43879995996703126892014-12-18T04:27:02.177-08:002014-12-18T04:27:02.177-08:00Advent (anticipation) - and good grief.Advent (anticipation) - and good grief.Bob Braxtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13040194535577581574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-91148272985035955412014-12-18T02:47:19.362-08:002014-12-18T02:47:19.362-08:00I'm still too busy, myself, but I would have a...I'm still too busy, myself, but I would have arranged everything to come and have dinner with you.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12586581766383380976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-66739605308772565532014-12-17T20:41:48.350-08:002014-12-17T20:41:48.350-08:00That would be me for the last few christmas's ...That would be me for the last few christmas's and it still feels weird and wrong. After many ministry years when we had to fit our own family stuff in-between the multiple church parties, pageants and volunteering, it feels uncomfortable and sad to be bored and longing to stroll through a crowded mall. <br />But the empty nest is at least temporarily full this christmas and a new grandchild has perked everything up a lot! Susie - Walking Butterflyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11372339217547326555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-18655174451748588992014-12-17T19:36:41.886-08:002014-12-17T19:36:41.886-08:00Such a great post. Love your writing.Such a great post. Love your writing.Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02438656758505872597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-28993270677924863222014-12-17T19:31:47.834-08:002014-12-17T19:31:47.834-08:00I'm glad you're taking in the less-busynes...I'm glad you're taking in the less-busyness of a crazy season. xoAlisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13174981423633745590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-35056949290063185042014-12-17T14:38:45.893-08:002014-12-17T14:38:45.893-08:00Anna- this is such a refreshing post. Thank you, t...Anna- this is such a refreshing post. Thank you, thank you, thank you! And, I'm so excited about your 2nd Women's Day article. Do you have another book in the works? Your writing is inspires me!<br />Wishing you God's peace and joy this Christmas season.<br />x Beth MarshallBeth Marshallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16369082479207211765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-81783105910580606502014-12-17T14:05:56.431-08:002014-12-17T14:05:56.431-08:00Is is bad of me to long for the not busy? Today ha...Is is bad of me to long for the not busy? Today has been especially crazy and it's not even over! ;) <br /><br />I am glad for YOU that you've been able to enjoy the quiet and yay for shopping online!! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01044279582701415786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-8757651523361638222014-12-17T13:24:45.030-08:002014-12-17T13:24:45.030-08:00I read your book and I was left wondering if you e...I read your book and I was left wondering if you ever spoke to the boys who were with your son at the time he fell in..Did the boys explain what happened ? was it a playful push that ended wrong ? was there daring involved ? I am so sorry for your loss. I thought of your son today when I saw some legos at the thrift store I work at !Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-20385846014336771012014-12-17T12:11:05.722-08:002014-12-17T12:11:05.722-08:00Oh, this resonates so deeply. The culture (and cul...Oh, this resonates so deeply. The culture (and cult) of busyness is not a direct correlation of happiness, satisfaction, etc - and you've given such an eloquent description (and dare I say, permission) to be un-busy, and still be a participator, supporter, contributor in whatever version of Holiday season/family/community exists for you.<br /><br />Thank you!Laylahttp://www.artofgesture.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-38268502474648797542014-12-17T10:49:51.621-08:002014-12-17T10:49:51.621-08:00Wonderful post. My husband and I believe that your...Wonderful post. My husband and I believe that your type of awareness is a gift! We see it as being closer to God, and when you are closer to Him, those w/o this awareness sort of fall away and you are left to sit and unpack all of the wisdom that awareness brings. Thanks for sharing. Have a blessed season. Prayers are with your family!Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12965676039993077773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-53870147090938879552014-12-17T08:21:28.245-08:002014-12-17T08:21:28.245-08:00Oh...and I forgot the Christmas Pageant at school ...Oh...and I forgot the Christmas Pageant at school (on a Saturday) followed by our HOA Christmas Party....yeah - I'm sure there's more. Hahaha! Hope you have a very Merry Christmas!!One crazed mommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17873085253600643761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-91955006277620629512014-12-17T08:20:39.406-08:002014-12-17T08:20:39.406-08:00I'm ready for a little quiet time - my month h...I'm ready for a little quiet time - my month has been filled with chaos - birthday party, tennis lessons, trip for work to Chicago (last minute) - trying to get clothes for Chicago, because SC clothes just don't cut it at this time of the year...then my birthday, and I work in HR...so it's always fun at the end of the year -throw in a Christmas Party and ordering gifts, and you have once crazed me! Tired...just tired and ready for the whole family to be in town and enjoy Christmas together. (Thank goodness for computers - all my shopping was done online as well - love Amazon Prime!!!)One crazed mommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17873085253600643761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-51854638148141097572014-12-17T08:19:40.848-08:002014-12-17T08:19:40.848-08:00I'm not so busy this year too. It's weird,...I'm not so busy this year too. It's weird, but good weird. To be honest, I haven't even started shopping yet! We leave for Colorado in 2 days so unless I have stuff shipped, there's really no point since suitcase space is limited. <br /><br />Merry Christmas Anna!I can't find my bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02613321200230079978noreply@blogger.com